Two weeks after reportedly turning down an offer from the Ravens, veteran cornerback Walt Harris signed a one-year contract with the team, executive vice president and general manager Ozzie Newsome announced Thursday.
Harris, a 13-year veteran who will turn 36 during training camp, sat out the 2009 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during organized team activities with the San Francisco 49ers last spring. The Ravens have two other cornerbacks, Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington, coming back from knee injuries.
A first-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears in 1996, Harris also played with the Indianapolis Colts (2002-2003), the Washington Redskins (2004-2005) and San Francisco.
In his first season with the 49ers in 2006, Harris made a career-high eight interceptions and was selected as an alternate to the Pro Bowl. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown. For his career, Harris has 35 interceptions and returned four for touchdowns.
Harris started all 16 games in 2008, with three interceptions and a team-high 12 breakups.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Harris turned down the Ravens' first offer because he did not want to play for the league's veteran minimum.
"Retirement hasn't been a consideration with Walt," his agent, Patrick Capra, told the Sacramento Bee in March. "He's the exception to the rule as far as defying the laws of aging."
Note: The Ravens and rookie wide receiver David Reed have agreed in principle to a three-year contract, Newsome announced Thursday. Reed was a fifth-round selection (156th overall) out of Utah in April's draft. Reed finished his two-year career at Utah with 106 receptions for 1,615 yards (15.2 average) and 11 touchdowns in 26 games (13 starts). He set school records for receptions (81) and receiving yards (1,188) in a season as a senior.
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