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Ex-Ravens players that flopped miserably elsewhere

Almost annually, a Ravens defender gets signed to a mega deal. Almost annually, they fail immediately.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Duane Starks

Starks was the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft and played with the Ravens until 2001. As a Raven, Starks intercepted 20 passes, including the pick-six in Super Bowl XXXV that basically sealed the win for the Ravens.

After the 2001 season he was given a five-year, $32 million contract from the Arizona Cardinals. He lasted three years in Arizona. His first year had him intercepting three passes andhis second was prematurely ended by an injury. His third was improved and had him intercepting two passes, one going for a touchdown.

Starks' tenure ended in 2005, when he was traded to the New England Patriots for a third-round pick, where he was put on IR after only seven games where he played poorly and sustained a shoulder injury. He was released and signed by the Oakland Raiders, where he would only have three tackles in three games in 2006 and before 2007 he was released in order to make room for JaMarcus Russell. He would get re-signed to a one year contract before 2008, but would be released and retire.

Gary Baxter

Baxter was a second-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. In his second season, he would take over the starting role and would keep it for the rest of his Ravens tenure. He would start every game and would record 282 tackles, five interceptions, and three sacks -- most notably one that came in a 30-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004 that would injure Tommy Maddox and start Ben Roethlisberger's career.

After 2005, Baxter was offered a six year, $30 million contract by the Browns. Baxter would only play eight games in two seasons for the Browns, making 41 tackles and intercepting three passes before getting released in 2008.

Adalius Thomas

Thomas was a sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. He would become an incredible force on the Baltimore defense in 2001 through 2006. He would play as a defensive end, outside linebacker and even lined up at cornerback when absolutely needed.

Thomas would be a first team All-Pro in 2003 and in 2006 and he was the NFL's non-offensive touchdown leader in 2005, when he returned three takeaways for scores. In 2007 Thomas signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Patriots, one of the rare times that Bil Belichick ever backed up the Brinks truck for a player. He would play well for the Patriots in 2007, but in 2008 and 2009 his play declined, which led to his release in 2010 before the draft.

Dawan Landry

Landry, taken in the fifth round of the 2006 draft, was a quality strong safety for the Ravens. Landry would intercept nine passes as a Raven and score three defensive touchdowns. In 2010, his 111 tackles would be second to only Ray Lewis.

He signed a five-year, $27 million contract in 2011 with the Jaguars. He was cut after two seasons with them, and is currently on the Jets.

Ed Reed

Reed was drafted 24th overall in 2002 and is one of the best ball-hawks in the history of the entire NFL. His 108-yard interception return is currently the longest in the history of the NFL. After Super Bowl XLVII, he signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Texans. He would miss the first two games with the Texans and would get released after Nov. 12. He would finish the season with the Jets but is currently a free agent.

Dannell Ellerbe

Ellerbe took the starting job after Ray Lewis suffered a triceps tear in Week 6 of the 2012 season and kept a starting role during the postseason, making crucial plays throughout Super Bowl run. He would sign a five-year, $35 million contract with the Dolphins. After a lackluster 2013 and a 2014 that had him on injured reserve for the entire season, he is looking at being a cap cut.