Unrestricted free agent quarterback Jeff Blake, whose name had been linked in recent weeks to the Buffalo Bills, on Wednesday afternoon signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, ESPN.com has learned through league sources.

	Blake

A 10-year veteran, Blake was released in early March by the New Orleans Saints for salary cap reasons, and subsequently drew interest in the free agent market from about six teams. He and agent Ralph Cindrich have been discussing a contract with the Ravens for more than a week.

There were reports over the weekend that Blake had agreed to a two-year contract but both the team and Cindrich quickly denied those reports. The one-year contract is for $750,000 and it takes advantage of the new rule which provides franchises a salary cap break when they sign long-time veterans to minimum-salary contracts.

Because of the rule, Blake will count just $450,000 against the Baltimore salary cap in 2002. He will be eligible again for unrestricted free agency next spring.

"I am very excited to be here," Blake told the Associated Press. "I have had an opportunity to play against the Ravens and Coach (Brian) Billick while I was with Cincinnati, so it is a great opportunity for me to play with them now."

Blake, 31, had been pursued by the Bills, who came close to trading for him in late February, and his representatives had recently proposed to Buffalo a two-year, $4 million contract. But Buffalo continued to pursue New England backup Drew Bledsoe and landed him in a Sunday trade.

Ravens officials reiterated after the draft that third-year veteran Chris Redman, a third-round pick in the 2000 draft, will go to camp as the starter. He replaces Elvis Grbac, released last month after he declined to restructure his contract and accept a significant salary reduction. It remains to be seen if the Ravens attempt to re-sign unrestricted free agent Randall Cunningham.

"Chris is No. 1 on the depth chart until he proves he can't be No. 1," said Ozzie Newsome, Ravens senior vice president of football operations.

Veiwed as a major acquisition for the Saints during the 2000 free agent period, Blake started 11 games for New Orleans that year, but was sidelined by a fractured foot. Aaron Brooks took over as the starter and won the No. 1 job during 2001 training camp. Blake appeared in just two games last season and had only one attempt, an incompletion.

"We're thriled to have someone of Jeff's experience and proven ability," Billick said. "He will bring an energy to the club and, if for any reason, due to injury or performance Chris is not able to go, then we feel fortunate to have a guy of Blake's caliber."

For his career, Blake has appeared in 92 games and started 77 of them. He has completed 1,428 of 2,533 passes for 17,199 yards, with 106 touchdown passes and 72 interceptions. The former East Carolina standout is noted for his arm strength and accuracy on the deep ball.

Blake played for the New York Jets (1992-93) and Cincinnati Bengals (1994-99), before moving to the Saints on the opening day of the unrestricted signing period in 2000.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.