He may be the best blocking fullback in pro football.
The Ravens have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach .The Ravens have confirmed the deal, per General Manager Ozzie Newsome.
“He’s a Raven-type player, very physical dedicated to the game. Our running game just got better,” Newsome said in a statement.
With Leach leading the way last year, Texans running back Arian Foster led the NFL with 1,616 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Vonta Leach, FB, 6-0, 255, 9th year out of East Carolina…
Several media reports placed Leach with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, but the Ravens won the battle, apparently.
Leach was tabbed as the best pure-blocking fullback on the open market, a position the Ravens wanted to solidify with Le’Ron McClain seeking greener pastures as more of a ball-carrier.
Members of the Ravens’ front office have stated their desire to get the running game back on track moving forward.
The Ravens have heavily utilized a blocking fullback in the past, most notably when Lorenzo Neal was on the team in 2008 and Baltimore averaged 148.5 rushing yards per game (fourth in the NFL).
Leach’s deal is estimated at $10 million for 3 years, with $3 million of that money guaranteed.
Meanwhile, congratulations to Todd Heap, who signed a 2-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals after being released by the Ravens…and with some hoping the Ravens might re-sign him in time for the 2011 season.
Imagine…Heap on the same offense with WR Larry Fitzgerald? Looks like it’s going to happen…and could work out very well for Cards new QB Kevin Kolb as he searches for big targets under pressure.
Other big signings and changes:
NT Kelly Gregg
Outcome: Signed with Kansas City; 1 year
WR Derrick Mason
Outcome: TBD
Buzz: Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reports that he believes the Tennessee Titans are interested in Mason. Mason played for Tennessee for eight years and resides in the Nashville area.
WR Donte’ Stallworth
Outcome: Signed with Washington; 1 year
CB Fabian Washington
Outcome: Signed with New Orleans, 1 year
G/T Marshal Yanda
Outcome: Re-signed with Baltimore; 5 years
RB Willis McGahee
Outcome: Signed with Denver; 3 years
Also, this just in— CB Chris Carr has been re-signed by the Ravens for 4 years—more on that story to come…
G/C Chris Chester has signed with Washington for 5 years…
LB Prescott Burgess has re-signed with the Ravens for 1 year…
SS Dawan Landry signed with Jacksonville for 5 years (as earlier reported)…
CB Josh Wilson signed with Washington for 3 years (as mentioned earlier)…
Still no word on T. J. Housch or Jared Gaither… wonder if they end up staying with the Ravens?
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