[News] Free Agency Rumor Mill

[Ravensfansince03]

C'mon man. Ellerbe is worth no 20 or 30 million dude. Im not saying he's a bad player, but i mean are we seriously going to pass up on getting a straight up brute type of linebacker from the draft. And it didn't really matter who we had playing linebacker because when your playing besides Ray Lewis it brings out the best in you. We need leaders like Suggs and Jarret Johnson type linebackers.

In my opinion it would be a finacially dumb move to pay Ellerbe that much money to stay.

[pitta88islove]

i want to go to the FO right now to start a picket line and hold up my placard sign to rally behind anquan! he's one of the biggest reasons why we won the super bowl!!!!!

[Ravensfansince03]

And yea. If we get rid of Boldin, I will be saddened. Not only because he is as mature and sure handed as recievers come, but also because he really wants to stay a Raven

[MissRay27]

Wizard please work out something w/Anquan. His replacement is not on the roster. Tandon is not ready yet. Joe desparately needs him, or overpaying for Joe will rear it's ugly head sooner than later because Joe will not be the same without him. And I do support Joe and know that he's our franchise qb. I will be right alongside pitta88islove with a placard supporting Let's Keep Anquan!!

[Aviano87]

Every year we hear about how great Ozzie and the front office are. But they have honestly dropped the ball on this one. This is total disrespect for the guy who helped you win the super bowl. I just find it hard to believe they couldn't work something out with Anquan? Reading that he had already prepared a statement thanking the fans of Bmore is truly disheartening. Looks like money trumps loyalty and performance once again. Wow, really disappointing to wake up here in Arizona and read about losing the heart and soul of your team. So this is what success brings???

[mettro79]

If Ellerbe keeps messing around he'll be added to that list of LBs that left us for the wrong reasons and have done nothing since.

[allraven52]

Q's a vet WR we need his leadership to turn Torrey Smith into what he did wit fitzgerald or better, the FO should let David Reid Go and T Cody to free up to sign kruger point blank

[Mad Scientist Too]

[quote name='pitta88islove' timestamp='1362840478' post='1382477']

how about if anquan agrees to take less and then joe flacco pays him the difference? )
seriously, i hope anquan boldin gets to stay. a solid team is the sum of all its players. anquan is definitely a very significant part of it.
[/quote]

I want Auquan to stay as munch as the next person. But Joe has already done his part by back-ending his contract so that that big money is in the last three years. The reality is Joe will probably never see the bulk of that money. After year 3 when the biggest part of the cap hit goes into effect the Ravens will either restructure Joe's contract or cut him. By agreeing to a cap friendly contract for the first 3 years Joe has done his part to help keep good players in Baltimore.

[choombatta]

@Aviano87: Restructuring Boldin's contract is -exactly- what would have to happen for him to stay here. His comments regarding his love for Baltimore and for the Ravens organization is the only thing that gives me some hope that he'd be willing to restructure. He is a very smart player and I can't imagine his comments about wanting to retire a Raven mean anything other than "I'm willing to (potentially) take a pay cut." The Ravens really have their backs against the wall though, and we're gonna take some serious hits regarding starting player personnel. Ozzie and Co. are going to have to really use their amazing scouting/creativity to keep this offensive core as strong as it was at season's end.

This time of year is always agonizing, and change is inevitable. Are we forgetting the past two off-seasons? Todd Heap? Gone. Willis McGahee? Gone. Kelly Gregg? Gone. Cory Redding? Gone. Just too name a few. The club took some necessary gambles and here we are Super Bowl CHAMPIONS. Keep heart, we have a LOT going for us.

[Mad Scientist Too]

[quote name='GangofRavens' timestamp='1362846902' post='1382553']
Joe's cap number for this year is $7million. That is 7 million to 123 million cap or 6% of the total cap. His contract is not hurting us this year and is not the main reason we are considering cutting Boldin.
[/quote]

THANK YOU!! I'm glad to see someone that has done there homework and has some sense.

[Rave_A_Holic]

I'm not qualified to speak intelligently about how the front office should cut and retain personnel. I'm just a fan, a die-hard fan born and raised in B more, but now residing in South Carolina because of my military service. A Boldin is nowhere near washed up and was definitely a key contributor to the Ravens SB run and victory. In my eyes, this guy is a beast and every effort should be made to keep him a Raven. Additionally, and my opinion only, the man should be rewarded. I hope he's back next season.

[GeeWallee]

Hope that Boldin and the Ravens can renegotiate his contract ! Just not a lot of wiggle room this year. This despite Flacco's signing, the 2 retirements and releasing Bobbie Williams. It's sad ,but it's true.....that we can't keep all of these guys. There are teams (like Cleveland) who have a good amount of money to spend. Would they not only be able to afford talented FAs ? They would sign away a few of our's in a heartbeat.

[teamrave222]

for this team to ask boldin to take a pay cut is unreal, i rather see ellerbe go than boldin, we can always draft a lb

[A Fish Called Yanda]

[quote name='teamrave222' timestamp='1362852203' post='1382666']
for this team to ask boldin to take a pay cut is unreal, i rather see ellerbe go than boldin, we can always draft a lb
[/quote]

I'm glad you don't make decisions for our team...

[CapoRocky]

From a business standpoint, I can see restructuring and reducing the cap number, but not releasing a veteran who was a key element of our Super Bowl run.

[teamrave222]

@terpsnation, im glad you only know about the terps, when did you gradute to the nfl?

[wmarkel]

I don't see how the rest of the players can sit back and ask to take a pay cut, when the front office just gave a player 120 Mill. Bolden was just as important as Flacco in the play offs and super bowl. Yes, Flacco threw the ball, but some one had to catch it and Bolden did just that.

[GeeWallee]

We as fans sometimes forget that this is a business. Although the fans fannies in the seats help fuel the business, it is still a business that cannot exceed a certain amount for it's employess ('nee players and employees).
No one wants to see Boldin go . No one wants to see Ed Reed or Ellerbe or Krugar sign elsewhere.
Unfortunately, it is not our call and it is not our money involved in these decisions , for the owner and the FO. It is also not our own fortunes , nor those of our families , involved in making these decisions.
We can only hope for the best and wish these guys well .....should they leave here. We should also note, that every one of these players calls himself "a Raven". That says a lot , right there.

[The Voice]

Raven Nation,

The person to blame is Ozzie and the front office!

The wizard drafts great!

Great drafts = late round gems!


Great draft late round Gems = incredible talent


Incredible talent = winning organization

Winning organization = Super Bowl Champions

Super Bowl Champions = great draft and late round talent wants Super pay raises!


So blame the Front Office!

[Aviano87]

Thanks for your response @choombatta. At the end of the day you are right. This is a highly emotional time and after finally reaching the pinnacle its tough to think about losing key parts of the team. Even after giving my opinion I guess all I can do is wait and hope for the best. Peace.

[pitta88islove]

[quote name='Mad Scientist Too' timestamp='1362850560' post='1382635']
I want Auquan to stay as munch as the next person. But Joe has already done his part by back-ending his contract so that that big money is in the last three years. The reality is Joe will probably never see the bulk of that money. After year 3 when the biggest part of the cap hit goes into effect the Ravens will either restructure Joe's contract or cut him. By agreeing to a cap friendly contract for the first 3 years Joe has done his part to help keep good players in Baltimore.
[/quote]

thank you for your insights! i do understand this and how joe's contract has indeed helped ease the cap. i guess it's such an emotional time for all of us ... and being a die-hard ravens fan, i'm desperately seeking of ways to keep the present team intact as long as possible. we all hope that everything will turn out for the best. in the meantime, we could all hope and keep the faith in our FO.

i'm still keeping my fingers and toes crossed that we still get to keep Q the beast!!

[sami]

People! Before you start crucifing anybody for what they've said or done remember this is the RUMOR MILL. These are just rumors and not facts. So dont get too excited or upset about what you read here.

[Stephenjr]

Something tells me Ozzie has something up his sleeve.With the way Joe's contract is structured we should be able to pay Q his money without a problem.This is either to keep Reed and ellerbe and Mckinnie or they are going to give Ellerbe a big contract.Personally I'd like to see Mcclain cut before losing Ellerbe.

[descent into the maelstrom]

That seems like such an insult to Boldin to ask him to take a pay cut. We may not have even made the Super Bowl without him. The thanks he gets? Pay cut or be cut. Such a shame.

[fpar]

Cut WR Doss and Dave Reed (not Ed) to keep Q. They've been pretty useless and hurt. Let Thompson and L Smith fill their spot. They have more promise. We've had a history of drafting sorry WR (Tory the only success). We've only gotten decent WR through Free Agency. He's the only physical WR we have.

[Dooley King]

Everyone loves Boldin. He's tough as nails and was awesome in the playoffs, but he's a slow receiver who's gonna be 33 next year. I hope he restructures and comes back to play the slot. He is a valuable leader and can still be a threat in the red zone. Regardless, the Ravens need to get better on the outside opposite Smith.

[Claire]

Boldin is a fan favorite. The guy is a true Raven. He even found a Ravens fan to give the football to after his 2nd touchdown against NE in the AFC championship game. Please find a way to keep him Oz!

[rmcjacket23]

USA Today reports Anquan Boldin has rejected the Ravens' proposed pay cut and is "preparing" for unrestricted free agency.
Talks are "ongoing" and the Ravens want Boldin back, but their initial offer clearly wasn't to his liking. Boldin stated after the season that he'd retire if Baltimore released him, but that's clearly not reality. Boldin is notoriously and bullish in opinions about his worth dating back to his Arizona days. "Once he's decided, you might as well try to move the Rock of Gibraltar," a source told USA Today. "I think he was trying to express loyalty to them," the source added of Boldin's retirement pledge. "I know that he's hoping to stay with them, but he's willing to go someplace else."

[jrs034]

Yeah I just heard that come on Q I thought it wasn't about money anymore I just hope he comes back or the Ravens find someone that can be just as productive

[pitta88islove]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/ravens/2013/03/09/anquan-boldin-rejects-ravens-offer-free-agency/1975345/