Free Agents To Consider: Defense

[Tank 92]

3/14: "Letroy Guion considering Ravens, Patriots, Packers. Has visited Pats. Will visit Pack Sunday unless has deal w/another team." - Chris Tomasson, St. Paul Pioneer Press

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letroy_Guion

 

 

Looks like his best attribute is that he could be a good fishing buddy for Monroe.  

[Ravenslifer]

I understand what you're saying but we haven't seen enough of either to know what we actually have. We don't even know how KLM is progressing in his rehab, if he even looks explosive. A cheap stop-gap like wilfork that has something to prove would be a great addition on the D-line and someone that those two can learn from, especially Brandon.

 

Totally agree - B. Williams and Lewis-Moore IMO should be treated like they won't bring anything to the table next year, because we just don't know.  Fill the spots, and the worst thing that happens is that the young guy goes nowhere and we have a player in place.  If it works out, then we have two good players for the rotation, and that also helps whenever one or both becomes a FA in terms of being able to allow someone to leave and get overpaid.

[Bravens292]

Just a suggestion here. How about for a FS, Ryan Clark (hold up shield).

He has said he wouldn't mind playing for the ravens before. Obviously used as a stopgap/mentor for our safety we get in the draft and Elam.

 

I hate listening to him on ESPN all the time but if he happens to be the best safety available if we don't take Clemons, i wouldn't mind. Even if he isn't the best, we don't need him to be. Just get Elam to SS in any way possible! I'd rather address FS in FA than draft.

[RavensNation14]

Definitely want us to either get a guy via FA or in the draft in rounds 3-4. We need another guy to have some depth and allow Ngata to have some reps off. Plus we don't know much Tyson, Kapron, and Williams can step up for us. 

[Static]

Webbs 'bad' year was overblown so much. We were expecting a pro-bowl year but that wont happen comming off an injury. I believe PFF had him at 12 or so*. With Jimmy at 36 *

 

 

* = Not exact, approximate. 

 

 

Of course PFF isn't the end all be all but either is any statistic.

[Bullrush]

Webbs 'bad' year was overblown so much. We were expecting a pro-bowl year but that wont happen comming off an injury. I believe PFF had him at 12 or so*. With Jimmy at 36 *

 

 

* = Not exact, approximate. 

 

 

Of course PFF isn't the end all be all but either is any statistic.

 

That's because Jimmy struggled badly early on, so those rankings (I find those PFF rankings garbage anyway considering that none of those guys have ever played football at a higher level, or any football at all) are useless. Jimmy was arguably one of our best players overall last season and in the 2nd half he played at an All Pro level. Webb was solid overall, he struggled at times but he also played some really good ball later on.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Webbs 'bad' year was overblown so much. We were expecting a pro-bowl year but that wont happen comming off an injury. I believe PFF had him at 12 or so*. With Jimmy at 36 *

* = Not exact, approximate.

Of course PFF isn't the end all be all but either is any statistic.

The locksmith was phenomenal last season. So glad to see him finally break out. But yeah, webb's bad year really wasn't bad...

[Sami84]

there are some really good options to replace corey graham. Why not walter thurmond? The cromarties?

 

curious to see where we go with the 8-9 mill we have left

[sflegend89]

Thurmond would be great but we really need a FS or Center still. We tried to trust our young guys last year at wr and we got burned. I don't want to see that happen with Chykie and Asa trying to fill that #3 cb spot left by Graham. I think we sign a vet cb after the draft and it won't be one of the big name guys you named.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Thurmond would be great but we really need a FS or Center still. We tried to trust our young guys last year at wr and we got burned. I don't want to see that happen with Chykie and Asa trying to fill that #3 cb spot left by Graham. I think we sign a vet cb after the draft and it won't be one of the big name guys you named.

Didn't chykie play safety in college?

[BmoreBird22]

Webbs 'bad' year was overblown so much. We were expecting a pro-bowl year but that wont happen comming off an injury. I believe PFF had him at 12 or so*. With Jimmy at 36 *

 

 

* = Not exact, approximate. 

 

 

Of course PFF isn't the end all be all but either is any statistic.

You might want to double check because I thought Webb was closely ranked with Jimmy. Jimmy definitely played better than Webb

[Tank 92]

Webbs 'bad' year was overblown so much. We were expecting a pro-bowl year but that wont happen comming off an injury. I believe PFF had him at 12 or so*. With Jimmy at 36 *

 

 

* = Not exact, approximate. 

 

 

Of course PFF isn't the end all be all but either is any statistic.

 

 

...you might want to look again, it's a 2013 pre season ranking.   

 

http://www.footballnation.com/content/nfl-cornerback-rankings-for-the-2013-season/25085/

[jazz1988]

Didn't chykie play safety in college?

 

I think he did  but majority of his time was at cornerback. I don't think the Ravens view him more than as a cornerback but I do  remember John Harbaugh mentioning the day when they drafted Chykie that he was versatile enough to play safety and cornerback.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I don't understand the Clemons love. He can go either way bc he can cover pretty well, but is better suited as a SS.

I'm surprised there hasn't been more love for Decoud (unless he got signed already and I missed it). He had a down year but is only 1 yr removed from a pro bowl nod and 8 INTs (maybe it was only 6?).

Either way he's closer to the rangy, center fielder with ball skills that Ozzie described. He'll likely be cheaper too. I think we're just waiting for someone else to set his market, which the longer it goes without developing - the cheaper he'll come.

He's certainly not a sure thing but he can compete with Omar Brown and brings pro bowl potential and play-making ability.

He also leaves us enough cap flexibility to aggressively pursue Alex Mack or de la puente should that fall through. We should also then have the money to make a few depth signings either at cb, d line, oline, wr or rb and truly go BPA in the draft.

[BloodRaven]

I don't understand the Clemons love. He can go either way bc he can cover pretty well, but is better suited as a SS.

I'm surprised there hasn't been more love for Decoud (unless he got signed already and I missed it). He had a down year but is only 1 yr removed from a pro bowl nod and 8 INTs (maybe it was only 6?).

Either way he's closer to the rangy, center fielder with ball skills that Ozzie described. He'll likely be cheaper too. I think we're just waiting for someone else to set his market, which the longer it goes without developing - the cheaper he'll come.

He's certainly not a sure thing but he can compete with Omar Brown and brings pro bowl potential and play-making ability.

He also leaves us enough cap flexibility to aggressively pursue Alex Mack or de la puente should that fall through. We should also then have the money to make a few depth signings either at cb, d line, oline, wr or rb and truly go BPA in the draft.

 

From what I could gather from the Falcons forums DeCoud had one good season, but he was terrible against the run and once the turnovers dried up he was expendable. Good personality, if that matters.

[Ravenslifer]

I'm surprised there hasn't been more love for Decoud (unless he got signed already and I missed it). He had a down year but is only 1 yr removed from a pro bowl nod and 8 INTs (maybe it was only 6?).

 

 

DeCoud hasn't played well overall in Atlanta, which is why he's gone.  Clemmons has been solid but unspectacular in Miami.  So on the whole I'd say they're pretty even, because DeCoud has shown he's a playmaker, but is highly inconsistent, while Clemmons would just be there but probably not add much more than stability.  I think what it comes down to is that DeCoud just was't available until last week, so he wasn't a potential fit in anyone's mind.  I wouldn't mind either for the right price.

[BloodRaven]

DeCoud hasn't played well overall in Atlanta, which is why he's gone.  Clemmons has been solid but unspectacular in Miami.  So on the whole I'd say they're pretty even, because DeCoud has shown he's a playmaker, but is highly inconsistent, while Clemmons would just be there but probably not add much more than stability.  I think what it comes down to is that DeCoud just was't available until last week, so he wasn't a potential fit in anyone's mind.  I wouldn't mind either for the right price.

 

This is why we need Clemons, he's shown to be more than capable in deep coverage which gives him the versatility to play both spots at a high level. Theres no prime Ed Reed out there so I'll take solid and unspectacular over getting torched.

[The Raven]

We've been linked to Guion. What do you guys think of that? He was a pretty solid rotational DT with the Vikings for a few years. Don't think he fits the bill as a 3-4 lineman though. 

[BloodRaven]

We've been linked to Guion. What do you guys think of that? He was a pretty solid rotational DT with the Vikings for a few years. Don't think he fits the bill as a 3-4 lineman though. 

 

They don't seem to like him on their forums, he's described as a below average rotational player. Alex Carrington would be better but he's not a starter either.

[AP562]

I say we get dlp to play center, and sign a vet at fs like decoud who fit the playmaker but falcons upfront is weak. He can be an impact player in the right system. Than forget guion and sign pat simms who showed pro bowl level but not in every game. He can benefit with from our system and star talent around

[Ravenseconbeast]

So James Ihedigbo left w/o a contract from lions...?

 

I would love to bring back Diggz as depth with the same contract he received last 2 years (2m/year 2yr).

 

As much as I am hyped about seeing how Elam would do in SS, i would want to keep a vet that played well last year in SS.    

[rmw10]

So James Ihedigbo left w/o a contract from lions...?

 

I would love to bring back Diggz as depth with the same contract he received last 2 years (2m/year 2yr).

 

As much as I am hyped about seeing how Elam would do in SS, i would want to keep a vet that played well last year in SS.    

 

Just until he gets an agent.  The deal is pretty much agreed upon, but James doesn't have an agent squared away yet.  He'll end up signing there.

[GullySquad02]

"Ravens secondary coach Steve Spagnuolo was in attendance for Northern Illinois' pro day to watch safety Jimmie Ward's workout, according to the Baltimore Sun."

 

 

I guess there are definite plans to address FS in this draft. I really dont have a lot of faith in Clinton-Dix or Jimmie Ward. I think Calvin Pryor is the best option, but I dont know that another rookie as last line of defense is gonna be best situation on a thinning DB core.

[ravensnick]

I guess there are definite plans to address FS in this draft. I really dont have a lot of faith in Clinton-Dix or Jimmie Ward. I think Calvin Pryor is the best option, but I dont know that another rookie as last line of defense is gonna be best situation on a thinning DB core.

Pryor is much like Elam. He can play either safety, but is much better suited for SS. I don't see us taking him or Haha. I could see us taking Ward with our second round pick 

[GullySquad02]

Pryor is much like Elam. He can play either safety, but is much better suited for SS. I don't see us taking him or Haha. I could see us taking Ward with our second round pick 

 

I have seen limited tape on the FSs this year. I know that a lot of mock drafts have them taking another pass catcher in the first pick, but with so much depth at WR in this draft I would love them to take a really solid OL guy and maybe grab one or two guys like SF did with Lattimore last year. Having Torrey, Jacoby, Marlon, Steve and Mellette plus Pitta... it would be nice to develop a guy for a year or two and then release a polished product 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

This is why we need Clemons, he's shown to be more than capable in deep coverage which gives him the versatility to play both spots at a high level. Theres no prime Ed Reed out there so I'll take solid and unspectacular over getting torched.

I haven't seen Clemons play at a high level in both spots but maybe you've seen more than I have. The games I watched he does just enough to not be exposed in coverage. I agree that Decoud isn't consistent, but I think he has more upside. Clemons you know what of you're getting but I don't like the fact that a lot of his strengths overlap with Elam's. Both are better closer to the line of scrimmage and Clemons just feels like another ihedigbo situation.

I'm probably under valuing Clemons coverage ability a bit with the ihedigbo comparison, but he doesn't fit ozzies description of what he's looking for at the position. Decoud may not consistently fit the description but he's at least sheen the potential to do so.

[BloodRaven]

I haven't seen Clemons play at a high level in both spots but maybe you've seen more than I have. The games I watched he does just enough to not be exposed in coverage. I agree that Decoud isn't consistent, but I think he has more upside. Clemons you know what of you're getting but I don't like the fact that a lot of his strengths overlap with Elam's. Both are better closer to the line of scrimmage and Clemons just feels like another ihedigbo situation.

I'm probably under valuing Clemons coverage ability a bit with the ihedigbo comparison, but he doesn't fit ozzies description of what he's looking for at the position. Decoud may not consistently fit the description but he's at least sheen the potential to do so.

 

Clemons isn't a ballhawk and wont create turnovers but he's fast and is strong in deep coverage, you can't always track him because of the cameras but if the ball is in the air he'll go stride for stride and shut it down. His ability to cap the backend is valuable especially to teams vulnerable to the deep ball. 

[HazDaGeneral]

I see everybody mentioning Chris Clemons as a choice for FS but the reviews I get on him is that he is more of a SS. So with that being said the choices is limited for S anyway, how about Thomas DeCoud or moving one of the free agent CBs to FS like Champ. IDK its just a thought.

[Ravenslifer]

I see everybody mentioning Chris Clemons as a choice for FS but the reviews I get on him is that he is more of a SS. So with that being said the choices is limited for S anyway, how about Thomas DeCoud or moving one of the free agent CBs to FS like Champ. IDK its just a thought.

 

Clemons played some FS for the Dolphins early on e.g. around 2010-2011 when they had Yeremiah Bell at SS - IMO he's versatile and has played well at both positions.

[BmoreBird22]

 

From what I could gather from the Falcons forums DeCoud had one good season, but he was terrible against the run and once the turnovers dried up he was expendable. Good personality, if that matters.

I'm probably pretty late for this, but he was an awesome guy. My brother and I went to the Falcons-Redskins game for his birthday (he's a Falcons fan) and DeCoud sung happy birthday to him, talked to us and all the fans, posed for pictures, signed autographs, and was just all around an awesome guy when a lot of other players wouldn't even look at you. 

 

Now, in terms of having him on the Ravens, he's had two good seasons with turnovers where he had 10 interceptions total in two seasons, but other than that, he's underwhelmed and just not an option I'd prefer at all. Maybe it'd be better if he had two great cornerbacks on the outside, but overall, just not my first option.