The Ravens made the Ben Watson signing official on Thursday, introducing the veteran tight end at a press conference held at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills.
The addition of Watson bolsters a tight end group that is entering the season with more question marks than answers considering the future of Dennis Pitta, the health of Crockett Gillmore, and Nick Boyle’s NFL-mandated suspension.
Watson’s deal is team friendly – as Russell Street Report’s salary cap specialist Brian McFarland has pointed out – and gives the Ravens an experienced tight end who can contribute from day one.
“If you look at his production on the field last year, it was unbelievable – the amount of catches, the touchdowns and a guy that played over 90 percent of the snaps,” said GM Ozzie Newsome when asked why the Ravens targeted the 13-year veteran. “I think as – the coaches and the personnel staff – as we started to look at tight ends who could become available, I think both sides of the building agreed that Ben would be someone we would love to have.
“The second aspect of it is [owner] Steve [Bisciotti] always talked to us about bringing good people into the organization, and he’s at the top of the charts when it comes to that. Anyone that you talk to in any of the organizations that he has been around will tell you that [there are] not too many people that you get a chance to meet equal to Ben.
“The third part of it, having three young tight ends with Crockett [Gillmore], Maxx [Williams] and Nick [Boyle], and potentially with [Darren] Waller going to tight end, what better person to have in that room and on the practice field than Ben Watson, a guy that has been around. I think that he offers so much to those young guys as how to prepare and how to play.”
[Related: TALE OF THE TAPE: How Watson Still Gets Separation]
Last year, the journeyman tight end started all 16 games with the Saints, posting career highs in catches (74), receiving yards (825) and receiving touchdowns (six, tied with 2007) with Drew Brees throwing him passes. Watson is ready to get started in the Ravens offense and contribute both on and off the field for his new team.
“To come to an organization like this – one that is predicated upon winning and one that is healthy as an organization, giving us a chance to be successful – it is an honor for me to be here,” responded Watson when asked about why he chose the Ravens over multiple suitors. “I’ve come to know a few of the guys on the team already, from knowing them just from being in the league for a while, and [they are] all guys who I’m going to look forward to playing with.
“My biggest goal is to come here and be someone that can be trusted, someone who can be a leader, to contribute on the field to winning football games, because really, that’s the most important thing while we’re here, obviously, in this building. But also, my wife and I love to be connected to every community that we’re involved in.”
The Ravens need to surround Joe Flacco with more explosive offensive weapons this offseason and while some may look at a the 35-year-old Norfolk, Virginia native as anything but, Watson still feels as if he has plenty in the tank to offer John Harbaugh and company.
“I don’t believe that I’ve reached my fullest potential as a football player yet, and I think that as long as I have that attitude, I can continue to improve.” stated Watson.
While plenty of time exists between now and the start of the season when we will truly see just how much father time has caught up to Watson, the move appears to be a win for both parties.
After all, many scoffed at the Ravens for hoping Steve Smith Sr. could find the fountain of youth when they signed him two seasons ago, and that’s worked out pretty well. If they can get a solid season or two out of Watson, than this is money well spent.
Follow me on Twitter @sportguyRSR
