Next Free Agency Move

[WinnipegRaven]

My dream scenario entailed Boldin returning from Africa and wanting to somehow stay put - fail a physical will suffice ;P

Somehow pull Dummervil out of a hat - CHECK

Get Huff

[gabefergy]

McKinnie, Dansby, and Huff. In that order. I would be happy if we signed one, if we could grab 2 I would be ecstatic.

[Sizzlebshu]

How about resigning our own guys to long term deals before we go after any more FA? Dumervil was a special exception, but really we should be looking to sign Pitta, Jones, Jones, and Oher to long term deals now.

[Flacco2Mason]

We definitely should ink Pitta, Oher, Jones, and Jones to log term deals. I think Dansby would be a addition for the right price too but I'm curious what other free agent ILB's are available. And I think if we need to trade a few of our picks to move up and take Matt Elam we definitely should because I don't see him falling to 32.

[WinnipegRaven]

I know its gonna sound selfish, but locking up Jacoby for ATLEAST 2 years is my preference out of the above options.... kid catches lightning in a bottle on the reg.

[ClintLB8]

I will kept saying this until I see something else happen.. I think the Ravens are waiting on Rolando McClain to be released before signing him to a low paying contract and having him compete at MIKE. You can mask his pass coverage problems a lot better in a 3-4 than you can in a 4-3 and he is not a sideline to sideline 4-3 linebacker at 6-4 259 but rather a thumper in a 3-4. I believe he fits and will be the guy who is brought in. I seriously see the Ravens signing him as our MIKE and drafting someone to be our will. I don't think Ogletree fits great in a 3-4, but as a WILL I don't think he'd be bad. Especially with the DL and OLBs we will be surrounding him with.

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1364193959' post='1414477']
I will kept saying this until I see something else happen.. I think the Ravens are waiting on Rolando McClain to be released before signing him to a low paying contract and having him compete at MIKE. You can mask his pass coverage problems a lot better in a 3-4 than you can in a 4-3 and he is not a sideline to sideline 4-3 linebacker at 6-4 259 but rather a thumper in a 3-4. I believe he fits and will be the guy who is brought in. I seriously see the Ravens signing him as our MIKE and drafting someone to be our will. I don't think Ogletree fits great in a 3-4, but as a WILL I don't think he'd be bad. Especially with the DL and OLBs we will be surrounding him with.
[/quote]

McClain or Dansby, personal preference?

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' timestamp='1364194373' post='1414482']


McClain or Dansby, personal preference?
[/quote]

McClain.. Younger and we don't even know what the guy can do when you put him in a defense that fits his talents. Terrible terrible off the field issues that could be a huge problem.. But if he could get his life together then I honestly think he'd be a Pro Bowler still. He lost all motivation in Oakland. Surrounding him with players that he is familiar with like Courtney Upshaw and Terrance Cody because they played for the NC together at Bama in 2009, I think he could get turned around. Playing for a competitive team will help him.. He is very immature but maybe that will come with age like it did with Ray Lewis or Pacman Jones.

[WinnipegRaven]

Given his "character" issues I'd assume it's a long shot we'd get him... "right player, right price".... if he's got off-field issues I'd assume he'd have to come mighty cheap to even get the twice-over...

I love the fact that players around the NFL realize spending a couple years with the Ravens does nothing but increase your market value - or kill it should you not be willing to try to refine your craft.

Apparently Kruger is worth more than Dummervil - did you guys hear?!?!?!? lol

P.S - My preference would be Dansby. Solid, consistent, tackle machine who was already treated like the greatest defensive commodity since Ray Lewis. He's been bumped right off the radar and has a chip on his shoulder which we could hopefully cheaply remove.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' timestamp='1364195494' post='1414492']
Given his "character" issues I'd assume it's a long shot we'd get him... "right player, right price".... if he's got off-field issues I'd assume he'd have to come mighty cheap to even get the twice-over...

I love the fact that players around the NFL realize spending a couple years with the Ravens does nothing but increase your market value - or kill it should you not be willing to try to refine your craft.

Apparently Kruger is worth more than Dummervil - did you guys hear?!?!?!? lol

P.S - My preference would be Dansby. Solid, consistent, tackle machine who was already treated like the greatest defensive commodity since Ray Lewis. He's been bumped right off the radar and has a chip on his shoulder which we could hopefully cheaply remove.
[/quote]

Fair analysis and argument regarding Dansby but I just have a hunch with Rolando. I feel like Dansby would've already come up on the Ravens radar if he was the guy. I wouldn't mind signing him but I just keep coming back to Rolando. There were no efforts on the Ravens front when Ray Lewis retired, Jameel McClain had a major back injury, and Dannell Ellerbe jumps ship to Miami. That leads me to believe 1 of 2 things.. either they have a target near the top of the draft to fill the void or they are holding out on Rolando and waiting for him to be released. I seriously think Rolando McClain will be wearing a Ravens uniform in the fall of 2013. Whether or not he will still be wearing it in January of 2014 remains to be seen.

[CalvinSmoke]

I think we lay low for a little bit. Wait for the next group of surprising cuts. We need to have enough money to pounce when these things happen.

[T-ray]

Rolando McClain?? Um, who in this locker room has enough leadership skill to keep him in line? Granted we have a better shot of it than the raiders but that's like saying a severely out of shape guy has a better shot than a newborn baby in winning a 100 yard dash. Ray Lewis/Ed Reed/Matt Birk / Bernard Pollard/Anquan Boldin were all leaders but they are gone now. I don't want a potential locker room cancer with us in such an unstable position roster wise. If it was last year, then sure bring him in so he can learn from the vets. This year?? Heck no. Smh lol

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='T-ray' timestamp='1364201764' post='1414517']
Rolando McClain?? Um, who in this locker room has enough leadership skill to keep him in line? Granted we have a better shot of it than the raiders but that's like saying a severely out of shape guy has a better shot than a newborn baby in winning a 100 yard dash. Ray Lewis/Ed Reed/Matt Birk / Bernard Pollard/Anquan Boldin were all leaders but they are gone now. I don't want a potential locker room cancer with us in such an unstable position roster wise. If it was last year, then sure bring him in so he can learn from the vets. This year?? Heck no. Smh lol
[/quote]

Two of the highest character guys in the locker room.. Courtney Upshaw and Terrance Cody. Both are close with Rolando and were part of a winning team with him. Rolando never really got into trouble at Bama, did he? Saban is an incredible coach but he isn't the only guy in the world who can keep Rolando in line. It's a maturity thing, same thing with Ray Lewis.. same thing with guys like Pacman Jones. It's going to happen.. Rolando isn't a cancer in a locker room like you may think. He may get into trouble off the field but he has never had any problems with teammates. Yes, he got into an argument with his head coach and he has had off the field problems, thing about it is that he isn't the first guy to have an argument with his head coach. If he is as bad of a seed as you think he will be, then the Ravens will simply let him go. I don't believe we are signing him to a big contract.. I believe it will be low and incentive based. You are extremely underestimating Courtney Upshaw and Terrance Cody's ability to steer Rolando in a positive manor and you are also underestimating Ozzie's ability to make things happen like bringing Rolando in and yet not allowing it to cause problems by no guaranteeing him a lot of money or a big contract. If he acts up, cut him loose... it's not nearly the problem you believe it to be. Nick Saban loved Rolando and he knew about his character concerns. He knew how to handle those and bring the best out in Rolando.. if you don't think that A) Saban and Ozzie don't have AT LEAST weekly conversations and B ) that Ozzie hasn't at least put a filler out to Saban regarding Rolando then I believe you are wrong. No SMH. lol

[Played]

Maybe we could bank some more on the "be a raven a couple of years and get your carer moving" and get Sedrick Ellis in here for 2 years on vet minimum. He could be nice rotation guy at NT on the line while we pick up a developmental guy in he draft since Cody didn't pan out.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1364202380' post='1414519']
Two of the highest character guys in the locker room.. Courtney Upshaw and Terrance Cody. Both are close with Rolando and were part of a winning team with him. Rolando never really got into trouble at Bama, did he? Saban is an incredible coach but he isn't the only guy in the world who can keep Rolando in line. It's a maturity thing, same thing with Ray Lewis.. same thing with guys like Pacman Jones. It's going to happen.. Rolando isn't a cancer in a locker room like you may think. He may get into trouble off the field but he has never had any problems with teammates. Yes, he got into an argument with his head coach and he has had off the field problems, thing about it is that he isn't the first guy to have an argument with his head coach. If he is as bad of a seed as you think he will be, then the Ravens will simply let him go. I don't believe we are signing him to a big contract.. I believe it will be low and incentive based. You are extremely underestimating Courtney Upshaw and Terrance Cody's ability to steer Rolando in a positive manor and you are also underestimating Ozzie's ability to make things happen like bringing Rolando in and yet not allowing it to cause problems by no guaranteeing him a lot of money or a big contract. If he acts up, cut him loose... it's not nearly the problem you believe it to be. Nick Saban loved Rolando and he knew about his character concerns. He knew how to handle those and bring the best out in Rolando.. if you don't think that A) Saban and Ozzie don't have AT LEAST weekly conversations and B ) that Ozzie hasn't at least put a filler out to Saban regarding Rolando then I believe you are wrong. No SMH. lol
[/quote]

i agree with what you say, though i cannot see ozzie looking at rolando until/and only if he gets cut... any trade for him would come with his current contract attached... i do want him here, but he'll have to give up alll the money he's still due

[T-ray]

Clint I was going to ask if you weren't somehow Rolando Mcclain himself, but you put together way too many sentences for someone of mcclains intelligence. Upshaw and Cody are not leaders yet. Cody will never be a leader and many say hes a bust, so hes got his own things to deal with. Upshaw may become a leader and influential in the locker room, but hes not there yet as hes still learning the nfl himself. You mention ozzie, but nothing beats having a go to guy in the locker and practicing alongside of on an every day basis. Sorry but if we bring Mcclain in look for trouble. Remember we have never had to go without ray's influence in the locker to this point. With the roster in flux, we will be taking a high risk minimal reward approach by signing him. That's not ozzies style.

[CalvinSmoke]

I'm not saying that we should, but imagine if we still signed James Harrison. Our defensive rotations would be so nasty.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' timestamp='1364190596' post='1414451']
I know its gonna sound selfish, but locking up Jacoby for ATLEAST 2 years is my preference out of the above options.... kid catches lightning in a bottle on the reg.
[/quote]


You know no one has really mentioned Jacoby. I know the knock on him is that he is just a returner and a below average receiver, but I see that improving. He's definately an X factor anytime he steps on the field. And he is hilarious! A very important attribute for a WR. :-)

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='T-ray' timestamp='1364204249' post='1414529']
Clint I was going to ask if you weren't somehow Rolando Mcclain himself, but you put together way too many sentences for someone of mcclains intelligence. Upshaw and Cody are not leaders yet. Cody will never be a leader and many say hes a bust, so hes got his own things to deal with. Upshaw may become a leader and influential in the locker room, but hes not there yet as hes still learning the nfl himself. You mention ozzie, but nothing beats having a go to guy in the locker and practicing alongside of on an every day basis. Sorry but if we bring Mcclain in look for trouble. Remember we have never had to go without ray's influence in the locker to this point. With the roster in flux, we will be taking a high risk minimal reward approach by signing him. That's not ozzies style.
[/quote]

Terrance and Courtney don't have to be leaders to help steer Rolando in the right direction. They might give him a sense of familiarity and he will more than likely become very close with them again like he was at Bama and they will be positive influences. If he is about to make a bad decision by talking back to a coach.. maybe it's Upshaw saying "come on, man. You know we aren't about that. Just put your head down and let's keep moving". That type of thing... just because they aren't leaders on the team doesn't mean they can't be positive influences. Plus, I guarantee you Ray will stay close with the team and will probably take Rolando under his wing and while they won't be on the same field, at least he can mentor him off the field. I'm not Rolando.. but I see talent and I see a guy who needs direction. You aren't giving people enough credit.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='horus13corvineus' timestamp='1364203529' post='1414524']
i agree with what you say, though i cannot see ozzie looking at rolando until/and only if he gets cut... any trade for him would come with his current contract attached... i do want him here, but he'll have to give up alll the money he's still due
[/quote]

No way would I ever expect them to take that contract or use a pick. I believe they are being patient and waiting for his release.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1364208009' post='1414539']
Terrance and Courtney don't have to be leaders to help steer Rolando in the right direction. They might give him a sense of familiarity and he will more than likely become very close with them again like he was at Bama and they will be positive influences. If he is about to make a bad decision by talking back to a coach.. maybe it's Upshaw saying "come on, man. You know we aren't about that. Just put your head down and let's keep moving". That type of thing... just because they aren't leaders on the team doesn't mean they can't be positive influences. Plus, I guarantee you Ray will stay close with the team and will probably take Rolando under his wing and while they won't be on the same field, at least he can mentor him off the field. I'm not Rolando.. but I see talent and I see a guy who needs direction. You aren't giving people enough credit.
[/quote]though if Upshaw and Cody heard bad things about him from their teamates at 'Bama then they may not cosign him to the coaches

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1364207450' post='1414536']
You know no one has really mentioned Jacoby. I know the knock on him is that he is just a returner and a below average receiver, but I see that improving. He's definately an X factor anytime he steps on the field. And he is hilarious! A very important attribute for a WR. :-)
[/quote]

He was a "below average receiver" in Houston, with Shaub. I think he's fully capable of being our number 2 receiver. In fact I was reading some of the Texans' fan boards, and even though none of those guys will admit it now, during our run someone asked why Jacoby looked so good when he fizzled out in Houston, and the general consensus was Joe >>> Shaub, and Joe's strength matches up well with Jacoby's (speed and the long ball). Shaub needs guys with insane hands and body control to catch his passes, and he's a West Coast dink-and-dunker - Joe's already proven he can do more with lesser receivers i.e. Mark Clayton (though I feel bad about ripping on the guy).

[bMore Heathen]

I seriously doubt we sign anybody until after the draft. Certainly not a guy with off the field issues like McClain.

[Ravenslifer]

I think, Michael Huff aside, we're pretty much going to lay low in FA. We might sign a James Harrison - I know the FO dislikes going into the draft with holes, but we have so many picks, we have to have A) roster room, and B. cap room for our rookie class.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1364182007' post='1414325']
MATT ELAM, DO IT
[/quote]
Huff at FS and Elam at SS would be amazing.

[BloodRaven]

Well you have to balance the type of acquisitions we make with what we have, we've got vertical speed and youth at WR so we could use a veteran presence who can go up and over the middle for tough catches. At ILB we have three downhill guys in McClain, McClellan, Bynes so it makes sense to find someone who can cover etc

[jdynamite]

Next free agency move is to wait it out. It seems that Michael Huff could sign a short a deal. But I'm curious to see if the Raiders will release Rolando McClain if they can't find a trading partner. If he is released then he could be a cheap signing to compete for ILB

[justifythegame]

[quote name='Flacco2Mason' timestamp='1364179489' post='1414225']
According to NFL.com we could possibly still sign Kerry Rhodes or Karlos Dansby. Any thoughts on that? Do we even have the cap room for it?
[/quote]
No cap room to sign those guys right now, after we draft the rookies or right before the draft, if those guys are still there, i think ozzie signs them to vet minimums

[SCRavenMad]

I say we add Huff. That would be pretty sweet.

[PolishRifle]

[b]Kevin Walter[/b] is an underrated WR, who played for the Texans and has now hit free-agency. He has good hands and is 6ft3in tall. He would be a good addition in the battle for the #2 WR spot, that will ensue after the departure of Anquan Boldin. Plus, we can get him for cheap.