Belichick disputes Davis's claim

FOXBOROUGH - Bill Belichick yesterday disputed Raiders owner Al Davis's claim that the Patriots tampered with receiver Randy Moss before acquiring him from Davis's team last year.

On Tuesday, following a press conference announcing the firing of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, Davis had told reporters that the Patriots had a private workout with Moss, and that "they tampered with him," although the Raiders never filed tampering charges.

Asked by the Globe about Davis's claims, Belichick said, "I've told the story a hundred times. The first time I talked to Randy was after I talked to Mr. Davis, Saturday night/Sunday morning before the draft, the second day of the draft. I don't know what this workout is. No idea."

Belichick, who told San Francisco reporters yesterday that "there was no other contact with [Moss]," also detailed to the Globe parts of the conversation he had with Davis that night, April 28, 2007.

"We were talking about the draft pick. I joked, 'Why don't you send us back the fifth that we gave you for Doug Gabriel last year, and he ended up on your team at the end of the year? If you had any courtesy, you would do that.' We laughed. Some trades work out, some don't," Belichick said.

Asked if there was any Patriots workout with Moss prior to the trade, Belichick said, "No. The first time I saw Randy in person was when he came in, and when I called him Saturday night after I talked to Mr. Davis. He flew in late Saturday night, got here early Sunday morning."

Moss, in an interview yesterday at Gillette Stadium, said he had no response to Davis's remarks.

On Tuesday, Davis told reporters that he had been having trouble finding trade partners for Moss, and that he believed former Raiders personnel executive Mike Lombardi, who had worked under Belichick in Cleveland, had sold Belichick on Moss.

It's a trade that Davis now seems to regret.

"[Moss is] their team, of course, with the quarterback," Davis said.

Long-term plans

Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who has two years remaining on his contract, said he hopes to one day strike a long-term extension to remain with the Patriots.

"I want to end my professional football career here in New England," he said. "I don't want to go anywhere else. When I signed here, the first thing I said in one of my press conferences is that I want to start a Patriot and end a Patriot. I love it here. I'm happy with my coaching, the organization, and my teammates. I don't think it would get any better, as a group of guys, anywhere else."

Wilfork wouldn't be the first player to make such a declaration and then sign elsewhere. While he acknowledged that possibility, he said he hopes it doesn't come to that.

"There is a business part to it, but I'm going to do everything in my [power] to stay here, and I'm pretty sure they'll do the same thing," he said.

Asked if there was any progress along those lines, Wilfork said, "No, not at all. I have two more years and that's something I'm not even worried about right now. That will take care of itself in time. I'm a football player. I signed up here for six years and that's what I'm looking to play. If anything happened between then, it happens, but I'm looking to play all my six. I'm happy. I can't get any happier."

Maroney ready

Running back Laurence Maroney, who missed the 38-13 loss to the Dolphins Sept. 21 because of a shoulder injury, was not listed on the team's participation report yesterday, meaning he's back to full health. Maroney indicated that he's excited to return to action.

"Like a little kid in a candy shop," he said. "Just to get back out there and get back in the groove of things. That one week felt like forever."

Maroney, who has 67 yards on 18 carries, was asked if he feels like he's lost some momentum that he seemed to generate at the end of 2007.

"I feel like [the injury] just slowed me down a bit, [but] I don't think I've lost my momentum," he said.

49ers' Jennings out

49ers coach Mike Nolan ruled out right tackle Jonas Jennings for Sunday's game because of a shoulder injury. Jennings will miss his third straight game, with 10-year veteran Barry Sims stepping in . . . Nolan also said outside linebacker Manny Lawson (hamstring) will not play, which means fellow third-year player Parys Haralson is most likely to take his spot. It also could open the door for former Patriot Tully Banta-Cain, who has been inactive for the 49ers' first four games . . . Nolan held out starting running back Frank Gore from yesterday's practice as a "coaches' decision" . . . Veteran Patriots cornerback Lewis Sanders missed practice because of a hamstring injury. If Sanders misses Sunday's game, that would likely thrust rookies Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite one notch up the depth chart . . . Reserve linebacker Eric Alexander (hamstring) and reserve receiver Kelley Washington (right ankle) also missed practice . . . Belichick has been stressing the 49ers' ability to convert big plays on offense. They are second behind the Cowboys in plays of 20 yards of more . . . Linebacker Mike Vrabel on what he remembers about 49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan's short stint on the Patriots' practice squad in 2006: "He was pretty quiet. Nice guy. Worked hard. He had been with a few teams, so I'm glad to see him find a home and get an opportunity to play quarterback."

Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report.