MERGED: "Feelings" on How Free Agency is Going So Far

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1332018218' post='1025835']
Feelings? How is this different from any other free agency over the past decade and a half? Like aside from Pollard, who did we sign in free agency last year? A left tackle cut from his team. Just like the year before when we signed a receiver the Seahawks had let go. And the year before when we signed Birk and KW. So we've made the playoffs 4 years in a row, and the Redskins who've signed Haynesworth and Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El and Donovan McNabb and Clinton Portis, etc. have made the playoffs how many times?
[/quote]

Give me our way of doing things. Now, if we lose Flacco, Rice, Webb, Ray, Reed, Ngata, or Torrey then you can have some concern.

But we lost guys that we already have replacements for and can be replaced in the draft.

And no, Preston, losing Jameel will not set us back. Ellerbe could do it. Josh Bynes. McClellan, or someone from the draft can easily replace Jameel. Even Vontaze could replace Jameel.

[The Raven]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1332018155' post='1025831']
We really need a hybrid pass rushing LB/DE type. I'm far less worried about a guard. Let's look forward 40 days to the draft.
[/quote]

Top 3 in sacks, but 16th overall offense... Great logic there.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1332019568' post='1025864']
[b]Top 3 in sacks[/b], but 16th overall offense... Great logic there.
[/quote]

And that was with the second and third-best pass rushers playing limited snaps.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1332018720' post='1025848']
Give me our way of doing things. Now, if we lose Flacco, Rice, Webb, Ray, Reed, Ngata, or Torrey then you can have some concern.

But we lost guys that we already have replacements for and can be replaced in the draft.

And no, Preston, losing Jameel will not set us back. Ellerbe could do it. Josh Bynes. McClellan, or someone from the draft can easily replace Jameel. Even Vontaze could replace Jameel.
[/quote]

Did you watch the Pats game? Ellerbe sucked bad. He got abused. We did much better on defense after McClain came in when Ellerbe got benched. Bynes? He hasn't proven anything other than playing well in one preseason game. McClellan? Easily replace him? If he could easily replace him, why did McClain start? Vontaze? Replace Jameel? Man, your post is a joke.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1332018720' post='1025848']
Give me our way of doing things. Now, if we lose Flacco, Rice, Webb, Ray, Reed, Ngata, or Torrey then you can have some concern.

But we lost guys that we already have replacements for and can be replaced in the draft.

[b]And no, Preston, losing Jameel will not set us back.[/b] Ellerbe could do it. Josh Bynes. McClellan, or someone from the draft can easily replace Jameel. Even Vontaze could replace Jameel.
[/quote]

I love that part of his article. As if Jameel wasn't a UFA who did nothing his first 2 years in the league. We're probably going to draft a ILB in the first 3 rounds anyway, and that guy might end up starting.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1332019871' post='1025874']

And that was with the second and third-best pass rushers playing limited snaps.
[/quote]

Hey, we should be first in sacks next year if we get someone to rush along side of Suggs. Too bad we can't afford Wimbley.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1332020142' post='1025881']
I love that part of his article. As if Jameel wasn't a UFA who did nothing his first 2 years in the league. We're probably going to draft a ILB in the first 3 rounds anyway, and that guy might end up starting.
[/quote]

Some fans seem to value Jameel more than others. But to be fair the guy, he did very well just to make the roster as a UDFA in the first place. He recorded 2.5 sacks (one being safeties), a blocked punt that also went for a safety his rookie year. And he was in the top-three in terms of special teams tackles those first two seasons.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1332020463' post='1025888']
Hey, we should be first in sacks next year if we get someone to rush along side of Suggs. Too bad we can't afford Wimbley.
[/quote]

That someone doesn't have to be an overpriced FA. More snaps for Kruger and McPhee, a healthier Haloti, and Kindle and/or a rookie would be fine.

[CapoRocky]

Kruger and McPhee made Redding and Johnson expendable.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1332020943' post='1025901']

That someone doesn't have to be an overpriced FA. More snaps for Kruger and McPhee, [b]a healthier Haloti[/b], and Kindle and/or a rookie would be fine.
[/quote]

What is the word on Ngata's health? I haven't read anything.

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1332020072' post='1025879']


Did you watch the Pats game? Ellerbe sucked bad. He got abused. We did much better on defense after McClain came in when Ellerbe got benched. Bynes? He hasn't proven anything other than playing well in one preseason game. McClellan? Easily replace him? If he could easily replace him, why did McClain start? Vontaze? Replace Jameel? Man, your post is a joke.
[/quote]

Once again, Ravin misses the point so he can be confrontational.

The point is JAMEAL who is an insider LB playing next to Ray can easily be replaced. How many times have we had this discussion? Everytime we lost a LB that played next to Ray, It's the same response: "losing (fill in the blank) will set us back.

Jamie Sharper, Ed Hartwell, Bart Scott, Jameel McClain. We lose them. We replace them. Top 3 defense. Never miss a beat. Oh, I meant, never miss a beet.

I'm not advocating anyone specifically, but making the point that whomever it is, he'll fill in and we won't miss a beat.

Get it now, Mr. Policeman?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1332021335' post='1025917']

What is the word on Ngata's health? I haven't read anything.
[/quote]

Me neither. Aarn Wilson claimed it was a thigh injury. There's been no word of surgery, so it's probably an injury that will simply heal with time.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1332020745' post='1025894']

Some fans seem to value Jameel more than others. But to be fair the guy, he did very well just to make the roster as a UDFA in the first place. He recorded 2.5 sacks (one being safeties), a blocked punt that also went for a safety his rookie year. And he was in the top-three in terms of special teams tackles those first two seasons.
[/quote]

Yeah he did well, but Preston makes it sound like he's irreplaceable. I mean really, it reminds me of everyone last year saying "Ozzie can't draft receivers" - we hadn't hit on a receiver prospect because from 2000-2010, we drafted 2 receivers in the first two rounds of the draft - Taylor and Clayton. Then we draft Torrey and it's like a surprise Ozzie actually hit on a prospect a lot of people thought highly of. Same with ILB - it's hard to find a good one when the only one we've drafted in the first 3 rounds since Ray Lewis was Tavares Gooden. All of our other linebackers over the years - AD, Jameel, etc, have been mid-round prospects at best. We've never actually tried drafting a Sean Weatherspoon or Brandon Spikes or someone like that early. As good as Jameel was, I feel that if we were to draft a guy like Hightower or even Mychael Kendricks, he could be even better because the talent is there. That's all I'm saying, that people are like "how can we find a guy to play next to Ray Lewis" and I feel like in the last 15 years, the FO hasn't really tried to. Same even with the QB situation - we only ever took 2 in the first round. We busted on Boller, hit on Flacco.

Again, not saying Jameel wasn't a good player, but I am saying that I'm banking on the FO drafting a guy early, and that his play will make everyone forget about Jameel.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1332023485' post='1025983']

Yeah he did well, but Preston makes it sound like he's irreplaceable. I mean really, it reminds me of everyone last year saying "Ozzie can't draft receivers" - we hadn't hit on a receiver prospect because from 2000-2010, we drafted 2 receivers in the first two rounds of the draft - Taylor and Clayton. Then we draft Torrey and it's like a surprise Ozzie actually hit on a prospect a lot of people thought highly of. Same with ILB - it's hard to find a good one when the only one we've drafted in the first 3 rounds since Ray Lewis was Tavares Gooden. All of our other linebackers over the years - AD, Jameel, etc, have been mid-round prospects at best. We've never actually tried drafting a Sean Weatherspoon or Brandon Spikes or someone like that early. As good as Jameel was, I feel that if we were to draft a guy like Hightower or even Mychael Kendricks, he could be even better because the talent is there. That's all I'm saying, that people are like "how can we find a guy to play next to Ray Lewis" and I feel like in the last 15 years, the FO hasn't really tried to.
[/quote]

Preston can exaggerates at times.

Couldn't agree more with your post.

[cbay52]

I will definitely be sad the day I see we lost McClain. But then again I was heartbroken when we lost Adalieus and when we lost Scott and now taking Johnsons loss pretty hard as well. I guess I've just got to have faith in the organization.

[Purple Punishment]

I saw the title of this topic and we can't have feelings on pretty much zero activity in Free Agency. We haven't landed anyone that was on our radar and we probably won't upgrade anything until the draft. It's sucked watching our guys get scooped up in free agency

[1/28/01]

We should sell the team to Alaska and call it quits. I love ladies field hockey. Gonna follow that now!

[Purple Nurple]

Lmao. I love the title of this thread now. The sky is not falling, friends. We are the Ravens.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1332032534' post='1026168']
We should sell the team to Alaska and call it quits. I love ladies field hockey. Gonna follow that now!
[/quote]

I don't have ESPN 8 "The Ocho". Where do I go to watch ladies field hockey?

[Ravenslifer]

BTW, anybody who thinks that adding free agents is the key to NFL success should read this article, or better yet just look at the table it has.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/03/nfls_track_record_on_building.html

Notice that the teams at the top of the list are mostly perennial bottom-feeders. Out of curiosity, I wonder how many of those free agents New England signed after 2004 (its last Superbowl victory)? I remember 2007 alone they signed 3 wide receivers and AD, probably more guys I can't think of.

[lowrider]

Love the doubt and the doom and gloom talk. I have a trade up for an o-linemen is for our first round pick then linebackers/ safety/ wide receiver will be taken care of through cuts and later rounds. But the Ravens refuse to overpay. Consistency comes through a strong team, not one individual player. As the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins have found out the past couple years.

[ravensdfan]

"Feelings...ooooo ooooo oh feelings..."

I'm getting a tad annoyed at those saying "we do this every year, everyone's an idiot for worrying"

We do not lose 5 starters to FA every year. Plus our depth at Safety.

There is just...something wrong here, and I mean HERE in Baltimore. Six Steelers are restructuring their contracts for the 2nd and 3rd times just to give them cap room and Grubbs dumps us for what equates to $3mil and a signing bonus. Other players around the league have done the same time and again for their teams and we can't get one hometown discount or incentive driven or back loaded contract to any of our own FAs? What gives?

We don't have the guys in house to replace everyone we've lost. We now have no Safety depth. We need a Center. McPhee I think will be alright and Kruger has potential. We do not even have a G on the roster to replace Grubbs and Mathis played us. Kindle...let's not even go there. Right now we can't count on Kindle to fill any hole at all. Jones...we just don't know because he hasn't played enough. Our line absolutely was crap when Grubbs was out proving you can't just put any "body" in there and be alright.

Yes, I'm nervous. No I'm not mad at the players really (though Grubbs kind of ticked me off) nor the FO because I don't really see a whole lot of options for them. I am however, realistic in my expectations for this team with the schedule we have and the number of changes and young guys we will be forced to play in the trenches.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1332067129' post='1026452']
"Feelings...ooooo ooooo oh feelings..."

I'm getting a tad annoyed at those saying "we do this every year, everyone's an idiot for worrying"

We do not lose 5 starters to FA every year. Plus our depth at Safety.

There is just...something wrong here, and I mean HERE in Baltimore. Six Steelers are restructuring their contracts for the 2nd and 3rd times just to give them cap room and Grubbs dumps us for what equates to $3mil and a signing bonus. Other players around the league have done the same time and again for their teams and we can't get one hometown discount or incentive driven or back loaded contract to any of our own FAs? What gives?

We don't have the guys in house to replace everyone we've lost. We now have no Safety depth. We need a Center. McPhee I think will be alright and Kruger has potential. We do not even have a G on the roster to replace Grubbs and Mathis played us. Kindle...let's not even go there. Right now we can't count on Kindle to fill any hole at all. Jones...we just don't know because he hasn't played enough. Our line absolutely was crap when Grubbs was out proving you can't just put any "body" in there and be alright.

Yes, I'm nervous. No I'm not mad at the players really (though Grubbs kind of ticked me off) nor the FO because I don't really see a whole lot of options for them. I am however, realistic in my expectations for this team with the schedule we have and the number of changes and young guys we will be forced to play in the trenches.
[/quote]

This has happened before. After the 2008 season, we lost Bart Scott (starter), Jason Brown (starter), Lorenzo Neal (not a starter but a devestating blocking fullback), Jim Leonhard (started 13 games), Samari Rolle (starter), and probably others who were depth players. That's 4 starters and lots of other good players. We still made the playoffs, even though our quarterback was too injured to do anything in the playoffs, and we still won a playoff game. Yes we have a lot of holes, but so do most other teams.

I'm really not worried at all - losing starters happens every year, maybe not to this degree, but even this degree has happened before. And we are always fine. I'm not worried about the defense at all - the only place I have an issue with is the offensive line, and I have a feeling 2-3 guys who are expected to start will be brought in. No different from earlier in the season when we had McKinnie, Gurode, Levoir, etc. - it wasn't pretty, but by the end of the season things straightened out a bit. We all need to worry about the players that are here - I'm more worried about retaining Webb and Williams than anything else. At the end of the day, though, what can we do - the front office offered Grubbs a lot of money, they offered Mathis "a nice deal", but those guys decided they want to play elsewhere. It's not like the F.O. didn't plan for those scenarios. And things always work themselves out - like how we picked up McKinnie last summer.

[dhstandard]

The biggest issue I always come across during free agency is the cap and the loss of players. But this doesn't generally make us a worse team. Yes, we lost some key parts of our offense, but each year our players improve. Look at this,

Webb
Jimmy Smith
Cary
Ray Rice
McPhee
Cody
Kruger
Sergio
Maybe even Ngata and Sizz, will get more experience and be better. Most of these guys are young and will have significant improvement for some, and minor improvement for others.

Also we can't forget about the offense, Joe and Torrey will be better. What about our tight ends? They are only on year 2. The only trouble I really see is the O-Line and the receivers. But for the receiver aspect, that will greatly depends on Joe's improvement and which ever guy we pick up.

Let's not forget our project players, I won't mention them all but we will see some improvement...




And these guys who are big spenders, remember the bills who just signed there big name defensive player for around 96 million....well we had the DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR on our team for less money. These guys with amazing cap room, they don't have their Ngatas and Suggs and Webbs and Joes and Ray Rices. They are just getting these guys...remember Philly's free agency last year? That isn't a fluke, that happens every year.



Also lets remember that Boldin Ray and Ed are taking up a huge amount of cap space. Boldin and Eds' contracts are up and they will have some possible resigning, retirement and w.e...also the cap is expected to rise exponentially in these coming year and a lot of these teams are putting there money there.

I respect Ozzie and Co. not to spend money they aren't sure about yet. We could put these back-end conracts on plaers to fill holes now, but those holes later may prove to be minor compared to something new and we won't have the space to fill it. In these next few years, this team will probably still be a yearly playoff contender and we will have an extraordinary amount of cap space compared to the ability of our team.

[Kwothdaraven]

Here what i think:

Redding: mcphee showed that he can be a qb nightmare. Much more of a sack threat than cory. No loss here. Upgrade imo

JJ: hes older now and clearly lost a step. He wasnt much of a pass rusher last year and can be replaced. Imo the ravens should go after kameron whimbley. But i also feel kindle could be a pleasant surprise.

Grubbs: this one hurts but guard is the easiest ol position to replace. He wasnt worth the price. Id like to see oher moved there

Mcclain: id like to keep him but honestly the ravebs could draft a ilb in the middle rounds and have him fill in. We have been filling in ufas for years next to ray and all have done a good job.

I think the first 2rounds of the draft should include a WR and a OL/olb. If konz is there take him. If floyd is there take him.

The ideal draft for us would be konz in the first and alshon jeffery in the 2nd

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1331838998' post='1023322']
To the Ravens fans freaking out because the Ravens aren't making any moves, relax! Look at our past history, we rarely jump into free agency and start spending big money. Why ? Because we try to keep our own players and as you can see it's tough enough to do that.

We want to sign Webb to a long term deal, maybe Cary Williams too...plus we need to try to retain Jameel McClain or if he signs with another team we will eventually sign some 2nd tier guys or maybe some veterans who have been cut by teams to get under the salary cap.

The Ravens draft so well that are cap is always towards the max just trying to keep our own players. Every year we end up losing guys we think we must have and every year Ozzie brings in a few players like Bernard Pollard and Cory Redding, McKinnie, and they end up playing very well for us.

The main thing is getting the OL retooled, Ozzie and the front office have their board of free agents, they know what they are doing. We aren't Tampa Bay who can spend 30 million(against the cap) for 3 players. We will spend every dime we can but don't freak out...the Ravens are keeping to their normal ways of operation.

Which is just fine with me, you can't pay everyone. I really want to see Webb be a Raven for the long term, if that means we can't sign Grubbs and Yanda to big deals thats fine with me. Ozzie will find someone cheaper to plug in that plays just as well or we will spend a few picks in the draft on the OL and probably LB/DE.
[/quote]

Agreed & well said. These boards are getting harder and harder to tolerate.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1332090139' post='1026660']
The biggest issue I always come across during free agency is the cap and the loss of players. But this doesn't generally make us a worse team. Yes, we lost some key parts of our offense, but each year our players improve. Look at this,

Webb
Jimmy Smith
Cary
Ray Rice
McPhee
Cody
Kruger
Sergio
Maybe even Ngata and Sizz, will get more experience and be better. Most of these guys are young and will have significant improvement for some, and minor improvement for others.

Also we can't forget about the offense, Joe and Torrey will be better. What about our tight ends? They are only on year 2. The only trouble I really see is the O-Line and the receivers. But for the receiver aspect, that will greatly depends on Joe's improvement and which ever guy we pick up.

Let's not forget our project players, I won't mention them all but we will see some improvement...




And these guys who are big spenders, remember the bills who just signed there big name defensive player for around 96 million....well we had the DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR on our team for less money. These guys with amazing cap room, they don't have their Ngatas and Suggs and Webbs and Joes and Ray Rices. They are just getting these guys...remember Philly's free agency last year? That isn't a fluke, that happens every year.



Also lets remember that Boldin Ray and Ed are taking up a huge amount of cap space. [b]Boldin[/b] and Eds' contracts are up and they will have some possible resigning, retirement and w.e...also the cap is expected to rise exponentially in these coming year and a lot of these teams are putting there money there.

I respect Ozzie and Co. not to spend money they aren't sure about yet. We could put these back-end conracts on plaers to fill holes now, but those holes later may prove to be minor compared to something new and we won't have the space to fill it. In these next few years, this team will probably still be a yearly playoff contender and we will have an extraordinary amount of cap space compared to the ability of our team.
[/quote]

I think Boldin is here through the 2013 season - he had 1 year left on his original deal with Arizona, then signed a 3-year extension. But I agree with what you're saying - soon there will be money coming off the books, good or bad, and we will be able to spend more if we want to.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Kwothdaraven' timestamp='1332091319' post='1026689']
Here what i think:

Redding: mcphee showed that he can be a qb nightmare. Much more of a sack threat than cory. No loss here. Upgrade imo

JJ: hes older now and clearly lost a step. He wasnt much of a pass rusher last year and can be replaced. Imo the ravens should go after kameron whimbley. But i also feel kindle could be a pleasant surprise.

Grubbs: this one hurts but guard is the easiest ol position to replace. He wasnt worth the price. Id like to see oher moved there

Mcclain: id like to keep him but honestly the ravebs could draft a ilb in the middle rounds and have him fill in. We have been filling in ufas for years next to ray and all have done a good job.

I think the first 2rounds of the draft should include a WR and a OL/olb. If konz is there take him. If floyd is there take him.

The ideal draft for us would be konz in the first and alshon jeffery in the 2nd
[/quote]

I think the FO might try to go for an ILB early (rounds 1-3) this year. Only because I believe Ozzie hinted at doing so. But he also said he wants to upgrade at WR, OL, and get another pass rusher, so I don't know what he will ultimately do - but it wouldn't shock me if a guy like Donte Hightower was there in the first, if we picked him over Konz.

[Blex64]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1332067129' post='1026452']
"Feelings...ooooo ooooo oh feelings..."

I'm getting a tad annoyed at those saying "we do this every year, everyone's an idiot for worrying"

We do not lose 5 starters to FA every year. Plus our depth at Safety.

There is just...something wrong here, and I mean HERE in Baltimore. Six Steelers are restructuring their contracts for the 2nd and 3rd times just to give them cap room and Grubbs dumps us for what equates to $3mil and a signing bonus. Other players around the league have done the same time and again for their teams and we can't get one hometown discount or incentive driven or back loaded contract to any of our own FAs? What gives?

We don't have the guys in house to replace everyone we've lost. We now have no Safety depth. We need a Center. McPhee I think will be alright and Kruger has potential. We do not even have a G on the roster to replace Grubbs and Mathis played us. Kindle...let's not even go there. Right now we can't count on Kindle to fill any hole at all. Jones...we just don't know because he hasn't played enough. Our line absolutely was crap when Grubbs was out proving you can't just put any "body" in there and be alright.

Yes, I'm nervous. No I'm not mad at the players really (though Grubbs kind of ticked me off) nor the FO because I don't really see a whole lot of options for them. I am however, realistic in my expectations for this team with the schedule we have and the number of changes and young guys we will be forced to play in the trenches.
[/quote]

McPhee was the most efficient pass rusher in the league last year, in terms of rushing snaps vs pressure generated. The entire league.

We do do this every year. Off the top of my head, last year we lost Mason, Heap, McGahee, Gregg, Landry, Wilson, Chester, and Cousins. That's a mix of backups and starters, but its still more then we've lost this year.

We need a center, but not a starting one. Kruger looks like he may be growing into the second round pick we spent on him. He's certainly going to generate more pressure then JJ did. Still don't know why you're freaking out.

[codizzle]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1332032534' post='1026168']
We should sell the team to Alaska and call it quits. I love ladies field hockey. Gonna follow that now!
[/quote]
I'm in.. That sport makes absolutely no sense though but who cares