Raven RFA Tenders

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[color="#800080"][url="http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/02/28/late-for-work-228-mcclains-tender-implies-strong-feelings/"]Jameel McClain[/url][/color], [color="#800080"][url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/tweetmixx.aspx"]Kelly Talavou[/url][/color], [color="#800080"][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source-Haruki-Nakamura-gets-restricted-free-agent-tender.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter"]Haruki Nakamura, and Marcus Smith[/url][/color] have all received restricted free agent tenders from the Ravens. This comes within a few days of tenders being offer to Tavares Gooden and Dannell Ellerbe, the Ravens are getting their stuff done.

I'll break down how the tenders work and keep updating any news that develops. These players still have to sign them, even before any other teams can make offers to them.

[b]McClain[/b] - [b]2nd round tender[/b] - [i]other teams can target him but the Ravens have the option of either matching the offer or receiving a 2nd-round pick as compensation.[/i]

[b]Chester, Parmele, Cousins, Zbikowski, Gooden, Nakamura, and Smith[/b] - [b]original round tender[/b] - [i]Teams can target them, Ravens can match the offer or receive a draft pick, based on when that player was originally selected, as compensation. Gooden was a third, Nakamura was a sixth, and Smith was a fourth, etc.[/i]

[b]Divens, Talavou, and Ellerbe[/b] - [b]right of first refusal / low tender[/b] - [i]Teams can target them, Ravens can match the offer, keeping him on the team, or let him walk with [u]no[/u] compensation.[/i]

Please correct me if you see a mistake. I'm pretty sure the Ravens still have some RFAs out there: Cousins, Zibby, Harper, Hale? Could be wrong.

[Ed_Reed20]

I'm cool with Smith and Nakamura returning with what they do on special teams. Still, it's pretty sad that Smith, a former 4th round pick, hasn't caught a pass in two full seasons(I don't count '09 because he tore his ACL in pre-season). Even worse, I don't see that changing next season.

I could be wrong but the return of Talavou makes me think Gregg will be released.

With Jameel coming back, I really don't see the team drafting an ILB now.

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[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1298919794' post='646807']
I could be wrong but the return of Talavou makes me think Gregg will be released.[/quote]

I think so, too. I think they had big plans for him, last season, but he got hurt and ended up on IR. Can never have too many NTs.

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1298919794' post='646807']
With Jameel coming back, I really don't see the team drafting an ILB now.
[/quote]

Probably not but if someone they covet falls to them, I think they'd be more than happy to take it. Ray is the glue that holds the ILB position together but he won't last forever, like it or not.

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[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/tweetmixx.aspx"][color="#800080"]Lamar Divens[/color][/url] got the low tender, too. Almost forgot this guy was on the team. He was supposed to be a great prospect when we got him off of San Diego's practice squad but he hasn't really seen the field.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1298920231' post='646816']
I think so, too. I think they had big plans for him, last season, but he got hurt and ended up on IR. Can never have too many NTs.

Probably not but if someone they covet falls to them, I think they'd be more than happy to take it. Ray is the glue that holds the ILB position together but he won't last forever, like it or not.
[/quote]

Agreed. Cody, McKinney and Talavou is more than enough depth at NT.

You're right. They team talked to ILBs at the Senior Bowl and I think they've spoken to Casey Matthews again the past few days, so drafting an ILB is certainly a possibility. Looking at this year's group and the team's needs, I'm skeptical they'll draft someone that could contribute beyond special teams. We'll see.

[Clutch Ravens]

Ellerbe only being given a low tender really irks me.

He has shown some flashes of real ability and would've been worth slapping a much higher tender on.

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[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1298920820' post='646823']
[b]Ellerbe only being given a low tender really irks me.
[/b]
He has shown some flashes of real ability and would've been worth slapping a much higher tender on.
[/quote]

Me, too. He's a much better player than Gooden and he and McClain are about on par, in my opinion. They have different talents, sure, but both are valuable to the team. The other option is the 2nd round tender, though, which pays Ellerbe more. Maybe they're banking on no one taking a look at him or they're not satisfied with him in some other way?

[D-Rey]

Can we somehow merge all three of them together

[Alexir]

I am hoping some idiotic owner/GM takes McClain so we can get a 2nd round pick for 2012. Al Davis, pick up the phone....do it...do it

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[quote name='D-Rey' timestamp='1298924278' post='646873']
Can we somehow merge all three of them together
[/quote]

Three of what? The linebackers? I wish then we'd have Ray Lewis x2.

[color="#800080"][url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/tweetmixx.aspx"]Zibby got a tender[/url][/color], too. An original round tender. He was a third rounder, if anyone forgot.

[yakraven]

Talavou is a good player and being Ngata's brother/cousin means he's similar in size, ethic etc.
Not sure it signals the release of Gregg though; Gregg had a standout season and made some really
good plays, esp. against Pitt in the playoffs.
What's more likely is keeping for eventual retirement by Gregg (what, 13 seasons now?).

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1298924326' post='646874']
I am hoping some idiotic owner/GM takes McClain so we can get a 2nd round pick for 2012. Al Davis, pick up the phone....do it...do it
[/quote]

If only he was noticeably fast, then Al Davis would be all over him.

I agree with all of the comments about the NT and ILB positions though.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='yakraven' timestamp='1298924570' post='646878']
Talavou is a good player and being Ngata's brother/cousin means he's similar in size, ethic etc.
Not sure it signals the release of Gregg though; Gregg had a standout season and made some really
good plays, esp. against Pitt in the playoffs.
What's more likely is keeping for eventual retirement by Gregg (what, 13 seasons now?).
[/quote]

Gregg spent most of the season being pushed backwards.

Don't get me wrong, I think Kelly's been great and I will forever appreciate his contribution for the Ravens over the years, but I definitely think we have better options now.

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[color="#800080"][url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/tweetmixx.aspx"]Cousins[/url][/color] with an original round tender, too.

[Token]

Aaron Wilson is reporting an exclusive-rights tender has been put on Kindle.

[BabydollFlacco5]

an some please explain what an exclusive-rights tender is ? All these "Tenders" are sooo different, lol

[-Truth-]

[quote name='D-Rey' timestamp='1298924278' post='646873']
Can we somehow merge all three of them together
[/quote]
Introducing, #56 (Mean of all 3 numbers), Dameel McGooden!

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[quote name='Token' timestamp='1298932401' post='646996']
Aaron Wilson is reporting an exclusive-rights tender has been put on Kindle.
[/quote]

Ah, yes. Good catch - [url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/tweetmixx.aspx"]LINK[/url]

In that case, his only option is to sign with the Ravens for a low, low salary. The only reason he wouldn't sign with us would be if he would never be medically cleared and couldn't have a future in the NFL. It's a good sign for him, I guess.

[berad]

[color="#800080"][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Ravens-retain-entire-restricted-free-agent-class.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter"]Parmele got the original round tender[/url][/color], he was a sixth. And that's our entire RFA class. Now to see if they'll all remain Ravens through the offer-sheet portion.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1298937179' post='647080']
[color="#800080"][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Ravens-retain-entire-restricted-free-agent-class.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter"]Parmele got the original round tender[/url][/color], he was a sixth. And that's our entire RFA class. [b]Now to see if they'll all remain Ravens through the offer-sheet portion.[/b]
[/quote]

Will that occur on schedule, or not until a new CBA is hammered out?

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[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1298938205' post='647105']
Will that occur on schedule, or not until a new CBA is hammered out?
[/quote]

And that's where it gets tricky. I'm not entirely sure and I won't even speculate. March 2nd is when Ozzie announced cuts may be done so that date has some importance and the current CBA ends on March 4th.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1298939427' post='647119']
And that's where it gets tricky. I'm not entirely sure and I won't even speculate. March 2nd is when Ozzie announced cuts may be done so that date has some importance and the current CBA ends on March 4th.
[/quote]

Interesting. I anticipate Willis and Gregg being let go but I'm unsure about everyone else.

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Now [color="#800080"][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source-Ravens-assign-restricted-tenders-to-Marshal-Yanda-Chris-Chester.html"]Chester and Yanda[/url][/color] have reportedly been assigned RFA tenders, too.

Chester got an original round tender, he was drafted in the second.

And, it's not clear, but I think Yanda got a second, too.

With the CBA uncertainty, restricted free agency extends to fourth and fifth year players with contracts expiring, in addition to the normal third years.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

As much as Chester was our worst offensive linesman this year, I am still glad he's returning. He does provide capable depth, and his return means that the team can afford to put the offensive line further back in the list of priorities during the draft.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1299104420' post='648261']
As much as Chester was our worst offensive linesman this year, I am still glad he's returning. He does provide capable depth, and [b]his return means that the team can afford to put the offensive line further back in the list of priorities during the draft.[/b]
[/quote]

How so? He's not starting material and while he does provide depth, the team would still need a tackle if Gaither isn't re-signed and long-term center.

[Marc2k6]

Ravens current contract situations here> [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/teams/contracts/nfl/bal/baltimore-ravens"]Ravens player list[/url]

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[quote name='Marc2k6' timestamp='1299115363' post='648394']
Ravens current contract situations here> [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/teams/contracts/nfl/bal/baltimore-ravens"]Ravens player list[/url]
[/quote]

As in they're overpaying?

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1299109562' post='648337']
How so? He's not starting material and while he does provide depth, the team would still need a tackle if Gaither isn't re-signed and long-term center.
[/quote]

I do agree that Chester isn't a long term answer for any starting position on the offensive line but it means that (depending on Gaither's return) an offensive linesman wouldn't be a hugely pressing need in the first round. We could afford to address other needs such as the pass rush beforehand.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1299165932' post='648539']
I do agree that Chester isn't a long term answer for any starting position on the offensive line but it means that (depending on Gaither's return) an offensive linesman wouldn't be a hugely pressing need in the first round. We could afford to address other needs such as the pass rush beforehand.
[/quote]

I agree Gaither being re-signed would allow the team to wait a little before addressing the o-line. Maybe Chester does to an extent, but not as much.

[yakraven]

Tender amts are based on current rates, like Haruki's would be abt 1.2M;
what would be affected by a new CBA is determination of restricted and
unrestricted FA years.