What price is right for Suggs?
Now that the Ravens have signed their last two draft picks (first-rounder Ben Grubbs and fourth-rounder Le'Ron McClain), the only meaningful contract negotiations left will be with Terrell Suggs. The Ravens want to extend the contract of Suggs, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
But how much do the Ravens want to pay for Suggs?
Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney recently became the NFL's highest paid defensive player, when he signed a six-year, $72 million contract that included a mind-boggling $30 million signing bonus. (Side note: Freeney and Suggs are both represented by the same agent). But Freeney's contract numbers likely will be trumped by Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, who could receive between $35 to $40 million in guaranteed money.
Suggs is an emerging player in the league but NFL observers don't put him in the same class as Freeney or Peppers - yet. Freeney is a more dominant pass rusher than Suggs at this point, although Suggs is stronger against the run. And Peppers is a better all-around player than Suggs, but Suggs is just 24 and will only get better.
My guess is that the Ravens will try to give Suggs a deal that is richer than the one signed by former Raven Adalius Thomas (five-year, $35 million contract that included $20 million
in guarantees) but falls short of the Freeney deal.
And if the Ravens can't reach a new deal by the end of the season, they'll probably keep him around for at least another season by using the franchise tag on him.
Comments
Suggs has really matured as a football player since arriving in Baltimore...that's a testament to his coaches as well as his work ethic and desire. I can recall numerous times his rookie season when he lost containment but he's no longer just a pass rusher..he's become a football player. I think he has a bright future with this organization.
Posted by: Bacon | July 27, 2007 1:52 PM
This year should provde to be quite interesting for T-Sizzle. Barring injury, we should know how he ranks in the pantheon of NFL DEs by the end of the season. Now that AD is gone, his sack total should go up significantly (and that's what DEs are paid for). Ozzie has the leverage here . . . . and we know he'll use it.
Posted by: TikiTim | July 27, 2007 3:03 PM
Hopefully they'll lock him up for a long time, the Ravens defense continues to grow stronger for the future. It's great thinking about having great players like Suggs around for the long term instead of bickering about money; hopefully they can get on the same page and get things done.
Posted by: KingFantasy357 | July 27, 2007 7:10 PM
None of these guys are worth the money being paid to them by NFL teams. Let Suggs go where he wants to after the 5th year of his contract and draft a replacement. He's not worth $20 to $30 million.
I think the lesson that most people miss is that due to the salary cap no team can construct a dominate roster and keep it in tact for more than a couple of years. The secret is to keep bringing in good rookies and tie them up with 5 or 6 year contracts.
The one that the Ravens got away with is Troy Smith. Boller is gone after this year and Smith will be McNair's back up with two more years left on a three year contract. He will eventually be a starter and will develop into one of the leagues best QBs. At the end of his third year the Ravens will be able to give Smith (who will still be a back up QB) the contract he should have gotten had he had been a number 1 draft pick - effectively tying him up for the most productive years of his career. You've got to hand it to Ozzie Newsome.
Posted by: Russ Harrison | July 27, 2007 7:26 PM
I agree Suggs is going to get hit with the franchise tag if he tried to get to greed, assuming that the cap allows for it in 2008
Posted by: Double B | July 28, 2007 11:04 AM
T-Sizzle wants to stay in Baltimore and is not worried about getting a deal done during the season.I think they already no at the end of the year money will be freed up by freeagents leaving and waved players to give him the contract that satisfies both parties.
Posted by: Rich | July 28, 2007 11:07 AM
Whoever says "Let him go... He's not worth x amount" is out of their mind. We need to make our great players franchise players. Imagine Ray Lewis wearing any other uniform... It's disgusting to even think about!! T-Sizzle is a fantastic defensive player that should be kept for the duration of his career... at any cost!
Posted by: nav | July 30, 2007 3:22 PM
Troy Smith will never be a starter in the NFL and will never develop into one of the leagues best QBs.
He was is a 5 round 74th pick.
The chances of Troy Smith becoming a full time starting quarterback in the NFL are about as good as Hillary or Obama getting elected president.
aka ZERO
Posted by: TEXAS OWNS OHIO STATE | August 6, 2007 8:30 AM