NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Ravens: Free-agent running back Jamal Lewis, who has had troubles on and off the field since rushing for 2,066 yards in 2003, re-signed Monday with the team that drafted him in 2000. Lewis rushed for a career-low 906 yards in 2005 after serving a four-month federal prison sentence on a drug charge and undergoing off-season ankle surgery. His average of 3.4 yards a carry was a full yard below his career mark. The Ravens had considered putting the franchise tag on their leading career rusher, who has 6,669 yards rushing in his six seasons in Baltimore. Lewis then rejected an offer for a two-year incentive-laden deal that included a signing bonus.
49ers: Antonio Bryant needed a new home, a starring role and the chance to build a better image. San Francisco's needs were simpler: A top-flight receiver. They quickly came together when the 49ers signed Bryant to a four-year contract worth about $15 million, acquiring one of the few proven pass-catchers left on the market. Though Bryant sometimes clashed with coaches during his first four NFL seasons with Cleveland and Dallas, he pronounced himself ready to grow along with the 49ers, who went 4-12 last season in coach Mike Nolan's first year.
Rams: Carolina's Will Witherspoon signed with St. Louis, and the Rams lost strong safety Adam Archuleta to Washington. Witherspoon, an outside linebacker with Carolina, was one of the top free agents at his position. He signed with St. Louis to play in the middle for a deal that includes a $9 million signing bonus. Archuleta, a better run stopper than pass defender, left the Rams after five seasons and got a $10 million signing bonus from the Redskins, who have added four players since free agency started Saturday.
Eagles: Philadelphia signed pass-rushing defensive end Darren Howard, who was bothered by injuries with New Orleans last season. Howard, who had 11 sacks in 2004, had just 31/2 last season in an injury hampered year. He had been protected by the Saints as their franchise player the last two seasons and fills Philadelphia's need for an outside pass rushers, something the Eagles lacked during a 6-10 season in 2005.
Titans: Tennessee signed linebacker David Thornton from Indianapolis, the third Colts player in three days to leave. Thornton, who signed a $22 million, five-year deal with the Titans, is the third starting linebacker in four years to leave the Colts.
Bengals: Safety Dexter Jackson, the MVP of the 2003 Super Bowl for Tampa Bay, signed with Cincinnati. Jackson spent all but one of his seven seasons in the NFL with the Buccaneers, going to Arizona in 2003 before returning.
Dolphins: Miami signed left tackle L.J. Shelton from Cleveland and added two potential starters in linebacker Sedrick Hodge from New Orleans and cornerback Andre Goodman from Detroit.
Falcons: Receiver Brian Finneran re-signed Monday, agreeing to a four-year, $8 million contract. Finneran, who caught 60 passes for 611 yards in 2005, was more productive than a pair of first-round picks from the last two years, Michael Jenkins and Roddy White.
Lions: Free-agent wide receiver Corey Bradford was signed to a four-year contract. Bradford spent the last four seasons with the Houston Texans, where he played under current Detroit receivers coach Kippy Brown.
Giants: New York signed free-agent cornerback R.W. McQuarters. McQuarters, an eight-year veteran, has 12 career interceptions with San Francisco, Chicago and Detroit. He started all 16 games for the Lions last season and had two interceptions and 60 tackles.
Sidelines: Carolina agreed to terms with defensive tackle Damione Lewis and center Justin Hartwig. Lewis previously played for St. Louis and Hartwig for Tennessee. ... New Orleans agreed to terms with linebacker Scott Fujita, who played for Dallas last season. ... Dallas signed linebacker Akin Ayodele, formerly of Jacksonville. ... Wide receiver Eric Moulds asked the Bills to release or trade him, believing the team has no intention to keep him at his current salary.
Associated Press