NFL NEWS AND NOTES

A trade that was to send QB Jake Plummer from Denver to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick has been nullified because of Jake Plummer's decision to retire, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter. It was initally believed that Plummer would compete with Chris Simms as the starter in Tampa Bay, but this report suggests that Plummer would rather not play football than join another team.....

CBS SportsLine Senior NFL Writer Clark Judge reports that Trent Green will meet with the Chiefs to discuss his future, according to his agent, Jim Steiner. Kansas City would like to restructure Green's contract as he is scheduled to make over $7 million this year. The Chiefs may release or trade Green if they cannot come to an agreement. "It's something that's been in the works for several weeks," said Steiner. "But they just haven't been able to get together. ... He'd like to know exactly what their plans are."


Veteran wide receiver Joe Horn, who was released on Thursday, criticized the Saints for not wanting him around Thursday just as free agency was about to begin. "Right now it's going around that (the Saints) wanted to restructure my contract and I asked to be released, but this has nothing to do with money," Horn told The Fayetteville Observer. "I wanted to retire as a Saint. I've been through hell and back for that city and that organization. If I wanted out of New Orleans that bad, I would have just kept my mouth shut and let them move the team to San Antonio. I just don't think Sean Payton wanted me back. I asked to be released because I felt betrayed by a head coach who wanted to prove he could win without Joe Horn." He had 37 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. He missed several games -- including both of the Saints' playoff games -- with a groin injury.....


The Steelers decided not to pursue a free agent running back to complement Willie Parker, choosing instead to re-sign Najeh Davenport to a $2 million, two-year contract. Davenport joined the Steelers a game into last season after Green Bay released him, and eventually became Parker's backup. The 6-foot-1, 247-pound Davenport gained 221 yards on 60 carries. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said recently he preferred using a two-back system like many other teams are employing, creating speculation the Steelers might look elsewhere for Parker's backup.....

Free agent defensive end Juqua Thomas re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, the first day of free agency. Thomas' playing time increased last year when three-time Pro Bowler Jevon Kearse suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. He responded by posting career highs of 47 tackles and six sacks. Thomas originally signed with Tennessee as a rookie free agent out of Oklahoma State. He played four season with the Titans before signing with the Eagles during training camp in 2005. For his career, Thomas has recorded 128 tackles and 11 sacks in 73 games.....


The Redskins re-signed safety Vernon Fox, keeping him off the free agent market, and gave multiyear contract extensions to guard Randy Thomas and fullback Mike Sellers.....

The Dolphins have released DE Kevin Carter after Carter's agent and the team couldn't agree to terms on a restructured contract. "There are two reasons to release a player. One is the salary cap and the other is evaluation," agent Harold Lewis said. "They said it was evaluation and we disagreed. Kevin was better at 33 than he was at 32. He hasn't missed a game or practice his entire career." Carter had 5.5 sacks last year, his 12th in the NFL.....

The Washington Post reports that the Redskins will meet with LB London Fletcher-Baker and could sign him as soon as Friday. The paper also reports that the team may re-sign CB Fred Smoot, who left the team to sign with Minnesota in 2005.