Haloti Ngata Draws Ravens' Franchise Tag for 2011

Filed under: Ravens, AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens, as expected, designated Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata as the team's franchise player, securing his rights for the 2011 season.

This move comes to the surprise of no one considering that they had 17 unrestricted free agents, eleven among them starters. The team secured All-Pro kicker Billy Cundiff and punter Sam Koch to five-year deals each to remain solid on special teams, but Ngata remained the Ravens' highest priority. Ultimately until the new CBA is in place, the Ravens won't know what will be the new market price for a top defensive lineman.

Teammate Terrell Suggs, Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and Bears defensive end Julius Peppers set the market high for defensive linemen for the past two seasons and because of them, Ngata will command at least $30 million in a signing bonus. But prior to their signings, the average for top defensive linemen was set at $7 million per year. Now, it's $12 million and Ngata will receive the non-exclusive tag.

"The tender allows us to secure Haloti as a Raven right now," said Ravens general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome. "As we have said, our intention is to enter into a long-term contract with him. We want him to be a Raven."

The Ravens normally have made out well with players they placed their franchise tag on. Former Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister had the tag placed on him twice in 2003 and 2004 before they signed him to a long-term contract in 2004 and Suggs in 2008 and 2009 prior to his long-term deal in 2009.

As a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2009 and 2010), Ngata has registered 328 tackles, 12 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries since being selected by Baltimore with the 12th-overall pick in the 2006 Draft. Ngata has been the anchor of a defensive line that has surrendered a league-low 31 rushing touchdowns and the NFL's second-fewest rushing first downs since he entered the NFL five years ago.

His durability at such a demanding position has allowed him to miss just two games in his five-season career with the Ravens. Ngata has started 76 regular season games and eight playoff contests. His importance is far more than just being a great defensive tackle for the club; his ability to keep 300-plus pound offensive linemen off Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis is perhaps his greatest asset to the Ravens.

So the questions now is what move should the Ravens make next to be a solid contender for the 2011 season, now that Ngata is tagged, assuming the franchise tag won't be voided after the new CBA is placed? Should the Ravens go after cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who will command big money, to make their secondary stronger since new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano plans to be more aggressive?

If so, the Ravens will eventually pay Ngata, but either quarterback Joe Flacco or running back Ray Rice could be left out.

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/15/haloti-ngata/

Lou Groza Dante Lavelli Len Ford Bill Willis Bobby Mitchell Paul Warfield