For the second time in less than a month, the Baltimore Ravens have consummated a blockbuster contract with a star linebacker, as ESPN.com has learned that the team on Friday evening reached agreement with Peter Boulware on a seven-year deal.

	Boulware

Sources confirmed the contract is worth $42 million and it includes a signing bonus of $13.5 million. That is believed to be the largest signing bonus ever awarded to a strongside linebacker.

Last month, the Ravens signed middle linebacker Ray Lewis to a seven-year contract worth $49.5 million and including a $19 million signing bonus. The accord with Boulware, a five-year veteran, completes the two big priorities for Baltimore, in retaining both standout linebackers.

Both the Boulware and Lewis contracts were negotiated by agent Roosevelt Barnes of Maximum Sports. He and partner Eugene Parker now represent three of the highest paid linebackers in NFL history, with Derrick Brooks of Tampa Bay in the elite class as well. The pair have negotiated new deals this summer, as well, for defensive end Joe Johnson of Green Bay and New York Jets tailback Curtis Martin.

Boulware, 27, was in the final season of his original NFL contract and would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring if the a new deal had not been completed.

The former Florida State star led the AFC in sacks last season, with 15, and has 52 sacks for his career.

He was the team's first-round choice in the 1997 draft, the fourth prospect chosen overall that year, and has been a starter since his rookie campaign. In fact, the only thing that has slowed Boulware so far is a shoulder injury that at times limited him to situational pass-rush duties.

With the Ravens switching to a 3-4 front this year, Boulware becomes even more important as an outside pass rush force.

A two-time Pro Bowl performer, Boulware has registered 318 tackles to go along with his 52 sacks, and has nine forced fumbles, two recoveries and 13 passes defensed. He has appeared in 80 games and started 72 of them.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.