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Ravens Rant: Stop Bashing The Lardarius Webb Signing

By Joe Schiller

Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb (21) celebrates after intercepting a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (not pictured) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb (21) celebrates after intercepting a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (not pictured) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The decision to bring back Lardarius Webb is a smart move, no matter how many people might complain about it.

After the Ravens released safety Lardarius Webb early into free agency, they chose to bring him back. According to Jeff Zrebiec, the new deal became official today and it is for 3 years, $5.1 million. Webb can earn as much as $1.4 million a year with incentives that include interceptions, fumble recoveries, and return yards.

Since bringing back Webb, I have seen a considerable amount of Ravens fans mad at the move. To those people: there is nothing to be mad about. I am honestly not sure how you can be mad at the move. At most it seems like another reason for fans to complain about something.

According to Raven’s ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley, Webb is essentially taking a $3.4 million pay cut to come back. He talks about it here:

"Webb, now a backup defensive back, essentially took a $3.4 million pay cut when he agreed to return to the Ravens on Saturday. According to ESPN’s Roster Management System, his first-year payout on the new deal is $2.1 million ($1.2 million signing bonus along with $900,000 in base salary), which is significantly lower than the $5.5 million in base salary he was scheduled to earn in 2017 on his previous contract."

How can you be mad at that? $3.4 million is a significant pay cut for a player that could start on another team if given the opportunity. Instead, he is chose to take a pay cut to come back to Baltimore.

Move Makes Sense For Both Sides

For the Ravens, the move makes a ton of sense. You get a player who is loyal to the organization and still is a good football player. He adds much needed depth to the secondary behind Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson. It also gives the Ravens a chance to utilize him in the nickel now that he is not a starter at safety. Many people are quick to point out his play last season, but Webb was in his first year transitioning from corner to safety. Both are secondary positions, but the responsibilities are much different. He played pretty solid considering the circumstances.

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For Webb, he is able to stay with the team that drafted him and most likely end his career in Baltimore. Once players get late into their career, they do not want to start bouncing around to teams unless they are chasing a ring. Webb has his ring with the Ravens and is a fan favorite in Baltimore. People always want that new and improved signing from another team, but that is not always how it works. Keeping a guy that has proven his worth is the right way to go. This move just shows how smart Ozzie Newsome is. There is no need for Webb to have to learn a new defense or play style. It’s like he never missed a beat.

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