Burress now a Giant a week after talks break off

Associated Press

Plaxico Burress will play with the New York Giants after all.

The free-agent wide receiver reached an agreement with the team he spurned last week on a six-year, $25 million contract Thursday, a football source said.

The deal includes an $8 million signing bonus, the source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The agreement comes a week after the Giants said they were no longer interested in signing the speedy former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver, and just days after Burress switched agents.

Burress met with the Giants eight days ago and rejected an offer that was almost the same as the one he agreed to Thursday. He then fired agent Michael Harrison and signed with Drew Rosenhaus.

Rosenhaus was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

Also Thursday, NFL leading rusher Emmitt Smith signed a one-year contract with Dallas so he can retire as a Cowboy, and the Browns signed running back Chester Taylor to a one-year, $3 million offer sheet. The Seahawks also said they have signed Broncos cornerback Kelly Herndon to an offer sheet.

Burress, who spent the last five seasons with Pittsburgh, brings considerable size and big-play ability to a Giants offense that sorely needs both.

At 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds, Burress has the size and speed to get down the field and catch the fade pattern in the end zone, which no doubt is attractive to Eli Manning heading into his first full season as a starter.

Burress had 35 catches for 698 yards and five touchdowns last season. His finest season was in 2002, when he had 78 catches.

Smith spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals after playing with Dallas for 13 years. After Smith submits his official retirement notification to the NFL, he will be placed on the Cowboys' reserve retired list. Smith announced his retirement last month.

The Browns' move to sign Taylor could signal the end of William Green's time in Cleveland. Baltimore has until Wednesday to match the offer for Taylor, a restricted free agent, Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said. If the Ravens decline, the Browns would owe the Ravens a sixth-round draft pick.

Taylor would likely compete with Lee Suggs for the starting job in Cleveland. His addition would allow the Browns to release Green, who has been given permission to seek a trade.

Denver has one week to match the offer to Herndon, a restricted free agent. If the Broncos decide not to match the offer, the Seahawks won't give up a draft choice because Herndon joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2001.

The Seahawks are in need of a starting cornerback after Ken Lucas signed a six-year deal with the Carolina Panthers two weeks ago. Herndon started every game last season, leading the Broncos with 20 passes defensed while finishing fifth with 77 tackles. He added two interceptions.

In other moves Thursday:

* Houston re-signed backup quarterback Tony Banks and signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Frank Chamberlin to a one-year deal.

* The Bears and defensive back Todd McMillon agreed to a one-year contract.

* The Chargers re-signed guards Kris Dielman and Bob Hallen, and linebacker Carlos Polk to one-year contracts.

* The Dolphins signed free agent fullback Heath Evans to a one-year deal.