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The clock is counting down for the Ravens to offer tenders to their 17 restricted free agents, as March 4 is quickly approaching.
The Ravens certainly have a lengthy list of RFAs, and considering their free-agency limitations due to the “Final 8″ plan, they would benefit by re-signing as many as possible.
In what is shaping up to be an uncapped 2010 season, restricted free agents are players with three, four, or five accrued years of service. At the expiration of an RFA’s contract, the player’s old club retains the right to either match an offer he may get from another team or to receive draft choice compensation from the club making the offer.
The qualifying offer is based on the level of draft choices the old club wants to receive, and it is based on the veteran’s tenure.
For three-year vets, a $1.101 million offer earns the right of refusal, $1.684 million earns a second-round pick as compensation, $2.396 million is a first-round tender, and $3.043 million is worth first- and third-round picks.
For four-year players, $1.176 million secures refusal, $1.759 million would be a second-round pick offer, $2.521 million is a first-round tender, and $3.168 million is good for first and third selections.
And for five-year veterans, $1.226 million is first refusal, $1.809 million is the second-round pick tender, $2.621 million goes for the first-round offer, and $3.268 million gets the first and third.
Here is a list of the Ravens’ RFAs…
Third-Year: LB Antwan Barnes, QB John Beck, LB Prescott Burgess, OT Jared Gaither, TE Edgar Jones, FB Le’Ron McClain, QB Troy Smith, G/T Marshal Yanda
Fourth-Year: G/C Chris Chester, P Sam Koch, S Dawan Landry, G/T Tony Moll, WR Demetrius Williams
Fifth-Year: WR Mark Clayton, K Billy Cundiff, OT Adam Terry, CB Fabian Washington
