Ravens release then re-sign FB Vonta Leach

[ratedr]

Wait, his cap hit was actually $4.3M. Yikes.

[hawkprey]

I disagree with this one.  Leach is still the best blocking fullback in the league, and this was the last year of his deal anyway.  There is no one we're going to be able to sign at this point that's worth as much to the team as Leach was.

I'm not going to say I don't like Leach, because I do. But is he really the best? Or does everyone just keep saying he's the best because he was a few years ago? 

 

To my knowledge, Leach got huge recognition after Arian Foster's 2 years behind him, but I'm pretty sure Foster's had a lot of success after Leach left. 

 

Profootballfocus' ratings is by no means how I define players, but they listed him as the second most overpaid fullback in the league last year. No one else has provided actual proof that he's currently or just was the best in the league.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Any chance this somehow amounts to a comp pick or something?

[T3hRaven]

For someone who's on the field for less than half the snaps, $3.5M is too much.

He's still the best FB, but the FO thinks they get a better value in Juszczyk.

 

But what is the money going to be used for?  There's no point in adding cap space if you're not going to use it.  Cutting Leach makes the team worse.

[Tank 92]

Dag! Just caught this. No Nosebleed at M and T next year?

Oh we'll........I trust my boys. Maybe another surprise behind this?

[Ravenseconbeast]

Any chance this somehow amounts to a comp pick or something?

Nope. No comp pick for players that are released after june. The player has to be FA. Players released/cut doesnt count.

[ratedr]

But what is the money going to be used for? There's no point in adding cap space if you're not going to use it. Cutting Leach makes the team worse.

Pitta/Oher/Jones.

Or carry it until next year, which looks like a terrible cap situation.

[Ravenseconbeast]

I wish Vontae Leach luck.

His been incredibly fun to watch over the past 2 years. The man was(still is) a force of nature. I'll miss him out of Ravens uniform.

Knocking P.Willis52 ...good times..

[ratedr]

I really think Pitta will get an extension before the year.

If he has the year we expect him to have...he could get pricey.

[Alexir]

Interesting move.

 

I know a lot of us said we would rather of had this than trade Boldin. Now it looks like both are done in Baltimore. I think we will be fine without him. Really excited to see this Juice in action.

[SecretAgentMan]

I'm not too worried.

 

Leach was great, but the FB is a dying breed. 

Juice looks to be an effective blocker, and he can be a weapon in the passing game.....

 

Leach is without a doubt, the best in the NFL, but Juice is younger, and more versatile. Juice is a utility knife, or a "Jack of All trades" 

 

There are two ways to groom a player, mentor, or throw into the fire.

 

FB is one of those that I feel that it does not matter.

 

We didn't lose Ray Rice or Flacco.

 

Also. Don't go to the niners lol

[Sami84]

leach is more then just the best blocker at the FB in the league. The guy is feared. As well rounded as juice is, we lose a bit of raven toughness with leach gone. Juice needs to show his Yards after carries like he did with harvard. NO doubt he has great hands and is a smart route player with good speed but we better have big plans for him, otherwise i see our roster with a significant downgrade

[GrimCoconut]

The one thing I will truly miss about Leach is on the goal line and for short yardage situations. I liked how he could open holes there more than anything. He could pound it in on inches or at the goal line for short yardage.

I'm worried about our offense on the goal line. He was like a wrecking ball lol. He'd get two yards guaranteed.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

When leach is on the field the D knows what's coming 9 times out of 10. Juice can block, carry the ball, play TE, and split out wide. We down grade in pure blocking but I think that versatility makes the D hesitate a second. And I think that hesitation makes up for the downgraded blocking. Juice can do more things well so he can get on the field more often and costs less.

They had to make this move.

[K-Dog]

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaach  :(

 

I am sad.

 

:(

[Speed Kills]

Really hope juice is as billed if he isn't phenomenal this will end up being a downgrade and hurting us

[K-Dog]

who remembers when Vonta was running one in for a TD and had a clear path to the end zone right in front of him but instead cut left just to blow some one up on the way in.

 

Classic.

 

EDIT: I tried to find a video of the TD on Youtube.

What the heck is with the 10,000 Madden videos on youtube?
I mean really ?

[Purple Nurple]

who remembers when Vonta was running one in for a TD and had a clear path to the end zone right in front of him but instead cut left just to blow some one up on the way in.

Classic.

This guy. I was pointing that out to everyone.

[The Raven]

The one thing I will truly miss about Leach is on the goal line and for short yardage situations. I liked how he could open holes there more than anything. He could pound it in on inches or at the goal line for short yardage.

I'm worried about our offense on the goal line. He was like a wrecking ball lol. He'd get two yards guaranteed.

 

Actually, I think we'll be better in short yardage now that Birk is retired. He was the reason we couldn't run the ball on the goal-line. He got off the ball so slow and he wasn't strong anymore. And, we'll have KO at LG now.

[beanfigger]

This is a bummer for sure.  I loved rooting for, and will continue to root for, Vontae Leach.  We certainly lose something in short yardage, but I am hoping Pierce becomes the kind of guy that can put his mind to it and gain a couple yards at will whenever it's required.  From a production standpoint, I don't think this will be a significant downgrade.  What worries me the most is the intangibles, again.  Obviously, the FO and coaching staff seem to be confident in the leadership and drive in our locker room, but it is scary that we seem to be watching so much veteran leadership and respected players walk away.  I can't say right now that our team could handle a losing streak like we had last season as well as last year's team did.  I hope they can, but it's a major question mark at the moment.

[SideStep77]

Jim Harbaugh just got a great idea.................no really in all seriousness he will be missed, a fan favorite for sure.  Can't say I blame the FO with that huge cap hit.

[Shammy]

for all this they coulda kept boldin

[CARavensFan]

Any chance this somehow amounts to a comp pick or something?

 

We wouldn't get a comp pick if he signed with another team because we released him.

[Gordo52]

I'm really curious as to what our next move is

[Ravenseconbeast]

 

Thanksgiving day vs. 49ers.   The night he gave Patrick Willis a thumping

[ratedr]

for all this they coulda kept boldin

And then not sign Huff, Doom, Canty, or Spears.

[jazz1988]

I'm not too worried.

 

Leach was great, but the FB is a dying breed. 

Juice looks to be an effective blocker, and he can be a weapon in the passing game.....

 

Leach is without a doubt, the best in the NFL, but Juice is younger, and more versatile. Juice is a utility knife, or a "Jack of All trades" 

 

There are two ways to groom a player, mentor, or throw into the fire.

 

FB is one of those that I feel that it does not matter.

 

We didn't lose Ray Rice or Flacco.

 

Also. Don't go to the niners lol

 

I under stand where you coming  from  but honestly nobody has seen KJ play full back yet at the nfl leve( hasnt even been much talk about him in otas) . I know he was a good fullback  in college  but thats nothing like the nfl .  Some people say the fullback postion is a dying breed well that may be true but they still are very important to have  especially if they good at what they do. The release of leach( which is not offical by the way)  sucks  and overall I hope KJ can handle his own especially gets solid defenses

[GrimCoconut]

I under stand where you coming  from  but honestly nobody has seen KJ play full back yet at the nfl leve( hasnt even been much talk about him in otas) . I know he was a good fullback  in college  but thats nothing like the nfl .  Some people say the fullback postion is a dying breed well that may be true but they still are very important to have  especially if they good at what they do. The release of leach( which is not offical by the way)  sucks  and overall I hope KJ can handle his own especially gets solid defenses

That's a good point. Nothing is yet official. Supposedly we may still try to trade him before 12pm tomorrow. Not sure why there's that deadline. Seems a bit strange but whatever. 

 

I hope we can trade him. I'd love to get anything for him instead of cutting him outright. We don't seem to be too good about not revealing our hand, though. Lol. First Boldin and now Leach. 

[ghost1986]

That's a good point. Nothing is yet official. Supposedly we may still try to trade him before 12pm tomorrow. Not sure why there's that deadline. Seems a bit strange but whatever. 

 

I hope we can trade him. I'd love to get anything for him instead of cutting him outright. We don't seem to be too good about not revealing our hand, though. Lol. First Boldin and now Leach. 

True. I feel with Leach and Boldin we lost a lot of physicality on offense. I think we won most games in the post-season last season because we were more physical. I think Juice will be good, but I am saddened.

[mgridda]

I think the writing was on the wall when this happened.

 

 

There just aren't enough 44's to go around.

 

It didn't bother me the first time I saw it, but how come the jersey doesn't say "O B A M A" on the back???

 

Mr. President? Weak. Very weak.