Falcons sign Turner

Published 10:23 pm Sunday, March 2, 2008

FALCONS: Michael Turner, considered perhaps the top running back available in free agency, agreed to a six-year deal with Atlanta on Sunday. A four-year veteran who has been best known as LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup in San Diego, Turner is expected to play a more important role with the Falcons. He is projected as the power complement to speed back Jerious Norwood. The addition of Turner likely signals the end of Warrick Dunn’s time as the starter. Turner (5-10, 237) has 228 carries for 1,257 yards and six touchdowns in four seasons with San Diego. He also has three of the longest 11 carries in team history — 83, 74 and 73 yards. He has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in his career. The team also agreed to terms with tight end Ben Hartsock.

SAINTS: Randall Gay, a cornerback who spent the past four years with New England, agreed to a four-year contract with New Orleans. Gay’s agent, Albert Elias, told The Associated Press that the deal is worth up to $17.6 million. Signed out of LSU in 2004 by the Patriots, Gay has recorded 83 career tackles, five interceptions and recovered three fumbles, including two returned for touchdowns. Bobby McCray, a free-agent defensive end who spent the past four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, agreed to a five-year contract with New Orleans. Running back Aaron Stecker, who rushed for a career-high 448 yards last season, agreed to re-sign with New Orleans.