Our 225Th Pick: Anthony Allen

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Perfekt' timestamp='1304446561' post='680662']
nice first post. i dont see us letting both mcclain an mcghee go. i would rather have mcclain if we had to choose but im very attached to willis an dont want to see him play anywhere else.
[/quote]

I think the team is almost resigned to the fact that Willis will likely not be a Raven next season. I say that because there is simply no way that a guy can be worth ~$6M when he gets just over 100 touches of the ball and 5 TDs last season.

The situation with McClain is a bit different. The team knows he will want more of the ball because he's proved he is at least decent when he carries, but they want to let the market dictate a price before they bring him back. His versatility and his two Pro Bowls in four years will mean he's likely to be (relatively with regards to the position) very expensive. However, I think if the team were to cut Willis, they could give his touches and a chunk of that freed cap space to McClain and keep him happy.

[Perfekt]

problem is that willis is still a great rb an can still produce. I think we should try an work out a trade with someone rather then cut him. atleast respect him that much since hes been a stand up guy for us.

[scrock]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1304447234' post='680676']
I think the team is almost resigned to the fact that Willis will likely not be a Raven next season. I say that because there is simply no way that a guy can be worth ~$6M when he gets just over 100 touches of the ball and 5 TDs last season.

The situation with McClain is a bit different. The team knows he will want more of the ball because he's proved he is at least decent when he carries, but they want to let the market dictate a price before they bring him back. His versatility and his two Pro Bowls in four years will mean he's likely to be (relatively with regards to the position) very expensive. However, I think if the team were to cut Willis, they could give his touches and a chunk of that freed cap space to McClain and keep him happy.
[/quote]

IDK, you have to remember you have other top players to pay top money to, are you going to pay a FB top dollar when you still have to pay Ngata top money and next year Joe Flacco is going to get paid!

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1304461168' post='680907']
IDK, you have to remember you have other top players to pay top money to, are you going to pay a FB top dollar when you still have to pay Ngata top money and next year Joe Flacco is going to get paid!
[/quote]

It all depends on if you're gonna allow McClain to be more of a RB then a FB. There is no secret that LeRon wants to be a RB, or atleast get enough touches. It doesn't help that Cam scouted him as a RB and Harbs continues to say publicly, he feels McClain will be a really good NFL RB.

So imo if McClain is brought back, he'll be getting a lot more carries, probably all the one that would normally go to McGahee. If McClain is brought back as a backup RB, then you pay him as such. McClain hasn't proved much as a RB, so the dollar price will be lower.

Much like the Suggs negotiations. Suggs wasn't playing with his hand off the ground so he wanted to be paid like a DE, the Ravens wanted to pay him like an OLB(which is a cheaper contract). They came to a understanding and Suggs became the highest paid hybrid OLB/DE.

McClain would probably be in the same boat. Hybrid RB/FB, highest paid FB in the NFL but just an average paid RB.

[march4superbowl]

Ray Rice, Anthony Allen; behind Leron McClain-- now that would be perfect IMO (Rice. Allen. McClain.)R.A.M.????

[Perfekt]

lets not forget we also have a guy named Curtis Steele who looks amazing as well so it would be....


Rice
McClain/Steele
Steele/McClain
Allen

So where McClain could get more carries with Willis gone he still might be splitting them with another back. I just hope we stop trying to throw to him out the back field hes a better brusier back.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1304461168' post='680907']
IDK, you have to remember you have other top players to pay top money to, are you going to pay a FB top dollar when you still have to pay Ngata top money and next year Joe Flacco is going to get paid!
[/quote]

I would be willing to pay McClain more money than most because of the fact that he'd probably be used not only as a blocker for Rice, but that he will likely come in and play the role of change-of-pace back, meaning he plays the two positions. That, in my view, makes him worth a little more.

I agree that big money will have to be spent on Flacco and Ngata, Grubbs and Rice in the near future, but money will also be freed up by the fact that McClain's contract (should he get one) won't be as large as McGahee's right away and also Foxworth's contract will be gone. I don't know whether we'll keep him and negotiate a new one or cut him as we could easily get by without him but I don't think the Ravens want that contract for a non-key player.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Perfekt' timestamp='1304517517' post='681282']
lets not forget we also have a guy named Curtis Steele who looks amazing as well so it would be....


Rice
McClain/Steele
Steele/McClain
Allen

So where McClain could get more carries with Willis gone he still might be splitting them with another back. I just hope we stop trying to throw to him out the back field hes a better brusier back.
[/quote]

Yea but both Steele and Allen have to prove themselves, not only to get carries over McClain but to even be the backup or 3rd RB behind Parmele. So i say let those three young guys get the bulk of the work during preseason. We know what Rice can do, we know McClain can tote the rock when needed, so timing will be the biggest thing for those guys.

If either or all of the 3(Parmele,Steele,Allen) show their worth in perseason, one of them might be pretty good trade value or if you feel they would be of great value to the team, you could market McClain as a starter and maybe get a 3rd rounder for him. Possibility even more.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1304528796' post='681387']
...you could market McClain as a starter and maybe get a 3rd rounder for him. Possibility even more.
[/quote]

I highly doubt any team would trade a 3rd or more for Le'Ron.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1304529340' post='681398']
I highly doubt any team would trade a 3rd or more for Le'Ron.
[/quote]

Your probably right because i doubt it too, but i didn't think DHB was a top 10 talent and the NFL proved me wrong.

Only reason i said 3rd was before he was as fourth round select and I'm sure Ozzie would want better value for him. But look at Mark Clayton he was a 1st rounder and we only got a what 4th rounder for him?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1304529890' post='681401']
Your probably right because i doubt it too, but i didn't think DHB was a top 10 talent and the NFL proved me wrong.

Only reason i said 3rd was before he was as fourth round select and I'm sure Ozzie would want better value for him. But look at Mark Clayton he was a 1st rounder and we only got a what 4th rounder for him?
[/quote]

I'd say an ugly reach in the draft and trading away a high pick for a position teams are using less and less are two different circumstances.

The Ravens traded Clayton and a 7th away for a 6th.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1304530200' post='681405']
I'd say an ugly reach in the draft and trading away a high pick for a position teams are using less and less are two different circumstances.

The Ravens traded Clayton and a 7th away for a 6th.
[/quote]

Yea you're right but what i was saying is all it takes is one team to get desperate and make a foolish move. Not likely but certainly not impossible.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1304530650' post='681410']
Yea you're right but what i was saying is all it takes is one team to get desperate and make a foolish move. Not likely but certainly not impossible.
[/quote]

Agreed.

[jimmysmith3]

Ya no one is going to trade a 3rd for mcclain though. A 4th if we're lucky so it's really not worth it IMO.

[Free Agent]

After seeing the other RBs who were available at that pick, it is clear that the Ravens drafted Anthony Allen for his size and running style. In other words, he is pretty much in line for the bruiser role after Willis is cut. It may take some time for Allen to develop, but he has the size and running style to succeed.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1305464998' post='686484']
After seeing the other RBs who were available at that pick, it is clear that the Ravens drafted Anthony Allen for his size and running style. In other words, he is pretty much in line for the bruiser role after Willis is cut. It may take some time for Allen to develop, but he has the size and running style to succeed.
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more. As tough a Rice is, he needs that compliment in the running game. Regardless of how well Ben, Flacco, Colt, and Dalton play and no matter how many play making WR and TEs are added to this division, strong defense and a powerful running game will always be what separates the better teams in the division.

Many of us can see the passing games in this division getting much better, but having a powerful running game will be needed imo. Allen can potentially provide that for us.