While the Dallas Cowboys returned to their past, the San Francisco 49ers did a double take.
Seven years after he was traded away, Herschel Walker once again is a Cowboy."There are some things I'd like to accomplish in this league, and winning the Super Bowl is No. 1," said Walker, who was released by the New York Giants last month.
The 34-year-old Walker is fourth on the NFL's all-purpose career yardage list with 15,881 yards and 18th on the career rushing list with 8,122 yards. His trade to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989, when Dallas received 12 players and draft picks, is considered the key to the enormous success the Cowboys have had since then.
Among current Cowboys who can be linked to the Vikings deal are running back Emmitt Smith, cornerback Kevin Smith and All-Pro safety Darren Woodson.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed Walker accepted a low salary for the chance of fulfilling his championship dream.
"If you talk about terms with me, I don't think you understand me," Walker said. "I've done very well financially in the business world and the athletic world. Money wasn't a deciding factor on what I was going to do."
Walker is expected to back up Smith at tailback and Daryl Johnston at fullback, perhaps come out of the backfield for passes on third-down situations and take some of the kick-returning load off receiver Kevin Williams and cornerback-receiver Deion Sanders.
In his first stint with Dallas, Walker led the NFC in rushing with 1,516 yards in 1986.
In San Francisco, identical twins Sean and Sam Manual signed identical contracts with the 49ers.
The Manuels, both seventh-round draft picks, signed two-year deals worth $315,000 and got $20,000 signing bonuses, the 49ers announced.
The 49ers also signed free-agent linebacker Mark Sander, who played last season with the Scottish Claymores of the World League, and free-agent defensive back Tyrone Smith, a rookie out of Baylor.
Tight end Keith Jackson, who held out six weeks last season before signing with Green Bay, signed a two-year deal Thursday with the Packers.
Terms weren't disclosed. but it is believed Jackson will get $2.3 million plus incentives worth up to $475,000 each year.
The Packers also reported signing linebacker Michael Johnson and wide receiver Desmond Howard.
The Chicago Bears signed their first-round draft pick, defensive back Walt Harris, to a five-year contract.
The Bears also announced the signing of veteran center Jerry Fontenot to a one-year pact.
New Orleans signed wide receiver Mercury Hayes to a two-year deal. Hayes, a former Michigan standout, was the first of three fifth-round selections by the Saints.
The Oakland Raiders' top draft pick this year, tight end Rickey Dudley, agreed to terms. The ninth overall choice in the draft out of Ohio State, the 6-foot-6, 248-pound Dudley was the first top-10 draft selection to agree on a contract.
The Arizona Cardinals signed two defensive players from the London Monarchs and another World League veteran. Joining the Cardinals were defensive tackle Blaine Berger, linebacker Nick Smith and wide receiver Kevin Knox.
Arizona also waived defensive lineman Chadrick Brown.
The Cincinnati Bengals lost their most versatile player when lineman Bruce Kozerski announced his retirement.