c-st@clari.net (sports

DE PERE, Wisconsin (Ticker) - The Green Bay Packers added
veteran leadership to the tight end position Tuesday by agreeing
to terms with Wesley Walls.

Terms were not disclosed, but ESPN reported Monday that Walls
agreed to a one-year, $755,000 contract.

The Washington Redskins had also expressed interest in Walls,
who was released by the Carolina Panthers in the spring after an
injury-plagued 2002 season.

Walls, 37, spent the last seven years with the Panthers, earning
Pro Bowl berths from 1996-1999 and in 2001. He averaged 58
catches and eight touchdowns from 1996-99 before his numbers
started to decline.

The Packers have been searching for a complement to starter
Bubba Franks in two-tight end formations and signed free agent
Luther Broughton on Sunday.

Walls began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers in 1989
and signed with New Orleans in 1994. After two years with the
Saints, Walls joined the expansion Panthers and immediately
emerged as the team's top offensive weapon with 61 catches and
10 touchdowns in 1996.