The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Terrell Suggs is staying in Baltimore for a long, long time after agreeing to a six-year, $63 million contract today.  Gotta say I’m a little excited about this deal.  Suggs is 26 years old and is just an absolute machine who will only get better.  The contract includes over $33 million in bonuses which puts Suggs in stratospheric company (just slightly behind Manning).

Now this contract puts A LOT of pressure on the guy that brings pressure.  When you sign a deal giving you the biggest ever bonus for a defensive player, that comes with some pretty hefty expectations and I think he realizes that.

“I am glad it is over, and now we can get back to football,” Suggs said. “Getting this done took compromises on both ends. I wanted to stay in purple and black, the Ravens wanted to keep me in purple in black, and they stepped up and showed me that. This means a lot to me and my family. Now I can be a Raven for the better part of my career.”

With the recent news of Mason retiring, Suggs brings some sunshine to Baltimore today.   This issue has been hanging over the team for a few years so to be able to put it to rest is a big load off of everyone’s back.

As a football blogger, the summer is a slow time and I tend to live under the “no news is good news” theory when it comes to the Ravens.  While it makes my life more difficult to find topics, quiet can be good (see Denver Broncos off season).  So driving home today my phone blew up with numerous messages about Derrick Mason retiring from the Ravens and that nice quiet calm flew out the window.

Mason had the following statement on the website JOCKLife:

“I have had a tremendous career and I played for two great teams, I had fun. In my career, I have been able to do everything but win a Super Bowl. I’ve had the opportunity to play on great teams and with great players. After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all,” Mason stated. “Right now, I am content with the decision I am making. All good things come to an end and I am ready to see what else life has to offer.”

“I have been thinking about this since the season ended. Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out…it was getting to that point. This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money. Emotionally there are things that are more important. It’s time right now. I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, but it’s going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard…played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help.”

I have to say, something doesn’t smell right with this.  The first thing that stands out is the fact he chose a blog site to make this announcement, not through a team press conference.   If this has nothing to do with the contract discussion, why do you not tell the team first?  Something tells me that there is a level of bitterness that is driving him to this decision.  The way he handled this essentially burns the bridge between himself and the team. Not exactly you want to see a great career end.

I also have to consider the impact that McNair’s death had on him.  These guys came up together and seeing one of your brothers pass away has to have an impact on you.  He may have just determined that he needs to be with his family.

So where does the team go from here?  I’m not going to get into the “we should have drafted a wide receiver this year” discussion in this blog.  I’ve given it a little time and let my head cool off.  While I’m bothered by the fact that the team didn’t target any of the middle/upper range receivers in the off season, I’m hoping the they can get through this.  We will see the hype that Clayton is a rising star and Williams can be a #1 but that time is not here yet.  Bottom line is that this move frees up about $3m in cap room with an unsigned Terrell Suggs.  Don’t expect any flashy moves.  Actually, I don’t know what to expect-your guess is as good as mine on this one.

My first reaction upon reading today’s update in The Baltimore Sun on Suggs and his contract was to bang my head against the desk a few times.  I gave it a few minutes and decided to write instead.  After recent reports that the two sides were getting close to signing a deal, the Wednesday deadline is quickly approaching and there is nothing in place.  If it doesn’t happen before the deadline,  Suggs will once again receive the franchise tag and a salary of $10.2 million this year.

In a bit of news that does make me happy, The Sun quotes the following:

Suggs also disputed the notion that he is looking for a contract similar to the one given in 2007 to the Indianapolis Colts’ Dwight Freeney, whose six-year, $72 million ($30 million guaranteed) made him the highest paid defender in league history at the time.

It is time to get this deal done!!!  With a defense in a huge transition phase, stability for a three-time Pro Bowler is absolutely necessary.

The yearly survey on how well teams meet the needs of their fans came out recently and the Ravens came in at #29 overall (out of 122 total teams).  They made big gains over last year’s #76 ranking.

Breakdown of the overall categories

Last Year’s Rank: 76
Title Track: 18
Ownership: 18
Coaching: 25
Players: 18
Fan Relations: 43
Affordability: 66
Stadium Experience: 27
Bang for the Buck: 51

You can see what a few changes can do on this list.  Sign a new coach, get the franchise QB and go to the AFC Championship in a year when no one expected it and you are going to jump big time.  Coaching improved 93 spots, player rating up 70 and fan relations up 62.

As a fan, my biggest complaint is the affordability category.  The Ravens come in at #66 and on top of that decided to increase ticket prices this year.  I understand the need to stay competitive but in such a tight economy, it doesn’t seem like a great move for hard working fans.

Overall, I ‘d say this is a pretty good showing for the team to have such improvement over last year.  Now just win the Super Bowl and let’s break the top 10.

]]> http://ravens365.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/ravens-rank-29-in-espn-ultimate-standings-2009/feed/ 0 ravens365 http://ravens365.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/2009-ravens-training-camp-schedule/ http://ravens365.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/2009-ravens-training-camp-schedule/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:40:45 +0000 Lee Tilman http://ravens365.wordpress.com/?p=1099 ]]>

Ravens 2009 Training Camp Schedule

The Ravens signed another from the 2009 class today.  Linebacker Jason Phillips was the team’s fifth round pick and today agreed to a three year deal.  I haven’t seen numbers yet but will update the post as soon as something is released.

In other moves, the team released cornerbacks Anwar Phillips and David Jones.  Phillips was on the practice squad for most of last year and Jones was an undrafted free agent from Kentucky.

The Ravens announced an agreement today with the Maryland Lottery to sell scratch-off tickets bearing the team’s name and logo.  They join the Patriots, Texans and Redskins in taking advantage of a may vote by owners to allow teams to partner with state-sponsored lotteries.  The tickets will sell for $5 and  allow fans the chance to win prizes (tickets, jerseys, etc) as well as a top prize of $1 million.

Rookie running back Cedric Peerman signed a three year deal worth $1.2 million.  The sixth round pick will also receive a $78,000 signing bonus.

Don’t count on it.  The folks over at Pro Football Talk have an article claiming that “rumors are flying in some circles that Marshall could land in Baltimore”.  Let me tell you right now this this will not happen.  Why in the world would Ozzie make a move to pay a guy in the neighborhood of $9 million when he’s facing criminal charges and can’t stay off the front page of the sports section (for all the wrong reasons)?  If he didn’t pull the trigger on Boldin, why would you even begin to believe he would do it for Marshall?

I will be the first to say I’m a little skeptical about the Ravens depth and quality at receiver.  With that said, the guys on the roster are not going to destroy the locker room or bring unnecessary stress to a strong, close knit unit.  After taking years to fix what was a not so gleaming public image, the last thing Baltimore needs is  a guy going to trial for beating his girlfriend.

Something else to keep in mind…how long do you think he would last in Harbaugh’s house?  We saw last year with McAlister that if you are going to conform to the new ways of this regime, you will find yourself on the bench and eventually out of a Ravens uniform.  If a vet like CMac can be shown the door, Marshall won’t even get to pull into the driveway.

It better be a big year for the NY Jets if they intend to back up all of the noise coming out of that camp this off season.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the highlights:

Rex Ryan – He said in a radio interview that he “never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings” and said he wasn’t intimidated by the coach who led the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships this decade.

Rex Ryan – “I don’t know this Channing Crowder,” Ryan said without being prompted. “All I know is that he’s all tatted up, so I guess I ought to be nervous about him.”

Kerry Rhodes – We will be the best defense in the league this year. I feel for the offenses we’re gonna face.”

Calvin Pace – “I don’t think you’ll find a better team on paper.”

The AFC East is going to be fun to watch this year with the addition of Ryan.  He bring an energy to NY that is the polar opposite of Mangini and his reserved style.  While I think there a place for optimism, the boys in green better bring their A game this season or the “OTA Super Bowl Champs” are in for it.