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Terrell Suggs, the Ravens’ starting outside linebacker, no matter what side he plays on, was forced to agree to a franchise tag again this offseason, but as of yesterday, the team and Suggs are (finally!) close to a long-term extension.  Suggs said on BaltimoreRavens.com, “I feel like we’re getting close.  Negotiations are going on with the Ravens.  Fans can be optimistic that I’ll be at training camp.”  Mike Duffy, the main reporter on BaltimoreRavens.com, said that Suggs desires a Dwight Freeney-type deal, which was a 6 year, $72 million mega-contract.  In my mind, he deserves it.  Not only did he become the team’s best pass rusher and one of the NFL’s sack masters right after he was drafted, but he is a leader of the defense, as evidenced by his consistent smack talk, that must motivate the defense to no end.  And, he should get some extra Benjamins for putting up with the team’s resistance of signing him long-term the past two years.

Here are some links for the weekend, and just a note: this is my last post for a week, nothing is going to be posted tomorrow.

• Ed Thompson wrote an article for Fox Sports about how the Ravens just need a receiver.  Maybe they could use one, but especially with a new Suggs deal, there’s no cap room to bring in a big name like Brandon Marshall.  So, and he is the first national writer I’ve seen suggest this, the Ravens could pick up a free agent like Marvin Harrison or Drew Bennett. Fine with me, but is it fine with Joe Flacco?  He would have to get used to a guy who might not be willing to be led by a Delaware Blue Hen.
• On the official site, aforementioned Mike Duffy has an article about Marcus Smith, and how he could play a much bigger role than most would expect.
• ESPN’s James Walker answers his mailbag today, and yesterday, he argued that Ray Lewis should get a higher ranking than 9th in ESPN’s All-Decade ranking of NFL players.
• This Jeff Becker article from Thursday’s Baltimore Sun talks about the money that can be made from Personal Seat Licenses, or PSLs.
• MKrob.com posted an announcement about a free football clinic in Atlanta that Daniel Wilcox and former Raven Ovie Mughelli are participating in, that teaches young players more of the fine details of the game, and gives recruiting help for older athletes.  It’s just cool to see how much Ravens players participate in the community, without being forced by the team.
• The full schedule of when teams start training camps is up on ProFootballTalk.com, and the Ravens’ rookies start July 27th, and veterans start July 29th.
• You have probably heard this already, but the Ravens signed 3rd round pick Lardarius Webb.  Aaron Wilson writes that the deal is a 3-year, $1.7 million contract, with a $529,000 signing bonus.  Wilson also talks about Webb’s versatility, being able to play corner, safety and return kicks.
• We’ve got some Michael Jackson themed posts on the FanSided network, Lombardi Ave, the Packers blog, writes about what M.J. and Brett Favre have in common, and Wally at Kings Of Kauffman, the KC Royals blog, compares his hits to Royals top draft picks.
• Dawg Pound Daily writes that Roger Goodell’s decision about Donte Stallworth isn’t consistent of his usual enforcement styles.
• Phin Phanatic talks about how ESPN continues to lean towards the Patriots, this time in their All-Decade team selections.
• Domonique Foxworth tweets about his fun with Dad, and then we visit an update from about a week ago, and it’s a funny coincidence.

Again, post your links on here.  I won’t be on email, Twitter, anything.  I’m gone for a week.  I’m excited to see what Suggs will do this year, being at Training Camp on time, and actually wanting to play, he should be in great shape.