Vikings sign Boulware for depth at safety

The Vikings continued adding defensive depth Thursday with an eye toward special teams, signing free-agent safety Michael Boulware after a visit to Winter Park.

Boulware, a second-round draft choice by Seattle in 2004, spent last season as a backup for the Houston Texans. He joins a list of second-tier free-agent signings -- a group that also includes running back Maurice Hicks and linebacker Derrick Pope -- who are expected to be extensive contributors to special teams coverage units.

Last season, Boulware had six special-teams tackles for the Texans and blocked an extra-point attempt.

"I definitely think I can be an asset to this team," Boulware said. "I definitely can play safety here and can also be a great asset on special teams."

The Texans wanted Boulware to return as a linebacker, the position he played at Florida State. But the Vikings envision him as a safety, where he will back up starters Darren Sharper and Madieu Williams.

Boulware also visited Carolina this week.

The Vikings also signed defensive lineman Kendrick Allen, who was out of football in 2007. He played two games for Green Bay in 2006 and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve because of a foot injury.

Meanwhile, free agent quarterback Gus Frerotte completed a visit without signing a contract.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was released by the team hours after he was charged with punching his estranged girlfriend in the face at a suburban restaurant.

The 29-year-old player was arraigned on charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct and freed on $10,000 bail.

"We're extremely disappointed with this incident," team chairman Dan Rooney said. "The Steelers do not condone violence of any kind, especially against women."

Wilson apologized and said he will be treated for anger management.

"I shouldn't have done it. I hold myself to a higher standard than that," he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I just want to apologize to Lindsey, her family, the NFL family and the Pittsburgh Steeler nation. I let them down."

Lindsey Paulat told police that Wilson pushed her on the shoulder at the Patron Mexican Grill on Wednesday night. She said when she turned around he punched her in the left side of her face, according to the complaint.

The Raiders and DeAngelo Hall agreed to terms on $70 million, seven-year contract that paves the way for the former Pro Bowl cornerback to be dealt from Atlanta to Oakland, a person familiar with the talks said.

Hall will be guaranteed a little more than $24 million in the new deal, the person said.

The Raiders wanted to sign Hall to a new contract before completing the deal with the Falcons in order to make sure they would have Hall for more than one year. Oakland will send a second-round pick, the 34th overall, in next month's draft and an additional pick to Atlanta in the deal.

The New England Patriots signed free agent cornerback Fernando Bryant, a former first-round draft pick who has played nine years with Jacksonville and Detroit.

Bryant, 30, started every game for the Lions last year and had 76 tackles -- the most since his rookie season -- while tying a career-high with a pair of interceptions. The 5-10, 184-pound cornerback has seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles in his career.

The Houston Texans re-signed Will Demps and N.D. Kalu. Demps had 49 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

• The Cincinnati Bengals signed linebacker Brandon Johnson, a free agent who played special teams for Arizona.

• The Carolina Panthers signed safety Terrence Holt, a former North Carolina State star, to a one-year contract. Holt, the younger brother of St. Louis Rams receiver Torry Holt, started all 16 games for Arizona last season, and had 75 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

• The Washington Redskins re-signed punter Derrick Frost. Frost returns for his fourth season with the team. He ranked 18th in the NFL last season with a 41-yard gross average and 21st with a 36.4 net average. He had a career-long 64-yard punt in the team's Week 1 victory over Miami. Frost also serves as the holder on field goal and extra point attempts.

Article includes information from the Associated Press.