Suggs updates contract talks
After months of silence, linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs is finally on record about how his contract negotiations with the Ravens are progressing.
And fans, you can breathe a mini sigh of relief. Sizzle thinks a deal might get done shortly.
"I feel like we're getting close," Suggs said in an interview with Mike Duffy of BaltimoreRavens.com. "Negotiations are going on with the Ravens. Fans can be optimistic that I'll be [at training camp]."
Suggs had been designated the Ravens' franchise player for the second straight season, guaranteeing him a one-year, $10.2 million deal, but both he and the Baltimore front office have had a long-term deal in their sights.
The issue to this point has been the size of that deal. The thought is that the team has offered Suggs a pretty substantial contract, but the three-time Pro Bowler is looking for the Ravens to boost those numbers and make him one of the top-paid defensive players in the league.
Apparently, the two sides have closed the gap and could end the drama in time for Suggs to make the start of training camp, which begins for veterans on July 29.
"We've talked," Suggs said. "There are some minor things we're working out. I just hope we can get it done in time for training camp."
Sizzle has been pretty quiet since the Ravens put the tag on him back in February, and he was scheduled to appear on the NFL Network's NFL Total Access last Friday, but he apparently cancelled last minute because of a personal matter.
These are his first public comments this offseason, and the fact that he chose to speak out is a good sign for those in Charm City.
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |
I hope our guys dont make the mistake of overpaying him like the Steelers did Harrison. Suggs is great, love his enthusiasm and his charisma, but sometimes when the 5 year+ deals get inked the players true side comes out.
A long term deal would take pressure off the salary cap, right? And it's about time he got signed...
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Josh,
For this year, yes, a long-term deal should give the Ravens some more cap flexbility. They'll backload the contract, so as far as the base salaries go, most of the cap hit will be in the later years.
-Dan
Hurrah!
But--I hope he doesn't demand and they don't give him Peppers/Haynesworth type money, which would freeze out money for upcoming FAs like Haloti, not mention signing someone like a Boldin. Which, AFIAK, would complete this team.
Dan:
Going off topic again, but I wanted to get your opinion on the upcoming supplemental draft. Any birdies telling you if the Ravens are interested in anyone? There's a defensive end out of Kentucky that is getting a lot of buzz, and well, you can never have enough pass rushers. I wouldn't mind seeing the Ravens nab this guy. Any word if our team is looking at him or anyone else? After all, we pretty much stole Jared Gaither in the supplemental draft a couple of years ago...
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Josh,
Haven't heard anything yet, but there's still a couple weeks until that day rolls around. I'm sure Ozzie Newsome and the guys in the front office are looking into all the available options, including Jarmon, the DE you mentioned. Found a stat that kinda surprised me a bit: only 38 players have been taken in the 32 years the Supplemental Draft has been in existance.
-Dan