L.J. Smith

Free agent tight end L.J. Smith signed with the Baltimore Ravens Friday morning, consummating the expected reunion of the former Eagles tight end with coach John Harbaugh, the Eagles’ former special teams coach.

Terms of the contract are unavailable, but it has been reported Smith had agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Smith, who at one point during free agency had visited both Detroit and Atlanta, spent the past two days with the Ravens taking a physical and meeting with coaches and front-office staff.

The acquisition of Smith gives the Ravens another big receiving target, which offensive coordinator Cam Cameron desired to provide more options in the red zone and short-yardage situations. Smith will pair with fellow tight end Todd Heap and allow Baltimore to expand on its two-tight end schemes because of Smith’s receiving skills.

Smith is not known as a dominant blocker, which is a reason the Eagles let him leave via free agency, a year after making him their franchise player. The six-year veteran has been bothered by injuries the past two seasons, but in his four prior seasons with Philadelphia, he was a durable and reliable player who had back-to-back seasons (2005-2006) with at least 50 receptions.

– Steve Wyche

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