http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/3569 Recent articles about Terrell Suggs en-us Tiered defensive lineman rankings for 2008 fantasy IDP leagues. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:30:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301863 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301863 The Baltimore Ravens are still waiting for their franchise player, defensive end Terrell Suggs, to return to training camp; according to Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun, the team and Suggs still  are keeping in contact with each other, based on a conversation with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, with Harbaugh adding that the team's defensive coaches are in "constant communication" with Suggs about defensive schemes and practices. Harbaugh said that Suggs' absence doesn't bother him, adding, "That's part of the game. Would you like to have every guy here? Absolutely. But business side is the business. This guy Suggs loves football. He wants to be here, I know that. And I know he's worked himself really hard in the offseason to be in great shape. He's got to take care of the other side the way he sees fit. We respect that but we want him here as soon as possible and we're hoping to get him here." Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:49:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300668 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300668 If the coaching staff doesn't have a clue about when Terrell Suggs will report to the team, then its a good bet that you will catch him on Sept. 7 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. That's the Ravens' season opener. Ask yourself, why would you show up for extra work when, a) you already know how to do your job, b) you deserve raise and the boss knows it, and c) you don't have to? If you can answer those questions honestly and without the jealous, three-steps-away-from racist sentiment of "athletes should be in camp for their teammates and for the respect of the game," then you will celebrate Suggs being well-rested and ready for a monster season. Because you know he doesn't want to be beholden to one-year franchise deals for the rest of his career. Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:14:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300302 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300302 If the coaching staff doesn't have a clue about when Terrell Suggs will report to the team, then its a good bet that you will catch him on Sept. 7 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. That's the Ravens' season opener. Ask yourself, why would you show up for extra work when, a) you already know how to do your job, b) you deserve raise and the boss knows it, and c) you don't have to? If you can answer those questions honestly and without the jealous, three-steps-away-from racist sentiment of "athletes should be in camp for their teammates and for the respect of the game," then you will celebrate Suggs being well-rested and ready for a monster season. Because you know he doesn't want to be beholden to one-year franchise deals for the rest of his career. Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:14:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300302 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300302 After the first few days of Ravens camp the buzz has centered around a few things; Terrell Suggs absence, Joe Flacco's progress, and how different camp has been (in a good way) compared to Brian Billick. But, one story that hasn't been discussed much but will be key in the Raven's success this year is from the receiving corps. Enter Mark Clayton. Clayton was drafted 22nd overall in 2005 out of Oklahoma, and had high credentials as a two time All-American. He set all-time records for receptions and touchdowns at the football power. So the hope was that he would be an impact player on the offensive side of the ball for the purple and black. The last guy named Mark Clayton was a five time Pro Bowler for the Fish in Florida, so there was alot in his corner. In 2006, he was an emerging downfield threat amassing almost 1,000 receiving and catching 67 balls with 5 touchdowns. It looked as if he would be ready to switch roles with long time vet, Derrick Mason as the go to guy on the outside. Then the sophomore jinx hit hard. He had a high ankle sprain, then turf toe, which limited his availability on game day. He was dealing with personal issues with his family as well. He didn't catch his first pass until week three and as Ravens spiraled down the standings things never got on track for the promising star. He even considered a leave of absence to get things right. Now as he heads out to camp he is reporting for 2008, 100% healthy. He was one of the Ravens that took Coach Harbaugh and new offensive guru, Cam Cameron's hiring as a sign of a fresh chance. He worked diligently to get his body sound and his mind got a workout absorbing the new playbook. But, he appears ready for a chance to prove himself. As long as he is healthy he should be able to build on the 2006 campaign and dismiss last season as a bad dream. The Ravens vanilla offense for years has lacked that dynamic game changing type player. The guy that other defenses are afraid of. So, with Todd Heap returning (please stop lobbing balls up to him so he can cold cocked every third down) and hopefully Demetrius Williams healthy as well, whomever starting behind center will have some legit weapons to toss to. Clayton has the pedigree and the tools to be that breakout threat that the Ravens so desperately need. All he needs is to show up on the field. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:18:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296798 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296798 Nnamdi Asomugha could've gotten out of a good chunck of the Oakland Raiders training camp, and no one would've been surprised.  Every year (i.e. Terrell Suggs this season) several franchised taged players wait until the last possible moment, sometimes even months after the deadline to sign a taged player to a contract extension has passed.  It says a lot that Asomugha came to camp on the check-in day to sign the contract in time to make today's first practice.  I love the fact that he wants to be in the mix early and not miss a minute of training camp. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the team's franchise player, reported Wednesday, according to published reports, signed a one-year contract for $9.765 million and will practice this afternoon. "I'm going to go into camp focused and play the year out and see what happens," Asomugha told Sportsillustrated.com via text message. The Raiders also reached agreements with their two unsigned draft picks Wednesday. Fourth-round pick Arman Shields, a wide receiver from Richmond, and defensive end Trevor Scott, a sixth-round selection from Buffalo, had deals in place in time for camp. - Jason Jones, Sacbee.com Was hoping to get all of my assessment of the Raiders depth chart posted by the time camp started, but it'll end up being a day late.  I mentioned a couple days ago that I got a last minute invite to an event that I couldn't pass up.  I then spent the time I put aside to work on the depth chart on writing a couple articles on the event.  Look for comments from players and coaches later today, and the rest of my assessment tomorrow. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:36:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294958 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294958 An update on the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Flacco, Troy Smith and that other guy are all competing for the starting job. Let's not kid ourselves. That other guy has no shot. Here's what Flacco had to say regarding the competition: "We don't really have anything against each other. All we're trying to do is win a spot and do the best we can do. It's just the nature of the position. I don't really have any hard feelings." I bet you Troy Smith has a few hard feelings, especially if he doesn't win the job. Smith had a horrible showing in practice this week (1-5 with 3 INTs); however, I still think Smith is the lead horse to start week one at home against the Bengals. The Ravens haven't even hit full-squad practices, so I'm not going to freak out about such terrible numbers. Smith has dropped a dozen pounds since last year, so he should be even more elusive than Happy Feet Boller and certainly more so than Mr. Big Flacco. I'm not sure why I'm such a supporter of Smith. I'm definitely an OSU hater, so I suppose it's because I think he has a chance to be a solid NFL QB. Don't make me look foolish, Heisman. Suggs to skip training camp. Is anyone surprised? Does anyone care? Does it really matter? Sometimes I forget he's on the team. After Pryce went down with an injury, Suggs played as though he were sitting out. Disappeared. Poof. Ghost. Last year was a great year to QB against Baltimore. No other team in the league gave up more deep-ball plays than your "#1" Ravens D. The secondary shares the blame, but the secondary can't guard guys forever. You've got to pressure the QB. Few other things: Second-round draft pick Ray Rice has signed a four-year deal. Third-round safety Tom Zbikowski has also signed with the team. Samari Rolle is excused from the team to deal with his father's untimely death (heart attack) last week. Then again, death is never timely. Sort of like Kyle Boller in the pocket. My bad. That was mean. All the best to the Rolle family, and, Kyle, get that clipboard ready. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:12:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294483 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294483 Trevor Pryce, one of the stars of the Ravens' defensive line before injuries slowed him down in 2007, is in camp and looking better than ever. The defensive end looked trim and didn't seem to be carrying extra weight on his 6-foot-5, 286-pound frame. After practicing with mostly rookies in the morning at McDaniel College in Westminster, Pryce ran sprints on an empty football field, finishing the last one by backpedaling the entire way. The Ravens gotta have this guy this season. Not only is he among the team's veteran leadership, but any subdued performance on the part of Terrell Suggs missing camp is going to fall squarely on his shoulders. He recorded 13 sacks two years ago, but missed 11 games in 2007 with a fractured wrist and torn pectoral muscle. This might be one of a remaining few years of productivity for Pryce, and from the looks of things, he's going to maximize it. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:43:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294452 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294452 Michael Strahan did it to perfection last year, and the hope is that Terrell Suggs' contract situation and resulting absence from training camp will reap the same results. The bottom line: why go to camp if its not necessary? Why suffer through hot days when you've already proven yourself as an elite player, have the respect of teammates, and have the leverage of contractually not being obligated to come? Would you come to work if you didn't have to? Thought not. There will be some ornery sportswriters wh omight stir the pot on this one, but there's really no soup to the story. It's no secret that Suggs had issues with the Ravens' handling of his franchise tag, so its entirely possible that there are some hard feelings. Neither side has copped to that, but the truth is his at home while everyone else is preparing for two-a-days and small college dorm rooms. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:15:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293800 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293800 Michael Strahan did it to perfection last year, and the hope is that Terrell Suggs' contract situation and resulting absence from training camp will reap the same results. The bottom line: why go to camp if its not necessary? Why suffer through hot days when you've already proven yourself as an elite player, have the respect of teammates, and have the leverage of contractually not being obligated to come? Would you come to work if you didn't have to? Thought not. There will be some ornery sportswriters wh omight stir the pot on this one, but there's really no soup to the story. It's no secret that Suggs had issues with the Ravens' handling of his franchise tag, so its entirely possible that there are some hard feelings. Neither side has copped to that, but the truth is his at home while everyone else is preparing for two-a-days and small college dorm rooms. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:15:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293800 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293800 Okay, no need to panic about the Baltimore Ravens missing the Tuesday deadline to ink franchise tagged Terrell Suggs to a deal. No need to worry, right? Or is there? Ravens' GM Ozzie Newsome says they'll have a deal in place, and Suggs has said he wants to be in Baltimore, but what about when other big time players come up for renegotiation? It's a question Newsome himself subconsciously entertained: "We view him like Ed Reed, Todd Heap, Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden," Newsome said. "He is one of those guys that we want to keep a Raven." Exactly. And that's the exact reason why more than a 'serious' offer should have been floated his way. And then Suggs himself is questioning how serious he is about a deal. "At this point, I don't know," Suggs said five months ago. "I love my teammates, and I want to be there for them. Before I make a decision, I'll talk to a lot of people. I'll confide in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, see what they think I should do and what is best for everybody." He didn't sign the offer, so apparently there's a lot of thinking going on. It's clear that money is on players' minds more than ever, with revelations about pending strikes and money woes from the mouths of owners, they have to look out for their long term interests. Perhaps if Newsome wasn't so good at spying defensive talent, there wouldn't be a question of balancing the books between several sure-fire Hall-of-Fame players on the current payroll. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:44:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291173 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291173 Now that DE/LB Terrell Suggs does not have a long-term deal and will play under the franchise tag, will he show up to training camp? John Clayton of ESPN is reporting that Suggs is likely going to be a holdout and possibly will skip all of new coach John Harbaugh's first camp. Clayton reports that while talks heated up on Monday, no deal was reached before yesterday's deadline. Suggs played the good soldier this offseason showing up at some practices hoping a deal would get done, but instead nothing now can happen till after the season. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:37:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291063 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291063 Now that DE/LB Terrell Suggs does not have a long-term deal and will play under the franchise tag, will he show up to training camp? John Clayton of ESPN is reporting that Suggs is likely going to be a holdout and possibly will skip all of new coach John Harbaugh's first camp. Clayton reports that while talks heated up on Monday, no deal was reached before yesterday's deadline. Suggs played the good soldier this offseason showing up at some practices hoping a deal would get done, but instead nothing now can happen till after the season. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:37:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291063 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291063 Now that we've had time to digest after the draft, let's take a look at what makes a boom or a bust and relate it to what we've learned about Joe Flacco. I guess you could say this is a positive review. Sun, 04 May 2008 00:49:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263233 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263233 There are still around two dozen quality players from the defensive side of the ball that remain on the free agent market. Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth (franchise player) Rod Coleman Darwin Walker Larry Tripplett Anthony McFarland Grady Jackson Bryan Robinson Ellis Wyms Keith Traylor James Reed William Joseph Ethan Kelley Ian Scott Antonio Garay Kimo von Oelhoffen Ted Washington Russell Davis Nick Eason Defensive End Jared Allen (franchise player) Terrell Suggs (OLB) (franchise player) James Hall Kevin Carter (DT) Mike Rucker Greg Spires Josh Thomas Orpheus Roye ND Kalu Darrion Scott Renaldo Wynn Al Wallace Inside Linebacker Karlos Dansby (franchise player) Lemar Marshall Jeremiah Trotter Brian Simmons Rob Morris (SLB) Caleb Miller Outside Linebacker Takeo Spikes Ian Gold Rosevelt Colvin Victor Hobson Clark Haggans Brandon Chillar Kendrell Bell Keith Adams Rocky Boiman Shawn Barber Donnie Spragan Matt Stewart Safety Ken Hamlin (franchise player) Kenoy Kennedy Chris Crocker Terrence Holt Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:58:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/203017 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/203017