He hasn't started more than one game in a season since 1990 and over the past two campaigns has just one tackle from scrimmage. But with the return of safety Bennie Thompson late Saturday evening, SportsLine.com confirming the 11-year pro has reached a one-year agreement, the Baltimore Ravens managed to retain a key veteran presence.
Even at age 37, Thompson remains one of the league's premier special teams performers. While details of his contract were not immediately available, the deal is believed to be worth between $500,000 and $600,000.
During the three months of the unrestricted free-agent period, both Thompson and the Ravens had publicly maintained the veteran would return for another year. Thompson has played in two Pro Bowl games, in 1991 and '98, and was an alternate for the AFC squad last season. For his career, he has more special teams tackles (197) than tackles from scrimmage (148).
Over the last three seasons, Thompson averaged 21.3 special teams stops and his 24 tackles on the kickoff and punt coverage units in 1999 represented a career high.
The former Grambling star entered the league as an undrafted free agent with New Orleans in 1989. He spent three seasons with the Saints before signing with Kansas City in 1992. In '94, he signed with the former Cleveland Browns franchise and remained with the team when it moved to Baltimore in '96. Thompson has played in 159 games, with three starts, and has seven sacks, five fumble recoveries, seven interceptions and five passes defensed.