Even though he's coming off hip surgery, and is scheduled to earn $1.927 million in base salary on a restricted free agent tender, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williamsturned down a three-year contract extension worth $15 million, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports.
A seventh-round pick out of Washburn by the Tennessee Titans in 2008, Williams started one of 23 games for the Titans and Ravens in his first three seasons in the NFL before taking over as a full-time starter in 2011.
In 16 games last season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Williams had 78 tackles and 18 passes defensed, but still is looking for his first career interception. According to the 2012 Football Outsiders Almanac, Williams was targeted 101 times, the second-highest total among NFL cornerbacks.
Williams will turn 28 during the 2012 season and his time as a starter in Baltimore could be brief. The Ravens used their 2011 first-round draft pick on Jimmy Smith, who is expected to man the corner opposite Lardarius Webb, who signed a $50 million extension earlier this offseason.
Webb and Williams are both represented by agent Marc Lillibridge.
The $5 million annual average in the Ravens' offer to Williams is identical to what Dallas Cowboys No. 3 cornerback Orlando Scandrick signed for last September. Williams (and Lillibridge) clearly believe they can do better with another season in a major role under his belt.
"My philosophy on doing that was just having confidence in myself," Williams said of turning down the Ravens' offer. "I know myself, I know my ability. I know my work ethic. At the end of the day, the offer, I felt like I could always make that. I felt it wasn't good enough and my agent said it wasn't good enough. I love playing for the Ravens. I would love to be here, but right now we're just in the negotiation stage."
Follow Brian McIntyre on Twitter _@brianmcintyre_.
