Having accomplished their primary goals of locking up left tackle Eugene Monroe and tight end Dennis Pitta, the Ravens may now turn their attention toward other needs as the first day of free agency concluded on Tuesday.
Signing Monroe to a five-year, $37.5 million contract to clear up their left tackle picture for the long haul, the Ravens still hope to re-sign inside linebacker Daryl Smith despite the sides reportedly not being close to an agreement at the start of free agency. However, the recent signings of two other veteran linebackers have established a reasonable idea of Smith’s price tag.
Indianapolis signed former Browns standout D’Qwell Jackson, 30, to a four-year, $22 million contract last week, and Cleveland responded by inking the 32-year-old Karlos Dansby to a four-year, $24 million deal on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Smith would have good reason to ask for a similar deal after a strong first season with the Ravens in which he excelled in pass coverage and admirably occupied Ray Lewis’ former inside linebacker position.
The Ravens will need to decide if Smith is worthy of a deal approaching $5 million to $6 million per season, but they could make the decision to pass on the veteran’s services in favor of the draft or being able to find a value free agent like last offseason when they were able to sign Smith on a cheap one-year deal at the start of the summer. Baltimore is already penciling in 2013 second-round pick Arthur Brown as the starting weakside inside linebacker while Josh Bynes also brings starting experience to the unit.
Baltimore remains interested in wide receiver Jacoby Jones, but the Pro Bowl return specialist is scheduled to visit the New York Giants, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
Corey Graham is another player the Ravens would like to retain at the right price, but the No. 3 cornerback is exploring the market for the best opportunity to start and will visit the Washington Redskins and other visits could be in place, a source told WNST.net.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
8
Paid Advertisement
Podcast Audio Vault
88Paid Advertisement
Share the Post:
8Paid Advertisement
Right Now in Baltimore
Unveiling our deep thoughts on 'Next Flight' jerseys and new Baltimore Ravens brand markings
Sports fashion is always subjective and Luke Jones and Nestor usually have strong opinions on weak ownership and league cash grabs whenever teams role out a "new look" with alternate jerseys, helmets and colors. This time, however, both agreed they were mostly pleasantly underwhelmed about the over-hyped "Next Flight" branding of the new Baltimore Ravens' markings. Subtle, and fine...
Horse racing season is tastier than ever at Costas inside Timonium racetrack grandstand
We still love the OG Dundalk location of Costas Inn but coming up on the first anniversary of the "new" Timonium location we sidled up to the bar inside the racetrack grandstand and adjacent to the OTB to discuss the upcoming horse racing Triple Crown season and all of the things that Pete Triantafilos has learned in expanding his father and family's vision for the hospitality that has made the name "Costas" legendary in Baltimore seafood circles.
The good things of 40 years of Bodeans music gets us closer to free
It's always a pleasure to spend time with Bodeans founder Kurt Neumann, who brings the 40th Anniversary of "Love and Hope and Sex and Dreams" magic to Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis on May 8th. Plenty of good things and good work of the music, touring with U2 and recording with T Bone Burnett with one of Nestor's all-time favorite bands and singer/songwriters, whose first love was beating on the drums.
888Paid Advertisement
