Free Agents To Consider: Defense

[Ravenseconbeast]

what happen to Daryl? Would've thought he'd be signed. I'm guessing he'll test the market too

[TDubbs]

Ed was showing significant signs of not being able to tackle and he was being tested more in coverage and allowing a way higher completion percentage than in years past.

With Champ, you'd have to decide was his injury to blame for a down season or did he abruptly fall off hard because of age?

 

Yes, this is the crux of it. I'd love to have a guy like that in the locker room to provide that leadership. Imo, there is no question he could transition to FS. He did show signs of losing a step in the divisional game in Denver during our run thankfully .. But that was Torrey just burning up the field lol. 

[arnie_uk]

Chris clemons

[Willbacker]

Chris clemons

I agree with Chris Clemmons(FS). This is a position I believe we're gonna have to take care of in free agency. In the draft we're gonna have to concentrate on other positions maybe a developmental safety in the late rds.

 

It's too bad Red Bryant got swooped up but a DLineman would also be nice. Art Jones resigned??

[BmoreBird22]

Yes, this is the crux of it. I'd love to have a guy like that in the locker room to provide that leadership. Imo, there is no question he could transition to FS. He did show signs of losing a step in the divisional game in Denver during our run thankfully .. But that was Torrey just burning up the field lol.

I think Torrey burning him was just Champ not being able to run a 4.4 anymore, which is okay. Several safeties don't. I Ho early think he's still got it

[HazDaGeneral]

What do y'all guys think about us picking up Antonio Cromartie as CB to go along with Webb and Smith?

[Juviebest]

What do y'all guys think about us picking up Antonio Cromartie as CB to go along with Webb and Smith?

Maybe a one year deal to see if he can get back to 2012 form before the hip injury riddled 13 season.

[Kev0825]

Any chance we get both Monroe and Byrd?

[Ravenslifer]

Any chance we get both Monroe and Byrd?

 

Possible but I doubt it.  Ozzie said we'd be players in the FA market moreso this year than in the past, but Byrd doesn't seem like our kind of target - Chris Clemmons, Mike Mitchell, Louis Delmas, Nate Allen - that's more likely the kind of FA we'd target - a guy you aren't going to break the bank for, but who could play really well for you and then everyone next year will turn around and say "man, how did the Ravens get this guy for so little".  An example would be like Jacoby Jones - nobody expected anything from him, but the FO saw something other teams didn't, and he fit much better here than he did in Houston.

[Ravenslifer]

Darn apparently the Skins are talking to Mike Mitchell already.  They'll probably seriously overpay him, but I would have loved to have seen him in purple and black.

[Ravenslifer]

What do y'all guys think about us picking up Antonio Cromartie as CB to go along with Webb and Smith?

 

For a minimum salary he would be worth looking at - he'd be the third corner here at best, and that might be a role better suited to him, covering the slot.  I believe he's listed at 6'2". so his size would also be an asset in the slot covering some of those freak tight ends.

[Bullrush]

Darn apparently the Skins are talking to Mike Mitchell already.  They'll probably seriously overpay him, but I would have loved to have seen him in purple and black.

 

Why? He's not good in coverage.

[Ravenslifer]

Why? He's not good in coverage.

 

I think he's about average in coverage actually, and I thought he'd be a more under-the-radar guy.  I think he's much better than Huff and we could have gotten him for not much more.

[Juviebest]

Almost forgot about Antonio Smith from the Texans, he could be a solid under the radar signing a la Canty last year and he obviously has a built in relationship with our new OC. We could really use him as a situational pass rusher, would help soften the loss of Art in that regard.

[redrum52]

Lamar Houston could be a decent pick up as well, depending on the amount he wants.

[redrum52]

For a minimum salary he would be worth looking at - he'd be the third corner here at best, and that might be a role better suited to him, covering the slot. I believe he's listed at 6'2". so his size would also be an asset in the slot covering some of those freak tight ends.

With our line up, I think he's Bette suited outside and Webb in the slot. Wouldn't mind, but everything comes down to what he would work with contractually.

[rmw10]

Lamar Houston could be a decent pick up as well, depending on the amount he wants.

 

He wants and is going to get a lot.  If we aren't going to pay Art Jones, we aren't going to pay Houston.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Stevie Brown could be helpful at safety. Did a good job on the Giants last year and has decent ball skill. Dont think he would command a large contract either. Think he could do just as good a job as Clemons at a lower price.

I think Stevie Brown is better than Chris Clemons. He had a tremendous year in 2012 before tearing his ACL last preseason. He has been in active talks with the Giants though and it seems he will be resigned.  If for some reason he hits the market though he would be the best FS for us to target IMO based off of the skill to price ratio. Chris Clemons just isn't a difference maker that Brown is and as Ravens fans we all know thats what we need.

[redrum52]

He wants and is going to get a lot. If we aren't going to pay Art Jones, we aren't going to pay Houston.

Ok. Hadn't heard anything about his price range.

[ClintLB8]

My top "realistic" guys at each position of need:

RT - Eric Winston or David Stewart (if Stewart's option isn't picked up)

WR - Golden Tate or Kenny Britt (Britt if considering cheap depth w/potential)

DE - Adam Carriker or Ziggy Hood (psh... Steelers)

LB - Daryl Smith or Rey Maualuga (if cut)

FS - Thomas DeCoud or Malcolm Jenkins

[Kid87]

We should definitely  fill positions at T and FS first. I really like byrd but he might cost too much. 

[0_o]

I'll throw some names out there:

 

DT - Randy Starks - He's a force as 3-4 DE, He's a flat out beast against both the pass and run. Being that he's 30, if he could be had at an affordable price (which i highly doubt) i'd sign him and consider cutting Chris Canty. 

 

FS - Champ Bailey - Would only be if the FO felt confident that he could not only be a good FS but a productive FS. Low offer only.

 

CB - Cortland Finnegan - Intriguing player if he can bounce back from last year and return to his pro bowl-caliber form. I'd peg him as a starter in the nickle and feel confident as him being a backup corner in the event someone went down. He's proven that he can hold his own on the outside if needed. Would be my backup to Graham.

 

CB - Asante Samuels - can he bounce back and be the player he's capable of being? or have injuries and age caught up to him? I'd consider him on the outside and Webb in the slot in nickle packages  (If he's still capable) i'd also discuss the possibility of moving him to FS.

 

DT - Jason Hatcher - He's older and can play both 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. He's probably the best pass rushing interior D-lineman in free agency and at 32 he might not be as expensive as you'd think coming off an 11 sack season. Again, i'd consider cutting DE Chris Canty ($1.8M savings) to create some room if needed

 

Note - If we could sign a true dominant 3-4 DE like Randy Starks, and we felt Brandon Williams can take a step forward this year holding down NT, it would allow us to put Haloti Ngata back at DE where he's most dominant. Two dominant 3-4 DE would cause obvious 1-on-1 mismatches on the outside for Doom and Sizzle. Could be a big upgrade for us.

[dhstandard]

Not that I don't believe Champ could come in a be a solid FS here. But he and Ed Reed are the same age .. So all things considered, I don't see us bringing in Champ to attempt to play FS, When we let the all time great leave. 

 

Ed might as well be a few years older with all his injuries. 

[baltimorefan328]

The ravens obviously need the rangy free safety as Ozzie has said, but thoughts on taking a flyer on Roman Harper who just got cut by the saints if he is cheap? Very experienced, made the pro bowl a couple times, and while isnt great in deep coverage he can blitz, stuff the run, and cover tight ends decently. Older guy at 31 so may be willing to come in on a more rotational role? If he doesn't play special teams then there would be no point because Elam is obviously the guy, but just thinking if he says he'll come cheap to be on a perennial winner in a rotational role it wouldn't be a bad idea for some great veteran depth and to push Elam that little bit harder to really seize the starting job 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Am I about to get ranted on? I think I'm making fairly logical, non-heated points.

I don't think anyones making heated points, but they are making logical retorts to your opinion that youre failing to address. A rumor that the 49ers are looking at him doesn't mean he fits a 3-4. They run so many hybrid looks he may fit there. Plus he brings a lot more value to their team then he does ours even if talking strictly as a fit in a 3-4 front in that signing him takes him away from the Seahawks, a division rival. That value doesn't exist for us.

Plus, we have invested big contracts into both outside and inside rushers. With the money locked up in Suggs, Dumervil, Ngata, and Canty and the draft picks invested in Upshaw, Simon, KLM, and Williams it just doesn't make sense to invest for another player who will definitely be overpaid. That's just not a way to build a team.

With much more important holes to fill at FS, MLB, and all over the offensive side you cant invest that much more money into a player that would be a luxury at best, and a complete waste at worst.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I know this about possible FA's, and a lot of people are talking Free Safety bc its something Ozzie mentioned as a position to upgrade - but unless we can land Byrd I'd rather us go the route of getting a cheap veteran insurance policy and give Omar Brown and legitimate shot to win the job.

He seems like the kind of guy who doesn't jump off the tape in practice but come game time just lives up to the occasion and makes plays. I get the argument that the coaches see him every day in practice and if there was enough there to warrant an opportunity he would have got it by now.... but every time we've seen him in extended game action (albeit pre-season) the guy has made play after play.

I wouldn't be opposed to drafting one of the top 2 safeties if theyre available at 17, but if we don't draft an elite talent or sign Byrd id truly prefer to sign a stop-gap vet who can fill in if needed and give Brown a shot. Give him a 4 game audition - its clear he can make plays but hes got to prove he can consistently put himself in the right position and not be a liability to give up the big play.

[dhstandard]

1. Chris Clemons

2. Champ Bailey

3. Mike Mitchell

 

Clemons is my favorite.  9th best coverage safety according to PFF behind...guess who, Jairus Byrd.

 

Champ Bailey would be a nice option but if we brought him in we would need a backup.  Mike Mitchell has only as year of experience but played extremely well last season and is very young. 

[0_o]

With much more important holes to fill at FS, MLB, and all over the offensive side you cant invest that much more money into a player that would be a luxury at best, and a complete waste at worst.

 

I agree.

 

I lot of people are talking Free Safety bc its something Ozzie mentioned as a position to upgrade - but unless we can land Byrd I'd rather us go the route of getting a cheap veteran insurance policy and give Omar Brown and legitimate shot to win the job.

I wouldn't be opposed to drafting one of the top 2 safeties if theyre available at 17, 

 

When you watch Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor it becomes obvious they're different makers. The way Ozzie and DeCosta have spoken so highly of Free Safeties over the years, I wouldn't be surprised at all if they pulled the trigger on one of them at #17.  If we are able to retain Monroe and both Taylor Lewan and Mike Evans are off the board, I wouldn't be opposed to drafting Calvin Pryor there. What an awesome player he's going to be. I know it's not a fan favorite but he's the next big time safety to enter the league. Think of a bigger, stronger Bob Sanders. Given the way the league has become so pass oriented, having 2 studs lock down the corners while 2 beasts hold down the back end - not a bad strategy to have for the next few years. We'd instantly have one of the best secondaries in the league. Plus, it would be fun watching Pryor flying around in a Ravens uniform smacking people in the mouth every Sunday.

 

Sign Monroe, kick the tires on Santonio Holmes - trade back and draft Pryor in round 1, Cyrus Kouandjio in round 2 and Javaris Landry  in round 3. Not my ideal draft but I could get excited about something as simple as the obvious.

[Juviebest]

With all this talk about Corey Graham being linked to the Giants and Redskins I think he might be gone. Although Redskins are closing in on Talib apparently (Rotoworld).

Might need to nab a cheap CB to compete with Chykie and Asa.

[izvoodoo]

I don't know why Mike Mitchell isn't under heavier consideration.  Seems a good fit.