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Bucs sign former Chargers kicker, former Giants WR

 
Former Giants second-round pick Steve Smith has been largely unproductive since a stellar 2009 season.
Former Giants second-round pick Steve Smith has been largely unproductive since a stellar 2009 season.
Published April 3, 2013

TAMPA — The Bucs continued a week of aggressive mid-level roster moves, added two free agents Tuesday and moving a step closer to resolving an issue with a current player.

Tampa Bay signed wide receiver former Giants second-round pick Steve Smith, largely unproductive since a stellar 2009 season, and added kicker Nate Kaeding, a former Pro Bowl pick with the Chargers.

Meanwhile, cornerback Eric Wright met with coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik. Wright is likely to sign a renegotiated contract and remain for less than the $7.75 million he is due in 2013.

The Bucs have been expected to release Wright, but by passing on available free-agent cornerbacks they remain dangerously thin at the position.

In 2009 Smith had 107 catches for 1,220 yards. Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan was Giants receivers coach that year. After spending 2012 with the Rams, catching 14 passes for 131 yards, Smith joins on a one-year deal worth $715,000 with a $65,000 workout bonus.

Kaeding does not, for now, appear to be a threat to Connor Barth. Kaeding, 31, likely will provide competition and spell Barth during the preseason.

The Bucs made official the signing of former USF defensive end George Selvie and confirmed the signings of defensive tackle Derek Landri and running back Brian Leonard.

Around the league

Palmer to cards: The Cardinals got QB Carson Palmer from the Raiders. Arizona gave up a conditional seventh-round 2014 draft pick and swapped a sixth-round pick this year for Oakland's seventh-rounder. Palmer agreed to a deal worth up to $20 million, $10 million guaranteed, over two years

Jurisprudence: Two wrongful-death lawsuits over the suicide of Junior Seau were consolidated with NFL concussion litigation in Philadelphia. … A new date, Aug. 12, was set for 22-year-old Eric Rivera Jr., who is accused of fatally shooting former Redskins and Miami star safety Sean Taylor in 2007.

49ers: Former Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $3 million.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.