Ravens get Owens, Buccanneers sign Deese, Browns to meet with Garcia

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Posted 7:52AM on Friday, March 5, 2004

BALTIMORE - A paperwork error kept wide receiver Terrell Owens in San Francisco. But not for very long. The Baltimore Ravens have acquired the four-time Pro Bowler from the 49ers for a second-round pick in next month's N-F-L draft. Owens remained property of the Niners after he failed to file paperwork in time to become eligible for free agency. The trade gives the Ravens a deep threat to go along with N-F-L rushing champ Jamal Lewis. Owens grabbed 100 passes for 13-hundred yards and 13 touchdowns in 2002, and had 80 receptions for eleven-hundred yards last year. But he clashed with the 49ers' coaching staff and was often critical of quarterback Jeff Garcia. (Tampa, Florida-AP) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have landed free-agent tackle Derrick Deese, signing him to a six-year, 15 (m) million-dollar contract. Deese spent the last 12 seasons with San Francisco and became available when the Niners released him on Monday. Deese hasn't allowed a sack in 35 consecutive games. The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, say they will meet with free-agent Jeff Garcia today. The 49ers cut him for salary cap reasons on Tuesday. Sean Landeta isn't ready to retire. The punter has signed on for his 20th season, accepting a one-year deal with the St. Louis Rams. Landeta averaged nearly 43 yards per punt for the Rams last season. Several N-F-L general managers made defense a priority in tendering contracts yesterday. Seattle snared free-agent defensive end Grant Wistrom who had seven and a-half sacks for St. Louis last season. Wistrom's agent says the six-year deal includes a 14 (m) million-dollar signing bonus. The Houston Texans have signed free-agent defensive tackle Robaire Smith to a six-year pact worth 26-point-three (m) million dollars. Smith spent the last four seasons with Tennessee. Free safety Kim Herring and middle linebacker Nate Webster each inked five-year deals with Cincinnati. San Francisco re-signed defensive end John Engelberger to a three-year deal while gviving long snapper Brian Jennings a six-year contract. Linebacker Steve Foley signed with the San Diego Chargers, getting a three-year, three-point-six (m) million-dollar deal. And defensive back Todd McMillon took a one-year deal from Chicago.