Receivers grabbed the headlines on the first day of free agency.

Derrick Mason, who led all wideouts with 96 catches last season, joined Baltimore on Wednesday. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, coming off a career year, stayed with Cincinnati. Randy Moss' trade from Minnesota to Oakland became official, and tight end Marcus Pollard was released by Indianapolis.

Mason, 31, should give a boost to one of the most feeble passing offenses around. The Ravens ranked 31st in passing last season and their leading receiver, Kevin Johnson, had 35 receptions. Mason had nearly as many as Baltimore's top three pass catchers.

"We were high on his list, and he was high on our list," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He was really the only receiver we have had any active discussions with thus far. What this does is we bring in a veteran receiver who has the type of attitude and type of personality that we look for in a football player."

Mason's 96 catches trailed just Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez last year and accounted for 1,168 yards and seven touchdowns.

"The signing of Derrick Mason is the most substantial move we've made, particularly in free agency, particularly at the wide receiver position," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "When you take someone of Derrick Mason's caliber, you expect it to have an impact."

Houshmandzadeh made a strong impact for the Bengals in his breakthrough 2004 season. He caught 73 passes for 978 yards and four touchdowns and was particularly effective when Peter Warrick was injured.

"It was tempting to get out and really test the water as a free agent, but in my heart, what I wanted was to be in Cincinnati," Houshmandzadeh said. "I told my agents that, and we were able to get a good deal done.

"I'm glad to have it all off my mind so I can start getting focused. I think the Bengals are going to have a great season, and I want to be a part of it."

Moss didn't want to be a part of the Vikings any longer and the deal with Oakland was struck last week. The Raiders traded a No. 1 pick, seventh overall, linebacker Napoleon Harris and a later draft choice for Moss.

"Who wouldn't want to be in the Silver and Black?" Moss asked. "I'm committed to excellence and I just want to win, baby."

Moss was bothered by a hamstring injury for much of last season and didn't reach 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his seven-year career. He finished with 49 catches for 767 yards and 13 touchdowns.

When healthy, though, he is a fearsome downfield threat.

"If he's not the best, he's certainly one of the best," Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins said. "You can make a strong argument. Everybody has their own opinions. But ask any quarterback around the league which receiver they'd want, and I think most would say Randy Moss."

The Vikings added more defensive help by agreeing to terms with tackle Pat Williams, late of Buffalo, on a three-year deal worth $13 million, with a $6 million signing bonus. The eight-year veteran should bolster a line that has Pro Bowl tackle Kevin Williams. Minnesota ranked 28th on defense last season.

Pollard played a big role in the development of the potent Indianapolis offense led by Peyton Manning. But the Colts saved $2.65 million in salary cap space by releasing the 10-year veteran.

"I've always dreaded this day because I didn't know how it would happen and how I would deal with it emotionally," Pollard said. "But as far as how Bill (Polian, the team president) and Tony (Dungy, the coach) handled it, I got cut, but I don't feel like I got cut, if that makes any sense."

He ranks second in Colts history for receptions by a tight end, behind Hall of Famer John Mackey.

Cleveland traded defensive tackle Gerard Warren, the third overall pick in the 2001 draft, to Denver for a fourth-round draft choice. Then the Browns signed guard Joe Andruzzi, a starter on all three of New England's Super Bowl winners, to a four-year, $9 million deal that reunites him with new Browns coach Romeo Crennel, the former Patriots defensive coordinator.

"Joe is a tough, hard-nosed, blue-collar football player," Crennel said. "He gives us flexibility by being able to play both left and right guard and he will add stability to our offensive line."

St. Louis signed 32-year-old linebacker Dexter Coakley, one day after he was released by Dallas. Coakley is fourth on the Cowboys' career tackles list with 1,046, but Dallas cut him rather than pay a $500,000 roster bonus.

Washington got center Casey Rabach and re-signed left tackle Chris Samuels, whose contract was redone to provide more salary cap room.

In addition to Moss, Oakland was closing in on signing Jets backup runner LaMont Jordan, who spent four years behind Curtis Martin in New York, but averaged 4.9 yards per carry.

"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 Wednesday night.

Oakland released veteran running back Tyrone Wheatley on Wednesday, along with defensive tackle John Parrella.

Dallas signed cornerback Anthony Henry to a five-year contract. Henry had four interceptions last season with Cleveland.

Philadelphia re-signed running back Correll Buckhalter, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

The Lions re-signed Bracy Walker, their starting strong safety last season.