Baltimore Ravens Bolster Special Teams by Adding Graham and Retaining Ayanbadejo

After striking out numerous times in free agency, the Baltimore Ravens finally hit on one.  The Ravens have signed special teams ace and cornerback Corey Graham to a two-year contract, Aaron Wilson reports through scout.com.

This is not the sexiest signing, but Graham is an important addition.  With Dominique Foxworth retiring and Chris Carr's likely departure, the former Chicago Bear provides needed depth at the cornerback position.

His special teams play earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2011.  The Ravens finished near the bottom in covering kicks and punts(31st in kickoffs and 24th in punts), which no doubt irks former special teams coach and current Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

Wilson also says the Ravens have retained linebacker and special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo.

Ayanbadejo is a three-time special teams Pro Bowler.  He also provides depth at the linebacker position, which is important with the loss of Jarret Johnson, who signed with San Diego. Jameel McClain is still a free agent. 

Both of these signings are important, and show how serious the Ravens are about improving special teams.  With Ted Ginn re-signing with San Francisco (via Matt Maiocco of csnbayarea.com) and Eddie Royal also signing with San Diego, it appears that Baltimore will have to improve their return game in the draft.

With the Ravens' signing of Corey Graham and the re-signing of Brendon Ayanbadejo, it is unlikely that the thay will sign free-agent linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba, whom they recently visited with, according to Wilson via The Carroll-County Times.