Deion Sanders

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Sanders may leave retirement to join Ravens

BALTIMORE (AFP) - Veteran cornerback Deion Sanders, who won Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, is close to coming out of retirement to play with the Baltimore Ravens.

Arguably one of the game's all-time great cornerbacks, Sanders has spent time as a TV football analyst.

Several weeks ago Sanders indicated he wanted to come out of retirement to try to play again.

Ravens head coach Brian Billick was quoted by the team's website that he was "very optimistic" about Sanders signing with Baltimore.

"Until Deion shows up in body, signs a contract, I've got to qualify it," said Billick. "The signs are awfully optimistic right now, awfully optimistic. It's like the political polls you see. Check with me tomorrow, because it seems to change by the minute, but I think that were in pretty good shape."

If the Ravens get Sanders, who would play 20-25 snaps a game as the nickel back, the secondary could be one of the best in the NFL.

Sanders also played with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins before he retired.

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Sanders Must Pass Physical to Join Ravens

By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer

OWINGS MILLS, Md (AP). - Deion Sanders is prepared to end his retirement and join the Baltimore Ravens.

The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive back arrived Tuesday in Baltimore to take a physical. If he passes, Sanders will sign a one-year contract laden with incentives and work toward playing in the Ravens' season opener Sept. 12 against the Cleveland Browns.

Sanders, 37, played cornerback in his prime, but will be used as a fifth defensive back in Baltimore.

"This game is not all that complicated. We're going to try to ingrain him as quickly as we can," Ravens coach Brian Billick said Tuesday morning. "We have to make sure we know where he's at physically. He's here plenty early enough to have an impact."

Sanders' experience will also be invaluable to a defensive unit that will look to him for guidance. During his days with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys— when he was known as Prime Time — Sanders was one of the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL.

"To have him come here is an honor," Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister said. "There's so much that you can learn from a Deion Sanders; he's the type of guy that can take a young DB and make him grow up mentally, and prepare him for situations he otherwise wouldn't get without having the experience himself."

Said Billick: "What a resource. I can't imagine our younger players or our guys that have not had a lot of playing time aren't going to hang on every word that this guy has to offer."

Sanders has not played since the 2000 season, which he spent with the Washington Redskins. He retired on the eve of the team's training camp in 2001, but the Ravens are convinced he's still got enough talent to contribute to their bid to defend the AFC North title and advance to the Super Bowl.

"Based on people we've talked to, opinions we trust, I'm sure there's no question he's going to be able to compete. At the level he competed before? There's very few of us that can do things as well as we did before. At 50, I can attest to that," Billick said. "But what he will bring to the table for us will be substantial."

Sanders will be used sparingly at first, but that will change if he proves to be effective.

"Everybody's made a big deal of his role here. Nickel is a beginning point; you've got to start someplace," Billick said. "But we'll expand it as we deem necessary."

Sanders began his comeback bid after talking with Baltimore middle linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Corey Fuller, both of whom he considers close friends.

"This man has everything. He has money, he has rings, he has fame, he has all of that," Lewis said. "But the simple mathematics of it all is he's just coming back to have fun and play football with his friends."

Billick is convinced that the flamboyant Sanders will work within the framework of the team and make the Ravens a better club.

"This is not about the money," Billick said. "This is about a man who has a passion for a game, has a relationship with players who have a part of this, and we're a byproduct of this. We're going to gain from this."

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Update...Deion Sanders Returns to NFL With Ravens

By The Associated Press

After three seasons away from the NFL, Deion Sanders signed with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. The seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback passed his physical and signed a one-year contract laden with incentives. He will practice with the team for the first time Wednesday, and expects to play in the Ravens' season opener Sept. 12 against the Cleveland Browns.

wotsits18 · (#4 (**permalink**))

Why is this JJ hun..Da money, fame or limelight or just another ego ting..Neon Dion has done it/won it so why does he want to prove himself when his has the T-shirt & Rings blkwonder..

Burning Spear · (#5 (**permalink**))

The ex-wife took him to the cleaners financially.

wotsits18 · (#6 (**permalink**))

Burning Spear wrote:

Quote:

The ex-wife took him to the cleaners financially.

Quote:

Oops, so she did a Blu Cantrell & hit him up style..

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@ w18

Here is a quote from Deion on why he came back.
Lewis & Sanders

(AP) Deion Sanders didn’t come out of his retirement for the money, or the accolades, or because he felt the need to prove he’s still got a wealth of talent at age 37. He wasn’t bored, either.

After the brief workout, Sanders was ushered into a packed media trailer. Wearing a Ravens hat, a black Ravens T-shirt and a bulky gold chain, Sanders promptly answered this pressing question: Why come back?

"I wanted the opportunity to win it all, and that's it," he said. "That's the only reason I'm here."

You've got to understand — I walked away from how many millions of dollars in Washington? I didn't think that team could get it done," he said.

The Ravens needed a nickel back after another veteran, Dale Carter, developed a blood clot in his lung just before the start of training camp. At that point, Ray Lewis and Corey Fuller got on the phone and dialled Sanders.

"I said, 'I want to run something by you. I want you to come play with me,"' Lewis recalled.

"I thought he was crazy," Sanders said. "I thought he was joking."

Lewis was dead serious, and Sanders promptly leaped into action.

"From there, we just ran with it," Lewis said. "He's just coming to have fun with his brothers."

The potential to earn $2 million US probably didn't hurt. Sanders was released from his job on the CBS pregame show after he asked for more money than the network was willing to shell out, but he pointed out Wednesday that he had no shortage of lucrative opportunities, including a couple of television shows. He also intended to coach his son's sixth-grade football team.

"Don't make it seem like I had nothing to do," he said.

It remains to be seen if the Ravens will benefit from giving $1.5 million in base salary to a player that hasn't suited up since the 2000 season. Then again, as a nickel back, Sanders won't often have to go 1-on-1 with the opposition's best receiver.

"Even at 37 years old this guy can come back and do things that have never been done, even when he was younger, because now his mentality is different," Lewis insisted. "He doesn't have to be the sole corner and lock people down. He's coming back and just playing, having fun, just being himself."

Does that mean Sanders no longer intends to be Prime Time?

"When did I stop being Prime Time?" Sanders declared, smiling broadly. "I didn't get that memo."

wotsits18 · (#8 (**permalink**))

So whats the truth, as Burning Spear is say'n sumting a bit different blkwonder..

Burning Spear · (#9 (**permalink**))

He won't last the year.Its a different game and his ego is telling him something diffferent.

wotsits18 · (#10 (**permalink**))

@ BurningSpear : Mate dat could be the very said reason why he will last da season..His was a great player & his ego may need massaging once more 4 his own sake & dat desire will/could make it be a fruitful season..

But if its money due 2 his ex-wife, then bwoy this will be a much needed & welcome distraction..