WESTMINSTER -- The authority and force that Fabian Washington wanted to generate a year ago simply weren't there.

Although Washington will never be confused with a legendary NFL enforcer like Ronnie Lott, the Baltimore Ravens' speedy cornerback found himself unable to consistently meet some of the physical demands of the position.

When Washington lined up in press coverage, he found it difficult to muscle wide receivers from getting into their patterns. During open-field tackling situations, his arm would routinely go numb when he delivered a blow.

A common sight was Washington in visible pain in need of treatment.

The culprits? A torn labrum in his shoulder and a bulging disc in his neck.

"Yeah, it affected me a lot," Washington said. "Every time I press-covered or tackled, it was a sharp pain shooting down my arm. It would go numb for a series or two and you guys would see me on the sideline trying to get my arm right."

It was a frustrating, painful season at times even though Washington persevered to manufacture solid performances throughout his first year in Baltimore.

Something was missing, though: his health.

So, Washington underwent two surgeries this offseason to repair the damage.

His vertebrae was fused, and he had a procedure to address the labrum that he tore during the regular season against the Tennessee Titans.

With the surgeries and some diligent work in the weight room to strengthen his upper body, a heavier Washington is up 10 pounds and is now capable of jamming receivers in the chest and delivering hits without fear of injury.

"I'm happy to say I'm healthy now," Washington said. "I felt like I had to put on some weight this year. No concerns, the Lamborghini is still running fast. Ten pounds doesn't affect me. Can I run a 4.3? I can still run a 4.3, 4.2 is pushing it."

Washington ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine four years ago with a 4.29 time prior to being drafted in the first round by the Oakland Raiders.

Acquired in a trade last year for a fourth-round draft pick, Washington led the Ravens with 19 pass deflections last season as he started a dozen games and registered 34 tackles and one interception.

In theory, Washington should be capable of engineering a superior season to last year. And the Ravens are looking forward to him transforming that theory into factual production.

"I think it's great for our defense if Fabian gets more comfortable and more healthy," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "Fabian looks good, he looks healthy.

"He's put on 10 pounds of muscle. We do a lot of tackling, so he's tackling well. I'd be surprised if Fabian didn't have a really good year."

Toward that end, the former high school wide receiver is intent on upgrading his hands.

Washington dropped several potential interceptions last season. He would often break crisply on the football only to have it deflect off his hands and end up on the ground.

In his estimation, he missed out on between at least six and eight interceptions.

"I've been working every day on the Jugs machine," Washington said. "I hope I get those same opportunities to get those picks this year. I'll be catching them."

Washington, who had a strong postseason with 15 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and three pass deflections, missed the first game of the season last year. He was suspended without pay for one game for violating the personal-conduct policy, a punishment stemmed from a domestic violence arrest in February of 2008 involving his girlfriend.

He wound up recovering from a sluggish, uncertain start to the season as he emerged as a starter for the NFL's second-ranked defense. He had a career-high four pass deflections against the Washington Redskins and five tackles and an interception in the playoffs against the Miami Dolphins.

Now, Washington is looking for a different start this time around.

"Definitely, I'm going into another year and I pretty much know the defense now so I can start off fast," Washington said. "I don't have to start off slow like last year. If I catch the ball, some big things will happen."

Entering the final year of his original rookie deal, Washington is due a $1.515 million base salary.

He'd like to eventually hammer out a long-term contract extension with the Ravens following the season, but is keeping that future conversation at arm's length.

"That's not my job, that's my agents' job," Washington said. "I leave all that up to them. I just play football, but I definitely want to stay in Baltimore."