2009 Free Agency

[flynismo]

Assuming we resign all of our key players, and have the cap room to pick up a key FA, which one of these guys would you most like to see us pursue? (I omitted Haynesworth from the list since it's pretty much given that TEN will keep him)

[Ravnet]

We actually have a decent chance at Housh. So him.

"Asked whether he would sign with the Ravens if Ray Lewis told him to come, Houshmandzadeh hedged only slightly: "If I'm fortunate enough to get to Hawaii [for the Pro Bowl] - because I know Ray will be there - we'll talk about it."

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/f...,3251956.story"]http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/f...,3251956.story[/url]

[flynismo]

I know Peppers and Asomugha are probably a stretch, but there is an outside chance they'll end up on the market...if so, I want Nnamdi here at all costs, even if it means cutting Bart Scott and/or Chris McAllister (plus with Boller leaving via FA presumably, it will free up that much more caproom).
But if we can't land Nnamdi, then TJ and Clayton would make a nice receiving duo for the next few years, but honestly I'd be thrilled with anyone on that list.

[T-Sizzle55]

Get Chris Gamble, so we can finally put the chronic problems at the CB position to rest. C-Mac might not return with us for countless reasons. If we cut McAlister, we will save $8 million, which will come in handy to resign current and new free agent players. Plus, I think it'll give us a 3rd round compensatory pick going into the draft. Samari Rolle is awesome! He's had 3 picks in the past 3 games, but there is talk that he might retire next season (could be rumors), but he is 32 and hasn't played an entire season in two years. If Rolle stays with us then we could add Gamle and make Washington our 3rd string CB. Gamble is a great player who has helped Carolina to be ranked 10th against the pass. He has multiple interception seasons that total 19 INTs for his career thus far in the past 5 seasons. He earns $1.4 million, while we pay Frank Walker a salary of $1.9 million. No offense to Walker, but Gamble is a steal at $1.4 mil and I think we could get him for a long term deal and a great price. If we cut C-Mac and Samari goes down again next season, I don't want Walker, Washington, and some 5th string CB that primarly has seen time on special teams scaring the crap out of me on every pass they defend. If we cut C-Mac and Rolle we will save $12.2 Million and we could sign free-agents Chris Gamble and Dunta Robinson (both round 1 draft picks, about 25 yrs of age, and could play the 1st string CB position). Their current salaries combined is $3.8 Million, while Samari's alone is $4.2 million. The only bad thing about totally revamping the CB position is that it could prove trouble having two new starting CBs next year who don't know our system.

We have Willie Anderson for a 3 yr deal, so we don't need Gross, Asomugha is getting franchised and would want $70 million (kiss Ray, Suggs, and Scott goodbye for just one player). Peppers has a $11.7 million salary, Suggs would be cheaper if we could get a long term deal and he already knows our defense plus he's younger (Peppers would look great in purple though and pressure from the D line would produce turnovers from our CBs). T.J. Houshmandzadeh would be a great comliment to Mason. If Mason retires, than TJ would be a must pick up possession receiver, but I would like to get a younger long term WR to grow with Flacco (Boldin would be amazing, sounds like an expensive long shot. A draft pick would be great too, but might take a long time to develop).

[CARavensFan]

That all sounds great about Gamble and Robinson being really cheap, but while their salaries are low now, this free agency is going to be their big pay day so they're going want big time money this year so that hope that we'll get them for their current salaries is just wishful thinking.

[kze]

My list of wants
Aso > Gamble > TJ

Not saying we'll sign any of these, just what I would prioritize from that list.

[RoflDogs]

Nnamdi is just a dream

[tctony]

Can you guys imagine us having a shutdown corner again?

[Macadamia]

Although I see WR as our top priority this offseason, and believe out of the group our best chance is WHOSYOMOMMA, you've asked who I'd most like to see. Hands down that would be Asomugha. I think the chances of C-Mac returning to our beloved 'Vens are between slim and none.

[RoflDogs]

I think Al davis is going to franchise Nnamdi again....

feel so sorry for him.

being classy and all and not complaining, but he can't get out of oakland

[warsteiner138]

I think TJ would be ideal but the Bengals will probable tag him and trade Chad...

Al Davis will not let his corner go.

I think Gross and than Gamble would be the most likely; Gross could get tagged.

I think if the Ravens keep Suggs, Lewis, and Brown not sure how the Ravens cap space will look like after that....

A player I would like but probable would not happen is Karlos Dansby of the Cardinals....

Dansby, Suggs, and Lewis all together would be amazing....

[raylewis52reed20]

All I care about is having Suggs and Lewis back...I think Bart Scott is replaceable by someone like Antwon Barnes or even Tavarse Gooden. Going after a shut down corner and drafting a young tall receiver like Jeremy Maclin would be ideal, but it is too good to be true. The Ravens need to start being aggressive in the market though. I am sick of the Redskins taking every player on the market. How are they even able to do that with the salary cap?

[flynismo]

[quote name='raylewis52reed20' post='95584' date='Nov 28 2008, 11:45 AM']All I care about is having Suggs and Lewis back...I think Bart Scott is replaceable by someone like Antwon Barnes or even Tavarse Gooden. Going after a shut down corner and drafting a young tall receiver like Jeremy Maclin would be ideal, but it is too good to be true. The Ravens need to start being aggressive in the market though. I am sick of the Redskins taking every player on the market. How are they even able to do that with the salary cap?[/quote]


Actually, that's who Tavares reminds me of...a young Bart Scott; I really like that kid a lot.
Releasing Boller, McAllister and Scott would open up a ton of cap room. Even after locking up Ray, Suggs and Brown, we should have room left over to pick something good off the market; but like you said, we need to start getting more aggressive.

[Ravens52]

Nnamdi Asomugha, but aren't the Raiders going to tag him?

[Toreno]

Aso!!!

[RavensIQ]

Peppers and Asomugha are definitely getting tagged and Gross was tagged this year so if they get Peppers under contract sooner than later Carolina might tag Gross again next year. They're definitely going to try everything in their power to keep him. Stacy Andrews (Bengals OG), Jhari Evans (Saints OG), and Mike Goff (Chargers OG) would be more realistic. Carolina is gonna focus the majority of their attention on Peppers and Gross which means Chris Gamble will probably be the easiest of the 3 to go after. But there are other FA's out there like corner backs Dunta Robinson, Phillip Buchanon, and Bryant McFadden (steeler trash) that would be worth while to check out. WR Free Agents like Ashie Lelie, Brandon Llyod, and Lance Moore would be a LOT cheaper then TJ. Even tho Hushmandzadeh is one of the best #2 WR in the entire league we already have THE BEST #2 WR in the entire league with Derrik Mason. Not to mention Johnathen Vilma and Karlos Dansby will be FA next year and given Vilma would cost a lot less to sign than Bart Scott that could be a very logical option.

I chose Jordan Gross tho cuz he would dominate the Right side next year at Tackle and give us a great wall to protect Flacco with. That's more valuable to me than a WR or a CB.

[Ozzsome]

i want to see chris gamble playing CB for us

[itscbm5042]

Houshmandzadeh looks more and more likely every day, especially following the latest interview. I would be thrilled with Mason, Housh, Clayton, and a WR we draft like Maclin or DHB. That is a scary receiving corps. If the Ravens restructured some contracts and dealt some players and were able to trade for Boldin and sign Housh then Boldin, Housh, and Mason would make me weap like a little baby at the beauty of it.

[kze]

[b]CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers have signed cornerback Chris Gamble to a six-year contract extension that will keep him in Carolina through the 2014 season.[/b]

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ce02f5&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true[/url]

Well, that sucks.

[b-ravens4ever]

Definately TJ. He's a very good possesion receiver (what we need) and can be a deep threat when wanted.

[Ozzsome]

i like TJ but he

[52Kia Kaha92]

[quote name='kze' post='95615' date='Nov 28 2008, 04:18 PM'][b]CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers have signed cornerback Chris Gamble to a six-year contract extension that will keep him in Carolina through the 2014 season.[/b]

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ce02f5&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true[/url]

Well, that sucks.[/quote]

I was pissed when i saw that, i thought they would let himj walk considering they have lots of young talent behind him like Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall, so bugger

Anyone on that list would be Aso, He shuts down his side of the field and with Ed on the other side no body would throw aginst us and no one can run agaisnt us so our de would be 3 and out every drive. But its unliekly he hits the market, if he does we should throw money at him, i mean what defenseive player would not wnat to play with Ray Lewis and the Ravens.

[RavensIQ]

[quote name='kze' post='95615' date='Nov 28 2008, 04:18 PM'][b]CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers have signed cornerback Chris Gamble to a six-year contract extension that will keep him in Carolina through the 2014 season.[/b]

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ce02f5&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true[/url]

Well, that sucks.[/quote]

There's always Dunta Robinson!! I think he's a better corner anyway.

[Ravnet]

If we can't get Housh early in free agency, it has to be a wide receiver. Mason is bound to fall off at some point, the guy is 35; imagine our offense without Derrick. Next year we at least have Landry and Washington, although not spectacular, it's the lesser of two evils as Mason/Heap are due for a decline soon enough.

Although I do follow college football, I'll be honest and admit that I've been caught up in the season and haven't been tracking which players can successfully convert into professionals. However, unless there is a standout corner that drops into our laps, I think we need a wide receiver. Mason has been masking our ineptitude.

If a big guy like Maryland receiver Heyward-Bey is available, which I'm sure he will be, we can't pass someone like that up. Again, Heap is obviously on a downward trend and Mason's production is bound to decrease in the next year or two. We've put this off for too long and we need a wide out. Housh is nice, but the guy is still going to be 32(?) and he isn't the long term solution.

Undoubtedly, we need to bring in either a CB/WR through free agency and draft the other. It's not really a question at this point, we have huge holes on this team. With Rolle/Mason/CMac all either leaving or declining, this is a big problem, which I fear will hold us back even this season.

[flynismo]

[quote name='kze' post='95615' date='Nov 28 2008, 04:18 PM'][b]CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers have signed cornerback Chris Gamble to a six-year contract extension that will keep him in Carolina through the 2014 season.[/b]

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ce02f5&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true[/url]

Well, that sucks.[/quote]


Does suck, since he would fill a huge need for us, but maybe it will make it that much harder for Carolina to keep both Peppers and Gross?

[flynismo]

[quote name='RavensIQ' post='95627' date='Nov 28 2008, 04:58 PM']There's always Dunta Robinson!! I think he's a better corner anyway.[/quote]


I like Dunta more too, but he's too injury prone for my liking...hate to have the whole McAllister ordeal at CB all over again.

[flynismo]

[quote name='52Kia Kaha92' post='95624' date='Nov 28 2008, 04:49 PM']Anyone on that list would be Aso, He shuts down his side of the field and with Ed on the other side no body would throw aginst us and no one can run agaisnt us so our de would be 3 and out every drive. But its unliekly he hits the market, if he does we should throw money at him, i mean what defenseive player would not wnat to play with Ray Lewis and the Ravens.[/quote]


I have a question about how the Franchise Tag works...

So, Aso's contract is up at the end of the year. Can Oakland tag him without giving him the chance of testing the FA market, even though he is no longer under contract to them?

[RavensIQ]

[quote name='flynismo' post='95638' date='Nov 28 2008, 06:40 PM']I have a question about how the Franchise Tag works...

So, Aso's contract is up at the end of the year. Can Oakland tag him without giving him the chance of testing the FA market, even though he is no longer under contract to them?[/quote]

There is a franchise tag deadline which limits teams from using it past a certain date. I think it's right around the beginning of the FA period. Which means if they don't tag Player-A b4 the deadline period he now becomes a free agent and anyone can sign him. But b4 the deadline he's technically still the Raiders property. If the Raiders don't sign him to a deal or if they don't tag him b4 this date then he's fair game to the Ravens but I highly doubt they let that happen.

Haynesworth, Peppers and Aso are more than likely gonna receive the franchise tag if they haven't come to terms with a new contract by the FA period. It'd be nice but you shouldn't even get your hopes up for these players.

[flynismo]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up for me...

Don't mean to keep picking on Carolina, but if they just signed Gamble to a huge contract and can only tag one player, then the odds seem to be better that they can't keep both Gross and Peppers...I know chances are they'll find a way to keep both, but if push comes to shove, Gross may be out on the market, since he's going to want to get paid too (and he deserves it)

[raven43]

Ge Houshmandzadah, baby! I was reading an article in this newspaper my grandma gave me ( I don't know what it's called but she lives a few minutes from M&T) and the article had TJ saying how he was "open to all ideas" and he said that if he got voted to the pro bowl, cuz he knew Ray Lewis would be ther, then he would probably talk to Ray about possibly working something out.

Now dat's wassup!