Lions hope Brown can help O-line

The Detroit Lions have signed guard Ray Brown to a one-yearcontract to provide some help for their depleted offensive line.

Brown, who was named to his first Pro Bowl last season, wasreleased in June by the San Francisco 49ers in a salary-cap move. Healso had played for the St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals and WashingtonRedskins in his 16-year career.

"It's just a blessing to be playing again," said Brown, whopracticed with the Lions for the first time Tuesday. "I think the49ers felt my term came to an end. This is where I was wanted.

"Retirement was never an option. I just wanted to get a chance toplay and teach some young guys some things."

Lions coach Marty Mornhinweg said Monday that only left tackleJeff Backus has secured a starting spot on the line. With reserveguards Kerlin Blaise and Josh Lovelady receiving most of the time attackle during the last preseason game and right tackle StockarMcDougle still hampered by a sprained ligament in his left knee,Brown might find himself sliding from unemployment into a startingrole.

"How well will he fit in? He was a Pro Bowl player last year,"Mornhinweg said. "Sure, there's that possibility [he might start]."

CB Tate gets walking papers

The Vikings released former starting cornerback Robert Tate.

Tate was bothered by a shoulder injury last season and lost hisjob to rookie Eric Kelly. With Kelly and free-agent signee CoreyChavous set to start this season, Tyrone Carter having made asuccessful switch from safety and the coaching staff high on rookieBrian Williams, Tate was buried on the depth chart.

"I think it's more fair to him to let him go now," coach Mike Ticesaid, "before there are all kinds of guys on the street. He'llprobably get picked up right away."

NFL teams must pare their rosters to 65 by next Tuesday.

FB Davenport back in action

Rookie fullback Najeh Davenport returned to practice after missingmost of camp recovering from a foot injury.

I'm not going to stress him too far on that foot, but he was outhere this morning returning kickoffs and looked very good, veryfast," coach Mike Sherman said. We're going to just take it a day ata time and try to bring him along. I'm confident it will work thatway. I hope it does."