Suggs, Ravens agree to six-year deal
July 15th, 2009 | by Kevin Hanson |
Today the Ravens reached a long-term deal with Terrell Suggs, who was designated with the franchise tag by the Ravens. Coincidentally, the deal is for the same number of years and overall value as the deal reached yesterday between the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Matt Cassel.
Suggs, who was drafted 10th overall by the Ravens in 2003, will earn $63 million over the next six years, which makes him the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history. According to the AP, the guaranteed portion of the contract is $38 million.
If the Ravens and Suggs weren’t able to get the deal done by today’s 4 p.m. deadline, Suggs would have earned a guaranteed salary of $10.17 million in 2009.
Suggs, who was franchised in 2008 as well, held out of training camp last year. Despite the holdout, he led the Ravens with eight sacks last season and he’s recorded 53 sacks in his six-year career.
With a new defensive coordinator, it’s good that the deal is done and Suggs will be at training camp this year.
“Training camp brings you back to being closer to your teammates,” Suggs noted. “You get closer as a team. Last year, I missed it and it didn’t hurt me too bad, I don’t think. It’s going to be good to get back out there at training camp with more hot, summer days, out there with the fans watching.”
“Well, I’m going to continue to be the dominant player that I’ve always been. With me being 26, my best years are ahead of me, so I’m just looking forward to showing them that they didn’t make a mistake and that you’ve got the right guy.”
Now that the T-Sizzle deal is done, it’s time for the front office to focus their efforts on wide receiver.
Tags: Terrell Suggs
