Henry's New Home Paradise for Backs

DENVER - Travis Henry has landed in running back paradise. The Denver Broncos have churned out one 1,000-yard tailback after another under coach Mike Shanahan, and Henry hopes to be next after signing a five-year deal Monday with $12 million in guaranteed bonuses. The terms were provided by a person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the details.

Denver has produced a 1,000-yard running back in 11 of Shanahan's 12 seasons in charge.

Henry was released by the Tennessee Titans on Saturday after the two sides couldn't restructure a contract that contained an $8.3 million bonus that was due Monday. He rushed for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns last season for Tennessee.

The Broncos were in the market for a running back after dealing last season's leading rusher Tatum Bell to Detroit - along with offensive lineman George Foster and a fifth-round pick - for cornerback Dre' Bly.

The Broncos also signed special teams player/fullback Paul Smith to a three-year deal, Smith's agent Steve Baker confirmed Monday.

Smith, 29, played last season for the St. Louis Rams. He has 46 carries for 210 yards in his career, which includes three seasons with Detroit and three more in San Francisco.

"It's a fantastic fit for Paul," Baker said. "Denver is running back heaven. They want him to be an impact special teams player and help on offense."

It's been a busy offseason for Denver, who traded quarterback Jake Plummer to Tampa Bay on Saturday for a conditional draft choice in 2008. However, Plummer said on the Jake Plummer Foundation Web site that he plans to retire.

The Broncos also acquired defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson from Miami on Saturday for a sixth-round pick in next month's draft and signed offensive lineman Montrae Holland to a one-year deal.

Henry, 28, has spent the last two seasons with the Titans, who acquired him from the Buffalo Bills in July 2005.

He was a Pro Bowler in 2002 for the Bills after rushing for 1,438 yards, but then Buffalo used a first-round pick to select Willis McGahee in the 2003 draft. Henry rushed for 1,356 yards in 2003 as McGahee recovered from a knee injury.

In 2004, Henry started just five games and rushed for only 326 yards, missing the final five with torn ligaments in his right ankle. McGahee began to take over as he rushed for 1,128 yards.

Henry didn't want to spend another season in McGahee's shadow and asked out. He received a fresh start in Tennessee with the 2005 trade, but he struggled to recover from the torn ligaments and then was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He finished the season with 88 carries for 335 yards.

He bounced back strong in 2006 with six 100-yard games, including a career-high 178-yard performance against Washington on Oct. 15. He helped the Titans overcome an 0-5 start to finish 8-8. He also alleviated some of the pressure off rookie quarterback Vince Young.

Henry has rushed for 5,395 yards in his career and 34 touchdowns.