Ravens get Titans’ star receiver Mason
The Baltimore Ravens landed the biggest prize of the first day of free agency on Wednesday, signing wide receiver Derrick Mason, whose 96 catches for Tennessee last season led all NFL wide receivers.
The 31-year-old Mason, one of six Titans cut last month in a salary cap purge, will join a team whose leading receiver had 35 catches a year ago.
“We were high on his list, and he was high on our list,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said.
Redskins sign first free agent
The Washington Redskins did it again, jumping to sign the first free agent of the season. At 2:30 a.m., the Redskins reached a deal for a five-year, $13.75 million contract with center Casey Rabach, according to an official within the league speaking on condition of anonymity. The deal includes a $2.5 million signing bonus for Rabach, who spent the last four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The team re-signed defensive tackle Joe Salave’a to a three-year deal, agreed to terms to re-sign long snapper Ethan Albright and formally announced the re-signing of left tackle Chris Samuels to a seven-year, $47 million contract with a team-record $15.75 million signing bonus.
Raiders close to signing Jordan
The Oakland Raiders were close to signing free-agent running back LaMont Jordan, who was in town to meet with the team.
“We have a deal in principle that he should sign tomorrow morning – 99.9 percent sure he will be a Raider,” Jordan’s agent, Alvin Keels, said in an e-mail.
Jordan spent his first four seasons with the New York Jets.
Oakland released veteran running back Tyrone Wheatley, along with defensive tackle John Parrella.
Other transactions
The Cleveland Browns traded defensive tackle Gerard Warren, the third overall pick in the 2001 draft, to Denver. The Browns will get a fourth-round draft choice . … The St. Louis Rams signed 32-year-old linebacker Dexter Coakley, one day after he was released by Dallas. … Indianapolis Colts released tight end Marcus Pollard. … The Minnesota Vikings signed defensive tackle Pat Williams to a $13 million, three-year deal, with a $6 million signing bonus. … The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. … The Detroit Lions re-signed strong safety Bracy Walker. … The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed running back Correll Buckhalter. … New England Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi signed a four-year $9 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.