The Ravens have ended two weeks of roster dismantling by releasing quarterback Elvis Grbac after one tumultuous season.
Two days of talks broke off bitterly yesterday when the Ravens and Grbac's agent, Jim Steiner, could not come close to reaching an agreement on a pay cut. Grbac, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract last March, was scheduled to make a total of $7.5 million for the 2002 season.
In a season that began with expectations of a Super Bowl repeat, Grbac struggled to win games and win over fans. The Ravens won eight of his 14 regular season starts, as he often made mistakes at crucial times.
Although the Ravens made the playoffs with a 10-6 record, the offense never jelled, and the team was whipped in the divisional playoffs by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-10.
Steiner said the Ravens wanted Grbac to take a $5 million overall pay reduction after a disappointing season in which he finished as the National Football League's 26th-rated passer.
Grbac was willing to accept only a $3.5 million pay cut, which prompted the Ravens to release him yesterday, a day before he was due a $6 million roster bonus.
"I'm disappointed for Elvis; I'm disappointed for us," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "I really felt it was in our and his best interest for him to be here. I'm looking forward to moving ahead to those challenges that are very apparent for both of us. He and his representation have made a business decision which I respect. Now, we'll both go about our business."
Strapped by the NFL's salary cap, which limits a team's spending and helps to create parity in the league, the Ravens are leaning toward promoting third-string Chris Redman to starter and re-signing Randall Cunningham or another inexpensive veteran to back him up, a league source said. The team would then add a third quarterback by drafting one in the second or third round, the source said.
Dilfer not in picture
Team officials are not considering bringing back free agent Trent Dilfer, the quarterback on the Ravens' Super Bowl-winning team last year.
Grbac's departure capped a roster overhaul in which the Ravens have let go 15 players, including nine former Pro Bowl performers, to shave $26 million off the cost of their roster and fit under the league's $71.1 million salary cap. The Ravens are down to eight of last year's 22 starters under contract.
