Former New York Giants tight end Aaron Pierce agreed to a two-year contract worth $1.7 million with the Ravens yesterday, and will compete for the starting job with Greg DeLong, who was signed by the Ravens earlier this off-season.

With the recent additions of Pierce, DeLong, fullback Charles Evans and offensive tackle Harry Swayne, the Ravens have filled most of their pressing needs, but still haven't been able to find a big wide receiver or work a trade for Detroit Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell. The Ravens will probably select a receiver in the draft in April.

Ozzie Newsome, Ravens vice president of player personnel, said he had no contact with the Lions for the second straight day. The Ravens have also talked with veteran free-agent quarterback Warren Moon, who visited the team's training facility Monday. The Ravens, as well as Mitchell and Moon, would like to have a deal completed by March 18, when the league meetings conclude in Phoenix.

The Ravens and Lions will probably have face-to-face discussions, and there is a possibility owner Art Modell could negotiate the deal himself, because he is close friends with Lions owner William Clay Ford.

The Pierce vs. DeLong battle should be one of the most interesting in training camp this summer, but both will probably get ample playing time. DeLong, who agreed in principle to a contract with the Ravens on Feb. 14, had eight receptions for 58 yards last season for the Minnesota Vikings, and is considered more of a tight end/H-back.

Pierce, 6 feet 5 and 250 pounds, is more of a true tight end. He sat out last season when he could not find a team that would have suitably used him as both a receiver and blocker. The Ravens had thought about signing him, but those plans were forgotten once the team re-signed Eric Green to a one-year contract.

But Green is now with the New York Jets, and Pierce is finally a Raven. Pierce was not available for comment last night.

"Basically, we tried to sign him during training camp last year, but it didn't work out," said Newsome. "He has size, athleticism and we think he can have an impact. In college, we thought he had the ability to play both the pass and run. We also think the game is more important to him now after being out for a year."

The Ravens have gotten only mediocre production out of the tight end position during the three years the team has been in Baltimore. Green is one of the best blocking tight ends in football, but constant knee problems and an assortment of other injuries forced him to miss extensive practice and playing time the past two seasons. Green had 65 receptions for 601 yards and five touchdowns in 1997, but only 34 catches for 422 yards and one touchdown last season, when he missed four games with lung and hand injuries.

DeLong had been used sparingly in four previous seasons with the Vikings. He has yet to have more than eight catches in a season. Pierce's best season during his six years with the Giants was in 1995, when he caught 33 passes for 310 yards. Both players will be joined in the tight end competition by A.J. Ofodile, who had a splendid preseason a year ago, but didn't get much playing time during the regular season.

"All of them will go in and compete, and hopefully one of them will emerge," said Newsome, who had been interested in another tight end, New England Patriots restricted free agent Lovett Purnell, several weeks ago. "We still could make another move."

Pierce was involved in minor incidents involving alcohol when he was a sophomore in college, but has not had any problems since then or while he has been in the NFL.

Pub Date: 3/10/99