Kansas City, Mo. ? The Kansas City Chiefs took the first step toward revamping their league-worst defense Monday by signing free agent linebacker Shawn Barber to a seven-year deal.

Barber, who had 93 tackles and two interceptions with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, should help bolster the Chiefs’ awful defense, which allowed more points and yardage last season than any other in franchise history.

Barber said the deal came together quickly because the Chiefs were the top team on his list, and he was the top linebacker on the team’s list. A football source, speaking condition of anonymity, said the deal was worth $30 million.

“He possesses the skills, abilities and experience that should improve our defense immediately,” Chiefs president Carl Peterson said.

Barber, an athletic outside linebacker, will move from a defense ranked fourth in the league to the team ranked 32nd last season, one that allowed the league-high in both yardage and first downs.

“It’s a big challenge,” Barber said, “but that’s what I thrive on.”

Peterson said the team still had room to operate under the salary cap and address additional needs. Peterson said the team planned to pursue several more defensive players, including Eagles Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas.

Barber said he’d advise Douglas to “get on board.”

Philadelphia replaced Barber by acquiring former Kansas State linebacker Mark Simoneau from Atlanta for two draft picks.

¢

Giants sign return man: The New York Giants Monday signed return specialist Brian Mitchell, who is second on the NFL’s career list for combined yardage. Mitchell, 34, played the last three seasons with Philadelphia. His deal with the Giants is worth $3.55 million.

¢

Jets retain fullback: Fullback Jerald Sowell was re-signed by the New York Jets. The move means the team probably will not sign re-sign Richie Anderson, the longtime starter at the position. The Jets also signed wide receiver Phil McGeoghan, who spent last season on Denver’s injured list.

¢

Eagles hire Mornhinweg: Marty Mornhinweg, fired in January as coach of Detroit, was hired by Philadelphia as a senior assistant coach Monday. Eagles coach Andy Reid worked with Mornhinweg on the college level at Texas-El Paso (1987) and at Missouri (1991). He and Reid coached together under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay from 1995-96.

¢

Lions under scrutiny: The Detroit Lions will meet with the NFL’s diversity committee today in Palm Beach, Fla., to discuss the process that led to the hiring of Steve Mariucci last month.

Committee chairman and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney said the club’s process “fell short” of committee guidelines, which call for teams to interview at least one minority candidate for coaching vacancies.

Mariucci, the former San Francisco coach, was the only person interviewed for the job, but the Lions maintain five minority candidates turned down interviews because it appeared inevitable that Mariucci would be hired.

¢

Titans re-sign guard: Tennessee kept one of its key free agents in the fold by signing guard Zach Piller to a seven-year deal. Piller’s agent said the $21.2 million deal included a $4 million signing bonus and $1.5 million in incentives.

¢

Punter returns to Cowboys: Former Cowboys punter Toby Gowin is returning to the team, signing a five year-contract worth nearly $4 million. Last year, Gowin finished sixth in the NFC with a 41.9-yard gross average and a 36.9 net average for New Orleans.

¢

Chargers make snap decision: San Diego re-signed veteran long snapper David Binn to a one-year contract.