Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has prioritized the defensive backfield this offseason by signing safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback Brandon Carr. Acquiring Jefferson on a 4-year, $34 million agreement and Carr with a 4-year, $24 million pact was wise considering the Ravens style of play produces many close games that are decided late in the fourth quarter.
Despite the narrative, Newsome has consistently addressed the safety and cornerback positions in free agency throughout his tenure in Baltimore. Most of the stopgap type one-year singings - a record that includes corners Cary Williams, Fabian Washington, Deion Sanders and Jerraud Powers, and safeties James Ihedigbo, Jim Leonhard and Darian Stewart - have played reasonably well for the Ravens.