Brees, Culpepper claimed; Owens, Johnson set free

~ New Orleans and Miami found new quarterbacks, while Philadelphia and Dallas released troublesome receivers.

Two star quarterbacks found new homes on Tuesday and two talented but troublesome receivers went on the open market.

Daunte Culpepper landed in Miami and Drew Brees in New Orleans, a few hours before Terrell Owens was released by Philadelphia and Keyshawn Johnson was cut by Dallas. For the Eagles, parting ways with Owens was inevitable. But the Cowboys' move was unexpected and is sure to fuel speculation that Owens could be headed to the Cowboys, where he could never have coexisted with Johnson, sometimes dubbed "Me-shawn."

The quarterbacks played off each other.

Brees, who had been considering Miami and New Orleans, agreed to a six-year deal with the Saints shortly after the Vikings traded Culpepper to the Dolphins for a second-round pick. However, Brees' agent, Tom Condon, said his client had been leaning toward the Saints in the last two days.

Not only did that take the two experienced QBs off the market, but it raised another question: does New Orleans dangle the second pick in the draft for teams seeking Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart? Aaron Brooks, the Saints' starting quarterback for the past five years, is likely to be released, adding another quarterback to the market.

Both Culpepper and Brees are coming off major injuries.

Brees, a standout for the Chargers the last two seasons, injured his throwing shoulder in the team's final game and underwent surgery. He has said he expects four or five months of recovery, but doesn't anticipate any long-term effects.

The Saints will pay him $60 million over six years, $10 million guaranteed.

Culpepper threw just six touchdowns and had 12 interceptions last season, playing just seven games before he tore three ligaments in his knee. The Dolphins declined to confirm the deal, although the Vikings announced it.