Free Agents To Consider: Offense

[AlaskanRavensFan]

I would like to see the Ravens go after Owen Daniels or Garret Graham at TE.

 

At RT I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on Eric Winston and Ryan Harris.

 

Sidney Rice, Kenny Britt, or Lance Moore would be good additions. They all have their own respective issues, but given some time to sit in free agency their prices may come down to a point that makes it worth signing them.

 

Unfortunately the options at Guard and Center are really thin. I'm not sure there would be much improvement to be had with any of them other than Alex Mack who is under the transition player tag.

[Hardbaugh]

Flacco has no bearing on the subject, so I fail to see a reason to bring him up. Perhaps if you want to bring up a replacement for Tyrod Taylor, then OK. I don't care if you bash him. Really doesn't bother me. Let's just not do it in this topic. I'm not attacking or disrespecting you. Not sure why you feel that way. I don't appreciate your accusations either. I didn't even use your name. I just read Flacco and saw he was being used in this topic and I'd really like to avoid getting this topic locked. 

 

Edit: just looked at your post and I definitely wasn't talking to you. I'm not sure why you got offended by my comment as if I was talking to you. I just saw the post that made me make my post and it wasn't yours. 

I quoted the last in a run of posts, please accept my apology for assuming it was aimed my way.

 

Sorry!

[FJX]

Aaron Wilson tweeted that we offered a contract to Dickson

[Ravenslifer]

Aaron Wilson tweeted that we offered a contract to Dickson

 

Yeah, and apparently so did Jacksonville.

[lgcs27288]

Aaron Wilson tweeted that we offered a contract to Dickson

That tells me we are either going to go OL with our first pick or we are going to trade back.

[PolishRifle]

Aaron Wilson tweeted that we offered a contract to Dickson

 

Somehow I doubt it's anywhere close to the size of Pitta's contract. He might be tempted to go to JAX and get a fresh start with a new team.

[Ravenslifer]

I honestly think we won't address RT. I think the team likes its options there. I see KO or Wagner starting at RT unless we draft one and I feel it's more likely we draft a LG than a RT. 

 

I could actually see us take 2 guards over a guard and a tackle.

[GrimCoconut]

I would like to see the Ravens go after Owen Daniels or Garret Graham at TE.

 

At RT I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on Eric Winston and Ryan Harris.

 

Sidney Rice, Kenny Britt, or Lance Moore would be good additions. They all have their own respective issues, but given some time to sit in free agency their prices may come down to a point that makes it worth signing them.

 

Unfortunately the options at Guard and Center are really thin. I'm not sure there would be much improvement to be had with any of them other than Alex Mack who is under the transition player tag.

I think Graham was re-signed by the Texans, IIRC. Daniels isn't a bad option but he's more of a receiving threat than a blocking TE, which is what we need. Still, wouldn't mind Daniels coming here. As for RT, I prefer Harris to Winston only because of upside, though I'm unconvinced we need to upgrade RT. Ozzie said he wants to focus on the interior OL, which indicates to me he's satisfied with RT options. I think LG and C are the primary targets, depending on who goes to play RT. If KO plays RT, then I suspect Wagner, a FA, and a draft pick would battle it out for the LG job. 

 

As for Rice, Britt and Moore, I just don't know. We don't have a lot of room or money IMO to go after FA WRs anymore. I'd rather we use those funds to go after a center and interior OL help at G and perhaps someone at DT, RB, or TE than WR. I think the draft should augment our corps rather well. 

 

I disagree on our options at guard and center. We have Cook, BDLP, Mack, Ohrnberger, and Montgomery at center as well as options at guard, like Wade Smith, Wharton, and I feel like I'm forgetting a few but you get the point. Personally, I'm really interested in Wade Smith due to his familiarity with Kubiak, his ability to play center or guard, as well as his skill because he's typically pretty decent. 

[GrimCoconut]

I could actually see us take 2 guards over a guard and a tackle.

Huh? I never said we'd draft a guard and a tackle. I think it's one or the other. In all likelihood, I see us drafting an OT that can and is better suited for guard but with upside to play OT than to draft a guard straight-up. It's either that or draft a guard who can play center. 

[PolishRifle]

I honestly think we won't address RT. I think the team likes its options there. I see KO or Wagner starting at RT unless we draft one and I feel it's more likely we draft a LG than a RT. 

 

Do we know anything about KO's health? Because, we don't have that much depth at either positions behind KO and it wouldn't be surprising if we adress both in the draft.

That Zack Martin pick starts to make more and more sense, the more you think about it. He is really good at playing both positions.

[GrimCoconut]

Do we know anything about KO's health? Because, we don't have that much depth at either positions behind KO and it wouldn't be surprising if we adress both in the draft.

That Zack Martin pick starts to make more and more sense, the more you think about it. He is really good at playing both positions.

Eh, I disagree. I don't feel like Martin is worth 17th overall. That's just me. 

[FerrariFan87]

I really hope Dickson rejects our offer! I'd much rather bring in Owen Daniels...

[Hardbaugh]

I really hope Dickson rejects our offer! I'd much rather bring in Owen Daniels...

Digesting the news for an hour or so I was wondering if the Dickson interest is to put pressure on another target.

 

I'd love to see Daniels come in at the right player/right price or even on a D.Smith type one year flyer to rebuild value.

[jazz1988]

I really hope Dickson rejects our offer! I'd much rather bring in Owen Daniels...

 

Since we have a different tight end coach we could see a different Dickson. 

[RavensNation14]

Since we have a different tight end coach we could see a different Dickson. 

Agreed and I wouldn't mind bringing Dickson back on a one or two year deal. I could see us drafting a TE during or after round 4 and grooming them behind Dickson until they are ready. Dickson wasn't the best TE, but if he comes cheap and is familiar with Joe and everyone why not. He isn't always reliable, but I just feel the pressure of him being our #1 TE last year was too much. He is more of a #2 guy 

[Ravenslifer]

Huh? I never said we'd draft a guard and a tackle. I think it's one or the other. In all likelihood, I see us drafting an OT that can and is better suited for guard but with upside to play OT than to draft a guard straight-up. It's either that or draft a guard who can play center. 

 

I'm thinking we draft at least 2 o-linemen, and I could see us drafting a guard early and then one later, is what I mean, kind of like 2007 when we took Grubbs and then Yanda (though I think Yanda was actually a tackle we converted).  We seem to have a lot of swing guys already that could play right tackle.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Wade Smith is still out there in FA.  Texans are probably hoping to get him back at a bargain.  I think we should pounce.

[Inqui]

That tells me we are either going to go OL with our first pick or we are going to trade back.

I wouldn't read too much into that, to be honest. If we re-sign him, it won't be to anything ground-breaking and I think he could easily be displaced as the #2 guy in the right (or wrong, depending on your perspective) set of circumstances.

[Tank 92]

Much like Doss, Dickson is a talented athlete with good skills, but lacks something between the ears to execute. I've always held out hope for both, but................

[balfan23]

I don't think it's necessary for us to put on a billboard every player we are interested in possibly signing.  I haven't heard the names of some of these centers come up as part of anyone's radar.  Why would we show our hand and give agents a bargaining chip to work with in negotiations with other clubs?  Remember all the talk last year about how we were interested and pursuing Daryl Smith?  No?  That's because there was no talk about it.  Look how that worked out.  Free Agency period last like another 150 or 160 more days.  Take a breath.

All the previous poster said was that he's "surprised" that we haven't pursued De La Puente yet and haven't heard anything about our interest in him. He didn't say we should know everything that the FO is doing and they should tell us about it. However, you just simply find out when a team is really interested in a player ... sort of like we knew about our significant interest in Smith even before he was released. 

 

Given center is our most glaring need and given there are very few viable options, I also expected that we'd have been making to make that move more quickly to fill that position. Not saying we're screwing up or asleep at the wheel or anything... just saying that I expected that hole to be plugged very early in FA. 

[RavensNation14]

All the previous poster said was that he's "surprised" that we haven't pursued De La Puente yet and haven't heard anything about our interest in him. He didn't say we should know everything that the FO is doing and they should tell us about it. However, you just simply find out when a team is really interested in a player ... sort of like we knew about our significant interest in Smith even before he was released. 

 

Given center is our most glaring need and given there are very few viable options, I also expected that we'd have been making to make that move more quickly to fill that position. Not saying we're screwing up or asleep at the wheel or anything... just saying that I expected that hole to be plugged very early in FA. 

You have to think though there is ALOT of time between now and the draft. Guys will be cut that you did not expect to be cut and the guys that are still there now in FA will be there for some time. I'd rather us take a risk like we usually do and just sit on our hands and wait. Why decide who is our starting center now when we don't need to for months and look for better options. 

[AP562]

Trade for desean jackson, dont draft a wr till later rounds. Our wrs would be set

[ravensfan2430]

Much like Doss, Dickson is a talented athlete with good skills, but lacks something between the ears to execute. I've always held out hope for both, but................

he lacks something between his hands... the ball

[balfan23]

You have to think though there is ALOT of time between now and the draft. Guys will be cut that you did not expect to be cut and the guys that are still there now in FA will be there for some time. I'd rather us take a risk like we usually do and just sit on our hands and wait. Why decide who is our starting center now when we don't need to for months and look for better options. 

I understand... there is no reason to make that decision now. Our FO is definitely doing the right thing and appear to be playing the market right. All I was saying is that I'm surprised it worked out this way. As long as we ultimately get someone of value to play the center position, this will be to our benefit. We'll likely spend less to get that same guy, and can use that extra cash to fill another hole or get a quality reserve player. If not, there will be some second guessing, since the O line (and in particular, the middle of the O line) was stated as priority #1. 

 

It is indicative of our FO. If one thing that can be said about them is they never, ever panic. They don't panic in the draft and reach, they don't panic in FA and reach, they let the market come to them. It doesn't always work, but it is the best approach. 

[CapoRocky]

The only way I want to see Dickson back is if they put big sticky gloves on his sorry butterfingered hands.

[Bltravens]

Dickson won't be back.  Flacco doesn't trust him.  He was open many of times towards the back half of last year and Flacco didn't even bother looking his way.

[BmoreBird22]

Apparently the Ravens aren't considered big players at all got Brian De Le Puente. After allowing Evan Dietrich Smith to get away, this is worrisome

[The Raven]

Apparently the Ravens aren't considered big players at all got Brian De Le Puente. After allowing Evan Dietrich Smith to get away, this is worrisome

 

Seems Ozzie, Harbs, and Kubiak are content with trusting Gino and Jensen.

 

Knowing that Birk didn't start a single game until his third year, I am willing to wait it out and see what happens. Birk didn't even start until his third season and turned out to be one of the best centers of his era. Gino is going into his third year. In no way am I saying that Gino will be that great, but I am saying that the jury is not out, and I am willing to trust this FO.

 

Kubiak's scheme will also help Gino. I guarantee it.

 

That said, I'd like more veteran competition. 

[BmoreBird22]

Seems Ozzie, Harbs, and Kubiak are content with trusting Gino and Jensen.

 

Knowing that Birk didn't start a single game until his third year, I am willing to wait it out and see what happens. Birk didn't even start until his third season and turned out to be one of the best centers of his era. Gino is going into his third year. In no way am I saying that Gino will be that great, but I am saying that the jury is not out, and I am willing to trust this FO.

 

Kubiak's scheme will also help Gino. I guarantee it.

 

That said, I'd like more veteran competition.

Well, I just thought of this. There are actually ways to get Alex Mack, either this year or next year.

To get him this year the Ravens would have to play the waiting game. There's a chance the teams that contacted Mack told him not to sign the tender and said to wait. Cleveland looking to pay $10 million to a center is insane and if Mack waits on that tender, they'll likely rescind it and make him a free agent. Then the Ravens could pounce.

Option two is to make an offer sheet that says that is easy to match, but has a no tag clause or has something crazy like if the player is on the team on the first day of March he gets a $50 M bonus.

I'm holding out hope that Ozzie has something up his sleeve because Gino should not be the starter in my opinion

[The Raven]

Well, I just thought of this. There are actually ways to get Alex Mack, either this year or next year.

To get him this year the Ravens would have to play the waiting game. There's a chance the teams that contacted Mack told him not to sign the tender and said to wait. Cleveland looking to pay $10 million to a center is insane and if Mack waits on that tender, they'll likely rescind it and make him a free agent. Then the Ravens could pounce.

Option two is to make an offer sheet that says that is easy to match, but has a no tag clause or has something crazy like if the player is on the team on the first day of March he gets a $50 M bonus.

I'm holding out hope that Ozzie has something up his sleeve because Gino should not be the starter in my opinion

 

I don't think any part of that scenario is likely, no offense.