Last July, the Ravens gave outside linebacker defensive end Terrell Suggs a six-year, $62.5 million contract along with a whopping $38.1 million guaranteed. He collected $16.1 million in the first year, including a $10.1 million signing bonus and $5 million base salary.
The return for Baltimore?
A career-low 4.5 sacks. Suggs’ lowest tackle total (59) since his one-start rookie season. Three missed games due to injury -- the first of Suggs’ career -- and a single forced fumble.
Suggs, paid a $23 million option bonus this March, vows to change.
“Hey, it’s not expected for me to have a season like that,” admitted the 27-year-old. “Rest assured, it will never happen again.”
Suggs’ worst season may be partially attributable to reporting out of shape last summer. He did little conditioning with the team while waiting for his contract extension.
In a September 22, 2009 mailbag item, Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun responded to a question about Suggs’ early-season lack of productivity.
“He needs to get his $63 million butt in shape,” answered Preston. “End of conversation.”
Suggs plans to play this season at 255 pounds. He weighed 270 last year.
We’ll see if it matters.