The Baltimore Ravens have officially parted ways with veterans Vonta Leach and Jameel McClain, the team announced on Thursday.
The news isn’t particularly shocking, as the duo were obvious choices for salary cap relief headed into 2014. By releasing the two vested veterans, the Ravens will save approx $4.95 million in valuable cap space.
“He’s the big, physical fullback you like to have when you pound the ball and are on special teams,” head coach John Harbaugh said in a press release. “And, who doesn’t like Vonta? He’s fun to be around, and his personality helped lift the energy at a lot of practices. People know we like to be physically dominating, and when we did that in recent years, Vonta was a big part of that.”
Leach was the forgotten Raven in 2013. His role severely diminished in the offense last year, as the Ravens moved to more of a single-back approach. Leach played just 19.5 percent of the snaps during the season, a real head-scratcher considering that the team brought him back after releasing him earlier in the offseason, signaling that they still felt he had a place.
In fact, last July when rookie fullback Kyle Juszczyk was struggling in his first action against NFL competition, it was clear the veteran might be missed.
“Where is Vonta Leach when you need him?” linebacker Terrell Suggs famously asked loudly during practice last year.
While the traditional fullback role is dwindling in the NFL, new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has been known to resurrect stagnant running games, and had coached Leach during his time in Houston.
Apparently though, not even that was enough to save Vonta.
As for McClain, 2013 was an up and down year for the veteran linebacker. The staff favorite sat out the first six games of the campaign while recovering from a serious spinal injury that occurred in 2012, before returning for its final 10 contests (all starts). He totaled 50 tackles (27 solo) and one forced fumble last season.
“There is so much to like about Jameel, the player and the person,” Harbaugh added. “He’s a true leader, and his story from rookie free agent to NFL starter is one of the best in the league. You give him so much credit for finding a way to become the player he is. He’s one of those guys who gets the most out of his ability. He has a lot of football left, and maybe, that could be with the Ravens down the line.”
It appears to be murky waters for the Ravens at the inside linebacker position for now. It is likely second-year player Arthur Brown is the leading candidate for the job, with Josh Bynes (who is an exclusive rights free agent in 2014) in the mix as well.
While the Ravens left the door open regarding the two players for a possible return to the team in 2014, it is unlikely either wear purple again, unless their “Next Men Up” struggle.
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