Fourth-year veteran Adalius Thomas, who will compete for the starting job at right defensive end with the Baltimore Ravens, has re-signed with the team.

Thomas, 25, signed a one-year contract for $605,000. The salary is essentially the restricted free agent qualifying offer the Ravens made Thomas in February to retain a right of first refusal in the event he signed an offer sheet with another franchise. He is one of the last restricted free agents in the league to sign a new contract.

Sunday is the deadline for restricted free agents to sign the qualifying offers tendered by their incumbent teams or risk having those offers reduced. It is believed that less than five restricted free agents remain unsigned.

Barring a contract extension, Thomas, a sixth-round choice in the 2000 draft, will be eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2003 season. One of the surprising elements of this spring is that Thomas did not generate more attention in the restricted market. If he hits the open market next spring, he is apt to draw considerable interest, particularly if he demonstrates upfield pass-rush skills this year.

A former Southern Mississippi star, Thomas will contend in training camp with another young veteran, Marques Douglas, for the starting job at right end.

Thomas is a hybrid-type defender, a combination defensive end and linebacker whose lack of size might preclude him from ever settling in full-time at one position, but whose versatility has been lauded by the Baltimore coaches. Last season, he played mostly at end in the 3-4 base defense but also logged time at linebacker, and moved inside to tackle when the Ravens went to a 4-3 front on passing downs.

He is also a standout special teams performer and his 15 tackles in the kicking game last season were third most on the roster.

Having a flexible defender like Thomas, acknowledged Ravens defensive line coach Rex Ryan, provides the staff considerable creativity. "There aren't a lot of teams with guys like him," Ryan said.

In 2002, Thomas played in all 16 games and started 12, including the final 11 contests of the season. He recorded 68 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery. Remarkably, he also had two interceptions and 11 passes defensed, testimony to his pure athleticism. For his career, Thomas has played in 35 games with 15 starts.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.