Prime time arrives

Sanders vows to 'win it all' in Ravens introduction

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OWINGS MILLS, Maryland (Ticker) -- "Prime Time" has decided this is the right time to return to the NFL.

Deion Sanders, regarded as perhaps the most electrifying cornerback in league history, arrived here for a physical Tuesday and signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens worth $1.5 million.

Sanders addressed the media Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. EDT, following team practice.

"I prepare to win, I prepare to dominate, I prepare to conquer," Sanders said among his opening statements. "I prepare to win it all, and that's one of the reasons I'm here."

The 37-year-old Sanders has not played since retiring before the Washington Redskins opened training camp in 2001. But according to reports, Sanders has recently clocked as low as 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

"He's one of the greatest of his era and maybe the best to ever play the game," Ravens Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister said of Sanders.

McAlister even told The Baltimore Sun that he has already agreed to give up his No. 21 jersey for Sanders.

But perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis is the primary reason why Sanders only considered the Ravens for his comeback. The two vacationed together in the offseason and Lewis suggested that Sanders attempt a comeback shortly after training camp opened when the Ravens lost nickel back Dale Carter for the rest of the season with a blood clot.

Lewis and McAlister are the best players on a defense which helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl in 2000 and reach the playoffs three of the last four years.

The plan is for Sanders to play nickel back in a secondary which features McAlister and Gary Baxter at cornerback and Ed Reed and Will Demps at the safety positions. McAlister and Reed were selected to the Pro Bowl last season.

Known as "Prime Time" for his playmaking ability on defense, Sanders made the Pro Bowl seven times in a 12-year career with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Redskins. He also returned punts and kicks and totaled 18 touchdowns and 48 interceptions.

Between 1995-99 with Dallas, Sanders had eight touchdowns.

The only player to participate in both a Super Bowl and a World Series (Atlanta Braves in 1992), Sanders was a member of championship teams with the 49ers in 1994 and the Cowboys in 1995.

But before he retired in 2001, Sanders was nagged by a series of knee and foot injuries.

Flamboyant and smart, Sanders made a smooth transition to television, working as a studio analyst for CBS' "The NFL Today" for the last three years before he was fired due to a contract dispute.

The Ravens play their final preseason game Thursday night against the New York Giants and open the regular season September 12 against Cleveland.

"He's here plenty early to make an impact," Ravens coach Brian Billick said.

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