Ben

Grubbs

Unlike most centers, Gurode has the size at 6'4/315 to kick over to guard. Grubbs is one of the league’s top guards and isn’t easily replaced, but we’re not downgrading Ray Rice’s matchup against a Rams defense that is dead last against the run and allowing 5.07 yards per carry.

Grubbs has just now begun jogging, so he’s not yet been given the green light to play against the Jets in Week 4. Former Cowboys center Andre Gurode will continue to fill in if Grubbs sits out one more week.

“Ben is extremely highly regarded in this league,” the agent said. “He’s in the prime of his career and may or may not have another opportunity to sign another significant contract. He needs to be sure that he explores all his options.” Grubbs looks headed for the open market, at which point the Ravens will likely get outbid. Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer suggested late Tuesday that the division-rival Bengals could give Grubbs a look.

The deal includes a $10 million signing bonus, and $16 million “fully guaranteed.” Grubbs provides the Saints a soft landing after they lost LG Carl Nicks to the Bucs, but at a surprisingly steep cost. Grubbs landed just $11.5 million less total money, and will average roughly $2 million less per season. Grubbs graded out as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-best left guard in 2011, but Nicks was significantly better in both run and pass blocking. Nicks is also more than a year younger. The Ravens will likely now focus on signing free agent Evan Mathis to replace Grubbs.

Both clubs have interior offensive line needs, particularly Dallas. Chicago would likely demote former first-round pick Chris Williams out of the starting lineup should it land someone like Grubbs. Grubbs, 28, has started all but 10 games in his five-year career. He was Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 guard in 2011.

According to the Sun, “all indications” are that there is not “much leeway” to expand on the offer. If Grubbs turns it down, he’s almost certainly headed to the open market. Unless he finds his market unexpectedly depressed by the presence of fellow free agent LG Carl Nicks, Grubbs will likely be moving on from Baltimore.

“We’ve offered –- I don’t know if we’ve offered it yet –- but we’re in negotiations of offering a lot of money,” Harbaugh told a local radio station. Harbaugh believes his guard duo of Grubbs and Marshal Yanda is as good as any in the league, and “we’re going to pay Ben as such.” Whether Grubbs agrees that amount is “a lot of money” remains to be seen.

Grubbs has been expected to reach the open market, but coach John Harbaugh insisted in a radio interview last week that the Ravens were going to “really make a run” at re-signing him. The Bears ended 2011 with former undrafted free agent Edwin Williams at left guard.

Grubbs isn’t going to match the contract that Carl Nicks will land, but there’s not much difference in quality of play. He would make for a fine fallback option if the Saints can free up the money to sign him away from the Ravens.

“Barring a last-minute deal that’s not expected to transpire,” Grubbs is expected to leave Baltimore for a mega contract. In addition to the previously mentioned Bears and Cowboys, the Carroll County Times lists the Browns and Bucs as likely suitors.