Classic Ozzie Move: Lee Evans Acquired by Ravens

| Aug 12, 2011 | 219 comments
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, earlier today, the Baltimore Ravens acquired wide receiver Lee Evans from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the Ravens 2012 4th round draft pick. Evans, 30, is scheduled to make $3.275 million this year and is under contract through the 2012 season.

In that same article this is what Head Coach John Harbaugh had to say of the seven-year veteran:

“We’re excited about getting Lee Evans,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said a day after Baltimore opened the preseason with a 13-6 loss to Philadelphia. “He’s a proven player in this league, and a quality person who will fit in well on our team.”

A Wisconsin alum, Evans, in seven career seasons has topped the 1,000 yard receiving mark twice for his career, in the years 2006 and 2008. With the Ravens lacking depth at the receivers position outside of three-time pro bowler Aquan Boldin, combined with the fact that GM Ozzie Newsome missed out on veterans Derrick Mason, Malcolm Floyd, and Jericho Cotchery in free agency, this was a move that had to be made.

Here’s what Ozzie Newsome had to say on the acquisition of Lee Evans:

“He’s a quality veteran receiver who stretches the field and gives us significant downfield presence,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. “He’s the type of person you want on your team. He brings leadership and maturity to the locker room.”

That being said, Evans is coming off perhaps his worst season of his career in 2010, where the former two-time first team All Big-Ten receiver had 37 receptions for 578 yards and 4 TDs— all career lows. However, one would figure that Evans will certainly be rejuvenated by the trade, considering this will be the first time in Evans’ entire career where he will be on a legitimate Super Bowl contending team.

Lee Evans is immediately expected to step in as the Ravens No. 2 receiver for a passing attack looking to improve. At this point in time, Evans will be joining Anquan Boldin and rookies Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss as the only sure bets to make this year’s team.

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