Ravens sign TE Dallas Clark

[Ravenseconbeast]

Interesting

[gabefergy]

wow this is such a panic move 

Signing Shiancoe was a panic move. This is a great pick-up.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Hello ESPN & skip troll bayless!

We know you are here....12 members and 85 guest...uh

[CorvusCorax]

I really doubt Shiancoe stays if we sign Clark. They probably didn't like what they saw in the first preseason game.

 

This. They are probably only going to keep one veteran TE. They probably do not want Shiancoe to get too comfortable. 

 

 

The good thing is we have Leach so he can fill in the blocking TE position. Or even the pass catching TE position and really throw off Defenses. The possibilities...

[Ragin'Raven]

I don't understand why some people just assume these players are going to take over automatically. They still will have to earn their rights to be starters. If someone wants it more than them, they will take it from them. Competition is a good thing.

[SecretAgentMan]

Hello ESPN & skip troll bayless!

We know you are here....12 members and 85 guest...uh

Lol, Ashley Fox

[Ravenslifer]

I mean I like what I've read about him and seen from him, especially that catch in the TB game, but I don't really understand the hype around him. 

 

Can somebody explain?

 

Furstenburg?  He's got serious measurables and put up good stats at Maryland considering A) the majority of the time he was used as a blocker, and B. just when it looked like he was poised for a breakout season, all of Maryland's quarterbacks got injured and I believe a freshman linebacker ended up having to start for the Terps in 2012.  He's got a chance IMO to be a pretty good player in this league, and for an undrafted free agent I think he could end up being a steal.  I'm really excited because I know the guy can block, but I do believe he can make a name for himself as a receiver in time.

[redlobster]

What's the cap look like after this signing ?

[Ravenseconbeast]

Can we get rid of Bajema now? I dont want that guy doing nothing but sitting on bench and do block assignment every 1-2 snaps a game

[Ravenslifer]

wow this is such a panic move 

 

I don't see it that way.  We had a need for solid receiving options given Q and Pitta are gone, and Dickson and Thompson are injured.  Clark and Stokely have the advantages of being A) older vets that we could sign to cheap one year deals, B. 2 guys who know how to run routes, get open, and have the hands to make tough catches, something we needed to complement Torrey and Jacoby, and C) guys who are very familiar with Jim Caldwell, a Peyton Manning style offense, and will no doubt pick up the playbook much easier than say a Brandon Lloyd would.  Will they replace the guys we lost, no, but I think both will provide a stabilizing presence that will take pressure off our inexperienced receivers and should allow them to actually succeed faster.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Furstenburg?  He's got serious measurables and put up good stats at Maryland considering A) the majority of the time he was used as a blocker, and B. just when it looked like he was poised for a breakout season, all of Maryland's quarterbacks got injured and I believe a freshman linebacker ended up having to start for the Terps in 2012.  He's got a chance IMO to be a pretty good player in this league, and for an undrafted free agent I think he could end up being a steal.  I'm really excited because I know the guy can block, but I do believe he can make a name for himself as a receiver in time.

I see him at least staying as a practice squad.

[jazz1988]

I don't understand why some people just assume these players are going to take over automatically. They still will have to earn their rights to be starters. If someone wants it more than them, they will take it from them. Competition is a good thing.

 

with the history that the ravens have with veteran receivers i think it fair to say yeah these veterans are going to take over automatically no matter how good the young guys play

[gabefergy]

What's the cap look like after this signing ?

I doubt it changes much unless he gets something more than the veteran minimum. Rule of 51 still applies.

[Ravenslifer]

I don't understand why some people just assume these players are going to take over automatically. They still will have to earn their rights to be starters. If someone wants it more than them, they will take it from them. Competition is a good thing.

 

True, but if the FO felt as good about the young players as that, these guys probably wouldn't have been signed.

[beanfigger]

Signing vets like this makes a ton of sense. Hopefully, they can not only produce but also help fill in some of the intangibles we lost, which is really just about all we lost aside from the Pitta injury. Good stuff. We are set up to continue to build through the draft, while not taking years off from contending because we have enough leadership and skill to compete while the youngsters grow. Great organization we got there, if you hadn't noticed.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Well, we are unloading few of these young guys that aren showing anything. Thats for sure.

[Ragin'Raven]

True, but if the FO felt as good about the young players as that, these guys probably wouldn't have been signed.

Sometimes the best motivation you can have is when someone else comes in to take your job. It might actually make the young guys step up and realize they can't just play for 2nd string. You don't just want to settle if you can be the one making the difference.

with the history that the ravens have with veteran receivers i think it fair to say yeah these veterans are going to take over automatically no matter how good the young guys play

I don't know. It will be interesting to see how it develops.

[PolishRifle]

Well, we are unloading few of these young guys that aren showing anything. Thats for sure.

Sure, the NFL is a buttomline league. The windows of opportunity are small and you have to develop fast. Torrey gets better from season to season, why can't the others? No excuses.

[jdynamite]

So is Dickson's injury more serious? Is it just more competition for camp, because I wanted to see what Furstenberg could bring to the table with more action.

[jazz1988]

I don't see it that way.  We had a need for solid receiving options given Q and Pitta are gone, and Dickson and Thompson are injured.  Clark and Stokely have the advantages of being A) older vets that we could sign to cheap one year deals, B. 2 guys who know how to run routes, get open, and have the hands to make tough catches, something we needed to complement Torrey and Jacoby, and C) guys who are very familiar with Jim Caldwell, a Peyton Manning style offense, and will no doubt pick up the playbook much easier than say a Brandon Lloyd would.  Will they replace the guys we lost, no, but I think both will provide a stabilizing presence that will take pressure off our inexperienced receivers and should allow them to actually succeed faster.

 

thats understandable but the reason why i say it's a panic move because the ravens havent even been through their second preseason  game to further evaluate  the young receivers in a real game and all of a sudden they sign two veteran  receivers that most likely would had been free agents by september or atleast by the time of the final preseason game.

[GrimCoconut]

I think there's no harm in having just good competition. These guys are competing. The WR haven't looked great so it's reasonable to assume perhaps we'd like more out of our TE.

[beanfigger]

thats understandable but the reason why i say it's a panic move because the ravens havent even been through their second preseason game to further evaluate the young receivers in a real game and all of a sudden they sign two veteran receivers that most likely would had been free agents by september or atleast by the time of the final preseason game.

I'd rather have them now so they can work with us during this month. We may not need them, like you said, but it isn't like they're getting millions guaranteed. They can be cut just as easily as the young guys. What's wrong with hedging our bets? Not panic, playing it smart and safe.

[Purple Nurple]

So they'll be calling our offense old now. Great.

[beanfigger]

So they'll be calling our offense old now. Great.

Not the starters. Aside from McKinnie, the starters will all be fairly young.

[SecretAgentMan]

So they'll be calling our offense old now. Great.

Four 30 something's with experience is never a bad thing.
Especially since 3 of them have SB experience. They know how to win

[SecretAgentMan]

Not the starters. Aside from McKinnie, the starters will all be fairly young.

Make that 5 30 something's.

[T3hRaven]

thats understandable but the reason why i say it's a panic move because the ravens havent even been through their second preseason  game to further evaluate  the young receivers in a real game and all of a sudden they sign two veteran  receivers that most likely would had been free agents by september or atleast by the time of the final preseason game.

 

It's better to sign them now and give them the month or so to learn the team and the offense than sign them late.  There are a lot of filler bodies in camp, bringing these guys in isn't hurting the team in that aspect at least.

[Sami84]

dallas is around the same age as boldin.

[beanfigger]

Make that 5 30 something's.

You think we'll have five offensive starters? Or do you mean just five offensive players in rotation?

[Sami84]

Four 30 something's with experience is never a bad thing.
Especially since 3 of them have SB experience. They know how to win

 

Leach for a fullback is at his peak

 so its

 

Bmac: 33

VS : 33

Dallas: 34

Stokely:37

 

the rest of the offense is young. Also Dickson will start. 

 

Smith: 24

Dickson:25

Jones: 29

Clark: 34

Rice: 26

Pierce:22

Yanda: 28

Oher: 27

Gino:24

Osemele: 23