Ravens' Free Agent Flops: Lessons for New Coach

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NFL News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. The Baltimore Ravens parted ways with coach John Harball after missing the playoffs and brought in Jesse Mentor as their new defensive-minded head. Man, with 22 unrestricted free agents hitting the market soon, the team is rebuilding around quarterback Lamar Jackson while reflecting on some of the worst free agent deals in franchise history. Take Elvis Garbach back in 2001. He signed a $5-year $30-million contract to lead the defending Super Bowl champs, but managed just 15 touchdowns against 18. Interceptions in his loan season before things fell apart. Leon Ceresy inked a 6-year $31.5-million pact, the same year but never played a regular season snap thanks to a triceps. Earl Thomas joined in 2019 on a $4-year $55-million deal, only to get released after one year due to a teammate fight,

1:01and off-field issues. Dominique Foxworth's $4-year $28-million signing in 2009 led to a torn ACL in just 18 games played. Alejandro Villanueva came in 2021 to fill a key spot but posted his worst pro-season and retired shortly after. More recent misses include Sammy Watkins with modest stats in 13 games, and Jyre Alexander, who appear in just two contests this year, after a one-year deal. As Minter built his staff, avoiding these pitfalls will be key for the Raven's defense, ranked low in pressure last season. D&N is sponsored by our partner. Check out the episode description. Your bedtime ritual just got better. Built-in sound, built-in comfort, S-O-L-I, solelypillo.com.