NFL: Baltimore Ravens news...

[The_Dude]

via Yahoo! Sports:

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens re-signed linebacker Jarret Johnson to a three-year, $13 million deal Saturday, securing a replacement for All-Pro Adalius Thomas.

Johnson, 25, was drafted in the fourth round out of Alabama by Baltimore in 2003 and will join the NFL's top-ranked defense as its only new starter after Thomas signed with New England.

"It just goes to show how confident they are in you," Johnson said. "You always know they like you, but when they come out and show it to you, it's a nice compliment."

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Johnson has 144 tackles, three sacks and one interception in four seasons while lining up at defensive end, along with inside and outside linebacker.

Now, the Ravens have retained one player while losing four since the free agent signing period began, including offensive tackle Tony Pashos and fullback Ovie Mughelli.

Pashos signed a six-year, $24 million contract with Jacksonville. Mughelli signed the richest fullback contract in NFL history, signing a five-year, $18 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons that included a $5 million signing bonus.

Meanwhile, reserve nose guard Aubrayo Franklin signed a three-year, $6 million deal Saturday with San Francisco. The Ravens, who have a tight salary-cap situation, are still trying to sign former Pro Bowl running back Jamal Lewis.

The reigning AFC North champions cut Lewis, 27, on Wednesday rather than pay him a $5 million roster bonus that was due Saturday, creating $8.3 million in salary-cap space. Lewis rushed for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns last season, but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry.

He underwent minor surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle shortly after the team's playoff loss to Indianapolis.

[The_Dude]

via Yahoo! Sports:

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens addressed their need for depth at running back Tuesday, re-signing reserve Musa Smith to a one-year deal.

Meanwhile, the team remains locked in negotiations with former Pro Bowl runner Jamal Lewis while also exploring other free agent options for the starting job.

Smith, a former third-round draft pick from Georgia, has battled numerous injuries since arriving in Baltimore in 2003. He had offseason neck surgery for an injury that forced him onto injured reserve for the third time in his career.

In 33 career games, Smith has rushed for 232 yards and two touchdowns with 27 receptions for 171 yards. He has stood out more on special teams than running the football, registered 24 career tackles in kick coverage.

"Its good to have Musa back," Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "Having surgery during the season put him ahead in his recovery. He will be ready for the start of training camp. Whenever we've put him on the field, he's produced. Were looking forward to having a healthy Musa help us."

Besides Smith, the Ravens have veteran running back Mike Anderson and P.J. Daniels last year's fourth-round draft pick from Georgia Tech, under contract.

[The_Dude]

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND (TICKER) -- The Baltimore Ravens had a plan all along when they released Jamal Lewis.

The Ravens filled a major hole in their offensive backfield Thursday, acquiring running back Willis McGahee from the Buffalo Bills for three draft picks.

While the team did not disclose what picks where headed to Buffalo, ESPN.com reported the Bills received a third- and seventh-round pick in April's draft, along with a third-round pick in 2008.

The move to acquire McGahee came less than two weeks after the Ravens released Lewis, the club's all-time leading rusher.

Buffalo had been looking to trade McGahee, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who had one season remaining on his contract. Baltimore reportedly has started negotiations with McGahee on an extension.

"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He also has the power and size to run inside. He also plays physical and with toughness, which are things were pride ourselves on here."

The move to acquire McGahee was embraced by coach Brian Billick.

"Way to go Ozzie!" Billick said. "We're getting a dynamic back who has the potential to diversify our running game. We've studied him, and he brings the same passion and preparation that is common to Miami players, like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Getting a player as good as Willis is another example of how Ozzie and his department size up the market and use our resources well."

McGahee, 25, had a down season in 2006, rushing for 990 yards and and six touchdowns in 14 games. He missed a pair of contests with a rib injury.

But McGahee should be a good fit for the Ravens, who finished 13-3 last season before being upset by Indianapolis in the divisional round of the playoffs.

After suffering a serious knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl in January 2003, McGahee was selected 23rd overall three months later by the Bills. He sat out his entire rookie season while recovering from major surgery.

McGahee, who runs with explosiveness and power, showed that he was recovered from his injury by rushing for 1,128 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 2004. He gained a career-high 1,247 yards with five scores the following campaign.

"From what I have seen of Willis, he is a heck of warrior," Lewis said. "The way he runs and the passion he plays with his contagious. He plays the game the way it's supposed to be played."