My NFL Forums | NFL Forums & Blogs

LB Suggs signs with Ravens, loses franchise tag.

BALTIMORE—Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs agreed to terms Wednesday on a six-year contract, a deal that provides a long-term solution to his unsettled status as the team's franchise player.

Suggs has been the Ravens' franchise player for the past two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder had until 4 p.m. Wednesday to work out a deal or face being stuck with the franchise tag for another year.

Had Suggs not signed, he would have played the season for $10.17 million and become a free agent next season.

"Getting a deal done with Terrell is consistent with our history of retaining our best Pro Bowl players, like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden, Todd Heap and Jamal Lewis," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "Securing Terrell for six seasons gives us a premier pass-rusher whose ability to stop the run does not get enough credit."

During his six years with the Ravens, Suggs has 53 sacks and has not missed a game. He led Baltimore with eight sacks last season and added four more in the postseason, including two in the AFC championship game against Pittsburgh after missing an entire week of practice with a shoulder injury.

"This will be Suggs' seventh season, and he is still a young player," Newsome said. "Remember, he came to us as a 20-year old rookie after his junior year in college. This is a good day for the Ravens franchise."

The 26-year-old Suggs was selected by the Ravens out of Arizona State with the 10th overall pick in the 2003 draft. The three-time Pro Bowl selection is considered one of the best pass-rushers in the league, and has also returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
Posted: 07/15/2009 07:15:17 AM PDT
Updated: 07/15/2009 07:36:11 AM PDT

__________________