What is your Worse case for our Cap next season

[The Raven]

[quote name='redlobster' timestamp='1356037698' post='1272017']
the issue I see, is if he is restructured doesn't that just move the cap hit to next year instead of this year?
[/quote]

Yes. Let me correct myself; we should give him a pay cut, not restructure.

[redlobster]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1356037811' post='1272018']
Yes. Let me correct myself; we should give him a pay cut, not restructure.
[/quote]

Makes more sense to me then although I would still prefer a younger body or rookie to get out there and get thrown in the fire immediately.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

[quote name='GTRavens' timestamp='1356036122' post='1271997']
Where are you getting 3-4 years from? Teams have made massive leaps in single seasons before. People said the same thing after 2007, yet we vaulted back into Super Bowl contention immediately.
[/quote]

Thats true but we will need more pieces as soon as we lose players so even if we get them in the draft for next season it will be another year or two to develop them so i was thinking next year we will get new rookies and by 2014 they will have a full year in the league barring injuries or set backs so ok 2 years at best case. We still have guys now that are 2 years in and are not anywhere near their expected talent levels that is why i said 3 to 4

[frank21054]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1356033793' post='1271938']
Here's a great rundown on our cap situation:

[url="http://russellstreetreport.com/ravens-2013-free-agency-preview/"]http://russellstreet...agency-preview/[/url]
[/quote]

What they miss is Rice has a $7 million dollar roster bonus

[rmw10]

Here's another link that includes bonuses:

http://russellstreetreport.com/salary-cap/2013-ravens-salary-cap/

[gabefergy]

[quote name='frank21054' timestamp='1356041799' post='1272093']
What they miss is Rice has a $7 million dollar roster bonus
[/quote]

If you click on the link to the salary cap spreadsheet, it shows that the pro-rated bonus cap hits as well as dead money from terminated contracts. They are all included in the 106M that the Ravens have towards the cap.

[gabefergy]

If Ray retires, Boldin gets cut, Jacoby gets cut, and Birk retires, just those 4 alone frees up 18M in cap space.

I dont think Jacoby will be cut, but he might have to restructure into a longer deal if he wants to remain a Raven. Boldin is as good as gone IMO. He could take a pay cut but you can't pay a guy who gets you 60 catches for 900 yards 7.5M. Is he really going to get better? Doubtful.

Leach is the other guy who might be on his way out. Great player, but he is playing a position that offers minimal value. Cutting Leach saves another 3M.

[frank21054]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1356043415' post='1272126']
If you click on the link to the salary cap spreadsheet, it shows that the pro-rated bonus cap hits as well as dead money from terminated contracts. They are all included in the 106M that the Ravens have towards the cap.
[/quote]

Thanks

[gabefergy]

I'm starting to have fun with this haha. So let's say the above moves do happen and lets say instead of Franchising Flacco they agree to a long term deal at 14M/year over 7 years. The contract can be constructed so the cap hit for next season is only ion the 9-10M range.

That would put us at 95M towards the salary cap after signing Flacco. Lets say we need another 5M for rookies and low round tenders EFRA tenders.

That leaves roughly 20-25M in cap room depending on specifics of the cap and salaries.

What should we do with that money? RFAs that need to be signed IMO are Pitta (2M), Jones (2M), Maybe Dickson but at lower tender (1M).

So that leaves 20M to sign our UFAs and whatever Free Agents are out there on the open market. IMO Ellerbe and Kruger are the two UFAs that need to be brought back. I think we can sign both to 3-4 year contracts making with Ellerbe making 3-4M and Kruger 4-6M per year. So lets say that costs 9M towards the cap.

That leaves roughly 11M in cap space. Could that potentially go towards a Franchise LT? Or how about a servicable LT and a free agent WR? Maybe there is DT or veteran safety on the market that could be had on the cheap.

Obviously all the numbers I'm throwing out there are hypothetical and rough estimates, but there is potential to make some interesting moves in free agency to improve this team.

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1356024773' post='1271740']
I think Ray retires. Reed retires or moves on. Boldin is most likely gone unless he takes a big pay cut. Birk likely retires. Mckinnie, Williams, Kemo, Considine all gone. Cody and Oher will likely be trade bait. The Ravens need to get younger and get better at a few key spots.
[/quote]
Wishful thinking with Ray and Birk.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Sizzlebshu' timestamp='1356044565' post='1272140']
Wishful thinking with Ray and Birk.
[/quote]
Why? I dont think there is much chance that Birk plays next season. Ray Lewis I would think is 50-50 at this point, but the team may actually nudge him towards retirement.

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1356044684' post='1272141']
Why? I dont think there is much chance that Birk plays next season. Ray Lewis I would think is 50-50 at this point, but the team may actually nudge him towards retirement.
[/quote]
Birk signed a 2-year deal. That kind of contract is just short enough to suggest to me that Birk intends to play it out.

As for Ray, I cant imagine him going out like this. Its just not his style and its not congruent with his personality. Plus with 6 million coming his way next season, all the more incentive.

[rmw10]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1356043667' post='1272130']
If Ray retires, Boldin gets cut, Jacoby gets cut, and Birk retires, just those 4 alone frees up 18M in cap space.

I dont think Jacoby will be cut, but he might have to restructure into a longer deal if he wants to remain a Raven. Boldin is as good as gone IMO. He could take a pay cut but you can't pay a guy who gets you 60 catches for 900 yards 7.5M. Is he really going to get better? Doubtful.

Leach is the other guy who might be on his way out. Great player, but he is playing a position that offers minimal value. Cutting Leach saves another 3M.
[/quote]

I think both Jacoby and Leach get extensions to reduce their cap number. Leach only has a year left, and with the Ravens being one of the only teams to use a true FB nowadays, I think he'll stay.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Sizzlebshu' timestamp='1356045403' post='1272145']
Birk signed a 2-year deal. That kind of contract is just short enough to suggest to me that Birk intends to play it out.

As for Ray, I cant imagine him going out like this. Its just not his style and its not congruent with his personality. Plus with 6 million coming his way next season, all the more incentive.
[/quote]
Birk has been talking about retirement for 2 straight seasons now, and the way his deal was worked he will not have a big cap hit if he were to retire.

As for Ray, he may not want to go out this way, but he might not have the option to decide that for himself. He is simply owed too much money and his play has declined to a point where it is just bad business to pay him 7M+.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1356046215' post='1272150']
I think both Jacoby and Leach get extensions to reduce their cap number. Leach only has a year left, and with the Ravens being one of the only teams to use a true FB nowadays, I think he'll stay.
[/quote]

I think it depends on who the Ravens bring in to be OC.

[bauer77]

No idea why people keep saying McClain will be cut. Yeah he's been disappointing this year, but with Ray probably retiring, and i don't see BA coming back. That leaves us with Ellerbe (if re-signed again) and Bynes (Exclusive rights FA). We won't be able to afford any FA's, so that leaves us to drafting one. I doubt McClain will be cut.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1356047245' post='1272165']
No idea why people keep saying McClain will be cut. Yeah he's been disappointing this year, but with Ray probably retiring, and i don't see BA coming back. That leaves us with Ellerbe (if re-signed again) and Bynes (if he's re-signed as well). We won't be able to afford any FA's, so that leaves us to drafting one. I doubt McClain will be cut.
[/quote]because he doesn't play at al level equal to his contract. Paying guys like that is bad business.

[bauer77]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1356047381' post='1272167']
because he doesn't play at al level equal to his contract. Paying guys like that is bad business.
[/quote]

Yes but would you really feel confident in some rookie coming in and playing better than him? Cause i wouldn't.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1356047444' post='1272169']
Yes but would you really feel confident in some rookie coming in and playing better than him? Cause i wouldn't.
[/quote]

I would; I could even see a late-round rookie outplaying him. He contributes virtually no splash plays and he's missed a boatload of tackles this year. Maybe the ideal hasn't been there but the organization has put off drafting an ILB for too long.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1356047245' post='1272165']
No idea why people keep saying McClain will be cut. Yeah he's been disappointing this year, but with Ray probably retiring, and i don't see BA coming back. That leaves us with Ellerbe (if re-signed again) and Bynes (Exclusive rights FA). We won't be able to afford any FA's, so that leaves us to drafting one. I doubt McClain will be cut.
[/quote]

I think BA does come back. He is under contract for cheap, and he is a servicable back-up and strong ST player. If it came down to choosing between Ellerbe and McClain, I would take Ellerbe every day of the week. Jameel may be a good locker room guy and he has a nice story, but did anybody really notice his absence the past couple weeks? He just doesnt make impact plays gainst the run and he struggles in coverage to boot.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1356047444' post='1272169']


Yes but would you really feel confident in some rookie coming in and playing better than him? Cause i wouldn't.
[/quote]yes and I could name you three or four I'd take In a heartbeat to start alongside ellerbe. Arthur brown, Alex ogletree, Kevin minter, Gerald hodges.

[baltravens]

Most of us fans here know what is going on in terms of the salary cap next year. Flacco does not deserve more than 14 mil./yr. because he has proven he is not elite. The jury is still out on Joe in 2012 because he could finish strong or have very good games in the playoffs.
I am not concerned because Boldin will take a little less to remain a Raven. So, just keep football players or those who do not go down consistently with injuries.
The big issue for me is the decline in our drafting, thus not acquiring players who are strong NFL-caliber and that contribute to the Ravens consistently winning games. Lastly, we will all see who Biscotti hires to script and orchestrate what we do on the offensive side of the ball. My vote is for Norv Turner if he is available.