Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles added some much-needed experience to the chase for the starting punter job by signing unrestricted free agent Kyle Richardson on Monday.

Richardson, a six-year veteran, punted for the Minnesota Vikings in 2002, his only season with the club. He signed a one-year contract believed to include a minimum base salary of $535,000 for a player of his tenure.

Richardson, 30, will compete in camp with two youngsters, but immediately becomes the early favorite to win the job. Dirk Johnson, who punted in NFL Europe for two seasons (and earlier this offseason signed a three-year contract that included a signing bonus of $15,000), is the next most-experienced punter. The other currently on the roster is undrafted free agent Derrick Frost of Northern Iowa.

It is unlikely the Eagles will take all three punters to their summer training camp.

Longtime punter Sean Landeta left the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent, signing with the St. Louis Rams earlier this spring. Philadelphia had made little attempt to retain the 18-year veteran.

In Richardson, the Eagles are getting one of the NFL's best punters at pinning an opponent inside its own 20, but also a veteran who has experienced problems in the past with blocked punts. Richardson has had eight punts blocked in six seasons -- he sometimes has a slow approach to the ball -- including at least one every year except 2000.

On the plus side, he established a league record in 2000, placing 39 punts inside the 20-yard line of opponents. He also led the NFL in that critical category in 1999, with 34 so-called "coffin corner" kicks. With the Vikings in 2000, he had 21 punts inside the 20, while posting a 39.9-yard gross average and a net average of 35.3 yards.

For his career, Richardson has a 41.2-yard gross average and a net average of 37.7 yards on 445 punts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three-year veteran linebacker Jack Golden, one of the their top special teams players in 2002, re-signed with the team. Golden, 26, signed a one-year contract with a base salary of $450,000.

The former Oklahoma State star, claimed on waivers by the Bucs last year after his release by the New York Giants, posted 13 special teams tackles and a forced fumble, while playing in 13 regular-season games. He also played in all three of Tampa Bay's postseason contests, including Super Bowl XXXVII. As a rookie with the Giants, he appeared in Super Bowl XXXV, as well. Golden has appeared in 45 games for his career.

Miami Dolphins: Although a deal is not yet completed, unrestricted veteran safety Sammy Knight, one of the top players left from a shallow free agent pool, clearly has selected Miami as his preference.

ESPN.com has learned that Knight, 27, on Monday cancelled a scheduled visit with the Green Bay Packers, the other franchise pursuing him. An associate of Knight said that the six-year veteran, whose entire career has been with the New Orleans Saints, hoped to reach an agreement with the Dolphins within the next few days.

Miami made Knight a contract offer last week, has kept in close contact with him, and is believed to have strongly suggested that he will replace Arturo Freeman as the team's starting strong safety. Knight met with Miami coaches and officials last month. Knight became a free agent when he voided the final year of his contract with the Saints. He also visited with Pittsburgh, but the Steelers used their first-round choice two weeks ago to select strong safety Troy Polamalu of Southern California.

Oakland Raiders: One of the league's best teams at unearthing bargain basement veterans, the Raiders added a pair -- offensive lineman Corey Hulsey and defensive tackle Damian Gregory. Both signed one-year contracts for the $300,000 league minimum.

Hulsey started in 12 games at guard for Buffalo in 2001 but was out of the league last season. Gregory played one game with the Cleveland Browns last season.