Ravens Recap: Signings, Extension, and Suggs injury update

RAVENS RECAP: Suggs has successful surgery, Ravens sign Jacoby Jones, Bernard Pollard receives three-year extension, team inks four rookies

"All hats off to the Pittsburgh Steelers. We respect them to death. But today was our day. Big Ben, you know he's a great quarterback. God can have his soul, but his ass belongs to me." ....Get well soon T-Sizzle

Suggs has successful surgery, gets “good news”

Terrell Suggs had successful surgery on his torn Achilles yesterday, and apparently also received some good news. 

Although the Ravens haven't confirmed the reports, Suggs claims that he only sustained a partial tear to his Achilles tendon.  “As far as my return, it’s still the same as the original prognosis of four to six months,” said Suggs.  If that timetable holds true, Suggs will return in time for week one or in November at the latest.  Suggs continued to say, “I’m 29 years old. I don’t miss games. I’ll be returning soon.” T-Sizzle appears confident that he'll suit up by week 1 or soon thereafter--I think we're all O.K. with his optimism.

He's on my team and he still scares the hell out of me.

But let's not get our hopes up just yet; the Ravens have not said a word about the type of tear Suggs suffered.  I think everyone will be more than happy if he returns at any point this season, whether it's week one or week 11. A full Achilles tear would sideline Suggs for a year, which means  the Ravens would have to move forward without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. I’m sure this is far from the last Suggs update we will have throughout the summer and early season.  But who are we to be negative when Suggs is being so positive? I'm not going to argue with the man. Can’t wait to see ya on the field next year, T-sizzle.

Ravens Sign Jacoby Jones

Jacoby Jones Highlights--Please excuse the music. It was not my choice.

Want some more good news?  I might shelve this as great news, actually. The Ravens filled one of their biggest holes by signing free agent WR/ return-specialist Jacoby Jones. The Ravens were one of the worst teams last year at returning kick-offs and punts, often playing it safe and using Tom Zbikowski to prevent a fumble (or as we like to call it, pulling a David Reed).  Jones gets rid of a few nightmares for the Ravens. 

First of all, he’s a fast, reliable returner and he plans on taking the ball to the house every time. Jones returned 49 punts last year for a 10.6-yard average, including a 79-yard touchdown. He didn’t return kickoffs last season, but has 64 career returns for a 23.3-yard average and one touchdown.

Secondly, the team won't have to risk the health of recently-extended, number-one cornerback Lardarius Webb by forcing him to return punts.  Webb is a strong returner, but the last thing the Ravens need is for a franchise defensive starter to get injured on special teams. For those who don’t remember, Webb tore his ACL during his rookie campaign, which delayed his progress as a corner.  It wasn’t until this past season we saw Webb become an explosive playmaker again.

 Anyone who runs over Patriots is all-right with me.

Jones will also battle for number-three WR duties with Tandon Doss, Laquan Williams, rookie Tommy Streeter and the aforementioned, annual train-wreck, David Reed.  Jones has shown flashes of ability, with his career year as a receiving coming in 2010, when he caught 51 balls for 562 yards and three TD’s. Welcome to the Ravens, Jacoby.

Bernard Pollard signs 3 year extension

Not too much to say on this. It's a great move to keep Pollard a Raven for the next few years.  He is a perfect compliment to Ed Reed and his physical presence really brings an edge to the Ravens secondary.  I’ll save it for another article, but this may be the best secondary the Ravens have ever had.  Before people start having an aneurysm about the 2000 Ravens D, you have to realize how much the rules have changed in favor of the passing game since 2000; it is much harder to cover now than it was then. 

 More Patriots carnage, anyone? A lovely scene as Pollard ruins Gronkowski's knees.

Pollard is a good solid player and is a true Raven. Ozzie summed it up best, saying, “Bernard showed last year that he is a Raven. He’s smart, tough and brings a passion to the games, our practices and in the weight room.” 

Ravens sign 4 draft picks:

This week, the Ravens agreed to terms with second-round lineman Kelechi Osemele; fourth-round safety Christian Thompson; fourth-round G/C Geno Gradkowski; and fifth-round cornerback Asa Jackson.  It's always comforting to see the pieces fall into place, but considering how this article started, let's get that Upshaw guy signed sooner rather than later. 

With the new rookie salary cap rules, we will see much less negotiating and rarely see another rookie holdout. The players basically get paid based on where they were drafted and there’s not much wiggle room beyond that. So we will be seeing Upshaw, and the rest of the draft picks, signing their contracts in the very near future.

Update: The Ravens have now signed OLB Courtney Upshaw and RB Bernard Pierce, leaving WR Tommy Streeter as the only draft pick without a contract.