Ravens sign WR Brandon Stokley

[rmw10]

No problem, I love Boldin as much as the next guy, but when you look at what we were able to turn his $6 million into you can see why Ozzie did what he did.

 

In Oz We Trust

 

Yeah I saw the other quote that mentioned we have Elvis Dumervil, Michael Huff, Chris Canty, and Daryl Smith on the books this year for $6.47M, just above the $6M we saved from Boldin.  I'll take the 4 for 1 any day.

[rmw10]

Thanks. Wonder if the signing suggests that LaQuan is not really in the running

 

I don't think so.  Your top 5 (Smith, Jones, Doss, Thompson, Stokley) are all pretty much locks.  That leaves spot #6, and maybe spot #7, open for a primary special teams player.  That'll be a competition between Reed and LaQuan, most likely.

[easternshore97]

I wouldn't say that it takes him out of the shot to get on the roster because Brandon is a WR and doesn't offer much on ST, while LaQuan is a great ST player. Remember we used to have BA as our extra position player for ST purposes, its possible we carry one extra WR instead of the extra LB this year because Quan could be one of our best ST players.

Didn't mean he'd get cut. I meant I wonder if it takes him out of the running for the 3 WR

[CARavensFan]

Didn't mean he'd get cut. I meant I wonder if it takes him out of the running for the 3 WR

 

Maybe in the short term, but Stockley is here as much to teach the younger guys how its done. I actually think it might be a good thing for LaQuan because he and Brandon have similar size; their play-style might not be the same, but Brandon can give him some ideas on how to play as a 6 foot guy in the NFL.

[rmw10]

Didn't mean he'd get cut. I meant I wonder if it takes him out of the running for the 3 WR

 

I don't think he was ever really in the running, to be honest.

[gabefergy]

I don't think so.  Your top 5 (Smith, Jones, Doss, Thompson, Stokley) are all pretty much locks.  That leaves spot #6, and maybe spot #7, open for a primary special teams player.  That'll be a competition between Reed and LaQuan, most likely.

That sounds right to me, but the only locks IMO are Smith and Jones. The rest will have to earn their spots especially with all this competition. Those 5 are the most likely, but it wouldnt shock if Doss, Thompson, or Stokley dont make the 53.

[rmw10]

That sounds right to me, but the only locks IMO are Smith and Jones. The rest will have to earn their spots especially with all this competition. Those 5 are the most likely, but it wouldnt shock if Doss, Thompson, or Stokley dont make the 53.

 

I agree, kinda lol.  I wouldn't say those 3 are 100% guaranteed, but I'd say they're pretty close.  I think it would be shocking to see one of those guys cut, and I really, really doubt it happens.  I wouldn't say there's no chance, though. I don't see Reed/LaQuan, Mellette, or Brown as guys that would do any better than those 3 immediately.

[gabefergy]

I agree, kinda lol.  I wouldn't say those 3 are 100% guaranteed, but I'd say they're pretty close.  I think it would be shocking to see one of those guys cut, and I really, really doubt it happens.  I wouldn't say there's no chance, though. I don't see Reed/LaQuan, Mellette, or Brown as guys that would do any better than those 3 immediately.

I agree. It'd definitely most likely that those 5 are "locks", but what if Deonte can't come back healthy from his foot injury and Doss drops every pass thrown his way? Meanwhile Williams and Reed start playing great and even get some impressive first team reps? Not saying it will happen, but it could.

[GrimCoconut]

I agree, kinda lol. I wouldn't say those 3 are 100% guaranteed, but I'd say they're pretty close. I think it would be shocking to see one of those guys cut, and I really, really doubt it happens. I wouldn't say there's no chance, though. I don't see Reed/LaQuan, Mellette, or Brown as guys that would do any better than those 3 immediately.

I'm going to be bold here but I don't think ST will play a major role in any of these WR making the team unless the team decides to go with seven or something due to Asa being out for eight weeks. I think we're more interested in these guys stepping up on offense. We have a ton of players for ST. Unless they prove to be dominant at both I think ST will be an afterthought for WR.

Doss, Jones, Reed, Williams can all play ST. It's going to be best offensive weapon imo

[rmw10]

I'm going to be bold here but I don't think ST will play a major role in any of these WR making the team unless the team decides to go with seven or something due to Asa being out for eight weeks. I think we're more interested in these guys stepping up on offense. We have a ton of players for ST. Unless they prove to be dominant at both I think ST will be an afterthought for WR.

 

I think ST is very important, but not to the extent that it's the only reason they make the team.  Both Reed and LaQuan are capable of contributing on offense in limited roles if need be.  It's not like an Ayanbadejo situation where ST is pretty much all these guys can do.  They're more versatile.  I think they pick one of those 2 based on the fact that they can contribute in multiple facets of the game.

[rmw10]

I agree. It'd definitely most likely that those 5 are "locks", but what if Deonte can't come back healthy from his foot injury and Doss drops every pass thrown his way? Meanwhile Williams and Reed start playing great and even get some impressive first team reps? Not saying it will happen, but it could.

 

Oh yeah totally.  Anything can happen, but I'd still consider a situation like that extremely doubtful, although not implausible.  But yeah, I think "locks" is a better way to describe it.

[GrimCoconut]

I think ST is very important, but not to the extent that it's the only reason they make the team. Both Reed and LaQuan are capable of contributing on offense in limited roles if need be. It's not like an Ayanbadejo situation where ST is pretty much all these guys can do. They're more versatile. I think they pick one of those 2 based on the fact that they can contribute in multiple facets of the game.

It's important but I don't see it being a deciding factor here because Doss, Jones, Thompson and Reed can all play different roles on ST.

We also have Allen, Juszczyk, Bynes, The ACO Browns, McClellan, Asa Jackson, Simon, Ihedigbo, Elam, Corey Graham, Christian Thompson and that's just LB and secondary really with Juszczyk in there.

As you said WR don't have a BA at WR.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

He never said "no" just unsure about it.

 

Exactly he just chose not to be committal about it, bc if he says week 1 everyones going to hold him to it... but there may be a situation where he's fine enough to play but the team decides to hold him back to play it safe.

 

Better to say not sure then yes in that situation, and a lot of that is out of his hands.

[rmw10]

It's important but I don't see it being a deciding factor here because Doss, Jones, Thompson and Reed can all play different roles on ST.

We also have Allen, Juszczyk, Bynes, The ACO Browns, McClellan, Asa Jackson, Simon, Ihedigbo, Elam, Corey Graham, Christian Thompson and that's just LB and secondary really with Juszczyk in there.

As you said WR don't have a BA at WR.

 

But when you look at that list, they're all fine STers, but I don't see any gunners in there besides Asa and Thompson, both of which are suspended.

 

With that being said, I agree for the most part.  I think what I'm really trying to say is when it comes down to final cuts, they're going to pick the guy that can contribute the most immediately.  I guess I don't see the contributions of Mellette or Brown at WR outweighing the contributions of Reed/LaQuan on ST and at WR.

[GrimCoconut]

But when you look at that list, they're all fine STers, but I don't see any gunners in there besides Asa and Thompson, both of which are suspended.

With that being said, I agree for the most part. I think what I'm really trying to say is when it comes down to final cuts, they're going to pick the guy that can contribute the most immediately. I guess I don't see the contributions of Mellette or Brown at WR outweighing the contributions of Reed/LaQuan on ST and at WR.

Yep both Jackson and Thompson are suspended so I think there's a good chance we bring seven WR to open the season.

[rmw10]

Yep both Jackson and Thompson are suspended so I think there's a good chance we bring seven WR to open the season.

 

It's going to be difficult having 2 FB's and likely 3 TE's.  Usually we have that extra spot by only carrying 2 QB's, but having Leach and Juice really makes things difficult.  I'd love to keep 7 WR's and 5 S's and 9 LB's and probably an extra at a couple more positions, but we have to run out of room sometime lol.

[GrimCoconut]

It's going to be difficult having 2 FB's and likely 3 TE's. Usually we have that extra spot by only carrying 2 QB's, but having Leach and Juice really makes things difficult. I'd love to keep 7 WR's and 5 S's and 9 LB's and probably an extra at a couple more positions, but we have to run out of room sometime lol.

That's true but I see us carrying something like this:

3 RB, 4 TE, 1 FB, 6-7 WR on offense with 5 S, 5 CB, 5 ILB. Harbaugh likes to get guys started on special teams. I really think a lot of these rookies like Brown and Elam will have big roles on special teams. We'll have to see what happens in preseason for a better indication but because of Jackson's and Thompson's suspensions it may open up a spot for a seventh wide receiver.

That's why Stokley is an interesting signing because we know he won't be on special teams lol. We know he'll play mostly if not exclusively I'm the slot. I figured I need to address something about Stokley. Sorry if I took this off topic

[Alexir]

Not trying to be lazy but there are 17 pages to this and the question isn't that important.

 

Did Stokley have to request his number from someone else or was it that 80 was available?

[Moderator 3]

Not trying to be lazy but there are 17 pages to this and the question isn't that important.
 
Did Stokley have to request his number from someone else or was it that 80 was available?

80 was available.

[TXRaven]

Welcome back to Baltimore #80

[RavenDomination87]

That may not be the case. Harbs says yes, but Dickson says no.

 

OMG!!

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Im sorry guy's but can someone please tell me what you have against signing Brandon Lloyd? I mean honestly you make it seem like he's the worst on the market. Instead we go after a injury prone old receiver and you would rather him over a guy who just 2 years ago lead the league in receiving yards? And don't get me wrong I'am one of the biggest Ozzie supporters but lets be real, he doesn't have the best history when it comes to receivers. Go ahead and neg me but you gotta be real here.

TO THE BRANDON LLOYD SUPPORTS:

Patrick Crayton, and I repeat Patrick freaking Crayton was just signed by New Orleans!

If Patrick Crayton found a home (who hasn't caught a ball since 2011) before Brandon LLoyd don't you think there has to be something wrong where not 1 single team will take a shot at him.

He either has some serious personal issues going on where no one will touch him OR he sees a guy like Boldin get traded and making $6mill this year and wants similar, no one will pay and he won't come off his number.

In either scenario he's not coming here so move on.

[NaveSenrag]

OMG!!

Well, that isn't exactly true. Harbaugh says yes, and Dickson says that he's in the process of getting back to 100%. But when the question is "Will you be ready to play for the first week of the year" and you say something other than "Yes", there's an issue.

[Speed Kills]

Again, Ozzie has a track record.  You have consistently been one of the most negative posters in your short time here.  Please tell me, if Lloyd is so much better, why is Stokley here and Lloyd still on the streets?

 

Just because he isn't a total homer doesn't mean you should slam his posts. Yes Ozzie has a track record, but not with wide receivers. I am probably another person you throw into the "negative posters" category. If everyone on this board loves every single move Ozzie makes and is constantly posting about how great everything is, where is the fun in even posting if there isn't anything to debate or discuss with others who don't share the same opinion and are critical of a move? I think Sami has a valid point, I too was clamoring for Lloyd, but the combo of this and Dallas Clark signing has me happy so I personally don't share his point of view and am happy with these two signings.

[Ravenslifer]

I see a lot of people naming receivers they'd rather have.  Maybe the big reason is that Stoke complements what we do have more than a Brandon Lloyd (another vertical guy) and has a consistent track record (unlike the oft-injured Laurent Robinson).  I remember people being unhappy with getting Derrick Mason, who after all, was already 31 and had done a lot of his work on special teams.  And everyone said Jacoby was a complete bust as a receiver and the signing was nothing more than a special teams move.  Ozzie doesn't work alone - the front office keeps tabs on potential free agents, their skill sets and what they could do for us.  

[B-more Ravor]

Brian McFarland ‏@RavensSalaryCap 3m B. Stokley received a 1-yr, $1.005M contract w/ base salary of $940K & $65K bonus $$. Under min. salary benefit will count $620K against Cap

 

Brian McFarland ‏@RavensSalaryCap 1m With Stokley on books, Ravens are now $4,169,459 under Cap, pending processing of Clark's deal (which will likely look just like Stokley's)

[RavensFan34950]

TO THE BRANDON LLOYD SUPPORTS:

Patrick Crayton, and I repeat Patrick freaking Crayton was just signed by New Orleans!

If Patrick Crayton found a home (who hasn't caught a ball since 2011) before Brandon LLoyd don't you think there has to be something wrong where not 1 single team will take a shot at him.

He either has some serious personal issues going on where no one will touch him OR he sees a guy like Boldin get traded and making $6mill this year and wants similar, no one will pay and he won't come off his number.

In either scenario he's not coming here so move on.

LOL you know what, you are right and i was wrong.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

LOL you know what, you are right and i was wrong.

 

Haha was that sarcasm or serious?

 

I never wanted Lloyd but I understood the desire until I saw that Crayton was signed.... If he got signed before Lloyd SOMETHING has to be wrong with the guy