Tomczak Replaces Frerotte

Tomczak To Lions

Quarterback Mike Tomczak has agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions as a free agent and will play behind and mentor third-year starter Charlie Batch.

Tomczak's agent, Paul Sheehy declined to specify terms of the contract he said the quarterback will probably sign on Saturday. Tomczak, 37, is a 15-year NFL veteran who last season played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

WDIV-TV in Detroit and KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh both reported Thursday night that Tomczak's contract was worth $2.2 million.

The Lions said they had no immediate announcement about Tomczak

or on reports that backup quarterback Gus Frerotte had signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Denver Broncos.

A secretary for Frerotte's agent, Ralph Cindrich, said this morning that agent was awaiting confirmation of Frerotte's signing and was not immediately reachable for comment.

Sheehy said four NFL teams the Lions, the Tennessee Titans and two other clubs he declined to identify expressed interest in Tomczak, who over his NFL career has thrown for 15,690 yards, with 85 touchdowns and 102 interceptions.

On Wednesday, Sheehy said, Tomczak visited with Lions coach Bobby Ross, offensive coordinator Sylvester Croom and quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and "got a real good feel for the offense they're running."

Hours later, the agent said, Tomczak "called me on his cell phone to tell me how excited he was and what a great environment it was."

"Once he left, my marching orders were to get a deal done," Sheehy said.

"He has a very defined goal he's definitely the No. 2 guy," Sheehy said. "He's been known as a coach on the field, and it'll just add to the growth of Charlie Batch. It never hurts to have a veteran there to help you."

Tomczak started his career with the Bears, playing six seasons in Chicago before spending one year each with Green Bay and Cleveland. He then joining the Steelers in 1993.

Most of his time in Pittsburgh has been spent as a back-up, although he did start 15 games in 1996.

Broncos Obtain Billy Jenkins

The Denver Broncos obtained safety Billy Jenkins from the St. Louis Rams today, then signed Jenkinto a seven-year, $18 million contract that includes a $2.8 million signing bonus.

The Broncos gave the Rams a fifth-round draft pick in next month's draft and a conditional pick in the 2001 draft.

Jenkins, a restricted free agent, started at strong safety for the Rams in their 23-16 Super Bowl victory over Tennessee.

Patriots Add Depth

The New England Patriots signed three players on Friday, including linebacker Marc Megna from last year's team.

Megna was signed to the Patriots' practice squad in September after being released by the New York Jets. He will play this spring for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe.

The Patriots also signed free agent tight end Rob Tardio, who was released by Washington in September, and quarterback Brian Kuklick, who was released by Dallas in September.

In Other NFL News Friday: