Redding rumbling on to Ravens

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Baltimore Ravens filled a void on their defensive line Monday by reaching agreement on a two-year deal with former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cory Redding.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Redding started only three games for the Seahawks last year but has 18 career sacks over seven NFL seasons, the first six with Detroit. The 29-year-old lineman has played in 101 games, 79 of them as a starter.

Baltimore hopes Redding will be an adequate replacement for Dwan Edwards, who signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills last week.

"Cory is a guy who plays like a Raven," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He hustles, he plays with intelligence, and he can play multiple positions like many of our defensive players. He's been a starter at both inside tackle and defensive end. And I am sure our coaches will use him in both positions."

Redding was an unrestricted free agent. His best season came in 2006, when he had 16 starts and finished with eight sacks and 70 tackles.

"We're excited about Cory. He fits us," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I think in our defense he'll have a chance to really blossom."

Harbaugh expects to use Redding in a variety of ways.

"He can rush from the inside, rush from the outside, he can probably even play the rush position which is where we put Dwan Edwards at times on first down last year," Harbaugh said. "I think he's a similar player to Dwan. Obviously, Dwan had a great year for us. We're hoping he fills that spot for us."

Redding was drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 2003 draft after playing his college ball at Texas.