Do you want Donté?
Last week, we went over a long list of wide receivers the Ravens could add via the free agent market.
As of yesterday, a new name can be added to the discussion: former Browns receiver Donté Stallworth.
We all know Stallworth's situation by now; he was suspended for the 2009 season and spent 24 days in jail for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk on March 14 of last year.
Last Friday, Stallworth was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but yesterday, the Browns released him, cutting ties with a guy who only played one season with the team despite signing a seven-year, $35 million deal back in 2008.
Stallworth (6-foot, 200 pounds) was a first-round pick of the Saints back in 2002, and has played for four teams in his seven NFL seasons. His best year came in 2005 when he posted 70 receptions for 945 yards and seven touchdowns; since then his yardage and touchdown numbers have declined each of his last three seasons.
He obviously comes with his share of baggage, and the team that signs him would likely have to deal with some negative feedback from a portion of its fan base.
Stallworth's last full season was all the way back in 2007 (he missed five games in '08 with a quad injury), so it will be hard to gauge where he currently is physically.
Still, when healthy, Stallworth brings the threat of the big play and could be an intriguing option for a Ravens team that is in desperate need of an improvement in its vertical passing game.
Because he was released by the Browns, the Ravens could sign Stallworth without the limits of the Final Eight Plan getting in the way, and his recent legal situation will mean the 29-year-old wideout could be inked for a relatively inexpensive deal.
Stallworth will be determined to prove to his doubters that he can still play at the NFL level, and will be anxious to atone for what he calls a "tragic lapse in judgment".
I'll toss this one out to all of you: If you're Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, do you consider signing Stallworth despite all that he's gone through in the last year? Or would you choose not to go down that road?
Coming up a little later today, I'll have thoughts from owner Steve Bisciotti and head coach John Harbaugh on the concept of adding a player who has experienced off-the-field issues.
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |
I say go for it, sign him to an inexpensive 1 year deal with a team option for a 2nd year. If he doesn't produce or has more problems, then cut him. What do we have to lose?
Drugs are one thing. DUIs are another...but he killed a guy.
I say pass
Four different teams in seven years, with his numbers declining along the way? No No No on Stallworth; the team doesn't need the excessive baggage either.
NO!!! The Ravens should show no interest in him. Ravens fans already have to listen to other fan bases talk about what Ray Lewis did or didn't do, I don't want to have someone on the team that has spent time in jail for killing someone. But maybe thats just me....
Absolutely not.
I agree with Matt, he's not worth the trouble. If he was a player of Lewis's caliber then I'd say go for it, but he's not.
Stallworth in 2007, when healthy, caught about 17 passes for 170 yards and 1 TD(in one of the best offenses ever!)
PASS
Next option (a little more expensive):
Antonio Bryant out of TB is the guy we should be looking to pick up, if we're going to get somebody from free agency. He's tall, got decent speed, but has had some injury issues in the past. Time to roll the dice Ozzie.
I say get Donte for sure. Since he isn't under the final 8 restrictions he is an easy pick up for us and has a ton of upside. He is probably not the answer, but he can be apart of the solution. Mason, Stallworth, another FA or trade, and a rookie WR or two and we could be in good shape.
What other fan bases say should hold no weight with our roster moves. Man up and deal with that. That is lame that someone would even bring that up.
We need to surround Flacco with guys with talent. Donte is better than any WR on our roster not named Mason.
I think I said no out loud after I read each paragraph.
While I find his actions reprehensible, I don't think he should keep him from having a job as long as he can 1) play and 2)he stays away from alcohol and drugs.
If the Ravens can get him for cheap and the contract include some sort of clause that allows them to cut him without pay, if he does anything that violates his probation or team code of conduct, then go for it. Like "JZ" said, even in decline, he's better then any WR other than Mason.
There are better options and he's not all that good of a player.
How about our #2 & Troy Smith for Boldin ? Im also Ok w/ the club kicking the tires on T.O. ???
NO
It depends on what he has to say for himself now to Harbaugh and Bisciotti. Goodell said he is in a better place now ( what does that really mean? ). If he has finally grown up as some of his statements indicate then positively yes. How can we say no when Vick is in the NFL? He will not get guaranteed money. At the first problem he gets cut. He will be set straight by the good character that exists on the team now. I only hope he has the talent we are looking for.
NOPE... This guy is a fool he struck and killed a guy while he was drunk but the kicker is when he said "the guy walked in my way" REALLY he was in your way when he was crossing the street? Thats why you did not stop?
Im all for making my team better but NO he is not the guy
I am sorry, but this guy should never be allowed to play in the NFL. I do NOT want him on the Ravens. This guy drove drunk and killed another man. That should never be forgiven.
I hope no children ever look up to this man.
There's always the possibility that while driving drunk you could be responsible for someone's death. I don't see why he should be treated differently than any other player with a DUI/DWI conviction. In my view, all DUI/DWI convictions are treated far to leniently.
question about troy smith. according to the ravens official website it says troy smith is suppose to be a ristricted free agent. so if he really is then why does he want a trade? someone help me
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Ryan,
It's kind of a complicated process. Troy will indeed be a restricted free agent, which means the Ravens can still control his rights. There is a scenario where another team can negotiate a contract with Smith, but they would need to give the Ravens draft picks to do so. If Troy was an unrestricted free agent, he could sign anywhere, but because he's restricted, there's a very good chance he'll end up with the Ravens next year. That's why he's requested a trade.
-Dan
Hey Dan,
Just checking in, hope all is well with you and yours. I was about to say that we should go ahead and see about signing him and give him another chance, but I also stopped and thought about what if that were either of my children that he killed while driving drunk? I'm definitely not one to throw stones, not at all, but the fact that he is not in prison right now is surprising to most people, including me. I really do not think in this case, he deserves another chance. One year out of the NFL and he's back? What about the person he killed? They don't get to come back. I'm sorry, and there's no telling how sorry he may be, but this is something that should be forgiven, just not in the capacity that he just goes on with his life after a yearlong hiatus.
I was thinking too when I first heard about it whether we wanted him or not. But I have to agree with some of the others in here. There are definitely some better receivers out there. I'd prefer not to sign this guy.
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Robert,
Good to hear from you. Hope you're enjoying your winter. I think it's interesting to hear everyone's personal opinion on this topic. There's no right or wrong, and that's why some teams will choose to give Stallworth a shot while others will take a pass. It will also be interesting to see how fans of whatever team Stallworth signs with react to the acquisition. My guess is, like so many others, he'll slowly start to be forgiven the better he performs on the field.
-Dan