Ravens Release FB Vonta Leach & LB Jameel McClain

Update:

The Ravens have officially announced the release of FB Vonta Leach and LB Jameel McClain.

“There could come a point later on when we would consider bringing back Vonta and Jameel,” GM Ozzie Newsome said, per Aaron Wilson. “They are our types of players.”

———-

Thanks for the memories #Ravenation http://t.co/csrsQJ5Ptv http://t.co/GaoYiZLZg0

— VontaLeach44 (@vleach44) February 27, 2014

———–

Jeff Zrebiec reports that the Ravens are releasing FB Vonta Leach and LB Jameel McClain.

• Zrebiec adds that nothing is officially as of now, but these moves are expected to be soon.
• Aaron Wilson has confirmed that McClain is to be released, but they are hoping to re-sign him.

The Ravens have reportedly reportedly been considering the idea of releasing both players for a few months now, which makes sense as they try to lock up some of their free agents like TE Dennis Pitta and LT Eugene Monroe in the coming weeks.

Vonta Leach regarding his release:

“I understand. It is what it is. It’s a business,” Leach said, per Aaron Wilson. “I had a good three years with the Ravens.”

Leach, 32, has a $2.3 million cap figure for the 2014 season and plays a position that continues to decline in value. Baltimore will save $1.75 million by releasing him.

McClain, 28, has previously been mentioned as a speculative release candidate, so it comes as little surprise to see him listed here. He will count $4.4 million against the team’s cap and suffered a spinal cord injury back in 2012. The Ravens stand to gain $3.2 million cap space by releasing him.

By making these two moves, the Ravens will free up $4.95 million in cap space.