NFL notes: WR Steve Smith signs 3-year deal with Ravens

Steve Smith is eager to continue his NFL career in Baltimore, where he’s just a short flight from his permanent home in Charlotte.

The longtime Panthers standout wide receiver didn’t waste time finding a new home, signing a three-year contract with the Ravens about 24 hours after being released by Carolina.

The Ravens announced the signing of the 34-year-old Smith on Friday.

Smith was released by the Panthers after 13 seasons. He should provide a solid weapon for quarterback Joe Flacco.

“This has been an organization with a history of giving veteran players a chance and meshing them with younger players,” Smith said on a conference call Friday.

One of the reasons he chose Baltimore, he noted, is because it’s about a one-hour flight to Charlotte, where his family will continue to live. Smith’s wife, Angie, is expecting their fourth child later this year.

Smith ranks 19th in the NFL in career receptions. He caught 64 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns in 2013. Smith is Carolina’s all-time leader in receptions (836), yards receiving (12,197) and touchdowns (67).

In other moves:

• Eight-year veteran cornerback and rookie negotiator Cortland Finnegan found a new home in Miami after an injury-plagued 2013 with the Rams. Finnegan said he spoke with a lot of general managers and head coaches around the NFL, but his only free-agent visit was to Miami, and the 2008 All-Pro represented himself.

• Green Bay re-signed defensive tackle B.J. Raji to anchor their defensive line. He started all 16 games last season for the Packers.

• The Colts have agreed to terms with free-agent receiver Hakeem Nicks (N.Y. Giants). Team owner Jim Irsay confirmed the deal Friday on Twitter.

• Free-agent linebacker Brandon Spikes (New England) has agreed to a deal with the Buffalo Bills, a person familiar with the negotiations said.

• The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a multiyear deal with offensive tackle Michael Oher (Baltimore). Oher’s contract reportedly is a four-year deal worth $20 million with $9.5 million guaranteed.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed some of their depth issues along the defensive line, signing Cam Thomas (San Diego) to a two-year deal. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Thomas gives the Steelers some much-needed depth after backup nose tackle Al Woods and defensive lineman Ziggy Hood left via free agency earlier in the week.

• The Lions re-signed tight end Brandon Pettigrew, keeping one of Matthew Stafford’s top targets and a player who can potentially make defenses regret focusing too much on Calvin Johnson.

Pettigrew will get a $16 million, four-year contract with half of the money guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

• Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick says he’s been released by the Tennessee Titans.

• The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman, bringing him back for a 12th season.