Cincinnati has added two defensive linemen this week. The Bengals signed unrestricted free agent end Vaughn Booker of Green Bay to a five-year contract Wednesday.

Barndt, 27, will sign a five-year deal worth $11 million. It includes a $3.3 million signing bonus and a base salary of $1 million for the 2000 season.

While he may not be a recognizable name to some fans, the four-year veteran was the most avidly recruited defensive tackle in the early stages of free agency. Three league personnel directors told SportsLine they had the former University of Pittsburgh standout rated ahead of Sam Adams, who many feel is the top tackle in the free-agent pool. Bengals defensive line coach Tim Krumrie pushed hard for the signing of Barndt.

In four seasons, Barndt played in 61 games with 30 starts. He started 29 games over the past two seasons and is known as a tough, blue-collar run stuffer with some penetration skills. Barndt has 87 tackles and eight sacks in his career. He entered the league as the Chiefs' sixth-round choice in the 1995 draft.

A former offensive lineman who switched to defense early in his pro career, Barndt spent his first NFL season on the practice squad and played for the Scottish Claymores of the World League in the spring of 1996.

--Len Pasquarelli

Ellsworth joins Browns

The Cleveland Browns, whose defense ranked last in the NFL in 1999, have begun to revamp their secondary. SportsLine has learned the club has reached a contract agreement with free safety Percy Ellsworth.

Details of Ellsworth's deal were not available, but it is believed to be for at least four years.

--Len Pasquarelli

Saints sign Glover, expect to keep Rams' Clemons

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints have signed former Minnesota tight end Andrew Glover and expect to finalize their deal with linebacker Charlie Clemons because St. Louis won't match the Saints' offer.

Glover, a nine-year veteran, was released by the Vikings after last season in a cost-cutting move. He was expected to arrive in New Orleans on Saturday.

Clemons, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet from the Saints on Wednesday. The Rams had seven days to match the offer but have indicated they will not, Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said Friday.

Glover played in all 16 regular-season games for the Vikings in 1999, catching 28 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown.

Vikes might cut Cunningham

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have not ruled out the possibility of cutting quarterback Randall Cunningham, who has refused to restructure his $28 million contract, the Star Tribune reported Friday.

The newspaper said team officials might cut Cunningham before June 1, a move that would hamper the Vikings' salary cap situation while saving them $1 million in cash.

Ruddy to re-sign with Dolphins

After considering a change at the hub position of their offensive line, the Miami Dolphins instead decided to stick with the status quo. SportsLine has learned the Dolphins have reached contract accord in principle with incumbent center Tim Ruddy.

Several details of the deal remain to be resolved, but sources told SportsLine on Friday afternoon that the length of the contract and financial parameters have been agreed upon.

-- Len Pasquarelli

Friends, family remember Derrick Thomas

MIAMI -- Friends and family in Derrick Thomas' hometown paid their respects Friday during a visitation for the former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker.

Thomas died Feb. 8 at age 33, a little more than two weeks after he was paralyzed in a car wreck.

"We're just glad to know that people knew the things about Derrick that we did," an uncle, Ralph Adams, said. "He made it, and he wanted every kid in the neighborhood to have a chance to make it, too."

Since his body was returned to Miami on Thursday, hundreds have paid their respects to Thomas, who was active in charity work.

"I'll remember him most for his contributions and commitment to the youth," said Lee Fudge, a counselor at the Optimist Club where Thomas learned to play football. "You could tell even at an early age that he was a leader. In fact, the police used to ask him to talk to the gangsters because they couldn't do it."

Thomas' funeral is scheduled Saturday.

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., the University of Alabama will pay its respects to Thomas by ringing Denny Chimes at the same moment his funeral service begins in Florida.

The chimes, located in a tower on campus, will ring five times, pause, then ring five more times in honor of Thomas' former jersey number, 55. The chimes will be followed with the playing of Alabama's fight song.

Lewis reports to Maryland pretrial release services

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis reported to Maryland correctional officials Friday and signed off on the conditions of his release from jail in Atlanta, where he is charged with murder.

Lewis, who left jail Tuesday on $1 million bond, is under indictment for the stabbing deaths of two men following a Super Bowl party in Atlanta.

Maryland's corrections department has agreed to monitor Lewis' compliance with the requirements of his release for Atlanta Judicial Circuit Pretrial Services Division.

The All-Pro linebacker spent 45 minutes in Baltimore Circuit Court on Friday, where he agreed to a number of conditions, including a curfew, travel restrictions, random home visits and drug testing. Lewis also agreed to submit a daily itinerary to corrections officials.

He was escorted by Baltimore Sheriff's deputies and went into the courthouse through an employees-only entrance.

Lewis' bond requires him to stay in Maryland unless he is traveling to Georgia for court appearances or to meet with his lawyers.

Lewis returned to Maryland Thursday, and made a brief statement proclaiming his innocence.

Giants keep Hamilton, Washington gets Mitchell

Two rivals from the NFC East strengthened their defensive units on Friday, the New York Giants by retaining a veteran coming off an injury-plagued 1999 season and the Washington Redskins by acquiring an unrestricted free agent who adds depth to their young linebacker corps.

SportsLine has learned that the Giants reached an agreement with cornerback Conrad Hamilton and that the Redskins will add linebacker Kevin Mitchell. The agreements were confirmed by the agents for both men.

Hamilton is a four-year veteran who started 15 games for the Giants in 1998, filling in for injured cornerback Jason Sehorn. But in 1999, Hamilton suffered a string of injuries himself and played in a career-low three games. Sources said that Hamilton, 25, agreed to a three-year contract worth about $4 million and with a signing bonus of $400,000-$500,000.

-- Len Pasquarelli

Titans assistant interviewing with Bucs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher said offensive coordinator Les Steckel is in Tampa Bay interviewing for the same job with the Buccaneers, The Tennessean reported Friday.

Steckel's contract expired after the season, but he had been working toward a new deal with the Titans. Tampa Bay has been hunting for a new coordinator since it fired Mike Shula two weeks ago.

Carruth files papers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rae Carruth, accused of masterminding his pregnant girlfriend's fatal shooting, has filed court papers complaining that her parents are drawing out a child-support case involving the victim's baby.

The papers, filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court on Thursday, said Cherica Adams' parents were prolonging the dispute with a search for assets that don't exist.

Lions name Ruel offensive line coach

PONTIAC, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have hired Pat Ruel, Michigan State's assistant head coach, to coach the team's offensive line.

Ruel, who also coached the Spartans' offensive line, replaces Jack Henry, who left the Lions after three season to take the same position with the New Orleans Saints.

Ruel was an assistant at Michigan State for two seasons. He has 26 years of college coaching experience.

The job with the Lions will be his first at the professional level.

Judge says Raiders' case can go to trial

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A judge ruled Friday that the Oakland Raiders can go to trial against Oakland authorities to pursue team owner Al Davis' claims that local officials bilked the Raiders out of millions of dollars in revenues.

The tentative, 30-page ruling by Superior Court Judge Joe Gray means a jury trial on the issues is likely to begin this spring, perhaps as early as April.

"This was a tentative ruling that would allow the Raiders to proceed to trial on all of the Raiders' damage claims against the city (and) county," said Raiders spokesman Al LoCasale.

There was no immediate comment from Oakland and Alameda County officials.

The team sought a jury trial on its allegation that it has lost $125 million because of low attendance since the 1995 season. Davis contends he was misled when he approved a 16-year lease with Oakland, and that the agreement is costing him $25 million annually.

SportsLine wire services contributed to this report.