Former Miami quarterback Cleo Lemon has signed a three-year, $8.1 million contract with Jacksonville, FOXSports.com has learned.

The deal includes $2.95 million in signing bonus and $4 million in incentives. 

Lemon is forecast to serve as David Garrard's backup.

Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson should rest easy tonight.

Not only does he now have the security of a multiyear contract, Anderson couldn't be in a better situation at this point than playing for the Browns.

Anderson allowed himself to test the market as a restricted free agent today and didn't like what he saw. There's plenty to like in Cleveland, which is why he agreed to a new deal.

He's got an outstanding offensive line in front of him. Great, young targets to throw to in Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. A 1,300-yard rusher (Jamal Lewis) behind him in the backfield.

Anderson wouldn't have anywhere near the same caliber of surrounding cast had he signed elsewhere.

And while exact terms of his contract aren't yet known, Anderson is now set for life financially. Even if 2007 first-round draft pick Brady Quinn ultimately proves ready for a starting spot, the 24-year-old Anderson will be heading for another big payday down the road as long as he continues playing at the same caliber as last season

In my book, the Anderson and Lewis re-signings as well as the trade to acquire Green Bay defensive tackle Corey Williams makes -- gasp! --- Cleveland the team to beat in the AFC North.

FOXSports.com has learned Jacksonville's Marcus Stroud will be taking a visit to Buffalo, which could lead to a trade between the two teams for the defensive tackle's services.

The Jaguars have given Stroud permission to shop himself in a trade. Stroud's lofty salary (a team-high $6.3 million in 2008) and struggles to stay on the field have landed him on the trading block. Stroud has missed 12 games the past two seasons because of injuries and a steroid suspension.

Between 2003 and 2005, Stroud was one of the NFL's best defensive tackles. He could help upgrade a Bills defense that ranked 25th against the run (124.6-yard average) last season.

FOXSports.com also has learned that Atlanta has expressed interest in Stroud. A deal would reunite Stroud with Atlanta head coach Mike Smith, who was his defensive coordinator in Jacksonville the past five seasons. The Falcons need defensive line help after releasing Rod Coleman earlier this month.

Don't be surprised if Arizona linebacker Calvin Pace leaves South Florida as a member of the Miami Dolphins following a free-agent visit.

A league source told FOXSports.com that Miami is preparing to offer Pace the same kind of mega-deal that linebackers Adalius Thomas and Joey Porter received in free agency last off-season. New England and Miami signed Thomas and Porter respectively to five-year, $32 million contracts that included $20 million in guaranteed money.

Incidentally, Thomas and Porter never made the kind of impact in 2007 that was expected for the money paid.

While the 2003 first-round pick struggled as a 4-3 defensive end in his first four NFL seasons, Pace blossomed last year when moved to outside linebacker in Arizona's new 3-4 scheme. Pace finished with career highs in tackles (98), sacks (6.5) and passes defensed (6).

By franchising fellow outside linebacker Karlos Dansby, Arizona was willing to let Pace test the market. Unless wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald can be signed to a new contract that lowers his salary cap number of roughly $16 million, Arizona appears likely to lose Pace and wideout Bryant Johnson in free agency.

X: San Francisco running back Maurice Hicks is planning to take a future free-agent visit to Minnesota, FOXSports.com has learned.

Hicks started five games for the 49ers in 2004 and 2005 and has primarily handled kick returns for the past two seasons.

Philadelphia and Houston also have expressed interest in Hicks, a source said.

X: Adam Caplan of scout.com reports that New Orleans will re-sign defensive tackle Brian Young and linebacker Mark Simoneau. Young is slated to receive a three-year, $12 million deal.

The New York Jets are the winners in the Kris Jenkins sweepstakes.

FOXSports.com has learned that Carolina traded the defensive tackle to the New York Jets for third- and fifth-round draft picks.

Although he has battled weight issues in the past, Jenkins should provide the big-bodied presence at nose tackle the team has sorely lacked since coach Eric Mangini instituted a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2006. Dewayne Robertson, who was manning the spot for New York, seems likely to get traded elsewhere. Robertson is better suited as a penetrating-style tackle in a 4-3 defensive scheme.

Jenkins had 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season while starting 15 of 16 games for Carolina. But that wasn't good enough for the Panthers, who wanted to avoid having to pay Jenkins a $1 million roster bonus due next week.

Damione Lewis, who was re-signed earlier this month, is expected to replace Jenkins in the starting lineup.