Report: Patriots WR Branch reworks final year of contract

After trading a fourth-round draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Deion Branch earlier this week, the New England Patriots hope the wide receiver and quarterback Tom Brady can rekindle some of that old chemistry.

Branch is banking on it as well.

He adjusted the final year of his contract Thursday, forgoing a $5.95 million salary for a heavily incentive-laden one in 2011, according to the Boston Herald. He has two years left on a six-year, $39 million contract he signed with Seattle after being traded in 2006 by New England, where he spent four seasons.

Branch, who is scheduled to earn $5.47 million this season as part of the six-year, $39 million deal he signed with Seattle when he was traded there by New England in 2006, reduced his 2011 base salary by more than half, according to the report.

Branch confirmed that his contract had been restructured, but he didn't give details. His agent, Jason Chayut, didn't return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

The Herald noted that Branch's renegotiated contract likely will help facilitate an extension for Wes Welker, who is scheduled to earn $2.5 million next season. With Randy Moss shipped to the Minnesota Vikings, Welker is unquestionably the Patriots' most valuable receiver and likely will command more money than Branch, who's 31.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chargers entering final contract talks with LT McNeill

Marcus McNeill expressed his desire for a new contract by holding out from the San Diego Chargers. Now that he has reported to the team and been activated from the roster-exempt list, it appears a deal is near completion.

McNeill, a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle, and the Chargers are expected to go over final negotiating points Tuesday, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, meaning an agreement likely is close.

Chargers director of public relations Bill Johnston suggested Tuesday that the two sides were close.

"Nearing 5-yr deal for Marcus McNeill," Johnston tweeted. "Team always said to 73 & 83: sign tender, go to work & we'll see how it goes. It went well for Mac."

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith disputed an ESPN report that an agreement had been reached Monday.

"That's not the case," Smith told The Union-Tribune. "If there is something to report, we'll let you know."

McNeill, a restricted free agent this offseason, rejected a one-year, $3.168 million tender offer from the Chargers, then skipped training camp, all four preseason games and the first two regular-season contests. The Chargers reduced their offer to $630,000, then placed the fifth-year pro on the roster-exempt list, meaning he was required to sit out three games after signing the tender.

McNeill signed the tender Sept. 25 and practiced with the team while he couldn't play. The Chargers added him to their active roster Monday and released cornerback Fred Bennett and safety C.J. Spillman.

According to The Union-Tribune, McNeill will work with the first-team offense in practice starting Wednesday and likely will start in Sunday's game at St. Louis.

The Chargers still have one holdout player. Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson still hasn't signed his tender, and various reports have linked him to possible trades to the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots.

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Dramatic final drive ends in Falcons victory

ATLANTA -- Matt Bryant kicked a 42-yard field goal with 2 seconds left, lifting the Atlanta Falcons to a 16-14 victory over the winless San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Falcons (3-1) got a big break to set up the winning points when wide receiver Roddy White forced the 49ers' Nate Clements to fumble away an interception and keep Atlanta's drive alive.

San Francisco (0-4) blew a 14-0 first-quarter lead partly because of two interceptions thrown by Alex Smith.

White caught seven passes for 104 yards -- including four for 60 yards on the winning drive -- but his biggest play was chasing Clements down the left sideline and knocking the ball out as he tackled the cornerback from behind at the Atlanta 7.

Falcons guard Harvey Dahl recovered the ball to preserve the 12-play winning drive. Clements picked off a pass over the middle that was intended for Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez.

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