2009 Free Agency

[Lets_Go_Joe]

[quote name='RavensIQ' post='95644' date='Nov 28 2008, 07:32 PM']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.[/quote]
I heard somewhere that carolina was prepared to tag peppers at all costs. It will cost them around 17 million for one season... thats astronomical. I dont think anyone is worth 17 million bucks, especially when its on the cap. I'm bummed about Gamble but oh well.

I think our best bets of this list are TJ and Gross. I would like to see a good CB signed, but I highly doubt we have a shot at Aso, even if he comes out in FA Too much money. Dunta is a little injury prone and hes smallish but a good player. He will probably get somewhere close to what Gamble got, which is still a big payday and will be hard for us to give him. I think Fabian is gonna be ok next year as he has really stepped up as the year progresses.

Gross gives us a great player on the line, and makes the line really really good imo. Gaither is a stud, so is Brown. Yanda and Grubbs are good young players as well, and I think if we could get a young solid RT we could be in the talks of best OL in football in a couple years. That being said..... Gonna be alot of money for a posistion that isnt a huge need.

TJ imo is very likely to come here. I think he respects this organization and alot of the people on it. I think they'll keep chad and let TJ go, will cost too much money to try and tag him for the amount they would get from Chad on a trade. TJ is a player who plays bigger then 6'1" and plain gets open. He will be expensive because hes the top FA WR, so we will have to see what happens, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this offseason

[RavensIQ]

[quote name='Lets_Go_Joe' post='95724' date='Nov 29 2008, 10:44 AM']I heard somewhere that carolina was prepared to tag peppers at all costs. It will cost them around 17 million for one season... thats astronomical. I dont think anyone is worth 17 million bucks, especially when its on the cap. I'm bummed about Gamble but oh well.

I think our best bets of this list are TJ and Gross. I would like to see a good CB signed, but I highly doubt we have a shot at Aso, even if he comes out in FA Too much money. Dunta is a little injury prone and hes smallish but a good player. He will probably get somewhere close to what Gamble got, which is still a big payday and will be hard for us to give him. I think Fabian is gonna be ok next year as he has really stepped up as the year progresses.

Gross gives us a great player on the line, and makes the line really really good imo. Gaither is a stud, so is Brown. Yanda and Grubbs are good young players as well, and I think if we could get a young solid RT we could be in the talks of best OL in football in a couple years. That being said..... Gonna be alot of money for a posistion that isnt a huge need.

TJ imo is very likely to come here. I think he respects this organization and alot of the people on it. I think they'll keep chad and let TJ go, will cost too much money to try and tag him for the amount they would get from Chad on a trade. TJ is a player who plays bigger then 6'1" and plain gets open. He will be expensive because hes the top FA WR, so we will have to see what happens, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this offseason[/quote]

I agree about Peppers staying a Panther but I think they will have him signed pretty quickly once the offseason rolls around. As for Gross, I would love to see him in a Ravens uniform but the Panthers know he is too valuable to their line to let go so the sooner they get Peppers under contract the sooner they can work on Gross or worst option Tag him, again.

As far as TJ, I think Cinci might take the exact opposite approach as you mentioned with Johnson. Keep Whoseyamama and part ways with Chad. I don't think it's benefits either one ( Ocho Cinco's Career and Bengals organization) for Johnson to remain a Bengal next year. TJ is more popular with the organization right now and he shows up each week so I don't see any reason why cinci would want to let him go. When (only a matter of time now) Marvin Lewis gets fired I think Chad will be on his way too. If that's the case I'd rather have Johnson over TJ anyday.

TJ Would be a great addition to our team but he's 31 and you know he's gonna be looking for that huge contract cuz this might be his last shot at getting paid top dollar. I don't know if the Ravens are ready to pony up that kinda cash for a premier #2 wide out especially when we already have Mason.

I do have a feeling that this off season there is gonna be a MAJOR deal involving the Ravens in some way or another.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='RavensIQ' post='95732' date='Nov 29 2008, 01:13 PM']I agree about Peppers staying a Panther but I think they will have him signed pretty quickly once the offseason rolls around. As for Gross, I would love to see him in a Ravens uniform but the Panthers know he is too valuable to their line to let go so the sooner they get Peppers under contract the sooner they can work on Gross or worst option Tag him, again.

As far as TJ, I think Cinci might take the exact opposite approach as you mentioned with Johnson. Keep Whoseyamama and part ways with Chad. I don't think it's benefits either one ( Ocho Cinco's Career and Bengals organization) for Johnson to remain a Bengal next year. TJ is more popular with the organization right now and he shows up each week so I don't see any reason why cinci would want to let him go. When (only a matter of time now) Marvin Lewis gets fired I think Chad will be on his way too. If that's the case I'd rather have Johnson over TJ anyday.

TJ Would be a great addition to our team but he's 31 and you know he's gonna be looking for that huge contract cuz this might be his last shot at getting paid top dollar. I don't know if the Ravens are ready to pony up that kinda cash for a premier #2 wide out especially when we already have Mason.

I do have a feeling that this off season there is gonna be a MAJOR deal involving the Ravens in some way or another.[/quote]No way do I see harbs bringing Ocho Cinco to the Ravens. He's a prima donna, always shooting off at the mouth, undisciplined, misses team meetings and practice. Obviously does not get along well with coach Lewis. I don;t think that Biscotti would be inclined to have him as a Raven, either. He brings way too much baggage and we would be better off without him IMO

[ravens world]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='95632' date='Nov 28 2008, 05:57 PM']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.[/quote]

i agree thats what im saying when mason leaves we have no recivers people act like cb is or biggest concern when in reality they know reciver is and try to be in denial but like i said in reality we need more better deep threat young recivers cause mason is getting old

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='ravens world' post='95762' date='Nov 29 2008, 05:29 PM']i agree thats what im saying when mason leaves we have no recivers people act like cb is or biggest concern when in reality they know reciver is and try to be in denial but like i said in reality we need more better deep threat young recivers cause mason is getting old[/quote]

People not agreeing with you doesn't mean they're in denial.

Like the 50 billion other threads we've had throughout the season about the team's biggest need, we all could argue back and forth about either point, and there'd be no right or wrong answer. Why? Because, at the end of the day, both positions are needs, period.

So really, I don't care either way what the personnel staff does in fixing both needs, just as long as they're addressed.

Houshmandzadeh or no Houshmandzadeh, Heyward-Bey or no Heyward-Bey, cornerback or no cornerback; as long as the needs are addressed, I could care less about which position comes first or how they're addressed, as long as they're adequate solutions.

[heapitup247]

everyone and their mamma wants nhamdi, but I doubt the raiders allow that. He'll be tagged again in hopes of a rebound season for the raiders. I think we need to wait till we resign our guys and figure out cap and all that before we talk about big money free agents. Id rather keep Scott/Ray/etc. than lose one of them and get one of these guys.

[PuRock]

[quote name='heapitup247' post='95788' date='Nov 29 2008, 07:55 PM']everyone and their mamma wants nhamdi, but I doubt the raiders allow that. He'll be tagged again in hopes of a rebound season for the raiders. I think we need to wait till we resign our guys and figure out cap and all that before we talk about big money free agents. Id rather keep Scott/Ray/etc. than lose one of them and get one of these guys.[/quote]

I'm with in the group that would want Aso. Do I think we have a chance of getting him? Slim. I wouldn't be surprised if Davis slaps the franchise tag on him. I can't see why Aso would want to stay in Oakland even if they threw a boat load of money at him. Aso sounds like the type of guy that really wants to be someone in the history of the NFL. He isn't going to be able to do that as an Oakland Raider. But even if gets out of Oakland, teams will be throwing mad money at him. Jerry Jones needs some corners.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

i like Aso too but realisticly, Gross over TJ. we should get a WR high in the draft to grow with Joe; but a proven protector for Joe and more depth to the OL is just a smart and safe move

[CP`C-Pain`CP]

Nnamdi would help with our cornerback situation, then we could pickup a decent reciever in the draft and if Clayton continues to play like he did today or around that area I think we have a bright future on our hands. Also just keep letting the wizard of Oz maybe pick up some sleepers in the later rounds, I mean look at players like Westbrook and Brady who came in late rounds. Seeing this why cant we get a jewel from here also?

Maybe its wishful thinking, but it would be good.

[PurpleClawsOfFURY]

Someone want to be cool and get a complete list of UFA and RFA for the 2009 offseason???

[Troy SmiTH Xx]

Here is a link to a site with the TOP Free agents after this year.

[url="http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html"]http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html[/url]

[RavensIQ]

I like this site better: [url="http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=12&nid=83&lnid=83&yr=2009"]2009 NFL Free Agency Rankings[/url]

[Gwaihir]

Aso or bust!! If we can't get him, forget the Big Time FA's.

I'm pretty sure Aso was Franchised this year, and has some wording in his contract that states the Raiders can't do it again in 2009! I thought I heard this info come to light back when we played the Raiders, I just can't remember where. Not sure if its True, but if it is, and Aso hits the market, he is the only BigTime Free Agent I would pursue!

If you give Rex a true Lockdown Corner again, Look Out! That's when he starts putting Record Breaking Defenses on the field! And with Cam calling the shots on Offense, that could be an Unbeatable Mix!!

This isn't a good year for tall, fast WR's in Free Agency, and I wouldn't tie up a lot of money in any of those available. We could still use some help at WR and Offensive Line Depth, but don't break the bank! Look to the draft and bargain basement FA's/Trades like Jim Leonard, Fabian Washington, Frank Walker, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Marques Douglass, & Brandon McKinney! These guys have all stepped up and done a hell of a job, way beyond expectations!

I look for more of the same this Off-Season, with the exception of Aso!!

[itscbm5042]

Hmmm Bryant Johnson could be an interesting change of scenery guy and could come cheap. He also has good size and speed. That would be an interesting experiment in Baltimore.

[ravenandrei]

Ok most of you will think Im crazy but heres what I think.

Keep Ray let Bart and Suggs walk. Why?

I think that A. Barnes could handle it. He is a good pass rusher.He could fill in for Suggs. Or go after Michael Boley from ATL. I think Suggs is gonna want huge money. Bart I think could be replaced with Channing Crowder from Miami. Hes a very good player and would be cheaper then Scott.

Cut Cmac and go after . Or if the money is there go after Nnamdi Asomugha.

Trade Willis McGahee . To the Bangels for Chad Johnson and go after Maurice Morris from the Seahawks. They need a RB and we need Chad. Chad is a great WR. He runs good routes and he works hard. Teams will half to double team him so that will help out the rest of the team. It will help Clayton and Heap make more plays. It will help our running game. With Morris,Ray Rice, and McClain the ground game would be good. We would have a powerback and a couple of speed guys.

If we cant get Chad . As for TJ I dont think we need him. Hes a possition WR.WE already have that. I would go after Bolden. If Bolden cost to much for a deep threat I'd go after Devery Henderson.


So I am saying add
-Dunta Robinson DB
-Channing Crowder MLB
-Michael Boley OLB
-Maurice Morris RB
-Chad Johnson WR
-maybe Boldin or Devery Henderson if we couldnt get Chad

We would lose
-Suggs OLB
-Scott MLB
-Cmac DB
-McGahee RB

[Gwaihir]

McGahee isn't going anywhere!! His Cap Hit is too huge if we cut him next year and no team would trade for him with his current contract and poor performance this year!! I could see a Tag And Trade Suggs for Boldin! That could be interesting!

I, too, think Suggs will want too much money to stay here. He's just not worth Best Defensive Player in the League type money. I think we could keep Ray & Bart, however. Bart already has shown he wants to stay here, the last time he was a Free Agent. If we are at least in the Ball Park with any offer he gets, I think he would take less money to stay a Raven!!

[RavensIQ]

[quote name='Gwaihir' post='96734' date='Dec 1 2008, 12:48 PM']McGahee isn't going anywhere!! His Cap Hit is too huge if we cut him next year and no team would trade for him with his current contract and poor performance this year!! I could see a Tag And Trade Suggs for Boldin! That could be interesting!

I, too, think Suggs will want too much money to stay here. He's just not worth Best Defensive Player in the League type money. I think we could keep Ray & Bart, however. Bart already has shown he wants to stay here, the last time he was a Free Agent. If we are at least in the Ball Park with any offer he gets, I think he would take less money to stay a Raven!![/quote]


You have to remember as the NFL Revenue increases each year the Salary Cap increases. Next year I think it's another 2-4 mill in additional cap space. The more Jerseys you buy the more money the Ravens will have to sign star players with. So a big contract now might fizzle off into chump change down the road. Another way to look at trading McGahee is this: We have to pay him his money regardless if he plays or not in 09. Even if he gets injured, he gets benched, he doesn't produce (like this year). Now ask yourself this. If you were a billionaire and could go back in time, how much money would you be willing to give up to have the Payton Manning Draft pick? Or the Calvin Johnson Draft Pick? Or the Joe Thomas Draft Pick? What's the price tag on something like that? Ok, now how much money would you pay to have an additional 3, 4, maybe even 5 draft picks next year? Is it worth $11.5 million in dead money if we traded Willis McGahee? Remember we can't touch that money regardless it's already accounted for.

But yeah I doubt they trade him. But maybe..

[PurpleClawsOfFURY]

I like the idea of giving Bart the boot and bringing in Channing Crowder, he's a great football player who would have a baltimore atmosphere bonus on defense making him better.

What would it take to get a Julius Peppers to replace Trevor Pryce and maybe Terrell if we trade or release him? we have always been built around a solid D line so we can't really afford not to have a good D line and we've done fine with out a secondary

[flynismo]

[quote name='RavensIQ' post='96741' date='Dec 1 2008, 01:15 PM']You have to remember as the NFL Revenue increases each year the Salary Cap increases. Next year I think it's another 2-4 mill in additional cap space. The more Jerseys you buy the more money the Ravens will have to sign star players with. So a big contract now might fizzle off into chump change down the road. Another way to look at trading McGahee is this: We have to pay him his money regardless if he plays or not in 09. Even if he gets injured, he gets benched, he doesn't produce (like this year). Now ask yourself this. If you were a billionaire and could go back in time, how much money would you be willing to give up to have the Payton Manning Draft pick? Or the Calvin Johnson Draft Pick? Or the Joe Thomas Draft Pick? What's the price tag on something like that? Ok, now how much money would you pay to have an additional 3, 4, maybe even 5 draft picks next year? Is it worth $11.5 million in dead money if we traded Willis McGahee? Remember we can't touch that money regardless it's already accounted for.

But yeah I doubt they trade him. But maybe..[/quote]


Well said...

[flynismo]

[quote name='Gwaihir' post='96734' date='Dec 1 2008, 12:48 PM']McGahee isn't going anywhere!! His Cap Hit is too huge if we cut him next year and no team would trade for him with his current contract and poor performance this year!! I could see a Tag And Trade Suggs for Boldin! That could be interesting!

I, too, think Suggs will want too much money to stay here. He's just not worth Best Defensive Player in the League type money. I think we could keep Ray & Bart, however. Bart already has shown he wants to stay here, the last time he was a Free Agent. If we are at least in the Ball Park with any offer he gets, I think he would take less money to stay a Raven!![/quote]


I don't know...I think Suggs is an elite LB, and would have no problem rewarding him a healthy contract if it were up to me.
I would rather let Bart go, especially since I personally think that Tavares Gooden is a (faster) clone of Bart. I love the guy, and am grateful for his dedication to our team, but if I had to choose between him and Suggs, I would keep Suggs.