Dannell Ellerbe

The Ravens announced Tuesday afternoon that restricted free agent Dannell Ellerbe had re-signed with the team. The inside linebacker was given a second-round restricted tender by the Ravens last month. Under the second-round tender, Ellerbe will make $1.93 million this season, his fourth in the league. Ellerbe, 26, was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent before the 2009 season. He has started in seven games over the past three seasons, making 90 tackles and recording one sack in 33 career games.

After a season in which he emerged as one of the Ravens' most pleasant surprises, cornerback Cary Williams has signed his second-round restricted free agent tender. The tender carries a $1.927 million salary for the 2012 season. Williams is the last Ravens' restricted free agent to have his contract situation settled. The Ravens reached an agreement with cornerback Lardarius Webb on a five-year, $50 million deal and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe signed his second-round tender last month.  The Ravens have explored a long-term contract extension with Williams, but there doesn't appear to be anything imminent on that front and the 27-year-old is focused on making a healthy return from February hip surgery to repair a torn labrum.

After a season in which he emerged as one of the Ravens' most pleasant surprises, cornerback Cary Williams has signed his second-round restricted free agent tender. The tender carries a $1.927 million salary for the 2012 season. Williams is the last Ravens' restricted free agent to have his contract situation settled. The Ravens reached an agreement with cornerback Lardarius Webb on a five-year, $50 million deal and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe signed his second-round tender last month.  The Ravens have explored a long-term contract extension with Williams, but there doesn't appear to be anything imminent on that front and the 27-year-old is focused on making a healthy return from February hip surgery to repair a torn labrum.

Every weekday until Wednesday, the day before the first round of the NFL draft, The Sun will examine where the Ravens stand at each position, the likelihood that they will address that spot early in the draft and some of the prospects that they may consider. Today, we'll examine the linebacker position: Current linebackers under contract : Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Jameel McClain, Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Sergio Kindle, Albert McClellan, Chavis Williams, Josh Bynes, Cody Glenn.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata appears to be sitting out his second consecutive practice. The two-time Pro Bowler was the most noticeable absence from Ravens' practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with what the team described as a thigh injury. Wide receiver Lee Evans (left ankle) and inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) also were not present. Both players did not practice Wednesday. Wide receiver/kick returner David Reed (knee) returned Thursday after not participating in Wednesday's session.

In a repeat of Thursday, inside linebacker Ray Lewis and cornerback Chris Carr were absent from the portion of Friday's practice open to the media. Lewis, a 12-time Pro Bowl selection, did not practice Wednesday and Thursday. He has been hobbled by an injured toe on his right foot that has forced him to miss the Ravens' past two games. Carr, did not practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday by a recurring back ailment. Carr also missed the win against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.

In addition to right guard Marshal Yanda and inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe being absent, strong safety Bernard Pollard was missing during the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media. Pollard was not listed on Wednesday's injury report, which could be interpreted as a good sign. But the reason for his absence won't be known until later. Yanda is dealing with a bruised rib and thigh, while Ellerbe wore sunglasses Wednesday as a result of post-concussion symptoms.

If participating in practice is any indication, the Ravens appear to be getting much healthier. Cornerbacks Chris Carr (hamstring) and Jimmy Smith (ankle) were the only injured Ravens who weren't at least practicing in some capacity in the portion of practice visible to the media. Safety Tom Zbikowski (concussion) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) were both doing some individual work off to the side. Wide receiver David Reed (shoulder) and safety Haruki Nakamura (knee)

Ravens right guard Marshal Yanda, who was selected for this year's Pro Bowl, was absent from the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media. Yanda suffered a rib contusion in Saturday's 24-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. Ravens coach John Harbaugh provided no updates on Yanda's status. Also missing from Wednesday's practice were wide receiver Anquan Boldin (knee), linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (concussion) and defensive end Arthur Jones (illness). As expected, kicker Billy Cundiff (calf)

In a repeat of Wednesday's practice, every Ravens player was present and active at Thursday's session. All five players on the team's injury report participated in practice. Inside linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who was limited Wednesday by his sprained right quadriceps, is no longer wearing a wrap around his thigh and knee. Four players who practiced fully Wednesday - wide receiver Anquan Boldin (knee surgery), inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (post-concussion symptoms)

With today being the final day that NFL teams can sign restricted free agents to offer sheets, it is pretty much a formality that cornerback Cary Williams, who was given a second-round tender by the Ravens, will be back in Baltimore this season even though he has yet to sign his restricted tender and technically isn't under contract. Williams presumably hasn't signed his tender because he and the Ravens are in advanced talks on a contract extension, which is something team officials recently said was a priority this offseason.

The Ravens announced Tuesday afternoon that restricted free agent Dannell Ellerbe had re-signed with the team. The inside linebacker was given a second-round restricted tender by the Ravens last month. Under the second-round tender, Ellerbe will make $1.93 million this season, his fourth in the league. Ellerbe, 26, was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent before the 2009 season. He has started in seven games over the past three seasons, making 90 tackles and recording one sack in 33 career games.

The Ravens lost an ironman and a fan favorite when outside linebacker Jarret Johnson signed a four-year, $19-million deal with the San Diego Chargers last month. Since then, head coach John Harbaugh has twice hyped up Paul Kruger, who in his fourth season is the favorite to land the starting spot that belonged to Johnson. At Wednesday's pre-draft luncheon, Harbaugh said Kruger -- who was active for every game last season and excelled as a part-time player, recording a career-high 5.5 sacks -- is ready to become an every-down player.

The Ravens have lost three starters in free agency, but it's nothing to have major concerns about. Now, if they lose inside linebacker Jameel McClain, it might be time to get a little nervous. The departure of left guard Ben Grubbs to New Orleans was a major loss. He was the Ravens' best offensive lineman and about to enter his peak years in the NFL. But the best teams in the NFL always lose quality players because other teams raid them through free agency, so traditional favorites like the Steelers, Ravens and Colts will lose big-name players occasionally.

The NFL free agency period starts Tuesday afternoon, but there isn't much buzz surrounding the Ravens. Actually, it's pretty ho-hum, and likely to remain that way for a while. First, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome is never one to make a deal immediately. He prefers to let the market settle, and then find the right player for the right price. And then there is this little problem of the Ravens being only $14.44 million under the league salary cap of $120.6 million with no team unrestricted free agents signed, and the team also wanting to sign quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice to long-term contracts.

Sergio Kindle's status and ability continue to be sources of curiosity from fans, but Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said yesterday that the team has a much better understanding of what the linebacker can do. “I think we have a very good handle on what his strengths and weaknesses are, and it's going to be interesting to see how we can integrate him into the defense,” Newsome said. “We think we have a very good handle on it. I think this offseason is going to be very big for Serg.

Ravens guard Ben Grubbs playfully warned reporters to not ask him any questions about the toe injury that has kept him out since the first week of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His response essentially was, when he is ready to play, we'll see him out there. Grubbs did indeed participate in today's practice, albeit on a limited basis. Obviously, how he responds later in the week will be far more important, but his presence at practice today is at least a good sign.

The question is seemingly asked every year at this time, as if there is a handbook on how you confront the loss of a 13-time Pro Bowl performer, one of the best ever at his position and a player that has served as one of the faces of the franchise since the day the NFL returned to Baltimore. How will the Ravens replace middle linebacker Ray Lewis? Team owner Steve Bisciotti insists there is no answer to the question, saying this month that you "don't replace Hall of Famers.

The NFL scouting combine starts Feb. 22. In advance of the annual meat market in Indianapolis, staff writer Matt Vensel will examine each position and give Ravens fans the 4-1-1. In this post he looks at inside linebackers . The top prospects: Boston College's Luke Kuechly is the consensus top inside linebacker in this class. He is projected to go in the middle of first round, way before the Ravens are on the clock at No. 29. Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict, who has been linked to the Ravens in mock drafts and who has been compared to Ray Lewis by some analysts, is a first-round pick who should wow scouts at the combine.