NFL NOTES

updated 9:25 p.m. ET April 1, 2005

The Denver Broncos signed former New York Giants running back Ron Dayne on Friday, and re-signed defensive tackles Luther Ellis and Monsanto Pope.

The Broncos also re-signed unrestricted free agent tight end Patrick Hape.

The 27-year-old Dayne played six seasons with the Giants after winning 1999 Heisman Trophy at Wisconsin. He has rushed for 2,067 yards and 16 touchdowns in 62 games.

Dayne was signed to help offset the loss of Reuben Droughns, who was traded to Cleveland on Wednesday for linemen Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers.

Ellis, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, had two sacks and six tackles last season before being placed on injured reserve with a lower-back injury. Pope, who has started in 21 of 46 regular-season games with Denver, played in 16 games last season, finishing with a career-high 30 tackles, one sack and knocking down one pass.

Hape has played five years for the Broncos after spending four seasons with Tampa Bay. He has 51 career receptions for 287 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Packers re-sign RB Davenport
Running back Najeh Davenport re-signed with the Green Bay Packers on Friday.

Davenport will return for his fourth season in Green Bay as the team’s top backup to Pro Bowler Ahman Green and as the primary kickoff returner.

In 11 games last season, Davenport rushed for 359 yards on 71 carries, averaging five yards a carry. He also caught four passes and returned 14 kickoffs for 286 yards.

The 6-foot-1, 250-pound Davenport, who was picked in the fourth round of the 2002 draft out of Miami, experienced a career day against St. Louis on Nov. 29, rushing 19 times for 178 yards and a touchdown.

Bucs add depth on D line, sign Hovan
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added depth and experience to their defensive line Friday, signing defensive tackle Chris Hovan.

A five-year starter for the Minnesota Vikings, Hovan has played in 77 games over the last five years, making 70 starts.

The 6-2, 298-pound Hovan is not one of the league’s bigger defensive tackles but is known for being a high-energy, hustling player who should be a good fit in defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s scheme.

In five years in Minnesota, Hovan recorded 243 tackles, 17 sacks and recovered four fumbles.  He was selected in the first round of the 2000 draft by the Vikings and started 13 games that year.  He registered a career-high six sacks in 2001.

The Buccaneers on Friday also re-signed safety Dexter Jackson, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXVII.  He signed with the Bucs last season after one-plus disappointing campaign with Arizona.

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