Baltimore Ravens to sign Earl Thomas, make splash after all
The Baltimore Ravens have made a splash after all by signing Earl Thomas:
According to Adam Schefter, the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a contract with Earl Thomas. The deal, according to Schefter is a four year deal worth $55 million and $32 million of it guaranteed. The purple and black didn’t just replace Eric Weddle, they got a player with a track record of being one of the best free safeties in the league.
Thomas, who was formerly a huge part of the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” could complete the circuit and make the Ravens the best secondary in football. Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr and Tavon Young already made the best cornerback grouping in football. Now the Ravens have a ball hawk in the back end of the defense and Tony Jefferson as a strong safety you don’t want to mess with.
Before free agency, Thomas wasn’t on my Ravens short list. Thomas is coming off a major injury and is 29 years old. While he could easily return to being one of the elite players in the NFL, it was a red flag. Tyrann Mathieu, Landon Collins, Larmacus Joyner, Adrian Amos, Tashaun Gipson and Weddle, were signed before Thomas at the safety positions.
If Thomas is able to get back to being the best middle of the field safety in the NFL, the Ravens made a very wise investment. Thomas has the potential to make the most impact of any of the free agent safeties. Thomas has a well evidenced knack for finding the football and he is a perfect replacement for Weddle because he brings the same football acumen and leadership.
The reason you have to give Eric DeCosta credit here, is that nobody saw this coming. You heard a lot about the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys and the Ravens, who hadn’t done anything to this point made a big time move. The Ravens, who everybody seemed to have written off are starting to get some work done. You have to wonder if this was the plan all along.
The Ravens fill a major need in free agency with this move. This is an accomplishment. Thomas has a chance to reclaim his position as one of the best defensive backs in the entire NFL. As long as he is healthy, Thomas should be an absolute play-maker. The so called decimated defense of the Ravens has a chance to get back to being dominant with this move and moves yet to come.
Next. Le'Veon Bell not a Raven: 3 big things. dark
Stay tuned to Ebony Bird. We’ve got takes coming all day and every day about the Baltimore Ravens as they go through NFL Free Agency.