Ellerbe taking his talents to South Beach

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While he didn’t go on ESPN to announce it, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe has decided to “take his talents to South Beach” and play for the Miami Dolphins next year.

As reported by the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson, Ellerbe has reached an agreement with the Miami Dolphins on a five-year, $35 million contract, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

This despite the fact that Ellerbe and the Ravens were reportedly negotiating right up until the 4 PM deadline to Tuesday, with both sides hopeful that an agreement could be reached to keep the linebacker in Baltimore.

Now the Ravens have an even larger hole to fill in the middle of their defense following the retirement of Ray Lewis and with Jameel McClain’s status uncertain due to injury.

In addition, they lost Paul Kruger earlier in the afternoon to the Cleveland Browns.

The Ravens had definitely wanted to re-sign Ellerbe for some continuity going forward, but it appears that they were unable (or unwilling) to match what Miami was willing to pay, and Dannell went after the money.

It’s possible Ellerbe didn’t even give the Ravens a chance to match Miami’s offer – more details should surface in the coming days.

For now, the Ravens have to make inside linebacker a huge priority moving forward, either via free agency (where the pickings are slim), or in April’s draft.

Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County times has suggested that Courtney Upshaw may move inside.

Wouldn’t be surprised at all at this point for the #Ravens to consider moving Courtney Upshaw inside to middle linebacker

Personally, though I like him as a player, I was a little uneasy with the prospect of giving Ellerbe a huge contract considering that he has never played more than 13 games in a season during his four year career (and has never started more than seven).

The good news is that the Ravens should have plenty of salary cap space for not only the ILB spot now, but also for other areas of need (left tackle jumps to mind).

For now, I’ll sit back and continue to trust in Ozzie.

h/t John Mann

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About Derek Arnold

Derek Arnold
RSR/ESR Senior Editor. Derek is originally from and a current resident of Pasadena, MD. He’s a graduate of UMBC and has been a lifelong Baltimore sports fan. In 2007 he founded B’More Birds’ Nest, where he wrote about the Ravens and Orioles before joining RSR in 2012. Derek’s work has...more

18 Raves on “Ellerbe taking his talents to South Beach”

    • James on said:

      Yes they will, and probably for the next two seasons as they have no Middle linebacker, no pass rusher outside of suggs, signing ed reed gives you not much in the way of tackling, and I’m not sure if they will be able to keep Vonte Leach either. Steve B finally got his trophy now the next few years will be oblivion around here in terms of pro football.

      Reply ↓
    • Dundalk Dan on said:

      Don’t be such a reactionist John. Have a little historical perspective and take a deep breath. The sky is falling routine is getting old around here.

      Reply ↓
      • Sharon on said:

        Right. I know we live in an instant reaction type of society but how many times have we freaked out and then everything turned out ok? Also, in recent memory, how many ex-Ravens players went on to be great and truly live up to their big contracts after they left Baltimore? (only Ben Grubbs comes to mind). Losers buy and winners draft.

        Reply ↓
  2. spy on said:

    Word on the street is these guys really don’t like playing for Harbaugh and as they get their chance they are leaving,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,plus they are getting paid , good for them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the Ravens are retooling even if they didn’t want to………………..

    Reply ↓
    • Dundalk Dan on said:

      I don’t buy that for a second. You think there’s much else behind their departure besides green?? You don’t go to Cleveland and Miami to be part of well-run winning organizations. You go for the dough (and the sun in Miami).

      Reply ↓
    • Rumor Ray on said:

      SPY “the word on the street”??? Really .. Grow up and stop trying to act like you have some idea as to what happens in the Ravens Locker Room. Trust me you have NO CLUE. Players love the Ravens and The Coaching Staff, however the NFL is a Business and the Players look to get PAID and the Teams look to Save Money so they can afford to Field a FULL TEAM not just a couple High $ Players.

      I remember the reactions when we lost Mason, Heap, Jamal Lewis, Johnson, Scott, AD, Heartwell, Gregg………. and the list goes on and on….. And guess what we are still a WINNING TEAM and we Just won our 2nd Super Bowl.

      Freedom of Speech gives everyone the right to speak, however it does not give you the right to LIE as if you have some knowledge that you do not have.

      Reply ↓
    • Ravens One on said:

      I don’t think John Harbaugh is well like either. The almost-mutiny this past season was very telling and underreported/discussed if you aske me. It’s clear with all the veteran player exists that John Harbaugh wants complete control of the locker room. Remember this team has been run by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed during John Harbauh’s tenure. He can “own it’ now.

      Reply ↓
  3. Josh on said:

    I bet Ozzie and Co. are laughing their assess of at the contracts being doled out to our free agents. They are not worth the money!

    Reply ↓
    • Fernando on said:

      I don’t know if they’re “worth the money”. But that’s definitely a money the Ravens did not have… So it feels good to see that they’re retooling. They know what they’re doing…

      Reply ↓
  4. John on said:

    No I live in reality, and the Ravens are going to suck for the next two years. No question about it. But we got a Superbowl and that was the best one ever;however, the Ravens shot their wad with that win and will suck big time!! maybe they will get six wins.

    Reply ↓
  6. John on said:

    Wow , yourrrrrrr so impressive; do you have all your teeth ??? Bet you been on unemployment for two years correct , typical white trash hillbilly ??

    Reply ↓
    • Rumor Ray on said:

      John,

      You said “No I live in reality” when in fact the next two (2) years have not happen yet so you should have said that you live in the Future….. Just saying if your going to ACT Smart then fake it better next time ….

      Dan … Never argue on the Internet it is not worth it. State facts and walk away. Facts win and losers just keep losing. Do not let John false sense of “reality” hold you back or affect your self worth in anyway. I am sure John has a very valuable job and at any moment someone will remind him of that with the old line …. ” Fries Up”……

      Reply ↓

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