Oct 16, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain (55) reacts during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Browns 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

I had the Baltimore Ravens as the #2 team of who I thought Rolando McClain could end up with after he was waived by the Oakland Raiders last week.

Before McClain can sign his name on a Baltimore Ravens contract on Friday, he must first pass his physical and is set to meet with General Manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbough. This is an excellent decision made by General Manager Ozzie Newsome as they look to keep their hopes of repeating as Super Bowl Champions this coming season. The deal is to be said to be a 1 year contract worth around $700,000 as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.Com.

Rolando will have some big shoes to fill with the position he plays, having to come in and fill in the spot in which Ray Lewis played for the last 17 years. As long as their new additions to the team remain healthy, I think the Baltimore Ravens could make a strong push to becoming the top team in the AFC and possibly the league. I noted the additions of the team in previous articles about the Ravens, adding players such as Marcus Spears, Chris Canty, Elvis Dumervil and Michael Huff as Dannell Ellerbe, Paul Kruger and Reed found other homes across the AFC.

A young linebacker who has the chance to step up and show the Baltimore Ravens this season, that he can be the replacement for Ray Lewis that they are looking for. If all goes well and McClain can produce well, he could get signed to a long term contract next off season. I believe this defense will look as if they won’t miss a beat, although they are missing a few players who helped them reach their 2nd Super Bowl championship. This is another move that I am excited about seeing how it plays out. Once again, awesome decision by the front office of the Baltimore Ravens, I am one fan of this league who is excited to see how well this defense is going to do this upcoming season.

Now it will be interesting to see what they decide to do with their picks for the draft, which is in a couple weeks.

LB Rolando McClain officially has reached agreement with Ravens. Still needs to travel to Baltimore to undergo physical.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2013

Jan 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) during the third quarter of the AFC divisional round playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens won 38-35 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe wanted to stay with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that gave him a chance as an undrafted free agent.

“There’s always a chance, and that’s what I’m hoping will happen,” Ellerbe said originally. “The Ravens are a perfect situation for me. Hopefully, it’s a perfect situation for me to sign on the dotted line.”

Aaron Wilson, of the Baltimore Sun tweeted out of the news:

“Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe reaches agreement in principle with Miami Dolphins, per a league source with knowledge of deal.”

“It’s a huge opportunity with Ray retiring. Getting paid isn’t everything I want out of playing football. I want to get the accolades. I want the Pro Bowls. I got enough years left in me. So, this is just the beginning.”

Apparently those sentiments didn’t last long. It isn’t known yet whether the move to the Dolphins brings a bigger pay day than he could have got in Baltimore. With the $120 million contract Joe Flacco was just awarded they could be tight and couldn’t afford to keep Ellerbe.

Maybe he wanted to get out form Ray Lewis’ shadow and be able to make a name for his self and as the Dolphins seem to continue to bulk up on offense, this is their first move to bulk up defensively.

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (right) celebrates with inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) after intercepting a New England Patriots pass during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Baltimore Ravens have lost Ray Lewis to retirement, they can’t afford to keep losing inside linebackers. And Ellerbe feels an attachment to the organization that signed him as an undrafted free agent 4 years ago for a mere $2,000. And that loyalty has him bleeding purple and certainly anyone would feel that way after his journey which now includes a Super Bowl ring.

“I’ve come a long way,” Ellerbe told The Baltimore Sun. “It’s not about where you start, it’s about where you finish.”

He just witnessed first hand one of the most extraordinary careers end in Ray Lewis, a man who remained a Raven for life unlike so many pros now who switch teams.

Some say he could command between $25-$30 million on the open market as one of the top linebackers. The Ravens reportedly are interested in getting him an offer before the start of free agency to avoid a bidding war. But if it comes to that, Ellerbe’s statements seem to indicate he might give the Ravens a hometown discount to stay.

“There’s always a chance, and that’s what I’m hoping will happen,” Ellerbe said. “The Ravens are a perfect situation for me. Hopefully, it’s a perfect situation for me to sign on the dotted line.”

And with Ray Lewis gone he could become the man in Baltimore.

“That’s big,” Ellerbe said. “It’s a huge opportunity with Ray retiring. Getting paid isn’t everything I want out of playing football. I want to get the accolades. I want the Pro Bowls. I got enough years left in me. So, this is just the beginning.”

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) celebrates after the San Francisco 49ers were unable to complete a fourth down play in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Dannell Ellerbe is a free agent fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Baltimore Ravens. And while Joe Flacco is getting all the attention Ellerbe is patiently waiting to see if his team gets a deal done.

“This is the part of the business where you can’t let it get too personal because it is a business. I don’t want to hear everything. I don’t want to hear every knock on me,” Ellerbe said on WNST in Baltimore, via Sports Radio Interviews. “Of course you want to hear the good things, but I don’t want to get too carried away in that too. I know he’s going to do his job, let me know where we’re at and just looking forward and praying for the best.”

He was undrafted and Baltimore took a chance with him. He learned under the best and became a great linebacker. So clearly that coupled with a Super Bowl win brings some emotional attachment.

“I’m looking forward to making the best out of everything,” Ellerbe said. “The team that I play for, the money that I get, the situation I’m going into and all of that plays into it. I already have a Super Bowl. I want to be in Baltimore. My heart is in Baltimore, I love Baltimore, I love the fans, I love talking to y’all guys and I know I’m not going to talk to y’all somewhere else.”