HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Guard David Loverne was traded from the Jets to the Washington Redskins on Saturday after failing to start any games in his three years with New York.

        The Jets also gave up an undisclosed draft pick and received an undisclosed draft choice from Washington in this month's draft.

        Loverne, 6 feet 3 and 299 pounds, played mostly on special teams and sometimes in short-yardage situations.

        He was drafted by the Jets in 1999 out of San Jose State. He was inactive as a rookie but then appeared in 32 straight regular-season games.

        JAGUARS: Offensive lineman Chris Naeole left the New Orleans Saints and signed a seven-year, $16.2 million contract with Jacksonville.

        The contract includes an $800,000 signing bonus, agent Jim Steiner said Saturday. The contract voids after three seasons.

        Naeole started 65 of 66 games for New Orleans after being drafted in the first round by the Saints in 1997.

        “He's an outstanding lineman whose size and ability will give us more veteran experience on the offensive line,” Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin said.

        PACKERS: In an unusual move, Green Bay is allowing wide receiver Antonio Freeman to speak with other teams about a trade, his agent said Saturday.

        In a letter dated April 2, the Packers gave Freeman and his agent, Joel Segal, permission for the seventh-year pro to visit other clubs, undergo physical exams and talk about contract requirements.

        “This provides us with the opportunity to pursue other avenues while keeping lines of communication open with the Packers,” Segal said.

        Packers coach Mike Sherman and chief negotiator Andrew Brandt didn't immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.

        Sherman has said he would like to keep Freeman, but not at his $4.3 million salary next season.

        Last month, Freeman, who is under contract through 2005, said he felt he had played his last game for the Packers after they traded for receiver Terry Glenn, who is hoping to resurrect his career after a troubling stay in New England.

        “You don't go from a No. 1 to a No. 2 — if you're going to do that, you move to another team,” Freeman said.

        Giving Freeman permission to seek a trade could prove academic. The Packers most likely won't be able to deal him before June 1 because of salary cap constraints. However, it could be the first step in Freeman's departure from Green Bay, where he is quarterback Brett Favre's favorite target.

Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte Jets trade Loverne to Redskins

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