“The Ravens are nearing a deal to bring safety Lardarius Webb back into the fold. Versatile vet with deep ties in Baltimore,” according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
Depending on the terms, this could be a quality move by the Ravens. They wisely saved $5.5 million by cutting Webb last month, but assuming they bring him back at a significantly lower number, it’s a move that makes a ton of sense for several reasons.
Webb is a dependable veteran who was well respected in the locker room. The Ravens got younger by bringing in Tony Jefferson, who will replace Webb as the starter, but smart veterans who can still contribute at a decent level are important throughout the grind of a long season.
Webb is also a versatile player. He improved at safety last year as the season went on but he’s also a valuable nickel corner. His days playing on the outside are behind him, but he’s a good insurance policy. If Tavon Young goes down, he can easily slide into that spot, and if Young is forced to move to the outside should Jimmy Smith or Brandon Carr get sidelined, Webb would be valuable as well.
He also has deep ties in the community. Webb has done a lot for the city of Baltimore and is beloved by fans. While whatever he does on the field will supersede that with fans, it’s important that players use the platform they have to influence youth in a positive way, and Webb certainly does that.
Again, assuming it’s at a significantly discounted rate, this is a good move by Ozzie. It’s looking like we should expect a heavy focus on the offense come draft day.
Webb has spent his entire eight-year career in Baltimore, and though it was derailed a bit by injuries, it would be nice to see him finish it here as a productive player.
