The Necessary Cuts

[codizzle]

35 days before we talk about this stuff..

Enjoy the SUPERBOWL WIN

[Raven Hammer]

IMO Everybody is sleeping on how important Kruger is. One of the reasons we got this is Kruger, He was ready to step in for JJ. To soon to know about Upshall. What the FO has to decide is if they want to make a run for back to back. If yes, then they can back load and restructure to sign what they want. If not, then Kurger McKinnie Williams and Boldin are all gone.

[ArmyRavensFan]

Not going to happen. He wants too much money and he earned his upcoming pay check. The Ravens have too much money invested in Suggs and just drafted Upshaw for the other side. With the money going to Flacco, he is the odd man out. While I wish he remained a Raven, I just do not see it happening. He earned his money and I wont begrudge him for taking it elsewhere. On that note, Thank you Paul for what you did this year to win this city a championship.

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1359962526' post='1343919']
BAL needs to retain Kruger, at the very least. He's one of the anchors of BAL's defense.
[/quote]

[ArmyRavensFan]

Exactely. Its less of a matter of who the Ravens are going to cut. Its more of a matter who the Ravens can afford to outbid in free agency. As a fan, I wish they all would come back. But as a realist, I know that is impossible.

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1359968760' post='1344049']
None of those players are under contract so none can be cut.
[/quote]

[ArmyRavensFan]

Just dont see how you can cut a key figure in the offense. When you invest 15 to 20 million a year in a QB, you are expecting the offense to be the reason for winning. While it may be difficult for Ravens Fans, the reality is that the defense is going to have to decline for the offense to get better.

[quote name='Raven Hammer' timestamp='1359978649' post='1344134']
IMO Everybody is sleeping on how important Kruger is. One of the reasons we got this is Kruger, He was ready to step in for JJ. To soon to know about Upshall. What the FO has to decide is if they want to make a run for back to back. If yes, then they can back load and restructure to sign what they want. If not, then Kurger McKinnie Williams and Boldin are all gone.
[/quote]

[ArmyRavensFan]

I think Ellerbe is the primary Defensive free agent that must be brought back. The others defensive FA already have replacements on the roster.

[quote name='redrum52' timestamp='1359970593' post='1344064']
Pitta will be tendered. There is enough cap to keep Pitta and Flacco. Most of the people you named though are FAs anyway. I say redo Boldin and Leach. Birk probably retires giving more cap space. Ellerbe needs to be brought back to me. I would restructure Suggs contract, but don't see it happening. Would also like to keep Kruger cause I've always thought he would be good, but he has earned himself a nice payday. This will be an interesting off season as far as personnel moves.
[/quote]

[Raven Hammer]

[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1359983233' post='1344185']
Just dont see how you can cut a key figure in the offense. When you invest 15 to 20 million a year in a QB, you are expecting the offense to be the reason for winning. While it may be difficult for Ravens Fans, the reality is that the defense is going to have to decline for the offense to get better.
[/quote]
Not saying that they should Just saying that the money for Joe has to come from somewhere. What I want to see is to try amd make a run at back to back. However if they do there,s a price to pay. ala Pittsburg

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1359968760' post='1344049']
None of those players are under contract so none can be cut.
[/quote]
You beat me to it. Well, sort of anyway. The Ravens will most likely tender all RFAs & ErFas. Now, as for the rest...

This list makes no sense. Most of these players are unrestricted free agents. That means they can sign anywhere. In case that is confusing, they have no contract. To be cut you have to have a contract.

Boldin, JJ, Williams, Birk, McClain, Leach are guys we could cut. Ngata & Suggs could be restructured. Birk, Boldin, Williams are all guys who could retire. We might even see Pollard restructured or Yanda, maybe even Webb--I doubt it, though.

[msufan]

The thing with our FO office is that if there was ever a team to spend a lot on a QB and not have a bunch of high paid support pieces it is us. Almost every player you named Ozzie can replace in the draft.

[The Raven]

Let's wait a few days bro!

[PuRock]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1359991085' post='1344405']
Let's wait a few days bro!
[/quote]

I'm with you.

But I just gotta say, Cary is walking the line.

[img]http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2013/2/3/19/anigif_enhanced-buzz-31162-1359938782-0.gif[/img]

[The Raven]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1359991524' post='1344415']
I'm with you.

But I just gotta say, Cary is walking the line.


[/quote]

I hate saying this the day after the biggest game of his life but I hope we don't resign him! He's runs his mouth way too much, he's always in the center of fights, and he's always causing trouble.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1359991710' post='1344429']
I hate saying this the day after the biggest game of his life but I hope we don't resign him! He's runs his mouth way too much, he's always in the center of fights, and he's always causing trouble.
[/quote]
Williams is a penalty flag waiting to happen. A time bomb. He reminds me of Talib & Cortland Finnegan. He's got a real attitude and it's not in a good way. He's gotten arrogant & really gets on my nerves with his mouth. I like him as a player. He's a good CB. With that said, I won't be sad to see him leave. He's really changed since last year.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='PolishRifle' timestamp='1359967201' post='1344019']
Our defense ran out of juice in the second half. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are not the huge difference makers anymore (Ed's pick was more on Kap then anyone). Our whole defense basically fell apart, when Ngata got injured. Suggs looked average as well, being outplayed by Kruger.
Most of our talent lies suddenly on our offense. Joe, Torrey, Boldin, Pitta (Seriously take his name off the potential cuts! That ridiculous!) or our OLine (can't believe I just typed it). Pierce and Rice (a fumble again?) had average to mixed performances though.
It's hard to predict, what the FO will need to do in the off-season, but I would assume some minor tweaks to the OL and some major drafting on defense.
I don't know, if we should resign Reed.
[/quote]

The defense fell apart once Ngata went down, because protections could slide over not worrying about doubling Ngata.

I will never say Kruger outplayed Suggs because its impossible Kruger is barely average versus the Run, and although he really stepped up as a pass rusher the second half of the year and playoffs that all coincides with Suggs return and Kruger becoming a strictly a pass rusher opposite of Suggs. So Kruger benefits from Suggs receiving so much attention, Kruger should occasionally win the one on ones he gets.

Suggs spent a lot of time yesterday in back side containment making sure that the play fakes to RBs or option for Kap didn't bounce outside to which ever side Suggs was on. Suggs can't just speed rush straight up field every play he has other defensive responsibilities.

Upshaw also had a solid game setting the edge, but once Ngata went out they gashed the middle then began to bounce outside on cutbacks.

[Purple_ICE 81]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1359962526' post='1343919']
BAL needs to retain Kruger, at the very least. He's one of the anchors of BAL's defense.
[/quote]
Theres no way. Adam Schefter reported we are already over the cap. So if we wanted to franchise Flacco @ $15M we would have to clear out 18M or so depending on how far we are over the cap limit BEFORE we could even sign him. We might lose Boldin, we might lose Ngata or Suggs, and its going to be hard to retain Reed, Kruger, Ellerbe, and those others we have. Its gonna be a rough offseason.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1359995928' post='1344593']
Theres no way. Adam Schefter reported we are already over the cap. So if we wanted to franchise Flacco @ $15M we would have to clear out 18M or so depending on how far we are over the cap limit BEFORE we could even sign him. We might lose Boldin, we might lose Ngata or Suggs, and its going to be hard to retain Reed, Kruger, Ellerbe, and those others we have. Its gonna be a rough offseason.
[/quote]
I really question Schefter's report. Regardless, you're right. We need to restructure/cut/retire players to be able to sign these FAs.

[Purple_ICE 81]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1359996009' post='1344598']
I really question Schefter's report. Regardless, you're right. We need to restructure/cut/retire players to be able to sign these FAs.
[/quote]
I always plan for the worse so in this case even if we are 1 dollar over the cap limit that means we have to free up 20 million and 1 dollar before thinking about signing Flacco. I doubt Flacco will get a long term deal, he will likely get the franchise tag.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1359996271' post='1344611']

I always plan for the worse so in this case even if we are 1 dollar over the cap limit that means we have to free up 20 million and 1 dollar before thinking about signing Flacco. I doubt Flacco will get a long term deal, he will likely get the franchise tag.
[/quote]
Really? I disagree. I think Flacco's deal gets done. I think he could get the tag, but I don't think he plays out the tag but that's a possibility.

[Purple_ICE 81]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1359999040' post='1344700']
Really? I disagree. I think Flacco's deal gets done. I think he could get the tag, but I don't think he plays out the tag but that's a possibility.
[/quote]
I mean Im going off the Schefter reports that we are over the cap ( though I hope we are'nt). If thats the case we would have to free up a ton of money in order to sign Flacco. We could sign him, but I have his projected base salary at $18M (thats what Peyton made last year). That would mean we would have to gut a lot of people before even signing him, or just sign him and have to clear up about $20M in debt. If the cap is @$110M like we all hope it is then that would put us only $7M over the cap upon signing Flacco's long term which is much better to work with.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1359991524' post='1344415']
I'm with you.

But I just gotta say, Cary is walking the line.

[img]http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2013/2/3/19/anigif_enhanced-buzz-31162-1359938782-0.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Surprised he didn't get ejected for that!

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1360000910' post='1344778']

I mean Im going off the Schefter reports that we are over the cap ( though I hope we are'nt). If thats the case we would have to free up a ton of money in order to sign Flacco. We could sign him, but I have his projected base salary at $18M (thats what Peyton made last year). That would mean we would have to gut a lot of people before even signing him, or just sign him and have to clear up about $20M in debt. If the cap is @$110M like we all hope it is then that would put us only $7M over the cap upon signing Flacco's long term which is much better to work with.
[/quote]he's wrong.

[redrum52]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1360003297' post='1344864']
he's wrong.
[/quote]

Yea, isn't the teams cap around 100-101 with the FAs we have? Also, doesn't that number involve Birk who will probably retire?

[Gordo52]

I really don't understand what the poll is asking.

[Purple_ICE 81]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1360003297' post='1344864']
he's wrong.
[/quote]
How do you know? , its not just him a few NFL network insiders have reported it. La Canfora has said the Ravens may start the offseason over the cap. I really dont care and hope they are all wrong, I just deem them more trust worthy. It seems like every year us fans think the cap situation is better than it really is, and only Ozzie Newsome knows the real situation...like I said in a previous post we will all find out in the state of the Ravens address in a week or 2.

[Alexir]

I said I would be fine if Ed Reed, Ed Dickson, Maake Kemouteau and Cary Williams didn't come back.

Can't afford Reed and he is at the end of his career.

Dickson is a back up.

Maake can't eat up blocks and gets tossed around like a ragdoll.

Cary we can't afford.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Good thing I am not a FO. Oz & our FO will get us back on track to becoming a dynasty team. Lets move forward!

[UxbridgeRaven]

With the salary floor coming in, I think it's going to hard to keep any of Cary Williams, Kruger, Ellerbe, McKinnie or Reed.

Of all of them Ellerbe is the one I'd be keenest to keep, and I think will probably end up with the fairest price.

[Ravens_fan]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1359960027' post='1343827']
Too soon Poe, too soon. All of these guys are SB winning Ravens. None of them deserve to be talked about getting cut tonight.
[/quote]

I agree but, I always look ahead. I'm worried, I hope the team can survive the transition. I wish all the guys could get paid more and get what they deserve. Being the superbowl champs surely teams will over pay some players that happen to fit well in our system and have chemistry on and off the field. But, yeah enjoy the win because it could be another 12 years.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1360003950' post='1344896']
I really don't understand what the poll is asking.
[/quote]

Who do you want the Ravens to part ways with in order to keep under the cap?

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1360006684' post='1344978']
I said I would be fine if Ed Reed, Ed Dickson, Maake Kemouteau and Cary Williams didn't come back.

Can't afford Reed and he is at the end of his career.

Dickson is a back up.

Maake can't eat up blocks and gets tossed around like a ragdoll.

Cary we can't afford.
[/quote]

Good selection! I think BAL will replace McKinnie with a draft pick, too.