OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- By reaching a four-year, $98 million deal with Justin Madubuike on Friday, the Baltimore Ravens showed faith in their Pro Bowl defensive tackle and provided hope of the AFC runners-up making a key move in free agency, perhaps at running back.
The timing of the Madubuike deal is as big as the contract itself. Just three days before the start of free agency's legal tampering period, the Ravens gained an estimated $11 million in cap space and will not carry a $22.1 million cap hit from him being on the franchise tag.