LaDainian Tomlinson visited the Minnesota Vikings Thursday to discuss joining Adrian Peterson in what would be a big-name backfield. Tomlinson arrived in the Twin Cities Wednesday and dined with Vikings officials. He had more meetings scheduled for Thursday to talk about how he would fit in with the Vikings.

Minnesota lost backup running back Chester Taylor to the Chicago Bears, so it needs an experienced, versatile player behind the All-Pro Peterson. Tomlinson's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and fill in as a capable pass blocker on third downs makes him an ideal fit.

Tomlinson was released by the Chargers in February after nine brilliant seasons in San Diego. After being drafted in 2001, Tomlinson skyrocketed to stardom with the Chargers and entrenched himself as the most complete running back of his era. He ranks eighth on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career rushing touchdowns rank second, and his 153 total touchdowns rank third.

But he never reached a Super Bowl in San Diego and age and injuries started to take their toll in recent seasons. Tomlinson will turn 31 in June and is coming off the least productive season of his career. He had 730 yards rushing on 223 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry, all career lows.

Matt Moore signed his one-year, $3,043,000 tender with Carolina, which declared him the starting quarterback going into training camp. Moore's agent, Lynn Lashbrook, said Moore preferred to sign the tender than test the free agency market. The move comes a week after the Panthers released longtime starter Jake Delhomme.

According to agent Rick Smith, Delhomme is visiting Cleveland. The Browns have been shopping for a quarterback, and earlier this week acquired backup Seneca Wallace in a trade and released Derek Anderson.

Running back Kevin Faulk didn't want to go out like Nomar Garciaparra. Watching the former All-Star Red Sox shortstop retire Wednesday helped convince Faulk that he wanted to spend his entire career with New England. Faulk re-signed with the team that made him a second-round draft choice in '99.

Buffalo re-signed tight end Joe Klopfenstein a week after allowing him to become a free agent. Klopfenstein was active for four games with Buffalo last season and had one catch for 11 yards.

Indianapolis signed free-agent guard Andy Alleman, a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder that was New Orleans' third-round draft choice in '07. He started four games in Miami in '08, and three for Kansas City in '09.

Suspected gang member Willie Clark was found guilty of murder in the shooting death of Denver cornerback Darrent Williams. A Denver jury returned the verdict after deliberating for a day and a half. Clark could face a sentence of life in prison.

Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen died of cancer Wednesday at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 69. Obituary, Page B-3. ... The Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., a venue that welcomed everyone from the Lions and the Pistons to Pope John Paul II, Elvis Presley and WrestleMania III, is back in business again. Toronto-based Triple Investment Group LLC had a news conference to announce its plans to have six to eight events this year. It bought the 80,000-plus capacity facility for $583,000 last year at an auction.

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