National Football League: Baltimore Ravens to add Marc Bulger and Walt Harris to roster
The Baltimore Ravens are looking to upgrade their depth behind starting quarterback Joe Vincent Flacco by signing Marc Bulger to their roster. The move came as a surprise as the Ravens had kept their interest in Bulger discrete and had not indicated that they were indeed looking to back up Flacco.
With a 3.8 million dollar contract, the Baltimore Ravens have taken out an insurance policy on Flacco’s 2.66 million dollar rookie deal by signing Marc Bulger. With incentives, the one year contract total could rise to about 5.3 million dollars for Bulger.
The deal must have Troy Smith and John Beck considerably worried because the deal clearly shows that the Ravens did not consider the two to be able to deliver. One of the two cover up’s for Flacco might in fact be shown the door by the Ravens management following Bulger’s induction into the Baltimore Ravens. Even if they tried to go shopping with Troy, they wouldn’t get too far with him. No team was interested in picking him up when he was available for a fifth round pick as a restricted free agent. Smith already has once requested to be traded to Cleveland which serves as him hometown.
Troy and John are both quarterbacks and have impressed all and sundry. However, they won’t able to fight the challenge and quality that Bulger brings to the table. Marc became the starting quarterback for the Rams after Kurt Warner was injured. Rams managed a 12-4 record and Marc Bulger was named in that season to the Pro Bowl. Smith and Beck combined have six starts to their credit while Bulger has 95.
Not only would the experienced Bulger serve as a guide to Flacco but also as a dependable starter in the event of injury to Flacco. Injuries are a constant companion in National Hockey League profession al football and Bulger will be no exception. Last year, Bulger was able to play only 9 games after he fractured his shin. At the moment, Bulger is required to pass a physical fitness test and the deal with the Baltimore Raven’s will only go through if Bulger’s fitness is ascertained.
Another addition to the Baltimore Ravens squad is the veteran cornerback Walt Harris. Just weeks after it was initially reported that the player had turned down the offer, Harris signed a one-year contract with the Ravens. How much of the deal was changed, if at all, is unknown. Harris did not play through the 2009 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Although Harris has already made a recovery, Ravens cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb are both returning from knee surgeries.
Harris appeared in the auditions for the Baltimore Ravens and showed no signs of restricted movements due to his injury. “My knee felt good”, Harris said after his tryout. “It’s a matter of trying to get back in the groove of things and planting. It felt great”. A 13-year veteran of the sport, Harris was a first round draft choice for the Chicago Bears in 1996. No financial details of the contract were released back then. His addition to the Baltimore Ravens certainly takes the weight of responsibility off Webb’s shoulders and should ease his return and recovery as the Ravens are expecting a lot from him.
In addition to Marc Bulger and Walt Harris, the Ravens have also been pursuing rookie wide receiver David Reed. As per Newsome’s announcement on Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens and Reed have reached a mutual agreement.
In 193 NFL games, Harris has 35 interceptions for 332 yards with four touchdowns. In eight seasons with the Rams, Bulger threw for 22,814 yards to go with 122 touchdowns and 93 interceptions. He also has a two time selection in the Pro Bowl to boast of.
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