Ex-Ravens Still Respect Former Employer

Many times when a player leaves a team, they trash their former employer every chance they get, burning the bridges at possibly ever returning to that team. That does not appear to be the case with two former wide receivers who played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2010, but are unlikely to return in 2011. Both T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Donte Stallworth played only one season in Baltimore, but both expressed the desire to return and complemented the organization and their teammates nonetheless.

According to a story on NFL.com, Stallworth has warm feeling for the team that gave him a second chance after he was suspended for the entire 2009 season after a driving incident caused the death of a man in Florida. The Ravens signed Donte to a one year contract and despite being injured for part of the season, he never really was utilized in the offense and with the drafting of two wide receivers, appears not to be returning to the team in 2011.

In addition, Stallworth defended Ravens QB Joe Flacco in an article in the Carroll County Times. He said Joe's low-key personality should not be misjudged and also said he's made a lot of progress over the past year. Another Ravens WR, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, was complementary of the entire organization and worked out with rookie CB Jimmy Smith. In an earlier story here on Baltimore Beatdown, Housh expressed a lot of confidence in his ability and said the kid should be thrilled he got selected by a team with both Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to learn from.