Ravens' best option was to pay Ray

News item:
Linebacker Ray Lewis came to terms with the Ravens last week on a three-year contract believed to be worth $22million. The team also signed veteran center Matt Birk to a three-year deal to replace departed free agent Jason Brown.
My take:
Whether Lewis was worth $22million on the free-agent market is irrelevant. He's worth it to the Ravens, especially in the first season of the post-Rex Ryan era.

(baltimoresun.com)