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The Ravens do not plan on letting linebacker Terrell Suggs become a free agent at the end of the month.


General manager Ozzie Newsome said the Ravens are ready to use the franchise tag on Suggs to keep the two-time Pro Bowl player off the free-agent market.


"At his position, we feel like he's one of the top two or three outside linebackers in the game," Newsome said.


Despite having a career-low five sacks last season, Suggs would be one of the most sought-after free agents this year.


By using the tag on Suggs, the Ravens will give him a one-year contract worth $8.065 million, the average of the five highest-paid linebackers in the NFL.


If another team makes an offer to Suggs, the Ravens can either match it or receive two first-round picks as compensation (which is unlikely to happen).


The deadline to assign the franchise tag is Feb. 21.


The Ravens have been trying to lock up Suggs to a long-term deal for months.


Although neither side has discussed the negotiations publicly, it is believed that Suggs wants a deal closer to the one given to Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (a six-year, $72 million extension that includes $30 million in guaranteed money). Wichard also represents Freeney.


The Ravens likely are looking at the contract signed last season by former Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas (a five-year, $35 million deal that includes $20 million in guaranteed money).


It is not believed that the sides are close to reaching an agreement.


"We remain in negotiations," Newsome said. "I won't discuss when we've had talks."


The Ravens, who reportedly have between $5 million and $6 million in salary-cap room, will have to create some additional space before placing the franchise tag on Suggs.


Newsome said the team wouldn't release any players to do so. That means the Ravens will have to restructure some contracts, which isn't considered a major hurdle.


"We re-work contracts every year," Newsome said.


The Ravens have already restructured the contract of tight end Todd Heap, which created $1.7 million in salary-cap room.


The Ravens converted $2.27 million of Heap's $3 million salary this season into a bonus, which allows them to spread that figure over the final four years of his contract. As a result, Heap has a lower cap number this season but a slightly higher one for the next three seasons.


Because of the Ravens' limited cap room, the franchising of Suggs could represent the biggest move by the team this offseason.


It is unknown how Suggs will react to receiving the tag. Some players -- like Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister in 2004 -- protest the tag by skipping training camp.


Suggs stirred up the Ravens' fan base last month when he told Phoenix reporters that he'd "love to be a Cardinal." But a day after the Ravens' season ended, Suggs stressed that he wanted to remain with the team.


"I've always said and believe in my heart that I'm a Raven," Suggs said. "I love the city of Baltimore."


Notes, Quotes
• After being introduced as the Ravens' head coach last month, John Harbaugh had just one problem -- finding where to park.


A team employee had to inform Harbaugh that he had his own personal parking space, about a football field closer to the door than where he originally parked.


"I definitely have learned my way around the building," he said with grin. "I haven't gotten lost since the first week."


• After signing his three-year contract extension last month, defensive coordinator Rex Ryan joked about the team having enough money left to sign linebacker Terrell Suggs.


"I would have gone in the opposite order," Ryan said. "I would have given money to Suggs to keep him and then thrown me a bone afterwards."


• Tight end Todd Heap created $1.7 million in salary-cap room for the Ravens this season by restructuring his contract. This move presumably helps the Ravens to use the franchise tag on linebacker Terrell Suggs.


The Ravens converted $2.27 million of Heap's $3 million salary this season into a bonus, which allows them to spread that figure over the final four years of his contract. As a result, Heap has a lower cap number this season but a slightly higher one for the next three seasons.


• Ravens quarterback Steve McNair has been rehabbing his surgically-repaired shoulder about two to three days a week at team headquarters.


"He's progressing very well," said general manager Ozzie Newsome.


Quote To Note: "There's a buzz. The previous staff they did a great job and Brian (Billick) did a great job of rallying everyone behind him in the whole building. I'm going to try to do as good a job as he did of rallying everybody around him. There's generally an excitement when things change. It's going to be our responsibility to validate that." -- Ravens coach John Harbaugh on the excitement surrounding his arrival.


Strategy And Personnel
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY


The Ravens' two priorities are to keep unrestricted free agent Terrell Suggs and restricted free agent Jason Brown.


The Ravens are planning to use the franchise tag on Suggs, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, if they are unable to reach a long-term deal with him. By using the tag on Suggs, the Ravens will give him a one-year contract worth $8.065 million, the average of the five highest-paid linebackers in the NFL.


The Ravens likely will use a second-round tender to keep Brown, a rising player at left guard. That would require a tender of $1.47 million.



1. Quarterback: The Ravens could stick with Steve McNair but they have not publicly committed to him. That has caused speculation that they could be looking elsewhere, either in free agency or the draft. But limited salary-cap space could stop them from getting one in free agency.


2. Cornerback. The Ravens need depth after struggling last season when Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle both went down with injuries. The only problem is no cornerback rates high enough for the Ravens to take one with the No. 8 overall pick.


3. Defensive end. The Ravens' pass rush dropped off significantly when Trevor Pryce got injured. The Ravens need more depth as far as pass rushers and could find one high in the first round.



Medical Watch: QB Steve McNair is rehabbing his surgically repaired shoulder two to three times a week at the Ravens' facility. He is expected to be ready to participate in minicamps.


• TE Todd Heap has been rehabbing his hamstring injury and expects to be ready for minicamps.


FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• WR Devard Darling has been a disappointment throughout his career; he could return as the No. 4 receiver.


• LB Nick Greisen is a dependable backup and solid special teams player; he is not a priority.


• PR-KR B.J. Sams has ended the past two seasons on injured reserve; won't be re-signed because the Ravens have Yamon Figurs as a returner.


• S Gerome Sapp is an average backup and dependable special teams player; not a priority.


• RB Musa Smith has not developed into a starting running back but he is an average third-down back; he could return in a backup role.


• LB Terrell Suggs is a priority this off-season and the team plans to use the franchise tag on him.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• G Jason Brown is a priority among the restricted free agents. He should get a second-round tender.


• FB Justin Green is an average backup and should get the low tender.


• LS Matt Katula is a solid special teams player who should get the low tender.


• LB Mike Smith has failed to develop because of injuries and should get the low tender.



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