The Ravens and New England Patriots agreed to a deal yesterday that would send tight end Lovett Purnell to Baltimore in exchange for the Ravens' sixth-round pick in the 1999 draft, the 180th choice overall.

Ravens vice president of player personnel Ozzie Newsome and coach Brian Billick confirmed that the deal was close to being completed, with both teams basically waiting for the league to give final approval. Purnell, 26, has agreed to a one-year offer from the Ravens worth about $500,000. An announcement could come as early as today.

The Ravens now have six draft picks left because they traded away a third-round pick for former Detroit Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell, who agreed to terms with the Ravens on March 16. With Purnell, the Ravens now have 60 players under contract, and Newsome said the team might have as many as 85 participate when training camp begins in early August.

Newsome said the team may sign only one other player before the NFL draft on April 17-18, and that will probably be a backup quarterback. The Ravens are still courting Warren Moon, 42, and St. Louis quarterback Tony Banks, but Moon is the first preference and the team would like a decision from him on their offer by the end of this week.

Billick also confirmed yesterday that the Ravens had interest from other teams about trading for backup quarterback Eric Zeier, who started four games last season while completing 107 of 181 passes for 1,312 yards and four touchdowns.

"Purnell is better in the passing game than the running game so he should give us an immediate impact there," Newsome said. "We've been impressed by his athleticism and feel he is coming into his own."

Purnell, 6 feet 3 and 245 pounds, is entering his fourth season out of the University of West Virginia. He was a backup to All-Pro tight end Ben Coates last season and had 12 catches for 92 yards during the regular season. He is expected to challenge recently signed Aaron Pierce, formerly of the New York Giants, and third-year player A. J. Ofodile for the starting job.

The Ravens also have tight end Greg DeLong on their roster, but he'll be used more in the role as an H-back/fullback.

"Both Purnell and Pierce have size, strength and pass-catching ability," Billick said. "They have been quality pickups for us. A. J. can be used in the same way and he is in a great position. He is in an offense that wants to use the tight end. Those three will battle it out and there is a chance we could keep all three."

The Ravens are still playing a wait-and-see game with Moon, who also has drawn interest from the Kansas City Chiefs as a backup to Elvis Grbac. Moon reportedly is looking over offers from both clubs and deciding which team has the best chance of advancing to the playoffs as well as where his best chance is of beating out the starter.

The Ravens have some key factors working in their favor with Billick having previously coached Moon in Minnesota and Moon being familiar with Billick's system.

"We want to get it done," Billick said. "I can't see it going beyond this week."

NOTE: Ravens defensive end Michael McCrary lost his appeal and was fined $7,500 last week for a late hit on San Diego Chargers quarterback Craig Whelihan on Nov. 15. McCrary said he had to work off a double team and then was dragged down by a Chargers running back hurling him off-balance and into the lower leg of Whelihan. "It was obvious what happened and I was charged the same amount as some players who have deliberately cheap-shotted quarterbacks twice in a game," McCrary said. "I'm ticked. From now on, if they are going to fine me, I'm at least going to go out and get my money's worth."

Pub Date: 3/31/99