The Baltimore Ravens plan to release fullback Vonta Leach and inside linebacker Jameel McClain, sources told The Baltimore Sun.
Both have been projected as the two most likely salary-cap casualties since the end of the season, and I wrote about these moves on the blog earlier Thursday. The Ravens will save $4.9 million off the cap by cutting Leach ($1.75 savings) and McClain ($3.2).
The team has yet to announce the moves. Leach tweeted "Thanks for the memories" on Thursday afternoon, along with photos of him with Ray Lewis and Ray Rice.
Leach, a three-time Pro Bowl fullback, re-signed at a reduced salary last year before being phased out of the offense during the season. He only participated in 20 percent of the offensive snaps in 2013 as the Ravens went to a three-receiver, spread attack.
McClain made an admirable comeback from a spinal cord contusion in 2013 after taking a $1.5 million salary cut during the summer. He finished with 50 tackles and one forced fumble in 10 starts last season, but he doesn't fit in the Ravens' plans. At inside linebacker, the Ravens are trying to re-sign Daryl Smith and they are hoping second-round pick Arthur Brown steps into a starting role this season.
The Ravens are now projected to have $27 million in cap room.
