OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Cornerback Kyle Arrington was going out to celebrate his father's 60th birthday when he received the call that a deal was struck with the Baltimore Ravens.
"We had a few things to celebrate," Arrington said.
For Arrington, the main storyline isn't about going from the New England Patriots to the Ravens and switching sides in one of the more heated playoff rivalries. It's about returning home.
Arrington grew up in Maryland and played high school football at Gwynn Park, which is an hour's drive from M&T Bank Stadium. He's from an area that is historically Redskins country, but he refers to Baltimore as playing in his own backyard.
"I'm relishing the opportunity to be able to be part of this organization," Arrington said. "When everything went down initially with my release, my [agents] were in contact with a few teams. When Ozzie [Newsome, Ravens general manager] gave us a call, the potential to be back here in Maryland, I was like a kid waiting on Christmas."
Arrington, 28, signed a three-year, $7 million deal with the Ravens on Thursday. His first-year money of $2.8 million ($2 million signing bonus and $800,000 base salary) is guaranteed and nearly matches the $3 million that the Patriots were unwilling to pay him this season. Baltimore released undrafted rookie Andrew Bose to make room for Arrington on the 90-man roster.
The Ravens will use Arrington as their nickelback, pairing him with starters Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb. Arrington was the 36th-best cornerback in the NFL last year, according to Pro Football Focus. He ranked right behind Tramon Williams and Perrish Cox, both of whom received contracts this offseason that average $5 million-plus per season.
Arrington's ties with Baltimore go beyond the location. Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees held the same position in New England in 2009, when Arrington was an undrafted rookie.
"Kyle is a great get for us," Pees said. "His misfortune and bad news [in getting cut by the Patriots] is kind of surprising how good news it is for somebody else. I think that was great news for us."
Arrington is crossing enemy lines by joining the Ravens. He played against them in the postseason three times in the last four seasons. This isn't Ravens-Steelers, but it's become a heated rivalry in the playoffs.
"Being up there in New England, we've had a few things to say about the folks down here and I'm sure it's vice versa," Arrington said. "Being on the opposite side of the fence will be interesting."