Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata has signed his $12.5 million, one-year franchise tender today, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. Unable to sign Ngata to a long-term contract at this time due to the unresolved labor situation, the Ravens settled for the next best thing by designating the dominant lineman as their franchise player. By using the franchise tag on Ngata and paying him the average of the top five salaries at his position, the Ravens prevented him from hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent. The Ravens didn't want to insult Ngata with a low-ball financial offer, so they made sure that they secured his services while they continue to work toward an eventual goal of signing him to a multi-year deal. The primary obstacles that prevented the Ravens from signing Ngata to a long-term deal are a potential pending lockout and the 30-percent rule that mandates that each player's salary can't be increased by more than 30 percent each year. "The tender allows us to secure Haloti as a Raven right now," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "As we have said, our intention is to enter into a long-term contract with him. We want him to be a Raven." Source: National Football Post
Best thing that could have happened. He will get what he deserves when this CBA thingy is resolved. Man is a freaking beast. Very happy he plays for the Ravens.
