Ravens Still Considering Upshaw, Won't Sign Hardy
The Ravens remain in the market for pass rushing help, but when asked today about Greg Hardy, head coach John Harbaugh replied, “Greg Hardy? He won’t be a Raven, I can tell you that” (Twitter link via Todd Archer of ESPN.com). Harbaugh also said that free agent linebacker Courtney Upshaw is still on the team’s radar, but Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun tweets that Upshaw’s return sounds unlikely.
Ravens Notes: Monroe, Gillmore, FAs, Hill
Earlier in the offseason, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome referred to Eugene Monroe as Baltimore’s left tackle. However, there’s some uncertainty about whether Monroe, who has missed 15 of 32 games since joining the team and has an $8.7MM cap number in 2016, has much of a future with the club.
At the NFL owners’ meetings in Boca Raton, Florida today, head coach John Harbaugh perhaps contributed to that speculation, suggesting that there will be a competition for the Ravens’ left tackle spot. Per Harbaugh, right tackle Ricky Wagner may be an option on the left side and the team may still add another player to the mix. Harbaugh later promised that Monroe’s stance on the benefits of medical marijuana doesn’t reflect the organization’s views on the issue (Twitter links via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun).
While Harbaugh’s comments don’t necessarily mean that Monroe’s days in Baltimore are numbered, it seems clear that he’s no longer viewed as the team’s long-term answer at left tackle.
Here’s more from Harbaugh:
- Harbaugh was very positive about the outlook for tight end Crockett Gillmore. Although it initially appeared that Gillmore would require surgery on both of his shoulders, the 24-year-old will only undergo a procedure on one shoulder, and should be ready to go for OTAs (Twitter link via Zrebiec).
- According to their head coach, the Ravens “aren’t done in free agency,” tweets Zrebiec. As the Baltimore Sun scribe notes (via Twitter), Harbaugh “casually mentioned” at one point today that Dwight Freeney remains unsigned.
- The Ravens’ decision to release safety Will Hill last week wasn’t a football one, according to Harbaugh, who added that Hill needs to find the priorities in his life (Twitter link via Zrebiec). The talented defensive back is currently facing a 10-game suspension, his fourth ban since entering the league.
- As we discussed earlier this morning, Harbaugh also confirmed that the Ravens have an unofficial agreement in place with free agent running back Trent Richardson.
Harbaugh Expects Ravens To Sign Trent Richardson
Back in February, a report indicated that the Ravens were expected to add running back Trent Richardson to their roster. A signing didn’t happen when Richardson paid a visit to Baltimore, but speaking on Tuesday morning at the NFL owners’ meeting, head coach John Harbaugh said that he still expects the veteran back to eventually become a Raven.
As Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun details (via Twitter), the Ravens have an unofficial agreement in place with the 25-year-old. The Ravens want Richardson to get in better shape and reach a physical benchmark — if and when he does, Baltimore will sign him, per Zrebiec. Harbaugh is hoping another team doesn’t swoop in and sign him before that happens, notes Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
Richardson, the third overall selection in the 2012 draft, lasted just over a year with the Browns, having been dealt to the Colts for a first-round pick early in the 2013 campaign. Richardson was underwhelming, to say the least, during his time in Indianapolis, recording 977 yards and six touchdowns on 316 rushing attempts across two seasons, while adding 55 receptions for 494 yards and a TD in 29 games (20 starts). During his time wearing blue and white, the Alabama product averaged just 3.1 yards per carry.
Richardson’s time in Indianapolis came to an unceremonious end when the Colts waived him after hitting him with a two-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team at the end of the 2014 season. Less than a week after he was let go, the Raiders swooped in and signed him, but Oakland ultimately cut Richardson prior to the 2015 season and he hasn’t been on an NFL roster since then.
Assuming the Ravens finalize a deal with Richardson in the coming weeks, he would join a group of Baltimore running backs that includes Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen, and Lorenzo Taliaferro, so he’d likely have an uphill battle when it comes to earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Noah Spence To Visit Ravens
- Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence has visits lined up with the Jets, Colts, Packers, Bucs, Ravens, Jaguars, Cardinals, and Saints, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter). Spence, a former star at Ohio State, was dismissed from the Buckeyes after two positive tests for ecstasy. In 2015, Spence shined for the Colonels, but he’ll now have to answer questions about his history. Still, he is extremely talented and teams are not shying away from him.
Ravens To Visit With Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves
Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves has visits lined up with eight clubs, including the Jaguars, Ravens, Cowboys, and Buccaneers, reports Rand Getlin of NFL.com (Twitter link). Hargreaves, considered one of the best defensive backs available in the draft, will probably garner interest from any team picking in the top 15.
Ravens’ Tray Walker Dies
Ravens cornerback Tray Walker has died as a result of serious injuries sustained in a Thursday night motorcycle accident, according to his agent, Ron Butler (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun). Walker was 23 years old.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Walker was headed westbound on Northwest 75th 
Street on a dirt bike when he collided with a Ford Escape heading southbound on Northwest 21st Avenue. Police said Walker’s bike didn’t have lights and that he was wearing dark clothing.
Walker was in critical condition as of Thursday night at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was reportedly in surgery all night and spent Friday “fighting for his life” after suffering serious head injuries, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Walker, a former Texas Southern standout, was a fourth-round pick last spring. He played sparingly for the Ravens during his rookie season, seeing some time on special teams but appearing in just eight defensive snaps. As Luke Jones of WNST.net tweets, Walker had dedicated his rookie year to his father, who passed away in November of 2014.
”He loved his college, his teammates, coaches. He was big in terms of giving back,” Butler said (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh echoed Butler’s statement.
“Tray was a young man with a good and kind heart,” said Harbaugh. “He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens’ team.”
Added quarterback Joe Flacco, “Tray was a young man who was full of energy and promise. This is very hard to wrap my head around, and I am devastated” (link via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley).
The Ravens organization and many of its players took to Twitter after the news of Walker’s passing to express their sadness.
“We are grieving the loss of a special young man. #RIPTrayWalker,” the club tweeted.
“I just heard the news.. I can’t believe it. I was just with him two weeks ago. That was like my little bro. RIP Tray Walker,” said receiver Marlon Brown.
“Hate we lost our brother and teammate! #ripTray #25,” added linebacker C.J. Mosley.
PFR sends its condolences and best wishes to Walker’s family and friends.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ravens’ Tray Walker Seriously Injured In Motorcycle Accident
Ravens cornerback Tray Walker is in critical condition at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital after having been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, a team spokesman said (link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Walker spent all night in surgery and is “fighting for his life.”
“Oh, my God, this is devastating news,” head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement late Thursday night. “Our prayers and hopes are with Tray and his family tonight.”
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, via Hensley, Walker was headed westbound on Northwest 75th Street on a dirt bike when he collided with a Ford Escape heading southbound on Northwest 21st Avenue. Police said Walker’s bike didn’t have lights and that he was wearing dark clothing.
A fourth-round pick in 2015, Walker played sparingly for the Ravens during his rookie season, seeing some time on special teams but appearing in just eight defensive snaps.
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Walker and his family.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Free Agent Rumors: Upshaw, Pats, CJ2K
Linebacker Courtney Upshaw remains on the open market here in mid-March, but his field of suitors could soon grow a little bit larger. A league source tells Mike Florio of PFT that the 49ers and Patriots could jump into the mix for the Ravens free agent linebacker. The former second-round pick, who is visiting with the Jets today,was an honorable mention on PFR’s Top 50 Free Agents list.
Here are the latest free agent rumors from around the league:
- The Dolphins announced that Chris Johnson has wrapped up his free agent visit. That announcement infers that there is no deal – at least, not yet – between CJ2K and Miami. Johnson is said to be deciding between the Dolphins and the incumbent Cardinals.
- Before putting pen-to-paper with the Ravens, the Cowboys stood as the other finalist for Eric Weddle, Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report writes. The safety had a multitude of offers and before he was down to two clubs, Weddle weeded out proposals from teams that were not positioned to in 2016. One of those teams, according to agent David Canter, made Weddle the most lucrative offer of any suitor.
- Former Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith is visiting the Buccaneers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Ravens cut Smith earlier this month in order to save roughly $2.6MM against the 2016 cap. Smith, who joined the Ravens for the 2013 season after spending nine years in Jacksonville, hasn’t missed a game in his three years in Baltimore, starting the last 48 regular-season games for the club. In 2015, he racked up 121 tackles to go along with three sacks and an interception.
Ravens Re-Sign Marlon Brown, Chris Carter
The Ravens have brought back a pair of their own free agents, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’re re-signing wide receiver Marlon Brown and outside linebacker Chris Carter. Terms of the deals weren’t announced, but inexpensive, short-term contracts seem likely.
[RELATED: Ravens sign Eric Weddle]
Brown, who turns 25 in April, has spent the last three seasons in Baltimore, though he his seen his role in the offense decline since making his debut in 2013. In his rookie season, the Georgia product caught 49 balls for 524 yards and seven touchdowns. He has failed to reach the end zone since then, and recorded just 14 receptions and 112 yards in 2015.
While Brown contributes occasionally on special teams, he hasn’t been a key piece of that unit. When taking into account his reduced role on offense, it was no surprise that the team opted not to extend him an RFA tender last week. He figures to earn less than the $1.671MM he would have been tendered as a restricted free agent.
As for Carter, the former fifth-round pick has practically done a full tour of the AFC North since entering the league in 2011, spending time with the Steelers, Bengals, and Ravens. Although he has appeared in 48 total regular season contests, he hasn’t started a game since 2013, serving primarily as a defensive reserve and a special-teamer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Contract Details: Bruton, Soliai, M. Wallace
Here are specific details on several of the latest agreed-upon and signed contracts from around the NFL. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…
NFC:
- David Bruton, S (Washington): Three years, $9MM. $3.4MM guaranteed. $2.5MM signing bonus. $500K annual playing-time escalator in 2017 and 2018. $500K in incentives in 2018 (Twitter links via Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post).
- Paul Soliai, DT (Panthers): Two years, $6.5MM. $3MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $740K in annual per-game active roster bonuses. $500K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2017 league year (Twitter link).
- Leodis McKelvin, CB (Eagles): Two years, $6.2MM. $3MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $1.2MM bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year. $100K Pro Bowl incentive. $350K playing-time incentive (Twitter link).
- Cory Harkey, TE (Rams): Three years, $5.7MM. $2.5MM guaranteed. $500K roster bonus due on 10th day of 2016 league year. $500K roster bonus due in 2017, guaranteed for skill and injury (Twitter link).
- Rolando McClain, LB (Cowboys): One year, $4MM. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM base salary. $2MM in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $1MM in playing-time and playoff incentives (Twitter link).
- Rhett Ellison, TE (Vikings): One year, $1.75MM. $100K signing bonus. $790K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $500K in incentives (Twitter link).
- Chris Givens, WR (Eagles): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus. $100K of $760K base salary is guaranteed (Twitter link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News).
AFC:
- Mike Wallace, WR (Ravens): Two years, $11.5MM. $4.5MM signing bonus. $1MM roster bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year. Option for second year to be exercised/declined prior to end of 2016 league year (Twitter links).
- Matt Moore, QB (Dolphins): Two years, $3.55MM. $2.25MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM in annual incentives (Twitter link).
- Sean Spence, LB (Titans): One year, $2.5MM. $500K signing bonus. $500K in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Robert Turbin, RB (Colts): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K in incentives for rushing yards (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).