Ravens, Boller reach deal

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) The Baltimore Ravens and holdout quarterback Kyle Boller reached a verbal agreement on a five-year deal Wednesday.

Boller, the 19th overall pick in this year's draft, is expected join the team Thursday after flying in from California.

``Kyle is very excited to be on his way to camp to start his career with the Ravens,'' said Mike Sullivan, the quarterback's agent. ``He can't wait to be there.''

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Boller started every game for California last year, throwing for 2,815 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Ravens coach Brian Billick said the competition for the starting quarterback job is open between Chris Redman, Boller and Anthony Wright. Redman, the heavy favorite, started the Ravens' first six games in 2002 before a back injury ended his season.

Boller, who missed three days of practice, will now join the fray.

``It's great to have it done. The time lost is irretrievable, but hopefully we can make up that time for him,'' Billick said. ``It's good to have everybody in camp now.''

Boller and the Ravens reached agreement one day after Baltimore's other first-round pick, defensive end Terrell Suggs, signed a five-year deal.

Suggs, who didn't arrive in time to practice Wednesday, will likely have an easier time regrouping than Boller. Unlike Redman and Wright, Boller has never played against NFL competition in full pads and faces an uphill battle to gain the starting job.

``I'm not going to slam the door on him and say, `No,' but the other two looked very good and are playing very well,'' Billick said. ``It's going to take something to overcome that lost time.''

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)