:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10352753/20130126_ter_al2_088.0.jpg)
Somehow, someway you just had to know that Baltimore Ravens General Manager, Ozzie Newsome, had something left up his sleeve. After seeing his roster get picked over in a variety of different ways, the Hall of Fame tight end struck a deal that seems to be a solid one on paper. After being released by the Denver Broncos for not accepting a pay cut, the Ravens swooped in and made outside linebacker/defensive end Elvis Dumervil a contract proposal and he accepted.
The deal is a bit eye-opening, given the Ravens' well-documented salary cap woes, but according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Dumervil inked a five-year deal worth $26 million. The contract could escalate all the way up to $35 million if Dumervil hits certain escalators. But, when you look closer at the deal, this is where you will see the magic of Newsome.
The first year of the deal gives $8.5 million, but only counts as $2 million towards their 2013 cap number, per ProFootballTalk. Dumervil will likely be manning the duties of the recently-departed Paul Kruger who bolted for a mega deal with the Cleveland Browns during the first day of free agency. Yet, the Ravens managed to get Dumervil, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, for $14.5 million cheaper than Kruger, or $5.5 million if Dumervil hits all of the incentives noted in the new contract. Not bad.
Also, before the Ravens struck a deal with Dumervil, former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker/defensive end James Harrison was scheduled to visit Baltimore on Sunday night, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. Whether it was going to be Dumervil or Harrison, the Ravens were going to get their replacement for Kruger. They ultimately decided on the younger option with more potentially productive years ahead of him.