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Rondo The Prodigy
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http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02...worth-a-chance/The Baltimore Ravens are signing wide receiver Donte Stallworth to a one-year, $900,000 contract. Before his year-long suspension for pleading guilty to D.U.I. manslaughter, Stallworth specialized in one-year tenures.
After a breakout 945-yard season with the Saints in ’05, he was traded to Philadelphia for linebacker Mark Simoneau and a fourth-round pick. Stallworth gained 725 yards on just 38 receptions for the Eagles in ’06 before signing as a free agent with the Patriots. Though a starter, Stallworth was an afterthought in New England’s juggernaut offense, and the team declined to pick up his $6 million option bonus in ’08. The Browns stepped in, giving Stallworth a seven-year, $35 million contract ($10 million guaranteed). He, in turn, gave them 17 catches in 11 games. Then the legal woes.
Even before last year, the concern with Stallworth was always about how a former first-round pick with speed to burn could keep getting let go. He was in the league’s substance-abuse program in New Orleans, and he’s prone to the type of minor injuries that drive coaches crazy.
That baggage, and his yearlong absence, explains Baltimore’s low-risk investment. The Ravens are hoping Stallworth is a new man who still has playmaking abilities. They’re in desperate need of a No. 3 receiver and, in the back of their minds, they might be hoping that the 28-year-old Stallworth can push Mark Clayton for a starting job.
I can see why they would give him a chance. He made a mistake, and took all the blame for it. I know he is still probably a great player and they are getting him for only $900k which wouldn't be too much of a risk.
Please don't bring Michael Vick or Plaxico Burress into discussion either.