Ravens sign Ayanbadejo, special teams free agent

3/6/2008 2:13 PM

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms Thursday with Brendon Ayanbadejo, a special teams star who played for the Chicago Bears.

Ayanbadejo agreed to a four-year contract worth $4.9 million, including a $1.9 million signing bonus, and will sign the deal next week, Ravens officials said.

Ayanbadejo, 31, chose the Ravens over the New York Jets in part because of the opportunity to be a backup inside linebacker in addition to his duties in kick coverage.

Named the Bears' special-teams captain last year, the 6-foot-1, 228-pound former UCLA standout ranked second in the NFL in special-teams tackles over the past two seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl twice.

Brendon Ayanbadejo is the younger brother of former Ravens fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo, who played for Baltimore's Super Bowl championship team.