Kenoy Kennedy made it as far as the gate at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The Detroit Lions are just glad he didn't get on the plane.
The hard-hitting safety was about to board a flight to Miami to continue his free agent tour yesterday day, but had second thoughts. He returned to the Lions' practice facility in Allen Park, Mich., and signed a contract while the team was introducing another new player -- tight end Marcus Pollard.
"They were calling my name and saying that I had to get on the plane or I was going to get left behind," Kennedy said. "I told them to go ahead and leave me. I decided I wanted to be a Lion."
Kennedy has played his entire five-year career with the Denver Broncos. He has earned the wrath of the NFL for illegal hits. He was suspended for one game in 2002 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Miami's Chris Chambers, and has been fined for similar plays at least three other times.
In the first of their back-to-back news conferences, the Lions brought out Pollard, who caught six of Peyton Manning's record 49 touchdown passes last season with Indianapolis.
• BENGALS: Record-setting running back Rudi Johnson signed a one-year contract to stay with Cincinnati. Johnson, who set a team mark last season with 1,454 rushing yards, will get $6.3 million.
• DOLPHINS: Miami signed two-time Pro Bowl player Kevin Carter to a five-year deal. Carter spent the last four seasons with Tennessee but was released by the Titans in a salary-cap move.
The Dolphins cut wide receiver David Boston, who failed his physical. Boston signed last year, but missed the season with a knee injury
• PATRIOTS: New England re-signed fullback Patrick Pass, an unrestricted free agent. Used primarily as a blocker, Pass had 39 carries for 151 yards and 28 receptions for 215 yards -- all career bests -- last season for the Super Bowl champions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Patriots also hired former Atlanta offensive coordinator Pete Mangurian as tight ends coach.
• STEELERS: Cornerback Willie Williams re-signed with Pittsburgh for another two years. The unrestricted free agent started the final 10 regular season games and both playoff contests after Chad Scott injured his knee Oct. 17 against Dallas.
