Milloy Ready to Join Bills

Lawyer Milloy picked the right team to join if he wanted to get back at the New England Patriots for cutting him.

The four-time Pro Bowl safety agreed in principle to a deal with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, a day after the Patriots released him for salary-cap reasons.

Not only does Milloy join an AFC East Division rival, but he raised the possibility of facing his former team when the Bills open the regular season at home against the Patriots on Sunday.

Milloy reportedly signed a four-year deal worth $15 million, including a $5-million signing bonus.

He was scheduled to join the Bills for his first practice today.

Coach Gregg Williams said he would have to first speak with Milloy before determining whether he would be ready to play this weekend.

Besides significantly upgrading a young Buffalo defensive backfield, Milloy could provide insight into the Patriots’ plans as the Bills prepare for New England.

Milloy was released because the Patriots failed to renegotiate his contract and couldn’t afford a salary that, including bonus, was going to count more than $5.25 million against the cap.

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Priest Holmes agreed to a lucrative contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs and said he believes his life “is just starting.”

The 29-year-old running back, who has led the NFL in yards from scrimmage the last two seasons, agreed to a four-year extension, one that will probably keep him in Kansas City the rest of his career and will definitely have him on the field for Sunday’s season opener. He had indicated that he might sit out the opener if he didn’t have a new deal.

Holmes and General Manager Carl Peterson refused to reveal terms. Holmes had talked about wanting a $15-million extension.

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Erik Flowers, a former first-round draft pick of the Bills, was claimed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers to help fill the void caused by linebacker Joey Porter’s absence.

Porter will be out for up to eight weeks after being shot in the right thigh at a Denver bar last weekend.

Porter made a surprise visit to the Steelers’ practice Wednesday.

Walking with a slight limp, the All-Pro linebacker hugged numerous teammates and assured them that he was fine despite what he called “the toughest thing I’ve ever had happen to me in my life.”

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Veteran cornerback Otis Smith was signed by the Detroit Lions.

Smith, who will turn 38 in October, was released last month by New England after he struggled to recover from a shoulder injury.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars signed running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala. The sixth-year player was cut by the Steelers on Sunday, after they failed to work out a trade for him.

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The Tennessee Titans signed safety Lamont Thompson and cut defensive end Anthony Dunn. Thompson, a second-round draft pick by Cincinnati, played in 13 games as a rookie.

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Quarterback Marquel Blackwell was re-signed by the New York Jets after being cut last week. To make room for him, the Jets released veteran Jamie Martin, who had been signed a week ago.