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The Ravens' inability to reach a long-term contract with OLB-DE Terrell Suggs, the recipient of the team's franchise tag, means they cannot sign him to a new contract until after the season. Whether they will be able to do so is another issue altogether. Suggs is one of three high-profile Ravens defenders whose contracts expire at season's end. ILBs Ray Lewis and Bart Scott will also be in need of new deals, and getting all three players back in the fold will take a considerable financial commitment by the Ravens. Suggs, who is only 25 and a legitimate pass-rush threat in a league where such talents are hard to come by, would likely draw the most demand — and command the highest price — on the open market. The Ravens have the option of giving Suggs the franchise tag once again next year, but it's more likely that both sides would try to strike a long-term, salary-cap-friendly deal that would give Suggs a hefty up-front bonus that could be prorated over the life of the contract.
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