WNC-Raven

So explain to me why Flacco holds all the leverage again? Sure he could hold us financially hostage and create a situation where 1/4 of our cap goes to pay him but professional athletes are some of the most competitive people in the world and I have to think that Joe would rather restructure and have a chance to win more than 5 games a year. That means 11 games a year where you feel the pain of defeat. You think we feel horrible after a loss just imagine how the players feel. Not fun. It would also determine how good our Oline is by who we could bring in or resign (KO) and less quality backups. This means Joe would spend 3 more years running for his life for 60 minutes a week. Not fun. It also increases the chance that he would get injured again and again only create a situation where we would need to look at drafting a new QB one year because Flacco is unreliable at that point and he could slowly drift out of the starter possition. Sure he is rich already but I think for a competitor like Joe playing and winning may be more motivation than money. I guess we will see. So yeah, go ahead Linta, try and squeeze us for every penny but watch yourself because if Ravens fans aren't happy, Joe isnt going to be happy.

In your opinion why would they FO wait for Pitta to decide if he wants to retire? It's not like he is going into the Ravens HOF or there is any reason to give him that courtesy. Shouldn't they do what is best for the team and if that means cutting him pre-june to take the 1 time hit and move on? Is there a cost savings for us if a player retires? I agree if somehow they can sign KO they may keep Monroe as a backup or cut him but if KO walks there is no way we cut Monroe. In that case we all should probably get used to seeing his back-up play 5-8 games next season. If they draft an OT then it may be a good way to transition him in.

I hate to be that guy but that is exactly what I said and was worried about last year when so many underclassmen entered the draft early. It was going to steal from the future and make this year mediocre. Really stinks we finally have a good pick and the class is lackluster.

Would it be the end of the world if the Ravens ponied up to the bar and accepted the repercussions for all of the past errors? Pay Flacco his 28 mil for the year without an extension, cut Pitta before june and absorb the full contract instead of dragging it out for years, make a decision on Monroe and pay what has to be paid if we cut him. I think it is pretty widely thought that we have too many holes and too little money to just rebound this year. People are optimistic for sure but we have issues with this roster and the future of our team. I always here that the Ravens draft for the future, plan for the future but it seems like their actions only mortgage our future. Am I making it too simplified? I'm sure someone on here will tell me. Thanks

That's pretty much what I thought. So can I officially ask BR.com to please stop propagating the Dennis Pitta story with headlines like today's " Dennis Pitta hasnt given up yet". It's over. He is finished. We have 3 quality TE's on our roster. The team has obviously moved on. He was a good part of our team but it's time for all of us to move on. He was never going to return, it is all about money. Please stop and let him fade away quietly.

Can someone please tell me the truth about Dennis Pitta's situation? What happens to his pay if he retires/gets cut/stays on roster? I always liked Dennis but feel like there is no way he is returning to football. If that is in fact true and he retires what happens to his pay and the cap hit compared to having him string us along and stand on the sidelines watching every year?

Part of the problem is having a fan base that thinks we should always pay our favorite players to retire a raven. Can you imagine the outcry that would happen if we let Suggs walk? Even though he will probably be more prone to injury at this point in his career and won't live up to expectations. Heck he may end up being a drag on our cap soon. What will you say then?

I think so much of this draft will revolve around if we can somehow, someway resign KO. If not then there will be serious consideration in drafting a T with our 1st pick. Most likely Stanley. That to me would seriously hurt our entire draft as we have a major need at CB and pass rush that could be helped with our first 2 picks.

I just have a feeling we will go heavy defense in the draft this year and add a WR in FA. Our offense held its own last season but the defense just couldn't finish games. You can throw stats in argument if you like. My opinion comes from watching the games. You can't get true prospective from a piece of paper

I guess we will see how serious Harbs is about not keeping a bunch of project players on the roster next year. After last year we should have a pretty good idea of the actual value for each and every player on our roster. If/when a starter gets injured next year there should be no question as to how his backup will perform.

Has anyone seen a study to see if the guys that shoot up the draft order after a good combine actually live up to expectations of those around them? I understand scouts get excited to see a guy that is faster than previously thought or can jump higher but to me their on field play should be more of an indicator of future play. I would be weary of a player ranked 20th based on his play and then shoots up to 11 because he had a good day at the combine. Works the other way as well.

Just when I thought Cam Newton was more than a spoiled little cry baby it turns out the only reason it appeared that way this season was because he wasnt losing. When will he become a man?

Good point. I hope so too, it's just that I've lived in NC and have seen how much of a fan favorite Smith is there even after he left. Let's hope he feels as home here as Mase did! Too bad he didnt start his career in Baltimore because you are so right that he plays like a Raven more than most. Love Steve Smith Sr

As much as SSS has done for this team in the short time he has been here he still absolutely has to retire a Panther. He is Carolina's Ray Lewis. I think he and the panthers front office put their differences aside and they induct him into their ring of honor and eventually HOF as a Panther. The fans absolutely love him there and isnt that what it's all about long term? I would love for him to retire a Raven BTW, just dont see it happening.

Your thoughts are based on logic and are spot on if we were talking about a logical person but this is Jerry jones we are talking about here. It wouldn't be a stretch to think his ego and emotion would over power his logic. He has just been so vocal about Manuel that I can't imagine him not making him an offer, even a low one. I have seen many rational, intelligent people make bad decisions based on emotion and ego. I really don't care either way except that it may affect who is available when we are on the clock. I also could see RGwhatever going to SF as a backup. I haven't heard them naming him but it seems to make sense to me.

1. I'd never classify any draft pick as a HOF type player until proven otherwise. I haven't heard anything about Tunsil that I haven't heard before about various prospect LTs. Some of them became very good, and some of them struggled for years. 2. I have zero idea why people are convinced Dallas is taking a QB at #6, because frankly, it would shock me if they did. I'm not even sure there's a franchise QB in this entire draft class to be honest, and I don't see Dallas taking one to sit on the bench for 2-3 years, which is what will happen. I'd handicap the Browns taking a QB at #2 at 50/50 to be honest, because again, I just don't see who this quality QB is that teams are supposed to fall in love with. I get the whole "you need a QB in this league" idea, and I agree with it, but that doesn't mean you just keep drafting them over and over again and hoping to hit. Cleveland could very easily and justifiably determine that day 2 QBs aren't that much different than day 1 QBs in this draft (and I'd probably agree with that), so it wouldn't make much sense to take one at #2. Has all the makings of Dallas using a day 2 or 3 pick on a QB, particularly when they probably are legitimate SB-level contenders this upcoming season if they are healthy. Odds are pretty good that "Jerry the Great" will sign Manzel after he is cut. He has stated publicly that he thinks they need to look for Romo's heir apparent. Low contract, low risk and if he pans out Jerry wont hesitate to tell the world how smart he is. The draft pick will be used to help them win now which is unfortunate for us.

If the Cowboys sign Manzel it will allow them to take a defensive player off the board that we need. Also, enough with the Braxton Miller hype. He has a ton of natural talent and no substance. He will be drafted by a team that can let him sit for a year or two and learn. There is no way the Ravens draft him IMHO.

Is everyone boycotting the comments section? It's been a ghost town ever since the format change

While I'm sure you all enjoy arguing over speculation it is all for not. The offense has mostly scored enough to win many games over the past 2 years. It has been the defense that has not been able to hold on the late game leads. I predict Ozzie will go heavy on defense in this years draft.

Naturally Joe will restructure his contract. I believe that when it is your starting QB and both sides want to stay the player always wins big. Correct me if I'm wrong but while fans were shouting Brady and Rothlisbergers name as team first guys they actually got a huge immediate cash injection as well as a longer contract for more money. Again I may be wrong but I think they will be getting pay checks for years after they retire. Can anyone confirm?

I can't believe Torrey was only here for 4 years. It seemed like so much longer. He always seemed to show up for PIT games like no other. Glad he is still involved in the area. People forget he is from here and went to MD. Nothing odd about supporting your community where you are from.

"A hamstring injury forced him to miss six games, which can be avoided with proper training" With so many injuries over the past 2 seasons, I'm not sure our training staff knows proper training techniques.

Thank you. The things people write on this board sometimes boggles the mind. Of course Rex reached out to Reed or vice versa.

I must be out of the loop on this one. Are there people that actually think this is a coincidence and Buffalo just happened to offer Reed a job and Rex just happened to work there?

So you think we're all set on offense?