Former University of Hawai'i safety Erik Robinson, who was not selected in last weekend's NFL draft, will try out with the Buffalo Bills in hopes of landing a free-agent contract.

He will join Solomon Elimimian at the Bills' rookie camp, starting tomorrow.

"It's cool," Robinson said. "It's an opportunity. I feel blessed. I'm going to try and make the best of it."

Former UH receiver C.J. Hawthorne was on the Bills' practice squad last season.

FALCONS

SIGN EX-STEELER RB

The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Georgia running back Verron Haynes.

Haynes, who spent the past six seasons as a backup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, adds depth to an Atlanta backfield that already includes Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood.

He rushed for 738 yards, caught 58 passes and scored five touchdowns during his tenure with the Steelers.

To make room for Haynes, the Falcons cut receiver Troy Bergeron Wednesday, who had been signed only a day earlier.

PATRIOTS

LB RUUD RELEASED

The New England Patriots have released linebacker Bo Ruud, who spent his entire rookie season on the team's injured reserve list.

Ruud, a three-year starter at Nebraska, was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He injured his ankle in training camp and missed the regular season.

Ruud's father, Tom, played five years in the NFL, and his brother Barrett is a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

STEELERS

HOLMES ARRAIGNED

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes has been formally arraigned on a misdemeanor marijuana charge stemming from a traffic stop.

Pittsburgh police say they found three marijuana-filled cigars in Holmes' car when he was pulled over Oct. 23. Holmes was stopped because his vehicle was similar to one police were looking for in a drug sting.

Holmes' attorney, Robert DelGreco Jr., said he planned to challenge the constitutionality of the stop, but did not elaborate.

Holmes' attorney has characterized the marijuana charge as a low-grade misdemeanor. At most, Holmes faces 30 days' probation and a $500 fine if convicted.