The Atlanta Falcons bolstered their already strong wide receiving corps Wednesday by signing Plan B free agent Drew Hill of the Houston Oilers.
Hill, 35, was the second-leading receiver in the AFC last season with 90 receptions for 1,109 yards and four touchdowns.Hill, a 12-year veteran, had been used primarily as a kick returner while with the Los Angeles Rams from 1979 through 1984. He emerged as a premier wide receiver in Houston, averaging more than 68 receptions and close to 1,070 yards in each of his seven seasons with the Oilers.
He became the all-time receptions leader at Houston last season.
At Denver, while the Oilers were busy building up their receiving corps, the Denver Broncos filled their need for a backup quarterback on Wednesday by signing Steve Pelluer as a Plan B free agent.
Pelluer, 29, won a tryout duel with Mark Herrmann, 33, in the bid to replace longtime backup Gary Kubiak, who has retired.
Coach Dan Reeves was impressed with both players, but Pelluer apparently gained the edge because of his experience as a holder for extra points and field goals - duties also performed by Kubiak.
The 6-foot-4, 209-pound Pelluer has played sparingly since starting 14 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 1988. His last start was in 1989, against the Broncos, but he was injured the following week.
In other Plan B signings:
Green Bay Packers - Signed Lewis Billups, cornerback; Los Angeles Rams - Signed Jim Skow, defensive end; Miami Dolphins - Signed Brian Jones, linebacker; New Orleans Saints - Signed Keith Taylor, safety, and Paul Jetton, offensive lineman; Philadelphia Eagles - Signed Guy Bingham, center; Floyd Dixon, wide receiver; Eric Floyd, offensive lineman; and Don Overton, running back; Phoenix Cardinals - Signed Pat Eilers, safety; Pittsburgh Steelers - Signed Stan Clayton, offensive lineman, and Matt Jaworski and Stan Smagala, safeties; San Diego Chargers - Signed Erik Affholter, wide receiver; Sam Anno, linebacker; Pat O'Hara, quarterback; and Terry Price, defensive end; San Francisco 49ers - Signed Marc Logan, running back; Odessa Turner, wide receiver; and Manny Hendrix, cornerback.