Baltimore Ravens fans have watched their Super Bowl champion defense basically fall apart over the offseason. Ray Lewis has retired and Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, and Cary Williams have all left via free agency. That means Baltimore will have an entirely new look on defense, but fans will be happy to know that the makeover now includes the addition of Elvis Dumervil.
According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Dumveril and the Ravens have agreed to a five-year deal worth a reported $35 million. Dumervil is a few years older than Kruger, but the former Denver Bronco has 63.5 sacks in his career and is considered one of the best pass rushers in the game. Does he make the Ravens a dream team? Defensive lineman Arthur Jones seems to think so.
“That’s awesome. It’s like a dream team in the making,” Jones said of the trade, via the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson. “I can’t wait until we all get together.”
Dumervil, who was released on March 15 after his revised contract with the Broncos was not faxed in time, is arguably the best free agent signing of the offseason. That being said, the Ravens will still have a ton of adjustments to make after losing their biggest leaders on defense in Lewis and Reed. Winning back-to-back Super Bowls is difficult enough, let alone doing so with a totally revamped defense.
Moreover, doesn’t Jones realize that the words “dream team” are the worst ones he can possibly use? Remember what Vince Young and Jason Babin said about the Eagles before the start of the 2011 season? We all see how that has worked out. Jones probably should have found a different way to express his excitement.
