New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel talks to the media in front of his locker Tuesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Samuel signed a one-year contract worth .79 million, ending a contract dispute that had kept him out of training camp for a month.

Asante Samuel now is ready to build on his outstanding 2006 season.

Insisting he’s happy his holdout is over and he has a one-year, $7.79 million contract, the Patriots cornerback was at practice Tuesday.

Last year, the best of his first four since New England drafted him in 2003, he tied Champ Bailey of Denver for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions and picked off two more passes in the playoffs.

“I’ve been a competitor since I was born. Everything I do I want to be the best at,” Samuel said.

The Patriots received a temporary roster exemption for Samuel then got down to the 75-man limit by Tuesday’s deadline by placing wide receivers Troy Brown and Chad Jackson and cornerback Eddie Jackson on the physically unable to perform reserve list, releasing offensive lineman Chris Patrick and putting rookie defensive back Mike Richardson on the IR with a hand injury, sidelining him for the season.

Titans

DT Corey Simon had his first workout with the team.

“Oh gosh, it feels great,” Simon said. “A little rusty, but I felt good just getting out and running around and being with the guys. That’s what you miss most when you’re away from the game.”

Drafted sixth overall in 2000 by the Eagles, Simon spent five seasons there. In September 2005 he signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Colts, and collected $14 million for 13 games played that season.

After spending the first four games of 2006 deactivated, the Colts placed him on the non-football injury/illness list with an undisclosed ailment. The Colts finally released him Aug. 4 after he failed a physical.

Simon has 311 tackles, 32 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered in 91 career games.

Steelers

DE Brett Keisel is appealing a $12,500 fine for a low hit on Washington quarterback Jason Campbell during an Aug. 18 preseason game.

Campbell bruised a knee and was taken out of the game, but was not seriously hurt. He expects to play Thursday night against Jacksonville in the Redskins’ final exhibition game.

Also, WR Hines Ward missed practice Tuesday after breaking his nose in an exhibition game Sunday. But he isn’t expected to miss the Sept. 9 opener at Cleveland.

Ravens

Ten-time Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden passed his physical and was added to the active roster after missing most of training camp with turf toe. Ogden practiced Tuesday for the first time since last season.

Ogden said he hopes to be ready for the season opener at Cincinnati.

Giants

Veteran long-snapper Ryan Kuehl will miss the season because of a calf injury. It marked the second time in five years with the Giants that Kuehl will miss a season because of an injury. An elbow problem sidelined him in 2003.

Broncos

Denver cut two starters from last year: DE Kenard Lang and punter Paul Ernster. The Broncos also placed wide receiver Rod Smith, their career receptions and touchdowns leader, on the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday. Smith is recovering from offseason hip surgery.

Among other notable cuts were wide receiver David Kircus, who is facing an assault charge stemming from an offseason fight, and defensive lineman Demetrin Veal, who played in 31 games for the Broncos over the last two seasons.

Jaguars

Jacksonville claimed LB Roy Manning off waivers and released LB Chris Claiborne, who signed a one-year contract with the Jaguars on Sunday.

Manning was waived by Buffalo on Monday.

Jets

Linebacker Matt Chatham was moved from the active-physically unable to perform list to the reserve-PUP list. Chatham has been hobbled by a foot injury and can’t practice with the team or play during the first six weeks of the regular season.

Browns

Center LeCharles Bentley’s comeback has been delayed. Cleveland placed Bentley on the physically unable to perform list to give his surgically repaired knee more time to heal. Bentley has yet to practice, but hasn’t given up on playing this season.

Colts

Guard Rick DeMulling, a six-year veteran, is looking for a job. A former starter with the Colts, he was cut Tuesday.

DeMulling, a seventh-round draft pick in 2001, started 41 games in three seasons with Indianapolis.

Redskins

Veteran DT Joe Salave’a was released. Salave’a started 13 games for the 2005 team that made the playoffs, but he has been hindered by several injuries – calf, foot, heel, thigh, knee – during each of his three seasons with the Redskins. He has not played in all 16 games in any of his eight NFL seasons.

49ers

Coach Mike Nolan said rookie Joe Staley is the starter at right tackle. Staley, the No. 28 overall selection in the draft, unseats veteran Kwame Harris. The two have been battling throughout the summer for the job.

“Starting positions on our team are earned,” Nolan said. “Nobody is handed a starting role. Both Joe and Kwame had outstanding camps. It was a very close competition. Joe was more consistent. Joe earned the starting position based on his production on the football field both in practice and in the games.”