balfan23

He's 32. Not too old, but coming off an Achilles tendon tear. He's going to command a decent salary from someone ... but this is not an area of true need for us. ... particularly if Ngata could be the dominating player he is being paid to be. The money he would get is earmarked for other needs.

Adam Schefter tweeted: "By and large, Tiffany free-agent prices are over. From now on, with a few exceptions, it's shopping at Target." Ozzie is a Target shopper, he definitely doesn't shop at Tiffany's.

Would still like to get Daniels, but he's scheduled to meet with the Skins. That's a little scary, since DC is the NFL players roach motel ... players go in, but they don't come out (usually because they overpay so significantly, the player just can't say no).

So, it's 4:04 ... haven't we signed Smith yet :-)

I know - we'd have to seriously overpay him ...which is something we just won't do. It is a great thing to dream about but I am wondering if we are going to be active in pursuit of another option soon. Giants and Bucs are targeting the same guys we'd probably like to bring in, so I think a realistic assessment needs to be made on Mack soon. As awesome as it would be to have him as a Raven, we just need a solid upgrade at the position. The money saved in not landing the absolute #1 player at that position can be used on some other holes that need filling.

A follow up to my previous post ... "Baltimore has emerged as a favorite to land former Panther Steve Smith". (Adam Schefter tweet)

Too many here with a Ravens-centric view are counting Smith as a Raven the second his release was announced. He will draw attention elsewhere and here's the comment out of rotoworld: He'd fit as an Eric Decker replacement in Denver, or as a No. 2 option in Baltimore. The Bucs, Patriots, Cowboys and Chargers are also thought to be on Smiff's list. That's 6 teams listed as potential suitors. His release isn't the end of the story, it is only the start.

Probably not the only one, but I'm not in that camp. Of course, he's past his prime ... if he were in his prime, he'd be a clear-cut top FA who would command big money. As it stands, he could be just the right fit for us ... savvy, experienced, tough as nails and a good model for Brown and the WR to be selected in the draft (I have to assume we'll get one). We've been considering bringing in a vet WR all along, so I don't know that moving on Smith stops us from doing anything we hadn't already planned - except picking from the list of other FA WRs that have been known to be on the market. Of course, it will still come down to price - but I'm pretty sure Ozzie won't just start forking over stacks of cash ... that's not his style. In that regard, it is not a done deal like so may wish to think, but I think it is a great fit and I hope we strike a reasonable deal and get him in.

Often, I like to listen to people invested in a given team who is losing a player and gauge their feelings. I live in Carolina. People are pissed about the Panthers cutting loose of Smith. I would be too. I'll be more than happy to see him in Ravens purple. I've said it before - we don't have to teach this guy how to play like a Raven. He's played like a Raven his whole career. Now, just get on with the inevitable Carolina, make the move and let's let Ozzie work it out.

No doubt ... he's the best center in the game. But, he'll come at a pretty steep cost (and no matter what, the Browns can likely match it). If the Browns let him go, that cost will impact our ability to round out other areas of the team. It is going to be a serious balancing act ... but then our FO is pretty good at it. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but the center position is the most critical item to address now that our LT is nailed down.

Mack: 6'4 311lbs De La Puente: 6'3 306 lbs 5 lbs is a deal breaker? That's a Big Mac dinner with a large fry. Look around the league - centers aren't much bigger than Gino - they are just better.

On board with this sentiment ... I see no reason to think he won't earn his money, because he earned every penny of his money on his last contract with us. He's the best return guy in the league and that's been a devastating weapon at key points in his time with us. And it is not as if he has no value at the WR position. If we get a guy like Smith (and carry forward with a young draft pick who is cut from that same cloth), then I see him going back to the role he had when Boldin was here. And we all can recall him hitting those select few killer plays that make him all worthwhile (aka Mile High Miracle and Super Bowl highlight spin move). On top of being a guy we can roll out there when we need to spread things out, he's a viable backup in case Torrey gets hurt. That keeps us having at least one burner on the field at all times.

Don't get me wrong - I love having JJ back. Just think back to a couple years ago when our return game was junk. My point was that his signing doesn't preclude us going after a guy like Steve Smith. Jones is a best in class return guy and excellent stretch the field guy as a WR, but Smith would be that guy we missed last year when we let go of Boldin. I really think we need to draft that next hard nosed, across the middle bruising receiver with good hands (if such a player is available), but Smith provides a good bridge to that draft pick. Our organization likes to ease guys in if possible, and Smith would allow us to do that. Of course, that's all contingent on being able to get him at the right price, but I'm very hopeful that we find a way to get him. He's a guy who we won't have to teach how to play like a Raven ... he has his whole career.

There is a difference between bringing him back to give him a shot and inking him in as a starting ILB next to Brown (who really wasn't a starter last year either). I fully expect to see us let him come back and see if he is serious about turning things around. As you say, with his tiny contract, there is little risk in that. However, there is huge risk in saying that we don't need to bring Smith back (or someone else in his stead) because of Rolando's return. That is tantamount to saying he's our starter, or is at least going to be counted on as a guy who can be a significant contributor.

There seems to be a lot of people fantasizing about McClain returning to the game and being a solid starter game 1. Look - it could happen ... but there is no way in the world that the team is going to bank on that. To think we'd cut Jameel, let Smith walk and stand pat, simply because Rolando is coming back to the game is foolishness. If we can't come to terms with Smith, we're going to find another option to add to the position. We are simply too thin at that position.

Golden Tate: 5 years $31M ... I know there are those among us who wanted him, but wow! I am stunned by that price tag. I didn't think he would draw that kind of contract.

I had been focused on De La Puente, because I thought Mack was a pipedream. Perhaps he isn't ... but the question will be, will we be better off with Mack, or De La Puente, Owen Daniels and Steve Smith? Now, obviously, I don't know that signing Mack will prevent those two other signings, I just threw them out there as general examples, but you get my drift. Mack over De La Puente will cost us more and will therefore cost us a guy or two that we otherwise may get. But again - I think our approach is signaling that the FO isn't aligned with Birk's sentiment (that Gino is the guy for the future).

It is realistic, but I still think unlikely. Of course, it would cause us to sacrifice other signings ... not all other signings, but there will be a deal or two that won't be made if we go with Mack over some of the other center options. I think the critical take away from our interest in Mack is this: The organization doesn't view Gino as a starting option, now or in the future. Otherwise, they wouldn't be seeking a young player who is in the top 5 in the league. Therefore, if we don't get Mack, this signals to me that we won't be looking for a mid-30s 1-2 year stop gap player at center, but will turn our attention to De La Puente or Dietrich-Smith.

Everyone - can you think back to a time before Jones? When we had lost faith in Reed due to critical turnovers and we were rolling out Zibby or Carr or a potted plant to return kicks and just prayed for a touch back or fair catch on every special teams play? I can ... and those are not fond memories ... Jones ... A fan favorite and a dangerous player. So glad to have you back!

I guess I'm not sure why retaining Jacoby would mean we'd have no interest for Smith - or any other veteran WR. Ozzie talked about adding WR ... JJ is not an add, hes' a status quo. Certainly an add can mean adding a WR in the draft, but I'm thinking the FO will be more than happy to add a WR that can help game 1 and would love a vet - especially a tough, in-traffic, sure-handed guy to bridge to our draft pick. Our FO is not usually of the mind that they want to take rookie draft picks and ink them in as starters on game 1.

I find it amazing that we are even talking to Mack. I still don't think we'll end up with him, simply because I think we'll need to expend too much of our limited resources to obtain him and have too many other areas that we want to address. But, they could be creative with cap and make something work. I'll just be very surprised. The most important takeaway from our engaging with him is this: It speaks volumes on what their opinion of Gino is going forward. They would not be entertaining a guy like Mack if they had any serious thoughts of Gino being a year away and are looking only for a stop-gap until he's ready to take over the position for the future.

Aaron Wilson tweeted it - in no uncertain terms. "Ravens reach four-year agreement in principle with Jacoby Jones, team announces". If stated as "team announces", then that sounds official. Don't know terms yet. That will be interesting to hear

Oh, I don't think you can compare Steve Smith to Brandon Stokley and Dallas Clark. IMO, he'd be more like Mason was for us in his last 2 years with the team. It would have to be a short deal, right price. I still think we want a future #2 out of the draft round 1. Hopefully that person is available when we pick at #17.

Broncos nail Talib, Ward and are poised to land Ware. Wow, that's a serious FA push on the defensive side of the ball.

They released Will Smith, Jabari Greer, Roman Harper and Lance Moore. Everyone believed that was in an effort to deal with Graham. Graham openly criticized these moves (which I always find amusing when players who are set to make a huge contract get upset when fellow players get released .... cause and effect?). Then they do this, so yes, it was a surprise. Those cuts put them at barely 3M under the cap.They are likely to part ways with Sproles and will need to make an additional set of cuts just to have enough to make minor deals and sign rookies. They have zero chance of retaining any of their other FAs ... including Puente. Who I am hoping becomes a Raven