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Williams and Sypniewski Sign Tenders

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Wideout **Demetrius Williams** and tight end **Quinn Sypniewski** officially signed their one-year restricted free agent tenders this week, extending the stay for two players that ended the 2008 campaign on Injured Reserve.

Both Williams and Sypniewski were expected to be major contributors last season, but injuries derailed those plans.

Sypniewski didn't even make it to training camp after tearing ligaments in his knee in the Ravens' first minicamp last April.

Williams, however, was off to a promising start, playing in seven games before a bone spur in his Achilles tendon required surgery. He had dealt with the injury since the summer, but the growth eventually needed to be removed.

But even though they have worked to make sure that doesn't happen in 2009 at the Ravens' offseason conditioning program, there is still a possibility that either position could be addressed in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Receiver and tight end have both been identified as potential areas of need for Baltimore.

When the 6-foot-2, 197-pound Williams went down - one week after catching a season-long 70-yard touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders - the Ravens felt the effects of not having a tall, rangy wideout to stretch the field.

**Derrick Mason** and **Mark Clayton**, Baltimore's two leading receivers, each stand 5-foot-10.

The Ravens have already met with several wideout prospects that could be available in the late first round, including Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina and Rutgers' Kenny Britt.

Meanwhile, Sypniewski's absence rippled through the entire team. Without the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder, fellow tight end **Todd Heap** was asked to remain on the line and block much more than normal, which negatively impacted his receiving statistics.

Heap finished the year with only 35 catches for 403 yards and three touchdowns, by far his least productive output for a season in which he played in all 16 games.

With regards to the draft, several mock drafts have linked the Ravens to Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who is also known for his blocking prowess.

Williams and Sypniewski's signings mark the final two outstanding tender offers after punter [Sam Kochinternal-link-placeholder-0] and safety **Dawan Landry** inked their deals last week.

Williams was assigned a fourth-round tag, while Sypniewski garnered a fifth-round designation.

As restricted free agents, Baltimore would have had the right to match any offer they would have received on the open market. If either player did sign with another team, the Ravens would have received a draft pick relative to their tags as compensation.

Notable

The Ravens' offseason conditioning program is taking a one-week hiatus, sending players home until it resumes in earnest April 20.

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