124 Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Ravens' Gregg gets $20.3M, four-year extension By John Clayton ESPN.com Timed perfectly with the two-year extension just signed by defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Ravens defensive tackle Kelly Gregg, a long-time student of Ryan, reached a four-year, $20.3 million extension that will keep him a Raven until 2011. The Ryan-Gregg relationship goes back to Oklahoma where Ryan was an assistant coach and Gregg was a player. Once he got into the NFL, Ryan talked the Ravens into signing Gregg as an undrafted free agent. Gregg became one of the most productive undrafted defenders since the start of the new millennium. Over the past five years, Gregg has led all NFL interior defensive linemen in tackles. At 6-foot, 310 pounds, Gregg was considered to short too be a big-time player in the NFL. Since getting together with Ryan and the Ravens, Gregg has towered over most defensive tackles over the past five years. Gregg has been battling Jamal Williams of the Chargers for the league interior tackle lead for the past five seasons. Included in the deal is $3.5 million worth of guarantees. The interesting part of the deal is the Ravens didn't have to do it. Gregg had two years remaining on his contract, paying him $1.4 million this year and $1.7 million next year. The Ravens decided to reward Gregg for his efforts and give him a potential career-ending contract. John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gang_green03 Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Great move for them. Gregg is a great NT for them and really opens things up for Ngata who excelled next to him last year. That defense is so talented its rediculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R44 Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Gregg is, perhaps, the most underrated star in the N.F.L., according to some league insiders. By the way, Clayton made a mistake in that article: Gregg was actually drafted by the Bengals, he was not an undrafted free agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Jet Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Smart move on the teams part in signing him when they didn't have to. Same as the Jets did with Cotch. You make sure you keep the players you want and know you can build with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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