Dannell Ellerbe gets $35 million contract from Dolphins, leaving Ravens, source says
Linebacker is an unrestricted free agentBy Aaron Wilson The Baltimore Sun 5:46 PM EDT, March 12, 2013Unrestricted free agent inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is leaving the Ravens.Ellerbe has reached an agreement with the Miami Dolphins on a five-year, $35 million contract, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
Ellerbe had been in talks with the Ravens throughout Tuesday, but they were unable to reach a compromise.
Now, Ellerbe heads to the Dolphins, a move that may cost incumbent linebacker Karlos Dansby his job.
A former undrafted free agent, Ellerbe had expressed hope to the Baltimore Sun last week that he might rejoin the Ravens.
He recorded a career-high 89 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, leading the Ravens with nine tackles in a Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
“There's always a chance, and that's what I'm hoping will happen,” Ellerbe said last week. “The Ravens are a perfect situation for me. Hopefully, it's a perfect situation for me to sign on the dotted line.”
However, it didn't work out. Now, the Ravens have a big hole in the middle of their defense with Ellerbe gone and Ray Lewis retired.