Usually when an NFL player is designated with the franchise tag, he becomes angry and stays away from minicamps and training camp.
But last night, Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said he would harbor no hard feelings if the Ravens put the tag on him. The designation could come as early as today.
It's a good move by the Ravens, one that is definitely understandable. They are protecting an early investment in Suggs, 25, who has been successful and durable while averaging nine sacks a season over his five years.
If the Ravens don't put the franchise tag on Suggs, he will become one of the NFL's most sought-after free agents.
With the tag, Suggs would earn $8.065 million in 2008, the average salary of the top five players at his position. More importantly, he would stay a Raven.
As far as Suggs is concerned, he is still a winner.
"I talked to Ozzie [Newsome, Ravens general manager] earlier today, and he said they would put the tag on me [today]," Suggs said. "I'm disappointed because I really wanted a long-term deal, and I think I earned it. But this also keeps me in a Ravens uniform, and this is just another way of eventually getting it done.
"I'm a Raven at heart. That's my identity," Suggs said. "I started my career here in Baltimore and want to end it here in Baltimore."
Suggs fits the team's defensive profile. He's loud and bold. He has the swagger. And at times, his temper has gotten him in trouble on the field.
But Suggs isn't a bad kid. He's just a player who was 20 years old when he became a millionaire. He was immature five years ago but has grown up a lot since then.
There is room for more growth, but you'll never get all of the kid out of Suggs. There is no need to.
The Ravens know Suggs has a huge upside. He was the NFL's 2003 Defensive Rookie of the Year and has been to the Pro Bowl twice.
He is one the league's best pass rushers, a tenacious player who can overwhelm opponents with speed or power.
Suggs wanted to get paid as such during these negotiations. He acknowledged last night that he was asking for similar money to that of Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, who has a six-year deal worth $72 million that included $30 million guaranteed.
I wouldn't pay Suggs the same as Freeney this time around, but I'm at least putting him in the same neighborhood.
"I wanted to be somewhere around there," Suggs said, referring to Freeney's contract. "We went in thinking that I can do more than Dwight can do. He can't drop into pass coverage like I can. He can't play the run as well I do, either."
There are some who believe Suggs doesn't deserve Freeney-type money, especially after this season, when he had just five sacks. But Suggs did have a lot of quarterback hurries, which sometimes are just as valuable as sacks.
With defensive end Trevor Pryce missing most of the season because of injuries, offenses were able to focus their pass protection on Suggs. To avoid pressure, more and more teams also started having their quarterbacks throw even before the Ravens linebackers were getting into their drops.
"I had an average to slightly-above-average season, and that was for a number of reasons," Suggs said.
Suggs said he wasn't bothered by failed negotiations last season. He said the franchise tag designation wouldn't have an impact on him this season.
When asked last night if he would hold out during minicamps and training camp, Suggs said he has yet to decide.
"At this point, I don't know," Suggs said. "I love my teammates and I want to be there for them. Before I make a decision, I'll talk to a lot of people. I'll confide in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, see what they think I should do, and what is best for everybody."
He doesn't sound like a player who is mad. In fact, Suggs sounds like a player who has come to grips with reality.
There are a lot of things worse than making $8 million in a season and playing for the same team that drafted him in the first round five years ago.
"Earlier in the offseason, a reporter from Arizona asked me if I wanted to play for the Cardinals," Suggs said. "I told the reporter, 'Sure I would want to be a Cardinal. Arizona is where I'm from and where I live.' But I also said I wanted a deal with the Ravens first. That got left out. I'll always be a Raven. That's my identity."
mike.preston@baltsun.com