Free Agents To Consider: Offense

[rmw10]

Didn't we just do Steven Smith with Brandon Stokley and Dallas Clark last season?  Not that my enthusiasm matters but Julian Edelman would excite me much more as a Raven than SS.

 

Steve Smith at 35 would be miles ahead of what Stokley and Clark gave us last year.

[rmw10]

From our TE, we definitely need a guy who can throw some blocks....Pettigrew also gives us a reliable pass catcher so that we can run 2 TE sets when desired. Would love to get him

 

There have been talks that we're interested, although they came from Mike Preston.  I think it'd be a good signing.  He certainly never lived up to his draft status, but I think he'd be a great TE #2.

[PolishRifle]

if steve smith is released, signing him would create a nice scenario. can't count on a rookie receiver to come in and have an impact right off the bat, and smith would allow a draft pick time to develop and eventually fill-in once he retires. he would be a nice stop gap for two years, and would provide flexibility if they wanted to focus on a mosley at lb or pryor or clinton-dix at safety in round 1. signing smith would make him and t. smith the first two receivers on the field, allowing us to go receiver in rounds 2-3 given the solid depth at the position. ravens would be looking at smith as a proven commodity that fits their style, while not blocking the way for a potential high round draft pick in the future.  

 

An ILB in the middle of the first round? Mosley is NOT Luke Kuechly. Both Pryor and Clinton-Dix would be a reach also. They're more late first round draft picks, the way Elam was.

 

The only position that has a high enough value for our spot in the draft to fit the "best player available" rule, is the WR position. A guy like Marqise Lee would finally give the Ravens that #1 WR, that the Ravens never had.

[Bruce_Almty]

My basic point was that a younger Edelman, and depending on the $$$, would be a more valuable/long-term solution than Steve Smith.

[Bruce_Almty]

his names not steven

A sentence begins with a capital letter, so "his" should be [His]; "names" should not be plural because there was on one name or should have an apostrophe after the 2nd 'e' & as a proper noun should be capitalized also, as in [steven] ; and a sentence ends in a ".".  

So, correct English yields, "His name's not Steven."

But thanks for your constructive criticism.

[akacrow]

On offense we need a starting wide receiver, because we only have one and there are two.

 

We also need a stop gap at center, a backup tightend, and maybe an addition elsewhere on the offensive line.

 

Ozzie gets that done too, and I am a happy camper. 

[RavensD1996]

Sign Emmanuel Sanders and upgrade the o line and we got ourselves a great offense....maybe sign Owen Daniels as Pitta's backup

[nitram]

An ILB in the middle of the first round? Mosley is NOT Luke Kuechly. Both Pryor and Clinton-Dix would be a reach also. They're more late first round draft picks, the way Elam was.

 

The only position that has a high enough value for our spot in the draft to fit the "best player available" rule, is the WR position. A guy like Marqise Lee would finally give the Ravens that #1 WR, that the Ravens never had.

Agree to disagree. Mosley is a top 15 player in this draft. Safeties may fall a tiny bit considering how teams attacked the position yesterday, but still would be viable options at 17. Beckham would be better option at 17 than Lee if looking receiver. If we don't resign Daryl Smith, fail to sign a safety, but come away with Steve Smith, can be sure the focus will be on Mosley, Pryor, and Clinton-Dix.  

[RichieAsh]

I haven't noticed Pettigrew much over the last few years but Lions fans apparently hold him in the same regard as Ravens fans do Dickson. They say he's regressed as a blocker over the last few years, and his drops are now a running joke. 

[rmw10]

I haven't noticed Pettigrew much over the last few years but Lions fans apparently hold him in the same regard as Ravens fans do Dickson. They say he's regressed as a blocker over the last few years, and his drops are now a running joke. 

 

Incredibly good blocker though.  He definitely has his drops, but if you can get on a cheap deal, it would be a terrific signing.  He still has some pass catching skills.

[izvoodoo]

A sentence begins with a capital letter, so "his" should be [His]; "names" should not be plural because there was on one name or should have an apostrophe after the 2nd 'e' & as a proper noun should be capitalized also, as in [steven] ; and a sentence ends in a ".".  

So, correct English yields, "His name's not Steven."

But thanks for your constructive criticism.

I think what you're missing is that we're only looking for a safe stop gap type option.  not a long term number 2.  We\';re hoping to build the long term core through the draft.  so don't want to spend a lot of money on a player we're hoping to replace.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Incredibly good blocker though.  He definitely has his drops, but if you can get on a cheap deal, it would be a terrific signing.  He still has some pass catching skills.

we would be almost declaring to go for WR round 1 if we sign him or Daniels and take a young promising TE in later rounds

[rmw10]

we would be almost declaring to go for WR round 1 if we sign him or Daniels and take a young promising TE in later rounds

 

I'm not sold on Daniels.  I want us to have a true blocker.  I know there's the obvious Kubiak connection, but I don't see it happening.

[itscbm5042]

Steve Smith I think is about a 75% chance once FAs come to the castle they almost always sign. Owen Daniels with the Kubiak connection and basically half his coaching staff over here now, 75% chance if healthy, a free agent center is a must don't know if we can afford Mack, too $$ for a center, and then go into the draft thinking safety and WR in the first few rounds. See if Wagner can hold down RT

 

I think we can manage that with 16 mil cap space

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

I think what you're missing is that we're only looking for a safe stop gap type option.  not a long term number 2.  We;re hoping to build the long term core for the draft.  so don't want to spend a lot of money on a player we're hoping to replace.

 

Yeah. One thing that Steve Smith will bring is a reliable target for at least a couple of years without breaking the bank on another receiver. With Torrey's contract extension coming up, I'm pretty sure they have they in the back of their mind.

 

Still would like to see what's up with Tate, Edelman, or Nicks, though. 

[akacrow]

The odds of drafting a starting wideout in the first round are about 45%, and that is assuming a wide receiver is drafted round one, increasing the odds even further.

 

The draft is not the place to make sure your team has adequate starters, the draft is meant for replenishing the roster without any real concern toward need.  Of course that is not always possible, but it is, without a doubt, the best scenario.

 

For example, In 2013 we went into the draft with a need at wide receiver, we only had one starting wideout, and left tackle, to replace McKinnie.   We had Huff and Ihidigbo as our starting safeties.  Our first round pick went on a safety.    

 

Our only starting wideout was Torrey Smith, we came out of the draft having spent seventh round pick on Mellette, who was subsequently placed on IR, we also had a need at Left Tackle, we came out of the draft with a fifth round tackle who will not start as a second year pro. 

 

There are a lot of scenarios, but history tells a different story.  

[Bobby]

I like the idea of Smith and think he has some good years left in him.  My only issue is that he is a show boater who runs his mouth too much....don't like guys who can't just do the job without a bunch of talk.  Maybe he could come in here with his edgy attitude and toughness without the trash talk? We shall see.....

[RichieAsh]

Interesting note from the Charlotte Observer. Steve Smith would be paid $3 million by the Panthers if released, which is why he's refusing to restructure his contract for any potential trade suitors. So, unlikely to be traded, panthers will still release him for the cap savings, and he would be likely be fairly cheap considering he's already getting $3 mill from the panthers.

 

"Because there is no offset language in Smith’s contract, he could collect the $3 million from the Panthers if he’s released, in addition to whatever money another team is willing to pay."

 

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/10/4756470/panthers-smith-divorce-close.html#.UyCKKfldWBI 

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/10/4756470/panthers-smith-divorce-close.html#.UyCKKfldWBI#storylink=cpy

[Ravenskid52752]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 2m

Should Steve Smith leave Carolina, expect the Ravens to be one of the top teams on his list, according to sources

[xxDarby]

So, what about Satele? Does he have anything to offer?

not really he's between average and bad...tht is not what we need though

[HazDaGeneral]

I like the idea of Smith and think he has some good years left in him.  My only issue is that he is a show boater who runs his mouth too much....don't like guys who can't just do the job without a bunch of talk.  Maybe he could come in here with his edgy attitude and toughness without the trash talk? We shall see.....

 

Lol really you have a problem with that man, thats the least of my worries with him. So obviously you didn't watch Boldin did you? Thats all he did was trash talk on the field.

[flynismo]

There have been talks that we're interested, although they came from Mike Preston.  I think it'd be a good signing.  He certainly never lived up to his draft status, but I think he'd be a great TE #2.

Yeah, he hasn't been as good a recieving option as DET anticipated, but on the other hand, he is far, far, faaar better than Dickson as a #2 recieving TE. And he is easily one of the, if not the, best blocking TE in the league. Throw him $2 - $2.5M and see if he bites!

[arnie_uk]

A sentence begins with a capital letter, so "his" should be [His]; "names" should not be plural because there was on one name or should have an apostrophe after the 2nd 'e' & as a proper noun should be capitalized also, as in [steven] ; and a sentence ends in a ".".

So, correct English yields, "His name's not Steven."

But thanks for your constructive criticism.

how does grammar compare to you calling someone by the incorrect name?

[flynismo]

Steve Smith.....I have a personal vendetta against him for screwing over my FF team two seasons in a row a few years back. But bring the salty old dog in! We need someone to teach Torrey and Marlon how to be aggressive and fight for the ball. And I do think he'd be great if we used him as a faster version of Welker....which would also allow us to move Marlon to the outside regularly, where I think he would play his best.

[TonyTone1192]

Jason Avant WR would be a quality signing IMO. He is most effective on third down and that is what we have lacked since Boldin. With all the other big name WR's out there I think he will be cheap and we can sign him for 2 years. 

 

Phil Costa C I think would be worth giving a shot to come in and compete with Gradkowski. They cut him from the Cowboys because they drafted Travis Fredrick and he was expendable. He didn't play well last year, but years before he started and was ok. He only 26 too and would provide experience at least. 

 

Andre Roberts WR If we can't get Avant or if Robert's is in our price range I think we should go after him. He played a #2 role next to Fitzgerald and played well. He can work in the slot and can provide some serious YAC. He can go deep and I think he would be effective in Kubiak's play action since it involves long developing routes. 

 

Antoine Bethea FS/SS He may be out of our price range, but if somehow we can afford him he would excel in our defense. He is a play maker and great in coverage. He played on a bad colts defense and still managed to make plays. He can match up against bigger TE's and allow the Ravens to use Elam in a creative way. Our secondary would suddenly become the best part of our defense and not to mention we would have Suggs and Dumervil rushing the pasher. Would not want to be facing our defense lol 

 

 

I prefer Steve Smith. Steve Smith is an Anquan Boldin type receiver. He's hard-nose, he'll run block and he'll go up and get the ball! We have a good amount of young receivers on our team at this point and to add a veteran to that mix wouldn't be a bad look at all. It looks like Carolina wants to part ways with him and we're looking for a vet-savvy receiver. I know Steve is starting to get up there in age but all we need is someone to polish our young guys(minus Smith) for the next 2-3 seasons and our receiving core will be dirty. Having Torrey at 1, Smith at 2 and Marlon at 3 with a healthy Pitta. If our O-line can protect Joe our passing attack would be fun to watch.

 

[Ravenseconbeast]

I feel the same way. Unless one of the OT fall to us, the only guy worth taking at 17 is Evans. If he is not available, I would want us to trade back, and get another 2nd

With folks here looking for Brandon & Beckham to be our #17 pick...I'd choose Evans too over those 2.

[rmw10]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  4m

Derrick Fox, Steve Smith's agent, told me: 'It's obvious the Panthers are going in a different direction with their receiving corps.'

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  3m

Derrick Fox: 'Steve will be throwing on a jersey for another team to be named soon.'

[Ravenskid52752]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 3 hrs

Ravens are expected to closely monitor the Steve Smith situation, according to sources

[beatdareaper]

Steve Smith is about to be 35 years old. I don't get it, he probably only has 1-2 years left in him.

[HazDaGeneral]

Steve Smith is about to be 35 years old. I don't get it, he probably only has 1-2 years left in him.

 

The ravens made a mistake last year of getting rid of Boldin thinking he didn't warrant the money he was asking for and you seen what he did in SF, so why can't Smith do the same for us.