Ravens March Madness: Vote for the best free-agent signing in the Ed Reed Region

In the spirit of March Madness and NFL free agency, I thought it might be fun to put together a bracket related to the Ravens, with the Baltimore Beatdown community voting for who advances and who doesn't.

What I decided to do was put 32 Ravens free-agent signings in team history and have them battle it out bracket style.

A few notes for the first round:

1) Matt Stover does not count since he was a Browns free-agent signing. When the team relocated, the Ravens did not bring over the Browns history. So in essence, Stover just kind of showed up and wasn't a free-agent signing.

2) Willis McGahee was sort of a free agent but not really. With his contract expiring the Bills traded him to the Ravens before the new league year began, and then the Ravens worked out a new deal immediately after. Since it was technically a trade, McGahee is not involved.

3) I didn't include undrafted free agents, just guys that had at least played games or been on a different roster previously.

Other than that, here goes. Each bracket is divided into four regions. This one is the Ed Reed Region.

About each player and matchup:

No. 1 Rod Woodson vs. No. 8 Will Hill

Woodson saw the light after 10 seasons with the Steelers. He left Pittsburgh, played one year in San Francisco and then came to the Ravens after that. He spent four years with the Ravens from 1998-2001 and was a major reason why the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. A longtime cornerback, he did was most aging defensive backs do — he switched to safety. It prolonged his career and gave him quite a bit of success in Baltimore.

The jury is still out on Hill, though he possesses the tools to be one of those classic free-agent signings that pay off for years to come. Plagued by off-field issues with the Giants, he was released and scooped up by the Ravens last year. After a six-game suspension, Hill totaled 41 tackles and one interception. His best game of the year came against the Saints, when he was assigned to cover Jimmy Graham.

<div id="qp_all271510" style="width:100%;"><STYLE>#qp_main271510 .qp_btna:hover input {background-color:#00355F!important}</STYLE><link href='http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><div id="qp_main271510" style="border-radius:0px;margin:0px;padding:15px;background-color:#FFF;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;color:#000;border: 1px solid #DBD9D9;max-width: 800px"><div style="font-size: 18px;background-color: #00355F;color: #FFF;font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial"><div style="line-height:30px;padding:10px 15px">Who wins — No. 1 Rod Woodson or No. 8 Will Hill</div></div><form id="qp_form271510" action="http://www.poll-maker.com/results271510x180548F4-10" method="post" target="_blank" style="display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0px"><div style="padding:0px"><input type=hidden name="qp_d271510" value="42085.1354976883-42085.1354870642"><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271510" type="radio" value="1">Type your answers here</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271510" type="radio" value="2">Rod Woodson</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271510" type="radio" value="3">Will Hill</span></div></div><div style="padding-left:0px;height:40px"><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-right:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271510" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="v" value="Vote"></a><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271510" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="r" value="Results"></a></div><a id="qp_a271510" style="float:right;font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-decoration:none;margin-top:-12px;margin-right:-5px" href="http://www.poll-maker.com">Poll Maker</a></form></div></div><script src="http://scripts.poll-maker.com/3012/scpolls.js" language="javascript"></script>

No. 4 Vonta Leach vs. No. 5 Sam Adams

Leach joined the Ravens in 2011 and had an immediate impact on what the Ravens wanted to do in the running game. As a lead blocker, he helped pave the way for Ray Rice to two successful seasons and was a part of the offense that went on to win Super Bowl XLVII. However, by 2013, his role had been dramatically reduced and he was released following the season. Leach earned two Pro Bowl berths with the Ravens in 2011 and 2012.

Adams only played two seasons with the Ravens in 2000 and 2001 but was a terror inside for offensive lines to deal with. He made the Pro Bowl in both of those years and totaled 50 tackles and four sacks in those seasons. Adams and Tony Siragusa were the two anchors on the defensive line that helped that dominant unit win Super Bowl XXXV.

<div id="qp_all271512" style="width:100%;"><STYLE>#qp_main271512 .qp_btna:hover input {background-color:#00355F!important}</STYLE><link href='http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><div id="qp_main271512" style="border-radius:0px;margin:0px;padding:15px;background-color:#FFF;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;color:#000;border: 1px solid #DBD9D9;max-width: 800px"><div style="font-size: 18px;background-color: #00355F;color: #FFF;font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial"><div style="line-height:30px;padding:10px 15px">Who wins — No. 4 Vonta Leach or No. 5 Sam Adams</div></div><form id="qp_form271512" action="http://www.poll-maker.com/results271512x8246b2Ae-10" method="post" target="_blank" style="display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0px"><div style="padding:0px"><input type=hidden name="qp_d271512" value="42085.1358912031-42085.135879659"><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271512" type="radio" value="1">Type your answers here</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271512" type="radio" value="2">Vonta Leach</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271512" type="radio" value="3">Sam Adams</span></div></div><div style="padding-left:0px;height:40px"><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-right:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271512" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="v" value="Vote"></a><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271512" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="r" value="Results"></a></div><a id="qp_a271512" style="float:right;font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-decoration:none;margin-top:-12px;margin-right:-5px" href="http://www.poll-maker.com">Poll Maker</a></form></div></div><script src="http://scripts.poll-maker.com/3012/scpolls.js" language="javascript"></script>

No. 2 Justin Forsett vs. No. 7 Deion Sanders

Forsett wasn't supposed to be this good. He was a system running back that could be a camp body and maybe be the third guy in a backfield that would feature Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. Well, we know what happened to Rice and Pierce couldn't seize the opportunity. Out of nowhere, Forsett took control and ran with it. He finished 2014 with 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns and participated in the Pro Bowl. Now he's under contract for the next three seasons and is a clear No. 1 running back.

Sanders actually spent three years out of football before making a comeback with the Ravens. And while it seemed improbable for him to make much of an impact, he wasn't too bad. In 2004, Sanders had three interceptions and a defensive touchdown. A year later, Sanders recorded two interceptions and 27 tackles. He was mostly a sub-package corner, but he did do more than expected at that stage of his career.

<div id="qp_all271513" style="width:100%;"><STYLE>#qp_main271513 .qp_btna:hover input {background-color:#00355F!important}</STYLE><link href='http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><div id="qp_main271513" style="border-radius:0px;margin:0px;padding:15px;background-color:#FFF;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;color:#000;border: 1px solid #DBD9D9;max-width: 800px"><div style="font-size: 18px;background-color: #00355F;color: #FFF;font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial"><div style="line-height:30px;padding:10px 15px">Who wins — No. 2 Justin Forsett or No. 7 Deion Sanders</div></div><form id="qp_form271513" action="http://www.poll-maker.com/results271513x4c114222-10" method="post" target="_blank" style="display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0px"><div style="padding:0px"><input type=hidden name="qp_d271513" value="42085.1362615735-42085.1362239994"><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271513" type="radio" value="1">Type your answers here</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271513" type="radio" value="2">Justin Forsett</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271513" type="radio" value="3">Deion Sanders</span></div></div><div style="padding-left:0px;height:40px"><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-right:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271513" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="v" value="Vote"></a><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271513" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="r" value="Results"></a></div><a id="qp_a271513" style="float:right;font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-decoration:none;margin-top:-12px;margin-right:-5px" href="http://www.poll-maker.com">Poll Maker</a></form></div></div><script src="http://scripts.poll-maker.com/3012/scpolls.js" language="javascript"></script>

No. 3 Shannon Sharpe v. No. 6 Chris Canty

Sharpe spent two seasons in Baltimore, coming to the Ravens at just the right time. His first season was in 2000, the season the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XXXV. In the AFC Championship Game against the Raiders, Sharpe took a short third-and-18 pass 96 yards for a touchdown. He totaled 1,621 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Ravens.

Canty arrived in 2013 to be a veteran presence for the defensive line after a great tenure with the Giants. In the past two seasons, Canty has totaled 63 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six pass deflections. Though he's not where he was during the prime of his career with the Giants, the leadership and experience he provides to a mostly young defensive line group has been valuable. After his release earlier this offseason, Canty has re-signed with the team.

<div id="qp_all271514" style="width:100%;"><STYLE>#qp_main271514 .qp_btna:hover input {background-color:#00355F!important}</STYLE><link href='http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><div id="qp_main271514" style="border-radius:0px;margin:0px;padding:15px;background-color:#FFF;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;color:#000;border: 1px solid #DBD9D9;max-width: 800px"><div style="font-size: 18px;background-color: #00355F;color: #FFF;font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial"><div style="line-height:30px;padding:10px 15px">Who wins — No. 3 Shannon Sharpe or No. 6 Chris Canty</div></div><form id="qp_form271514" action="http://www.poll-maker.com/results271514x7EA8f021-10" method="post" target="_blank" style="display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0px"><div style="padding:0px"><input type=hidden name="qp_d271514" value="42085.1366087915-42085.1366071774"><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271514" type="radio" value="1">Type your answers here</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271514" type="radio" value="2">Shannon Sharpe</span></div><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand"class="qp_a" onClick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k<i.length;k++){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;pointer-events:none"><input style="float: left;width: 20px;margin-left: -25px;margin-top: 2px;padding: 0px;height: 20px" name="qp_v271514" type="radio" value="3">Chris Canty</span></div></div><div style="padding-left:0px;height:40px"><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-right:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271514" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="v" value="Vote"></a><a style="float:left;width:50%;max-width:140px;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;-ms-box-sizing:border-box;-o-box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:5px;text-decoration:none"class="qp_btna" href="#"><input name="qp_b271514" style="width:100%;height:40px;background-color:#0B79D3;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FFF;cursor:pointer;cursor:hand;border:0px;-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0px" type="submit" btype="r" value="Results"></a></div><a id="qp_a271514" style="float:right;font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-decoration:none;margin-top:-12px;margin-right:-5px" href="http://www.poll-maker.com">Poll Maker</a></form></div></div><script src="http://scripts.poll-maker.com/3012/scpolls.js" language="javascript"></script>

The winner of this region plays the winner of the Terrell Suggs Region.