39 replies to this topic

[dhstandard]

Being real right now, a MAJOR part of the Ravens cap space is taken up by Ed and Ray. I know it's tough to think about but Ed will probably be done in 1-2 seasons (hopefully with a ring). I feel we could get a big name WR, DE, OLB, T, or someone in free agency. Without even knowing specifics, I am positive that there is a major amount of space that will open up when Ray and Ed hang it up. Could we give them what we did to Ngata, about 2-4million in the short term (per season) and give them their boosts on the back-end. If you look at the cap there really is a lot of space back there.


NOTE: I am not talking about cutting Ray or Ed, or even restructuring their contracts (Ed deserves that money for all he has sacrificed and the little we have given him in return). I am saying that their retirement could open up space on the back end of a 4-6 year deal with a big name free agent.

Edited by dhstandard, 01 February 2012 - 10:23 PM.

[GrimCoconut]

Possible, but I have a feeling that Ed Reed may sign another contract with us. This is the final year of his contract, so it's either extend his contract after this year, he retires, or someone else gets him. Scary thought.

[Romo Ravens]

We have a lot of holes to fill. We need more than one addition to the offensive line. If we get a Pro Bowl LT, what about the Center position after Birk? What if we part ways with Michael Oher? Also, there's absolutely no way we can expect Ellerbe to start at ILB if McClain walks, and I'm not even a huge fan of McClain taking over for Ray to be honest. Like you said, if Ed retires soon, we'll need someone to play lights out at that position, and Nakamura or Zibby are not good candidates.

I don't see where people get the idea of adding a Pro Bowl, 7+ million a year WR to the roster. You don't think Boldin, Lee and Torrey are enough? Mixed with Pitta and Ray Rice catching the ball as well? I'm a firm believer in building a team through the draft. We will have a lot of decisions to make in the next few years with some of our key players calling it quits. That means a lot of positions need to be filled, which means making it a bad idea to tie a lot of money into one or two flashy names even if the contract is back loaded. Not to mention we're about to pay a lot of cash to Rice and Flacco. We'll see what happens. If I had to choose anyone, it would be Colston without a doubt

[PDO]

I think if we're able to do that with anyone, it's one of our big tickets that is already here.

Would Rice take a discount this year if he knows he gets paid next year when Ed's contract expires (guaranteed money, of course)? He seems the most likely candidate.

[flynismo]

Romo Ravens, on 02 February 2012 - 12:45 AM, said:

We have a lot of holes to fill. We need more than one addition to the offensive line. If we get a Pro Bowl LT, what about the Center position after Birk? What if we part ways with Michael Oher? Also, there's absolutely no way we can expect Ellerbe to start at ILB if McClain walks, and I'm not even a huge fan of McClain taking over for Ray to be honest. Like you said, if Ed retires soon, we'll need someone to play lights out at that position, and Nakamura or Zibby are not good candidates.

Dont forget Grubbs, who may be done here (hope not). This OL needs serious attention.

Romo Ravens, on 02 February 2012 - 12:45 AM, said:

I don't see where people get the idea of adding a Pro Bowl, 7+ million a year WR to the roster. You don't think Boldin, Lee and Torrey are enough? Mixed with Pitta and Ray Rice catching the ball as well? I'm a firm believer in building a team through the draft. We will have a lot of decisions to make in the next few years with some of our key players calling it quits. That means a lot of positions need to be filled, which means making it a bad idea to tie a lot of money into one or two flashy names even if the contract is back loaded. Not to mention we're about to pay a lot of cash to Rice and Flacco. We'll see what happens. If I had to choose anyone, it would be Colston without a doubt

I agree fully with the first part. We need to address WR, but it will have to be a low key guy via FA, or we draft one.

But the second part confuses me, because Colston will get paid. He'll be a $7M guy that we are trying to avoid at that position.

[scrock]

GrimCoconut, on 01 February 2012 - 11:10 PM, said:

Possible, but I have a feeling that Ed Reed may sign another contract with us. This is the final year of his contract, so it's either extend his contract after this year, he retires, or someone else gets him. Scary thought.

I really think if Ed comes back its his last year no matter what, the Ravens could ask him to play for less money but i doubt it

I will miss watching him play, him and Ray Lewis....2 of the best all time and I got to see it

Edited by scrock, 02 February 2012 - 02:57 AM.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

It all depends on the whole present/future impact that this free agent will add to our team, both good or bad. When you take that into account, I don't think we're going into the top end of the free agent market for a receiver. Not when Boldin's on good money, Torrey contributes a lot, Evans will likely have to take a pay cut and we have Doss and Laquan (and David Reed) who could make an impact.

[Romo Ravens]

flynismo, on 02 February 2012 - 01:44 AM, said:

Dont forget Grubbs, who may be done here (hope not). This OL needs serious attention.




I agree fully with the first part. We need to address WR, but it will have to be a low key guy via FA, or we draft one.

But the second part confuses me, because Colston will get paid. He'll be a $7M guy that we are trying to avoid at that position.

I was just saying that if that did happen (signing a flashy name) I would like to have Colston

[GrimCoconut]

scrock, on 02 February 2012 - 02:56 AM, said:

I really think if Ed comes back its his last year no matter what, the Ravens could ask him to play for less money but i doubt it

I will miss watching him play, him and Ray Lewis....2 of the best all time and I got to see it

Don't take it as a foregone conclusion that Reed retires after this year. I could see him playing 2 more years, honestly.It all depends on his body and whether it is able to heal. I think he wants to continue playing, though. I remember reading somewhere at the end of the season that he felt like he had a few more years left in him.

[ravensfan520]

Our first priority is to resign our players... Rice Grubbs Webb McClain and then finally Joe. We don't need any more WRs. If we get a free agent it needs to be on the offensive line(center or tackle). If we can't resign Grubbs we are going to need a guard to... I don't know who we have that move into that spot unless one if the tackles we have (Harwood or Reid). I don't know what the practice squad looks like. We need to resign McClain and draft a LB to fill in beside him when Ray retires. The way everyone signs contracts now they want the guaranteed money up front because of the cap and could cut at any moment... look are Heap Mason etc.

WR is not a necessity for free agency we can find one in the draft.

[atlravensfan]

I think we as fans need to get up with the new NFL. Its a passing league. Everyone is saying wr isn't a need. 5 years ago I agree with you. I don't understand. Resigning linemen to protect the qb should be priority and finding a wrong either drafting one or fa is the key to winning in today's NFL.

[Sizzlebshu]

atlravensfan, on 02 February 2012 - 09:19 AM, said:

I think we as fans need to get up with the new NFL. Its a passing league. Everyone is saying wr isn't a need. 5 years ago I agree with you. I don't understand. Resigning linemen to protect the qb should be priority and finding a wrong either drafting one or fa is the key to winning in today's NFL.

But thats wrong...

A few examples
The Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas Chiefs (last year), NYJ (last 2 years),

All of these teams had a very strong running game and have been relatively successful. KC led the league in rushing attempts last year I believe and woulda won their division this year if not for injuries. The texans may have one of the best running games in the NFL. The 49ers opted into a run heavy offense and got to the NFC championship knocking off the heavy favorite, the Saints. The NYJ had sanchez and got to the afc championship game 2 years in a row before this year.
You don't need a strong passing game to win. A strong running game is just as important and when used right, just as effective. Its a combination of both that make for a truly effective offense.

Edited by Sizzlebshu, 02 February 2012 - 09:46 AM.

[CapoRocky]

I think that signing Flacco and Rice are the top priority. We make offers to our FAs but some of them will leave. I don't want to think about it much until March. The draft is a place to fill a few holes but most rookies aren't able to start right away. We really lucked out with the 2 Smiths this year.

[GrimCoconut]

CapoRocky, on 02 February 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

I think that signing Flacco and Rice are the top priority. We make offers to our FAs but some of them will leave. I don't want to think about it much until March. The draft is a place to fill a few holes but most rookies aren't able to start right away. We really lucked out with the 2 Smiths this year.

Flacco, Rice & I'd like to add Webb as the top priorities. Those three players are instrumental to our team going forward, especially Flacco & Webb. No knock on Rice, but I believe we will be OK without him if it ever came down to it. It's hard to find a shutdown corner or a franchise quarterback.

I will be happy if those three are re-signed even if Grubbs walks. We can replace Grubbs but it will be more difficult to replace those three players.

[Tatelli]

atlravensfan, on 02 February 2012 - 09:19 AM, said:

I think we as fans need to get up with the new NFL. Its a passing league. Everyone is saying wr isn't a need. 5 years ago I agree with you. I don't understand. Resigning linemen to protect the qb should be priority and finding a wrong either drafting one or fa is the key to winning in today's NFL.

The counter to this is a solid D will keep an average O in the games. IMO we have a good enough WR's to run with any team as long as the schemes/game planing matches the people. So I agree the OL should be our primary target.

[atlravensfan]

Tatelli, on 02 February 2012 - 10:46 AM, said:

The counter to this is a solid D will keep an average O in the games. IMO we have a good enough WR's to run with any team as long as the schemes/game planing matches the people. So I agree the OL should be our primary target.

Thank you for understaning my post lol. You get neg for anything on here.

[atlravensfan]

Sizzlebshu, on 02 February 2012 - 09:46 AM, said:

But thats wrong...

A few examples
The Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas Chiefs (last year), NYJ (last 2 years),

All of these teams had a very strong running game and have been relatively successful. KC led the league in rushing attempts last year I believe and woulda won their division this year if not for injuries. The texans may have one of the best running games in the NFL. The 49ers opted into a run heavy offense and got to the NFC championship knocking off the heavy favorite, the Saints. The NYJ had sanchez and got to the afc championship game 2 years in a row before this year.
You don't need a strong passing game to win. A strong running game is just as important and when used right, just as effective. Its a combination of both that make for a truly effective offense.

Last 4 SB winners are teams with a domintating Offensive or Defensive line or an O that can cover up for a thin line or defense.

BTW LAST 8 SUPERBOWL winners were passing teams expect for the Giants maybe. and they won the game by passing and getting to the QB with 4 rushers. Fail

Edited by atlravensfan, 02 February 2012 - 06:28 PM.

[Sizzlebshu]

atlravensfan, on 02 February 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

Last 4 SB winners are teams with a domintating Offensive or Defensive line or an O that can cover up for a thin line or defense.

BTW LAST 8 SUPERBOWL winners were passing teams expect for the Giants maybe. and they won the game by passing and getting to the QB with 4 rushers. Fail

First of all he said winning, not winning the superbowl so first you got that wrong. There is a degree of luck when it comes to making it to the big dance ie look at the pats this season (could not have been luckier vs us).

Second your assertion is wrong in that the Saints have a very strong running game (6th in the league during the regular season). Yes they are a strong passing team, but they are also a very strong running team creating an overall very effective offense.

So out of the last 4 (giants, steelers, saints, packers) 2 out of 4 had a top 6 rushing attack when the won the super bowl during the regular season (giants -4 in 07, Saints - 6 in 09 http://www.nfl.com/s...=true&Submit=Go ). So to say that you can't win without having an amzing passing attack is insane as 2 out of 4 teams in the conference championship games had effective running games with average passing games and only loss because of the luck factor (evans dropping a pass/cundiff missing a field goal, and that guy on the 49ers fumbling twice handing the giants the win).

Just to add
The Ravens, 49ers, Texans, Saints, Broncos all had elite (top 10) rushing attacks and made the playoffs out of those teams only the Saints had an elite passing attack to go with the rushing attack. Pitt had a top 15 rushing attac (14) and made playoffs. So half of the 12 teams in playoffs had a top 15 rushing attack.

Edited by Sizzlebshu, 03 February 2012 - 01:35 AM.

[BloodRaven]

I hope we pay real attention to the oline. If we replace Birk and Grubbs with two more journeymen then... well don't be surprised when Flacco and Rice can't move the ball.

[ravensfan520]

GrimCoconut, on 02 February 2012 - 10:23 AM, said:

Flacco, Rice & I'd like to add Webb as the top priorities. Those three players are instrumental to our team going forward, especially Flacco & Webb. No knock on Rice, but I believe we will be OK without him if it ever came down to it. It's hard to find a shutdown corner or a franchise quarterback.

I will be happy if those three are re-signed even if Grubbs walks. We can replace Grubbs but it will be more difficult to replace those three players.

We must resign Rice Grubbs McClain and Webb. As great as Flacco has played I was reading that if they can't extend his contract the coaches and FO are really high on Taylor.

McClain is underrated because he plays next to Ray. Rice and Webb go without saying but if we lose Grubbs we better have a plan or someone ready to move in quickly or having Rice or Flacco will go nowhere.