Offer to Sauerbrun will be matched

The Patriots informed punter Todd Sauerbrun that they intend to match the one-year contract he agreed to with the Broncos last week.

The 34-year-old Sauerbrun was an unrestricted free agent, but the Patriots had the first right of refusal, which was negotiated into the contract that he signed last December.

Last Tuesday, Sauerbrun agreed to an incentive-laden deal with the Broncos that could be worth up to $1.4 million. The Patriots had a seven-day window to match, with today marking the deadline.

Last week Sauerbrun told the Denver Post he hoped the Patriots would not match the offer so he could return to Denver.

Even without Sauerbrun, the Patriots have three punters on their present roster: Josh Miller, Danny Baugher, and Tom Malone.

The 36-year-old Miller has been the team's punter and holder the last three seasons. He had his 2006 season cut short by a shoulder injury, and the presence of the other punters is likely insurance to see how he responds physically. The team paid Miller a $100,000 roster bonus this offseason.

Baugher and Malone -- who spent time on the Patriots' practice squad in 2006 -- are scheduled to play in NFL Europa this spring.

In two games with the Patriots last season, Sauerbrun averaged 40.8 yards per punt and had a 30.7-yard net. He hit his stride in the playoffs, with a 45.7-yard average, and 38.5 net.

Patriots officials have talked with free agent cornerback Tory James. "The Patriots are obviously a terrific organization and we've had conversations," said Mark Bartelstein, James's agent. "There are a number of teams that we've talked to, and we hope to get something done this week."

The 6-foot-2-inch, 192-pound James will enter his 12th NFL season in 2007, having played four with the Broncos (1996-99), three with the Raiders (2000-02), and the last four with the Bengals. James, who turns 34 next month, has played all 16 games in nine of his 11 seasons. He has 39 career interceptions.

The talks could be tied to cornerback Asante Samuel publicly expressing his displeasure with his contract negotiations, as well as the Jets visiting with restricted free agent cornerback Randall Gay today. With both Samuel and Gay having yet to officially sign their tender offers, the Patriots' depth at the position is a bit thin.

Gay isn't the only restricted free agent visiting with the Jets today. They are also hosting Bengals offensive tackle Stacy Andrews. The 6-7, 342-pound Andrews was tendered a one-year, $1.3 million contract by the Bengals; if the Jets sign him, the Bengals would receive a second-round draft choice as compensation if they don't match the offer. It is rare for teams to host multiple visits with restricted free agents. It is possible that the Jets are deciding between making offer sheets to Gay or Andrews, or the team might simply be doing advance work for next season, when both players are scheduled for unrestricted free agency.

The Patriots have scheduled a predraft visit at Gillette Stadium with Florida State receiver Chris Davis. The 5-10, 181-pound Davis, who is planning to meet with the Rams today in St. Louis, totaled 100 receptions over the last two seasons. NFL teams can host up to 30 out-of-town prospects before the draft, and the visits can be used to double-check medical situations, as smokescreens to throw off other clubs, or to interview a player who wasn't available to meet with the team at an earlier date.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.