Finalized 15 Ravens RFA Tenders

The Ravens made it difficult for other teams to sign several of their restricted free agents by assigning tenders to 15 players this week.

And the toughest will be starting left tackle Jared Gaither and fullback Le'Ron McClain, who garnered a first-round tender.  That means the Ravens will have the opportunity to match any offer from another club or would get a first-round draft pick as compensation.

It was previously reported by multiple media outlets that the Ravens gave out three first-round tenders, which would grant them the first right of refusal for any opposing contract offer of the player of a first-round draft pick as compensation.

But that wasn't the case, cornerback Fabian Washington, who is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, instead got a second-round tag, contrary to previous belief.

"This is another step in our process as we put together our team for 2010," said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.  "There are other steps we'll take along the way, including the draft and adding other players.  We don't have to have our final roster until opening day in September."

The NFL made it official Friday morning with a press release detailing all tenders.

For the Ravens, wideout and former first-round draft pick Mark Clayton got a second-round status, which was shared by guard/tackle Marshal Yanda, punter Sam Koch and safety Dawan Landry. 

Guard Chris Chester (third round) got a low tender, as did linebacker Antwan Barnes (fourth), wideout Demetrius Williams (fourth), tackle Tony Moll (fifth), quarterback Troy Smith (fifth), linebacker Prescott Burgess (sixth) and kicker Billy Cundiff (right of first refusal).

The Ravens did not offer tenders to offensive tackle Adam Terry and tight end Edgar Jones, although both players could re-sign with the team under the veteran minimum salary. 

Terry spent all of the 2009 campaign recovering from a knee injury, and  Jones, a former outside linebacker/defensive end, converted to tight end on a full-time basis last year but rarely saw the field on offense.

Baltimore Tender Offers