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Since July 29, the day that Domonique Foxworth was lost for the season with a torn ACL, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome knew he needed to acquire another cornerback.
With Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb coming off ACL tears of their own and with little proven depth on the roster behind Chris Carr, the Ravens badly needed a guy who could play in sub packages and provide a little insurance in case Washington or Webb had a setback in their rehab.
They got more than that yesterday when they traded for former Seahawks corner Josh Wilson.
In return for a conditional 2011 draft pick (likely a mid-round selection), the Ravens got a speedy corner who has plenty of experience in his three years in the NFL.
They got a guy who will be an upgrade over Carr as a nickel back, can make plays as a kickoff returner, is a threat to score any time he has the ball in his hands, and could potentially bump Washington from the starting lineup at some point this season.
They got a guy who by all accounts is a hard worker, a high-character guy, and someone who genuinely sounds excited about his new opportunity in his home state.
Wilson won't just be a benefit to the Ravens because of what he brings physically. From the second he shows up to the team's Owings Mills complex, Wilson will also immediately reduce the pressure on the entire cornerback corps.
Washington and Webb won't need to wrap themselves in bubble wrap every morning for fear of injuring themselves and further weakening the secondary.
Webb can truly take his time recovering from his ACL tear. If he's not ready for the season opener, it's no longer as big a deal.
Carr, who has most of his experience from scrimmage as a nickel and dime back, won't need to fill in as a starting corner if one of the top guys goes down. He also can go back to returning punts, which he did last year but did not this preseason for fear of another decimating injury to a corner.
Cary Williams won't need to pull a Bobby Valentine and sport a fake moustache to disguise himself and avoid his two-game suspension.
The Ravens got all that for a conditional draft pick?
Chalk up another "W" for Newsome.
