Chris Johnson's friend-aided 40 boosts stock

Chris Johnson's friend-aided 40 boosts stock
East Carolina's Chris Johnson had the fastest 40 time at the combine, but Alex Marvez says there's more to the RB than blazing speed.

Lions cut Jones, Edwards as roster shaping continues

As Rod Marinelli begins his third season as coach of the Detroit Lions, shaping the roster is his personal domain. With every move, Marinelli is trying to eliminate uncertainty and stress production.

The decision to cut running back Kevin Jones and defensive end Kalimba Edwards on Thursday fell into both categories. Both were former high draft picks who did not fulfill their potential. Jones is coming off a second straight season-ending injury, making his status for 2008 uncertain. For Edwards, it simply was a case of giving up on the potential Marinelli saw in him.

"As I've said all along, we will always make decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our entire football team," Marinelli said in a statement released by the team. "As the offseason has evolved from our postseason roster evaluation, to the Combine, to the free-agency period, we feel we've made several moves to improve our team.''

Vick's trial on state dogfighting charges delayed
The trial of suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick on state dogfighting charges has been delayed. Vick was scheduled to stand trial on April 2. The Surry County Commonwealth Attorney's office says no new date has been set yet. The trial will be rescheduled on March 25. Vick is serving a federal 23-month prison term in Leavenworth, Kansas. Officials had already delayed the trials of co-defendants Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace.

Browns resign DB Baxter

Gary Baxter is going to try it again the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

The Browns signed the star-crossed defensive back to a one-year contract Thursday in hopes of seeing him complete his comeback in a Cleveland uniform.

"This is very important for me to sign a one-year deal here and to finish something I started," Baxter said in a statement released by the club. "This has been a long process, but right now everything is going well and I'm going to continue my quest to make history."

Texans sign ex-Titan Brown to 2-year deal
The Houston Texans hope they are getting the Chris Brown who rushed for 175 yards in Tennessee's season-opening victory at Jacksonville last season rather than the running back who was injured in each of his five seasons with the Titans.

Brown, who turns 27 next month, signed a two-year contract worth $3.6 million on Thursday. He received an $800,000 signing bonus. He joins a group that includes Ahman Green, Chris Taylor and Darius Walker. The Texans are still expected to draft another back according to the Houston Chronicle.

"We thought it was important to add another veteran running back before the draft," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "From a scheme standpoint, Chris fits what we're doing. We know he's had some injury issues, but we think if we handle Chris and Ahman right, they can be very productive."