St. Louis Rams with Joe Flacco

Hull (6-3, 239) began his career as a walk-on at Penn State and finished it as one of the most productive defenders in the Big Ten. As a senior, he led the team and was fifth in the Big Ten with 116 tackles, becoming just the 20th Nittany Lion in the program's 123-year history to eclipse 100 tackles in a season. Hull was taken in the seventh round with the 254th overall pick.

Also signing were third-round pick Jerome Murphy (cornerback, South Florida), fourth-round selection Mardy Gilyard (recierver, Cincinnati), fifth-rounders Michael Hoomanawanui (tight end, Illinois) and Hall Davis (defensive end, Louisiana-Lafayette), sixth-round pick Eugene Sims (defensive end, West Texas A&M) and seventh-round selections Marquis Johnson (cornerback, Alabama) and George Selvie (defensive end, South Florida).

Terms of the deals were undisclosed.

"I am happy to have these players signed," said  St. Louis Rams  coach Steve Spagnuolo on the team's website. "Once training camp begins, these rookies can direct all of the focus on football and not be concerned with the business side of things."

The acquisition of former Pro Bowl QB Marc Bulger via free agency from the St. Louis Rams is correctly being lauded as a strong move by Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome- the latest in a string of good moves by the "Wizard of Oz" this offseason.

 

However, it is extremely unlikely that the Ravens would carry 4 quarterbacks on their active roster this season. Obviously, Joe Flacco is safe: he's the starter. Similarly, Bulger is safe, as he wasn't signed to be cut. That leaves QBs John Beck and Troy Smith.

 

Two factors point to Smith leaving Baltimore: first, he's asked for a trade in the past- he correctly assumes that he'll be behind Flacco as long as he stays in Baltimore, and he understandably wants to play. Second, his trade value is likely higher (read: existent) relative to Beck.

 

Smith will probably be with the Ravens through training camp, but expect Smith to be dealt for a later round pick sometime during the preseason.