B-more Ravor

Jefferson also said this tho: Tony Jefferson‏@_tonyjefferson @FilmstudyRavens 21 is best number out there couldn't pass up . In respect to Webb if he's back that's HIS number no questions asked.

One of the factors that hasn't really been mentioned yet about Pitta - and this obviously depends on the terms - is that becuase there's still $4.4M in dead money to deal with, there is "only" $3.3M in Cap savings involved if cut, which technically reduces to $2.76M after the Rule of 51 adjustment. So, if the paycut clears at least that $2.76M ($5.5M down to ~$2.75M), then - at least from a Salary Cap perspective - it's a wash for now. He can always be released later and if after June 1, then the balance of his reduced base salary will be saved. And, if they had wanted to used a post-June 1 release on him, they wouldn't have seen any of the savings until after June 1, so that wouldn't have provided them anything at this time anyway. So, essentially from a Cap perspective, this will probably, for the time being, be no different than if he was released.

Definitely. OK, gotta ask - who's blonde in the avatar?

By all reports we DID pursue him. He either decided he'd rather play in NE or they offered a better deal (or both).

Only $1M of Pitta's incentives had to do with receptions, which he reached easily well before the ton of catches in the last couple of games. The other $2M was based on playing time, which Flacco had nothing to do with. If you want to blame someone for that, blame the injuries to Watson and Gillmore.

Yes, that was a situation where the yearly average of that initial contract he signed in Buf was below the top 32 comp picks and his playing time wasn't enough to raise it high enough to get into the top 32. A few years before, it probably would have, but many more teams are now paying more attention to Comp picks which means the top 32 line is much higher than in the past. IIRC, this year, there weren't any (or very few) 7th round Comps issued because the top 32 line was so much higher.

Yes, yearly average of deal initially sets the round. Then it can go up or down depending on playtime (or lack thereof) and post season honors. Most FA signings of at least $1-1.4M yearly average "qualify". Then canceling occurs amongst those qualifying players (regardless of whether in top 32 or not). Then the top 32 of the remaining earn comp picks. As far as your example goes, it would also include Woodhead and perhaps Ducasse (depending on his deal), but yes, the results you reached would be accurate for the example. Basically, when it comes to Jefferson, a signing cancels the same round or the next closest from a lower round. That's why if Wagner is a 3rd, they'd get the 3rd.

Contract details are coming out of the NFLPA very slowly right now. Here's Williams: Full breakdown of DT Brandon Williams' new 5 yr, $52.5M deal, which includes a $12.5M Signing Bonus & $24.5M fully gtd. 2017 Cap # = $6M

Right now it all depends on whether Wagner is a 3rd or 4th. He's looking to be pretty much right on that line right now. If he's a 3rd, then by rule, Jefferson (a 4th) cancels the lower Comp (Juszczyk, a 5th). That would give us the 3rd for Wagner. If Wagner is a 4th though, then he and Jefferson cancel each other because they are the same round.

Lost: Wagner Juszczyk Ducasse Signed: Jefferson Woodhead So, they are +1 for Comp picks now, pending Williams, Aiken, Guy, maybe Levine, maybe Powers. Still a long way to go before this is fleshed out.

That was this afternoon before information on the Huff and Hurst RFA tenders, which I did not expect. So, now, it's about $6.5M (pending a decision Jensen), but again, that's before more cuts/restructures/paycuts/extensions. The RFA tenders for Hurst and Huff make me believe they are planning on creating a sizeable amount of Cap space, one way or another, before Thursday.

Yeah, I'd be highly surprised as well. I don't doubt they may have checked in, but that asking price seems way higher than I can imagine they'd go. More likely, IMO, that "report" was a plant by his agent to try and get the Browns at ante up more. After all, what better way than to threaten interest from a division rival, especially Baltimore.

This one surprised me a bit. Was expect them to re-sign him to a lesser 2-year deal instead of tendering him with a $1.797M RFA tender. But, with Orr done, and Levine and Aiken very possibly leaving as FAs, that's quite a hit to the ST. Plus, with Lewis cut, Webb perhaps cut and Levine possibly leaving, Weddle and Huff would be the only Safeties left (IIRC).

It think everyone in the NFL would acknowledge that Torrey got overpaid by SF. Torrey would probably admit that too, but it was clearly money that he could not pass up. That said, with the market the way it's going to be, I think he's going to still get a pretty nice deal. I could see a 3 year, $15M deal, with a $5M bonus. They could also structure it with an option, as they did with Wallace. That could get the 2017 Cap number as low as $2.666M, which would create a Cap savings of $3M+ over what Wallace would receive. Plus, you've got a 28 year old WR under contract for 2 more years (w/o an extension, Wallace will be a FA next year). The other thing Torrey becoming a FA does - especially given his ties here - is to possibly put pressure on Wallace to reach an extension if that is the Ravens preference. Torrey creates another alternative that may be just enough to push Wallace to make a deal.