Marshal Yanda, Ravens Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The Baltimore Ravens and guard Marshal Yanda reportedly agreed to a restructured contract Wednesday, which will give the team more salary-cap flexibility.  

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the new deal gives Baltimore an additional $3.975 million in cap space. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle provided further details of the contract:

Per Spotrac.com, Yanda is signed through the 2019 season after inking a four-year pact last October.

The 31-year-old Yanda has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the past five seasons, and he has started all but two games during that time.

Yanda was a third-round pick out of Iowa by the Ravens in 2007, and the two-time first-team All-Pro has gained a reputation as being one of the league's premier guards.

Per Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com, Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins believes Yanda is among the most complete guards in football:

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When I tell my son or daughter about football, I'll tell them that was one of the best guards I went up against in the league. He's got nastiness, he's physical and he has finesse. He's strong, but if you try to beat him with a little finesse, he can handle that too because he's got good feet. He's got the whole package.

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While Yanda has primarily played right guard during his time with the Ravens, he has shown the ability to move around and excel elsewhere when needed, such as at right tackle.

He is an extremely reliable blocker, regardless of where he lines up, and he is one of the few sure things on a Ravens team that is looking to bounce back from a 5-11 season.

Making some splashy signings in free agency could go a long way toward turning things around, and Yanda's willingness to restructure will help immensely in that regard.

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