It's Quiet... Maybe Too Quiet...

[Yatagarasu]

24 hours have passed and we still got 7.7 million dollars.

I guess this year, we're going to wait it out and use that money on quality depths, if lucky quality starters.

I think the Front Office have these in mind.

See what the Tier 1 QBs, RBs, and CBs are being paid.

We have these starters that need to be locked up long term and what contract they will be based on.

Joe Flacco's contract based on Mark Sanchez, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees. (Around $14 Million)
Ray Rice's contract based on Arian Foster, Matt Forte, and LeSean McCoy. (Around $8.5 Million)
Lardarius Webb's contract based on Cortland Finnegan, Brandon Carr, and Carlos Rogers (Around $9.5 Million)

So I guess we're sacrificing this year's Free Agent Signing to lock up the three tier 1 players in our roster. Luckily, they're still under our contract and tenders, which gives us leeway to sign them long term instead of trying to chase them in free agency. I think a 2012 cap friendly long term contract, where we promise them to big money in 2013, where the TV money kicks up the cap space.

Resigning these three tier 1 players are more important than trying to get others in Free Agency.

I think our Front Office will do a better job than a team that lost a majority of their quality starters back in 2010, where the Arizona Cardinals lost Karlos Dansby, Kurt Warner, Antrel Rolle, Anquan Boldin,

[Ravenseconbeast]

Soon as we sign a player, someone can grab Lardarius Webb and hold us hostage.

I think we need to wait it out till Webb is secured then we can move onto filling needs.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1331767164' post='1022172']
Soon as we sign a player, someone can grab Lardarius Webb and hold us hostage.

I think we need to wait it out till Webb is secured then we can move onto filling needs.
[/quote]
be very hard to secure webb to anything less than 10-12 mil per year after eric wright an finnegan got like 50mil each for 5 year deals (ithink)

[flynismo]

I don't think we'll pay through the nose for Webb. He didn't play particularly well his first couple years; we need to see him do this again before we break the bank for him.

[Yatagarasu]

It sucks our Front Office is playing the waiting game, but with these signings, we have an advantage to find the right price value to sign Webb, Flacco, and Rice to long term contracts.

Resigning them is more important than getting anything else in Free Agency.

Peyton's 2nd contract is dictate Flacco's contract.

Ray Rice can be tagged again for next, but we get a good idea with Arian Foster, Matt Forte, LeSean McCoy contracts are done by this year.

Webb has to be locked up for $10 million at least. I hope the Bengals stay cheap and have to use all their money on average players to get up to the cap floor.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1331767730' post='1022199']
I don't think we'll pay through the nose for Webb. He didn't play particularly well his first couple years; we need to see him do this again before we break the bank for him.
[/quote]
Thats how you would think but there will always be a foolish team that will overspend as we have seen. We need to lock him up because he is the most versatile corner. I hope we dont watch him in another jersey picking off Flacco.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1331767730' post='1022199']
I don't think we'll pay through the nose for Webb. He didn't play particularly well his first couple years; we need to see him do this again before we break the bank for him.
[/quote]
Did pretty well his rookie season before ripping his ACL in week 15.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Ray Ray Ravens' timestamp='1331768105' post='1022215']
Thats how you would think but there will always be a foolish team that will overspend as we have seen. We need to lock him up because he is the most versatile corner. I hope we dont watch him in another jersey picking off Flacco.
[/quote]

The thing though, is a lot of the teams who need a corner may not want to give up their first round pick. I could see the Pats do it, but that's all. The Bucs won't do it, because they have a top 10 pick. If anything, I think Cary might be the sacrificial lamb since he's only got a second round tender.

[GrimCoconut]

Actually, this makes a lot of sense & you bring up a very good point. I expect Flacco to get his deal when Peyton gets his. When he sets the bar, we have negotiating room.

As for Rice, I suspect we are waiting for Flacco to get his deal before we give Rice his. A lot of RBs have been signed, so the market is set there. I think the FO wants to see how much Flacco costs before we invest into Rice with his contract.

As for Webb, the market has been set, but I think the same case for Rice is made for Webb. I don't think Webb will get with CF got, because he has been doing it for a while. Webb was looking good his first year, injured at the end of his rookie season, started to come around his sophmore season, then really broke out last year. I could see Webb get a very long contract, though. In reality, it would be wise to lock up Webb now, though I'm not sure it happens.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1331768419' post='1022223']

The thing though, is a lot of the teams who need a corner may not want to give up their first round pick. I could see the Pats do it, but that's all. The Bucs won't do it, because they have a top 10 pick. If anything, I think Cary might be the sacrificial lamb since he's only got a second round tender.
[/quote]
It only takes one team to take him so if thats the case it could happen. Looking at Webb last season I would give up anything above a 15th pick. But thats just me as a Ravens fan talking with my so called purple shades.

[Yatagarasu]

In the future we're going to need to replace Ed Reed. We already have the answer in Lardarius Webb!

$10 Million on a shutdown cornerback is worth it. The guy didn't give away a TD and you saw him in the AFC Championship, where he made Brady to think twice to throw at his direction.

It will be great to have him under the tender contract this year with a $4 Million dollar Signing Bonus, so we use this restricted year as part of his long term deal.

Next year, we're going to get a lot of money freed up with dead money from the released players, TV Contract, Ed Reed's contract, and more money from the Cowboys and Redskins.

So This year, we're playing the survival game to keep our team intact for long term. At least nobody will have a problem giving up big money to Webb, Flacco, and Rice, when other crazy teams are giving up big money to mediocre and troubled talents like Eric Wright, DeSean Jackson, and Matt Flynn.

[Yatagarasu]

It would suck if the Patriots use their 1st Round Pick on Webb, however, we can try and negotiate to give up something instead of going into a Bidding War with them

Webb for Solder straight up!

[Ravenstown52]

I bet you Ozzie is browsing the forums giggling.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Ray Ray Ravens' timestamp='1331768758' post='1022235']
It only takes one team to take him so if thats the case it could happen. Looking at Webb last season I would give up anything above a 15th pick. But thats just me as a Ravens fan talking with my so called purple shades.
[/quote]

Well here's the way I look at it - the Browns could use him, but more than likely they'll either use their first round pick on Claiborne if they want a CB, or they'll take a receiver - they can't use number 22, only their original pick. Tampa Bay isn't giving up number 5. The Cowboys just signed a FA corner and they probably won't give up number 14. The Bengals may want a corner, but would they give up pick 21? Maybe. Would the Steelers or Patriots do it? Maybe. But I feel like all of them would rather give up the second rounder for Cary - he had a great season last year, too.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

[quote name='Ravenstown52' timestamp='1331769094' post='1022245']
I bet you Ozzie is browsing the forums giggling.
[/quote]
I bet you Ozzie is browsing tape and stats to look for the next steal in this draft.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1331769085' post='1022244']
It would suck if the Patriots use their 1st Round Pick on Webb, however, we can try and negotiate to give up something instead of going into a Bidding War with them

Webb for Solder straight up!
[/quote]

I think it's more likely they give up one of their second rounders (they have 2) for Cary.

[Yatagarasu]

Steelers got no money!

Patriots have a lot of CBs, but Devin McCourty looks bad as a man cover corner.

Bengals have the 21st, but they better think carefully because they might land Jenkins or use it to get Webb. The 2013 CB Class sucks, so Bengals set themselves up for overpaying mediocre talents.
No one wants to give up a top 10 pick that easily.

[Yatagarasu]

It's better to lock Webb now because Bengals will get desperate in 2013 and will probably throw the bank at Webb ($12 Million) due to the lack of good corners in 2013.

[Purple Nurple]

This is the Ravens folks. Act like you've been here before!

[The Raven]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1331772339' post='1022324']
This is the Ravens folks. Act like you've been here before!
[/quote]

This. Why are people surprised and upset that we've been quiet?

[cobrajet]

If we get those deals done with Webb, Rice, and Flacco, I'll be happy. We have to resign Webb. I will be beside myself if someone steals him from us.

[Ravenslifer]

The Ravens are the type to find overlooked guys at the right price, then build through the draft. Besides, there's always someone who seems to be a training camp casualty that does a good job for us. I believe our all-time leading receiver Derrick Mason was such a casualty. 2010 when we brought in Houshmanzadeh, he was the same thing - I still think he didn't get enough PT. Helped us beat Pittsburgh though. I believe last year it was Bryant McKinnie - started every game for us at left tackle, didn't he?

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1331769085' post='1022244']
It would suck if the Patriots use their 1st Round Pick on Webb, however, we can try and negotiate to give up something instead of going into a Bidding War with them

[b]Webb for Solder straight up![/b]
[/quote]
you have to be kidding me.

[redrum52]

Usually make moves closer to the draft or after. Let things calm down then Ozzie sneaks through like Big Ben at spring break.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1331772339' post='1022324']
This is the Ravens folks. Act like you've been here before!
[/quote]

exactly!

anyone and everyone that has been a fan of this team and on these boards for any real length of time knows that our FO moves like turtles every free-agency period! they don't pull the trigger to quickly just because other teams are doing so. sometimes i wish they would though to put us out of misery of waiting. lol!

~Mili

[Blex64]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1331777595' post='1022453']

exactly!

anyone and everyone that has been a fan of this team and on these boards for any real length of time knows that our FO moves like turtles every free-agency period! they don't pull the trigger to quickly just because other teams are doing so. sometimes i wish they would though to put us out of misery of waiting. lol!

~Mili
[/quote]

I kind of wish we would, just because it makes FA more fun.

On the flip side, its not how we operate and its not the way to build a dynasty, so at heart I'm more then satisfied!

[GrimCoconut]

Yes, the Ravens are like our namesake--like the Raven, we sit & watch as the animals around us die, and then we pick apart what's good and leave the rest to rot. We let other teams go crazy & spend all their money to cut quality players that were expensive, and a lot of times those players still get paid by their other team. We sign those quality players knowing we can usually bring something out of them. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

Usually it does. This time, it will be no different. I predict the Ravens address OL in FA, and focus their draft towards a C, WR, LB (outside & inside), as well as safety & corner. I predict two WRs, one a PR/KR. One ILB & one OLB. I also predict a S/CB.

[The Raven]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1331778454' post='1022476']
Yes, the Ravens are like our namesake--like the Raven, we sit & watch as the animals around us die, and then we pick apart what's good and leave the rest to rot. We let other teams go crazy & spend all their money to cut quality players that were expensive, and a lot of times those players still get paid by their other team. We sign those quality players knowing we can usually bring something out of them. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

Usually it does. This time, it will be no different. I predict the Ravens address OL in FA, and focus their draft towards a C, WR, LB (outside & inside), as well as safety & corner. I predict two WRs, one a PR/KR. One ILB & one OLB. I also predict a S/CB.
[/quote]

I've never heard that odd comparison, but it certainly makes sense!

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1331767296' post='1022178']

be very hard to secure webb to anything less than 10-12 mil per year after eric wright an finnegan got like 50mil each for 5 year deals (ithink)
[/quote]


But at least, ernie, we now have the market set for Webb.

This makes it more likely that we either resign to lose Webb and gain that extra pick, or extend Webb.

[sflegend89]

I expected it.. just because last year was the same thing. We were very quiet at first.. It's frustrating as a fan but i trust Ozzie when he holds back during the first week of FA.