Oh, the angst associated with free agency!
Some players leave and take high, yet unfulfilled expectations to greener pastures and fatter paychecks. Others leave and take our collective breath because somehow, some way, we thought they’d stay by accepting home town discounts or maybe, just maybe they’d fall through the cracks of the market and make their way back.
Let’s look back at some of the free agents who have left the Ravens, including some big names, and compare what they’ve done for their new teams to their numbers during their contract years with the Ravens. We’ll also keep a watchful eye on any accolades that they may have received since leaving Ravens Nation.
Through this exercise, we may give some impending free agents pause… or maybe we’ll only strengthen their resolve to pack up and move on.
Any free agents who did not play in the 2014 season has purposely been omitted.
2014 Free Agents
Ed Dickson – One year deal, $795,000 with the Carolina Panthers. In 2014 with the Panthers, he had 13 catches for 182 yds (including one playoff game). His contract year with the Ravens he had 25 receptions for 273 yards. He is expected to become a free agent again in 2015.
Corey Graham – Four-year, $16.3 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. This season he had 2 INTs and 65 tackles (combined both solo and assisted). In his final season with the Ravens he had 4 INTs and 56 tackles.
James Idhedigbo – Two-year, $3,150,000 contract with the Detroit Lions. In 2014 with Detroit, he had 4 INTs and 80 tackles. With Baltimore, in his final year, he had 3 INTs and 101 tackles. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
Arthur Jones – Five-year, $33 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Jones played in nine regular season games in 2014 with the Colts and three playoff games. He registered 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In his final season with the Ravens he had 52 total tackles and 4 sacks.
Michael Oher – Four-year, $20 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. He played in 11 games with Titans. It was first year he had missed any time since beginning his NFL career. On 2/5/15 the Titans released Oher.
2013 Free Agents
Paul Kruger – Five-year, $40.5 million contract with the Cleveland Browns. In his first two season with the Browns, he has averaged 50 tackles. In his final year with the Ravens he had 42 tackles.
Cary Williams – Three-year, $17 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has averaged 2.5 INTs and 66.5 tackles over his two seasons, appearing in one playoff game. In his final season in Baltimore, he had 4 INTs and 62 tackles.
Dannell Ellerbe – Five-year, $35 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. His had 101 tackles in 2013, but played in only one game in 2014 before being placed on IR. In his contract year with the Ravens, he had 89 tackles in 15 games.
2012 Free Agents
Ben Grubbs – Five-year, $36 million with the New Orleans Saints. Rumor mills have him on the chopping block as a cap casualty. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2013 as a Saint.
Jarret Johnson – Four-year deal with the San Diego Chargers, renegotiated in 2014 to save $2 million in cap space. He was cut prior to 6/1 as a cap casualty. He has since announced his retirement. In three years with the Chargers, he averaged 37 tackles and appeared in two playoff games. In his final season with the Ravens he had 56 tackles.
Cory Redding – Three year, $10.5 million with the Colts. He averaged 39 tackles per season during the tenure of his contract and appeared in 6 playoff games. He had 43 tackles in his final Ravens season. He is expected to become a free agent.
As you can see, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
But the money most assuredly is.
