Tj Houshmandzadeh

Baltimore Ravens spiritual leader and 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis reached on Sunday at the old Seattle and Cincinnati receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh.

"Ray said," If you want to win, this is the place to be,'''Houshmandzadeh told USA Today on Monday agreed to a year, $ 855,000 deal with the Ravens. "The way he is on the ground is how it is outside the field. Passionate. Our conversation was passionate and insightful.

After failing to attract Houshmandzadeh to Baltimore after the former Bengals Pro Bowler weighed his options for free agent before signing a five-year, $ 40 million deal with Seattle a year and a half, Lewis helped land his man Monday.

"Baltimore had a chance to win the ring,"Houshmandzadeh said." Five or six teams have a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowl this year and they were one of them. Without me.

"Although I had other options and I was seriously considering them, I could not do without. Winner is why we do sports.""I know from competing againt guys, when I was in Cincinnati, how it is in Baltimore."

Houshmandzadeh, 2007 Pro Bowler with the Cincinnati, who had 79 receptions for 911 yards last season in Seattle, declined to mention who else was bidding for his services. Seahawks released him Saturday.

He does not care now that is linked to the renewal determined in step 18 Ravens primed attack by about a third year quarterback Joe Flacco, whose 37 victories are the most in league history, the quarterback his first two seasons. Flacco is 3-2 in five playoff starts.

The 02/06, 203 Houshmandzadeh joins Pro Bowl three times former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin and rookie tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dixon Baltimore was a vacuum after the receiver Donte Stallworth suffered a broken foot during the preseason to set aside the first half of this season. Houshmandzadeh has averaged 87 catches since 2004. "I am eager to go to Baltimore,"said Barstow, Calif., native.

" My reputation has been somewhat reversed in Seattle. I am eager to go to Baltimore, where they have a lot of personalities like mine. It will be refreshing for me."