Rookie offensive tackle's deal is worth up to $13.795 million

WESTMINSTER -- The compelling story of Baltimore Ravens rookie offensive tackle Michael Oher's life is being made into a movie, and the latest chapter in his journey unfolded Thursday when he officially signed a five-year contract with a total maximum value of $13.795 million.

For Oher, whose guaranteed money of $6.88 million plus his playing-time incentive clause adds up to a total of $7.82 million following a holdout of two days, the contract stamps a major milestone in his winding life journey.

Oher grew up homeless for a time as a teenager in Memphis, Tenn., with his mother addicted to crack cocaine. His biological father was a stranger to Oher. Oher never met his father, who was murdered.

Adopted and embraced by a loving, wealthy family that embraced him and enrolled him in an exclusive private school, Oher progressed in life, education and football to emerge as a first-round draft pick. Now, he's being counted on to start immediately at right tackle as the Ravens launch their first full-team practice of training camp this morning.

"It is very special," Oher said. "You've got to forget where you came from and move forward and continue to work hard and put all your trust in the right people."

Drafted 23rd overall after thriving in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference, Oher is intent on justifying the Ravens' investment of a $940,000 roster bonus this year and a $4.68 million option bonus next March.

The consensus All-American blocker felt badly that he missed a total of four practices while his agent, Jimmy Sexton, and Ravens vice president of football administration Pat Moriarty hammered out the final details of his deal.

“I was disappointed I couldn’t show up the f irst day when the rookies reported,” Oher said. “I felt like I let my team down, but I put all my trust in my agent and he steered me in the right direction. I’m pleased to be here, and I’m very excited the Ravens decided to pick me. I feel like I have to give it my all.

"I’m very relieved that I’m in camp with my teammates and being able to practice, having all that stuff behind me. I wanted to be there with them and go through everything they're going through. All I can do now is play football, work hard and give back to them because they've given to me."

With four-time Pro Bowl tackle Willie Anderson retiring this offseason, the Ravens are banking on Oher being ready to anchor the right side opposite left tackle Jared Gaither.

Oher is expected to compete with Adam Terry and Oniel Cousins for a starting job, but will be given every opportunity to earn a full-time spot.

The 6-foot-5, 309-pound Oher has bullish strength and ideal size, but has a rare physique for an offensive tackle with very little body fat.

During offseason minicamps, he excelled in blocking drills and will be counted on to protect franchise quarterback Joe Flacco.

Oher's quiet intensity and accountability have further sold the Ravens on him.

"As we said on the day of the draft, we traded up to get him for a reason," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "Nothing that we've seen since that day has ch anged our mind. We feel even better about it. . . .

"We sat here a year ago, drafted a quarterback, and hoped that we didn't have to deal with that for a while. We're hoping the same thing now with Michael. Maybe the offensive tackle spot is taken care of."

The Ravens acknowledged that it was difficult to finalize the Oher deal because of a lack of completed deals above and below him.

Under the NFL slotting principle, Oher's agent and Moriarty had to estimate where the numbers should be and ultimately reached a compromise.

"It was an issue," Newsome said. "I think they were able to step outside of the box a little bit and project what the slot would be."

Oher's life is the subject of a New York Times best-selling book called "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game."

And his personal story is being made into a film starring Sandra Bullock as his adoptive mother and Kathy Bates as his academic tutor.

Newsome said that the Michael Lewis book was on his summer reading list. 

"I think I know Michael a little bit more now than I did before the draft," Newsome said.

Oher's work ethic was one of the top reasons the Raven became enamored of him along with his selfless attitude.

"Those are some of the intangibles that attracted us to him in the draft," Newsome said. "Not only is he a hard worker, not only is he a good team player, he feels a responsibility to his teammates."

Oher emphasized that the Ravens can count on him, on and off the field.

"I'm a very emotional guy, hard-nosed, physical, and I have a passion for the game." Oher said. "Playing football and winning is very important to me."