By Rob Maaddi
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Fullback Jon Ritchie signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, filling the only starting spot open on an offense that scored a franchise-record 415 points last season.

A third-round draft pick out of Stanford in 1998, Ritchie had spent his entire five-year career with the Oakland Raiders. He caught a career-low 10 passes last season, despite being on the NFL's top-ranked offense.

"I felt very strongly that if I were to leave the Raiders, it would have to be for a great team in a situation where I would have a chance to contribute a good amount," said Ritchie, who signed for $1.5 million over two years plus the potential for $1.6 million in incentives.

"Playing time is a real issue for me. I feel very comfortable with the offense here, which is very similar to what I've run my whole career."

Ritchie replaces Cecil Martin, an unrestricted free agent who had been the starter the last three years. Martin caught 15 passes last season, including a career-best 53-yard catch-and-run from A.J. Feeley in a loss to the New York Giants.

The 28-year-old Ritchie, a native of Mechanicsburg, Pa. has 129 career receptions for 1,026 yards and four touchdowns. He joins a backfield that will include running backs Duce Staley, Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter.

Ritchie, 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, is a powerful blocker and solid receiver who fits well into the West Coast offense. He had a career-high 45 catches for 408 yards and one TD in 1999, 26 catches in 2001 and 19 in 2002. Ritchie has just 14 career rushing attempts, none since 1999.

His production has dropped off the last two seasons while wide receiver Jerry Porter emerged as the third threat on a passing offense that also included potential Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown.

Ritchie was the second free agent to visit the Eagles this week. Wide receiver Derrius Thompson toured the team's practice facility on Thursday.

Philadelphia lost linebacker Shawn Barber to Kansas City and return specialist Brian Mitchell to the New York Giants on Monday. Also, three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas visited the Giants, Seattle and Kansas City this week, and could be next to leave.

In their other offseason moves, the Eagles acquired linebacker Mark Simoneau from Atlanta to replace Barber, and traded backup cornerback Al Harris to Green Bay for a second-round draft pick.

Ritchie leaves a team that went to the Super Bowl for one that has lost the NFC championship game the last two seasons.

The Eagles will return all of their other starters on an offense that averaged 25.9 points per game, despite missing quarterback Donovan McNabb for the last six regular-season games.

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