After a rough start to the week for Ravens fans the news just got a whole lot better…The Ravens have signed three time pro bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs to a six-year, $63 million deal according to ESPN.com. An unnamed source within Ravens leaked the news to ESPN’s John Clayton. Suggs will reportedly receive a signing bonus and options that will total $33.1 million in 2009 and 2010. Suggs is now the highest paid linebacker in NFL history.
In six seasons Suggs has amassed 368 tackles and 53 sacks. Initially drafted out Arizona State for his pass rushing skills, Suggs has evolved to a three-tooled linebacker who can play the run and cover as well as get to the QB. Suggs (26) has never missed a game due to injury, which became more impressive last January when he overcame a separated shoulder to play in the 2008 AFC Championship game against the hated Steelers. With one good arm Suggs managed to sack Ben Roethlisberger twice.
Since his original franchise tagging in the ’08 offseason Suggs has adopted a refreshing perspective – just play football and let the GMs and agents worry about the money. Well now Suggs has his money and some to spare, so he can report to camp on time and prepare to make a run at the Super Bowl. Suggs is just the kind of player the Ravens need to take the torch from Ray and lead the defense into the new era.
~ A relieved Pat Cary
Filed under: Football, NFL, Ravens Tagged: | Terrell Suggs
I bet DeMarcus Ware wants a deal that is more lucrative than that. My prediction…Jerry Jones will have to up the anty and make Ware the highest paid linebacker in NFL history. TSizzle will only have that distinction for a short time. Ware will get a 7 year, 70 mill deal.
Ryan – it’s all about the guaranteed dollars in the NFL. Jared Allen signed a 6 year 72.3 million dollar contract just last year, but the guaranteed money was only $15.5 compared to Suggs’ 33.1. Back in ’07 the 49ers gave Nate Clements an 8 year $80M contract, with $22M guaranteed. I’d bet as soon as that guaranteed money is paid out and/or the team can skirt a huge cap hit he is cut…he won’t come close to seeing the bulk of that $80M. That being said, Ware should get a hefty contract and he’ll probably get more guaranteed money than Suggs, but being the highest paid anything in the NFL changes from year to year. Look out if there’s an uncapped 2010.
we all know that the Cowboys are held to a higher standard,it is time for a playoff win and next season should be the time, Romo’s first year was a win except for the bobbled snap in Seattle (wet ball conspiracy)meanwhile Seattle ends up in the superbowl, the 2nd year was the best season ever but it is hard to sweep a nfc opponent, who by the way went on to win the superbowl and last year was all about not having a back up qb, we have been knocking on the door for years, this team will win a superbowl, but will never compare to the Cowboys of the 90′s..
johnbuddy
I wish you would have posted under my Cowboys article. We don’t want to encroach on the Raven’s fans who are spending time with their brother in the nest. Dont think I dont remember all of our memories watching those 90′s Cowboys squad dominating while we were in college. I love it that all of our friends were Skins, Eagles, and Giants fans and we got the last laugh SO many times. Lets get a playoff win this year and get the monkey off our back!