balfan23

I know there has been a great deal of talk about getting Eric Winston to come in and be our RT. Just saw the news that he has been elected as the NFLPA union president. 

I don't know about you, but to me that's a red flag. I really think that the job is extremely demanding and takes away a players ability to focus on his game and generally helps wear them down. I don't think Foxworth did himself any favors as a player being in the position just as our team rep. Of course, for him it was especially bad, because they were in the middle of negotiating a new CBA and he was coming off a season where he needed to be rehabbing his knee. 

Not sure what our FO will think of that, but I think it would raise questions. 

I don't think he has any reason to lie. I really think he's making it a priority. He addressed the receiver position, which I guess was priority one. He's starting to look at safeties, which I think we'll go with a one year stop gap for. I doubt he says he wants to upgrade the interior but does zero for it

I'm not sure that WR was really priority #1, it just so happened that a special WR hit the market that was not expected to be there and we moved on it. There is no way that I believe that we'll sit still and let the center position be determined by a battle between Gino and Jensen. I will be stunned if we don't end up with a vet coming in this year ... it is just who and at what cost. 

When I heard we expressed interest in Mack, I thought that was a sign that we had no faith in Gino in the future. Now, I'm not so sure where that rumor came from and it may just be noise. We may not ultimately be as high on BDLP as I thought we would be and may still have hope for Gino. If that's the case, we may just wait and pick up an available cut, which will not cost us in the draft and will cost less on our cap. 

You have to think though there is ALOT of time between now and the draft. Guys will be cut that you did not expect to be cut and the guys that are still there now in FA will be there for some time. I'd rather us take a risk like we usually do and just sit on our hands and wait. Why decide who is our starting center now when we don't need to for months and look for better options. 

I understand... there is no reason to make that decision now. Our FO is definitely doing the right thing and appear to be playing the market right. All I was saying is that I'm surprised it worked out this way. As long as we ultimately get someone of value to play the center position, this will be to our benefit. We'll likely spend less to get that same guy, and can use that extra cash to fill another hole or get a quality reserve player. If not, there will be some second guessing, since the O line (and in particular, the middle of the O line) was stated as priority #1. 

It is indicative of our FO. If one thing that can be said about them is they never, ever panic. They don't panic in the draft and reach, they don't panic in FA and reach, they let the market come to them. It doesn't always work, but it is the best approach. 

I don't think it's necessary for us to put on a billboard every player we are interested in possibly signing.  I haven't heard the names of some of these centers come up as part of anyone's radar.  Why would we show our hand and give agents a bargaining chip to work with in negotiations with other clubs?  Remember all the talk last year about how we were interested and pursuing Daryl Smith?  No?  That's because there was no talk about it.  Look how that worked out.  Free Agency period last like another 150 or 160 more days.  Take a breath.

All the previous poster said was that he's "surprised" that we haven't pursued De La Puente yet and haven't heard anything about our interest in him. He didn't say we should know everything that the FO is doing and they should tell us about it. However, you just simply find out when a team is really interested in a player ... sort of like we knew about our significant interest in Smith even before he was released. 

Given center is our most glaring need and given there are very few viable options, I also expected that we'd have been making to make that move more quickly to fill that position. Not saying we're screwing up or asleep at the wheel or anything... just saying that I expected that hole to be plugged very early in FA. 

Well, the Ravens have been busy trying to re-sign their own guys. We saw Monroe wasn't a target until Pitta was signed, then Smith only became heavily negotiated for after Monroe, and same with Jacoby. It's got to be a grueling process trying to hammer out these deals so quickly, so I'd think you want to just go one at a time

Yeah, I get it. The ink isn't dry on their contract with Steve and I'm clamoring for us to get moving on a new center! Nonetheless, that's the next move I'm looking forward to hearing about. 

Mack has four total suitors, and one was the Colts who just signed Phil Costa, so three total. Some don't think that the Ravens are serious about trying to acquire Mack, so BDLP may be the next target in line with both Smiths signed

My concern is that, even if we are serious about going after Mack, the Browns are just going to match the offer - especially with it being a division opponent going after him. BDLP is the best option left and from the start has been the guy I have felt we'd target. I just haven't heard us express any interest. The Giants have, but I don't know that they've scheduled a visit yet. 

So now that I've been told for "the millionth time" (I only see 2 posts about this, but who's counting ...) that Dietrich-Smith is off the market, it is definitely time to get busy and in my mind get real about who we should be targeting. 

Time to just set the sights on De La Puente and make that happen. I really don't see any other desirable options outside of Mack and I think that if we go for him, we'll end up empty handed. Imagine, if we target Mack, he's got a number of other suitors ... it will take some time to get an offer in front of him. Then Browns have 5 days to match the offer - which I expect they will do ... on day 5. 

During that time, if another team wanting a center lands De La Puente (the Giants are set to pursue him), then we are left holding the bag. 

Sorry Mom ... I know this probably should go on the "what FA we want on offense" thread, but .. oh well

LOL for the millionth time Dietrich smith has gone to the bucs

Geez ... sorry .. he signed with them about 2 hours ago, so my deepest apologies for not knowing this ...

He (WalterFootball) probably just pulled out the star sheet and didn't watch the games. Steve Smith still has great speed and his route running is among the best in the NFL. He's extremely tough and gritty....

The dude is an idiot

Newsflash Mr. Walter Football, I'm really not that interested in his speed anyway. We've got T. Smith and Jacoby ... we don't need speed, we need toughness (as you said). And when you are looking for a guy that can make those key catches, I am not going to judge value based on yardage stats. I'm not concerned about his value on your fantasy team, Mr. Walter, I'm interested in his value getting my REAL team wins. 

With that contract size, he'll cost us probably around 2M on the cap. Should still have room for some moves. 

Mack would likely consume almost all of that (and Cleveland would probably match it). I still think De La Puente or Dietrich-Smith are the more realistic options. 

Perhaps the front runner is Dietrich-Smith ... because of his last name (it is at least 1/2 a "Smith") :-)

For whatever reason, WalterFootball hated the deal:

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2014recap.php

 

I personally thought it was a good signing, well done.

Who are we to trust, Walter football, or our front office? Hmmm ... some self important self anointed dweeb experts or guys who are sporting SuperBowl rings?

Yeah, kind of a no-brainer there ... 

Wow - obviously we were very motivated to get him - not letting him get out of the building without a signed contract. I think the fact that he signed without any other visits and signed for under 4M per year speaks to the fact that he really likes the idea of being a Raven. 

I am rather surprised (pleasantly so). I didn't expect to hear this news until tomorrow. 

Smith is keeping his options open ... we're doing the same by maintaining interest in Edelman. 

I hope you dudes don't think that Darryl smith will be playing like that the whole 4 years

We won't expect him to ... Like the vast majority of NFL players, he will likely not see that last year of his contract ... unless he goes London Fletcher for us. 

I dont think hes worth spending extra picks on in order to get him. There are other needs that can be adressed at 17.

Yeah, you might be right - dang ... it is expensive to trade up ... even just a couple slots in the 1st round. I just consulted the trade chart ... we'd need to give up a 3rd rounder just to jump to 13. That's crazy ... yeah, we're not doing that. 

I honestly strongly believe the Steelers take an OT if one is there. They need one really, really bad.

Well, one will be there, it is just whether it is one they will want to draft at #15 overall, when they also need WR help. Martin is generally projected to be the best left at that spot. One could also claim that we need O line help badly as well, I just don't know if they will be able to pass up a big time playmaker like that for meat and potatoes. 

Also - on the point of the potential for a trade up ... this is where losing the coin flip could hurt. If we wanted to jump the Steelers to get Evans in front of them and it required trading with the Bears, the Bears and the Cowboys are both considered to have DT specifically as their biggest need. Bears may be reluctant to fall back, fearing the Cowboys will take their guy. 

We wont get the opportunity to draft him .

I don't think he'll be around at #17, but that isn't the same thing as not having the opportunity to draft him. He could fall as far as the early teens, in which case, we wouldn't have to break the bank to pick him up. 

The Steelers have a need for a WR and I could envision him still being on the board when they select. If he's still there in the 11, 12 range, I'd love to see us move up a few slots and get him over the Steelers. That will really suck if they get him. 

The problem I see - the perfect trading partner would be the Bears, who are one ahead of the Steelers and are going to focus on defense. So what's the problem? The freaking Bears burned us on an attempt to trade in the draft and I don't know how much love or trust there is between the 2 organizations. But a trade with them may be our best opportunity to grab Evans and keep him out of Pittsburgh. 

I strongly disagree. I don't think that we'll automatically avoid a WR in the first round because we sign Steve Smith. It would need to be more than that. 

I agree - I don't think getting Smith prevents us from taking a WR in the 1st round. It just prevents us from being virtually compelled to take a WR in the 1st round. The moves we're making - retaining Monroe and signing Smith, gives us flexibility in the draft. 

Remember a couple years ago we had a couple high valued players (i think one of them was Evan Mathis) come visit and none signed? i hope the team improved their sales pitch. We don't want him walking away!

Yeah - this isn't in the bag yet. Evan Mathis and Malcom Floyd ... but the difference there was it became clear those guys were just using us to jack up their price as both ended up staying with their current teams and it was where they wanted to stay all along. That's not the case for Smith. Others may be considering him as a possibility, but I think we're going to be putting an offer on the table. It feels like we're going to get him. 

Still want to try to get Mike evans in the draft smith has prob 2-3 years i dont want that for long term i want evans way to good not to trade up and get for joe and he can learn from both of the smiths

Absolutely ... that's the perfect scenario. Smith for his immediate productivity and for leadership and Evans for the future. 

To get Evans , I think you're right ... it will require a trade up. He just looked too darn good in the combine. Now how far up will we have to go? I just don't see the FO going 9 slots up or something in the first round ... that's super expensive and it is just not something we normally do. Now if he's still around and we only have to jump a few slots ... that's a possibility. 

yo people are coming at me about MY opinion .. i never said hed be a epic fail i said he isnt long term player here is my point

You didn't call it an epic fail ... just "a dumb move".

All I'm doing is expressing my opinion, as well.

We know he isn't a long term player, but I think in the short term an effective one and a guy who I think could set the tone for a young receiving corps. I don't know that Brown's growth is going to be stunted by his presence ... possibly to the contrary. We need that kind of veteran leadership that has the right amount of edge to them. 

friend dallas caught 31 passes last playing most the season, hell are you talking about. and stokely? really buddy, love the guy but really was he signing ? what part , oh the one where he caught 13 passes. oh the fact he retired where he started? right.  great. and smith is coming to play the slot more than anything else thats known, and no im not saying marlon would be phased, im saying he played alot of slot last year and caught 7 tds why move him? but bc the name smith looks great on paper youre doing cart wheels.. again WAKE UP SON!!!!

Well, if you really feel like bringing Smith in is going to be an epic failure, it is not RavensManiac you need to yell at to wake up, you need to do it to the FO, because it seems like they are aggressively pursing this signing. 

Please - you are really bringing up Stokley as a comparison? I really think Smith has something left in the tank and he plays like a Raven. We need a guy who is willing to float across the middle, get blasted in the chops, hold onto the ball and say, thank you sir, may I have another. 

He's a bridge to the future and we're a good enough team to warrant having a guy that adds that much needed toughness and experience to this group. He's not going to put up jaw dropping numbers, but he's going to contribute in a significant positive way.... that is, of course, if we land him. Which is apparently something we're very interested in doing. 

THE LAST GUY we need to take is Marquise Lee........Do Not Go There....Do Not Do it.....Do Not Destroy our potential diversity.

 

Evans is the guy if we can get him.  We have so many needs trading up would be a concession. If we can't get Evans we'll just have to spend the pick on the Lines and play another year without a true possession receiver.  But the death knell would be selecting that Lee.  We have Torrey Smith, don't need a clone.

 

No Clones allowed, especially clones with issues.

No doubt, Evans is the guy I think we would want, but his combine performance was just too darn good. I really don't expect he'll be around at #17. This is a deep receiver class, but deep with a lot of shifty speedsters and kind of short on big bodied strong possession receivers. Kelvin Benjamin is the closest thing to Evans and possibly even Allen Robinson could be an option. 

The problem is - neither of those guys are going to be around when we select in round 2. They are probably late 1st round guys, so too far for us to trade up on our second pick to get. 

We could trade back and get them later and add picks, but I don't know that the FO is going to fixate on WR as a must and, if there is a playmaker at whatever position available when we pick, they'll go that route. 

I agree. We need to look into a young NT in the draft.

I think the organization still has high hopes for Brandon Williams, although I was disappointed by how little he saw the field in 2013. Unless someone that we're high on really falls, I'm not anticipating us taking an NT in the first 3 rounds.

Do we know yet what our comp picks are?