Round and round we go ... but it looks like the Bart Scott saga has finally reached its conclusion. Early on Thursday, several reports came out claiming that Scott had signed with the New York Jets, only to be debunked by rumors that Baltimore was making a final push at keeping Scott a Raven.Now it looks like Scott is definitely headed for New York, reportedly courtesy of a six-year, $48 million dollar contract with the Jets. That deal adds a year and an extra $8 million onto the original agreement Scott supposedly accepted.
We may never know exactly what went on while Scott was in New York, but it would appear that he leveraged the Ravens' continuing interest into the longer-term deal. As with all NFL contracts, the overall impact of this really depends on how much money the Jets guarantee Scott -- it's a definite possibility that they offered to lock in more secured money for the 28-year-old linebacker than Baltimore offered up.
So that's domino number one in Baltimore, and Ray Lewis is now next in line to fall. Given Scott's age and ability, it's not surprising to see Scott grab an $8 million-per-year contact. No doubt, Lewis will want more than that, but that may not be a realistic launching point for him anymore.
It appears that Lewis has two choices here: Wait and hope that some other team decides he's worth a hefty contract, or go crawling back to Baltimore. With Scott's departure now official (right?), Baltimore has to want Lewis back -- otherwise that stout linebacking corps of Lewis-Scott-Terrell Suggs is down to just one member. For a team that prides itself on defense, watching that subtraction happen would be brutal.
Tracking NFL Free Agents
Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
SIGNED WITH WASHINGTON - Seven years, $100 million
The Latest: Just hours after becoming an eligible free agent, Haynesworth agreed to a monster deal with Washington.
Mark Humphrey, AP
Jonathan Vilma, Linebacker, New Orleans Saints
RE-SIGNED WITH SAINTS - Five years, $34 million
The Latest: The Saints couldn't afford to lose their defensive leader, and made sure that wouldn't happen with a nice contract.
Reed Hoffmann, AP
Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
SIGNED WITH JETS - Six years, $48 million
The Latest: After a confusing dance between Baltimore and New York, Scott finally landed a long-term deal with the Jets.
G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images
Kerry Collins, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
RE-SIGNED WITH TENNESSEE - Two years, $15 million
The Latest: Collins wanted big money in what will likely be his last contract year. He got it, so the Titans can keep waiting on Vince Young's development.
Scott Boehm, Getty Images
DeAngelo Hall, Cornerback, Washington Redskins
RE-SIGNED WITH WASHINGTON - Six years, $54 million
The Latest: For the second time in his young career, Hall received a massive deal, this time from big-spending Washington.
Nick Wass, AP
Chris Kemoeatu, Guard, Pittsburgh Steelers
RE-SIGNED WITH STEELERS - Five years, $20 million
The Latest: Despite rumors claiming he was headed to the Jets, Kemoeatu decided to stick with the Steelers, a boost for their mediocre offensive line.
Paul Spinelli, Getty Images
Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - Three years, $45.3 million
The Latest: One of the NFL's brightest young stars, Asomugha inked a gigantic contract to stay in Oakland.
Greg Trott, Getty Images
Julius Peppers, Defensive end
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY PANTHERS
The Latest: Despite his expressed wishes, Peppers was tagged by Carolina. He'll make nearly $17 million next season, but the Panthers will have to work out a trade for him to leave.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
Antonio Bryant, Wide receiver
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY BUCS
The Latest: Bryant will stay in Tampa, and receive nearly $10 million next year, a huge jump from the $600K he earned in 2008.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
Dunta Robinson, Cornerback
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY TEXANS
The Latest: Houston will keep Robinson for next season, and continue to work on a long-term extension.
Greg Trott, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-28-2009 @ 1:14PM
DAN said...
I like ray and think he was a great player but I will have say his better years are behind him , with 2 great linbackers on each side of ray that is what made him look like a probowl , now they are gone i think his age will show , i could see ray was having a harder time getting off blocks .
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2-28-2009 @ 2:15PM
starchy said...
congratulations jet fans you are shaping up to have a great team especially if you get Jim leonhard (I hope you don't). Rex Ryan is a class act and he will be truly missed in baltimore as well as Bart Scott.
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