Baltimore Ravens Sign Terrell Suggs to a Six Year Contract

NFL News - July 15, 2009 - Written by Bruce

The Baltimore Ravens have signed LB Terrell Suggs to a 6yr contract worth $63 million. Suggs is a big part of the vaunted Ravens defense and this will ensure he is with the team moving forward. The deal gives Suggs plenty of money up front as he will earn bout $40 million in the first two years. The blockbuster deal makes him the highest paid linebacker in NFL history. Suggs has made a name for himself as one of the top pass rushers in the league. He is relentless when attacking opposing quarterbacks and also is a good run stopper. He will continue to be a big play maker for their defense to go along with Pro Bowl teammates Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. If this contract had not gotten done then he would have played for the Ravens making $10 million and would have became a free agent after the year. The deadline to get the deal done was Wednesday making it a great last minute signing for both Suggs and the Ravens.

Suggs was drafted by Baltimore with the 10th overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. Playing his college football for Arizona State he broke the career NCAA sack record when he finished with 44. He had a remarkable 24 sacks his junior season. He found immediate success for the Ravens as he recorded 12 sacks for them earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He has continued to be a big part of the Ravens success defensively every year. He is not showing any signs of slowing down either. Last year he got his first two touchdowns of his career as he returned two interceptions all the way to the end zone. The lucrative contract he just signed has $33.1 million listed as his bonus money which is the second highest signing bonus in NFL history only behind Peyton Manning. Suggs has had 53 sacks so far in his six year career and will continue to add to the total for the Ravens with his new deal in place.

Baltimore has been for having great defenses and resigning Suggs was vital for them to continue their success. He is explosive and is widely regarded as one of the best pass rushers in the league. In 2006 Suggs helped Baltimore hold opposing teams to a minuscule 12.7 points per game. Last year Suggs earned his 3rd career Pro Bowl selection to go along with 2004 and 2006. We should again see a big season from Suggs with his contract issues behind him. Baltimore has plenty of stars returning and they should be an extremely tough defense to face in 2009.