Merged: CBA Impacts on Next Year

[Mishel]

Just for anybody wondering about the free agency shake ups and how things will work (as of now) if things go uncapped.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/8419/ravens-note-on-free-agency

[itscbm5042]

Many don't know that because the Ravens made the final 8, the new CBA agreement (or lack there of) in an uncapped year is TERRIBLE for a playoff team. Basically, the Ravens can't sign any free agents unless one of their own players is signed by another team and then, that deal must be comparable to the one they would offer a new free agent.

But...does this apply to trades? No.

The Ravens need to build a dynamic big play receiving corps and we all know the luck they've had in the draft.

For this reason, the Ravens need to re-shape their wide receiving corps via trade.

What about something like this...

1 OF...

Ravens trade their 1st round pick to the Broncos for Brandon Marshall and give him a new deal.
Ravens trade their 2nd and 5th round pick to the Cardinals for Anquan Boldin

AND / OR

Ravens can release McGahee, have him sign a nice new deal with some team and then use that money to sign another free agent. Every other piece is now in place. The OL, DL, LB, DB (webb and Foxworth will be GOOD), QB, RB...

The only major piece left in the dynasty puzzle is giving Joe the receivers he needs to become elite. And it will happen...via trade.

[Eso]

[quote]
Playoff teams five thru eight get a break to sign one player with a salary of $4,925,000 or more and any number of players with a first-year salary of no more than $3,275,000 and an annual increase of no more than 30 percent in the following years.
[/quote]
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d808736ba&template=with-video&confirm=true"]Final 8 rule overview[/url]

[b]IF[/b] we lose on Saturday, we could still sign some free agents, we could also sign free agents off of the final 4 teams, although I don't think they are many key wide receivers there.

I would have to agree with the trade idea, a good receiver would make heap, and whichever WRs we resign a lot better.

[theFRANCHISE]

This team fares better in the draft than free agency anyway, so this is of no real concern to me, personally.

I'd much rather draft a receiver and take a chance (despite Ozzie's track record at that position) than waste money on a disgruntled free agent or make a potentially high-risk trade [i]and[/i] give that player a new contract.

[ravens_4life]

exactly itscbm5042. we need recievers. that would be perfect. one of those is going to happen if not both.

[Bltravens]

I would be disappointed if we gave up a first day pick for Boldin, a guy whos already past 30, has a history of albeit minor injuries but injuries that cost him games nonetheless. Really what we would be getting, is a more physical Derrick Mason. We need someone who can stretch the field to keep 8 and 9 man fronts off the LOS, and keep Polamalu occupied so we can actually do some damage running the ball against the Steelers. Boldin is not that guy.

[ROH522155]

If there is a lockout in 2011, Im going to cry

[SaVaGe]

We need a burner to back up the DB's and Boldin is not a speed guy. Also he would be utterly useless with our WR core, they would double team him every play. He is lucky because he has Fitzgerald Breaston Ducet and himself who all need to be covered while if he comes here he is on his own.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I would much rather see the Ravens acquire a WR through the draft than to give away picks for the names that keep getting mentioned. We can't just mortage the future by giving up 2 or more picks. Receivers are out there and Ozzie & Co. will find one or more. We're building something special here, steady at the wheel and keep the faith!

[admartian]

[quote name='SaVaGe' date='14 January 2010 - 12:46 PM' timestamp='1263430006' post='340476']
We need a burner to back up the DB's and Boldin is not a speed guy. Also he would be utterly useless with our WR core, they would double team him every play. He is lucky because he has Fitzgerald Breaston Ducet and himself who all need to be covered while if he comes here he is on his own.
[/quote]
I feel the same. No knock on Boldin though, I just don't think he's the type of guy to spread defenses.

Conversely, could we use a guy like him, sorta in the mold of Hines Ward? It would be interesting to see.

Though I'd much rather see a much younger guy to grow with our young offense.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='13 January 2010 - 02:17 PM' timestamp='1263406673' post='340283']
This team fares better in the draft than free agency anyway, so this is of no real concern to me, personally.

I'd much rather draft a receiver and take a chance (despite Ozzie's track record at that position) than waste money on a disgruntled free agent or make a potentially high-risk trade [i]and[/i] give that player a new contract.
[/quote]
Exactly, I agree completely.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' date='13 January 2010 - 05:50 PM' timestamp='1263426615' post='340451']
If there is a lockout in 2011, Im going to cry
[/quote]
Cry is only scratching the surface of what I would come to lol.

[darklight1216]

[quote]Baltimore will not be able to sign a free agent this offseason until one of its own free agents sign with another team.[/quote]
So if Derrick Mason and Kelly Gregg retire, we still can't sign free agents?

[wvravensfan]

Ok...So i get the main part of this involving the final 8 and such, and we cant sign anyone unless someone signs our people...So i was wondering on how that works exactly considering the WRs that out FA this year and also players that might retire?? If someone could please post and inform me more on this subject i would appreciate it and maybe a list of our free agents this off season????

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 January 2010 - 08:04 AM' timestamp='1263477875' post='340747']
So if Derrick Mason and Kelly Gregg retire, we still can't sign free agents?
[/quote]

If I'm not mistaken I think we would then be able to sign a DT and WR, but I think it would have to be around the same pay that Mase and Gregg made.

[Purple Punishment]

maybe we should call this rule the Raven Rule

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='15 January 2010 - 12:34 AM' timestamp='1263533691' post='341348']
If I'm not mistaken I think we would then be able to sign a DT and WR, but I think it would have to be around the same pay that Mase and Gregg made.
[/quote]

No, they would have to be free agents and sign with another team. Retirements don't count. This is why the Ravens have to do this via trade. Even if they lose players to retirement they can't sign new free agents. The only potential big free agent would be Willis and then some team would have to take him as their #1 back and pay him #1 money so we could pay a similar contract to a big name wide receiver.

Now, Williams, Clayton, and Washington are all free agents and I know they won't resign Clayton so that does give them an opportunity to sign at least one FA wide receiver, but at Clayton's salary. Bannan and Edwards are FA's too and I definitely think the Ravens need to resign one, if not both of them. The OL guys need to stay as well, that line needs to stay together we can't break it up. Yanda at RG has been great and Chester in the unbalanced line has been nice too.

In fact, here is the full list, you can come to your own conclusions about who will leave, who we can sign, etc.

Justin Bannan DT UFA Ravens
Antwan Barnes OLB RFA Ravens
John Beck QB RFA Ravens
Prescott Burgess OLB RFA Ravens
Chris Chester* OG RFA Ravens
Mark Clayton* WR RFA Ravens
Dwan Edwards DT UFA Ravens
Jared Gaither OT RFA Ravens
Edgar Jones TE RFA Ravens
Sam Koch* P RFA Ravens
Dawan Landry* S RFA Ravens
Derrick Mason WR UFA Ravens
Le'Ron McClain FB RFA Ravens
Tony Moll* OT RFA Ravens
Troy Smith QB RFA Ravens
L.J. Smith TE UFA Ravens
Quinn Sypniewski* TE RFA Ravens
Adam Terry* OT RFA Ravens
David Tyree WR UFA Ravens
Frank Walker CB UFA Ravens
Fabian Washington* CB RFA Ravens
Kelley Washington WR UFA Ravens
Demetrius Williams* WR RFA Ravens
Marshal Yanda OG RFA Ravens

[PurpleChaos]

We cannot sign anyone until someone signs one of our guys under the final 8 rule meaning that virtually 3/4 of the rest of the league and usual big spender teams dive in the mix way before we even get a crack not to mention the uncertainty of exactly who is or is not going no be unrestricted. So with that being said look more toward drafting WR's which really isn't good news for us being that many are busts or those that aren't take a few years to develop. So more than likely Ozzie gets a few retreads and we suck next year.

[Ed_Reed20]

You lost me at the end but the mods need to pin this thread. Big-time FA the fans want won't be coming here. The best chance the Ravens have of improving the receiving corps besides the draft is by trading for someone.

Still, I have faith the Ravens will find good receiver in this year's draft. As guys like Hakeem Nicks, Michael Crabtree, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace and Kenny Britt showed, rookie receivers can contribute.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='18 January 2010 - 06:47 PM' timestamp='1263858435' post='346336']
You lost me at the end but the mods need to pin this thread. Big-time FA the fans want won't be coming here. The best chance the Ravens have of improving the receiving corps besides the draft is by trading for someone.
[/quote]
Already did; this is a hot topic of discussion now that the Ravens have been eliminated and people don't really understand what the rule means.

It's not so much that this puts the team at a huge disadvantage -- if anything, it further emphasizes the need for teams to draft well as opposed to relying on free agency.

The draft got us to the dance numerous times over this team's history -- why change that approach? Why pay for a name when you can get quality talent for cheaper by putting in the work? The Giants, Steelers, and Patriots won Super Bowls by signing mid-range names and acquiring utility players through the draft. They didn't win it all by bringing in wave-after-wave of big names.

[Bazooka Joe]

It may have already been said, but this top 8 rule only applies to UFAs. We could sign as many RFAs as we desire, but we'd have to pay the draft picks based on the tender.

I am hoping for the CBA to get done and I think it will get done. The players have zero leverage, so I think it gets done. We will have 30M in cap space and there will be plenty of guys to sign.

[electrickoolade]

Playoff teams five thru eight get a break to sign one player with a salary of $4,925,000 or more and any number of players with a first-year salary of no more than $3,275,000 and an annual increase of no more than 30 percent in the following years.There is also a mechanism to permit the final eight teams to sign an unrestricted free agent for each one of their own unrestricted free agents who sign with another club as long as they don't spend more than what their own lost player received from his new club. Each team also gets 3 Franchise tags instead of only 1.

[J-man]

Justin Bannan DT UFA Ravens ... Keep
Antwan Barnes OLB RFA Ravens ... Keep
John Beck QB RFA Ravens ... who cares
Prescott Burgess OLB RFA Ravens ... No
Chris Chester* OG RFA Ravens ... Tough one.
Mark Clayton* WR RFA Ravens ... No
Dwan Edwards DT UFA Ravens ... Keep
Jared Gaither OT RFA Ravens ... Keep Keep Keep
Edgar Jones TE RFA Ravens ... No
Sam Koch* P RFA Ravens ... Keep
Dawan Landry* S RFA Ravens ... Keep
Derrick Mason WR UFA Ravens ... If he comes back...
Le'Ron McClain FB RFA Ravens ... Keep Keep Keep x10
Tony Moll* OT RFA Ravens ... Who? lol. No
Troy Smith QB RFA Ravens ... No
L.J. Smith TE UFA Ravens ... No
Adam Terry* OT RFA Ravens ... No
David Tyree WR UFA Ravens ... Keep. Great on ST.
Frank Walker CB UFA Ravens ... Frank the Tank. Hate to say it, but keep
Fabian Washington* CB RFA Ravens ... Depends on how much he wants
Kelley Washington WR UFA Ravens ... Keep
Demetrius Williams* WR RFA Ravens ... No
Marshal Yanda OG RFA Ravens ...Keep

[ravensconvert]

Drafting a receiver is tough. They tend not to reach an elite level right away. Many of them are busts. I prefer drafting defensive players, lineman, and running backs versus receivers. If there is one thing the Ravens need now its a reliable high end receiver, not a chance that may not pay off. Use draft picks to fill other holes on the team.

[YABOY]

will we be able to make a trade if it's no cap ?

[DocMartin]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='13 January 2010 - 01:17 PM' timestamp='1263406673' post='340283']
This team fares better in the draft than free agency anyway, so this is of no real concern to me, personally.

I'd much rather draft a receiver and take a chance (despite Ozzie's track record at that position) than waste money on a disgruntled free agent or make a potentially high-risk trade [i]and[/i] give that player a new contract.
[/quote]
U agree on the part we draft better than free agency. When you draft WR, it takes usually year or 2 before he can make a impact, 1st year most likely sit on bench or play on special teams. I'm not sure if can wait that long, because our D-fense is getting old, so in this case I would go for free agent, with caution about spending too much.

[DocMartin]

[quote name='J-man' date='18 January 2010 - 08:42 PM' timestamp='1263865328' post='346443']
Good thinking J-man, you got it almost right, I just have to make some corrections on your list... lol
Justin Bannan DT UFA Ravens ... Keep, agreed
Antwan Barnes OLB RFA Ravens ... Keep, agreed
John Beck QB RFA Ravens ... who cares, well keep for now
Prescott Burgess OLB RFA Ravens ... No, I guess not
Chris Chester* OG RFA Ravens ... Tough one., keeper
Mark Clayton* WR RFA Ravens ... No, bye bye
Dwan Edwards DT UFA Ravens ... Keep, agreed
Jared Gaither OT RFA Ravens ... Keep Keep Keep, oh yes, keeper 10x times
Edgar Jones TE RFA Ravens ... No, maybe keep
Sam Koch* P RFA Ravens ... Keep, Absolutely
Dawan Landry* S RFA Ravens ... Keep, Agreed
Derrick Mason WR UFA Ravens ... If he comes back... Give him 1 more year and whatever he wants, keeper
Le'Ron McClain FB RFA Ravens ... Keep Keep Keep x10, yes, of cours
Tony Moll* OT RFA Ravens ... Who? lol. No, agreed
Troy Smith QB RFA Ravens ... No, Make a good trade
L.J. Smith TE UFA Ravens ... No, Couldn't agree more
Adam Terry* OT RFA Ravens ... No, Maybe
David Tyree WR UFA Ravens ... Keep. Great on ST. Definetally keeper
Frank Walker CB UFA Ravens ... Frank the Tank. Hate to say it, but keep, WHAT? Frank "Yellow Flag" Walker, sorry, but it's time to go, BYE BYE
Fabian Washington* CB RFA Ravens ... Depends on how much he wants, If he wants too much, cut him loose and draft a rookie
Kelley Washington WR UFA Ravens ... Keep, keeper x 5
Demetrius Williams* WR RFA Ravens ... No, he had plenty chances, time has ran out
Marshal Yanda OG RFA Ravens ...Keep, Agreed
[/quote]
and don't forget to keep Heap
draft WR, CB, DE, TE and we will be in good shape !!!

[Reddawn36]

surprisingly enough I don't see people making a whole lot of noise about Vincent Jackson from SD who if I'm not mistaken is a FA

[Moderator 2]

The draft is a crap shoot, we finally hit on a QB so WR can't been too far behind--right?

[darklight1216]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='15 January 2010 - 08:16 AM' timestamp='1263561389' post='341403']
Now, Williams, Clayton, and Washington are all free agents and [b]I know they won't resign Clayton[/b] so that does give them an opportunity to sign at least one FA wide receiver, but at Clayton's salary.[/quote]
But, but, but we made it to the AFC Championship with him.

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='19 January 2010 - 02:18 AM' timestamp='1263885525' post='346645']
surprisingly enough I don't see people making a whole lot of noise about Vincent Jackson from SD who if I'm not mistaken is a FA
[/quote]
I'm jumping on that bandwagon.

So back to my original question... if Derrick Mason, Kelley Gregg, Ed Reed and anyone else retire, we get nothing?