OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens principal owner Steve Bisciotti recently indicated that he believes in granting second chances and was willing to take risks to upgrade the roster.
Following that philosophy, the Ravens have taken a calculated gamble by signing troubled wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth to a one-year, $900,000 contract along, with $300,000 in incentive clauses.
For the Ravens, it’s a first step toward bolstering their threadbare receiving corps with an influx of speed.
For Stallworth, this marks an opportunity to resurrect his career after being reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell following a one-year suspension for pleading guilty in June to a DUI manslaughter charge.
Stallworth served 24 days out of a 30-day sentence in a Miami jail after striking and killing construction worker Mario Reyes with his car while driving under the influence of alcohol after a night of heavy partying at the ritzy Fountainebleau hotel in South Beach.
“There was a time I felt the mistake I made was the end of the world for me,” Stallworth said in a statement. “I’ve had trouble putting it into words. I will never get that morning back. It weighs on me every day and will for the rest of my life.
“I know my apology will never be strong enough for some, but I’ve made changes, and I’m trying to be a positive influence. It’s an honor and privilege to play in the NFL, and I’m so thankful for this opportunity.
The Browns terminated Stallworth’s contract on the same day that Goodell reinstated him.
The Ravens scooped up the 2002 first-round draft pick following a Tuesday tryout, a move that reinforces the team’s extreme need at wide receiver.
The Ravens made room for Stallworth on their roster by terminating the contract of tight end Quinn Sypniewski after he failed his physical following his latest surgery on a severely damaged left knee.
“We’ve given a lot of thought to this, and we’ve done extensive research into Donte’ beyond football,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said. “He made a huge mistake. There’s no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight.
“As Steve said, we believe in second chances, and Donte’ does deserve that. But we’ve signed him because we want to get better and we think he has a chance to help us.”
While the character issue is one red flag, the durability issues surrounding Stallworth are ultimately more significant. He has only played in every game three times in seven NFL seasons.
Around the league, Stallworth doesn’t have a reputation as a bad person. He’s regarded as having a pleasant personality, but made a huge, fatal mistake.
“Stallworth was very well liked by those on the team and in the building in Cleveland,” former Ravens and Browns scout Daniel Jeremiah wrote on his Moving the Sticks Web site. “Concern is durability. Nagging hammy.”
Plus, Stallworth, 29, has bounced around the league over the past three seasons.
Signed by former Ravens executive Phil Savage to a seven-year, $35 million contract in 2008, he caught only 17 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown in 11 games with the Browns. Stallworth was hampered by a chronic quadriceps problem.
In New Orleans, he caught a career-high 70 passes for 945 yards in 2005. Stallworth caught 38 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006 before signing with the New England Patriots and catching 46 passes for 697 yards and three touchdowns.
For his career, the former University of Tennessee standout has registered 296 receptions for 4,383 yards and 32 touchdowns while averaging 14.8 yards per catch.
What Stallworth has going for him is his ability as a downfield threat. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds.
And he has connections with the Ravens’ coaching staff having played for the Philadelphia Eagles when Baltimore coach John Harbaugh was the Eagles’ special teams coach. Stallworth played for Ravens wide receivers coach Jim Hostler as a rookie in New Orleans when he caught 42 passes for 594 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns.
“Donte’ has talent and ability, that’s why he was a high first-round choice,” Hostler said. “He’s a player with the type of potential to make defenses pay attention to him. I know what kind of person he is and I respect him.”
Meanwhile, the Ravens are expected to explore the trade and free agency market for higher-profile wide receivers like the Denver Broncos’ Brandon Marshall, the Arizona Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin and the San Diego Chargers’ Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd.
Unrestricted free agent options include Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant and Kevin Walter.
The Ravens have met recently with veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason. Mason is an unrestricted free agent who’s expected to play next season after briefly contemplating retirement. The Miami Dolphins are rumored to be interested in Mason.
“I did have a discussion with Derrick,” Newsome told 24×7 in a telephone interview. “We would like for Derrick to remain a Raven.”
