[News] Late For Work 1/10: Franchising Dennis Pitta May Cost $5 Million More Than Expected

[TheRavengers]

I wonder what a Ken Whisenhunt-based offense would look like here though...

[GaryArmado]

I swear I keep missing Torrey Smith so much!!!

He came to my old elementary school Calvin Rodwell.

Now he just came to my college, Morgan State?!

I need to catch this guy somehow!

[The Greek]

wouldnt surprise me if we trade back and collect more draft picks. this is a deep draft at a couple positions. however i agree we need a stud receiver or a stud pass rusher if we stay put in the 1st rd.

[410love]

the problem is, if you cant create an offense where pitta can play like he's worthy of a big contract, it will always seem like he isnt worth that slot money. someone will pay him if we dont,especially if we end up in cap hell having to shell out 11 mil for him.I dont think thats an option and they have to contract him or he'll walk. Caldwell is getting stiffed in my opinion.two sb trips as asst. coach,he also made it himself as a head coach but didnt win the game against new orleans. cant knock him for that, it was after katrina against a fired up team. oher's mom forgot to mention the discipline that he lacks which has made him the most penalized tackle in football. a warrior? yes. Best tackle? she'd better wake up from whatever dream she's in.

[fight fight fight]

fight fight fight - the issue with Oher isn't just the penalties. Yes he's cut them down, which helps a LOT. The problem is he gets beaten often. Whether it's a decision on who to block or just athletically, I saw him get beaten way too often this year.

I agree with that. I was responding to ksk's statement about his false starts.

[NinjaTurtles]

I think it would benefit Rice if he dropped a little weight. For his frame I think he packed on too much muscle the past season or two. He's not as shifty and dynamic or fast as he use to be. That's also due to the play-calling where he runs up the middle 50 times a game, but still. If he dropped around 10 pounds we would see the same shifty version of Rice we saw his first couple seasons on the Ravens. Instead of hitting the gym 3 times a day over the offseason he needs to maybe start doing a little aerobic/anaerobic exercises, runs, p90X, something. To be honest I would suggest to pick up a little wrestling for cross-training. For those who have never wrestled it's one of the most exhausting/tough sports there are. He would be a monster when he got back. Just ask Roddy White. Even Ray Lewis did a little boxing back in the day to stay in shape over the off-season.

[Rave-O]

Pitta MUST STAY HERE. That much I do know.

Not if he wants to get paid more than a TE. I hope he stays but not at any price. He's no Jimmy Graham.

[riseNConquer81]

Not if he wants to get paid more than a TE. I hope he stays but not at any price. He's no Jimmy Graham.

you missed the entire point. Didnt say anything about him "wanting" to get paid more than a TE, the piece was about what it might cost us to place the franchise tag on him because of the way he's used in our offense.

that's how these start up...people not reading.

[crabby]

I don't know. Pitta sat and watched Joe's agent negotiate a record high payday.

I just hope he doesn't have visions of grander because while we all love Pitta, he is not even close to being worth $12 million. Not even close.

[riseNConquer81]

I don't know. Pitta sat and watched Joe's agent negotiate a record high payday. I just hope he doesn't have visions of grander because while we all love Pitta, he is not even close to being worth $12 million. Not even close.

You dont negotiate a franchise tag...

[Shaky End of the Quarter]

I personally have mixed feelings when it comes to Pitta and Monroe. I believe both cases should be dealt with precaution. Both are very good players, very talented and dedicated to the game. Having said that I still don't believe either of them should get anywhere near top dollar for their position. I am not saying our FO is thinking of making Pitta or Monroe the highest paid TE or LT in the league but I would be cautious dishing out the money. Due to Pitta's injury last year I would be more inclined to dish out more money to Monroe. That also has to do with the 4th and 5th picks we already dished out for him. A TE should be easier to replace than a LT regardless of Pitta and Flacco's friendship. If someone offers Pitta a ton of money let him walk. I rather see how he comes back and plays an entire season after injury than to offer him big bucks right away. Pitta is good but he is not capable of taking over a game like Gronk or Jimmy Graham. And he is still a ways away from being a Vernon Davis, Tony Gonzo type player.

[Stephenjr]

I think Flacco relies to much on Pitta sometimes, Throwing into triple coverage is about the dumbest thing you can do. I know they are best friends and they trust each other, but sometimes you have to put some trust into other players. God if Pitta wasn't injured, can you imagine what his numbers may have looked like this year? We would have to franchise him!

[crabby]

You dont negotiate a franchise tag...

I didnt think so either but sarah's article states the following.

 

In 2008,

Terrell Suggs filed a grievance to get a defensive end franchise tag, which gets paid more than a linebacker. The two sides ultimately agreed on a reported $8.5 million hybrid defensive end-linebacker franchise tag.

[olescule24]

My biggest problem with Flacco (and I am a fan) is that he doesn't use a play sleeve. I believe that would help him with running a more efficient hurry up offense, as well as take the clock management issue Harbaugh gets dinged with every year. Having a QB coach can't hurt, always liked Hugh Jackson and now he is with the Bengals (Danm).

I can't understand the coaching staff not catching the players (Suggs/Rice) gaining weight and not recognizing that weight is costing effectiveness. Specially after dealing with McKinney over the past 3 years or so. Strength and Conditioning crew should be under a very bright light with Castillo. I read the other day, likely on RussellStreet, that the biggest need for the Ravens improvement is in their offensive play calling. I totally agree with that. Hopefully Steve B., has impressed on his staff that he is expecting a dynamic change in production from top to bottom.

[rmcjacket23]

I personally have mixed feelings when it comes to Pitta and Monroe. I believe both cases should be dealt with precaution. Both are very good players, very talented and dedicated to the game. Having said that I still don't believe either of them should get anywhere near top dollar for their position. I am not saying our FO is thinking of making Pitta or Monroe the highest paid TE or LT in the league but I would be cautious dishing out the money. Due to Pitta's injury last year I would be more inclined to dish out more money to Monroe. That also has to do with the 4th and 5th picks we already dished out for him. A TE should be easier to replace than a LT regardless of Pitta and Flacco's friendship. If someone offers Pitta a ton of money let him walk. I rather see how he comes back and plays an entire season after injury than to offer him big bucks right away. Pitta is good but he is not capable of taking over a game like Gronk or Jimmy Graham. And he is still a ways away from being a Vernon Davis, Tony Gonzo type player.

I think the two are in separate situations. I think this is a great time in the league right now to lock up a LT long-term, because the relatively flat salary cap across the league has deflated the prices of contracts for LTs.

Conversely, the market and demand for quality TEs has never been higher, so that could inflate PItta's price tag a bit. I think the Ravens are more concerned with locking up Monroe before anybody else in my opinion, though I do expect to see deals for both. But keep in mind... I'm not sure the Ravens can afford to sign both until they either make a few cuts, or make a decision whether to extend or cut Suggs.

[omar586]

they should let pitta test FA, he's injured and i dont think he's 100%, i think we should make Jacoby a higher priority than pitta,

[Tyche]

Poor Caldwell. It is really bad timing for him that all of these job openings are there just when his offense had one of the historic worsts. Had these opportunities opened up after the Ravens' Superbowl win, he would have gotten hired.

[ravenwildman]

Prime players gained weight becoming less prime, the O-line slowed down and blocked no one. Folks couldn't muster the gas to finish the 4th quarter without a melt down. A QB in the shotgun throwing passes like....well a shotgun......ah, such is the song of a Superbowl hangover! GO RAVENS!

[callahan09]

WE could probably use one but I don't think Flacco wants one. Remember-it matters what he wants and does'nt want. For example-when he was told to start implementing the wild cat, all he did was say he didn't like or want it and we never saw it again. Just sayin.

What makes you think Flacco doesn't want a QB coach?  He was very happy to have Zorn and was outspoken about how upset he was when they got rid of him.  Then, he was outspoken about how excited he was to have Caldwell as QB coach... I've seen nothing but indicators that he likes having a QB coach dedicated to him and his position.

[JoeyFlex5]

did anyone else read the leigh anne tuohy quote in sandra bullocks voice?

[respecttheRaven]

WE could probably use one but I don't think Flacco wants one. Remember-it matters what he wants and does'nt want. For example-when he was told to start implementing the wild cat, all he did was say he didn't like or want it and we never saw it again. Just sayin.

I do seem to remember that Joe was highly upset when they let Jim Zorn go. He was not happy at all! 

[JoeyFlex5]

hue jackson NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[JGreeno1980]

If Watkins, Evans, Lee, Matthews(if we don't sign Monroe), Robinson or Ebron are gone when we pick at 16 or 17, I would not be mad if we get Ha Ha Dix. I believe Wagner will get a chance to start at RT if why can't get Robinson in the first round.

[burnbigben]

I didnt think so either but sarah's article states the following.

 

In 2008,

Terrell Suggs filed a grievance to get a defensive end franchise tag, which gets paid more than a linebacker. The two sides ultimately agreed on a reported $8.5 million hybrid defensive end-linebacker franchise tag.

 

"On February 19, 2008, the Ravens placed the franchise tag on Suggs. He initially filed a grievance because the team had designated him as a LB with the franchise tag rather than a DE, which resulted in a monetary difference of about $800,000. Despite being unhappy with the franchise tag, Suggs reported to off-season mini-camps to practice with the team. On May 13, 2008, he reached an agreement with the team to split the difference in the franchise tag amounts of a LB and a DE and drop his grievance."

 

The difference there was 800k, 5Mil will be a much different story. If anyone thinks Dennis Pitta is worth 11Mil they are on drugs and should be jailed, including an arbitrator. I don't think he is even worth 6.7Mil, especially if the franchise didn't think Anquan was worth 6 Mil last offseason.

[bioLarzen]

I do seem to remember that Joe was highly upset when they let Jim Zorn go. He was not happy at all! 

 

Yeah, that was the first time Flacco was openly critical about something - the decision to fire Zorn.

 

Sadly, Zorn is the QB coach for the Chiefs, and with the great season Alex Smith has had, I doubt there would be any realistic chance to get him out of his contract - even if there was any such intention on the ravens' part...

 

bio

[bioLarzen]

Poor Caldwell. It is really bad timing for him that all of these job openings are there just when his offense had one of the historic worsts. Had these opportunities opened up after the Ravens' Superbowl win, he would have gotten hired.

 

There are HC vacancies after every regular season. There were some last season, too. and there will be some next season...

 

bio

[JD08]

Mom must not have been watching all the games...Oher missed most of the Denver game in Week 1...noticed how she didnt point out he's been the most frequently penalized player since 2009

[ravens92]

please draft big lineman

[JD08]

Before Oher or his Mom start thinking about what dollar amount to "command", they need to figure out how many of the 40+ sacks on Flacco did he give up? Does anyone out there know that stat?

 

Oher allowed a team high 8 sacks and 42 qb hurries...he's most likely gone

[Black n Purple Express]

Frequent penalized player in the league or just the Ravens? Someone on here had a post saying Mike wasn't penalized much this season it was another player.