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          NFL Nation

          Ravens surprisingly give starter-money deal to bring back James Hurst

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterMar 12, 2018, 05:10 PM
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens made a surprising move in re-signing offensive lineman James Hurst on Monday.

          Baltimore kept Hurst with a four-year, $17.5 million deal, which included $8 million in guaranteed money. That's in line with contracts given to Green Bay starting left guard Lane Taylor last September.

          The size of Hurst's contract has led to some questions. Will he remain at left guard and Alex Lewis will move to right tackle (which could result in not picking up Austin Howard's contract)? Or will Hurst bump out to right tackle? Or is there another scenario that the Ravens envision?

          Hurst, 26, has started 32 games in four seasons since joining Baltimore as an undrafted free agent. The Ravens really like his versatility because he has started at guard and tackle. Last season, Hurst started all 16 games, replacing Alex Lewis, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

          While Hurst has been valuable, many will remember he was pushed back into Joe Flacco in 2015, causing the quarterback to suffer a season-ending knee injury. He was ranked among the worst tackles in the league that season by Pro Football Focus.