No deal yet between Ravens, Grubbs

The Baltimore Sun

Contrary to media reports last night, the Ravens have not reached a deal with their first-round draft pick, Ben Grubbs, but the sides are expected to agree to terms on a contract before the team reports to training camp Sunday.

When asked last night whether the Ravens had an agreement with Grubbs, general manager Ozzie Newsome said: "Not at this time. We're working on it."

Five of the final six selections in the first round have reached deals. The only one who remains unsigned is Grubbs, the 29th overall pick, who was considered the top guard prospect in the draft.

The framework of Grubbs' contract appears set because the players drafted before and after him have signed.

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley, the 28th overall pick, signed a five-year, $8 million deal that includes $5.6 million in guaranteed money. San Diego Chargers wide receiver Craig Davis, the 30th pick, agreed to a five-year, $7.8 million contract that includes $5.4 million in guaranteed money.

Based on the NFL's slotting principle, Grubbs' contract numbers should fall between the figures for Staley and Davis.

The Ravens are trying to end a long run of holdouts. Their past six first-round picks - Ed Reed (2002), Terrell Suggs (2003), Kyle Boller (2003), Mark Clayton (2005) and Haloti Ngata (2006) - all missed time in training camp because they didn't sign contracts before camp began.

The last Ravens first-round pick to report to camp on time was Todd Heap in 2001.

Besides Grubbs, the only other unsigned Ravens draft pick is fullback Le'Ron McClain, the team's second pick in the fourth round.

jamison.hensley@baltsun.com

Sun columnist Mike Preston contributed to this article.

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