The New England Patriots have released fullback Lousaka Polite.
Polite, 30, joined the Patriots on Dec. 27 and played in the regular-season finale against Buffalo and all three postseason games. He had one carry for three yards.
Polite played three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, one with the Chicago Bears and three with Miami. He went to training camp with the Dolphins in 2011 but was released. He spent most of last season without a team.
Polite has played in 76 NFL games in his career, starting 27. He has run the ball 95 times for 296 yards and one touchdown. He has also caught 41 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown.
Kickoff rule reduced concussions
Moving kickoffs up 5 yards last season did exactly what the NFL sought, reducing concussions.
"The kickoff rule had an effect on the game," said Rich McKay, chairman of the league's competition committee. "There was a 40 percent reduction in concussions on that play."
The league repeatedly has said the change to kicking off from the 35-yard line was done solely for player safety. McKay said yesterday at the owners meetings it served that purpose.
But he admitted surprise that total kickoff returns dropped 53 percent.
Owners will vote this week to enhance player safety by outlawing horse-collar tackles on passers in the pocket, a proposal made by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rams sign WR Steve Smith
The St. Louis Rams signed free agent wide receiver Steve Smith, filling a pressing need.
Smith, who had 107 receptions for the New York Giants in 2009, will be entering his sixth season. Last year he caught nine passes in 11 games before being sidelined by a knee injury.
The Rams also have signed exclusive rights free agent Brit Miller, a fullback, as well as unrestricted free agent tight end Matthew Mulligan and offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka.
Raiders get 3 compensatory picks
The Oakland Raiders more than doubled their draft haul by receiving three compensatory picks for April's draft.
The NFL awarded the Raiders picks at the end of the third, fourth and fifth rounds based on free agents they lost and signed last offseason.
"Whatever the formula is, I love this formula. I love it," new general manager Reggie McKenzie said from the NFL owners meetings in Florida. "Obviously this is better than what I expected," he said. "Hopefully, we can make do and have some good picks."
Cardinals sign Leach, Walker
The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to terms on a three-year contract for long snapper Mike Leach and a two-year deal for linebacker Reggie Walker.
Leach has played in all 48 games over the last three seasons with Arizona. A 13-year NFL veteran, he played the previous seven seasons with the Denver Broncos. Leach has played 152 consecutive games, the longest streak on the team and third-longest active string for all long snappers.
Minneapolis mayor touts stadium
The mayor of Minneapolis said he has nailed down commitments of support from a majority of city council members for the latest Minnesota Vikings stadium proposal, potentially clearing one obstacle to getting the stalled stadium bill moving again at the Capitol.
The bill under consideration proposes a $975 million stadium in downtown Minneapolis at the current Metrodome site, and taps existing city sales taxes to the tune of $150 million to cover a local cost share. Supporters fear that without the 13-member council's backing the public will get to vote — and possibly kill — the proposal.
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