Free Agents we can afford

[omar586]

Ozzie will have to replace at least 12 players that will be lost to FA/retirement/cuts. Cody is a bust

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='omar586' timestamp='1362200511' post='1374644']
Ozzie will have to replace at least 12 players that will be lost to FA/retirement/cuts. Cody is a bust
[/quote]
At least 7 will come from the draft....

And then there were five

[Ravensuperfan1]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1362197198' post='1374588']
I like the idea of bringing in Casey Hampton...first to annoy Steelers and second to push Cody and possibly help his development. plus he will be cheap
[/quote]

no Steelers. NO STEELERS! Hampton isn't even all that anymore.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='Bruce_Almty' timestamp='1362200028' post='1374635']

We picked up Kemo last year and he easily took Cody's job. Cody needs to get off the donuts and get on the treadmill.
[/quote]

Cory lost weight on offseason. He actually weigh in lower than Kemo. The problem is his skill is just not in par w/ NFL. He is another stud college product that wasnt meant to be in NFL. Time to move on and find another NT this year on draft. Hopefully we strike a bullseye this time.

[Ravensfan23]

As much as I hate the team, I wouldn't be surprised to see Max Starks be signed for a 2yr deal and allow a young guy to develop. I'm sure BMac is the first option but the Ravens won't wait on him. If he doesn't want the offer, Starks would be a nice replacement. Not great but a quality guy and at 31 he still has some years left.

Dare I say Casey Hampton could replace Kemo. I'd much much much rather have a young well rounded guy to plug in at NT. However if one can't be signed at a reasonable price, a guy like Casey Hampton could really help the run defense up the middle. He could also teach what young guy is added. He's 35 so that's not ideal, but he's still a option.

Ok don't beat me up too bad. Here are some non Steelers.

Dan Koppen is a guy who is familiar with the uptempo/no huddle shotgun offense. He's used to making the line calls and hving the game run at the LOS from his years with Brady and Peyton last year. He could provide a veteran presence and give Gino another pair of eyes during film study.

Richard Seymour would be a nice 1yr rental to rotate with Art. He's a guy that also knows what it takes to defend a Super Bowl. In fact all of these guy know what that's like.

[ravefan52]

I like Jean-Francois, Alan Branch and Roy Miller. OLB Victor Butler is a really interesting option too.

[Bruce_Almty]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1362208679' post='1374730']
Cory lost weight on offseason. He actually weigh in lower than Kemo. The problem is his skill is just not in par w/ NFL. He is another stud college product that wasnt meant to be in NFL. Time to move on and find another NT this year on draft. Hopefully we strike a bullseye this time.
[/quote]

Agree; I'm hoping for Jesse Williams, John Hankins, or Kawann Short. They seem to be available around 32.

[GrimCoconut]

For those mentioning Roy Miller, do you guys really think he can be a 3-4 NT? He looks limited to the 4-3 in my opinion. I just don't see him holding up the same in a 3-4.

[RavenzAllDay]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1362192295' post='1374465']

Yes, and if I'm correct, Jacoby also sucked and so did Pollard. Now look at us
[/quote]

Lol true.. Just sayin', for the right price i wouldnt be against it

[GrimCoconut]

While this may not be a popular opinion (and it may have already been mentioned; TL, DR) I would suggest John Abraham as a potential replacement for Kruger. He fits the mold: old vet who was cut who may have a year or two being a productive pass rusher, used in a rotation. I can really see us sign him, especially since he will not lose us any compensatory draft picks and shouldn't be all that expensive.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1362235747' post='1374874']
While this may not be a popular opinion (and it may have already been mentioned; TL, DR) I would suggest John Abraham as a potential replacement for Kruger. He fits the mold: old vet who was cut who may have a year or two being a productive pass rusher, used in a rotation. I can really see us sign him, especially since he will not lose us any compensatory draft picks and shouldn't be all that expensive.
[/quote]

For vet minimum he'd be a good fit. He had a good season last year in Atlanta. He could turn out to be like Trevor Pryce was for us in 2006.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1362236285' post='1374883']


For vet minimum he'd be a good fit. He had a good season last year in Atlanta. He could turn out to be like Trevor Pryce was for us in 2006.
[/quote]
We might not be able to sign him that cheap. As you said, he had a good season last year. I could see a 2M/yr deal for maybe two years. Perhaps 3M. That's pretty cheap for a pass rusher.

[Dubs]

Abraham is an interesting one as Grim said he may be too pricey, but he would be a good option.

On the Max Starks option do you think he will garner more or less or about the same as McKinnie in the open market - as I would prefer McKinnie...thoughts?

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1362237748' post='1374912']
Abraham is an interesting one as Grim said he may be too pricey, but he would be a good option.

On the Max Starks option do you think he will garner more or less or about the same as McKinnie in the open market - as I would prefer McKinnie...thoughts?
[/quote]
Mckinnie

[Dubs]

Do you think we will be able to afford McKinnie? I think we will all want him but will he be asking more than a guy like Starks?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1362237748' post='1374912']
Abraham is an interesting one as Grim said he may be too pricey, but he would be a good option.

On the Max Starks option do you think he will garner more or less or about the same as McKinnie in the open market - as I would prefer McKinnie...thoughts?
[/quote]
I think Starks will be cheaper and I don't think he's all that bad. Having KO next to him should help him a lot. I think with KO next to Starks he could be serviceable at least.

And Abraham, I don't know. You think 3M is expensive? It's not that much for a pass rusher. It really, really depends on his market. But I could see him come here, or possibly a Darryl Tapp-type of player. We normally look for cut veteran FAs, though. That seems to be Ozzie's forte.

[Bazooka Joe]

Connor Barwin is intriguing. He needs to get out of Watts shadow.

Hampton is not an upgrade. I say go young atDT"

[Dubs]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1362238270' post='1374921']
I think Starks will be cheaper and I don't think he's all that bad. Having KO next to him should help him a lot. I think with KO next to Starks he could be serviceable at least.

And Abraham, I don't know. You think 3M is expensive? It's not that much for a pass rusher. It really, really depends on his market. But I could see him come here, or possibly a Darryl Tapp-type of player. We normally look for cut veteran FAs, though. That seems to be Ozzie's forte.
[/quote]

For me it depends on seeing Flaccos contract, than getting Ellerbe - I am guessing at that point it may be tricky, I would rather the 3M+ go to Ed Reed than Abraham if I had a say...

[Gordo52]

I think Barwin will get more money somewhere else. But he is a former Texan, and we love former Texans.

I'm on board with signing Abraham or Seymour if they come cheap enough. I'd love to add another veteran, solid rotation guy. I think Seymours fire would re-kindle playing with us.

Maybe a Steve Breaston? Shaun Cody, Tavares Gooden comeback? ---Don't know exactly what their value is though.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1362240360' post='1374955']
For me it depends on seeing Flaccos contract, than getting Ellerbe - I am guessing at that point it may be tricky, I would rather the 3M+ go to Ed Reed than Abraham if I had a say...
[/quote]
I agree with you there. But let me make a point here: just because we sign Abraham to 3M doesn't mean we can't get Reed back. We could do a new deal with Boldin for another 2 years, which would make him a Raven for three more years.

In 2013, Anquan makes 6M in base salary and the final 1.5M of his signing bonus. You can't change the signing bonus as far as I know. But, you can take the 6M base salary and turn it into a signing bonus and split it into three years. Or, you could even see if he would take a pay cut to remain on the team after his recent comments.

But let's say, worst-case scenario, he wants his 6M. Okay, you give it to him in the form of a signing bonus. Split it into three years, which is 2M signing bonus each year (not bad). Give him a 2013 veteran minimum deal, which I believe is 1M. So, this would be his new deal:

Anquan Boldin, 3-year deal (2013, 2014, 2015)
2013: 1M base salary (vet minimum), 1.5M original signing bonus owed, 2M new signing bonus = 4.5M for a savings of 3 million.
2014: 2.5M base salary, 2M signing bonus = 4.5M cap hit.
2015: 4M base salary, 2M signing bonus = 6M cap hit.

You can cut/retire Boldin in the final year of his deal and only have to pay 2M in dead money, which isn't a lot at all.

Since we saved 3M on Anquan's deal, you sign Abraham to a 2-year, 7.5M deal max (incentives).
2013: 1.5M base with 2M signing bonus = 3.5M 2013 salary.
2014: 3M base salary, 2M signing bonus = 5M 2013 salary.

This is just an example, of course. But I think it shows a way we can create cap, remain competitive, and still not overspend. It all hinges on whether Abraham would take that kind of deal. In reality, his market could be a lot larger. But, I could see Ozzie make a move for him. He would provide a nice rotation for us.

[Bazooka Joe]

What about Aubreil Franklin DT? Would he be cheap? How old is he now?

Justin Bannan?

[Dubs]

Grim - I agree we can easily make cap space, but I really do hate the idea of restructuring and/or extending like Pittsburgh has...I think you are just asking for issues later. Plus next year we will have FA of Dennis Pitta, Michael Oher, Jacoby Jones, Corey Graham, Terrance Cody, Harewood, Ed Dickson, Arthur Jones...let alone Boldin and Leach (if not restructured or cut)..Next offseason is gonna be just as rough for getting cap so I really do not want to see us spreading any forward especially when there are some key young pieces who are going to be hitting their prime

I lean more to cheap, cheap guys or one year deals this offseason. I like the idea of Bannan or even his teammate Kevin Vickerson

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1362252384' post='1375125']
Grim - I agree we can easily make cap space, but I really do hate the idea of restructuring and/or extending like Pittsburgh has...I think you are just asking for issues later. Plus next year we will have FA of Dennis Pitta, Michael Oher, Jacoby Jones, Corey Graham, Terrance Cody, Harewood, Ed Dickson, Arthur Jones...let alone Boldin and Leach (if not restructured or cut)..Next offseason is gonna be just as rough for getting cap so I really do not want to see us spreading any forward especially when there are some key young pieces who are going to be hitting their prime

I lean more to cheap, cheap guys or one year deals this offseason. I like the idea of Bannan or even his teammate Kevin Vickerson
[/quote]
I understand and I am against it as well, but for Anquan Boldin? That's not really that bad, man. It's only one restructure and the proposal I showed you isn't really that bad of a proposal. It's not expensive or anything.

Bannan is a nice idea as well. Ideally, I want Dennis Pitta & Arthur Jones to have a deal now. That's what I would like to see. I think there's a chance we offer both of them an extension. Not sure both take it, though. I see a Webb & Williams situation there, you know, where two players are offered a deal.

I'm just saying that it's a Ravens-type move to sign some cheap vet who was cut from another team.

[akacrow]

A lot of the guys mentioned are going to stay with their original organizations. As for DT, Ozzie should be able to find a decent rotational player later in FA after the smoke clears.

My #1 question is does the FO re-sign McKinnie or do they consider the entire FA market and find a more stable and reliable left tackle?

At the moment I am intrigued by Sam Baker and Jake Long.

[Brandon22]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1362192295' post='1374465']
Yes, and if I'm correct, Jacoby also sucked and so did Pollard. Now look at us
[/quote]Teams Like Dallas, Detroit and Philadelphia are looking for a strong safety and Detroit and Philadelphia are looking for QB's to compete with theirs so lets see who would give us the best trade value for Taylor and Pollard [b]MAYBE A SECOND AND FOURTH Round Pick[/b]

[Brandon22]

[quote name='akacrow' timestamp='1362337165' post='1375884']
A lot of the guys mentioned are going to stay with their original organizations. As for DT, Ozzie should be able to find a decent rotational player later in FA after the smoke clears.

My #1 question is does the FO re-sign McKinnie or do they consider the entire FA market and find a more stable and reliable left tackle?

At the moment I am intrigued by Sam Baker and Jake Long.
[/quote]What about Andre Smith the free agent from the Bengals we could move him around to LT

[Brandon22]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1362238270' post='1374921']
I think Starks will be cheaper and I don't think he's all that bad. Having KO next to him should help him a lot. I think with KO next to Starks he could be serviceable at least.

And Abraham, I don't know. You think 3M is expensive? It's not that much for a pass rusher. It really, really depends on his market. But I could see him come here, or possibly a Darryl Tapp-type of player. We normally look for cut veteran FAs, though. That seems to be Ozzie's forte.
[/quote]Starks would be good but lets take a look at Smith First

[Brandon22]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1362242998' post='1374991']
I agree with you there. But let me make a point here: just because we sign Abraham to 3M doesn't mean we can't get Reed back. We could do a new deal with Boldin for another 2 years, which would make him a Raven for three more years.

In 2013, Anquan makes 6M in base salary and the final 1.5M of his signing bonus. You can't change the signing bonus as far as I know. But, you can take the 6M base salary and turn it into a signing bonus and split it into three years. Or, you could even see if he would take a pay cut to remain on the team after his recent comments.

But let's say, worst-case scenario, he wants his 6M. Okay, you give it to him in the form of a signing bonus. Split it into three years, which is 2M signing bonus each year (not bad). Give him a 2013 veteran minimum deal, which I believe is 1M. So, this would be his new deal:

Anquan Boldin, 3-year deal (2013, 2014, 2015)
2013: 1M base salary (vet minimum), 1.5M original signing bonus owed, 2M new signing bonus = 4.5M for a savings of 3 million.
2014: 2.5M base salary, 2M signing bonus = 4.5M cap hit.
2015: 4M base salary, 2M signing bonus = 6M cap hit.

You can cut/retire Boldin in the final year of his deal and only have to pay 2M in dead money, which isn't a lot at all.

Since we saved 3M on Anquan's deal, you sign Abraham to a 2-year, 7.5M deal max (incentives).
2013: 1.5M base with 2M signing bonus = 3.5M 2013 salary.
2014: 3M base salary, 2M signing bonus = 5M 2013 salary.

This is just an example, of course. But I think it shows a way we can create cap, remain competitive, and still not overspend. It all hinges on whether Abraham would take that kind of deal. In reality, his market could be a lot larger. But, I could see Ozzie make a move for him. He would provide a nice rotation for us.
[/quote]NO abraham doesn't need to be here he is good but does not fit our scheme well here

[cursona pirate]

Dude ill play for free. I want the back up punting job.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Brandon22' timestamp='1362338142' post='1375898']
NO abraham doesn't need to be here he is good but does not fit our scheme well here
[/quote]
We run a hybrid defense, lining up in the 3-4 & 4-3. I understand your point, but he would be a great situational pass rusher here opposite of Suggs. But I wouldn't break the bank for him either.