The Ravens have essentially depleted half of their championship roster during the offseason. Now Baltimore is attempting to rebuild after losing key pieces on both offense and defense. As they begin to put things back together, they are reportedly interested in former Denver Bronco, Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil was released after failing to submit his contract on time and now he and the Ravens are in serious talks about a deal.
Dumervil had agreed to a pay cut to remain with the Broncos, but after failing to submit his contract on time, he was released by the team and now remains a free agent. The Broncos have expressed their desire to re-sign Dumervil. He had originally agreed to an $8 million contract, but the recent offer from Denver was much lower than that, not pleasing Dumervil. The team has since met with Dwight Freeney and John Abraham as possible replacements but has not put forth an offer to either player.
Now, the Ravens will attempt to sign Dumervil to a deal. They have been interested in the defensive end since he hit free agency almost six days ago. Baltimore does have a number of returning pieces to their defense, including former defensive player of the year Terrell Suggs and Courtney Upshaw who they got in the 2012 draft. Dumervil had 11 sacks last season while playing opposite of Von Miller. He registered 9.5 sacks in 2011. Playing next to Suggs and Upshaw could deliver similar results.
The Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans have reached out to Dumervil's agent about possibly visiting the teams. No formal offer has been made yet, leaving the door open for Denver to still re-sign him to a new deal. Denver's head of football operations John Elway is still attempting to figure out a way to get Dumervil the deal that is both pleasing to him and easy on team's cap space.
According to NFL sources, the deal given to Dumervil by the Ravens is lower than the one offered to him by Denver. If the Broncos are able to re-sign him, they will likely have to release a player to make room in their tight cap space.