OWINGS MILLS – The black stretch limousine left the Baltimore Ravens’ training complex in the middle of the afternoon Tuesday, ushering off free agent cornerback Marlin Jackson following his visit.
His next destination is just a two-hour drive up I-95 North where he’ll visit the Philadelphia Eagles today.
The Ravens essentially kicked the tires on Jackson, who was in town for the Ed Block Courage award banquet, gauging the condition of his two surgically-repaired knees. He’s also going to visit the New York Jets.
No deal is imminent or expected at this time as Jackson searches for a new NFL employer after the Indianapolis Colts didn’t tender him as a restricted free agent. It was an exploratory visit.
After meeting with coach John Harbaugh and other team officials and being given a physical, Jackson departed from a players’ entrance that’s off-limits to reporters.
Jackson is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus suffered during practice last season.
However, he’s expected to be ready for offseason minicamps.
The obvious concern with Jackson, a 2005 first-round draft pick from the University of Michigan who has four career interceptions, is the status of his knees and their susceptibility to potential future injury.
His pluses are that he’s a big, rangy cornerback at 6-foot, 196 pounds who likes to hit and play physical press coverage.
However, he spent each of the past two seasons on injured reserve.
If he’s healthy, he could provide a boost to a team in need of a larger presence outside.
Meanwhile, Ravens free agent defensive end Dwan Edwards saw a door close for him with the Denver Broncos after visiting them over the weekend.
On Monday, they signed New England Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green to a four-year deal with a maximum value of $20 million.
Edwards also visited the Seattle Seahawks and didn’t garner an offer, so the possibility of him returning to Baltimore has increased.
Edwards’ spinal fusion surgery from two years ago might be hurting the prospects for the former second-round draft pick.
The Ravens could definitely use Edwards as he replaced Trevor Pryce in the starting lineup last season.
It’s just a matter of price.
The Broncos signed Ravens free agent defensive lineman Justin Bannan on Friday to a substantial deal.
His five-year deal is worth $22 million and includes a $6.245 million signing bonus and $10.5 million in total guaranteed money.
Bannan will be paid an average of $4.4 million annually.
With the rules governing Final Eight teams like the Ravens, they can sign any unrestricted free agent to a contract with a similar structure to the Bannan deal. And they can sign one free agent with a first-year salary of $5.8 million.
NOTES: The Ravens sent their offensive line coaches to the University of Utah Pro Day workout where the top player was 6-4, 307-pound offensive lineman Zane Beadles, a projected fourth-round draft pick. … The Ravens met with Ohio University wide receiver Taylor Price at the NFL scouting combine. Price had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
