Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

heres an article on it :


Sanders primed for return with Ravens?
Source: Retiree mulling comeback as nickel back
By Jamison Hensley
Sun Staff
Originally published August 15, 2004, 11:30 PM EDT
Will a part-time role with the Ravens lure "Prime Time" out of retirement?

A league source Sunday told The Sun that Deion Sanders is contemplating whether to make a comeback as the Ravens' nickel back (fifth defensive back).

Sanders, one of the most charismatic athletes in sports and one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history, would address the biggest need on a vaunted Ravens defense.

A decision by Sanders is not imminent, the source added. Sanders, who turned 37 earlier this month, has been out of football for three seasons.

"To my knowledge, Deion Sanders is retired," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "That kind of takes him off our radar. If he decides to unretire, like any number of other teams, we would be interested."

Sanders could not be reached for comment.

If Sanders decides to return for a 13th NFL season, the Ravens might be his most attractive destination. He would not only have a chance for a third Super Bowl ring but also would have the opportunity to play with two of his closer friends, linebacker Ray Lewis and cornerback Corey Fuller. Plus, it would give Sanders an opportunity to get back into the spotlight after his television career fell apart this year.

The last time Sanders considered coming out of retirement was December 2002, when he expressed interest in playing for the playoff-bound Oakland Raiders. The San Diego Chargers blocked that cameo comeback by claiming Sanders off waivers (he was previously on the Washington Redskins' reserve-retired list).

It is unclear whether the Ravens would have to compensate the Chargers if Sanders chooses to play again.

Perhaps the bigger question is whether Sanders has anything left of "Prime Time" -the nickname he gave himself for repeatedly making big plays on national television or if he's simply past his prime.

When he retired before the 2001 season, Sanders reportedly told the Redskins he did not want to continue playing because his performance was not up to his standards. His rocky relationship with then-Washington coach Marty Schottenheimer also factored into his decision.

Sanders' last NFL season (2000) was steady yet not sensational. He surrendered only one touchdown pass but seldom made the electric plays that were his trademark with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys.

An over-the-top showman, he is considered one of the most dynamic athletes of the 1990s. Sanders combined flair with talent: He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection (1991-94, '96-98) who became the only pro athlete to play in both the World Series and the Super Bowl, and the only one to hit a homer and score a touchdown in a seven-day span.

His flamboyant persona - flashy jewelry and brash talk - often complemented his high- stepping theatrics on the field. He owns the NFL record with 18 touchdowns on returns (fumbles, kickoffs, punts and interceptions).

Originally the fifth overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989, Sanders spent one season with San Francisco (1994), helping the 49ers win the Super Bowl. He earned his only NFL Defensive Player of the Year award that season, despite joining the team late because of baseball.

In 1996, Sanders played regularly on both offense and defense for the Dallas Cowboys, becoming the NFL's first two-way starter since Chuck Bednarik in 1962. He is the only player in Super Bowl history to have both a pass reception and an interception.

Quarterbacks regularly threw to the opposite side of the field rather than risk Sanders' picking off a pass. He has 48 career interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns.

Sanders' role with the Ravens would be more specialized.

He would only have to play in passing situations, joining starters Chris McAlister and Gary Baxter as the third cornerback. The nickel back position has been considered the weak link of the Ravens' defense since Dale Carter was lost for the season. Carter was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lungs just before training camp.

The Ravens' current options are to either go with Fuller, a 33-year-old veteran who has admittedly lost a step, or Ray Walls, an inexperienced four-year veteran who has played a total of 18 games. If Sanders decides to stay retired, the Ravens likely will look for another veteran defender to help at nickel when final cuts are made throughout the league closer to the regular season toward the end of this month.

It is unknown whether the Ravens would want Sanders to handle punt returns, a duty he stopped midway through his last season with the Redskins. Lamont Brightful is currently the Ravens' return specialist, but his fumbling problems have put his job in jeopardy.

After retiring from football, Sanders livened up CBS' The NFL Today for nearly three years. His run ended in May because he wanted $2 million and CBS offered $1 million.

A week later, ESPN fired Sanders as host of The New American Sportsman, saying it wants someone who hunts as well as fishes.

Sanders is now scheduled to co-host a sports-themed talk show, The Players' Lounge, with comedian Paul Rodriguez.





any thoughts on this? I doubt he will return....interesting none the less.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

If he does return...he won't be good enough to justify his return. He's been out of the NFL too long and doesn't need to prove anything. He may be a good corner but he won't be at the top or even pro bowl quality. Look at Jordan...his last return was good but not the usual greatest player in the NBA...just a good player.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

I don't believe he'll come back.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

He's retired.....He's coming back......He's retired.......He's coming back.......

Sanders should have been a boxer. They're always running their mouths and coming back long past their time. If I never read another "Deion's coming back" story I'll die a happy man. I agree with LiveForTheGame on this one. He will not be anything special if he drags his tail back into some teams camp. He's too old, too soft, and has spent too much time away from the game to be effective. He should be quiet and watch how foolish Emmitt and Eddie end up looking playing past their time and he should get the message.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

Hes a joke.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

Ah...perhaps, but he's a well dressed joke in a tailored purple suit. :rofl:

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

It would be entertaining to see him try to come back and fail... :rofl:

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

and the glow-in-the-dark orange one too!

Oh, these guys who don't know when it is time to call it quits and mean it.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

How exactly is he a joke? He was one of the best to ever play at his position, he was versatile, played special teams and I even remember him playing some offense. He's a lock to be in the HOF. Most players would kill to have had Deion's career.

He was one of the best shut down corners ever. Don't really care what he wears but as a player he was a big time player.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

He wasn't a joke as a player. He's a joke with all the comeback talk and goofy suits...

In my mind, he is one of the best players not only at his position but also at running his mouth :yap

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

The only time I care what somebody else is wearing is if I'm footing the bill and Deion doesn't fit into that category. He probably spends thousands on that wardrobe and I'm sure he thinks he's styling.

And in his prime if he was on a team I liked and he came to the stadium in Jimmy Neutron underwear and nothing else I wouldn't care! The cops might..but I wouldn't.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

The Chargers claimed him so wont they still have his rights????

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

I'm not sure, but I don't think so. If he's been retired for over a year then I believe he's essientially a free agent if he decides to return. I recall the Chargers claiming him in order to prevent the Raiders from getting him after Washington had waived his rights earlier that season. If I'm not mistaken that was the year the Raiders went to the Super Bowl and were crushed by the Buccaneers. That was well over a year ago when the claimed him, and they never signed him. Looks like we need someone to do some snooping and find out the info we need.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

He is just talking to hear his voice. What happened to the Raiders? He wont come back.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

If a player has years left on his contract (which Sanders did--that is why he went through the waivers process), then the contract is tolled during the time spent in retirement and if he comes back the team holding his contract still has his rights. There was some discussion a year or two ago about Barry Sanders coming back but the conclusion was he wouldn't play for the Lions and they still had his rights.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

Thanks for clearing that up, but the question is now how many years are left on his contract from Washington. I'd think that it must be expired by now, because he played a year with them and he was out for most if it right? He spent a year or two retired before they waived his rights, and then the Chargers claimed him. I wouldn't think a heads up GM like Ozzie Newsome would openly say he'd be interested and tryout Sanders if he thought the Chargers could use it against him in a deal for his rights. Certainly there must be some information about this that would clear this all up.

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

I found the information I was looking for. From an article on ESPN.com.

That must've been at least a 4 of 5 year deal that Snyder signed Sanders to back in 2000. He played in 2000, and retired shortly before training camp in 2001. Talked of a comeback with the Raiders in 2002, and wanted to be considered for the Atlanta Falcons coaching job in 2003. The guy is in the news every year. Ravens Interested In Sanders

Re: Deion Sanders to make a come back with the Ravens?
 

The years in retirement don't count. If he signed a 2 year deal, played one and then retired he has another year on his contract whenever he comes back.

Deion is surprisingly pretty quiet about the whole ordeal. He was seen working out with the Texas Rangers, and when asked by a reporter about a return to the NFL Deion jokingly said something along the lines of 'Right rumor, but wrong sport'. Another reporter asked a similar question, and Deion asked for the next question. His elusiveness at the questions confuse me to say the least. At least when he wanted to be the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons he was willing to openly address it. Could make for some interesting games this season.

*edit*
Just found an article on this situation. Sander's good friend, and Baltimore Ravens safety, Corey Fuller, seems to think he won't be making a come back. Here's the article. ESPN