Free agent linebacker Ed Hartwell left the Baltimore Ravens by agreeing to a six-year contract yesterday with the Atlanta Falcons. The deal is worth $26.25 million, including an $8 million signing bonus. Hartwell, 26, was one of the best players left on the unrestricted free agent market. He was a three-year starter for the Ravens who led the team in tackles in 2002. He chose the Falcons over the Kansas City Chiefs. . . .
The Ravens retained reserve tailback Chester Taylor, a restricted free agent, by matching the Cleveland Browns' one-year, $3 million offer sheet.
-- Mark Maske
