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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2010 > February > 17 > Entry
Stallworth a Raven; Lewis released
You can just imagine Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown, the self-appointed Great Redeemer, slamming his hand down on the desk and yelling about the one who got away.
No, the Bengals won’t be there to re-integrate former Browns receiver Donte Stallworth back into football society. That responsibility now apparently will fall to the Baltimore Ravens, who have signed Stallworth to a one-year contract reportedly worth $900,000 with an additional $300,000 in incentives.
The Ravens, as this move indicates, are desperate for receivers. Stallworth, of course, sat out all last season, suspended by the NFL after killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence and serving 30 days in jail. The Browns released him after he was reinstated following the Super Bowl.
“There was a time I felt the mistake I made was the end of the world for me,” Stallworth said in a statement. “I will never get that morning back. It weighs on me every day and will for the rest of my life.
“What I can do is move forward, try to be a better person, try to convince others not to do what I did and warn others about the dangers of drinking and driving. I have to show otherwise that what happened doesn’t reflect who I am.
“I have to prove that, and, hopefully, I’m on my way to doing that. I know my apology will never be strong enough for some, but I’ve made changes, and I’m trying to be a positive influence. It’s an honor and privilege to play in the NFL, and I’m so thankful for this opportunity.”
All’s good now, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, the former Brown, said.
“We’ve given a lot of thought to this and we’ve done extensive research into Donte’ beyond football,” Newsome told The Associated Press. “He made a huge mistake. There’s no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight. As (Ravens owner) Steve (Bisciotti) has said, we believe in second chances, and Donte’ does deserve that.
“But, we’ve signed him because we want to get better, and we think he has a chance to help us. We worked him out and it’s obvious he is working hard to be effective. We thought it was important to sign him now, because other teams were pursuing him and we want him in our offseason program, which starts next month.”
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Stallworth, after proving to be one of the worst free-agent busts in Browns history, becomes an important cog in the Ravens’ offense. Given the Browns’ luck, who could bet against it?
ALSO TODAY, the Browns formally terminated the contract of running back Jamal Lewis, who is probably retiring, although his future remained uncertain at season’s end.
“I enjoyed getting to know Jamal and having the opportunity to coach him last season,” head coach Eric Mangini said. “We want to thank him for his contributions to the Cleveland Browns and wish him nothing but the best moving forward. I’m sure he will be successful in whatever he decides to pursue.”
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By professor
February 20, 2010 10:55 PM | Link to this
What a history when one looks at how many players started with or were passed by by the Browns as you have pointed out. My favorite Browns oops is the quarterback of that other steel city.