Jets’ Faneca now highest-paid lineman in NFL

The Pro Bowl offensive guard agreed to a five-year, $40 million contract.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — The New York Jets and Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca agreed to terms on a five-year, $40 million contract Saturday, making the former Steeler the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.

Agent Rick Smith told The Associated Press on Saturday that the 31-year-old Faneca planned to fly to New York today, take a physical and officially sign the deal Monday. After making nearly $4.4 million in salary and bonuses last season, Faneca got a huge deal that Smith said includes $21 million in guarantees.

A Jets spokesman declined comment on the signing of the seven-time Pro Bowl selection, considered perhaps the league’s best left guard.

Faneca chose New York over San Francisco and St. Louis, all teams that had losing records last season and need help on their offensive lines.

“When he examined the situations, Alan felt this team would make the biggest impact,” Smith said.

New York sorely needed a standout left guard after trading Pete Kendall to Washington following a bitter contract dispute before last season. They plugged in the since-released Adrien Clarke, who was ineffective while starting the first 14 games and was benched the last two weeks.

Faneca will step in between left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold to give the Jets a terrific left side. Ferguson and Mangold thrived as rookies with Kendall, but struggled at times without his veteran influence last season.

“Alan can’t wait to work with those guys,” Smith said. “He likes to take young guys under his wing and help them develop.”

Faneca’s presence will surely improve the Jets’ rushing game, which struggled despite having Thomas Jones. New York ranked 26th in the league last season in total yards and 19th in rushing yards per game.

“Alan is really looking forward to being a New York Jet,” Smith said.

Faneca, a five-time All-Pro who was Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 1998, experienced a similar situation to Kendall last summer. Known as “Red” because of his long, flowing red hair, Faneca was unhappy before last season because he thought the Steelers misled him during contract talks last winter when he was looking for a new deal.

Meanwhile, guards such as Leonard Davis, Kris Dielman, Derrick Dockery and Eric Steinbach all signed big deals last offseason that were worth at least $6 million.

Faneca, who helped Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker rush for 1,000 yards during his tenure, was critical of ownership when he reported for minicamp last May and even announced then: “This will be my last year as a Pittsburgh Steeler.”

49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent defensive end Justin Smith in a move they hope will bolster their pass rush.

Smith, the No. 4 overall pick by Cincinnati in 2001, had 431⁄2 sacks in seven seasons with the Bengals and was one of the top pass rushers available on the free agent market this season. His deal is reportedly for six years and is worth $45 million, including $20 million in guarantees.

After meeting with the 49ers coaching staff and taking a helicopter tour of San Francisco, Smith decided to cancel planned visits to Minnesota and Jacksonville and sign with the 49ers instead.

The Niners were tied for 21st in the NFL last season with only 31 sacks. Bryant Young, who led the team with 61⁄2 sacks, retired after the season leaving a big void at end.

Smith had at least five sacks in each of his first six seasons with the Bengals before recording only two last season. He has led the Bengals defensive line in tackles in each of the past six seasons and was designated as the team’s franchise player in 2007.

The Niners have been busy so far in the free agency season after going 5-11 last season, signing receiver Isaac Bruce and kick returner Allen Rossum.