Ravens lose linebackers as free agency opens
The Baltimore Ravens are paying the price for winning a Super Bowl.
The NFL champions lost two key components of their defence, linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe, as free agency began Tuesday. On Monday, they traded star receiver Anquan Boldin, a key to their title run, to San Francisco — the team the Ravens beat 34- 31 to win the championship.
Teams also made cuts Tuesday. The biggest were Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo and Nnamdi Asomugha in Philadelphia.
Kruger went to division rival Cleveland for a five- year, $ 40- million deal, while Ellerbe headed south to Miami for $ 35 million over five years. Steelers receiver Mike Wallace joined Ellerbe in choosing the Dolphins.
The 49ers didn’t go untouched, either. After giving up a sixthround draft pick for Boldin, 32, they saw tight end Delanie Walker go to Tennessee.
San Francisco also confirmed the trade of backup quarterback Alex Smith to Kansas City . The 49ers will receive the Chiefs’ secondround pick, 34th overall, in this year’s draft and a conditional pick in next year’s draft.
Wallace will give Miami the speedy receiver it has sought .
Denver ensured that Peyton Manning will be the Broncos’ quarterback through at least
2014. The four- time MVP’s contract called for a guaranteed salary of $ 20 million in 2013 and 2014 if he was on the Denver roster Tuesday. The final two years of his contract are worth $ 19 million each, but are not guaranteed.
Kansas City was busy finding support for Smith on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs agreed to a four- year, $ 16- million deal with tight end Anthony Fasano, a three- year, $ 12.6- million contract with defensive tackle Mike DeVito, and a three- year deal with Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick, the Bills’ starting quarterback was released 1 ½ years after getting a six- year, $ 59- million contract extension. He struggled after signing the deal, and the Bills went 6- 10 in 2011 and in 2012.
For now, the Bills’ No. 1 quarterback is Tarvaris Jackson.