This Year's Cuts

[The Raven]

Seeing as how the salary cap is smaller, I thought I'd make a seperate topic to discuss cuts and restructures because of it.

One idea I had, is to cut many at the ILB position. We have six players at ILB. Ray, McClain, Ellerbe, Gooden, Phillips, and Ayanbadejo. I think we should keep 4 ILB's on the roster, leaving two to be cut. Personally, Ayanbadejo and Gooden are the odd men out for me. Phillips still as potential to develop, and needs more time. Imo, we have too many ILBs on the roster, cutting some will save cap room.

One of the more popular thoughts on saving cap is to cut McGahee and/or Foxworth. McGahee is old and slow. I dont know if he has enough gas left, and we have some young RBs that can certainly take his place. Foxworth got hurt at a bad time, and now there may be too many CBs on the roster too. With Webb developing, and the acquisition of Wilson, I think we're set at CB when you consider the new draftess Chykie and Jimmy. Foxworth brings a huge pricetag, and that could hinder us.

Another popularly discussed option is the restructuring of veteran contracts. Kelly Gregg, JJ, Heap, Mason, Birk, and others are declining and not worth what they are being paid. Their contracts need to be restructured.

We also have a surplus of dlinemen. I think we need to part ways with Redding. Although he was set to have a better season, its time for the young talent to rise up and play. McPhee, McKinney, Kruger, and Jones are all competing for the LE job, and Redding is just another body. Out of the dline, I think Redding, Divens, and maybe McKinney need to be released or traded.

What are your thoughts?

[BloodRaven]

These are the big four that need to be addressed:

Willis McGahee $6,000,000
Jarret Johnson $3,500,000
Foxworth $4,400,000
Kelly Gregg $3,500,000
Cory Redding $3,000,000

[ravenbeast]

cut mcgahee to save money cut kelly gregg to save money let dawan landy walk keep lewis mcclain ellerbe and ayanbadejo at ilb ayanbadejo is a special teams stud.let bulger walk keep mason to work with torrey smith for 1 year.resign yanda and gaither if gaithers contract isnt gonna be huge.resign ngata long term.cut jj and let sergio take his spot jj get like what 1 sack last year.then after that look down the pipe dream of gettin nnamdi and know now with the salary cap being this low and all the good players well need to resign in the next couple years that it wont happen.how and y did the salary cap get lowered?

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Replacing Foxworth with Wilson would save little in the way of cap space it would seem. Bringing Carr back on a short term would be the best option financially. Foxworth's contract will likely be an issue and I think he may have to work out a new one.

I am undecided as to whether Phillips or Ayanbadejo would be cut. Maybe Phillips' youth would swing it for him. I doubt Gooden will be cut. If the Ravens wanted rid, they would have just not tendered him.

McGahee's situation's bound to change. No way will he be paid $6M for less than 120 touches. The most likely option would be to cut him, but that leaves a big question mark as to who will replace him as the rest of the guys behind Rice are pretty much untested.

I definitely think that we would survive without Redding as I'd be all for letting the youth take over so we can see what they have to offer, but I disagree about McKinney. Especially as Gregg's future as a Raven is in doubt, I don't think that a dependable and improving NT would be released.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='ravenbeast' timestamp='1310827172' post='708430']
cut mcgahee to save money cut kelly gregg to save money let dawan landy walk keep lewis mcclain ellerbe and ayanbadejo at ilb ayanbadejo is a special teams stud.let bulger walk keep mason to work with torrey smith for 1 year.resign yanda and gaither if gaithers contract isnt gonna be huge.resign ngata long term.[b]cut jj and let sergio take his spot jj get like what 1 sack last year[/b].then after that look down the pipe dream of gettin nnamdi and know now with the salary cap being this low and all the good players well need to resign in the next couple years that it wont happen.how and y did the salary cap get lowered?
[/quote]

After all that's been said from Harbaugh and Ozzie about expecting improvement from JJ to improve the pass rush, there's no way that JJ gets cut. Besides, you expect a guy who hasn't even proven he can handle contact yet to take over from the beginning?

[BloodRaven]

Brandon McKinney has developed into a really good run stopper, which is something a lot of us were expecting from Talavou and Divens. He's not an athlete and is only a two gapper but at least excels at one part of his game.

[ravenbeast]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1310827937' post='708432']
After all that's been said from Harbaugh and Ozzie about expecting improvement from JJ to improve the pass rush, there's no way that JJ gets cut. Besides, you expect a guy who hasn't even proven he can handle contact yet to take over from the beginning?
[/quote]
jj is a ilb at the olb position great against the run and has no pass rush skills.plus he isnt even a marked man on this defense ngata and suggs get double and sometimes triple teamed and still suggs can put up bigger numbers. even though ozzie sees a better year i see more of the same. i see sergio takin over that position durring the season watch the texas tape hes a beast.if he gets cleared to play. if not the pass rush needs to be addressed bad.

[The Raven]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1310827773' post='708431']
Replacing Foxworth with Wilson would save little in the way of cap space it would seem. Bringing Carr back on a short term would be the best option financially. Foxworth's contract will likely be an issue and I think he may have to work out a new one.

I am undecided as to whether Phillips or Ayanbadejo would be cut. Maybe Phillips' youth would swing it for him. I doubt Gooden will be cut. If the Ravens wanted rid, they would have just not tendered him.

McGahee's situation's bound to change. No way will he be paid $6M for less than 120 touches. The most likely option would be to cut him, but that leaves a big question mark as to who will replace him as the rest of the guys behind Rice are pretty much untested.

I definitely think that we would survive without Redding as I'd be all for letting the youth take over so we can see what they have to offer, but I disagree about McKinney. Especially as Gregg's future as a Raven is in doubt, I don't think that a dependable and improving NT would be released.
[/quote]

I'm thinking Gooden gets cut or possibly traded (to the raiders? ) after the preseason. I think he'd be better fir in Oakland. He'd make a better 4-3 will than a 3-4 ILB. And you know Oakland likes speed...

I was expecting the same for McKinney. He's a great run stopper, who get's a little push in the pass rush. But, he's 27-28, and in his prime. If he has a good preseason showing we could trade him to a team in need of a nose. Like Kansas City or Houston for example.

[Dubs]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1310827773' post='708431']

McGahee's situation's bound to change. No way will he be paid $6M for less than 120 touches. The most likely option would be to cut him, but that leaves a big question mark as to who will replace him as the rest of the guys behind Rice are pretty much untested.

[/quote]

I find this area very interesting in what we do because as you said something will change with McGahee whether its restructuring or getting cut, also it looks like McClain will not be back too so we could be need to grab an option in free agency at RB, even though I love Allen I think we need a more experienced guy in the backfield who is comfortable with protections. I would absolutely love to see us get Clinton Portis, he may be cheap with recent injuries and age, plus he is one of the best blocking RBs in the game (and hes from the U) and he said on NFL.com he wants to be on a contender. Also the free agent pool at RB is just stacked so even if we dont get Portis there will be tons of options to chose from in that regard.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1310830023' post='708439']
I find this area very interesting in what we do because as you said something will change with McGahee whether its restructuring or getting cut, also it looks like McClain will not be back too so we could be need to grab an option in free agency at RB, even though I love Allen I think we need a more experienced guy in the backfield who is comfortable with protections. I would absolutely love to see us get Clinton Portis, he may be cheap with recent injuries and age, plus he is one of the best blocking RBs in the game (and hes from the U) and he said on NFL.com he wants to be on a contender. Also the free agent pool at RB is just stacked so even if we dont get Portis there will be tons of options to chose from in that regard.
[/quote]

May I ask why you want a vet RB?

Personally, I'm against that idea. RB is the easiest position for rookies to learn. I read an article once, that said RB and LB were the two positions rookies saw the most success in. I think signing a vet would hurt the development of guys like Steele, and Allen. I don't want to hurt the future for a washed up RB.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='ravenbeast' timestamp='1310829235' post='708435']
jj is a ilb at the olb position great against the run and has no pass rush skills.plus he isnt even a marked man on this defense ngata and suggs get double and sometimes triple teamed and still suggs can put up bigger numbers. even though ozzie sees a better year i see more of the same. i see sergio takin over that position durring the season watch the texas tape hes a beast.if he gets cleared to play. if not the pass rush needs to be addressed bad.
[/quote]

If Kindle is cleared then I can envisage him seeing a lot of time by the end of the year also, but I definitely don't think that JJ will be cut. Our OLB depth is woeful and without him we'd be screwed. He had a down year last year but I think he can bounce back to be relied upon again.

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1310829893' post='708437']
I'm thinking Gooden gets cut or possibly traded (to the raiders? ) after the preseason. I think he'd be better fir in Oakland. He'd make a better 4-3 will than a 3-4 ILB. And you know Oakland likes speed...

I was expecting the same for McKinney. He's a great run stopper, who get's a little push in the pass rush. But, he's 27-28, and in his prime. If he has a good preseason showing we could trade him to a team in need of a nose. Like Kansas City or Houston for example.
[/quote]

I don't know that Gooden has much if any trade value but the chances of him having a long term future in Baltimore are next to none so he could end up a Raider.

Again, I'm not sure that the Ravens would trade away McKinney unless they knew that they were going to get good value for him or that Gregg would be around for another year.

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1310830023' post='708439']
I find this area very interesting in what we do because as you said something will change with McGahee whether its restructuring or getting cut, also it looks like McClain will not be back too so we could be need to grab an option in free agency at RB, even though I love Allen I think we need a more experienced guy in the backfield who is comfortable with protections. I would absolutely love to see us get Clinton Portis, he may be cheap with recent injuries and age, plus he is one of the best blocking RBs in the game (and hes from the U) and he said on NFL.com he wants to be on a contender. Also the free agent pool at RB is just stacked so even if we dont get Portis there will be tons of options to chose from in that regard.
[/quote]

I'm not so sure I'd want Portis here, but like you say the FA market for RBs will be big and there will be plenty of options should we need one.

[mawcb]

Sorry OP but mcgahee isnt old nor slow...
and he def has alot of gas left in the tank
just not here

Brandon Mckinney imo looked pretty good at times last year,
Id want to keep him, solid backup
and Redding should not be traded, he is the only proven starter on that side?
It was his first year in a 34 wasnt it, and he started looking good towards the end of the year

replace him with Kruger? McPhee who hasnt even been to the castle?
Art Jones coming off injury and barely seen any action at all, you want him to start now?

and noone knows if either corner we drafted will be the answer, ya cant just cut all the old starters we have for unproven rookies/ injured second years

[Dubs]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1310830823' post='708448']
May I ask why you want a vet RB?

Personally, I'm against that idea. RB is the easiest position for rookies to learn. I read an article once, that said RB and LB were the two positions rookies saw the most success in. I think signing a vet would hurt the development of guys like Steele, and Allen. I don't want to hurt the future for a washed up RB.
[/quote]


I would agree that rookies are extremely capable as runners but the reason why I want a vet is for their understanding of pass protections. I personally wanna see Allen in there a good amount this year and thats why I suggest a vet like Portis, because Portis can be used mainly as a pass situation blocker which we desperately need. We had a terrible time last year picking up blitzes and Portis is still dominant in that aspect of his game. Also with the lockout taking so long I have a hard time believing that Steele, Parmeale or Allen will have a complete understanding of blitz pickups in the same capacity Portis would.

My vision of it would be that Allen would still be able to be our short yardage and pounding back, with Rice as our main guy and Portis as an occasional relief at RB to Rice and security to Allen should his progression not come as quick as some of us are expecting, while also being a much needed extra pass blocker in certain situations.

[The Raven]

[quote name='mawcb' timestamp='1310833645' post='708456']
Sorry OP but mcgahee isnt old nor slow...
and he def has alot of gas left in the tank
just not here

Brandon Mckinney imo looked pretty good at times last year,
Id want to keep him, solid backup
and Redding should not be traded, he is the only proven starter on that side?
It was his first year in a 34 wasnt it, and he started looking good towards the end of the year

replace him with Kruger? McPhee who hasnt even been to the castle?
Art Jones coming off injury and barely seen any action at all, you want him to start now?

and noone knows if either corner we drafted will be the answer, ya cant just cut all the old starters we have for unproven rookies/ injured second years
[/quote]

McGahee isn't old, but he's old for a RB. What is he 28? that's over the hill for a RB. He's definitely slowed down a bit.

Art Jones wasnt hurt... where'd you get that idea from? He saw action in a couple games. Before his injury in his senior year, he was supposed to be a top 20 pick in the draft, a sure first round talent. Do your research. I never said McKinney was bad, I wouldn't mind keeping him at all. I was just thinking of ways we could get cap room to work with.

And I believe you can cut old starters for unproven/unknown players. Belichick does it every year, with little to no drop off.

My main point is, there is a logjam at multiple positions that is hurting the development of several key players of the future. There are veterans at those positions that are declining, are are overpaid. I'm simply suggesting ideas to solving these issues. I'm not saying they're good, but they/re ideas.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1310834157' post='708458']
I would agree that rookies are extremely capable as runners but the reason why I want a vet is for their understanding of pass protections. I personally wanna see Allen in there a good amount this year and thats why I suggest a vet like Portis, because Portis can be used mainly as a pass situation blocker which we desperately need. We had a terrible time last year picking up blitzes and Portis is still dominant in that aspect of his game. Also with the lockout taking so long I have a hard time believing that Steele, Parmeale or Allen will have a complete understanding of blitz pickups in the same capacity Portis would.

My vision of it would be that Allen would still be able to be our short yardage and pounding back, with Rice as our main guy and Portis as an occasional relief at RB to Rice and security to Allen should his progression not come as quick as some of us are expecting, while also being a much needed extra pass blocker in certain situations.
[/quote]

Thats very understood. I can understand why you want him.

[Shammy]

cut kelly gregg and mcgahee

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='ravenbeast' timestamp='1310827172' post='708430']
cut mcgahee to save money cut kelly gregg to save money let dawan landy walk keep lewis mcclain ellerbe and ayanbadejo at ilb ayanbadejo is a special teams stud.let bulger walk keep mason to work with torrey smith for 1 year.resign yanda and gaither if gaithers contract isnt gonna be huge.resign ngata long term.cut jj and let sergio take his spot jj get like what 1 sack last year.then after that look down the pipe dream of gettin nnamdi and know now with the salary cap being this low and all the good players well need to resign in the next couple years that it wont happen.how and y did the salary cap get lowered?
[/quote]

I took some time to read through this. There are a lot of good points you make. However, a space and capitalizing the start of your new sentences will cut down on the time tying to decipher what you are saying...

[theravenzfan5]

Kelly Gregg's production has gone downhill, since the knee injury back in 08. As sad as it is, I honestly think he should be let go to not only to save some money, but to let some of the younger talent get a chance to grow into the defense. I am a big McKinney fan, and would also love to see what a downsized, in-shape, Art Jones could do for this defense (Forgot Cody, my bad) . I would hope that Willis could restructure, but knowing who his agent is, that could be dfficult. Whatever it takes to retain Yanda as well as the future contracts of Flacco, Rice, Ngata and Grubbs is what the FO should look at when making these descisions.

[wayne]

Keep Redding, he possibly can be real special playing the 5 technique, we only had him for one year and it was his first year playing end in the 3-4.

Keep McClain, he hasn't stated that he wanted a huge contract but only that he want more carries which means he wants to be converted to a RB sort of. I can see the 1-2 punch of Rice and McClain with Allen getting carries every now and then doing damage.

I'm up in the air with Foxworth. He came on strong toward the end of the 2009 season and his play was better than Wilson IMO. If his contract hits us pretty hard, I say let him go and just lock Wilson and Carr up b/c its a gamble if he can get back to that end of season 2009 form.

Try to lock Yanda and Gaither up b/c its crucial for our O-line to get back to dominant form.

Cut Gregg , its obvious to everyone that his play has went downhill and let some young blood play the NT position, mainly Cody who I see really making an impact this season.
That's my two cents.....

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='theravenzfan5' timestamp='1310846986' post='708504']
Kelly Gregg's production has gone downhill, since the knee injury back in 08. As sad as it is, I honestly think he should be let go to not only to save some money, but to let some of the younger talent get a chance to grow into the defense. I am a big McKinney fan, and would also love to see what a downsized, in-shape, Art Jones could do for this defense (Forgot Cody, my bad) . I would hope that Willis could restructure, but knowing who his agent is, that could be dfficult. Whatever it takes to retain Yanda as well as the future contracts of Flacco, Rice, Ngata and Grubbs is what the FO should look at when making these descisions.
[/quote]

I know the NFL is a cut throat, what have you done for me lately type of business, but Kelly Gregg is the true definition of what Play like a Raven means.

Never the biggest, strongest, fastest, prettiest, or most athletically gifted, but he gets the job done at a high level.

I honestly can't see the Ravens cutting Buddy Lee. I know in years past we've released vets like Flynn, CMac, and some others, but Kelly Gregg is a cut above all of those guys imo.

I think the Ravens would go to him and ask him to take a pay cut before just releasing him like they did with Pryce.

As a guy who'll be 35 by season's end, this might very well be Kelly Gregg's final year. He deserves to not only go out as a Raven, or also be counted among those select few vets we are so desperately trying to win a Super Bowl for.

Kelly Gregg's play has diminished over the last 2 seasons but he's still good enough to be a strong rotational player for this defense. If Cody and McKinney take the bulk of the snaps, so be it.

But as the longest tenured Raven, next to Todd Heap who doesn't have a ring, I think Kelly Gregg should stay along for the ride one more season and hope we get it done this year.

Restructure his contract and lets get him a Super Bowl ring before he hangs them up.

[Gordo52]

My thoughts are that I think your right with the LBs. But Ayanbadejo is a really good special teamer. Maybe we cut 1 or 2. Like Ellerbee maybe. We would still have Ray Ray, McClain, Kindle, Gooden, Kruger and Phillips. Which is really good IMO. But with Foxworth. As much as I agree he is overpaid, I think Ozzie wants to get his money worth for him. Plus Wilson and Carr may not even come back next year. So I think Foxworth stays. And wherever McGahee goes he will be a monster. He may not be as explosive as he was but he was still really good and I will miss him dearly. I honestly think he would take a pay cut to stay with us because of how good we are. He also said hes working harder so who knows. I think he'll be gone though. And at DL it might be good to part ways with him. Even though I dont see it happening since we want to improve our pass rush. I dont think well let one of our best go. I really think Art Jones is going to break out. Even though hes a DT and were very good @ that position if he can convert into DE he might be our answer. Overall no matter what were gonna win it all so it dont matter.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1310847465' post='708505']
Keep Redding, he possibly can be real special playing the 5 technique, we only had him for one year and it was his first year playing end in the 3-4.

Keep McClain, he hasn't stated that he wanted a huge contract but only that he want more carries which means he wants to be converted to a RB sort of. I can see the 1-2 punch of Rice and McClain with Allen getting carries every now and then doing damage.

[b]I'm up in the air with Foxworth. He came on strong toward the end of the 2009 season and his play was better than Wilson IMO. If his contract hits us pretty hard, I say let him go and just lock Wilson and Carr up b/c its a gamble if he can get back to that end of season 2009 form.[/b]

Try to lock Yanda and Gaither up b/c its crucial for our O-line to get back to dominant form.

Cut Gregg , its obvious to everyone that his play has went downhill and let some young blood play the NT position, mainly Cody who I see really making an impact this season.
That's my two cents.....
[/quote]

McClain has said he wants more money and more carries. FB's don't get paid that much money, so it'll be interesting to see what happens if someone offers him the chance to be the highest paid FB and get more carries.

With the potential of Jimmy Smith and Webb hopefully coming into his own in his 3rd season playing CB, Foxworth is probably only a 1 year option and definitely no more then 2 years.

With the 4.4 million he's getting this year, Wilson probably will command that much in this first year of a new contract. So cutting Foxworth to sign Wilson is a wash.

Foxworth will be a starter for the Ravens this year, so his 4.4 million isn't as big as it appears. For the Ravens to cut him just to bring back Wilson doesn't make much sense to me.

But if the Ravens think that Wilson will be in his prime for the next 3 years from age 26-29 and Foxworth coming off a injury at 27 will be past his prime over his final 2 seasons, then I can see the move happening.

But by all accounts the Ravens a tremendously happy to get Foxworth back, so I don't see it happening.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1310848304' post='708508']
My thoughts are that I think your right with the LBs. But Ayanbadejo is a really good special teamer. Maybe we cut 1 or 2. Like Ellerbee maybe. We would still have Ray Ray, McClain, Kindle, Gooden, Kruger and Phillips. Which is really good IMO. But with Foxworth. As much as I agree he is overpaid, I think Ozzie wants to get his money worth for him. Plus Wilson and Carr may not even come back next year. So I think Foxworth stays. And wherever McGahee goes he will be a monster. He may not be as explosive as he was but he was still really good and I will miss him dearly. I honestly think he would take a pay cut to stay with us because of how good we are. He also said hes working harder so who knows. I think he'll be gone though. And at DL it might be good to part ways with him. Even though I dont see it happening since we want to improve our pass rush. I dont think well let one of our best go. I really think Art Jones is going to break out. Even though hes a DT and were very good @ that position if he can convert into DE he might be our answer. Overall no matter what were gonna win it all so it dont matter.
[/quote]

There is no way Ellerbe gets cut, unless he doesn't something to get the coaches on his bad side.

The NFL has practically eliminated the Kick Return aspect of the game, with the rule to move the ball to the 35. So Ayanbadejo being a great special teamer won't mean as much this year. He doesn't play much on the punt team or the punt return team, so what exactly will be his role? Also guys like Prescott Burgess and Jason Phillips have took advantage of their Special Teams opportunities.

Arthur Jones isn't a DT, he's a 3 or 5 techniques with us, which means he's a 3-4 DE. AJ was a DT in college and is listed as such, but majority of the limited snaps he took last season were out of the 3 or 5 tech. Unless we were in a nickle, at wich he was lined up at DT. Not a huge different but still.

Arthur Jones will more then likely back up Ngata this year. If I had to compare his role to another NFL player, I'd say Luis Castillo. A guy that's strong against the run and not really considered a pass rusher, but when you look up at the end of the season, he'll have 3-5 sacks.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1310850506' post='708515']
There is no way Ellerbe gets cut, unless he doesn't something to get the coaches on his bad side.

The NFL has practically eliminated the Kick Return aspect of the game, with the rule to move the ball to the 35. So Ayanbadejo being a great special teamer won't mean as much this year. He doesn't play much on the punt team or the punt return team, so what exactly will be his role? Also guys like Prescott Burgess and Jason Phillips have took advantage of their Special Teams opportunities.

Arthur Jones isn't a DT, he's a 3 or 5 techniques with us, which means he's a 3-4 DE. AJ was a DT in college and is listed as such, but majority of the limited snaps he took last season were out of the 3 or 5 tech. Unless we were in a nickle, at wich he was lined up at DT. Not a huge different but still.

Arthur Jones will more then likely back up Ngata this year. If I had to compare his role to another NFL player, I'd say Luis Castillo. A guy that's strong against the run and not really considered a pass rusher, but when you look up at the end of the season, he'll have 3-5 sacks.
[/quote]

I think he'll be getting serious time, rotating with Redding, maybe, locking up the start at the end.

[Dudeman]

This is one aspect of Ozzie's job that I really DON'T envy.

Who to cut, when to cut them, why they are being cut, how it will effect the locker room, and whatever else makes it a very complicated issue. Furthermore, let's face reality in that a good player is being released, cut, traded, etc and they are out their job here in Baltimore.

I hate the idea of anyone losing their job, so to have to go through this process is painful at best.

However it's a damned if you do and a damned if you don't type of situation.

I think the safer moves to make will be to take out Fabian, Housh, Stallworth, and maybe McGahee. It's already a foregone conclusion to the media and fans on those cuts but the Ravens still have choices to make.

In a news article I pointed to Dawan Landry being a tough piece to this puzzle to figure out. In Landry you a talking about a productive starter, and a leader in the secondary when Reed is out. Sure he has capable replacements in Nakumura, and Tommy Z. Yes the Ravens have let other players at his position walk before. But if he really wants to stay and the market isn't offering outrageous deals to him then I could see the Ravens wanting to retain him.

As far as Gregg, Foxworth, and Redding go these guys are under contract and most likely aren't going anywhere. I think Foxworth deserves a chance to compete for a starting spot. Redding really started to come on mid-season last year, and Gregg may lose his starting spot but he has more value to the Ravens than anyone else.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1310918471' post='708611']
I think he'll be getting serious time, rotating with Redding, maybe, locking up the start at the end.
[/quote]

I think Kruger will continue to see that rotation time with Redding. Kruger was in that role towards the end of the season and played more and more as the playoffs approached.

I'm not saying AJ won't see time at the 5, but I really think he'll sub more with Ngata more so then he will for Redding this year.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Dudeman' timestamp='1310923875' post='708636']
This is one aspect of Ozzie's job that I really DON'T envy.

Who to cut, when to cut them, why they are being cut, how it will effect the locker room, and whatever else makes it a very complicated issue. Furthermore, let's face reality in that a good player is being released, cut, traded, etc and they are out their job here in Baltimore.

I hate the idea of anyone losing their job, so to have to go through this process is painful at best.

However it's a damned if you do and a damned if you don't type of situation.

[b]I think the safer moves to make will be to take out Fabian, Housh, Stallworth, and maybe McGahee. It's already a foregone conclusion to the media and fans on those cuts but the Ravens still have choices to make. [/b]

In a news article I pointed to Dawan Landry being a tough piece to this puzzle to figure out. In Landry you a talking about a productive starter, and a leader in the secondary when Reed is out. Sure he has capable replacements in Nakumura, and Tommy Z. Yes the Ravens have let other players at his position walk before. But if he really wants to stay and the market isn't offering outrageous deals to him then I could see the Ravens wanting to retain him.

As far as Gregg, Foxworth, and Redding go these guys are under contract and most likely aren't going anywhere. I think Foxworth deserves a chance to compete for a starting spot. Redding really started to come on mid-season last year, and Gregg may lose his starting spot but he has more value to the Ravens than anyone else.
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The only guy that still under contract is Willis McGahee out of that bunch, so the only decision to be made is if you wanna bring them back.

McGahee on the other hand is a guy who they will either approach to take a pay cut or he'll be cut imo.

Everything else I agree with.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1310924349' post='708641']
I think Kruger will continue to see that rotation time with Redding. Kruger was in that role towards the end of the season and played more and more as the playoffs approached.

I'm not saying AJ won't see time at the 5, but I really think he'll sub more with Ngata more so then he will for Redding this year.
[/quote]
Ngata barely comes off the field though. I think Art is going to really impress and push for more snaps, and Kruger I really have to no idea why the team is trying to play him at DE. We need depth at OLB and Kruger to me is more natural at that position.

[Blex64]

Kruger's trying to find his niche.

I think we cut Phillips, and keep 5 ILBs. If McGahee doesn't restructure he'll likely be cut, and I could see them approaching Foxworth to restructure as well. Possibly even cut him depending on how things play out with Nnamdi. Either Carr or Wilson are likely going to be resigned, but probably not both of them. Washingtons going to be allowed to walk, and probably Landry as well. JJ might restructure, but I definitely don't support cutting him if he decides not too. Redding stays as well, I'd sooner cut Gregg.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1310850506' post='708515']
There is no way Ellerbe gets cut, unless he doesn't something to get the coaches on his bad side.

The NFL has practically eliminated the Kick Return aspect of the game, with the rule to move the ball to the 35. So Ayanbadejo being a great special teamer won't mean as much this year. He doesn't play much on the punt team or the punt return team, so what exactly will be his role? Also guys like Prescott Burgess and Jason Phillips have took advantage of their Special Teams opportunities.

Arthur Jones isn't a DT, he's a 3 or 5 techniques with us, which means he's a 3-4 DE. AJ was a DT in college and is listed as such, but majority of the limited snaps he took last season were out of the 3 or 5 tech. Unless we were in a nickle, at wich he was lined up at DT. Not a huge different but still.

Arthur Jones will more then likely back up Ngata this year. If I had to compare his role to another NFL player, I'd say Luis Castillo. A guy that's strong against the run and not really considered a pass rusher, but when you look up at the end of the season, he'll have 3-5 sacks.
[/quote]

3 technique is a DT. Do you mean nose tackle.