broncofaninfla
03-18-2010, 10:57 AM
Edwards signs with Bills, Frank Walker weighing his options
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/carrollcountytimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/4/fb/bf6/4fbbf6f8-3247-11df-b2f3-001cc4c002e0.preview-300.jpg?_dc=1268886771 (http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/sports/article_5856d42c-3247-11df-8048-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=image&photo=#1)AP Photo Former Raven Dwan Edwards speaks during a news conference Wednesday after he signed a four-year contract with the Bills.
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:29 am | Updated: 1:58 am, Thu Mar 18, 2010.
By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer | 0 comments (http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/sports/article_5856d42c-3247-11df-8048-001cc4c002e0.html#user-comment-area)
OWINGS MILLS - As former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards officially signed his four-year, $18 million contract with the Buffalo Bills after agreeing to terms early Wednesday morning, veteran cornerback Frank Walker is exploring his options in free agency.
Walker has yet to garner a contract offer from the Ravens, who have informed his representatives that they want him back.
Meanwhile, Walker is in discussions with three teams. The Jacksonville Jaguars need cornerback depth and are one of the possibilities.
No deal is believed to be imminent, but Walker is drawing interest.
Walker, who announced on his Twitter account that he might be leaving Baltimore with an unnamed team interested in him, has remained in contact with the Ravens and still hopes to return.
"The conversation is ongoing with Baltimore and they have said they want him back," said Frank Murtha, Walker's agent. "We told them at the scouting combine that we are talking with other teams and we're not going to give them the right of first refusal. The train is warming up to leave the station."
Because Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb are recovering from anterior cruciate ligament tears, the Ravens need someone who can step in opposite Domonique Foxworth.
Although he has been extremely prone to pass interference and illegal contact penalties, Walker could fit in with Baltimore because of his size, speed and aggressive approach to the game. He also adds value as a special teams contributor.
The Ravens are expected to address the cornerback position in the draft, too.
Walker hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning.
"Hopefully I get to stay up there bc I love the guys and my coach is the best ever," Walker wrote on his Twitter account in reference to secondary coach Chuck Pagano.
Meanwhile, Edwards was introduced as a newly-minted Bill during a press conference. He had visited the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, but didn't get offers because he didn't pass their physicals.
Edwards told the Times that the Ravens wanted him to have neck surgery after undergoing spinal fusion surgery two years ago where his C3 and C4 vertebrae were fused and his disc was removed with another surgically inserted from a cadaver.
However, he insists that he's healthy enough to play without a major risk. He said the Ravens wound up withdrawing an offer to him during the free agency process.
"They're getting a great player," Edwards told Buffalo reporters. "I'm glad they took a chance on me. It motivates me, definitely, that teams dropped interest. I'm looking forward to getting back on the field with some of these teams.
"I'm coming off playing 18 games and I played well. It definitely was a frustrating free-agent period and to get that label. There's nothing you can do about it, but I know I can play."
A former second-round draft pick from Oregon State, Edwards has an understated personality. He said he expects to emerge as a leader in Buffalo.
"You kind of take a back seat in Baltimore with all the great leaders we had," Edwards said. "But I think I really could be that guy. I don't want to come in here and start barking orders at guys. That's not my personality, but I think I'll show people the way I work and prepare. Hopefully, that can rub off on some young guys and I can pick up some things from them."
NOTES: Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison attended the University of Florida Pro Day workout where quarterback Tim Tebow was the object of the media attention. The Ravens were probably a lot more interested in the performance of tight end Aaron Hernandez, who ran the 40-yard dash between 4.56 and 4.61 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times. ... The Ravens have been mentioned as a potential candidate to play the New York Jets in a road Thanksgiving game. That game and other featured portions of the NFL schedule will be announced Monday at the owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. The entire schedule will be released in April.
Reach staff writer Aaron Wilson at 410-857-7896 or sports@carroll (sports@carroll)
countytimes.com (http://countytimes.com/).
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/carrollcountytimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/4/fb/bf6/4fbbf6f8-3247-11df-b2f3-001cc4c002e0.preview-300.jpg?_dc=1268886771 (http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/sports/article_5856d42c-3247-11df-8048-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=image&photo=#1)AP Photo Former Raven Dwan Edwards speaks during a news conference Wednesday after he signed a four-year contract with the Bills.
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:29 am | Updated: 1:58 am, Thu Mar 18, 2010.
By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer | 0 comments (http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/sports/article_5856d42c-3247-11df-8048-001cc4c002e0.html#user-comment-area)
OWINGS MILLS - As former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards officially signed his four-year, $18 million contract with the Buffalo Bills after agreeing to terms early Wednesday morning, veteran cornerback Frank Walker is exploring his options in free agency.
Walker has yet to garner a contract offer from the Ravens, who have informed his representatives that they want him back.
Meanwhile, Walker is in discussions with three teams. The Jacksonville Jaguars need cornerback depth and are one of the possibilities.
No deal is believed to be imminent, but Walker is drawing interest.
Walker, who announced on his Twitter account that he might be leaving Baltimore with an unnamed team interested in him, has remained in contact with the Ravens and still hopes to return.
"The conversation is ongoing with Baltimore and they have said they want him back," said Frank Murtha, Walker's agent. "We told them at the scouting combine that we are talking with other teams and we're not going to give them the right of first refusal. The train is warming up to leave the station."
Because Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb are recovering from anterior cruciate ligament tears, the Ravens need someone who can step in opposite Domonique Foxworth.
Although he has been extremely prone to pass interference and illegal contact penalties, Walker could fit in with Baltimore because of his size, speed and aggressive approach to the game. He also adds value as a special teams contributor.
The Ravens are expected to address the cornerback position in the draft, too.
Walker hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning.
"Hopefully I get to stay up there bc I love the guys and my coach is the best ever," Walker wrote on his Twitter account in reference to secondary coach Chuck Pagano.
Meanwhile, Edwards was introduced as a newly-minted Bill during a press conference. He had visited the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, but didn't get offers because he didn't pass their physicals.
Edwards told the Times that the Ravens wanted him to have neck surgery after undergoing spinal fusion surgery two years ago where his C3 and C4 vertebrae were fused and his disc was removed with another surgically inserted from a cadaver.
However, he insists that he's healthy enough to play without a major risk. He said the Ravens wound up withdrawing an offer to him during the free agency process.
"They're getting a great player," Edwards told Buffalo reporters. "I'm glad they took a chance on me. It motivates me, definitely, that teams dropped interest. I'm looking forward to getting back on the field with some of these teams.
"I'm coming off playing 18 games and I played well. It definitely was a frustrating free-agent period and to get that label. There's nothing you can do about it, but I know I can play."
A former second-round draft pick from Oregon State, Edwards has an understated personality. He said he expects to emerge as a leader in Buffalo.
"You kind of take a back seat in Baltimore with all the great leaders we had," Edwards said. "But I think I really could be that guy. I don't want to come in here and start barking orders at guys. That's not my personality, but I think I'll show people the way I work and prepare. Hopefully, that can rub off on some young guys and I can pick up some things from them."
NOTES: Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison attended the University of Florida Pro Day workout where quarterback Tim Tebow was the object of the media attention. The Ravens were probably a lot more interested in the performance of tight end Aaron Hernandez, who ran the 40-yard dash between 4.56 and 4.61 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times. ... The Ravens have been mentioned as a potential candidate to play the New York Jets in a road Thanksgiving game. That game and other featured portions of the NFL schedule will be announced Monday at the owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. The entire schedule will be released in April.
Reach staff writer Aaron Wilson at 410-857-7896 or sports@carroll (sports@carroll)
countytimes.com (http://countytimes.com/).