dhstandard

As I already said, I like this trade but I'm in a wait and see mode to see who earns the 3 starting spots up for grabs before gushing over the guy. You do realize the game you mentioned as an example was against the Atlanta Falcons' 31st ranked run defense right? Rainey's only other 100+ yard rushing game came against the 28th ranked Buffalo Bills' run defense. I have high hopes for Zuttah and our line too but not a particularly good example. Its sort of like how Rice had the terrible year he had but put up over 100 yards against a terrible Bears' run defense...

Remember this is Center.  It's not like were getting a new Quarterback.  While Alex Mack would've given us a stacked offensive line, it's only the center position.  I've never seen a team win the Super Bowl because they had an awesome center.

A 4.5 million a year guy who plays consistently, is young, and has experience is the most we could ask for.  Why invest upwards of 7+ million when you could use that kind of money on a more important position.

There aren't many others here that seem to like Lee like I do.  He is fast, cuts well, and has sure hands.  Ebron on the other hand is a beast.  I seriously doubt that teams will be able to stop a 2 TE set with he and Pitta on the field at the same time. He is an very good blocker and can help the outside running game.

Ebron is a no-brainer.  It is whether he is taken by the time we pick.

Does anybody know of any safeties that will probably be cap casualties?

Now that we have re-signed our own guys I believe we will go for other team's free agents.

I'm not complaining about a potential Steve Smith signing, but I do share your worries. Then again, it's not the Ravens MO to draft a WR early anyway. FS and LB seem to be needs and the Ravens aren't pursuing the FS position in FA already. I see Oz setting himself up for Clinton-Dix or Pryor. Maybe Mosley, if Daryl Smith doesn't sign.

I kind of write my posts knowing that, in all likelihood, we won't draft a WR until the 3rd round, maybe.

There aren't many safeties worth pursuing on the market.Chris Clemons is a good option but his situation isn't good.  We could try the Champ convert but that's a huge gamble.  Hit or miss.

On top of that, free agency isn't always a super fast process. While we haven't reached out to any of these guys, I haven't heard much talk of any of them or even Daryl Smith negotiating with other teams or making visits.  

We aren't really strapped for time at this point.

Here is a great article on how steve smith will be used in our Offense on Baltimorebeatdown.com. breakdown done very well.

http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2014/3/13/5506484/examining-wr-steve-smiths-potential-fit-in-the-baltimore-ravens?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Best quote from that article "Don't get me wrong, we'll still see Flacco launching passes, but Kubiak's scheme requires players whom are money in the short-area game, having good hands and the ability to generate yards after the catch."

Why we resigned Jones and are (hopefully) getting Steve Smith

And that's why getting Steve Smith doesn't mean WR isn't a huge need in the draft, that might actually warrant a 1st round draft pick (in spite of what some might believe).

The consensus is not saying that.  Nobody thinks that.

you dont think marqise lee is worth a 17th pick? you dont think brandin cooks is worth our 2nd rounder? i sure do. but thats just me. and im obviously misunderstood because this is my 2nd time explaining this, im totally on board with signing steve smith, and i understand everyones excitement, but he is not our "answer" at WR, we cant keep bringing in 1-2 year receivers and having this constant turnover every other season. we need a young guy, who is going to contribute, not another 6th round project whos a long shot to even make the roster. we need a guy who can come in, compete from day 1, and at the very least contribute on the field. we need continuity with a reliable WR, not just speedy weapons and a sort of undersized TE who has great chemisry with our qb.

Nobody has said he is our "answer", just an exciting addition.  Also, I do think Lee is worth a 1st round pick, but I doubt he makes it that far.  I'd rather spend 1st on something else and pick Allen Robinson in the 2nd.  That may just me being a homer since I go to Penn State but the guy is a beast.

why is this entire board SO PRESSED on signing a old WR, or a average at best WR in FA, because that will somehow make it a smart move for us to ignore WR in the draft? this is the best WR draft there has been in years, there is a ton of talent in the first 2 rounds, why ignore that to draft an incredibly weak position like safety, when safety is clearly the smarter position to address in free agency? i dont see the logic, at all, steve smith in no way, shape or form, would make us "set" at WR, he is a 1-2 year stop gap and we need a reliable, well rounded WR of the future instead of all these short term plugs and roleplaying "weapons" we have. im all for signing smith, but i dont want to sign the guy because that makes ozzie say "ok now lets ignore the best position in this entire draft to fill our other holes" . if we get a stop gap free agent, obviuously safety and center would be the positions, not WR.

Steve Smith is an exciting signing because he great player who will come cheap.  The more weapons the better and we need weapons.  These "plugs" are what make teams good.  Sometimes you can't just get the best at every position and lock them up for 5 years.  You need proven vets or young guys to fill those holes.

Even if we grab Steve Smith I don't think we would just skip over a top receiver.  The truth is, the best receivers worth taking in the first will most likely be gone by the time we pick.

Carolina is supposedly offering Nicks 4.5 per year, I bet we get Smith for 7 mil per, but on the upside we still get a fifth round comp pick since Art Jones left. 

SEVEN MILLION!!!???? Are you insane?  

Well Patriots found a good replacement for Talib.  I was hoping the Browns would sign Revis so we could get Alex Mack much cheaper.

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. 

I agree, but having him back would be a great commodity.  I really hope we re-sign Daryl Smith.

I would like to have Edelman but please don't overpay him

Agreed.  Personally I am not a huge fan of him.  The only reason I would want him is because of Kubiak.  Any of our previous offensive coordinators would have no idea how to utilize him along with the rest of the players we already have.  Luckily, we have Kubiak.

According to NFL.com Monroe has a few offers on the table but none high enough to relocate his family for the second time in a year BUT he wants the Ravens to increase their offer.  He doesn't expect a deal close to Brandon Albert's 9.5 million per season but he wants to approach that amount.

NFL.com  Not an exact quote but close.

 

Dolphins signed Louis Delmas, so their interest in Jairus Byrd was just like their interest in Monroe: not real, or they like signing lesser rate talents. Byrd has apparently dropped his asking price to $8 million per season. I wonder if Ozzie is considering him because he is most definitely the playmaker free safety that the Ravens would be looking for. 

In other news, the Ravens have an offer on the table for Daryl Smith, but the sides remain far apart. Thanks D'qwell Jackson.

 

Money isn't the only risk.  8 mil per year is A LOT for a free safety.  How many times do we see the biggest names on the market sign huge deals only to fall off with their new team.  Happens all the time.  Signing him to a big name contract is extremely risky. 

I don't know why Mike Mitchell isn't under heavier consideration.  Seems a good fit.

He was on my list but the main problem is his lack of experience.  He was on a very very good Carolina Defense last year which is his only year we can base his play off of.

A lot of players have one good year and then fall off afterwards.  Some are simply inflated by the team they are playing on.  Having a one year wonder (as of now) as our starting safety wouldn't be a good idea.

1. Chris Clemons

2. Champ Bailey

3. Mike Mitchell

Clemons is my favorite.  9th best coverage safety according to PFF behind...guess who, Jairus Byrd.

Champ Bailey would be a nice option but if we brought him in we would need a backup.  Mike Mitchell has only as year of experience but played extremely well last season and is very young. 

Not that I don't believe Champ could come in a be a solid FS here. But he and Ed Reed are the same age .. So all things considered, I don't see us bringing in Champ to attempt to play FS, When we let the all time great leave. 

Ed might as well be a few years older with all his injuries. 

Quote from ESPN Article 

"What changed? It looks like Monroe lost the offensive tackle's version of musical chairs. According to the paper, Kansas City's Branden Albert is expected to sign with the Miami Dolphins, St. Louis' Rodger Saffold is headed for the Oakland Raiders, Oakland's Jared Veldheer is being targeted by the Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati's Anthony Collins is likely to go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...It would take out Miami and Arizona, two teams who were expected to spend top dollar for a left tackle, and it could lower Monroe's price tag for the Ravens. "

http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/7278/wake-up-caw-will-ravens-keep-monroe

just got word Albert to the Dolphins is a done deal! he signing on tuesday!

 

The Miami Herald's Armando Salguero is hearing free agent LT Branden Albert's deal with the Dolphins is "almost done."

Makes sense.  Monroe wants WAAAAYYYY too much.  It's reported Ravens offered 8-9 mil per season and he declined.  He's not worth top 5 money and teams are not overpaying the way they used to.

Is there collusion between owners?  Maybe.  I like it though.  Tired of seeing average talent going for top 5 money.

Remember the last time we signed an aging future HoF CB and moved him to safety? His name was Rod Woodson and he was crucial to our amazing defense and Super Bowl run.

Champ is around the same age Woodson was and don't forget that Woodson led the league in interceptions during his final year at 37 years old.

All I'm saying, is give Champ Bailey a chance. Would make a great free safety and shouldn't be very expensive.

So lets say nobody hires him as a head coach if you  are John Harbaugh do you let Caldwell go or do you play it smart and decide to keep him as the offensive coordinator or quarterback coach? 

The only reason he became OC is because we needed someone to replace Cam and we didn't have anyone better or anyone with experience as far as I know.

He would have just been an interim coach but we had an epic Super Bowl run with an outstanding performance by our offense.  We couldn't demote him after that.  Would be horrible PR.  Especially with the focus on the Rooney Rule.  I'm sure there would have been headlines talking about race as well.

Ravens need to draft TE 1st round, WR 2nd round this spring. The Flacco-Pitta relationship is a detriment to the team. It only works if they both excel and the only way for Pitta to excel is for Joe to target/favor him & other teams know this. Also, with the Smith brothers (Jimmy/Torrey) due new contracts next year we need to draft some skill players this year cuz I can see us strapped to meet their demands.

I would switch those two.  We have good enough position this year to get one of the top receivers in the draft.  It would be a waste to go TE that high when some of the best tight ends aren't usually the first ones off the board.

As much as I would like a TE.  I would go WR in the 1st and RT/C in the 2nd.  We can hold off till the 3rd for a TE 

Let's do it.  The Caldwell experiment was fun (not) but he clearly isn't making the strides needed to be our OC.  This isn't a team building from the ground up with a new quarterback and whatnot.  These guys have experience and need someone with a good track record to come in and fill the role at OC.

I vote for Kubiak.  Reminds me a bit of Norv Turner.  Great coordinator, crappy head coach.  Guy has a great track record and I'd love to see him as our new OC.

Demote Caldwell back to Quarterback Coach. 

As far as Torrey didn't Ray say a blind cat can even find a meal? Seriously, I think it would be beneficial to both sides. It was more to make sure he's back to full strength with no lingering effects. Hips are a pretty big injury. Pitta has time to earn some of the money he lost from not playing and the team gets to evaluate him over a full season. Would prefer a cap friendly deal is reached in the off sease.

With how he played in his first game back I don't think the hip is a big deal.  You saw the impact he made in just his first game this season.  How can you not want to lock him up now while he is still cheap?

It might be smart to franchise next year to see if he's still the same player through an extended period. Tes aren't that expensive and would buy the team time. The team hasn't had the best luck recently with second contracts. Rice looks OLD a year after his, same with Ngata, Fat Suggs showed up to camp, and Webb got hurt. The last one I remember doing well was Yanda he's been cursed with Oher next to him.

Don't be so superstitious.  This is reality.  It's not like if we sign Pitta he will suddenly break every bone in his body or become the worst football player.  Our past success with contracts should have nothing to do with this.  It's like saying we haven't had a ton of luck drafting receivers (before Torrey) so we should never draft receivers.  It's just dumb.