"As soon as the news spread that the Ravens had signed receiver Donte' Stallworth, some fans made flight plans and hotel reservations for the 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas.

Forget Brandon Marshall, Malcom Floyd and Terrell Owens. The Ravens had finally gotten a legitimate No. 1 receiver who would take them to The Show. It was a show-stopping event for those who didn't know any better.

In reality, the signing of Stallworth is just a further indictment of the Ravens' receivers from a year ago. Let's make this perfectly clear: Stallworth is not The Answer.

In fact, he is still part of the problem. Put aside all of this Ravens public relations about giving Stallworth a second chance. The Ravens-Stallworth marriage was made out of desperation. The Ravens were looking for a receiver with some speed, and Stallworth was looking for another opportunity in the NFL.

The chances that he will succeed are slim. Stallworth missed the 2009 season because of an NFL suspension after he pleaded guilty to hitting and killing a pedestrian while driving drunk.

In 2008 with the Cleveland Browns, Stallworth had 17 catches for 170 yards and one touchdown. You add it up. How many veterans who are already fading after a seventh year can make a successful comeback after missing an entire season?

I understand the Ravens' situation. In fact, I would take the gamble myself because Stallworth agreed to a one-year deal worth only about $900,000.

But the underlying message tells you that if the Ravens did not have veteran receiver Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap, they wouldn't have had even an average receiving corps. Aside from Mason and running back Ray Rice, when was the last time a Ravens receiver made substantial yardage after a catch?

Throughout his career, Stallworth has averaged 14.8 yards on 296 catches with 32 touchdowns. He's no Marshall or Owens, but he still might have enough left in his legs to produce more than Mark Clayton, Kelley Washington and Demetrius Williams.

"We've given a lot of thought to this, and we've done extensive research into Donte' beyond football," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. "He has made a huge mistake. There's no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight. As [Ravens owner] Steve [Bisciotti] said, we believe in second chances, and Donte' does deserve that."