“Next man up”
In NFL locker rooms, this phrase is uttered routinely. For
teams like the Ravens, who are used to replacing a lot of veteran players with younger
talent, this is a motto that rings especially true during the annual free agency
period.
Chuck Pagano is the latest Ravens defensive coordinator to be
hired as an NFL head coach and he’s expected to take a few players with him to
Indianapolis – a la Rex Ryan four seasons ago with Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard.
Pagano has struck first with defensive end Cory Redding.
Redding has agreed to a three-year deal with the
Indianapolis Colts worth $10.5 million. The move doesn’t necessarily come as a
shock because the Ravens have younger/cheaper talent behind Redding on the
depth chart.
The outstanding play of first year DE Pernell McPhee allows
the Ravens to better spend their money elsewhere.
Redding, a fixture in the Ravens locker room, will move onto
Indianapolis and help teach Pagano’s defensive philosophy.
Fans probably won’t be too upset to see Redding leave
knowing that talent such as McPhee and Arthur Jones are waiting for their
chance to shine. The fact that this move doesn’t necessarily hurt the Ravens is
a testament to GM Ozzie Newsome finding great talent during the later rounds of
the draft.
Pagano; will Jarret Johnson be next?
