Ravens Sign FB Charles Evans

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 17, 1999 / 6:38 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

It did not take long for new Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick to pluck a player from his former team.

The Ravens Wednesday announced the signing of free agent fullback Charles Evans, who had been a full-time starter for the Minnesota Vikings each of the past two years, to a three-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Evans' agent, Mitch Frankel, said the deal is worth $3 million.

Evans, 31, was used primarily as a blocking fullback for the Vikings. Since Evans became the full-time starter, Robert Smith rushed for a career-high 1,266 yards in 1997 and 1,187 yards this season.

Evans had just 23 carries for 67 yards and caught 12 passes for 84 yards in 1998.

Billick had been the Vikings offensive coordinator for the past five seasons before he was named coach of the Ravens on Jan. 19. Billick's stock went through the roof after the Vikings set an NFL record with 556 points this season.

In Baltimore, Evans will replace Roosevelt Potts, who is an unrestricted free agent.

Evans, an 11th-round pick of the Vikings in 1992, starred on special teams before taking over as a starter in 1997.