The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Sharpe, the NFL's all-time leader for tight ends in catches and yards, will be released by the Baltimore Ravens this week for salary cap purposes.

An eight-time Pro Bowler, Sharpe just completed his second season with the Ravens and is halfway through a four-year, $13.2 million contract that included a $4.5 million signing bonus.

Sharpe will be the latest member of the Ravens' 2000 championship team to exit, following retired defensive tackle Tony Siragusa and linebacker Jamie Sharper and returner Jermaine Lewis, who were both selected by the Houston Texans in Monday's NFL expansion draft.

Known for his trash-talking as well as his pass-catching ability, Sharpe took some verbal shots at Ravens senior vice president Ozzie Newsome and coach Brian Billick.

"I can see where they are headed when they take a linebacker like Jamie Sharper, who is 27 and one of the three best in the league outside of Ray Lewis, and put him on expansion," Sharpe told the Baltimore Sun. "I can see where they are headed when they take a player like Jermaine Lewis and put him out there.

"I don't agree with them. I don't care what Sharper's (salary) cap number is. When you have a player that young, with so many good years remaining, you pay him. Jermaine is about the same age, and when our offense stalled last season, he was the only one to give us a spark. He is the only player on the team who can turn the game around with one touch. But Ozzie Newsome was executive of the year and Brian Billick is able to write books. What do I know? That's why they make the big bucks."