Former University of Hawai'i defensive end Melila Purcell was one of six players signed to the Cleveland Browns' practice squad yesterday, according to the team's Web site.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder was the team's sixth-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

Others signed were running back Chris Barclay, offensive lineman Cliff Louis, defensive linemen Chase Pittman, and receivers Steve Sanders and Syndric Steptoe.

Players are eligible for the practice squad unless they've been active for nine games in one season or been on practice squads for three years. A player must spend at least three weeks on the practice squad for it to count as one season.

Practice squad players are able to practice with the team but cannot dress or play on game days without first being moved to the active roster. Practice squad players are essentially free agents and are able to be signed to another team's active roster.

BRONCOS

RICE SIGNS FOR ONE YEAR

Nobody's more excited about Denver's signing of free agent sacks specialist Simeon Rice than Broncos safety John Lynch.

The two won a Super Bowl together in Tampa Bay in 2002, and both believe this reunion in Denver could lead to a second ring.

"He's a teammate who I loved playing with and one of the great pass-rushers of all-time. So, we'd be — anyone would be — fortunate to get him," Lynch said yesterday while the sides were signing the one-year deal at Broncos headquarters.

Rice, whose 121 career sacks rank second to Michael Strahan among active players, was released by Tampa Bay this summer after the Buccaneers signed first-round draft pick Gaines Adams.

Rice had failed a physical earlier in the day after reporting to camp, but has since passed his medical tests. The 33-year-old started the first eight games last year before being sidelined by a shoulder injury.

BUCCANEERS

TROTTER SIGNS DEAL

Four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay yesterday.

The Bucs open the season Sunday at Seattle.

Trotter, 30, was waived Aug. 21 by Philadelphia and two days later had a tryout before Bucs coaches and personnel executives.

The Eagles' leading tackler last season, the 6-foot-1, 262-pound Trotter is expected to back up third-year pro Barrett Ruud in his first season as starter since taking over for retired Shelton Quarles.

PANTHERS

SAFETY MANUEL ADDED

Carolina signed safety Marquand Manuel, two days after he was released by the Green Bay Packers.

The Panthers also officially signed cornerback Dante Wesley and released cornerback Curtis Deloatch and receiver Chris Horn.

The 28-year-old Manuel started all 16 games at strong safety for the Packers in 2006 after signing a five-year, $10 million free-agent deal before the season.

But Manuel, who was blamed for giving up several big plays last season, lost his starting job in the preseason. He was one of Green Bay's final cuts to get to the 53-player limit.

Manuel will provide the Panthers with experience. Veteran safety Mike Minter announced his retirement in training camp and Nate Salley missed most of the preseason with a knee injury.

BEARS

OLSEN'S KNEE SPRAINED

Greg Olsen walked with a slight limp and a big sense of relief yesterday.

The Chicago rookie tight end stood on the sideline in a jersey and shorts with his cap on backward, looking carefree even though his sprained left knee was wrapped in a bandage. It was a big improvement from Thursday night, when he limped off the field late in the first half of the preseason finale against Cleveland.

"We're happy it wasn't anything too serious," Olsen said.

An MRI exam Friday revealed no structural damage.

LIONS

NO SET DATE FOR JONES

Kevin Jones will start the season on Detroit's active roster, but doesn't know when he'll play.

The team took the third-year running back off the physically unable to perform list Saturday and kept him on the roster when it was trimmed to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Jones said yesterday at his first practice of the season that getting back before the Lions' sixth game Oct. 21 against Tampa Bay would be a bonus.

"I want to definitely be back before six (games)," he said. "But I can start practicing now and take it day by day."

Jones broke a bone in his left foot late last season and early prognoses included the possibility of missing the entire 2007 season. He rushed for 689 yards and six touchdowns on 181 carries in 12 games in '06 and had a career-best 61 receptions for 520 yards.

He missed the final three games with the injury, which required offseason surgery.

BROWNS

FRYE TO START AT QB

Charlie Frye will start at quarterback for Cleveland's season opener Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Frye, who started 13 games last year, entered training camp slightly behind Derek Anderson in the quarterback competition. But he outperformed Anderson during preseason games and directed one touchdown drive against the Denver Broncos. Anderson produced no touchdowns when he led the offense during preseason games.

Coach Romeo Crennel said yesterday the position will be evaluated on a weekly basis.

ELSEWHERE

Patriots: New England re-signed tight end Marcellus Rivers and claimed rookie linebacker David Herron off waivers yesterday. The team also signed seven players to the practice squad: wide receivers Bam Childress and C.J. Jones, fullback Kyle Eckel, linebacker Corey Mays, tackle Clint Oldenburg, defensive lineman Santonio Thomas and tight end Jason Rader.

Cardinals: Arizona claimed defensive end Quentin Moses and wide receiver Jehreme Urban off waivers. To make room on the roster, the team placed defensive end Chike Okeafor on injured reserve and released tight end rookie Ben Patrick.