Sunday's moves: Bears agree with LB James Anderson

With the Chicago Bears sending Brian Urlacher out into the cold, cruel free-agency world of tight money and short-term contracts, they immediately began shopping for (cheaper) linebackers to take his place.

On Friday, they agreed to a one-year deal with D.J. Williams, the former Denver Broncos starter who missed most of the 2012 regular season because of a pair of suspensions that totaled nine games.

Now, the Bears have signed James Anderson away from the Carolina Panthers, according to Larry Myers of the team's official website. Like Williams, Anderson will receive a one-year contract.

The terms of Anderson's deal were not available. Williams told USA TODAY Sports that his contract included a $900,000 base salary and up to $850,000 in incentives.

Anderson started 12 games last season, missing the final four with a back injury -- the only four games he has missed over the past four seasons. He set the club's single-game tackles record with 20 in a Week 3 loss to the Giants last season and finished with 84, third-most on the team.

In 2011, Anderson, a third-round pick in the 2006 draft, signed a five-year deal worth $22 million, with $8.5 million guaranteed. He was released in March to create salary-cap room. With Jon Beason, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, the Panthers had four linebackers for three spots, making Anderson expendable.

Niners want another look at Pat White

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Pat White will get a shot to show San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh that he has the read-option skill-set to fill the 49ers' roster opening for a third quarterback.

Harbaugh called the former record-setting University of West Virginia star to set up a workout after White's relaunch during a private showing for 10 teams on March 14. The 49ers were among 29 of 32 teams in attendance that day and watched White's hour-long workout after the WVU Pro Day.

"Coach and I had a conversation about me coming in to work out,'' White told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. "We haven't set up a formal date. I'm just going to make sure I keep working hard for when that day comes.

"I pay attention to how his players react to Coach Harbaugh. They all want to win for him. And he seems to treat them how they want to be treated. I'm excited to get to know him on that level -- if I do get that opportunity. I'm very optimistic about making it back to the NFL.''

The 44th overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Dolphins, White was released at the end of training camp in 2010 and spent a month recently training with quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. in Southern California to make one last shot at the NFL.

At the owners' meetings last week, Harbaugh said he is looking for competition to push starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

"We want competition at every position, and the quarterback position is no sacred cow position,'' Harbaugh said. "It won't be just about Colin. There's a difference knowing that he's the starter and who will get those first-team reps. So now we need to put a little heat on him: Let's go compete with him, make him better.

"That's the way it works. You use all the avenues that you have, free agency and the draft.''

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