Singletary joins Ravens coaching staff

BALTIMORE, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, who spent his playing career with the Chicago Bears, Thursday was named linebackers coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

Prior to last season, Singletary was invited to speak to the Ravens by coach Brian Billick. This week, he met with team officials, including General Manager Ozzie Newsome.

"I wanted a team on the cutting edge and one with forward thinking," Singletary said. "Obviously, the Ravens have that. I wanted an organization committed to winning. That's there. When I was in Baltimore earlier this week, I knew this was the place for me to be."

Singletary made 10 straight trips to the Pro Bowl in a 12-year career, all with the Bears. He was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1988 and the anchor of one of the most fearsome defenses in league history.

In 1985, Singletary captained the Bears' famed "46" defense that set a record by allowing just 187 points in a 16-game season. The team lost once en route to the Super Bowl, where it trounced New England, 46-10.

The record stood until 2000, when Ray Lewis led a defense that yielded just 165 points in the regular season. In the Super Bowl, Lewis was named Most Valuable Player as the Ravens crushed the New York Giants, 34-7.

"Ronnie Lott and Mike Singletary were the two players I most admired," said Lewis, a perennial Pro Bowl selection who missed most of the 2002 season due to injury. "I was thrilled when Mike spoke to our team a year ago. I am more thrilled today and can't wait to tap into his knowledge."