Various media outlets have reported that former Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Ravens.
Smith was regarded as the best tight end left in free agency. He caught 37 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Smith, 28, was in high demand across the NFL, visiting multiple teams shopping the open market.
He told The Philadelphia Daily News on Saturday he expected to sign soon with the Detroit Lions or Atlanta Falcons, but *The Atlanta Journal-Constitution *reported Monday the Falcons are out of the running.
The potential addition of Smith, who spent time with Ravens head coach **John Harbaugh** when they were both in Philadelphia, would add depth to a position that has been ravaged by injuries lately.
**Todd Heap** played in every game last season, but only played in six in 2007 because of a hamstring injury. **Quinn Sypniewski** is coming off a serious knee injury.
**Edgar Jones**, healthy for all of 2008, is a converted linebacker/defensive end.
Meanwhile, there are other media reports that the Ravens will announce the addition of cornerback Chris Carr on Wednesday.
Carr toured team headquarters after taking a physical Tuesday and met with Ravens officials.
His addition would bolster a Baltimore secondary that has seen a recent facelift.
**Samari Rolle** has told multiple news outlets that he is awaiting his release any day now. Chris McAlister was waived two weeks ago. Safety Jim Leonhard also signed a lucrative free agent contract with the New York Jets.
Carr, 25, could join a group of young cornerbacks in **Fabian Washington**, **Domonique Foxworth** and **Frank Walker**. It is believed that Washington and Foxworth would be the starters.
Through his four-year career, however, the former Tennessee Titan has more experience on special teams. Last season, Carr was fourth in the NFL in kickoff returns (28.1-yard average) and 12th on punt returns (10.1 yards).
The Ravens could use some help in that department, as their special teams units finished 19th in punt returns and 31st in kickoffs for 2008.
According to NFL.com, Carr started two games last season for the Titans, totaling 31 tackles and one interception.
Notable
The Ravens were still on the mind of Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb, who threw an interception to Baltimore safety Ed Reed in Week 12 that Reed returned 107 yards, setting an NFL record. "In my mind, I'm thinking, 'If I don't throw that pick, we just went all the way down the field and we're right back in the ball game,' " Kolb told *The Philadelphia Inquirer*.
