Chris Carr signing is now official as is Rolle's release

[TL24x7]

Ravens SIGN CARR, RELEASE ROLLE

The Baltimore Ravens signed free agent CB Chris Carr general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome announced Wednesday morning.

“Chris is a versatile player who gives us quality depth in the secondary,” said Newsome. “He has coverage skills, and he is a sound tackler willing to come up and take on the backs and the linemen blocking for those guys. He has shown that he can be a viable kick returner, and we look forward to seeing what he can do there for us.”

Carr, a four-year NFL veteran, has seen action in 64 games, including six starts with the Oakland Raiders (2005-07) and Tennessee Titans (2008). He has 82 tackles, 12 passes defensed, five fumble recoveries and two interceptions (one of which he returned 100 yards for a touchdown) to his credit during that span. Carr has also averaged 24.7 yards per kick return (236 for 5,825 yards) and 7.1 yards per punt return (109 for 777 yards), and he has posted 16 special teams stops.

The Baltimore Ravens have also released CB Samari Rolle, Newsome announced.

“We did release Samari today after coach John Harbaugh and I had a very good meeting with him,” Newsome said. “When we talk about the type of person we want as a Raven, we talk about a player like Samari. He’s smart, tough, works hard and made us a better team. When you talk about a player having courage, you point to Samari and what he has fought through the last few years. He’s a special guy. There will be other teams who will make a run at him now, but we have not closed the door on bringing him back to the Ravens at some point.”

Rolle, an 11-year NFL veteran, spent the last four seasons with the Ravens. During that span, Rolle played in 48 games (47 starts), collecting 145 tackles, 45 passes defensed, eight interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. He also earned the 2007 Ed Block Courage Award, selected by his teammates, after being diagnosed with epilepsy and returning to play in six games that year.

[Marcel#52]

There will be other teams who will make a run at him now, but we have not closed the door on bringing him back to the Ravens at some point.”


Obviously they don't think there will be much of a market for him

[srobert96]

Is he the next Jet???

Rolle played very well last year. I would have liked to have seen him come back and compete with Foxworth for the starting spot with the other guy being the nickle back. But to go into a season with Rolle penciled in as your starter is dangerous because of his age and injury history.

[section553]

I saw somewhere that Bart Scott predicted Samari would be the next Raven to become a Jet.

[Bez513]

yes...Samari will be a Jet within a week.

[Losac]

Rex "Phil Savage" Ryan needs his Baltimore buddies.

[James R(aven)]

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/media_library/Videos/New_Media_Exclusives/2009/03/carr_interview.aspx?id=10788490ed4746098b82adba0ef152f9

:)

[Tspot-D-Ravenator]

Samari has been nothing but a stalwart for the Ravens and he is a heck of a person:celery He played well when he was injured and he is the epitome of what it means to be a Raven! Samari, :patriot: I salute you and hope you come back to the Ravens..albeit in a reduced roll.(No pun intended):thumbup:

[Rxdoxx]

Ravens held Samari until his cap space was needed.
Releasing Samari gave room for Carr and Smith.
So Samari, even on his way out the door helped the team.

CBs that are any way decent are always in demand. He can be grabbed relatively quickly, or he can kick back, relax, stay in shape, and miss training camps waiting for a call in maybe October when some team loses one with an injury (like we did with Big Willie). That is what I'd do :p

Class guy, thanks Samari.

[ravenjoe]

I encourage all to listen to the interview on the baltimoreravens website between Duffy and Carr. Like the Ravens new center, this Carr is a very impressive individual and should definitely help this team. I am continually amazed at how the Wizard of Oz continues to find (and sign) these guys! I'm sure Ray's imprint on this team also helps sway many a FA our way.

[ExiledRaven]

Huge fan of Carr - remember this guy is also a very good return man in addition to being CB depth. I really like the move.

[awalt]

I really like where we are in the secondary now. We have Washington and Foxworth, which will compete well with Rolle-Washington (and quite a few times Washington-Walker). What I like most however is our ability to defend 3 and 4 WR sets - Washington, Foxworth, Carr, Reed, Landry, Walker, Zbikowski, Nakamura....we have quite a few combinations to throw out there, and maybe that frees more guys to rush the passer and defend across the middle.

We are also way faster too than last year - our defense/rush style really needs CBS who can play tight and cover tight for few seconds. The only passes that consistently beat us qere quick timing patters/slants, because we weren't fast enough to cover 3 guys tight off the line of scrimmage.

I am really interested to see what wrinkles Mattison brings to the defense. The great thing about having a new DC, even as good as Rex was, is that th first thing they do is try and figure out where our defense was the weakest. An incumbent DC will likely keep with the same schemes, as that is what has worked best.

[StingerNLG]

This is a good move.

And I wish Samari Rolle the best. He was a great Raven, played hard, and played through what would likely have retired most players. Good luck!

[12jg34]

I wish Rolle good luck.

I watched some Carr highlights on NFL.com. His return skills are very similar to Jim Leonard's. He won't run back many TDs b/c he doesn't have that type of straightline speed. However, he's very quick and should be among the top 15% returners in the NFL. He's a good pick up, esp b/c of the price.

[James R(aven)]

I am really interested to see what wrinkles Mattison brings to the defense. The great thing about having a new DC, even as good as Rex was, is that th first thing they do is try and figure out where our defense was the weakest. An incumbent DC will likely keep with the same schemes, as that is what has worked best.

:laugh:

That was one of the first things he said he was going to do. Go through all the tape and every defensive play last year and figure out what went wrong and where it could be improved.