Birk Close to a Decision

By tomorrow afternoon, the Ravens will either have their replacement for Jason Brown or the Vikings will have brought back the elder statesman of their offensive line. Matt Birk says that his first jump into free agency won't take long, as he'll make a decision by Thursday on whether to sign with the Ravens or return to Minnesota.

The Ravens need Birk more than the Vikings do. Minnesota has been planning for Birk's potential loss, as they are grooming John Sullivan to replace Birk, although there is little doubt that Birk, a six-time Pro Bowler, will be a better center in 2009 than Sullivan.

But in the Ravens' case, Birk is the best remaining free agent center now that Brown, Jake Groves and Jeff Saturday have all signed. And for a Baltimore team that has already lost four starters--Brown, linebacker Bart Scott, cornerback Chris McAllister and safety Jim Leonhard and has replaced only one of them (cornerback Domique Foxworth signed to replace McAllister)--losing out on Birk would bring the Ravens onto Plan C.

But if Minnesota can match Baltimore's money, it's likely Birk will stay in the same spot he's spent the first 11 years of his career. The Star-Tribune has quoted Birk's agent as saying that the Vikings have made a fair offer, and there really doesn't seem to be any animosity between the team and the center.