The Baltimore Ravens have always been thin at WR, but it has not been due to a lack of trying. They try to strengthen their WR pool year after year with little or no results. While they must continue to fill their holes at WR via the NFL draft, another more viable option would be to grab a WR via free agency.
The Ravens did just that as they signed Donte Stallworth to a one-year deal worth $900,000. While it may be true that Stallworth has had numerous legal problems and battles injuries year after year, you cannot deny his speed and great hands.
The New Orleans Saints drafted him in the first round (13th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft. Since his rookie season, Stallworth has played for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns. To date, his best season came in 2005, where he had 70 receptions for 945 yards.
Let us look past the injuries and legal problems for a moment and determine why I think he has not reached his full potential.
During his time with the Saints, he had Aaron Brooks throwing him the ball, who could not succeed with Randy Moss and Wes Welker on the corners. During this span, the Saints were mediocre at best and only had one season above .500.
His lone season in Philadelphia saw him buried as the fourth option behind Brian Westbrook, L. J. Smith, and Reggie Brown, which limited his opportunities. Another factor that was not working in his favor was a change of QBs, which saw Jeff Garcia take over for an injured Donovan McNabb.
While Stallworth was with the Patriots, he was afterthought at best while sitting on the sideline watching Randy Moss and Wes Welker have career years. His only opportunities came as a situational WR, which does not bode well for any receiver in the NFL.
His last stint in the NFL before being suspended was with the hapless Browns, who could not fight their way out of a wet paper bag in 2008. It did not help matters that the Browns had a continuous carousel of QBs consisting of Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey, and Bruce Gradkowski.
In no way am I saying that Stallworth will be first on the depth chart in Baltimore, nor will he be the answer to the Ravens' WR woes. What I am saying is that this is the perfect opportunity for Stallworth to turn his career around. At this point, he has nothing to lose and can only go up at this point.
The worst-case scenario would be that the Ravens spent a measly $900,000 on a WR that has a high probability to be the Ravens' No. 3 WR and potential to knock Mark Clayton out of the No. 2 WR position. I am basing this on the assumption that Derrick Mason returns for the 2010 season.
Many NFL pundits would disagree with my assessment of Stallworth, but the Ravens deserve the benefit of the doubt on this signing. Stallworth has gone through a life-changing event in his life when he took the life of another person and deserves every opportunity to make things right.
The bottom line is that the Ravens signed a veteran receiver at a very cheap price and if everything works out, the Ravens will look brilliant in the end.
February 23, 2010
Bobby:
This is the first article that I have seen to ever mention other factors outside of Donte’s control (QBs with various teams). This is not an excuse but a factor that should be considered. It must have been tough trying to make due with a sub par Qb in Aaron Brooks. Also, who was calling for all the balls in New Orleans at the time, Joe Horn. In Philly, Donte and Donovan had great chemistry and when Donte missed a few games early, that kind of changed things. Then Donovan got hurt and the Garcia could never get the ball down field. At New England, Donte was the reason that Randy and Wes had such a productive year. Teams had to pay attention to Donte because he was just as difficult to cover than Randy or Wes. At Cleveland, it was a joke and the entire organization was horrible and it reflected on the playing field. Yes, he was onthe field but how do you catch the ball when it is not even thrown your way??? I mean there were games when not a single pass was thrown to him. It just didn’t make any sense. At any rate, the Raven will benefit greatly with the addition of Donte 1) team player 2) great attitude 3) if used correctly and given the chance to have a 80+ catch season, you will see 1,100-1,200 yard season.
February 24, 2010
moak:
i been a donte stallworth fan since 2003… if i can compare him to any other sports figure i would compare him to jayson werth of the phillies. I am from philadelphia and we also give people second chances like we gave werth in 2006. Werth had all the potential in the world but pitch to his wrist and missed the entire 2006 season.. the phillies signed him when no one else wanted him and with him being a great team player and great attitude like donte has helped the phillies win the 2008 world series and become an all star in 2009. Donte was a huge prospect coming out of UT with amazing speed and great hands makes him a big deep threat everytime he touches the field. Big props to the ravens on signing him, as soon as he makes the team in training camp ill be one of the first buying a black #18 ravens jersey
February 28, 2010
Linda Cwiak:
I have met Donte Stallworth and feel that he is a humble, sincere and honest individual. He will grow and acheive his ultimate goal………….a successful football player and an honest man. He has integrity. Give him a chance to redeem his reputation. He is a man of GOD.