Report: LT Eugene Monroe one of Ravens' priorities

[jazz1988]

that's exactly why I would rather just throw $6m per year at Alex Mack.

if Monroe gets $9-10 elsewhere, we can take that $3-4 we saved and put it towards another OL.

 

I understand what you mean .  I hope the Ravens can get this deal done with Monroe because it really isn't easy finding  a solid left tackle as it is finding a solid center.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

that's exactly why I would rather just throw $6m per year at Alex Mack.

if Monroe gets $9-10 elsewhere, we can take that $3-4 we saved and put it towards another OL.

I believe the middle ground would be to offer more guaranteed money for less cap hit and money/year contract; he's very young and a 40 mil for 5 years with 25 mil as guaranteed contract could work both ways

[Tank 92]

that's exactly why I would rather just throw $6m per year at Alex Mack.

if Monroe gets $9-10 elsewhere, we can take that $3-4 we saved and put it towards another OL.

 

 

IDK man, a LT is a much tougher find than C. Monroe is top 10, young and healthy. I think we need to pay him.

[Poes Crows]

Where do you get this stuff from man lol. I know you can't be serious 

Serious

 

Let's say you don't have all the Raven's game Tivo'd and can't review Monroe's games.

 

Then try this one on...

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars draft Eugene Monroe 8th overall in 2009.

 

Concerns like "PFF" rate Monroe as the 3rd, 10th and 10th best LT's in the League in his first 3 years.

 

Then in 2013 The Jaguars use the overall 2nd pick to draft?  You guessed it another LT, Luke Joeckel. 

 

Shortly thereafter the Jags trade Monroe to Baltimore and insert the draftee into his LT spot. Unfortunately for them Joeckel goes down with an injury.

 

Joeckel did not come cheap but ask yourselves this.....What kind of thought processing has a team draft their LT of the future and 4 years later draft another LT of the future? 

 

Obviously Oz rated Monroe high in 2009, but then so did the Jags.

 

All doubt is removed if you study the films.

[jdynamite]

Just received from mobile notification from NFL.com the Ravens and Monroe are "far apart" in contract negotiations. But the article doesn't say anything in depth, just that "unnamed sources" said that, followed by nothing else relevant to the store.. smh Poorly written article....

[Tank 92]

 

 

The only thing Ozzie messed up in was NOT FINDING A VIABLE REPLACEMENT FOR BOLDIN(Gino doesn't count seeing as he has a leigit chance to redeem himself). If the running game actually works, then this team is a playoff team.  

 

 

 

 

I don't think this would have been an issue if Pitta had not gone down and been active from the beginning of the year.  Having a viable target at TE would have given the WR corps a better chance to succeed.  Losing Jacoby at the start didn't help matters either.

[display name]

I hope we get to avoid using the franchise tag this year. $11.654 million for Monroe, which we would have to pay if we tagged him, is too much for us. If we can trade Boldin because he cost too much than we should be able to part ways with Monroe, even though I would like to keep him.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

I hope we get to avoid using the franchise tag this year. $11.654 million for Monroe, which we would have to pay if we tagged him, is too much for us. If we can trade Boldin because he cost too much than we should be able to part ways with Monroe, even though I would like to keep him.

with a franchise tag you also buy time to negotiate a long-time deal, time which in Monroe's case looks extremely important right now

[display name]

with a franchise tag you also buy time to negotiate a long-time deal, time which in Monroe's case looks extremely important right now

But if he gets upset with the franchise tag (as often happens) it could be difficult to negotiate a long-term deal and we could be stuck paying him that money.

[Poes Crows]

IDK man, a LT is a much tougher find than C. Monroe is top 10, young and healthy. I think we need to pay him.

 

One has to acknowledge durability. At least in that regard he has been solid.

 

Never underestimate the value of soundness a player brings to a team.

[izvoodoo]

But if he gets upset with the franchise tag (as often happens) it could be difficult to negotiate a long-term deal and we could be stuck paying him that money.

I'm sure he'd rather have the market, but as long as we in earnest negotiate him and sign him to a long term deal im sure the anomosity will subside.

[jazz1988]

Serious

 

Let's say you don't have all the Raven's game Tivo'd and can't review Monroe's games.

 

Then try this one on...

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars draft Eugene Monroe 8th overall in 2009.

 

Concerns like "PFF" rate Monroe as the 3rd, 10th and 10th best LT's in the League in his first 3 years.

 

Then in 2013 The Jaguars use the overall 2nd pick to draft?  You guessed it another LT, Luke Joeckel. 

 

Shortly thereafter the Jags trade Monroe to Baltimore and insert the draftee into his LT spot. Unfortunately for them Joeckel goes down with an injury.

 

Joeckel did not come cheap but ask yourselves this.....What kind of thought processing has a team draft their LT of the future and 4 years later draft another LT of the future? 

 

Obviously Oz rated Monroe high in 2009, but then so did the Jags.

 

All doubt is removed if you study the films.

 

I think theres very logically answer to that and at the time Luke Joeckel was one of the best players to draft  for The Jaguars. Joeckel has the potentials to be just as good or even better than Monroe and he will be cheaper. Why wouldn't  they want to draft him? Teams don't mind re-singing players to big deals but if they can go a  much cheaper route  such as through the draft by selecting a player in which they know will eventually provide the same production or better then best believe they will not mind letting  a solid veteran player go .

 

If the Ravens right now had a much higher pick in the draft then the need for Eugene Monroe wouldn't be as high because they will have a shot at drafting a top left tackle like Jake Matthews or Greg Robinson. The Cheifs drafted  a left tackle by the name of Eric Fisher knowing they had a solid left tackle in Brandon Albert and to my understanding  both the Jaguars and cheifs had plans to re-signed their veteran left tackles( Brandon Albert and Eugene Monroe) but I think the contract talks went no where and  it just made the need  for them alot less since they already had very capable future left tackles whom will be alot cheaper and possibly better or just as good.

 

 

I 

[jdynamite]

Serious

 

Let's say you don't have all the Raven's game Tivo'd and can't review Monroe's games.

 

Then try this one on...

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars draft Eugene Monroe 8th overall in 2009.

 

Concerns like "PFF" rate Monroe as the 3rd, 10th and 10th best LT's in the League in his first 3 years.

 

Then in 2013 The Jaguars use the overall 2nd pick to draft?  You guessed it another LT, Luke Joeckel. 

 

Shortly thereafter the Jags trade Monroe to Baltimore and insert the draftee into his LT spot. Unfortunately for them Joeckel goes down with an injury.

 

Joeckel did not come cheap but ask yourselves this.....What kind of thought processing has a team draft their LT of the future and 4 years later draft another LT of the future? 

 

Obviously Oz rated Monroe high in 2009, but then so did the Jags.

 

All doubt is removed if you study the films.

 

The Jaguars drafted Joeckel for a couple of reasons, one being that Monroe was in a contract year, and it was doubted that he would re-sign with the team, due to the state of the Jaguars as an organization, consistent losing on the field, constant turnover with coaching staffs, inconsistent QB play...  1) Joeckel was drafted as insurance for if Monroe bolted in free agency, the same scenario played out in KC as well with B.Albert and E.Fisher being drafted. Even the Eagles whom weren't sure of Peters post injury drafted L.Johnson and now Johnson is just a RT.....  2)  Jaguars decided to trade Monroe when it became clear he wouldn't sign an extension, trading created the oppportunity to let Joeckel play LT now rather than later, unfortunately for them Joeckel got hurt.

 

The cowboys did the same process with T.Smith the previous year and it helped in developing T.Smith.... Not all top drafted LT prospects step in immediately these days, some J.Long, J.Thomas, T.Williams, R.Okung   step in and look Pro Bowl cailber, while some turn into J.Smith , M.Williams, L.Davis, R.Gallery or even Andre Davis, now Andre Davis has become a top RT in this league but he was drafted top 10 to be a LT and that never happened...

 

Point being the drafting of Joeckel didn't mean the Jaguars realized Monroe wasn't fit to be LT anymore...                                                                 

[BloodRaven]

that's exactly why I would rather just throw $6m per year at Alex Mack.

if Monroe gets $9-10 elsewhere, we can take that $3-4 we saved and put it towards another OL.

 

I would too, but I think Mack will become the highest paid centre in the league, over $8.5M a year.

[rmw10]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet  1h

Colts want to strike a deal with CB Vontae Davis, but won’t tag him. Meanwhile, Ravens not close with OT Eugene Monroe. Tag still an option

[Ravenslifer]

Just received from mobile notification from NFL.com the Ravens and Monroe are "far apart" in contract negotiations. But the article doesn't say anything in depth, just that "unnamed sources" said that, followed by nothing else relevant to the store.. smh Poorly written article....

 

They said the exact same thing just days before Pitta inked his deal.  For all we know this is just because they hadn't even bothered opening negotiations until Pitta signed, so of course they're going to be far apart.  I definitely could see Monroe getting the franchise tag, but where negotiations are with Monroe now doesn't concern me because I think they focused on getting Pitta done before everyone else.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Just pay the man, no need to add to the off season positions we have to address

"Pay the man" hasn't worked for us. Rather have ozzie/FO use every minute to deal until it comes to last resort(tag)

[flynismo]

Serious

 

Let's say you don't have all the Raven's game Tivo'd and can't review Monroe's games.

 

Then try this one on...

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars draft Eugene Monroe 8th overall in 2009.

 

Concerns like "PFF" rate Monroe as the 3rd, 10th and 10th best LT's in the League in his first 3 years.

 

Then in 2013 The Jaguars use the overall 2nd pick to draft?  You guessed it another LT, Luke Joeckel. 

 

Shortly thereafter the Jags trade Monroe to Baltimore and insert the draftee into his LT spot. Unfortunately for them Joeckel goes down with an injury.

 

Joeckel did not come cheap but ask yourselves this.....What kind of thought processing has a team draft their LT of the future and 4 years later draft another LT of the future? 

 

Obviously Oz rated Monroe high in 2009, but then so did the Jags.

 

All doubt is removed if you study the films.

 

Well, it is the Jags that we are talking about....but your point still rings true.

I think he is a very good OT, but at this point in his career, he likely has plateaued. Absolutely nothing wrong with being among the top 10ish at your position, but I certainly wouldn't break the bank for this guy when we have so many other needs.

 

Say his value is $10m annually.

 

Would we rather give a solid LT like himself that money, or give $6M of it to a guy like Mack, who is arguably the best player in the league at his position, and still have $4M left over to go out and grab a guy like D'Qwell Jackson who can help us out elsewhere on the team, or use that money to bring back Jacoby and / or Daryl Smith? Simple economics....with a limited amount of cash, would we rather fill one position, or 2 - 3 positions, with that $10M? Especially easy to answer when we consider that Mack is a better player, and fills an equally huge need for us.

 

I understand that LTs are hard to come by. Fortunately for us, this years' draft has a ton of quality at OT that will be available in the first two rounds

[Ravenseconbeast]

Monroe is wayyy overvaluing himself. Probably a reason why Jags dumped him b/c he won't accept an extension.

He'll be tagged. Were not breaking banks for a decent LT.

[rmw10]

Well, it is the Jags that we are talking about....but your point still rings true.

I think he is a very good OT, but at this point in his career, he likely has plateaued. Absolutely nothing wrong with being among the top 10ish at your position, but I certainly wouldn't break the bank for this guy when we have so many other needs.

 

Say his value is $10m annually.

 

Would we rather give a solid LT like himself that money, or give $6M of it to a guy like Mack, who is arguably the best player in the league at his position, and still have $4M left over to go out and grab a guy like D'Qwell Jackson who can help us out elsewhere on the team, or use that money to bring back Jacoby and / or Daryl Smith? Simple economics....with a limited amount of cash, would we rather fill one position, or 2 - 3 positions, with that $10M? Especially easy to answer when we consider that Mack is a better player, and fills an equally huge need for us.

 

I understand that LTs are hard to come by. Fortunately for us, this years' draft has a ton of quality at OT that will be available in the first two rounds

 

You aren't going to get Mack for $6M annually.  Based on other contracts and the fact that Mack is better than most, if not all of them, he'll be getting $8M annually.  For the extra $2M or so, you go with a LT, a position that we've been trying to fill ever since JO left.

[flynismo]

I would too, but I think Mack will become the highest paid centre in the league, over $8.5M a year.

 

I would be a little surprised if he got that kind of money, but if that were to happen, there are still a couple other top shelf Centers who can be had for half of what Monroe is looking for. I just dont want us paying out the wazoo for a guy who isn't worth out-the-wazoo money

[flynismo]

You aren't going to get Mack for $6M annually.  Based on other contracts and the fact that Mack is better than most, if not all of them, he'll be getting $8M annually.  For the extra $2M or so, you go with a LT, a position that we've been trying to fill ever since JO left.

 

If you happen to know off-hand, what are the top salaries currently at the C position?

Honestly, I'd still rather give Mack $8M than give Monroe $10M if that were the case

[rmw10]

If you happen to know off-hand, what are the top salaries currently at the C position?

Honestly, I'd still rather give Mack $8M than give Monroe $10M if that were the case

 

Ryan Kalil at $8.2M and Nick Mangold at $7.7M.  Mack has the argument that he is better than both, and he has the advantage with the cap increase this year.

 

I completely disagree.  Center is not a position that we need to invest that much money into.  LT is.  We've been struggling there for years.  We've done well finding quality C's at cheap rates or late in the draft.  Birk, Flynn, Brown, etc. were all quality players that didn't require huge investments.  Sure, Gradkowski didn't work out, but it's much easier to find a C than it is a LT.  Even some of the top draft picks at LT don't work out.  It's much harder to find, and we have a guy in Monroe that has shown he can play good football in our system.  We have to pay him.  We can't go back to the days of McKinnie and Oher.

[izvoodoo]

If you happen to know off-hand, what are the top salaries currently at the C position?

Honestly, I'd still rather give Mack $8M than give Monroe $10M if that were the case

Less than that

http://overthecap.com/top-player-salaries.php?Position=C

 

But one of the reasons they're cheap is they're easier to find.  LTs are either top 5-10 picks or really expensive.  

[flynismo]

Ryan Kalil at $8.2M and Nick Mangold at $7.7M.  Mack has the argument that he is better than both, and he has the advantage with the cap increase this year.

 

I completely disagree.  Center is not a position that we need to invest that much money into.  LT is.  We've been struggling there for years.  We've done well finding quality C's at cheap rates or late in the draft.  Birk, Flynn, Brown, etc. were all quality players that didn't require huge investments.  Sure, Gradkowski didn't work out, but it's much easier to find a C than it is a LT.  Even some of the top draft picks at LT don't work out.  It's much harder to find, and we have a guy in Monroe that has shown he can play good football in our system.  We have to pay him.  We can't go back to the days of McKinnie and Oher.

 

Given that info, then I agree that Mack will likely command $8M annually.

 

I do not disagree that LT is the position we need to invest in, I am with you on that. I just dont see Monroe as the guy to make such a large investment in. I'd rather look to the draft for our LT

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Ryan Kalil at $8.2M and Nick Mangold at $7.7M.  Mack has the argument that he is better than both, and he has the advantage with the cap increase this year.

 

I completely disagree.  Center is not a position that we need to invest that much money into.  LT is.  We've been struggling there for years.  We've done well finding quality C's at cheap rates or late in the draft.  Birk, Flynn, Brown, etc. were all quality players that didn't require huge investments.  Sure, Gradkowski didn't work out, but it's much easier to find a C than it is a LT.  Even some of the top draft picks at LT don't work out.  It's much harder to find, and we have a guy in Monroe that has shown he can play good football in our system.  We have to pay him.  We can't go back to the days of McKinnie and Oher.

 

to add to this, there are some viable Cs in the FA this year besides Mack that we could go for without too much cap damage; Monroe is a must and I will be shocked if Ozzie doesn't slap him with the tag before deadline if nothing else done

[rmw10]

Given that info, then I agree that Mack will likely command $8M annually.

 

I do not disagree that LT is the position we need to invest in, I am with you on that. I just dont see Monroe as the guy to make such a large investment in. I'd rather look to the draft for our LT

 

But can we rely on the draft?  We thought we were getting our future LT in Oher and that didn't work out.  Even the top, sure things at LT sometimes turn out to not be the sure things they were made out to be.  Who in this draft would we even take?  I don't see anyone that is any sure thing.  We could waste a draft pick and be stuck in the same position again next year.  The point still remains that we have a guy that can solidify a position that we've been incredibly weak at for 5+ years now.  We have the opportunity to alleviate that need.  Is it an expensive fix?  Absolutely, but what other choice do we have?  We found a proven commodity.  We can't ignore that and go to a guy that may or may not be the answer.

[TDubbs]

I do not disagree that LT is the position we need to invest in, I am with you on that. I just dont see Monroe as the guy to make such a large investment in. I'd rather look to the draft for our LT

 

Unless Taylor Lewan fell to us at 17, I don't see a LT that could step in and start from day 1. Factoring in the 2 picks we gave away for Monroe, then the 1 we'd use on another LT. I can't see Ozzie taking that loss on the chin without giving a real effort to keep Eugene. 

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Given that info, then I agree that Mack will likely command $8M annually.

 

I do not disagree that LT is the position we need to invest in, I am with you on that. I just dont see Monroe as the guy to make such a large investment in. I'd rather look to the draft for our LT

yep, sorry but some more from Peter King's MMQB (quite insightful his last article lol)

 

"Who could strike it rich? Three projections:

1. Cleveland center Alex Mack (either with the Browns or elsewhere), a sturdy 28-year-old line leader and solid run blocker, should average $8 million a year, minimum."

[flynismo]

Less than that

http://overthecap.com/top-player-salaries.php?Position=C

 

But one of the reasons they're cheap is they're easier to find.  LTs are either top 5-10 picks or really expensive.  

Looking at that chart for LT, I think Monroe fits in nicely at the $8M bracket.

 

I'd be okay with giving him $8m. Not thrilled, but wouldn't complain either.