OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens re-signed reserve tight end and special-teams contributor Edgar Jones on Monday to a one-year, $545,000 deal, the veteran minimum.
Valued for his versatility because he doubles as a situational pass rusher at outside linebacker, Jones wasn’t tendered by the Ravens as a restricted free agent. That would have cost at least $1.1 million for the lowest tender.
“It was a waiting process,” Jones told 24×7 in a telephone interview. “I was just trying to figure out what my next move would be. I’m happy to be back with Baltimore. It’s great to stay with a team where you have a lot of great relationships.
“In the offseason, you get time away from your teammates, time to yourself. Then, you get back and see your teammates and it’s one of the best feelings to see all the guys, laughing and clowning. We’ve got a lot of people at the offseason program, and it was great to see everybody."
The Ravens are still expected to add depth at tight end through the draft and have been scouting several prospects, including Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham, Iowa’s Tony Moeaki, Brigham Young’s Dennis Pitta and Pitt’s Dorin Dickerson, among others.
Jones could fit in as a third tight end that can also operate as a backup to Pro Bowl fullback Le’Ron McClain and fill a role on various special teams.
“The more things you can do, the more value you have to the team,” Jones said. “Last year, I came in and played defense and then I went to tight end. Now, there’s talk about moving me to fullback. At the end of the day, special teams is my biggest advantage. Overall, I just want to learn more, and help the team at any position.”
The Ravens have starter Todd Heap under contract as well as Jones and Davon Drew. A former fifth-round draft pick from East Carolina, Drew spent his rookie year on the practice squad last season.
Jones caught one pass for eight yards last season. He also registered 19 special-teams tackles.
He’s on schedule this offseason to complete his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Southeast Missouri.
“I’m looking forward to finishing school, I’ve been taking classes online,” Jones said. “And this weekend I fly out to California for my daughter’s birthday. She’s going to be two years old. I can’t wait to see her."
NOTES: Former Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs was among the veterans in attendance as the Ravens began their voluntary offseason workout program Monday. Suggs had pledged to attend the workout program after being absent for the past two years during the offseason as the Ravens’ franchise player. Signed to a $62.5 million contract last summer, Suggs showed up at training camp out of shape and injured his heel. He had a career-low year for sacks, also suffering a sprained knee during the season on an illegal block by Brady Quinn. …Cornerback Domonique Foxworth was defeated in his bid to unseat Kevin Mawae as NFL Players Association president over the weekend at the union’s annual meeting in Hawaii. Mawae was re-elected to a two-year term. Foxworth remains the youngest player on the NFLPA executive committee and is regarded as having a bright future with the players’ union. … The Ravens announced that exclusive-rights free agent defensive back Marcus Paschal has signed his tender.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
