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Ravens Franchise Ngata: Official Team Statement

Feb. 15, 2011                                                                                                                                                                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                 HALOTI NGATA
The Baltimore Ravens this afternoon designated DT Haloti Ngata as their franchise player, securing his rights for the 2011 season, general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome announced.
 
"The tender allows us to secure Haloti as a Raven right now," stated Newsome. "As we have said, our intention is to enter into a long-term contract with him. We want him to be a Raven."
 
A two-time Pro Bowl selection (2009-10), Ngata has recorded 328 tackles, 12 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries since being selected by Baltimore with the 12th-overall pick in the 2006 Draft. Ngata is the anchor of a defensive line that has surrendered a league-low 31 rushing TDs and the NFL’s second-fewest rushing first downs since he entered the NFL five years ago. He has missed just two games (Weeks 8 and 9 of the 2009 season) in his five-year career, starting 76 regular season games and eight playoff contests.
 
The Ravens have previously placed the franchise tag on three players: G/C Wally Williams in 1998, CB Chris McAlister in 2003 and 2004 (McAlister signed a long-term contract in October, 2004) and Terrell Suggs in 2008 and 2009 (Suggs signed a long-term deal prior to the start of the 2009 season).