Bart Scott had carved out a nice niche for himself as a solid special teams player for the Ravens the first three years of his career. That all changed in 2005 when the 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker was thrust into the starting lineup for an injured Ray Lewis.
Now, Scott is considered an up-and-coming defensive star after starting the final 10 games of last season ? the first starts of his career ? finishing with 119 tackles and four sacks.
Following last season, Scott became a sought-after free agent who had eight visits set up with different teams before eventually signing a three-year, $13.5 million deal in April to remain in Baltimore. According to The Associated Press, Scott turned down a larger, longer-term deal from the Cleveland Browns to sign with the Ravens, who gave him a $6.5 million signing bonus as part of their contract with him.
Scott said he chose loyalty over money as a way of repaying the organization that took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois University in 2002.
“The Ravens made a commitment to me, and I didn?t need to make any more visits,” Scott said.
Scott said he is entering this year with a slight chip on his shoulder and wants to prove to his detractors that he is more than just a one-year wonder.
“I want to show that last season wasn?t a fluke,” Scott said. “I want to show that I didn?t just sneak up on anybody, that I can play in this league and that I am a quality NFL player.”
Scott said that, if given the opportunity, he would show opposing offenses that there is much more to the Ravens? defense than just household names like Lewis, safety Ed Reed and cornerback Chris McAlister.
“We want you to double-team one of our guys,” Scott said. “If one of our guys is good enough to take two, then you are disrespecting the person you are singling. We then want the person being singled to make them pay for it.”
THE SCOTT FILE
Age: 25
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 240 pounds
College: Southern Illinois
How acquired: Undrafted free agent in 2002
Did you know? Scott?s previous high for tackles before last year was nine in 2003. He has 68 career special teams tackles, including 15 last year. A three-year starter at Southern Illinois, Scott tallied 352 tackles in his college career.
