http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens0221,0,4938238.story
“Newsome said he was negotiating new contracts for Lewis, linebackers Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs, and center Jason Brown.All but Suggs, who received the team’s franchise tag for the second straight year, will become unrestricted free agents Friday.The free-agent news was not as positive on safety Jim Leonhard or kicker Matt Stover, however. Newsome seemed resigned to letting Leonhard slip away in free agency and acknowledged he was looking for a new kicker to replace Stover.”
Hard to imagine the Ravens being able to retain all three LB’s, and Brown, but credit Newsome if that occurs.
I know Leonhard is seen as a luxury to most, with the anticipated return of Landry, along with 2008 draft picks Nakamura, and Zbikowski… but Leonhard was an absolute ball-hawk this year, that made a number of special-teams plays as well… you can not keep everyone, but he would be a loss.
Stover, who has been with the Ravens since the Browns moved to Baltimore, would also be a lost.
Even though he has never been great on kickoffs, he is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history… and being confident that your kicker will make the clutch kick is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.