If the Baltimore Ravens intend to be relevant this season, the defense will have to find a little of that 2001 in them.A small step in making that happen occurred today when hybrid defensive end-linebacker Terrell Suggs signed an $8.5 million tender, ending his 27-day holdout and returned to practice, something that probably made Ray Lewis a touch happier than he's been as of late.
Suggs is expected to be on the field for 15 snaps this Saturday in an exhibition against the Rams, and said he's happy this whole holdout business is finally over.
"I really didn't want to do it because I love football and running around. It was really no big deal. It gave me extended time to further prepare myself for the season," Suggs said.As some suggest that it was convenient timing for Suggs to show up just as practice was breaking, the two-time Pro Bowler said he owes his teammates some grub.
"I've got to take them out on Thursday," Suggs said after participating in Monday's practice. "They took all the bullets for me and did the two-a-days, I really appreciate them. They gave me some grief, but they always give me some grief. I'm kind of like that little brother.
"I'm here now, and I'm ready to get out there and just win some games."
Head coach John Harbaugh said although Suggs wasn't in ideal football shape, he should be alright come opening day against the Bengals on September 7.
With the constant soap opera that is the Baltimore offense, it has to be comforting to know that most of your defense is coming together. If anyone wants to bet me on who scores more touchdowns, the defense or their quarterbacks, I might just be crazy enough to entertain the offer."It felt good to have 55 out there today," said the smiling coach. "It looks like he's in really good shape. It's not football practice, what he's been doing. You could tell – the change of direction and the burst – but he was competing and fighting. He'll probably be a little bit sore tomorrow. But he was in good shape."
