Three days before the start of free agency, the Ravens' big target just happens to be their biggest player.
Maake Kemoeatu, a burly 6-foot-5, 350-pound nose tackle, is considered the Ravens' priority based on their need and the market. If they lose Kemoeatu, it's assumed there isn't anyone on the Ravens' roster or in free agency who can adequately replace him.
Agent Ken Vierra said yesterday the Ravens have been "aggressive" in trying to re-sign Kemoeatu before free agency begins Friday but indicated the first-year starter is basically forced to test the market.
"I think [Ravens general manager] Ozzie Newsome and [chief negotiator] Pat Moriarty have been extremely forthcoming and fair; they're doing everything right," Vierra said. "This is really about Maake and what makes sense from a business standpoint. A guy does not get to free agency very often in the course of his career. I believe he has earned the right to find out what he might be worth. That's our intention."
Vierra, however, did not rule out Kemoeatu returning to the Ravens.
"We're going to continue to talk," Vierra said. "I know they want to tie him up and get him under contract. I think he has to find out what his market value is."
The Ravens will also keep close contact with linebacker Bart Scott and defensive end Tony Weaver, two other defensive starters who will become free agents.
The hope is Scott and Weaver will follow a similar path to linebacker Adalius Thomas, who returned to the Ravens as a free agent in 2004 after gauging his worth with other teams.
If the Ravens can't retain Scott, they can look to bring back Tommy Polley to fill the starting inside linebacker role. If the Ravens can't re-sign Weaver, they have players on the roster such as Jarret Johnson, Dan Cody or Roderick Green who can plug that starting spot.
There are no such contingencies with Kemoeatu, a no-frills cog in the middle of that defensive front.
The Ravens' backup nose tackle, Aubrayo Franklin, isn't considered ready to handle the 40-plus snap workload. The other alternative in free agency is the Dallas Cowboys' La'Roi Glover, who should draw considerable interest after his expected release this week.
"Kemo has gotten better each year," Newsome said. "He has proven that he can be a viable player in front of the defense on first and second down."
