The Associated Press

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Cornerback Antoine Winfield agreed to a $35 million, six-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, less than a day after abandoning a deal with the New York Jets.

The deal includes a $10.8 million signing bonus, his agent said.

Wearing a Vikings cap, Winfield said Friday at Minnesota's Winter Park that it just didn't work out with the Jets.

"When it came down to it, I just wasn't ready. I didn't want to rush," Winfield said, adding that he had promised Vikings coach Mike Tice he would visit Minnesota before making a decision.

Winfield, who spent his first five seasons with Buffalo, was considered the second-best cornerback on the market, behind Champ Bailey, who was dealt from Washington to Denver this week.

A first-round pick in 1999 from Ohio State, Winfield had five interceptions, 409 tackles and one sack in his five seasons with Buffalo.

LIONS: The Super Bowl champion Patriots lost another starter when Damien Woody, one of the most sought-after free-agent offensive linemen, agreed to join Detroit. Another New England free agent, nose tackle Ted Washington, went to Oakland Wednesday.

Woody, New England's starting left guard, missed the AFC title game and the Super Bowl due to a knee injury. New England re-signed guard Russ Hochstein, who filled in for Woody, last week.

REDSKINS: Linebacker Marcus Washington signed a six-year, $24 million contract that includes a $7 million signing bonus. He played the last four seasons for the Colts, totaling 18 sacks.

49ERS: Cornerback Ahmed Plummer, who started 59 games in his four-year career with the team, re-signed. Terms were not disclosed.

DOLPHINS: Miami signed guard Jeno James, who started all 20 games for NFC champion Carolina last season.

PANTHERS: Carolina agreed to terms on a one-year contract with four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jessie Armstead, who was released by Washington. Armstead has 991 tackles, 40 sacks and 12 interceptions in his career.

BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay signed lineman Matt Stinchcomb to a two-year contract. He spent the first five seasons of his career in Oakland.

FALCONS: Former 49ers cornerback Jason Webster signed a six-year deal worth approximately $18 million.

JETS: New York re-signed right guard Brent Smith, a seven-year veteran who started all 16 games last season.

BROWNS: The team released running back Jamel White, saving $350,000 on a roster bonus and $4.75 million on his contract. White, who played mostly on third downs, averaged 3.8 yards on 70 carries.

JAGUARS: Veteran tight end Todd Yoder signed a three-year deal. He played in all 16 games and started one for Tampa Bay last season, making seven receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

TRADE: Tennessee traded wide receiver Justin McCareins to the New York Jets for a second-round draft pick. McCareins had 47 catches for 813 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

UNDERCLASSMEN: The NFL released a final list of underclassmen who applied for the April 24-25 draft, following the ruling that made Ohio State sophomore Maurice Clarett eligible. It included six high school players and one from junior college, but NFL officials said only Clarett and Southern California wide receiver Mike Williams are expected to be drafted.

The seven who applied are Ronnie McCrae, a defensive back from Pasadena City College in California; Joe Banks, a running back from New Directions Academy High School in Baltimore; quarterback John Belisle of Capac Community High School in Capac, Michigan; defensive tackle Earl Fields of Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga.; wide receiver Joe Lee of Gates High School in Tacoma, Wash.; running back Ethan Mitchell of Flowers High School, in Springdale, Md.; and Ken Petitt of Redford High School in Detroit.

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