Associated Press
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got their man. Now they’ll find out if Brad Johnson is the missing piece in a championship puzzle.
Johnson agreed yesterday to a five-year, $28 million contract with the Bucs, who outbid the Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens for the most coveted free-agent quarterback.
The team confirmed general manager Rich McKay struck a deal with Johnson, but said club officials would not comment until the former Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings star signs a contract.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals also had expressed an interest in Johnson, who has thrown for 12,973 yards, 79 touchdowns and 57 interceptions in nine pro seasons.
"Brad always liked the Buccaneers because of Tony (Dungy) and he liked the Ravens because of Brian (Billick)," agent Phil Williams said, playing down a suggestion that Johnson rebuffed the Ravens, who also have been courting former Chiefs quarterback Elvis Grbac.
The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus and a base salary of $750,000 next season. Nearly half the contract, including a $3.5 million salary and $2 million roster bonus in 2002, would be paid in the first two years.
The Ravens, who were thought to have the inside track when the free-agent signing period opened last week, reportedly offered Johnson and Grbac identical packages worth about $22 million over four years.
LIONS
 Quarterback signs: Jim Harbaugh agreed yesterday to a two-year deal with Detroit, giving the Lions a solid backup to injury-plagued quarterback Charlie Batch.
Further terms were not disclosed by the Lions and Harbaugh’s agent, Steve Forest, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Harbaugh, 6 feet 3 and 215 pounds, led the Wolverines to the 1987 Rose Bowl with an 11-2 record. He was the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick in 1987.
He also played with the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens before being traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1999.
Harbaugh completed 123 of 202 passes for 1,416 yards, 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season.
FOOTNOTES
Raiders: Free agent defensive end Trace Armstrong, who spent the past six years with the Miami Dolphins, signed yesterday with Oakland. Armstrong, 35, led the AFC and ranked second in the league last season with a career-high 161/2 sacks. He received a six-year, $18.6 million deal with a $5 million signing bonus.
Panthers: Carolina agreed to terms yesterday with free agent linebacker Jason Kyle and released tight end Brian Kinchen. Kyle, primarily used as a long snapper, spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers. Kinchen was the Panthers’ long snapper in all 16 games last season.
Saints: New Orleans signed former Redskins wide receiver Albert Connell yesterday. Connell agreed to a five-year contract that reportedly is worth $14 million, including a $2.5 million signing bonus.
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