The Baltimore Ravens released former Pro Bowl linebacker Peter Boulware, one of their longest tenured and most popular players, yesterday in a move driven by salary cap reasons.
Boulware, who has not played in more than 16 months because of knee and toe injuries, was expected to take a diminished role with the Ravens this season. However, his contract, which he signed in 2002, called for a base salary of $6 million in each of the next four seasons. The Ravens and Boulware's agent, Roosevelt Barnes, attempted to re-structure Boulware's deal but were unsuccessful.
Because the Ravens released Boulware prior to June 1, the pro-rated portion of Boulware's $13.5 million signing bonus will count against this year's salary cap. A phone message left for Barnes was not returned yesterday.
"The conversations had gone far enough that we pretty much knew where we were at," Baltimore Coach Brian Billick told reporters at the team's training facility in Owings Mills. Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome had extensive conversations with Boulware's representatives, Billick said. "That negotiation was completed. They felt like there was more out there for them in the open market. We wanted to give him that opportunity. There is no reason to wait until June 1; we owed Peter that much."
Boulware, 30, injured his right knee against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 21, 2003, and underwent surgery in January 2004. He resumed practicing midway through last season and hoped to rejoin the team, but he injured his toe and was placed on injured reserve.
Adalius Thomas, a five-year veteran, started in Boulware's place last season and thrived, finishing second on the team with eight sacks. The Ravens picked Oklahoma defensive end Dan Cody with the 53rd overall selection in last month's NFL draft and said that he would move to outside linebacker and also be used as a situational pass rusher -- the role that Boulware was expected to play.
"Due to the play of Adalius Thomas and the drafting of Dan Cody, we decided to terminate Peter Boulware," Newsome said in a statement released by the team. "Peter has been a major contributor to the success of our organization both on and off the field."
Boulware had spent his entire professional career with the Ravens, who made him the fourth overall pick in the 1997 draft. He was named to four Pro Bowls and holds the franchise record for career sacks with 67.5. Boulware led the AFC and was second in the NFL with 15 sacks in 2001. He appeared in 111 games (starting 102) for Baltimore, and totaled 487 tackles, 12 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries.
The former Florida State standout was also a fixture in the Baltimore community. He and his wife served on a board of the Maryland Hospital for Children and he sponsored a youth tackle football league.
