The Oakland Raiders found their replacement for Kerry Collins, signing quarterback Aaron Brooks to a two-year contract Wednesday to compete for the starting job.
The 29-year-old Brooks was cut last week by New Orleans when the Saints signed Drew Brees, one of the most coveted free agents available this year.
Brooks started 13 games for New Orleans last season, completing 240 of 431 passes for 2,882 yards and 13 touchdowns. He threw 17 interceptions.
"Oh, sweet," receiver Alvis Whitted said in a phone interview. "I'm glad that we do have a new quarterback. I'm sure he'll fit right in with what we're trying to get done here. I'm sure the coaches are excited. From what I've seen of him play, he's done some great things. He's very athletic, a mobile quarterback and very intelligent, too. He's a great fit for us, and we're happy to have him."
Brooks, who had started 82 straight games before being benched for the final three games of 2005, spent the past six seasons with the Saints after playing for Green Bay in his first NFL campaign in 1999.
Brooks, a fourth-round draft pick by the Packers out of Virginia, was one of few capable quarterbacks left on the market this offseason.
"Aaron gives us great depth at the quarterback position and provides us with a veteran presence," new Raiders coach Art Shell said. Oakland parted ways with Collins on March 10 in an expected salary-cap move that saves them $9.2 million against the salary cap once bonuses are factored into the figures.
ABRAHAM GETS HIS WISH: John Abraham wanted a long-term deal and a chance to play closer to home. The Atlanta Falcons were desperately seeking another top-notch defensive end. Both sides got their wish.
Abraham, a three-time Pro Bowls selection, officially joined the Falcons on Wednesday after the New York Jets agreed to a three-way trade that also included the Denver Broncos.
"This might be the easiest transition of my life," he said. "It's not like I have to be the main guy. I'm just filling one of the pieces to the puzzle."
PACKERS SIGN ARTH: The Green Bay Packers signed quarterback Tom Arth and retained defensive tackle Colin Cole on Wednesday.
Arth, a quarterback from Division III John Carroll University, has spent all or parts of the last three seasons with Indianapolis and was on the Colts' practice squad last season.
Cole, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, played in all 16 games last year in his first full NFL season and started four games. He posted a career-high 62 tackles and the first two sacks of his career.