Baltimore Ravens Lose G Ben Grubbs, but a Replacement's on the Way

Offensive guard Ben Grubbs was one of the team's highest-priority free agents, and they diligently worked with Grubbs and his agent to get him signed to a long-term deal.

Despite reports of having offered him a large sum to stay, the two sides couldn't ultimately see eye-to-eye, with talks ongoing over the past month making little progress.

When reports that Grubbs would be meeting with the New Orleans Saints, ostensibly as part of their search to replace Pro Bowler Carl Nicks, who joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it seemed inevitable that Grubbs would be gone.

And gone he is. Grubbs agreed to a five-year, $36 million deal with the Saints this morning, but the blow this means to the Ravens offensive line won't sting for long.

That's because the Ravens are currently meeting with Grubbs' likely replacement, former Philadelphia Eagles offensive guard Evan Mathis, and I don't find it likely Mathis leaves Baltimore without an agreement with the team.

Mathis has been in the NFL since 2005 but really drew attention in his 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals in which he didn't give up a single sack. Pro Football Focus rated Mathis the top left guard in the league for the 2011 season—his lone year in Philadelphia—naming the coveted Nicks as a second-teamer.

So fear not, Ravens fans—by the end of the day, your offensive line may have itself an upgrade over Grubbs and a long-term starter to protect quarterback Joe Flacco as he enters a crucial year in his career.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea