Right Off Russell

Not so fast my friend!  Apparently the deal that would send Bart Scott to the Jest has not been finalized.  Mike Preston is reporting that:

There is speculation that the Ravens have offered Scott a five-year contract worth $42 million, and Scott also wants assurances that he will become the center piece of the defense in Baltimore, much like Ray Lewis was during the last decade.

Still not sure I like the amount of money being thrown at Scott as I am not convinced he is worth that much.  If the Ravens are willing to enter into a bidding war for Scott, then it appears they prefer to keep him to Ray Lewis.

Speaking of Ray Lewis….Earlier in the day Adam Schefter on his nfl.com blog reported that according to people close to Lewis, the Baltimore star was frustrated with the pace of negotiations with the Ravens and was ready to sever ties with the team.

Now Schefter is reporting this:

After speaking with Lewis, Woodson reported that Lewis never said he wouldn’t return to the Ravens. He is open to go back to Baltimore. Lewis never told DeMarcus Ware that his dream was to play for the Cowboys despite published reports.

It is entirely possible that Ray was upset with the Ravens and willing to leave, but after realizing that he is not in high demand, he is changing his tune about returning to Baltimore.  Ray needs to leave himself some options, so he is not in the position to eliminate any potential suitors.  The question is, if Ray’s expectations are not met financially by the Ravens or any other team, do the Ravens want to bring back an unhappy Ray Lewis?  Ray unhappy has been bad news in Charm City in the past.

Bart Scott and the Jets have agreed to a 5-year $40 million contract.  Considering the news of the passed week this is somewhat of a surprise, but after the season Scott seemed like he was the odd man out.  We knew signing Terrell Suggs was a priority and it appeared that Jason Brown adn Ray Lewis would be the other two free agent priorities for the Ravens.  What surprises me most is that the Ravens and Scott reportedly came so close to a deal last night, and then he is a Jet a day later.

Bart’s personality and toughness will be missed in Baltimore, but I am not sure he is worth $8 million per over 5 years.  It looks now that the Ravens will turn more of their focus on keeping Ray Lewis.  Here is the Sun article on Bart Scott.

Scott to Jets

As of this afternoon, The Sun reports that the Ravens and Bart Scott might be pretty close to signing that extension, both parties appear to be

… only $400,000 to $700,000 apart as far as completing a new deal.  Scott, though, isn’t sure if he is competing with Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis for a big contract.

Things are looking good.  Hopefully the Ravens have decided to keep the right personnel at the right prices.

What do you think?  Do you like who the team has prioritized?

The last Ozzie Newsome talked to the press about his ability to re-sign linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott, he didn’t have any answers.

“I can’t answer that question.  We’re making progress. We’re continuing to talk.”

In the meantime, that progress might have been greatly helped with word from the Sporting News is that the team has cut off talks with Center Jason Brown, meaning that the first “domino has fallen” according to Albert Breer.

According to an NFL source, the club has informed center Jason Brown that he is not in their plans for the 2009 season.

Brown, who turns 26 in June, is expected to garner immediate, strong interest from four or five clubs when the NFL’s free-agency period opens at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Brown started in ‘06 and ‘07 at guard for the Ravens, before moving to center to replace Mike Flynn last season.

The move to let Brown leave allows Baltimore to focus on its two free-agent linebackers, Bart Scott and Ray Lewis.

Negotiations are ongoing with both players — with the expectation that the Ravens will be able re-sign one, but not both — and are expected to run up to midnight, when the club will lose exclusive negotiating rights.