Ravens Extend Lardarius Webb

Added on Apr 05, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

The Baltimore Ravens usually don’t let key defensive players leave town and restricted cornerback Lardarius Webb is no exception. Webb has agreed to terms on a six-year, $60 million contract that includes a reported $20 million in guaranteed money. The 26-year-old was slapped with a first-round tender to help avoid other teams from making an offer, although based on the deal, Baltimore had no intention of letting him go.

General manager Ozzie Newsome was pleased a long-term extension could be finalized.

“Lardarius is an important player for the Ravens and we’re very happy he will be with us for a long time,” General Manager Ozzie Newsome told the team’s official site. “We have a good history of completing second contracts for targeted players we want to keep for the long haul,” Newsome added. “We did that recently with Jameel McClain, just like we did with Haloti (Ngata), ‘Sizzle,’ (Terrell Suggs), ‘J.J.’ (Jarret Johnson), Marshal (Yanda) – and many more through the years.”

Webb started a career-high 15 games in 2011, recording 67 total tackles, five interceptions and one sack. Along with last year’s first-round pick Jimmy Smith, the Ravens hope to boast one of the league’s rising cornerback tandems for the next few seasons.

The Ravens defense finished in the top 5 in most statistical categories including number three in points allowed (16.6) and number four versus the pass, yielding 196.2 yards per game and only 11 touchdown passes. With Ray Lewis and Ed Reed nearing the ends of their Hall of Fame careers, players like Webb will be counted on to provide leadership both on and off the field.

Speaking of Reed, the All-Pro safety is currently embroiled in a contract dispute that might lead to his exit after the 2012 season. Entering the final year of a six-year contract, Reed has been frustrated by the lack of negotiations. He’d like to retire a Raven, but at 33, his long-term value remains a question mark.

Source: NFL.com