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."

More than $20 million over the salary cap, the Ravens exposed high-priced players Sharper, Lewis and starting defensive end Rob Burnett in the expansion draft. The Houston Texans selected Sharper and Lewis, shedding $7 million off Baltimore's cap.

Sharpe's possible release comes after a season in which he became the all-time leader among tight ends with 692 catches for 8,604 yards and was named to his eighth Pro Bowl.

Sharpe, who turns 34 in June, spent the first 10 years of his career with the Denver Broncos before he signed as a free agent with Baltimore and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001.

In his two seasons with Baltimore, Sharpe was the Ravens' primary receiving threat with 140 catches for 1,621 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Ravens are expected to waive Burnett and may also release veteran safety Rod Woodson.