Vikings sign Ferguson to one-year deal

Receiver Robert Ferguson became the first of the Vikings' nine unrestricted free agents to return to the team Saturday when he signed a one-year contract that will pay close to $1 million and provide an opportunity to make an additional $500,000 to $600,000 in incentives.

Ferguson's agent, Brian Overstreet, said Chicago, Pittsburgh and "a couple other" teams also expressed interest in the veteran but that his client did not make any visits.

"[Minnesota] is a situation he was comfortable with," Overstreet said. "It's kind of like this: Do you take $1.5 million to go somewhere and maybe not even make that if you're not going to get a fair opportunity, or do you take it somewhere where you've done some things and have a level of confidence?"

Since free agency opened on Feb. 29, the Vikings have lost defensive lineman Spencer Johnson (Buffalo); running back Mewelde Moore (Pittsburgh); fullback Tony Richardson (New York Jets); linebacker Dontarrious Thomas (San Francisco); and safety Tank Williams (New England). Safety Mike Doss, defensive lineman Darrion Scott and cornerback Ronyell Whitaker remain on the market.

Ferguson, 28, appeared to be one of the few of the Vikings' unrestricted free agents that the team made a real effort to keep. Ferguson signed a one-year deal with the Vikings late in training camp last season after being jettisoned by Green Bay.

He finished second on the team to Bobby Wade with 32 receptions for 391 yards and one touchdown. Plagued by injuries during his seven-year career, Ferguson stayed healthy for much of 2007. He played in 15 games and started eight times, including seven of the final nine.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said in an e-mail Saturday that Ferguson provided, "great leadership and toughness [for the receiver] group last year."

Ferguson returns to a receiving corps that has added free agent Bernard Berrian and includes Wade, Sidney Rice and Aundrae Allison in its top five.

• The Falcons are negotiating a trade that would send outspoken cornerback DeAngelo Hall to the Raiders for a second-round pick in the NFL draft, the Associated Press reported, citing anonymous sources.

• San Francisco waived receiver Darrell Jackson after one unproductive season with the club.