Terrell Owens and Keyshawn Johnson, two of the NFL's most talented but high- maintenance wide receivers, were released by their teams on Tuesday.

The departure of Owens from Philadelphia ended a turbulent and controversial two-year stay with the Eagles.

"The Philadelphia Eagles today announced they have terminated the contract of wide receiver Terrell Owens," the team said in a statement on its website.

After helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in 2005, the flamboyant Owens demanded that his contract be renegotiated just one season into a seven-year US$48 million deal.

The outspoken wide receiver also feuded with team owners and tested the patience of coach Andy Reid and his team-mates, repeatedly criticizing quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Following an altercation with Reid during training camp, Owens was suspended for one week.

Owens returned to the team and had 47 catches for 763 yards, but tensions continued to mount. After repeated attacks on McNabb and management, he was suspended for the remainder of the season.

When Owens concentrated on playing football, he was one of the best, pulling in 716 catches for 10,535 yards and 103 touchdowns in 10 seasons, most spent with the San Francisco 49ers where he became infamous for his post-touchdown celebrations.

Johnson also has a checkered history.

He joined the Dallas Cowboys two seasons ago after being suspended and eventually deactivated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for disciplinary reasons in similar circumstances to Owens.

Johnson largely stayed out of trouble in Dallas, however, pulling in a team high 71 catches last season for 839 yards and six touchdowns.

A reliable and imposing target, Johnson has caught at least one pass in all 151 career games and sits 20th on the all-time reception list with 744 catches for 9,756 yards.

The New Orleans Saints signed free agent Drew Brees on Tuesday, going with a proven quarterback rather than one of the highly touted prospects available in April's NFL draft.

With the second overall selection, the Saints might have had their pick of Matt Leinart, the University of Southern California Heisman trophy-winning quarterback, or Texas Longhorns' dynamic Vince Young.

They chose, however, to sign Brees to a six-year deal worth a reported US$60 million.

The move could prove to be a gamble for the Saints with Brees still recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, which he injured in the San Diego Chargers' final game.

The NFL's comeback player of the year in 2004, the gritty Brees played 16 games for the Chargers last season, passing for a career-high 3,576 yards and 24 touchdowns.

It was also reported on Tuesday that the Miami Dolphins were close to acquiring disgruntled Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper for a second round pick in this year's draft.

Source: China Daily