The Ravens signed veteran Denver Broncos offensive tackle Harry Swayne to a four-year, $13.2 million contract yesterday, including a $5 million signing bonus, and they have had preliminary talks with two teams about moving up into the top six of the NFL draft in April to possibly select a quarterback.
The addition of Swayne virtually filled two holes for the Ravens, enabling the team to move swing guard/tackle James Atkins to left guard next season. With Swayne and the recent addition of Charles Evans at fullback, the Ravens still want to find a big wide receiver such as North Carolina State's Torry Holt or Ohio State's David Boston, or a young quarterback to build around like Syracuse's Donovan McNabb or Oregon's Akili Smith.
Ozzie Newsome, vice president of player personnel, said the Ravens were still optimistic about trading for Detroit Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell before he is waived on June 1, but he confirmed that the Ravens had spoken with St. Louis and Indianapolis, who have the No. 4 and No. 6 overall picks, respectively, in the draft.
Newsome and Ravens coach Brian Billick adamantly denied having any discussions with the Washington Redskins, who will draft in the No. 5 slot.
The Ravens would prefer to sign Mitchell and then select a franchise quarterback. Newsome said yesterday that Jim Harbaugh, the Ravens' starter at the end of last season, would not be involved in a trade with Detroit, but that San Diego had shown strong interest in Harbaugh. If Mitchell signs here, the Ravens probably would allow the Chargers to move on Harbaugh.
"I spoke yesterday with Chuck Schmidt [Lions chief operating officer] and there is a willingness to make the trade," Newsome said. "We're still working on compensation, but I'm optimistic. As for the addition of Harry Swayne, this eliminates us taking an offensive lineman with the first pick and allows us to select a player who will have an impact on our future."
Billick said he is counting on Swayne, 34, to help nurture an offense that already has lost offensive tackle Orlando Brown and guard/center Wally Williams through free agency. The Ravens also have decided not to pick up the option year on receiver Michael Jackson's contract, and the team has no desire to re-sign fullback Roosevelt Potts.
The Ravens will have a lot of new, and maybe young, faces on offense.
