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The 2008 free-agent signing period rolls along. And after a very quiet weekend, the pace of signings picked up again this afternoon with a handful of name players inking new deals.

We'll get the ball rolling tonight in Tampa Bay, where Warrick Dunn signed with the Buccaneers, returning to the team he played for during his first five NFL seasons.

Dunn, who played for Tampa Bay from 1997-2001, still ranks third on the Buccaneers' career rushing list with 4,200 rushing yards.

According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, the two sides agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal that includes $2 million in guaranteed money. Dunn, drafted by the Bucs with a first-round pick in 1997, is scheduled to earn $3 million in the first year of the deal.

Dunn, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, spent the past six seasons with Atlanta, where he became the franchise's third-leading rusher with 5,979 rushing yards. Last season, he became the 22nd player in NFL history to surpass 10,000 yards rushing.

He was released by the Falcons last Monday, a day after they signed Michael Turner.

Dunn joins what's looking increasingly like a committee approach to the Buccaneers' backfield with Earnest Graham serving as chairman. Dunn and returnee Michael Bennett will work behind Graham. Veteran Michael Pittman is an unrestricted free agent unlikely to return.

Carnell Williams is rehabbing a the ruptured patellar tendon that ended his 2007 season early and some local observers have questioned whether the Cadillac will be ready to roll this fall.

One could argue the addition of Dunn lends further credence to that belief.

Although he struggled last year, the 33-year-old Dunn had three straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Falcons, helping the team lead the NFL in rushing from 2004-06. He also ran for a career-high 1,416 yards in 2005, earning his third Pro Bowl appearance.

Returning to Tampa was the best scenario for Dunn, his agent said.

"It feels like based on all the information we have, it's the best fit for Warrick," agent Jim Steiner said. "I think after talking to both Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden, that was clear."

Which leads me to believe Dunn is ready to accept a lesser role behind Graham in the belief Tampa Bay gives him a reasonable shot at post-season success. ...

Also in Tampa. ... The Bucs made their first move at a position that needs some help, signing free agent receiver Antonio Bryant to a contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Buccaneers become the latest in a series of team's to give Bryant a shot.

Bryant, who turned 28 on Sunday, has not played since being released from the 49ers in 2006 after being suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

He sat out the final two games of the 2006 season and did not play in 2007. Bryant could not find a suitor for the 2007 season, partly because of a failed drug test over the summer. He finished 2006 with 40 catches for 733 yards in 14 games with San Francisco.

In six seasons, the 6-2, 188-pound Bryant has amassed 250 catches for 3,837 yards and 19 touchdowns in 77 games with the Cowboys, the Browns and the 49ers.

A second-round pick by the Cowboys in 2002, Bryant was traded to the Browns in 2004 after clashing with then-coach Bill Parcells.

Whether he can help the Bucs after a year out of the NFL remains to be seen. I find myself wondering how the very temperamental and emotional Bryant will react to Gruden's hard-nosed approach.

That said, the addition of youth and talent to a receiving corps led by aging veterans Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard has to be a positive. ...

In Detroit. ... Running back Tatum Bell apparently has had a change of heart. Bell signed a one-year deal worth $1.6 million to remain with the Lions, Detroit Free Press reporter Nicholas J. Cotsonika reported on Monday.

The Lions have not announced the move, but Bell's agent, Kennard McGuire, told Cotsonika an agreement was in place. ESPN.com insider John Clayton subsequently reported that Bell, 26, agreed to a one-year, $1.6 million deal to remain in Detroit.

Bell started four games for the Lions in 2007 and had 182 yards on 44 carries last year. But he did not play in Detroit's final 11 games last season after Kevin Jones returned from a foot injury.

Bell asked for a trade and became a free agent.

But the opportunity available seems to be improving. Jim Colletto has replaced Mike Martz as offensive coordinator, and the Lions plan to run the ball more. T.J. Duckett left as a free agent.

At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, head coach Rod Marinelli said of Bell: "He'll fit some of the zone runs that we're running right now. Our offensive staff sat down and said, 'He fits what we're trying to do.' It's not as much coming out of the backfield for him and maybe as many different runs, just a few basic runs.

"I think he's got a chance to fit some of that."

In fact, with Jones coming off a torn ACL, Clayton believes Bell will be given the chance to start this season.

Whatever the case, his return was by no means a foregone conclusion and clearly signals Bell sees some positives in Detroit.

"Things change, and we like Tatum," Lions assistant head coach Kippy Brown told Cotsonika. "He's a good player and a good person."

And he's fast. ...

As Clayton noted, on any given play, Bell has the ability to break a long run because he has great speed and elusiveness. And he has been productive in the past. In his final season with the Broncos in 2006, Bell had 1,025 yards and a 4.4-yard average.

If Bell has a great season, he is hoping to hit a big payday in 2009. ...

In St. Louis. ... Trent Green, who ended last season on injured reserve after his second concussion in 13 months, agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the on Monday.

Green told FOXSports.com insider Jay Glazer the contract is worth $9 million.

In his second stint with the Rams, Green will be the backup behind Marc Bulger. He was supposed to be the starter in 1999 before a preseason knee surgery paved the way for Kurt Warner, who led the Rams to their first Super Bowl victory.

Green visited the team last week and had been mulling a decision whether to keep playing. He replaces Gus Frerotte as Bulger's backup.

"We have now solidified our quarterback position," head coach Scott Linehan said. "You will be hard-pressed to find the quality we have at that position."

Both Green and Bulger have played in two Pro Bowls.

Green was released by the Dolphins last month. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2001-06, starting every game the first five seasons and the first game of 2006 for a franchise-record 81-game streak. ...

In New Orleans. ... Tight end Eric Johnson agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Saints on Monday. According to Associated Press sports writer Brett Martel, Johnson's agent, Steve Baker, confirmed the length of the agreement but did not disclose financial terms.

"Eric feels that the Saints' offense is a perfect fit for him," Baker said.

Johnson played 14 games for New Orleans last season, starting 12, and caught 48 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns. He was 11th in catches among NFL tight ends.

Bringing back Johnson gives the Saints three proven tight ends.

Last week, New Orleans re-signed eight-year veteran Billy Miller, who had 27 catches for 328 yards and two TDs last season. Nine-year veteran Mark Campbell, who spent last season on injured reserve, also is expected to return. ...

In Buffalo. ... During his visit last Wednesday with the Bills, free agent tight end Courtney Anderson said he didn't want to visit anywhere else. On Monday Anderson got his wish as he signed with Buffalo.

"It's a great organization and a great coaching staff," said Anderson. "There are a lot of great players here. I just look forward to coming in and working hard and trying to get us over the hump in terms of competing in our division."

As BuffaloBills.com staffer Chris Brown noted, the 27-year old Anderson is one of the tallest tight ends in the league at 6-6 and 270 pounds. He is a pass catcher by trade as he's a former wide receiver.

Anderson, originally drafted by Oakland, has started 28 of 43 NFL games in the previous four seasons. He has 62 catches 763 yards and six touchdowns. He played in four games last season without a reception for Detroit and Atlanta.

Anderson was used a lot in the red zone during his stint in Oakland as the Raiders made an effort to take advantage of his size.

The Bills are no doubt hoping to take advantage of his size in the red zone as well as Buffalo finished 30th last season in red zone touchdown percentage (38.2 percent) finding the end zone on just 13 of their 34 opportunities.

Brown went on to explain that new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert is expected to make more frequent use of the tight end in the passing game than that of his predecessor Steve Fairchild. Anderson now has the opportunity to compete to be that top passing target at the tight end position.

Buffalo now has four tight ends on the roster including Anderson. The others are Teyo Johnson, a former teammate of Anderson's in Oakland, Robert Royal and Derek Schouman. ...

In New York. ... Running back Jesse Chatman won't be back with the Dolphins. According to Palm Beach Post staffer Tim Graham, Chatman signed a one-year contract to play with the AFC East rival Jets on Sunday. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Chatman visited the Jets last week and felt at home with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, whom he worked with in San Diego.

"It was a great visit," Chatman's agent, Brett Tessler, said. "He felt very comfortable and thinks it's a great opportunity."

Chatman played 14 games, starting six after Ronnie Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 7. Chatman, hobbled by an ankle injury late in the season, finished with 515 yards (a 4.0 average) and one touchdown. He also caught 27 passes for 161 yards. ...

In Houston. ... The Texans re-signed veteran tight end Mark Bruener on Monday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Primarily used as a blocker in short yardage situations, the 35-year-old Bruener did make a catch in 14 games last season. He has 152 receptions for 1,333 yards and 18 touchdowns over 13 seasons.

It's safe to assume he'll continue to handle most of the blocking assignments this season while talented youngster Owen Daniels continues to get most of the receiving opportunities. ...

And finally. ... Tom Coughlin cashed in on the New York Giants' improbable run to a Super Bowl title, signing a four-year, $21 million contract this past weekend -- a deal that makes him one of the NFL's highest-paid coaches.

"Tom Coughlin has done a great job for us and we think this contract recognizes his outstanding achievements here," Giants president and chief executive John Mara said Saturday. "This is a message to him and to our fans that we want him to be our coach for many years to come."

Coughlin had been on the verge of being fired after the Giants went 8-8 in 2006 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year.

The Giants (14-6) and Coughlin both staged remarkable turnarounds, capped by a 17-14 win over previously unbeaten New England in the Super Bowl last month. ...

That's it for this installment. ... Once again, I'll remind those interested in following along more closely to keep an eye on the News & Views and ESPN News Feed sections of the site.

And as always, those looking for something a little more in-depth should keep an eye out here, in the Headline News section.