The third-round draft pick from the University of Miami received a $610,100 signing bonus with base salaries of $295,000 in 2008, $385,000 in 2009 and $470,000 in 2010, according to NFL Players Association figures.
Gooden recorded 216 career tackles, one sack and one interception for the Hurricanes. He moved to middle linebacker as a senior and registered a career-high 100 tackles and three fumble recoveries.
He’s slated for immediate special-teams duty and will compete for playing time in the Ravens’ dime package.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are trying to finalize deals for second-round running back Ray Rice (Rutgers), third-round safety Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame), sixth-round safety Haruki Nakamura, seventh-round wide receiver Justin Harper (Virginia Tech) and seventh-round running back Allen Patrick (Oklahoma).
Nakamura was on the verge of agreeing to terms this weekend after receiving a faxed offer late last week.
Although the signing pace has been slow in the second round, an NFL special master’s ruling on a collective bargaining agreement interpretation expected today could accelerate talks. The Ravens have discussed parameters of a deal with Rice’s agent.
Negotiations for Zbikowski were speeding up Sunday night.
The Ravens have already agreed to terms with first-round quarterback Joe Flacco (five years, maximum $30 million value, $8.75 million guaranteed money), third-round offensive tackle Oniel Cousins (three years, $1.59 million, $443,500 signing bonus), fourth-round wide receiver Marcus Smith (three years, $1.51 million, $369,000 signing bonus) and fourth-round offensive tackle David Hale (three years, $1.44 million, $300,000 signing bonus).
Flacco is scheduled to sign his contract today after traveling to Baltimore on Sunday from his New Jersey home.
