Ngata Deal Impacts Future Of Flacco, Defense

That was close.



It came down to the wire, but the Ravens and All Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata settled on a reported five-year, $61 million dollar contract.

That’s a huge item checked off the Ravens’ list. Not only have the Ravens locked up arguably the best defensive tackle in the league, but this single move has big ramifications for the franchise’s future.

Let’s take a look:

First, with Ngata signed, the Ravens can turn their attention to getting a new deal done with franchise quarterback Joe Flacco, who is now under contract through the 2012 season.

Breaking Down Haloti’s Contract Right Click for Full Screen Option

“The signing gives [Ravens General Manager] Ozzie Newsome some cap room to work with because next year you will have contract negotiations coming up with Flacco,” play-by-play man Gerry Sandusky told the NFL Network.

Of course, there is a lot of football to be played before talks with Flacco begin. While the four-year veteran said this offseason he would have liked to get started on an extension, he knows this is not the time to get caught up in contract negotiations.

“I’m glad I’m playing football and not really worried about that,” Flacco told FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez. “There will be a time to worry. This is obviously not one of those times. You just go out, play football and try to get some wins.”

When the time does come, Sandusky says Newsome will have a little more latitude in cap space with which to work, another important ramification of Ngata’s signing.

If the two had not agreed to a deal prior to yesterday’s 4 p.m. deadline, the Ravens would have had to franchise Ngata again, gobbling up $15 million on one player.

In addition to Flacco, the rookie contracts of running back Ray Rice and guard Ben Grubbs, whose value has never been proven more than when he was absent last week vs. the Titans, will expire after this season.

After Rice tweeted his contrats to Ngata, fullback Vonta Leach tweeted at his running back, “u on deck.”

“The Ravens are trying to bite the bullet on Ngata now, and they know that come 2013, the (salary) cap will escalate,” NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora said. “They’ll be in position to make moves.”

Finally, locking up Ngata – and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs in 2009 – is a signal that defensive leadership in Baltimore is changing.

Ngata is 27 years old while Suggs is 29. Both players are entering their prime.

“With aging stars like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Baltimore will begin to lean on Ngata and Suggs to be leaders for a defense that has ranked in the top 10 for eight straight seasons,” wrote ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

Week 2 Power Rankings: Steelers Ahead Of Ravens. Huh?

Can somebody explain to me how the Steelers could be ranked above the Ravens at this point in the season?

That’s the way SportingNews.com’s Vinnie Iyer sees it, ranking the Steelers No. 5 and the Ravens No. 6. He doesn’t offer any explanation for it either.

I realize the Ravens’ performance in Tennessee was very disappointing, but just two weeks ago Baltimore dominated Pittsburgh in every facet of the game. Does a win over winless Seattle tip the scales back in the Steelers’ favor? Uh, no.

And after declaring the 2011 Ravens the best team ever in franchise history, FoxSports.com analyst and former Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick dropped Baltimore six spots to No. 10. Ouch.

Oh how meaningless rankings are. And yes, I will still have them listed next week because, for some reason, everyone still cares.

ESPN.com (7/4): “The Pittsburgh hangover lingered in Baltimore’s loss to Tennessee.”

SI.com’s Peter King (4/2): “Ravens fans shouldn’t panic after a bad loss at Tennessee just as they shouldn’t have waved the purple towels so confidently after the Ravens whipped the Steelers so decisively. This is a very good team.”

CBSSports.com’s Pete Prisco (7/5): “Two old problems showed up against the Titans: A lack of a pass rush and a passing game that was just OK. That isn’t good.”

FoxSports.com’s Brian Billick (10/4): “I have no idea how to explain this one so I am going to chalk it up to an aberration, but it is definitely a head-scratcher. Great teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat, and this was a missed opportunity for the Ravens.”

NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison (8/3): “That was brutal. To go from trouncing Pittsburgh to losing 26-13 in Tennessee is a precipitous drop. Was everyone wrong about the Titans, or did the Ravens just leave a turd on Elvis’ doorstep? Don’t blame me for that last line: Dtoll2002 commented on NFL.com Sunday, saying “This is typical of the Ravens. Play great one week, then next week play like complete and total crap.” Agreed. Joe Flacco went 15 of 32 for 197 yards, while the defense allowed Matt Hasselbeck to go 30 of 42 for 358 yards. Not to mention the Titans held the ball for over 35 minutes. Baltimore plays the beat-up Rams in Week 3, so all is not doom and gloom in Owings Mills.”

SportingNews.com‘s Vinnie Iyer (6/3): “With 2010 draftees Dickson and Dennis Pitta in the mix as receiving tight ends for Joe Flacco, the team was clearly comfortable moving on without Todd Heap.”

SB Nation (5/2): “Bumped them up last week after stomping the Steelers and then they lose to the Titans. They’ll be in it come January either way.”

Steven Jackson May Not Play vs. Ravens

The Ravens have been bitten by the injury bug, but so has their upcoming opponent.

Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo doesn’t know if starting running back Steven Jackson, who missed the 28-16 loss to the New York Giants with a quad injury, will be ready for Sunday’s matchup vs. the Ravens.

Jackson tried to suit up against the Giants, but they decided to sit him after the pregame warm-ups.

Other players in question are running back Cadillac Williams (Jackson’s replacement) and wide receivers Danny Amendola (quarterback Sam Bradford’s top target) and Danario Alexander. That’s on top of receiver Greg Salas suffering a rib injury and losing cornerbacks Tim Atchison and Ron Bartell.

It will be interesting to follow the Rams’ injury report leading up to the game.

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