Saints sign ex-Vikings back Bennett to two-year deal
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NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Former Minnesota running back Michael Bennett has agreed to a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, general manager Mickey Loomis said Friday.
New Orleans also agreed to terms with two defensive players -- linebacker Anthony Simmons and safety Omar Stoutmire -- while releasing guard Kendyl Jacox, who had played for the Saints since 2002.
Bennett, who rushed for 1,296 yards and was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2002, is entering his sixth season after spending all of his previous years in the league with the Vikings.
Last season, Bennett started six games, scored five touchdowns, rushed for 473 yards on 126 carries and added 27 catches for 124 yards.
He'll likely play behind Deuce McAllister, whose 2005 season was cut short by a knee injury but who is expected to be healthy by training camp.
"We are working to create competition at every position," said Loomis. "Michael has experience and has been a solid, explosive player throughout his career. We will add him to the mix at running back, where we already have some depth."
New Orleans also has running back Aaron Stecker still under contract.
In 2002, Bennett recorded the longest scoring run in Vikings history with an 85-yard touchdown at Tampa Bay.
Simmons, a former top pick out of Clemson by Seattle in 1998, is entering his eighth NFL season. An injured wrist kept him out of the 2005 season. He played for the Seahawks until 2004 and led the team in tackles in 2001 with 123. In 2000, he made a career-high 147 stops. Simmons also has 10 sacks and nine interceptions in his career.
Stoutmire's best seasons were 2002 and 2003, when he started 32 games for the New York Giants. Last season, he played in 10 games for the Washington Redskins, making 10 tackles. He has five career interceptions
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Associated Press.
