TimesLeader.com

Niners aim to steal Warner from Cards NOTES

The Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Kurt Warner is being courted by an eager division rival of the Arizona Cardinals.

The San Francisco 49ers sent a private jet Monday for the two-time MVP quarterback, who traveled from Phoenix to the team’s training complex for a physical exam and a meeting with top brass.

Warner led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl last season, but became a free agent when he didn’t re-sign with the club. Arizona has offered a two-year, $20 million contract to Warner, who will be 38 years old when training camp opens.

But Warner is seeking a deal worth at least $14 million per season, and the former St. Louis Rams star seems willing to leave Arizona for the right offer.

NFC West rival San Francisco, which finished two games behind the Cardinals in second place last season, has enough salary cap room to accommodate his salary wishes. With no established starting quarterback on the 49ers’ roster, the club has rolled out its red-and-gold carpet to entice Warner.

After flying into Silicon Valley, Warner arrived at the 49ers’ training complex by limousine shortly before lunchtime with his wife, Brenda. He was scheduled for a typical free-agent examination and a lunch meeting with general manager Scot McCloughan, coach Mike Singletary and likely owner Jed York before flying home Monday night.

The 49ers announced one signing Monday, bringing back fullback Moran Norris with a three-year contract after releasing the burly run-blocker last summer. He spent last season with the 0-16 Detroit Lions, starting eight games.

Norris, an eight-year NFL veteran, played for the 49ers from 2006-07. He was the lead blocker for Frank Gore when the running back led the NFC in rushing with 1,695 yards in 2006, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.

LIONS

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions signed free agent receiver Bryant Johnson to a three-year contract on Monday, adding the former first-round draft pick to complement rising star Calvin Johnson.

The Lions traded receiver Roy Williams during last season and released receiver Mike Furrey last month.

Bryant Johnson had 45 receptions for 546 yards and three touchdowns last year, his only season with the San Francisco 49ers, after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

He has 255 receptions for 3,221 yards and 12 TDs in 93 career games. Arizona drafted him out of Penn State with the 17th overall pick in the 2003 draft.

Calvin Johnson, in his second season, caught 78 passes for 1,331 yards for the winless Lions in 2008.

CARDINALS

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals have signed free agent safety Keith Lewis to a two-year contract.

The team also announced Monday it had re-signed punter Ben Graham to a two-year contract and backup quarterback Brian St. Pierre to a one-year deal. Terms weren’t disclosed

Lewis was waived by San Francisco last month. A sixth-round draft pick out of Oregon in 2004, he played mostly on special teams for the 49ers.

The Australian Graham signed with the Cardinals last Dec. 1. In eight games with Arizona, Graham averaged 40.4 yards per kick.

St. Pierre was the Cardinals’ third quarterback, coming to Arizona from Pittsburgh in 2006.

PATRIOTS

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots signed tight end Chris Baker, who played seven seasons with the New York Jets.

Baker has 145 career receptions for 1,505 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2002 draft from Michigan State and played in 98 regular-season games.

For the Patriots, Baker will provide depth at the tight end position behind Benjamin Watson and David Thomas, who are entering the final years of their contracts.