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As initially reported by the Associated Press, after officially introducing superstar wide receiver Randy Moss earlier Wednesday, the Raiders addressed their backfield problems with the acquisition of LaMont Jordan.

The deal became final Thursday afternoon, when team officials confirmed they'd signed the 26-year-old Jordan, another move by the team to add young talent to an already youthful offense.

Jordan's agent, Alvin Keels, said his client will receive $11 million in guaranteed money and $17.8 million over the first three years of the contract, including $15.7 million in bonuses.

"I'm excited about the opportunity," Jordan said in a statement. "I've played out here in Oakland a couple of times and it's actually my favorite stadium to play in, so I'm really looking forward to getting this ball rolling and hopefully being a big piece to us accomplishing our goals."

While his deal with the Raiders dwarfs that offered by the Jets, reportedly more than $3 million a year, Keels told New York Newsday staffer Ken Berger the deal was "not all about the money."

The agent went on to explain, "It's about opportunity. The opportunity was greater all the way around. He has an opportunity to be part of an explosive offense that can do some special things."

"We're thrilled to have LaMont Jordan as a member of the Oakland Raider organization," head coach Norv Turner said. "(Offensive coordinator) Jimmy Raye coached LaMont in New York, so we know a lot about him. We know the type of work ethic, the type of ability he brings. We're excited to have him and we believe he's going to be a premier runner for our organization."

Finding a talented running back was one of the club's top priorities this offseason.

Since Marcus Allen posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 1983-85, the Raiders have had just three running backs reach the plateau, including Tyrone Wheatley in 2000.

Last season, Amos Zereoue was Oakland's leading rusher with 425 yards on 112 carries.

The addition of Jordan coincided with the Raiders' release of Wheatley.

Jordan has served as 2004 NFL rushing leader Curtis Martin's backup with the New York Jets the last four seasons. The 2001 second-round pick out of Maryland rushed 93 times for 479 yards last season, an average of 5.2 yards per carry.

In 62 career games, the 26-year-old Jordan has scored 10 touchdowns and gained 1,277 yards on 262 carries. He also has caught 50 passes for 417 yards and one TD. ...

Meanwhile, Moss told reporters he's ready for a new start in Oakland.

"I'm flattered to be here and I'm ready to go," he said during his opening remarks.

And as AP sports writer Janie McCauley pointed out, as part of that new start, Moss is changing his jersey number from 84 back to 18, the number he wore in training camp when he came into the league in 1998.

Moss said he was nervous when introduced, but was already comfortable with owner Al Davis' longtime catch phrases.

"Who wouldn't want to be in the Silver and Black?" Moss asked. "I'm committed to excellence and I just want to win, baby."

Moss, 28, will provide a huge upgrade to an offense determined to return to the high-powered vertical passing game of years past. It was the Raiders' proficient passing attack that led them to the 2003 Super Bowl, won 48-21 by Tampa Bay.

"I don't see this team slipping with the addition of me. I just see them adding more firepower," Moss said.

Quarterback Kerry Collins couldn't be happier with the acquisition.

"If he's not the best, he's certainly one of the best," Collins told McCauley. "You can make a strong argument. Everybody has their own opinions. But ask any quarterback around the league which receiver they'd want, and I think most would say Randy Moss."

Moss spent much of last season limited by a hamstring injury and didn't reach 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his seven-year career. He finished with 49 catches for 767 yards and 13 touchdowns.

"The coaches at Chicago, Green Bay and Detroit are so happy this trade was made and they won't see him two times a year," Turner said. "We're so happy to have him and we'll know how to use him."

Moss joins Jerry Porter in a talented young receiving corps. Porter led the Raiders with 64 catches for 998 yards and nine touchdowns, falling just short of his first 1,000-yard season. His receptions were a career high, and he scored three touchdowns in a game twice.

"We've got to check our egos, and the ball has to be distributed in a way to make everybody happy," said Porter, who re-signed for five years and close to $20 million last week.

Several of Moss' new teammates have said they aren't worried about his sometimes controversial antics.

"Hopefully, the people love me and will accept me, and I'm just here to make the best of another opportunity," Moss said. "If there's anything I could say, it's just my passion and desire to win, week in and week out. I mean, I love to win. I love to compete. And when I win, I like to talk trash. And when I lose, I don't like trash to be talked to me. That's the competitor in me."

Jordan, too, will appreciate Moss' presence.

As San Francisco Chronicle staffer Ira Miller noted last Sunday, it hasn't gotten much attention, but Moss may do almost as much to help the Raiders' weak running game as to improve their passing game.

With Moss and Porter on the outside, the Raiders will have deep threats on both sides of the field, forcing safeties to help defend the long pass and making it tougher for them to crowd the line of scrimmage against the run.

"You've seen the last of eight in the box against the Raiders," Paul Wiggin, the director of pro scouting for the Vikings told Miller.

Miller went on to suggest the Vikings' success in recent years, running with players such as Mewelde Moore and Moe Williams, indicates that even a modest back can take advantage of the pressure Moss puts on a defense.

"It opens everything up," said Detroit Lions' president Matt Millen, who was a long-time NFL linebacker before going into TV and then the front office. "Now, there's two guys who can beat you deep, but [Moss] changes everything. ... In effect, you start playing with 10 guys (on defense)."

Miller added that last year's change in emphasis of the illegal-contact rule makes the deep passing game much more attractive, and a Raiders' offense with Collins throwing to Porter and Moss makes it more feasible, too.

After all, only four NFL receivers caught more passes for a higher average last season than Moss, who averaged 15.7 yards a catch. Porter was just a shade behind at 15.6.