Panthers sign ex-Pack star

The Carolina Panthers have re-signed reserve offensive tackle Rob Petitti and have added special-teams depth by signing defensive back Marcus Hudson, a former N.C. State standout.

Monday's moves continue the Panthers' thrifty offseason in which they have slashed payroll and signed a handful of lower-tier, cheaper players.

Hudson has collected 57 special-teams tackles over the past four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He also saw some time in the 49ers' nickel and dime packages.

Petitti was signed late last season after right tackle Jeff Otah was placed on injured reserve. Petitti was a sixth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and was playing in the United Football League before joining the Panthers.

49ers sign QB Carr: The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent quarterback David Carr to a two-year deal Monday and agreed to terms on a trade that would send backup quarterback Shaun Hill to the Detroit Lions for a 2011 draft pick.

Carr said he found San Francisco attractive because he is from California and there was a possibility of playing time after serving as Eli Manning's backup for the New York Giants the past two seasons.

San Francisco coach Mike Singletary has repeatedly said 2005 No. 1 pick Alex Smith is the starter, but he didn't rule out signing an experienced quarterback who could push Smith and challenge for playing time.

"They have said that competition is what they love around here," Carr said.

Carr, an eight-year NFL veteran, was drafted No. 1 overall by the Houston Texans in 2002. He played right away for the expansion team and was sacked 76 times as a rookie.

In five seasons with the Texans, he completed 60 percent of his passes with 59 touchdowns and 65 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 75.5.

Carr then spent the 2007 season in Carolina where he made four starts and appeared in six games before backing up Manning the past two years.

Holmgren glad to have Delhomme: Mike Holmgren knows Jake Delhomme is 35 years old and coming off the worst season of his career.

It's his 92 starts, Pro Bowl season and Super Bowl appearance that appealed to the president of the Cleveland Browns.

"My own belief is this team needs an aging veteran," Holmgren said. "They need a guy that is going to grab everybody by the throat and say, 'Follow me through that door.' I don't look at him as an aging veteran, I look at him as the leader I wanted."

The Browns completed a two-year contract with Delhomme on Monday despite his eight touchdowns and 18 interceptions last season with the Carolina Panthers. He lost his starting job after 11 games and was unexpectedly released last week even though the Panthers still owe him $12 million for next season.

Delhomme took part in the Browns' first day of voluntary offseason workouts on Monday.