Baltimore hangs onto running back

Jamal Lewis is staying with the Baltimore Ravens.

The free-agent running back, who has had troubles on and off the field since rushing for 2,066 yards in 2003, re-signed Monday with the team that drafted him in 2000.

Carolina's Will Witherspoon signed with St. Louis, and the Rams lost strong safety Adam Archuleta to Washington, which as usual was one of the busiest teams during the opening of the free-agent period.

Philadelphia signed pass-rushing defensive end Darren Howard, who was bothered by injuries with New Orleans last season. And Tennessee signed linebacker David Thornton from Indianapolis, the third Colts player in three days to leave.

But Baltimore's decision to re-sign its one-time All-Pro was the highlight of the day.

Lewis rushed for a career-low 906 yards in 2005 after serving a four-month federal prison sentence on a drug charge and undergoing offseason ankle surgery. His average of 3.4 yards a carry was a full yard below his career mark.

The Ravens had considered putting the franchise tag on their leading career rusher, who has 6,669 yards rushing in his six seasons in Baltimore. Lewis then rejected an offer for a two-year incentive-laden deal that included a signing bonus.

Lewis had planned to fly to Denver on Monday afternoon to talk about joining the Broncos but canceled the flight after coming to terms with the Ravens.

"I'm back with the fellas, my teammates. That's more important than anything else," Lewis said. "I don't have to learn a new system and all that stuff, so it makes things a little easier."

Less than 24 hours after bringing back Lewis, the Ravens signed Mike Anderson, who led the Broncos in rushing last season.

Witherspoon, an outside linebacker with Carolina, was one of the top free agents at his position. He signed with St. Louis to play in the middle for a deal that includes a $9 million signing bonus.

Archuleta, a better run stopper than pass defender, left the Rams after five seasons and got a $10 million signing bonus from the Redskins, who have added four players since free agency started Saturday.

That's generally been the way the Skins have operated since Daniel Snyder bought them in 1999, getting things done as quickly as possible, often for prices considered over market value.