Cap Space?

[codizzle]

[quote name='FootballMasta20' timestamp='1323291345' post='898682']
Not saying I want this to happen but if Ray Lewis and Ed Reed retire and we release Foxworth and Jarret Johnson then that will save us some serious cash. We are looking stacked at middle linebacker but without Reed the safety position becomes our weakest position. We definitely need to look in the draft or free agency for his replacement this year. With Reed at FS have been able to have strong safeties who suck in coverage because Reed makes up for it. Need some examples? Will Demps, Dawan Landry, and now Pollard. I dont trust zbikowski and pollard together. I would rather have Zibby and Nakamura starting because they both excel in coverage and can tackle. Pollard is a tackling/hard hitting machine but is too slow in coverage. Just watch the Seahawks game and you'll see what I mean.
[/quote]
neither ray or ed are retiring this year. Both have said it on numerous platforms that they will play past this year

[jmckinney]

idk

[keebl3rs]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1323293576' post='898720']
neither ray or ed are retiring this year. Both have said it on numerous platforms that they will play past this year
[/quote]

Really? That's pretty cool. I was under the impression that this was the last year for both of em.

[Fricknmaniac]

Ray Lewis said during the off-season that he would retire if the Ravens won the Super Bowl.

Now whether that was a genuine statement or not... well I hope we'll find out.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Fricknmaniac' timestamp='1323411099' post='900851']
Ray Lewis said during the off-season that he would retire if the Ravens won the Super Bowl.

Now whether that was a genuine statement or not... well I hope we'll find out.
[/quote]
Where is this sound bite? Never heard that, nor do I believe that. Only thing I've heard or read is that he'd like to play until he's 37 which would mean another year!

[jaege]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1323285030' post='898544']
seeing players like fred jackson and willis mcgahee have very good years, even ricky williams, just futher cements my thinking pay grubbs whatever it takes, and if rice says no to a "lesser" contract let him walk, all you need a is runner to get 3.5 yards a play... 3 runs at that is a first down... you dont need to pay a RB AD of CJ money unless you dont have a pass attack and rely solely on the run... We have shown we can pass first then run in a few games when we had protection.. RBs can be replaced rather easily and cheaply, ben grubbs however cannot
[/quote]

I understand the argument, although perhaps I value Rice higher then you do. Still, I do not think any RB should be getting paid what CJ got. That is just foolish. Which has been proven by his stellar performance this season.

[The Raven]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1323429876' post='900906']
Where is this sound bite? Never heard that, nor do I believe that. Only thing I've heard or read is that he'd like to play until he's 37 which would mean another year!
[/quote]

He didn't say it in those exact words, it was more of an implication that he would.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1323431370' post='900914']

I understand the argument, although perhaps I value Rice higher then you do. Still, I do not think any RB should be getting paid what CJ got. That is just foolish. Which has been proven by his stellar performance this season.
[/quote]
i value RR, over almost everybody except Olind/Dline Stars. i think its won and lost in the trenches and i believe grubbs is a huge part to our offense success, but we could have a tough runner who wares down a defense and then a pass catching runner, ala the saints with sproules and ingram, and between the two of them we almost have RR production... there is no stand out FA LGs who can replace grubbs and the only Guard who comes close to him in the draft is de castro and he wont be there when we pick. it will be harder to replace grubbs than rice i just think

[usmccharles]

I cant fathom people saying to keep grubbs over rice. I could understand if he was a ogden type but hes not(and still id argue for rice), RR is an elite rb and is 30%+ of our offense, sure, you can get a speed back and a power back...more than likely those backs will be just aveerage at being that role. RR has so much potential, we have a great blocker for him in leach, hes a hard worker, great character...ill take him over cj any day of the week...and especially on sunday. And mark my words...if we let him walk, i will lose all respect for our organization. He deserves cj money...

[Fricknmaniac]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1323429876' post='900906']
Where is this sound bite? Never heard that, nor do I believe that. Only thing I've heard or read is that he'd like to play until he's 37 which would mean another year!
[/quote]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/15417777/legend-lewis-wants-another-ring-for-career-wrap

And here's the actual quote if you don't want to click on the link:

"My son will be a junior this year. I only play this game for another ring. If we can win it this year, and I'm being brutally honest with you, if we win it this year, I'm gone to then spend as much time as I can with him," Lewis said. "I'm gone to be with my son. And I feel like now we have enough pieces in place to make a good run at the Super Bowl."

Like I said, I'm not 100% sure if I believe that he'll retire even if we win the Super Bowl, but I'd hardly blame him if he did decide to. Winning a Super Bowl is a great time to walk away from the game.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Fricknmaniac' timestamp='1323443063' post='900991']

[url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/15417777/legend-lewis-wants-another-ring-for-career-wrap"]http://www.cbssports...for-career-wrap[/url]

And here's the actual quote if you don't want to click on the link:

"My son will be a junior this year. I only play this game for another ring. If we can win it this year, and I'm being brutally honest with you, if we win it this year, I'm gone to then spend as much time as I can with him," Lewis said. "I'm gone to be with my son. And I feel like now we have enough pieces in place to make a good run at the Super Bowl."

Like I said, I'm not 100% sure if I believe that he'll retire even if we win the Super Bowl, but I'd hardly blame him if he did decide to. Winning a Super Bowl is a great time to walk away from the game.
[/quote]
Hey, thanks for delivering!

[quote]"I don't know when it will all be over for me," he says. "People want to use my age against me. They say I'm too old. People fear getting old. I don't fear that because now I have wisdom and a tough body to go with that wisdom."[/quote]

To me, this says more years ahead! At least thats what Im telling myself

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='usmccharles' timestamp='1323439193' post='900949']
I cant fathom people saying to keep grubbs over rice. I could understand if he was a ogden type but hes not(and still id argue for rice), RR is an elite rb and is 30%+ of our offense, sure, you can get a speed back and a power back...more than likely those backs will be just aveerage at being that role. RR has so much potential, we have a great blocker for him in leach, hes a hard worker, great character...ill take him over cj any day of the week...and especially on sunday. And mark my words...if we let him walk, i will lose all respect for our organization. He deserves cj money...
[/quote]
how did this offensive preform when grubbs wasnt there and the oline stunk it up

[jaege]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1323438113' post='900944']
i value RR, over almost everybody except Olind/Dline Stars. i think its won and lost in the trenches and i believe grubbs is a huge part to our offense success, but we could have a tough runner who wares down a defense and then a pass catching runner, ala the saints with sproules and ingram, and between the two of them we almost have RR production... there is no stand out FA LGs who can replace grubbs and the only Guard who comes close to him in the draft is de castro and he wont be there when we pick. it will be harder to replace grubbs than rice i just think
[/quote]


Oh, I fully agree that Grubbs is a major player for us, and pretty much irreplacable, just like I agree that we live or die by our lines O and D. I just would not want to give up Rice to keep both lines as they are. I want to see us keep both Rice and Grubbs, but in order to do that we will have to lose someone. The question is who?

[JEEPercreepermd]

I agree with everyone that says pay ben grubbs. When you build a team from the outside in, you wind up like the "dream team" in philly. Also, you have got to pay Rice what he's worth. He is our best player on offense. Not just any run of the mill rb can do what he does..he also is a smart player, leader, and is a hard worker who isn't a diva like some rb's.
Hopefully, we have enough space to pay a solid LT as well.

[Andrew Glass]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1323270340' post='898326']
im worried about indy.. we got a whole offseason to worry about that later my dude
[/quote]

As fans we can worry about anything because it has no effect on the ravens. The front office to should be worrying and doing there job and looking ahead always trying to get better. The coaching staff and the players need to be the one focused on indy.

[usmccharles]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1323451925' post='901098']
how did this offensive preform when grubbs wasnt there and the oline stunk it up
[/quote]

heres a break down on how rice performed when grubs was out

week rice
rushing/recieving
2 43 53
3 81 83
4 66 64
5 bye
6 101 60
7 28 35
8 63 36

not great but not terrible in my opinion considering the struggles weve had, obviously hes better with him in there. in no way am i saying that grubbs is not worth keeping, but i still cant see keeping him instead of rice. of course i want to keep grubs, but with signing ngata long term, then flacco and rice comming up, priorities have to be set up and id much rather go forward with an elite rb trying to fill a tackle spot. next we are gonna have threads up,..."lets trade rice"

[arnie_uk]

i just think rices production could be matched or close too buy maybe even two runners ala saints, if we have a elite oline... i cant see any way we get de castro in the draft and their isnt really any FA LGs this year, also gurode or a rookie will be in center, with Mckinney at LT and who knows how he'll turn up next season, and an inconsistent at times oher at RT... if birk wasnt as old and was coming back for another couple of years i think wee could handle losing grubbs ok, but for me its bigger than grubbs, it could have a real domino affect on our Oline.. lack of experience and consistency in the oline next year could hinder our progession in the offence next year