Agents

PHOENIX -- The Ravens were awarded four compensatory picks for next month's draft, bringing their total number of selections to 12. Because of their free-agent losses last offseason, they were awarded extra picks in the fourth (130th overall), fifth (168l), sixth (203) and seventh (247) rounds, the NFL announced Monday at its annual meetings at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. The Ravens already had picks in all seven rounds and an extra sixth-round selection courtesy of the trade that sent veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers.

With little salary cap room and other priorities, the Ravens knew that they'd lose several key contributors from the team that beat the San Francisco 49ers last month to win Super Bowl XLVII. Their first free agent defection came less than an hour after the market opened today as outside linebacker Paul Kruger agreed to terms on a five-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth $40 million, according to league sources. Kruger's loss was expected after the 27-year-old linebacker had a breakout 2012-13 season, leading the Ravens with nine sacks to go along with 42 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Look for the Cleveland Browns to make an early push during free agency to sign several of the Ravens defensive players. The Browns are $47 million under the salary cap and have privately showed interest in linebackers Dannell Ellerbe, Paul Kruger and cornerback Cary Williams. The Ravens won't make a hard push to sign Kruger and Williams, but they want Ellerbe back.There is speculation Ellerbe wants $6 million per season and the Ravens are prepared to offer $5 million. Ellerbe's durability will be an issue if and when he hits the market.

Ravens veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin bullied defensive backs during the NFL playoffs, emerging as a Super Bowl XLVII hero. Now, he's in danger of losing his job. The Ravens are attempting to lower the $6 million salary of the three-time Pro Bowl selection, and it could lead to his release by the start of the free agent signing period Tuesday if talks continue to be unsuccessful, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation....

The head of online news at the Annapolis Capital has been arrested after investigators in Pennsylvania said he tried to meet for sex with an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl, the paper reported. George Lundskow, 55, faces six charges including two of unlawful contact with a minor for alleged offenses committed last November, court records in Pennsylvania show. Lundskow was taken into custody Friday night, according to Anne Arundel County police, and court records show he is being held without bond.

Joe Flacco is an elite quarterback now. Forget about Super Bowl rings, conference or division championships, win-loss record and ability. The Ravens made him elite Friday night when the two sides agreed to terms on a six-year, $120.6 million contract that made him the highest paid player in NFL history. Flacco now makes more money than the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees and the Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning. An above average Joe has become "Elite Joe. " The question now is what happens to the Ravens, and where do they go from here as far as signing and re-signing free agents?

Don't look for a $3,000 suit or slicked-back hair. Don't expect to hear empty flattery or bragging about an extensive list of superstar clients. None of that is Joe Linta. "If you met him and he told you he was a sports agent, you wouldn't believe him," says recently retired Ravens center Matt Birk, a client of Linta's for all 15 of his NFL seasons. Linta built his Connecticut-based agency around guys like Birk, who were drafted in the later rounds and became excellent players at unglamorous positions.

A 34-year-old Florida man pleaded guilty late Wednesday to illegally selling night vision goggles and other military style gear online to an undercover federal agent in Baltimore pretending to be an overseas buyer — a charge that could land him in prison for 20 years. Anthony J. Torresi, of Coral Gables, did not have the required U.S. Department of State license to sell the items when he posted them on eBay and then arranged to sell them to a buyer who he believed was in New Zealand, according to the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office of Rod J. Rosenstein.

A little more than two weeks before he hits the open market and is allowed to sign with another team, outside linebacker Paul Kruger's mindset remains the same as it was in the hours that followed the Ravens' 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII . "There's no reason to want to go to anywhere else," said Kruger, the Ravens' sack leader this past year and, starting March 12, one of the top free agent pass rushers available....

Baltimore police have identified two people who died in unrelated shootings this week. Police said David Armstrong was found fatally shot at the bottom of a stairwell in Southwest Baltimore on Monday night. Armstrong, 47, found in the 4300 block of Adelle Terrace in the city's Irvington neighborhood, was shot in the torso by an unknown assailant, police said. Police said the victim's last address may have been in the 4300 block of Dana Street, not far from the crime scene. The case remains under investigation, and police said they have no suspects.