OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens traded reserve defensive back Derrick Martin to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for offensive tackle/guard Tony Moll, a transaction that should provide depth to the offensive line.
Martin is a former sixth-round draft pick who had moved to safety during training camp with positive results, including one interception this preseason.
Moll is a veteran blocker regarded as capable of backing up starting offensive tackles Michael Oher and Jared Gaither.
"I had a blast in Baltimore while it lasted, but it’s time to move on," Martin said in a telephone interview with the 24×7 a few minutes after being informed of the trade. "It’s a new beginning. It’s going to be fun. I’m going to play safety, cornerback and special teams, like I did here.
"Green Bay runs a similar defense with that 3-4, so I should fit right in. I guess Green Bay liked what they saw from me out there. I’m excited about the opportunity. This should be a chance for me to get some more playing time that I probably would have got in Baltimore."
An athletic former Wyoming player drafted in 2006 after his junior year, Martin had recently drawn praise from Ravens coach John Harbaugh for his consistency in practices and games. Harbaugh emphasized that Martin, who’s also a gunner on special teams, had a good chance to make the 53-man roster.
"The thing about Derrick Martin that’s interesting is, he’s always the same," Harbaugh said last week. "Derrick Martin comes out and plays well in every single practice. Then, he lines up in a game and plays well in every single game. He plays extremely fast.
"He’s made the transition from corner to safety. So, he can play both. Derrick Martin is a valuable piece to that secondary. He’s a guy that’s in the mix to make our roster, and he’s earned that. It’s going to be interesting to see how it shakes out, but I think Derrick Martin has played his way, pretty potentially, onto this football team.”
Martin was sidelined last season on injured reserve, undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Moll is a 6-foot-5, 306-pound lineman from Nevada who has appeared in 39 career games with 18 starts over the past three seasons in Green Bay. He played in 14 games last season with five starts.
Moll, 26, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft .
The acquisition makes sense, especially since the Ravens signaled their desire to shore up the position by attempting to convince former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Anderson to end his retirement.
Meanwhile, Martin said he’s looking forward to the Ravens-Packers game in December at Lambeau Field.
"I can’t wait for that game," Martin said. "It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m glad to be going to a team that has a good chance of winning this year. It’s kind of sad to leave my friends, but we’ll stay in touch.
"Baltimore really welcomed me. I had a lot of fun while I was there, but this is a chance for me to make a name for myself on a different team. I can’t wait to get out there and start playing."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
