Report: LT Eugene Monroe one of Ravens' priorities

[Juviebest]

If Monroe walks I really wouldn't mind seeing that dude Collins come in from Cincy. He was stellar in pass protection last season at LT but Whitworth wants to play LT and not LG. Shouldn't command too much money either.

[TDubbs]

Pitta returns from injury gets 20 catches in 4 games only 5 catches less than Dickson had for the entire season. Thus proving the need for him in the offense in some way.

If pitta wouldn't have returned from injury then I believed he would have had a one year tender.

 

We need Pitta to stay badly. I think both he and the front office know what they have, what type of player he is. I have a good feeling we'll lock him up to a fair long term deal for both sides. 

[DefensiveMind]

shocker

[izvoodoo]

honestly I'd tag monroe.  I'm not sitting around and waiting to find an LT.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

His age and whatever prompted Ozzie to give up a draft for him would lead me to believe there must be something they see in Eugene. Ozzie hates giving up picks, interesting to say the least.

[Poes Crows]

Not sure what the fans are seeing in Monroe to have them bemoaning that he may not stay.  The fact that the Front Office hasn't wheeled out the cash filled wheelbarrow for Monroe is the soundest decision they've made recently. Now we hear the part about testing the Free Agent Market was been "withdrawn".  Well, he's a free agent and the Ravens Front Office would rather eat their own kids than part with their money. You saw what they did to Boldin last year and he was under contract! Retaining Monroe has to be an accommodation. The Jags drafted to replace this guy and right now the Raven's can't overpay.

WNST ‏@WNST
Matt Zenitz: "No discussions between Eugene Monroe and the #Ravens. Will test the free agent market."


Well, that's no good. He's a guy we should be prioritizing during our exclusive negotiating period. I fear if we let him test the open market, some team will offer him a deal that we can't afford to match. I'd like to think he wants to stay here, but I don't think that's something we can count on. Monroe is the most important FA we have. If we don't re-sign him, the whole scope of our offseason has to change.

Mod note: this has been retracted. Jump to page 2.

 

Monroe is certainly not the key to the kingdom.

Well, we still have the franchise tag. The number would be huge, but at least we can keep him off the market. It's not ideal, but it makes no sense to trade 2 picks for the guy then let him walk without a fight.

Brandon Albert is probably the best T on the market, so he may want to wait to see what he gets.

 

Now you're talking.  This guy or the Oakland Dutchman would be worth talking about.

 

If he goes, we get maybe a 3rd round comp pick, so it wouldnt be a waste of a 4th and 5th either way.

 

Yes, he's only a one pick loss. If we get a 3rd round you could argue we make out, but think its a 4th rounder

[thieverycorporation]

If he and Pitta walk we'll have the cap space.  Really it's about drafting well and spending money well.  ideally you want to solve all problems in the draft, but structurally nothing is as important as drafting well.

Agreed.

[Dewy101]

I can't really think who has a ton of cap space and needs an LT...

Giants, Chargers, and Miami

[Dewy101]

I'd be fine with Taylor Lewan at LT. He may have had a bad year but coaching will fix his issues. I honestly believe that Greg Robinson has a chance to fall to us because of all of the talent in this draft

[izvoodoo]

Giants, Chargers, and Miami

Chargers and Giants have less space than us.  Miami and Greenbay are the only two I can find with more space than us.

[Dewy101]

Chargers and Giants have less space than us. Miami and Greenbay are the only two I can find with more space than us.

There going to be cutting a lot of overpaid players

[izvoodoo]

There going to be cutting a lot of overpaid players

We might be as well.  But even then we have enough space to give a contract they would.  Miami is the one team that can straight high ball him.

[Dewy101]

We might be as well. But even then we have enough space to give a contract they would. Miami is the one team that can straight high ball him.

Suggs would be the only reasonable cut but more likely an extension.

[balfan23]

I'd be fine with Taylor Lewan at LT. He may have had a bad year but coaching will fix his issues. I honestly believe that Greg Robinson has a chance to fall to us because of all of the talent in this draft

Robinson is grading at the #1 or #2 LT in the draft. We're 16th - there is virtually no way he is falling that far ... only if something really negative occurs between now and draft day. 

 

On counting on Lewan being our LT ... If Monroe walks, we let a solid 2 months pass by in the FA period without making a move, then we have to hope that Lewan doesn't go ahead of us (actually, it is quite possible and a lot of mocks have him going before 16). Even if he's still there, we're hoping a rookie comes in and picks up our NFL offense and is ready to start game 1.

 

Oooh - that's a major roll of the dice. 

[hawkprey]

Why would we want to spend a high draft pick on a LT when we have a young, proven one waiting to be resigned? Obviously Monroe would be priority #1 this offseason, especially after all the hits Joe took.

[izvoodoo]

Why would we want to spend a high draft pick on a LT when we have a young, proven one waiting to be resigned? Obviously Monroe would be priority #1 this offseason, especially after all the hits Joe took.

Good fit for Kubiak too.

[Dewy101]

Robinson is grading at the #1 or #2 LT in the draft. We're 16th - there is virtually no way he is falling that far ... only if something really negative occurs between now and draft day.

On counting on Lewan being our LT ... If Monroe walks, we let a solid 2 months pass by in the FA period without making a move, then we have to hope that Lewan doesn't go ahead of us (actually, it is quite possible and a lot of mocks have him going before 16). Even if he's still there, we're hoping a rookie comes in and picks up our NFL offense and is ready to start game 1.

Oooh - that's a major roll of the dice.

This isn't last years draft class. This class is loaded with talent. The top teams are going to take players that will make immediate impact on their teams. Gamechangers who can come in and vastly improve their teams. The way I look at it only three teams above us need a LT the Giants, Steelers, and Falcons, but they have other pressing issues they have to fix. We have a really good chance at landing one of the offensive tackles.

[GrimCoconut]

Frankly I'll be a bit ticked if we let Monroe go. I know there's a popular argument that we can get a very talented LT prospect in the draft but Monroe has advantages over them. Most importantly he's proven to be an effective LT in this league. Second, there will be no adjustment because he's already familiar with our personnel to an extent. He knows the system, even if it's changed. Third, Monroe is a good character guy and that's a big plus for our franchise as well.

Matthews, Lewan, Robinson are very talented prospects. I like them a lot but any of them could turn out to be busts. Frankly, we can't miss on our first round pick. I'd rather re-sign Monroe than go for any LT in this class. Yes, that includes even Matthews.

Monroe isn't some old LT. He's pretty damn young. I'd rather go with him.

[The Raven]

Frankly I'll be a bit ticked if we let Monroe go. I know there's a popular argument that we can get a very talented LT prospect in the draft but Monroe has advantages over them. Most importantly he's proven to be an effective LT in this league. Second, there will be no adjustment because he's already familiar with our personnel to an extent. He knows the system, even if it's changed. Third, Monroe is a good character guy and that's a big plus for our franchise as well.

Matthews, Lewan, Robinson are very talented prospects. I like them a lot but any of them could turn out to be busts. Frankly, we can't miss on our first round pick. I'd rather re-sign Monroe than go for any LT in this class. Yes, that includes even Matthews.

Monroe isn't some old LT. He's pretty damn young. I'd rather go with him.

 

Not to mention we gave up two mid rounders for him. It'd be a waste of picks to not re-sign him. 

[GrimCoconut]

Not to mention we gave up two mid rounders for him. It'd be a waste of picks to not re-sign him.

Yeah. That as well. It seems like a no-brainer to me that he'll be re-signed. I honestly can't imagine him not getting re-signed.

[BloodRaven]

If Monroe walks I really wouldn't mind seeing that dude Collins come in from Cincy. He was stellar in pass protection last season at LT but Whitworth wants to play LT and not LG. Shouldn't command too much money either.

 

The problem with Collins is he's heavy footed in the run game, his pass blocking is good though. He's similar to Whitworth (or even McKinnie) where he gets great anticipation, positioning and hand placement.

[balfan23]

This isn't last years draft class. This class is loaded with talent. The top teams are going to take players that will make immediate impact on their teams. Gamechangers who can come in and vastly improve their teams. The way I look at it only three teams above us need a LT the Giants, Steelers, and Falcons, but they have other pressing issues they have to fix. We have a really good chance at landing one of the offensive tackles.

You did leave out at least one team in St Louis who not only have 1 but 2 picks ahead of us. Every single mock I've seen has them taking an OT at either 2 or 13. But I'm not sure that is really the point. The point is - and may be solidified by exactly what you are saying - that this draft has some real potential at the top. 

 

Personally, my preference would be to retain Monroe (as long as his price isn't prohibitive) and get one of those other players you mention who will have immediate impact at a position like WR or TE for our #1 rather than a new LT. As it stands, I'd trust a guy like Monroe, who has league experience and has time on this team, but who is still young, to protect the blind side than a rookie.

 

You can ease in a new WR (or TE .. as long as we retain Pitta) to some degree, that is, you don't have to count on him on every down through the early part of the season and can let him get his legs under him, get accustom to the NFL level of play before counting on him to be an every down player. LT is out there on every snap from game 1. Counting on a rookie to fill that is just a risky proposition, in my mind.

[Ravenslifer]

Not to mention we gave up two mid rounders for him. It'd be a waste of picks to not re-sign him. 

 

That's my thought as well - there's no way the FO gives up two picks for a player unless they've already worked out a plan to resign him.

[The Raven]

That's my thought as well - there's no way the FO gives up two picks for a player unless they've already worked out a plan to resign him.

 

If we don't re-sign Monroe I'm going to be very disappointed with this FO and how they operate.

[Dewy101]

You did leave out at least one team in St Louis who not only have 1 but 2 picks ahead of us. Every single mock I've seen has them taking an OT at either 2 or 13. But I'm not sure that is really the point. The point is - and may be solidified by exactly what you are saying - that this draft has some real potential at the top.

Personally, my preference would be to retain Monroe (as long as his price isn't prohibitive) and get one of those other players you mention who will have immediate impact at a position like WR or TE for our #1 rather than a new LT. As it stands, I'd trust a guy like Monroe, who has league experience and has time on this team, but who is still young, to protect the blind side than a rookie.

You can ease in a new WR (or TE .. as long as we retain Pitta) to some degree, that is, you don't have to count on him on every down through the early part of the season and can let him get his legs under him, get accustom to the NFL level of play before counting on him to be an every down player. LT is out there on every snap from game 1. Counting on a rookie to fill that is just a risky proposition, in my mind.

Jeff fisher believes in developing lineman there's no way they take an OT waste of their pick not to mention a RT is a need, not LT. They have holes at S, WR, and LB. I expect Jake Long to be healthy at seasons start. Honestly how many mock drafts are accurate these so called "experts" guess maybe 4 or 5 picks correct the rest are always wrong. I wouldn't mind retaining Monroe but if he wants elite LT money he's not worth it. PFF graded him out as the 12th best LT. His run blocking isn't great and he does get beat in pass blocking. I'd pay him just not the elite money that he may want

[izvoodoo]

Jeff fisher believes in developing lineman there's no way they take an OT waste of their pick not to mention a RT is a need, not LT. They have holes at S, WR, and LB. I expect Jake Long to be healthy at seasons start. Honestly how many mock drafts are accurate these so called "experts" guess maybe 4 or 5 picks correct the rest are always wrong. I wouldn't mind retaining Monroe but if he wants elite LT money he's not worth it. PFF graded him out as the 12th best LT. His run blocking isn't great and he does get beat in pass blocking. I'd pay him just not the elite money that he may want

 

Jeff fisher believes in developing lineman there's no way they take an OT waste of their pick not to mention a RT is a need, not LT. They have holes at S, WR, and LB. I expect Jake Long to be healthy at seasons start. Honestly how many mock drafts are accurate these so called "experts" guess maybe 4 or 5 picks correct the rest are always wrong. I wouldn't mind retaining Monroe but if he wants elite LT money he's not worth it. PFF graded him out as the 12th best LT. His run blocking isn't great and he does get beat in pass blocking. I'd pay him just not the elite money that he may want

It's have to be pretty obvious for mocks to be right.  

[balfan23]

Jeff fisher believes in developing lineman there's no way they take an OT waste of their pick not to mention a RT is a need, not LT. They have holes at S, WR, and LB. I expect Jake Long to be healthy at seasons start. Honestly how many mock drafts are accurate these so called "experts" guess maybe 4 or 5 picks correct the rest are always wrong. I wouldn't mind retaining Monroe but if he wants elite LT money he's not worth it. PFF graded him out as the 12th best LT. His run blocking isn't great and he does get beat in pass blocking. I'd pay him just not the elite money that he may want

Never mind the mocks and who will pick whom. If we both agree that it will be best to retain Monroe at a reasonable price and use our #1 to get a shot at a rare offensive weapon, then we agree... although we then may disagree on what we believe that reasonable price would be. While he may not be worth elite LT money, I think he's worth paying in that tier just below elite money.

 

PFF grading is not the end all be all evaluation - I have to think our scouts have opinions that differ from theirs. If you go by their grading, Yanda was probably far from elite and graded around the same place ... do you think he's less than top 10 guard? Our O line was so dysfunctional last year, I think Monroe did quite well to grade out in the positive numbers. We may be fortunate in that our O line was so bad, that it could have actually weakened the market for Monroe. 

 

If you stuck to the position that we should pick O line in the 1st round no matter who is taken in front of us, you wouldn't be alone - there are analysts predicting that Robinson, Matthews and Lewan will be gone and we'll still take Martin or Kouandjio. I just don't agree with them. 

[Dewy101]

Never mind the mocks and who will pick whom. If we both agree that it will be best to retain Monroe at a reasonable price and use our #1 to get a shot at a rare offensive weapon, then we agree... although we then may disagree on what we believe that reasonable price would be. While he may not be worth elite LT money, I think he's worth paying in that tier just below elite money.

PFF grading is not the end all be all evaluation - I have to think our scouts have opinions that differ from theirs. If you go by their grading, Yanda was probably far from elite and graded around the same place ... do you think he's less than top 10 guard? Our O line was so dysfunctional last year, I think Monroe did quite well to grade out in the positive numbers. We may be fortunate in that our O line was so bad, that it could have actually weakened the market for Monroe.

If you stuck to the position that we should pick O line in the 1st round no matter who is taken in front of us, you wouldn't be alone - there are analysts predicting that Robinson, Matthews and Lewan will be gone and we'll still take Martin or Kouandjio. I just don't agree with them.

I don't think the market is weak for a LT. Is Yanda and elite guard? Yes he's had one bad season this year. Is Monroe an elite tackle? No he's was never a consistent player even when he was with the Jaguars. If Brandon Albert wants elite LT money so will Monroe. Teams have overpaid players like Jermon Bushrod and Jake Long mediocre LTs who still got 35 million. Do I think Monroe is worth paying that much? No

[izvoodoo]

I don't think the market is weak for a LT. Is Yanda and elite guard? Yes he's had one bad season this year. Is Monroe an elite tackle? No he's was never a consistent player even when he was with the Jaguars. If Brandon Albert wants elite LT money so will Monroe. Teams have overpaid players like Jermon Bushrod and Jake Long mediocre LTs who still got 35 million. Do I think Monroe is worth paying that much? No

If you don't think Monroe is worth 35 million you're probably never going to pay an LT ever.   Because that's really not that much for Monroe.

[rmw10]

If you don't think Monroe is worth 35 million you're probably never going to pay an LT ever.   Because that's really not that much for Monroe.

 

And the fact that we finally have the chance at stability at LT.  We haven't had that since JO.  Gaither looked to be the future, but continued his laziness.  Oher didn't work out.  McKinnie was always a short term solution.  We have the chance to sign a guy that has already proven that he can be a consistent presence at one of the team's black holes for many years.  He's a must keep guy.