NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Patriots: Randy Moss, coming off a record 23 touchdown catches during the Patriots’ unbeaten regular season, re-signed Monday, getting a three-year deal worth $27 million, his agent said. The signing was confirmed by the team shortly after Moss posted a message to fans on his Web site. “I want to take time out to thank all of the fans for their support and for wishing me well in my return to New England,” therealrandymoss.com quotes him as saying. “I’m ready to get back. We have some unfinished business to take care of.” Moss’ agent, Tim DiPiero, said the deal included guarantees of $15 million, with a $12 million signing bonus to the 31-year-old receiver who helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl in his first season with the team. “What Randy did for our team last year was outstanding,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “He is one of our most consistent, competitive and team-oriented players and it is undoubtedly a relationship we are excited to continue.”

Jets: Alan Faneca heard all about Eric Mangini’s tough training camps and practices. New York’s new Pro Bowl left guard is actually looking forward to experiencing them himself. “I’m not the kind of guy that’s going to make a decision to run from a difficult situation,” Faneca said Monday. “If anything, it swayed me in this direction, to know that the work ethic was in place to go win games.” The Jets officially signed the 31-year-old Faneca to a five-year, $40 million contract, which includes $21 million in guarantees. The deal makes the former Steelers standout the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. “It was a gut decision to the overall feeling that I had, talking to Coach Mangini and getting a sense of the feeling for where the organization was going and heading,” the seven-time Pro Bowler said on a conference call. “It really felt like it was the right spot for me to be in with me and my family.” Faneca, a five-time All-Pro who was Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 1998 and helped Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker rush for more than 1,000 yards in seven of his 10 seasons. He also earned a reputation for being one of the game’s finest left guards. The Jets also signed linebacker Calvin Pace away from Arizona and offensive lineman Damien Woody away from Detroit.

Falcons: Warrick Dunn was released, one day after the club signed free agent running back Michael Turner. Last season, Dunn became the 22nd back in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yards. But his days in Atlanta were numbered after the Falcons doled out a six-year contract to Turner, reportedly for $34.5 million with about $15 million guaranteed. The 33-year-old Dunn had three straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Falcons, helping the team lead the NFL in rushing from 2004-06. He ran for a career-high 1,416 yards in 2005, earning his third Pro Bowl appearance. But the 11-year veteran found little room to run after the Falcons fired coach Jim Mora and brought in Bobby Petrino. Dunn rushed for just 720 yards and averaged 3.2 yards per carry during a dismal 4-12 season, which was marred by Michael Vick’s dogfighting case and Petrino’s sudden resignation 13 games into his debut season. With a new coach and general manager, the Falcons decided to go for a younger running back, signing Turner to team with 24-year-old Jerious Norwood.
More moves: The Titans signed free agent tight end Alge Crumpler. … The Giants signed veteran safety Sammy Knight, who played for Jacksonville last season. He will replace Gibril Wilson, who signed with Oakland, and also help break in second-year man Michael Johnson. … Defensive end Antwan Odom signed a five-year deal worth $29.5 million with the Bengals. … New Orleans re-signed veteran wide receiver David Patten, who was second on the team in yards receiving last season and third in receptions. … Chicago traded veteran quarterback Brian Griese back to Tampa Bay for an undisclosed draft picks. The Bucs had released Griese after the 2005 season. … San Francisco signed running back DeShaun Foster, cut by Carolina, to back up Frank Gore. The 49ers also signed journeyman quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan and linebacker Dontarrious Thomas. … Kansas City signed former Atlanta linebacker Demorrio Williams. … Houston signed linebacker Kevin Bentley, who played last year with Seattle. … Jacksonville released veteran guard Chris Naeole, who started 87 games for the Jaguars over the last six seasons. The 33-year-old lineman missed the final eight games last year after tearing a quadriceps tendon. He also skipped a voluntary passing camp last May because he was unhappy with his contract. … Carolina came to terms with guard Keydrick Vincent on a two-year, $2 million deal. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Vincent started 16 games in Pittsburgh in 2004 and 12 games with Baltimore in 2006. … Safety Yeremiah Bell re-signed with Miami after missing the final 15 games last year because of a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.Bell signed a one-year deal. … Detroit signed tight end Michael Gaines, who is coming off the best season of his four-year NFL career. The 6-foot-3, 277-pound Gaines made 25 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns in his only season with Buffalo.

Associated Press