Wide receiver Tai Streets signed with Detroit on Wednesday and reunited with Steve Mariucci, his coach when he began his career in San Francisco.

It was the second major free-agent signing by the Lions, who have won just 10 games in three seasons, five last year in Mariucci’s first with the team. They already have signed Damien Woody from New England, perhaps the best offensive lineman available.

Meanwhile, the New York Giants cut middle linebacker Mike Barrow, saving about $3 million in cap space. His departure means the team will have three new starting linebackers next season – they already signed Carlos Emmons from Philadelphia and Barrett Green from the Lions.

Washington, which made the biggest splash the first week, added a lesser free agent for the second day in a row – blocking tight end Walter Rasby, who was a Redskin in 2001 and 2002. On Tuesday, the Redskins signed 38-year-old punter Tom Tupa.

The NFL also said there would be no decision on Terrell Owens’ appeal to become a free agent until Sunday. His case will be heard Saturday in a conference call with an arbitrator.

Streets potentially gives the Lions a dangerous receiving corps. He will be paired with second-year man Charles Rogers and veteran Az-Zahir Hakim.

In five seasons with the 49ers, he had 168 receptions for 2,008 yards and 13 touchdowns, including 47 catches last season for 595 yards and five TDs.

“He’s familiar with Steve and his system,” Lions president Matt Millen said. “He’s had success. He upgrades us and gives us a big kid who runs well.”

Barrow signed with the Giants in 2000 after being cut by Carolina and helped them reach the Super Bowl.

He led the team in tackles the last two seasons but turns 34 in April, making him expendable for a team that is rebuilding under new coach Tom Coughlin.

He was released after efforts to restructure his contract were unsuccessful.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever been a part of in football,” general manager Ernie Accorsi said. “But in this system, when a player’s salary cap number is so high that it begins to strangle your opportunities to improve multiple areas of your team, it has to come to this.”

In other moves Wednesday:

– New England re-signed all-purpose running back Kevin Faulk, who rushed for 638 yards last season, 4 yards less than team leader Antowain Smith.

– Cincinnati released 10-year veteran Jeff Burris, who started eight games at cornerback last season.

– Cornerback Artrell Hawkins, released by the Bengals last week, agreed to terms with Carolina. Hawkins might replace Reggie Howard, who previously signed with Miami.

– Atlanta signed guard Eric Beverly, who was replaced in Detroit’s starting lineup when the Lions signed Woody.

– Dallas released veteran punter Toby Gowin.

– Denver signed free agent quarterback Mike Quinn and re-signed cornerback Scott Turner. Quinn, a seven-year veteran, spent four games with the Houston Texans last season. Turner signed with the Broncos on Oct. 14 and played nine games on special teams, making eight tackles.

– Defensive tackle Travis Kirschke signed a four-year contract with Pittsburgh worth $6.4 million, including a $1.1 million signing bonus. The seven-year veteran started 15 games for San Francisco last season, with 43 tackles and 11/2 sacks.

AP-ES-03-10-04 2108EST