BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington understands what it means to get a second chance.

On the field, that fresh start came last month when the team acquired him from Oakland in exchange for a fourth-round pick, ending his disappointing stint with the Raiders.

 The 2005 first-round pick from Nebraska had fallen out of favor after starting just three games last season after starting 25 the previous two years.

Washington, who had 40 tackles and an interception last year, became expendable when Oakland acquired DeAngelo Hall in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons and signed him to a seven-year, $70 million contract with $24.5 million guaranteed.

“I felt that I needed a fresh start and I’m happy the Baltimore Ravens gave me the opportunity,” Washington said. “I knew I was going to be traded somewhere, but I just didn’t know where. Once they picked up DeAngelo, it was pretty much set in stone that I wasn’t going to be back next year. I was just watching and waiting for a call. Just like most draft picks, I was waiting for a call. Sunday morning, I got that call from the Ravens.”

Washington also knows he received a second chance off the field last month when he learned he would avoid prosecution for a February domestic violence charge against his girlfriend if he completes a 26-week intervention course for first-time offenders and stays out of trouble.

“That was a one-time mistake,” Washington said. “I’ve never been in trouble. That was me letting my emotions get the best of me. It’s over and done with.”

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said he believes Washington’s legal troubles are behind him and he should provide the team by providing depth in the secondary, an area impacted greatly by injuries and inconsistent play last season.

The team hoped to answer that need in the draft, but felt landing a proven, 24-year-old veteran was better than anyone available in the collegiate ranks after the third round.

“Hopefully, he will come in and compete,” Newsome said. “I think that’s what makes our team as good as it is, that guys can be very competitive. In our division, they throw three receivers out there on the field in a hurry.”

Washington was in Baltimore last week and made a great first impression with his play during the team’s voluntary mini camp.

“We have to feel like that was a steal,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “To get a corner of his caliber in the fourth round of the draft — a corner that talented — they just weren’t available at that point.”

rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

8:30 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Stover�s intention not to oust Upshaw"

larry g said:
don't bite your tongue Matt , Upshaw should go

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10:46 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "Ryan back as assistant head coach"

jason said:
i'll say it, like i have told all my friends. YOu cannot have a good quaterback when you have a defensive player run a team. the only reason why the defense did not let mcnair get hit was because ray like him

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11:26 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "Lewis survives revolving door"

Mark said:
Akhenaton: Does the name Marvin Lewis ring a bell with you ? He had quite a bit of success coaching in the Raven's organization. Get off the race crap, we're sick of it. The job should go to the best qualified which is how the Bengals felt about Lewis. The Bengals are an NFL team. Can you foolow this. Lay off the Mad Dog for awhile and your perception will improve.

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10:12 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "McNair may still be the Ravens� quarterback"

Examiner Reader said:
Why would the ravens hire Cam Cameron who was fired from the Dolphins, he could not win one games except the game against the Ravens?

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1:00 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Ray Lewis survives revolving door"

Examiner Reader said:
Dennis Schehl - know your facts. Lewis was never believed to be directly involved in the stabbings. The only thing he did was lie to protect a friend. No matter what you think of the guy at least get it right. He is still one of the best linebackers to ever play the game. Even if he has lost a step...his influence can not be replaced. Know the game before you comment. Jab - that's a pretty stupid comment. Wasn't it Lewis that lead them to a Super Bowl victory? Wasn't it Lewis that won the MVP for that game? Hmmm...never a winning team huh? How stupid can you be?

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10:29 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Ray Lewis survives revolving door"

Examiner Reader said:
Ray I love what you have done and still do. But you are not the Ray of 2000. Steve wake up and smell the coffee as a season tix holder you cannot resign him to a big deal. You are starting to act like Peter,Steve!!!

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8:45 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Coaches come and go, but Lewis remains"

Examiner Reader said:
dennis schehl.. you're an idiot. last i checked they had NO CASE against ray lewis and wasnt that a million years ago? dont watch the ravens if you dont like them.. dont comment on the board if you are clueless about football and defensive formations.. which, judging by your immature and ridiculous comment, you are ignorant in your knowledge (or lack of) of football.

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8:42 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Coaches come and go, but Lewis remains"

Examiner Reader said:
Jab.. stick with commenting on ballet or something because you obviously dont know football dude! ray lewis is the most feared linebacker EVER to play football and is still playing at a top 5 level in the NFL.. we consistently have a top 5 defense and that is the ONLY reason the franchise is successful.

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8:25 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Coaches come and go, but Lewis remains"

Bmore Resident said:
While I do not partcularly care for the Ravens, I am an avid football fan. I will say, getting a new coach- thumbs up! Ray Lewis EXEMPLEFIES (sp?) leadership- if not playing football he could easily be a youth coach (we need ppl like him there), a motivational speaker, preacher, whatever. You can tell he is genuine with his talks (did you hear him on ESPN this sunday) and I think he is the heart of his team, his teammates obviously look to him for guidance, as do the coaching staff. While I do not personally think Ray Lewis has much football left in him, he does have a great deal of heart left in him, and I know he will use that for good of the community- he does that now too!

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8:12 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Coaches come and go, but Lewis remains"

JAB said:
AS Long as ray lewis is on the team they will never have a wining team

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8:05 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Coaches come and go, but Lewis remains"

Dennis Schehl said:
Ray Lewis is a murdering scum of the earth, piece of human excrement. How much hush money is he paying the tow thugs that were with him in Atlanta. He is also a lousy leadert that needs to learn how to play the middle linebacker position instead of running all over the field. He is out of position on almost 405 of the plays. Watch for yourself.

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7:14 AM MST on Sun., Jan. 20, 2008 re: "Ravens hire Haubaugh"

Examiner Reader said:
Mr Biscotti made a good choice with input from Cass and Ozzie and gave John Harbaugh strong support as he was introduced yesterday. He does't do Caoch Harbaugh any favors by constantly making sure everyone knows Ray Lewis is "the great leader" on the team.Part of the problem with the Ravens as a team is that it is clear Lewis, Ogden and several others have "priviledges status on the team. Look north Mr Biscotti, "teams" win with great players who do what it takes for the team to win. Too many hotdogs on a team have lousy seasons.

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6:57 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Ravens hire Haubaugh"

examiner reader said:
great choice hiring john harbaugh believe me baltimore no one knew of don shula in 64 nfl or earl weaver in 68 mlb les we forget go ravens 08

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5:34 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Ravens hire Haubaugh"

Examiner Reader said:
Now,if they would just get rid of the over-hyped and arrogant Ray Lewis.If any of you fools knew how this guy treats fans in his own home,then you would burn those jerseys you wasted your money on.This team needs a complete overhaul.Stop championing those who can tackle but can't read.

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12:57 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Ravens interested in Marty"

Singletary supporter said:
Only Singletary will be humble enough to work for Cass; a teammate of Ozzie and the background to put RaLew in his place.

Singletary is the obvious choice for head coach.

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10:46 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Ravens interested in Schottenheimer"

Examiner Reader said:
Coaches are not property!!! Md can npot pay them enough to be called such.

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10:44 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Ravens interested in Schottenheimer"

Examiner Reader said:
Marty Schot is just jealous Garrett is better looking and smarter. I am getting tired of protecting Marty Schots reputation when he just calls people trash. Marty was lucky someone was looking out for his future. Nothing more! Get rid of the lazy ilegals who clouded the issues and did not really contribute in the wins. Garrett has too much of a future in TX worries too much about the Ravens.

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9:54 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Ravens interested in Schottenheimer"

Examiner Reader said:
If Marty Schot comes here he will have a murder charge or a stroke. The minute one of those players or goons talk back or put there hands on him. It will be a house cleaning. He is a coach that is a proven winner and knows how get rid of the trash.

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4:48 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Garrett to have second interview today"

Examiner Reader said:
Garrett does not want to coach in Baltimore, so let him go. How efficient will he be, if he's not content here?

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1:23 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 re: "Cowboys� Garrett rides out of Charm City"

Examiner Reader said:
My guess is Jerry Jones promotes Garrett to Asst. Head Coach of the Cowboys for the same amount of money that Slick Biscotti put on the table now that former Cowboy Asst Sparano was hired today by Big Tuna to lead the Fish. Also, by the looks Mrs. Garrett had on her face yesterday when leaving, it didn't look like she thought Baltimore was such a Charming City!

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7:55 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 re: "Cowboys� Garrett rides out of Charm City"

avid reader said:
Either the Ravens did not impress Garrett or he is the wrong fit anyway. let's get Billick back and start winning some games.

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3:19 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 re: "Cowboys� Garrett rides out of Charm City"

Ravens Fan said:
Let Garrett hop back on his horse and head back to Cowboy land. We need a ballbuster to come in and get control of that locker room and this team focused again on winning football games. What is Frank Kush up to these days?

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6:51 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "Garrett rides out of Baltimore"

Peyton said:
Very good stuff Matt Palmer. Discovered your story today on the Mark Viviano Show on WJFK ESPN Radio 1300. Keep it up!

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10:12 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "Is Garrett for the Ravens?"

Examiner Reader said:
Another offensive 'Genius' to take over as head coach. Sound familiar. Deja vu. Please don't repeat past mistakes, Mr. Bisciotti. At least Brian had a proven track record. I think the Ravens need a proven veteran coach. Offer Bill whatever it takes to to leave CBS. He is a much better coach than analyst.

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6:00 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 11, 2008 re: "Suggs: �I'd love to be a Cardinal�"

Examiner Reader said:
Adios My Friend

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5:56 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 11, 2008 re: "Suggs: �I'd love to be a Cardinal�"

Examiner Reader said:
Good Riddance. Trash talking scumbag that is an overrated embarassment to anyone intested in having a class organization. Can he take the wimp Darling and the ingrate Ray Lewis??

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4:55 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 11, 2008 re: "Suggs: �I'd love to be a Cardinal�"

Independent Marylander said:
Suggs gone this year, Ray gone after next year. Now let's do some serious rebuilding and get back to respectability. Get a strong coach in here, and put an end to the inmates running the asylum.

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2:48 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 11, 2008 re: "Suggs: �I'd love to be a Cardinal�"

Examiner Reader said:
Wonderful!! Shake Sugg's hand, pat him on the back, wish him the best and show him the door! Next player!!

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2:23 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 11, 2008 re: "Suggs: �I'd love to be a Cardinal�"

Examiner Reader said:
Can you say OVERRATED!? Ok, maybe not overrated, but clearly underperforming based on his abilities.

Suggs is still very young and very tough. There's still time for him to be the best there ever was -- if he had the drive of Ray Lewis, etc. Until then, he's just a good ballplayer who is not as good as he thinks he is.

Don't want to see the guy leave Baltimore; but it is what it is. And if Arizona wants to give us a #1 pick, I think I'd take it.

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11:18 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "Cowher crosses his name off list"

Examiner reader said:
It was silly to even mention Bill "trapjaw" Cowher in the beginning of the article. Personally speaking I don't want him as a head coach, and I'm glad the Ravens aren't interested.

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3:31 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 9, 2008 re: "Sapp slapped with assault"

Examiner Reader said:
Gerome did nothing..hes a good man..and would never risk getting his pretty faced punched in

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9:28 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 8, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

Examiner Reader said:
Akhenaton, I think it's you that is the racist here. You're implying that the Ravens must sign a black head coach or they are racists? That's entirely bull crap. They need to hire whoever they believe is best for the team, whether that be black or white.

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5:22 AM MST on Sat., Jan. 5, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

Examiner Reader Baltimore County said:
Akhenaton, you are a sick individual. Why did you even think that race is a factor. Look at Newsome, the last time I looked, he is BLACK. There are many high rankng coaches in the NFL as well as in Baseball and Basketball. The only thing that owners look for as I see it is the ability to win, not the color of their skin. You need to get a life and move on. This crap stopped back in the late 60's. This is America, everyone has an opportnity to excel ifthey are qualified.

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3:43 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008 re: "The Ravens� search continues"

Examiner Reader said:
Joppa Norman...you are not very smart and easily fooled huh? My God people are crazy on this board.

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12:31 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008 re: "Counter assault charges filed in Ravens feud"

Darice Claude-Bordley said:
Please, please, give this to Mr. Sapp and Mr. Maese:I am a MoM who is greiving because some young man ran up a set of stairs in anger to stab my son. My Son did not know what was coming. He was 30 years old and just as handsome and valuable as you are to your MOMs. Please cut this stuff out and forgive each other and get on with playing the wonderful and exciting games you play with such great skill. Mr. Sapp and Mr. Maese I'm sure you MOM's, Grandmom's and families are not happy with your behavior. Someone has to be the more humble and better person and yeild, someone please do this soon. This small tift's turn unto bigger rift's later and go on forever. We need examples(and whether you like it or not you an example to our communities children and they are watching you)of Great work ethic, kindness, caring, sharing and forgiveness. I know the two of you can do better. I miss my son and am hurt he's not here. Please try to do better.Thank u, David's MOM This article so saddens

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12:19 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

Examiner Reader said:
Akhenaton, please look at the first person that will be interviewed , the quarterback caoch from Indy- Caldwell is he not an African American? I swear when there is something on the Examiner that involves race bating or alleged bias against the African American community, you are always the one stirring it up. Please just shut up or go away.

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12:14 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

mike h. said:
The year that we won the superbowl it was coach Mervin Lewis that won that for us with the defense . Billick was giving the credit because he was the head coach .

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11:31 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

Examiner Reader said:
Ravens need to hire the person most likely to produce a winner, I don't care if they come from Uranus. Akhenaton, get a life and try to overcome your rampant racism.

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7:14 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

Examiner Reader said:
Akhenaton: Perhaps they should also include all qualified candidates. Will anyone be waiting in the wings to file a lawsuit if the Ravens don't interview someone of Asian or Hispanic descent? You may be interested to know that there are other types of minorities. Seems you are the one who is distracted or consumed by race.

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9:10 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

Examiner Reader said:
I just love how people blame Billick for everything! Yes, he is the head coach & should assume responsibility for the team & I think he always has. But the fans who 'boo' Boller one week, cheer for him the next & do the same for McNair GET ON MY NERVES! Everyone wants to blame someone. Who do we blame next season if we have another crappy record? Our city is so spoiled (including me) that we expect to win every year & get angry when we don't & look for someone to blame. The Ravens history is pretty good for being so young. Only a few teams make it to the playoffs each season. You can't win them all!

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7:24 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' now"

Examiner Reader said:
Sad commentary that some "person", Akhenaton, had to make even this trivial item in the news a racial issue. You must have a sad, small life filled with many failures of your own making.

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7:08 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' right now"

examiner reader said:
I am surprised that so many people could love a guy who has 1 playoff win in 7 years Given the talent that the ravens had thats a huge failure on his part. 33 wins and 33 losses since 2004 he was a joke For thise of you who think he was a good coach let's see if he ever gets another head coaching job I think not....

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7:00 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' right now"

Akhenaton said:
I hope that the "committee" interviews many qualified "black" professional NFL assistant coaches for this "equal opportunity position." If not, the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens management should be "sued" for (Federal) US Employment law violations. I for one, am tired of seeing "white male" dominate the head coaching jobs in the NFL! Baltimore NFL teams have never employed a "Negro-Black-African-American" as it's head coach....could it be that certain NFL teams have a good ole boy system in place? things that make me go hmmmm???? I sure hope the NAACP and the ACLU are wathing this public interview/selection process very closely for US law violations. Baltimore Ravens selection committee, if you are listening, are black men only good for being employed on the gridiron, and not good enough to coach this team to a Super Bowl Championship? If you all are "SCARED" to select a "qualified" black head coach for this position, then the Ravens are trully "racists." Baltimore Ravens rule!

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6:23 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' right now"

Examiner reader said:
billick tried to sound smart but sounded like an idiot. much like ozzie newsome.

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6:12 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Billick: Talking 'not smart' right now"

Examiner Reader said:
Farwell coach Brian Billick even though the rest of the team should have been fired instead of you!!!

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4:13 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Players want Ryan to be next man up"

Sam Oldershaw said:
Being the owner of a billion dollar business carries many burdens. I think Steve Bisciotti has proved to be an owner who is in tune with the fans and understands that he has to have an entertaining product on the field.Thanks to the fact he grew up a Baltimore Colts fan,he can understand that Baltimore fans are not used to being embarrassed by a team that represents their city.I can never remember being as embarrassed as I was this season by incompetence and a lack of discipline.The team looked like the Bengals of old and many players need to be replaced. But it wasnt all Billick's fault. Ozzie helped the team go south too.

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2:01 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Bisciotti�s image under microscope"

Examiner Reader said:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... Maybe Billick can now play conservative football on X-Box, Wii, PlayStation, or with his kids. NFL, the fan, sponsors, and basically anyone who has every touched a football in the Baltimore area thank you Mr. Bisciotti. He was not getting the job done and not living up to the standards of Baltimore tradition. Maybe now he can reflect on his coaching errors sitting in his new home on the eastern shore of MD.

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1:09 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "Flynn, Stover want to return to Ravens"

Examiner Reader said:
flynn, stover dont leave ya mean alot to this team n franchise plz dont we need ya n we need to got to that super bowl

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