The Super bowl champion Baltimore Ravens watched as Dannell Ellerbe, regarded to be the team's top priority to re-sign in free agency, decided to take his talents to South Beach, agreeing to join the Miami Dolphins Tuesday. Ellerbe agreed to a five-year, $35 million contract to join wide receiver Mike Wallace as one of the Phins' biggest acquisitions of the early free agency period.

Ellerbe will also be joined by another new linebacker to the Miami defense. The Dolphins continued their busy free agent spending spree signing former Raiders linebacker Philip Wheeler to a 5-year, $26 million deal, which includes $13 million guaranteed.

Ellerbe emerged as a key player on the Ravens' defense during the end of the team's championship run. This season, he finished second on the team in tackles (89) and sacks (4.5).

Baltimore has now lost both Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, who has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns, within the first few hours of free agency. The Ravens also agreed to trade starting wide receiver Anquan Boldin to San Francisco for a late round draft pick.