Ravens and Detroit Lions officials will meet today at the league meetings in Phoenix for talks that may be the Ravens' final bid to trade for Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell, and the Ravens also could engage in further discussions about possibly trading up in the April draft.
Detroit granted the Ravens permission to speak with Mitchell, 31, shortly after Brian Billick became the Ravens' new coach on Jan. 19. According to a high-ranking team official, the Ravens and Mitchell have reached a tentative oral agreement on a one-year contract that will pay Mitchell nearly $3 million next season.
The official said the Ravens also are prepared to complete a deal that would send quarterback Jim Harbaugh to the San Diego Chargers for a conditional late-round draft pick if the Ravens acquire Mitchell, and the Ravens would also step up their process to bring in veteran Warren Moon as Mitchell's backup.
But both sides have been reluctant to make the deal because Detroit is asking for this year's second-round pick for Mitchell, a player the Lions plan to cut around June 1 once his $4.8 million salary can be spread over two seasons. The Ravens want to keep their second-round pick to possibly trade up from their No. 10 overall position in the draft for a franchise-caliber quarterback.
Today's meeting will be over compensation and will probably focus on mid- to late-round draft picks. The Ravens are prepared to sign Moon and then wait for Mitchell to be waived in June if they can't reach an agreement soon. Ravens team president David Modell would not comment on whether the team had reached an agreement with Mitchell, but did confirm that the package offered him was around $3 million and that the team has had recent talks with the Chargers.
Several weeks ago, Mitchell's agent, Tony Agnone, wanted $3.5 million for a one-year deal while the Ravens were offering $2.5 million.
"We've had our meeting with the Ravens and we're comfortable we can consummate a contract if we had to," Agnone said.
The Chargers reportedly have offered a sixth-round pick in next year's draft for Harbaugh, and it could become a fifth-round selection if Harbaugh plays well. The Ravens would probably waive backup Eric Zeier if they acquire Mitchell and Moon.
Moon, 42, who visited the Ravens' training facility last Monday, may have overpriced himself in the market. Only one team besides the Ravens have shown recent interest in him, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were believed to have made him an offer of only $700,000.
"What we would like to do and what we can do is two different things," said Ravens president David Modell. "I'm optimistic we can get this done. When people meet face to face, it helps motivate the discussions.
"I'd like to get some sense of urgency from them, whether they want to get it done or not get it done. We're prepared to either get it done or move on, whatever the case."
The Ravens believe Moon can play a year or two if used sparingly. They would like to complete the Mitchell deal before the league meetings end on Thursday, and team owner Art Modell has said he would possibly enter the negotiations if no deal was completed by then because he is a good friend of Detroit owner William Clay Ford.
Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' vice president of player personnel, has confirmed that the Ravens have spoken with the Indianapolis Colts, who have the No. 4 overall pick, and the St Louis Rams, at No. 6, about moving up in the draft.
David Modell said those discussions could continue at the league meetings and he hinted the Ravens might have initial discussions with Washington about moving up to the Redskins' No. 5 position.
The Ravens are one of several teams that would like to draft a rookie quarterback such as Central Florida's Daunte Culpepper, Syracuse's Donovan McNabb and Oregon's Akili Smith.
Pub Date: 3/14/99