Two-time Pro Bowler ends 23-day absence over contract dispute
Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, shortly after signing a one-year contract for $8.5 million, returned to the field and began practice by doing what he does best: clowning around with his teammates.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder put on a uniform for the first time on Monday after missing the first three weeks of training camp and two preseason games to protest the team naming him its franchise player. The tag meant Suggs was guaranteed a one-year deal worth an average of the five highest salaries at his position throughout the NFL, but it prevented him from negotiating with other teams to land a more lucrative, multi-year contract.
“It was the business side of it,” Suggs, 25, said. “I didn’t really want to [protest] because I love football. I love being out there running around, and I just picked up where we left off. It was a July 21st decision that I wasn’t going to go yet. It wasn’t a big deal. I just took it as it gave me an extended time to further prepare me for the season.”
The two-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to play about 15 snaps against the St. Louis Rams in the Ravens’ third preseason game on Saturday. But Suggs, like many of the starters, is expected to be held out of the final preseason game on Aug. 28 against the Falcons so he’ll be fresh to open the season against the Cincinnati Bengals Sept. 7 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Suggs appears to be in good shape, but it will take some time to catch up with his teammates.
“It’s not football practice what he’s been doing,” Harbaugh said. “You can tell that through the change of direction and his burst. But he was competing and fighting. He’ll probably be a little sore [today].”
Suggs, the 10th pick in the 2003 draft, had 80 tackles and five sacks last season, and has 300 tackles and 45 sacks in his career. Suggs’ return will provide a boost to a defense that played without six projected starters in a 23-15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
It’s imperative the Ravens get Suggs on the field. He’s a vital piece in a defense that was ravaged by injuries last season — a major reason it ranked 19th out of 32 teams last year with 32 sacks after ranking second with 60 sacks in 2006.
“It’s always good to have one of your teammates back, especially when it’s an important part of your defense like Terrell,” linebacker Bart Scott said. “He always brings that energy and excitement with every snap.”
Suggs said he’s already put the contract dispute behind him, he’s optimistic his agent, Gary Wichard, and the Ravens can negotiate a long-term deal.
“I’m highly optimistic they’ll eventually get something done,” Suggs said. “I can’t worry about it now. I haven’t loss faith in them. I still think they want me here. That’s all I’ve got to go on.”
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