Suggs Files Grievance Against Ravens Over Franchise Tag Position Designation

Terrell Suggs has filed a grievance against the Baltimore Ravens, saying he should be designated as a defensive end instead of a linebacker.

The Ravens used the franchise tag on Suggs on Feb. 19, keeping him off the free-agent market with a one-year tender worth $8.065 million (the average of the five highest-paid linebackers in the NFL).

But Suggs wants the one-year tag of $8.879 million for defensive ends — which is $814,000 more than what linebackers receive.

The arbitration hearing has not been scheduled.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said talks regarding a long-term deal for Suggs have been temporarily stopped.

“When [the grievance] is resolved, we’ll get back to the table,” Newsome said on the team’s Web site.

Suggs contends that he should be considered a defensive end because he estimated that over half of his snaps came as a pass-rushing end. But the Ravens argue that Suggs plays linebacker in the team’s base defense and has always been listed on the Pro Bowl ballot as a linebacker.

Suggs’ agent, Gary Wichard, did not return phone calls.

- Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun