Wide receiver Anquan Boldin, a key contributor in the postseason, was traded to the San Francisco 49ers The Baltimore Ravens said they weren't going to chase contracts just to keep their Super Bowl-winning nucleus intact.
They're proving it.
BROWNS STEP UP: Cleveland snares Ravens OLB
BOLDIN SPEAKS: Thought Baltimore was his 'last stop'
Less than two hours after losing Paul Kruger to the Cleveland Browns, the team lost another linebacker in Dannell Ellerbe.
In a stunner, Ellerbe agreed to a five-year contract worth $35 million with the Miami Dolphins, according to a person informed of the negotiations.
The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the contract isn't signed yet, did not provide financial terms.
Ellerbe, 27, had a career-high 4½ sacks last season. He started seven games and established career highs in tackles (89, second on the team) and solo tackles (66). He missed three games with an ankle injury.
Clearly not happy with the play of their linebackers in 2012, the Dolphins also added to terms with Philip Wheeler, formerly of the Oakland Raiders. Wheeler will sign a five-year deal worth $26 million with $13 million fully guaranteed, according to a person informed of the agreement.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the deal isn't yet signed and terms weren't to be discussed publicly.
Wheeler joins Ellerbe on a second level of the Dolphins' defense that will look much, much different than it did last season.
With Ellerbe and Wheeler in the fold, the Dolphins are releasing veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity since the transaction has yet to be announced.
With Ray Lewis retiring, the Ravens hoped to sign Ellerbe to a long-term deal. But he -- like other Ravens -- proved to be too expensive.
The dismantling of the Super Bowl champions began Monday, when the Ravens traded wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round draft pick. That deal was officially announced Tuesday.
Contributing: The Associated Press
PHOTOS: Top 50 NFL free agents 
50. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets
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49. Sam Baker, OT, Atlanta Falcons
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48. Donald Thomas, G. SIGNED: Indianapolis Colts. (Old team: New England Patriots.)
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47. Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta Falcons
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46. Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets
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45. Brandon Gibson, WR, St. Louis Rams
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44. Martellus Bennett, TE. SIGNED: Chicago Bears. (Old team: New York Giants)
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43. Gosder Cherilus, OT. SIGNED: Indianapolis Colts. (Old team: Detroit Lions)
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42. Glover Quin, S, Houston Texans
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41. Mike DeVito, DE. SIGNED: Kansas City Chiefs, three years, $12.6M (Old team: New York Jets.)
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40. James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers.
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39. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
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38. Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams
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37. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants
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36. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis Colts
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35. Brandon Moore, G, New York Jets
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34. Eric Winston, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
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33. Sean Smith, CB, Miami Dolphins
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32. Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants
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31. Israel Idonije, DE, Chicago Bears
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30. Louis Vasquez, G. SIGNED: Denver Broncos, four years, $23.5M. (Old team: San Diego Chargers)
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29. Phil Dawson, K, Cleveland Browns
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28. Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee Titans
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27. Reggie Bush, RB, Miami Dolphins
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26. John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons
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25. Philip Wheeler, OLB. SIGNED: Miami Dolphins, five years, $26M. (Old team: Oakland Raiders.)
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24. Chris Houston, CB, Detroit Lions
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23. Ed Reed, FS, Baltimore Ravens James Lang, US Presswire
