Ravens agree to 4 year deal with Mike Anderson (1 Viewer)

[ShaneFalco]

http://www.fflivewire.com/Article.asp?ID=g...Mike%20Anderson

Ravens agree to 4-year deal with Mike Anderson

Jamison Hensley

3/12/2006

The Ravens agreed in principle Sunday night on a four-year deal with Mike Anderson, who expects to take over for Jamal Lewis as the team's starting running back. The total worth of the deal is believed to be $8 million with a $2 million signing bonus.

Anderson, 32, gained 1,014 yards rushing and scored 12 touchdowns last season for the Denver Broncos.

Anderson beat Jamal Lewis for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2000, when he gained 1,487 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Anderson's numbers declined from 2001 to 2003, when he averaged 440 yards. He was sidelined for the entire 2004 season because of a groin injury.

Earlier in the day, Baltimore signed linebacker Bart Scott to a three-year deal, a league source said.

The Ravens were able to beat out the Cleveland Browns, who were courting Scott for two days at their facility.

Scott will receive a total deal worth $13.5 million, including a $6.5 million signing bonus. He is scheduled to earn $1 million this season, $2.6 million in 2007 and $3.4 million in 2008.

Scott, 25, proved he can be a starter in the NFL last season when he replaced injured Ray Lewis. He finished second in tackles with 119 and had 4 1/2 sacks.

The Ravens also reached an agreement with defensive tackle Justin Bannan on a four-year contract Sunday, his agent confirmed.

According to a league source, the Ravens gave Bannan a $3 million signing bonus.

Bannan, 26, was a backup to Sam Adams with the Buffalo Bills but started seven of the final eight games last season. In 55 career games with the Bills, he had 78 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks.

At 6 feet 3, 305 pounds, Bannan is considered a high-effort defender.

Over the first two days of free agency, the Ravens attempted to sign Maake Kemoeatu (who went to Carolina) and Ted Washington (Browns). The Ravens chose not to pursue veterans such as Adams and Grady Jackson.

The only interior linemen on the Ravens' roster with any experience are Kelly Gregg, Dwan Edwards and Aubrayo Franklin.

Meanwhile, the Browns signed punter Dave Zastudil, a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in 2002, is returning home by signing with the Browns. He attended high school and college in Ohio.

Last season, Zastudil averaged a career-best 43.5 yards a punt. His final decision came down to the Browns and the Ravens.

Browns general manager Phil Savage is familiar with Zastudil because he was the long-time scouting director for the Ravens. The Associated Press reported Zastudil agreed to a 5-year deal.

Two days into free agency, the Ravens have signed two players (Bannan and defensive end Trevor Pryce) and lost four of their own free agents (Zastudil, Kemoeatu, defensive end Tony Weaver and running back Chester Taylor).

http://www.baltimoresun.com

 

[wannabee]

and, as an Anderson dynastyowner, I must add

 

[Boston]

Interesting signing. It would appear that Jlew's Raven career is over. A Anderson/Lewis backfield really doesn't make much sense. Now the question is do the Ravens see Anderson as a primary RB or as a piece of the puzzle. A lot of mocks had the Ravens going RB with their #1 (prior to this signing). It will be interesting to see what they do now. Do they still use their #1 on their RB of the future or do they now use a second, third or fourth rounder on a compliment to Anderson with the hope he will eventually takeover for him.

 

[Baracuda]

Also, I think it makes drafting DeAngelo Williams more likely than LenDale White.

 

[fatness]

Wow. I figured Lewis would be back or they'd draft a rookie RB in the first round.

 

[Camarosmith]

Very Interesting...

 

[Adrian Peterson]

Now Jam Lewis will go to Denver?

 

[coolnerd]

If the numbers on that contract are correct, I suspect that the Ravens will be adding something else to the backfield. That is not a huge committment for your starting RB. My thought is that they add one first day, but having Anderson keeps them from forcing a RB pick in the 1st round. If that happens, a one or two year RRBC seems in the cards.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Confirmed - WBFF Fox 45 Baltimore reaffirms this report.

 

[Jason Wood]

Hmmm...Ravens have had an interesting weekend. Re-signing Bart Scott , signing Trevor Pryce , bringing in Anderson

Yet, they've...lost Kemoeatu , Weaver , Zastudil , Taylor and presumably J. Lewis

 

[bumpman]

The size of Anderson's deal is not really high enough to conclude that the Ravens won't also go out and get a first round RB. I think that is what they are going to do, especially if they don't re-sign Jamal.

 

[5Rings]

If the numbers on that contract are correct, I suspect that the Ravens will be adding something else to the backfield. That is not a huge committment for your starting RB. My thought is that they add one first day, but having Anderson keeps them from forcing a RB pick in the 1st round. If that happens, a one or two year RRBC seems in the cards.

You know, Baltimore has all the tools for a pretty darn good offense this year....Mason and Clayton, Heap, Anderson and Rookie RB....if Boller is decent, this could certainly be a solid fantasy unit.

 

[Bri]

Hmmm...Ravens have had an interesting weekend. Re-signing Bart Scott , signing Trevor Pryce , bringing in Anderson

Yet, they've...lost Kemoeatu , Weaver , Zastudil , Taylor and presumably J. Lewis

trying to deflect attention away from the Eagles?

 

[Texasmouth]

Hmmmm, this is an interesting signing, mainly because now Denver has to do something......

 

[Jason Wood]

Hmmm...Ravens have had an interesting weekend. Re-signing Bart Scott , signing Trevor Pryce , bringing in Anderson

Yet, they've...lost Kemoeatu , Weaver , Zastudil , Taylor and presumably J. Lewis

trying to deflect attention away from the Eagles?

Not at all...I don't know how many more times I can chime in on my current state of disappointment about the Birds. There are lots of other things to talk about.

 

[beermutts52]

Hmmm...Ravens have had an interesting weekend. Re-signing Bart Scott , signing Trevor Pryce , bringing in Anderson

Yet, they've...lost Kemoeatu , Weaver , Zastudil , Taylor and presumably J. Lewis

Kemo is overated, Weaver is an average player, Zastudil had problems kicking inside the 20, Taylor was a 3rd down back and Jamal didn't want to be here. They lost No one that they can't replace...

 

[Adrian Peterson]

Hmmm...Ravens have had an interesting weekend. Re-signing Bart Scott , signing Trevor Pryce , bringing in Anderson

Yet, they've...lost Kemoeatu , Weaver , Zastudil , Taylor and presumably J. Lewis

Kemo is overated, Weaver is an average player, Zastudil had problems kicking inside the 20, Taylor was a 3rd down back and Jamal didn't want to be here. They lost No one that they can't replace...

Seems many GM"s believe to beg to differ.Sounds like a scapegoat or maybe just to get you thru the offseason?

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

You know, Baltimore has all the tools for a pretty darn good offense this year....Mason and Clayton, Heap, Anderson and Rookie RB....if Boller is decent, this could certainly be a solid fantasy unit.

So by adding a 32 year old Marine and (possibly) a rookie RB, suddenly the offensive is pretty good? Until Boller is replaced, this offense will suck. Jamal is better than Anderson, and evidently the Vikings think Taylor is worth something too. So how exactly is the Baltimore offense improved now?

 

[Texasmouth]

You know, Baltimore has all the tools for a pretty darn good offense this year....Mason and Clayton, Heap, Anderson and Rookie RB....if Boller is decent, this could certainly be a solid fantasy unit.

So by adding a 32 year old Marine and (possibly) a rookie RB, suddenly the offensive is pretty good? Until Boller is replaced, this offense will suck. Jamal is better than Anderson, and evidently the Vikings think Taylor is worth something too. So how exactly is the Baltimore offense improved now?

I agree with you about the Anderson VS Jamal thing, major downgrade in my opinion. Boller though, I think this kid is going to be ok. Last season was the first season he has had any talent at all on offense. Todd Heap was the only decent receiver he had and Heap was out almost the whole season the year before last when Boller had nothing at WR. Last season they finally got him some talent and he got hurt. Once he was back he made some huge strides and was just finding a comfort level with his receivers.

I think the Ravens are going to be in trouble this year either way. The defense isn't nearly as good as was.

 

[-OZ-]

Should be a cheaper version of the same thing (almost).

Add in Maurice Drew, and it's a decent RBBC.

 

[cstu]

and, as an Anderson dynastyowner, I must add

Don't get ahead of yourself, he's an old back and it's basically a 1 year deal. Now is the time to trade him.

 

[-OZ-]

and, as an Anderson dynastyowner, I must add

Don't get ahead of yourself, he's an old back and it's basically a 1 year deal. Now is the time to trade him.

I like the guy, as I respect any athlete who has served, but his value will never be higher.

 

[Sinrman]

Great signing by the Ravens. Don't think Anderson will do too well there, however. The QB ? is just too great to ignore. They have a great TE, IF HE STAYS HEALTHY, and the WRs have potential (Mason being one of the quietest and most consistent WRs for years). But the defenses won't respect the pass and will stack the line until they can prove otherwise.

Either way, the Ravens got him cheap. Definitely think they'll still draft a rookie RB in the first round, likely White if he's around then. He'll share time with Anderson this year, and be groomed to take over for good in the next year or so..

 

[fsufan]

and, as an Anderson dynastyowner, I must add

I have Anderson in 3 dynasty leagues

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

Does Musa Smith have any shot of being in contention for the RB1 spot in BALT.....he seems to be the forgotten man there.

 

[DrJ]

Why would Mike Anderson owners be happy about this? He got backup RB money, and goes to a system that is far less generous to RB's. There's almost no way he's a top 10 RB this season in Baltimore.

Unless you're just happy that his value didn't vanish into thin air entirely....

 

[MLBrandow]

I smell a run at LenDale White.

Very surprised by this move that they would not re-sign Jamal Lewis. I'm sure there's more to the story than we've got. They will regret that when he goes to the Colts and runs for another 2 grand.

 

[softball]

Does Musa Smith have any shot of being in contention for the RB1 spot in BALT.....he seems to be the forgotten man there.

Didn't he bust his leg up pretty good? I remember Billick stating the Ravens would have won another Super Bowl if Musa had been on the team when Jamal went down.But I think Smith's leg is now a permanent problem(that's just my opinion)

 

[aussiehockeyfan]

Ugh, another potential RBBC.

 

[MLBrandow]

Does Musa Smith have any shot of being in contention for the RB1 spot in BALT.....he seems to be the forgotten man there.

Didn't he bust his leg up pretty good? I remember Billick stating the Ravens would have won another Super Bowl if Musa had been on the team when Jamal went down.But I think Smith's leg is now a permanent problem(that's just my opinion)

Not only that, but he didn't have near Lewis' game-breaking speed. He doesn't have a 5th gear.

 

[BoltBacker]

Hmmmm, this is an interesting signing, mainly because now Denver has to do something......

With Bell, Dayne and not one but two chances at a 1st round RB? I don't think HAVE TO do anything other than just draft one.If J.Lewis is willing to swallow a lot of pride and sign an incentive-laden deal DEN will accomodate but Lewis needs DEN a lot more than DEN needs Lewis at this point. There aren't many teams with an urgent need at RB at the moment.

 

[MLBrandow]

The Ravens are only offering Jamal Lewis a two-year contract.

It's very interesting they offered Chester Taylor a better deal before he spurned them for less money to join the Vikings. Lewis hasn't been a hot commodity to this point in free agency. Mar. 12 - 10:10 am et

Source: Baltimore Sun

So they are trying to get him back, they still must believe that they will be the highest bidder when all is said and done, and signed Anderson for better leverage / insurance/depth.

 

[5Rings]

You know, Baltimore has all the tools for a pretty darn good offense this year....Mason and Clayton, Heap, Anderson and Rookie RB....if Boller is decent, this could certainly be a solid fantasy unit.

So by adding a 32 year old Marine and (possibly) a rookie RB, suddenly the offensive is pretty good? Until Boller is replaced, this offense will suck. Jamal is better than Anderson, and evidently the Vikings think Taylor is worth something too. So how exactly is the Baltimore offense improved now?

Easy guy.Three simple factors. 1) Clayton's improvement from year one to two. 2) Boller's improvement at the end of last year to this year. 3) Havin a RB who can chug more than 3.3ypc.

Heap and Mason should be fantasy starters again, but I believe this year Clayton, Boller, and RB X can also be fantasy factors, unlike last year. Thats why I said a solid fantasy unit.

 

[zamboni]

I agree that the Ravens will undoubtedly add an RB in the draft, although this may prevent them from doing so in the first. Don't forget the old adage that RB tends to be a very replaceable position, so it may be something the Ravens can wait on for next year.

As for starting $ for an RB, I agree that it's not big money, but it's also not too far off the coin that Thomas Jones got a few years ago from the Bears to be their starter. Sounds like a one-year stop gap unless a rookie can beat MA out.

ETA: one other thing is that Anderson seemed to have interest from a number of teams, including Philly. The Ravens may have offered him more playing time than the other teams.

 

[RC94]

I don't think this signing precludes BAL from making any other deals, including re-signing Lewis. They paid Taylor more last year to be a backup than they are paying Anderson per year in this deal. This is a running team who needs depth at RB after losing their top 2 this offseason. They are not done adding RBs, and I have a feeling that another one they add, whether it's a vet like Lewis or a rookie, will be the starter over Anderson.

 

[aussiehockeyfan]

I don't think this signing precludes BAL from making any other deals, including re-signing Lewis. They paid Taylor more last year to be a backup than they are paying Anderson per year in this deal. This is a running team who needs depth at RB after losing their top 2 this offseason. They are not done adding RBs, and I have a feeling that another one they add, whether it's a vet like Lewis or a rookie, will be the starter over Anderson.

Agreed. This has all the tell-tale signs of being a RBBC.

 

[Z-Dog]

Why would Mike Anderson owners be happy about this? He got backup RB money, and goes to a system that is far less generous to RB's. There's almost no way he's a top 10 RB this season in Baltimore.

Unless you're just happy that his value didn't vanish into thin air entirely....

I think that last sentence is right on. I'm thrilled that my cheap RB from last year who is over 30 somehow managed to land in a place where he is, so far, the most talented back on the roster. That was genuinely unexpected, and a shot in the arm for his value for this season. That said, it's lower than what it was last season, but not by all that much.

 

[ravnzfan]

Hmmm...Ravens have had an interesting weekend. Re-signing Bart Scott , signing Trevor Pryce , bringing in Anderson

Yet, they've...lost Kemoeatu , Weaver , Zastudil , Taylor and presumably J. Lewis

the Ravens didn't want Lewis back(for the money he's looking for) and CT didn't want to play here...Mike Anderson will:a)play tailback, maybe for the entire year, as I fully expect a rookie drafted (in 2nd, not 1st)

b)slide to FB at some point, allowing some roster flexibility by being able to play either position

Kemo...$23M--what was Carolina thinking?

this is another in a long line of Raven "D" players milking the units success and getting overpaid to go somewhere else

others include DStarks robbing AZ (he was cut by NE late last season, and who many DB's did they go thru?)

Hartwell for $27M in ATL last yr...DT signed w/Den a couple years ago, who's name escapes me are just a couple

I would have liked to see Weaver stay over Pryce, but Pryce can play DT/DE

Zastudil went "home", where his family has been Brownie fans forever...not suprising

and a big for resigning BScott, who spent 2 days in Clev being courted by Savage

 

[fsufan]

I do not see the Ravens drafting a RB in the first round after this signing, maybe the 2nd or 3rd.

 

[Nemesis]

Regardless if the Ravens add a RB thru the draft at some point or not, MA owners can be somewhat relieved that he will be the goal line back. (assuming JL doesn't return)

And one of the reasons Skeletor kept using MA was his blocking so it shouldn't limit his chances to succeed if he ends up being the primary ball carrier.

 

[Quez]

Hmmmm, this is an interesting signing, mainly because now Denver has to do something......

With Bell, Dayne and not one but two chances at a 1st round RB? I don't think HAVE TO do anything other than just draft one.If J.Lewis is willing to swallow a lot of pride and sign an incentive-laden deal DEN will accomodate but Lewis needs DEN a lot more than DEN needs Lewis at this point. There aren't many teams with an urgent need at RB at the moment.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Regardless if the Ravens add a RB thru the draft at some point or not, MA owners can be somewhat relieved that he will be the goal line back. (assuming JL doesn't return)

And one of the reasons Skeletor kept using MA was his blocking so it shouldn't limit his chances to succeed if he ends up being the primary ball carrier.

With Boller at QB, will they ever get close to the goalline?

 

[Bri]

Hmmmm, this is an interesting signing, mainly because now Denver has to do something......

With Bell, Dayne and not one but two chances at a 1st round RB? I don't think HAVE TO do anything other than just draft one.If J.Lewis is willing to swallow a lot of pride and sign an incentive-laden deal DEN will accomodate but Lewis needs DEN a lot more than DEN needs Lewis at this point. There aren't many teams with an urgent need at RB at the moment.

True but don't you think they would be in fantastic shape if they didn't have to draft one?

 

[Bri]

Don't forget the old adage that RB tends to be a very replaceable position,

there is no such old adage. The depth at RB in the NFL over the last 5 years or so has never been seen before in the NFL. The "old adage" was the opposite.

 

[Banger]

You know, Baltimore has all the tools for a pretty darn good offense this year....Mason and Clayton, Heap, Anderson and Rookie RB....if Boller is decent, this could certainly be a solid fantasy unit.

So by adding a 32 year old Marine and (possibly) a rookie RB, suddenly the offensive is pretty good? Until Boller is replaced, this offense will suck. Jamal is better than Anderson, and evidently the Vikings think Taylor is worth something too. So how exactly is the Baltimore offense improved now?

Easy guy.Three simple factors. 1) Clayton's improvement from year one to two. 2) Boller's improvement at the end of last year to this year. 3) Havin a RB who can chug more than 3.3ypc.

Heap and Mason should be fantasy starters again, but I believe this year Clayton, Boller, and RB X can also be fantasy factors, unlike last year. Thats why I said a solid fantasy unit.

The Ravens will be one of if not the worst fantasy units in the league (again). The #25+ QB, 20+ RB, 30+ WR and 6 TE <> Solid. Heap is the only player above average on the entire offense.

 

[Bri]

I'd bet there's a new QB and Billick finally dusts off an old playbook with some offensive plays in it. And we all start to remember that he once was a good OC.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

Regardless if the Ravens add a RB thru the draft at some point or not, MA owners can be somewhat relieved that he will be the goal line back. (assuming JL doesn't return)

Even if Jamal was re-signed, I would think Anderson would get the goal line love. Lewis has been extremely pedestrian at short yardage and goal line situations.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

No way that Baltimore goes into the season with only Anderson and Musa Smith at tailback. I really liked Smith coming out of college, but Roy Williams has made him a shadow of the RB he was before that gnarly compound fracture. Smith finally got on the active roster last year, only to go right back on IR because of that same leg - a year after Roy horse-collared him. Anderson is not a spring chicken - he was very good last year, but he did suffer through a rib injury early in the year, and sprained his ankle late in the year.

I agree with a couple of sentiments in this thread - 1) this contract is not starter money 2) Anderson's value got rescued from the gutter with this move - although it won't be as high as it was in Denver last year.

Anderson's great all around game will keep him on the field, but it also allows him to be moved to a FB role, as ravnzfan pointed out.

I wouldn't count out the possibility of an RB at #13 - Anderson is not a long term solution - if the ravens think White or Williams are franchise-type backs, why would they pass on them just because they are paying Anderson 2 mil this year? Anderson is a great veteran back to mentor a rookie, and his blocking skills mean that they won't need to expose the rook on 3rd down.

I would consider trading Anderson while this news is still fresh.

 

[Nemesis]

Regardless if the Ravens add a RB thru the draft at some point or not, MA owners can be somewhat relieved that he will be the goal line back. (assuming JL doesn't return)

And one of the reasons Skeletor kept using MA was his blocking so it shouldn't limit his chances to succeed if he ends up being the primary ball carrier.

With Boller at QB, will they ever get close to the goalline?

Well, I did say "somewhat" relieved

 

[RBM]

I think the Ravens are locking up last place in that division for years to come