Ravens acquire McGahee to fill vacancy

~ The former Bills running back will fill the hole left by Jamal Lewis.

Willis McGahee is in place as Jamal Lewis' replacement in Baltimore.

The day after Lewis signed with the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens obtained McGahee from Buffalo for three draft picks -- a third and a seventh in this year's draft and a third in 2008.

"We're getting a dynamic back who has the potential to diversify our running game," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "We've studied him, and he brings the same passion and preparation that is common to Miami players, like our Ray Lewis and Ed Reed."

Atlanta, meanwhile, reached agreement with wide receiver Joe Horn, who is expected to play a lead role in new coach Bobby Petrino's efforts to add a better passing game.

McGahee has been available since the end of the season and several teams had interest. But none was willing to put together a package of draft picks that satisfied Buffalo.

McGahee is coming off a season with a career-low 990 yards rushing, but led the Bills with six touchdowns rushing in 14 starts.

In 2005, he rushed for 1,247 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts. He established himself as Buffalo's starter in 2004 with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts.

He was attractive to the Ravens after the falloff by Lewis, who since rushing for 2,066 yards in 2003 has been bothered by injuries and averaged just 3.4 yards and 3.6 yards per carry the last two seasons. Baltimore released him last week.

"I've got a lot left in the tank when I have something to work with, and I feel Cleveland is going to give me that opportunity to do what I do," Lewis said in a teleconference with Ohio reporters.

The 35-year-old Horn, a fixture in New Orleans who was cut by the Saints after seven seasons, missed nine games the last two seasons with groin and hamstring injuries, including six games last year. Negotiations with the Falcons gained momentum after Horn passed a physical by the team.

The Falcons led the NFL in rushing for the third straight year, but finished last with only 148 yards passing per game. Petrino plans to add more three- and four-receiver sets to the offense led by Michael Vick.

Seahawks release Wistrom

Seattle released fiery defensive end Grant Wistrom after three years of struggling to match the big contract he signed in 2004.

Wistrom was scheduled to make $3.5 million for the 2007 season, part of a six-year, $33 million deal Wistrom signed during the 2004 offseason. His contract included a then-club-record $14 million in guaranteed money, but Wistrom never posted big numbers with the Seahawks.

His release came one day after the Seahawks introduced new DE Patrick Kerney, who signed a six-year, $39.5 million contract after leaving Atlanta as a free agent.