The Carolina Panthers addressed their lack of depth on the defensive line by agreeing Monday with veteran free-agent Darwin Walker on the terms of a one-year deal.

The 6-foot-3, 294-pound defensive tackle was let go by Chicago in February when the Bears declined to pick up a $5.2 million contract option.

(The Associated Press)

* The Panthers also reached agreements with 10 free agents, including defensive end Casper Brinkley of South Carolina and tight end Chris Conklin of Wingate.

Among Carolina's other free-agent signings were cornerback Cortney Grixby from Nebraska, safety Joseph Fields from Syracuse and quarterback Taylor Tharp of Boise State.

(From Panthers News Release)

AREA FREE-AGENT SIGNINGS: North Carolina linebacker Durell Mapp and kicker Connor Barth signed free-agent contracts the school said Monday -- Mapp with the Green Bay Packers and Barth with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mapp led the Tar Heels with 132 tackles as a senior.

Barth kicked a school-record 54 field goals at UNC, including a stretch of 19 straight. Four kickers played the position for the Chiefs last season.

* Duke defensive end Patrick Bailey signed a free-agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, just more than six months after seeing his senior year cut short by a knee injury.

* Wake Forest tight end John Tereshinski signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.

(Staff Reports)

BILLICK JOINS FOX: Former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick has a new job.

The Fox network announced Monday that Billick will be an NFL game analyst.

RAIDERS RELEASE RHODES: The Oakland Raiders released running back Dominic Rhodes on Monday, two days after drafting a big-play back, former Arkansas standout Darren McFadden.

(The Associated Press)