[News] 2014 Ravens Free Agency Rumor Mill

[bioLarzen]

"Steve Smith told WFNZ on playing against the Panthers this year: 'Put your goggles on cause there's going to be blood and guts everywhere.'" (source: Aaron Wilson on twitter)

 

So, he knows he's gonna play v. the Panthers next season? Sounds like he already had an idea where he would play next... doesn't it?

[bioLarzen]

We have retained guys that will make us better than an 8-8 football team. Especially if Pitta comes back 100%. Out of the guys we have lost, Art Jones is the only one that hurts a good bit. Graham hurts a little, but we an easily find a replacement. We are going to bring another receiver in, don't worry about that. The only position we NEED to upgrade right now is center. The rest we can get in the draft. Now defense, we need a FS, ad hopefully resign D. Smith. We will be fine, we are 2 days into Free Agency. We aren't falling anywhere.

 

I agree. The only FA we may lose that would hurt is Daryl Smith - but you can always replace a LB easier than almost any other position. That said, I hope we can retain Smith, because he's a proven commodity and that's always dear. But, should he decide to walk, that won't break the team, because there are gonna be available LB's out there - provided we don't already have his potential successor in the house...

 

But, once again, let's hope we won't have to replace him in the first place.

[steelcityraven]

JO14.... agreed... I know it is early.... and I am super excited to have locked up Suggs, Pitta and Monroe... I do think that are some of the key ingredients to getting back to the super bowl. It hurts to lost Art Jones, Corey and Ihedigbo. I am 100% confident that we will replace them and that Ozzie and Company have a plan in place to do so. I am simply stating that we do have some holes and Oz and co do have some work to do. I cannot wait to see how he goes about this! the route that he takes now... may say alot about the direction we go in the draft!

[bioLarzen]

LaRon McClain on twitter: "If I can get back to that place.... Where it all started... God willing"

 

Say what?

[steelcityraven]

WIlfork ask to be released from the PATs... Coming off of an injury and his age should drive his cost down.... No sure if it would be low enough to make him worth pursuing but could you imagine a DL that has Haloti and Wilfork pushing the middle while Suggs and Dummerville rush from the outside. WOW... it would be fun to watch for a year or two!

[J.O.14]

I agree. The only FA we may lose that would hurt is Daryl Smith - but you can always replace a LB easier than almost any other position. That said, I hope we can retain Smith, because he's a proven commodity and that's always dear. But, should he decide to walk, that won't break the team, because there are gonna be available LB's out there - provided we don't already have his potential successor in the house...

 

But, once again, let's hope we won't have to replace him in the first place.

I agree, the only concern I have about losing Smith is his veteran presence in the locker room and his intelligence on the field. Guy was a really smart player. We can find someone who brings the same physical aspects to the field, I just don't know about the smarts aspect. Keeping Smith would be a luxury though. For some reason, if Rolando McClain does come back, I really hope our FO gives him a shot. I think, in the right place, the guy can be what everyone thought he would be.

[J.O.14]

LaRon McClain on twitter: "If I can get back to that place.... Where it all started... God willing"

 

Say what?

I seen this as well....I think he may be returning.....

[bioLarzen]

I seen this as well....I think he may be returning.....

 

Well, it definitely does sound like that...

[J.O.14]

JO14.... agreed... I know it is early.... and I am super excited to have locked up Suggs, Pitta and Monroe... I do think that are some of the key ingredients to getting back to the super bowl. It hurts to lost Art Jones, Corey and Ihedigbo. I am 100% confident that we will replace them and that Ozzie and Company have a plan in place to do so. I am simply stating that we do have some holes and Oz and co do have some work to do. I cannot wait to see how he goes about this! the route that he takes now... may say alot about the direction we go in the draft!

Ohh I agree, I'm thinking the same thing. We have retained great players, but these are the same guys we went 8-8 with. But by keeping these guys we do get better. Because losing them is one more hole we would have to fill. I have said all along that whatever we do in Free Agency will depend on what we do in the draft. If we pickup a receiver, I think we will draft a FS or RT with the first pick and receiver in the second. I'm just excited about what Oz will do as well. He always has a plan in place.

[J.O.14]

Well, it definitely does sound like that...

I wouldn't mind that either.

[Asmodeus71]

I read a few comments, first JJ is not a slot receiver. He isn't a full time #1 or #2 guy but he has speed which means putting him out wide. He isn't a hands man like a typical slot guy, he often catches the ball against his body and not with his hands. Steve Smith is 34 will be 35 in May. Yes he has lost a step but he lost a step from a guy who ran a 4.39s 40y. Just to make that clear Torrey Smith ran a 4.41s 40y. Jacoby Jones ran a 4.50s 40y. My point is he had extraordinary speed so what does that make him now fast? Can you imagine these three on a three wide set. or throw in Marlon Brown who is what 6'4" and runs a 4.5 to 4.6 40y and that could be one hard 4 wide for any team to cover. Also lets not forget about Aaron Mellette at 6'2" who also runs around a 4.40 to 4.50 40y. Smith gives us a leader and experience. Unlike Boldin, Smith had speed and at this age probably still has more speed than Boldin had when he came into the league. Anquan Boldin 6' 1/2" 4.71s 40y. Just imagine being a defense that has to cover that 4 wide set with any of those 5. Torrey Smith or JJ get the #1 CB, Steve Smith gets the third or fourth best cover guy on the other team and even at his age can eat most #3 or #4 pass defenders alive. I have no problem with that situation at all if we get Steve Smith.

[allblackraven]

"Steve Smith told WFNZ on playing against the Panthers this year: 'Put your goggles on cause there's going to be blood and guts everywhere.'" (source: Aaron Wilson on twitter)

 

So, he knows he's gonna play v. the Panthers next season? Sounds like he already had an idea where he would play next... doesn't it?

Nah, I listened to that interview - it was a joke.

[brutt3raven]

He's a LT - so, I guess he's gonna get LT money somewhere... The Raiders, for example, are looking for a LT after failing to get Saffold.

 

Also, as far as I know, he was a disappointment in Tampa.

Isnt that all a RT is... Just a disappointing LT, but a top 16 Tackle overall is what you would want right? 

 

And the Raiders are just going be the Raiders and go after the fastest Tackle in the draft (like that matters) lol

[bioLarzen]

Nah, I listened to that interview - it was a joke.

 

Aha, I see.

[bioLarzen]

Isnt that all a RT is... Just a disappointing LT, but a top 16 Tackle overall is what you would want right? 

 

And the Raiders are just going be the Raiders and go after the fastest Tackle in the draft (like that matters) lol

 

Well, who knows, he may even end up here...

[JamesA119]

I'm trying to find the upside to losing Graham, but I can't. Someone might step and do well, but that's a 50/50 proposition. Why do we want that problem? - Again. We had just finally fixed the CB position with the departure of Cary Williams and the emergence of Jimmy Smith. Get ready for the FO to tell us at the end of next season, after a disappointing perfomance at the slot CB that we have to build a strong CB position. We might end up spending more than $4M. Neg me all you want, but I think we're being penny wise and pound foolish.

[Bravens292]

JamesA119 Graham is not worth the contract he is getting anyway. he was a 3rd corner, not irreplaceable. You can't pay everybody. We also have a GM named Newsome. Hes got this.

[balfan23]

So, it's 4:04 ... haven't we signed Smith yet :-)

[JamesA119]

"JamesA119 Graham is not worth the contract he is getting anyway. he was a 3rd corner, not irreplaceable. You can't pay everybody. We also have a GM named Newsome. Hes got this."

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Well that's the problem. I like Ozzie, but there appears to be this blind faith in his decisions. What happened with Spears, and Huff in free agency last year? Cody, Kindle, Dickson etc., in the draft? How about always losing players in their prime? - Ellerbe, Redding, Jarret Johnson etc.,

I think all these years we got away with it because we had the "equalizer" Ray Lewis. The Ravens are not alone in this regard. The Patriots seem to get away with it too because of their equalizer - Tom Brady.

[bioLarzen]

"JamesA119 Graham is not worth the contract he is getting anyway. he was a 3rd corner, not irreplaceable. You can't pay everybody. We also have a GM named Newsome. Hes got this." {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Well that's the problem. I like Ozzie, but there appears to be this blind faith in his decisions. What happened with Spears, and Huff in free agency last year? Cody, Kindle, Dickson etc., in the draft? How about always losing players in their prime? - Ellerbe, Redding, Jarret Johnson etc., I think all these years we got away with it because we had the "equalizer" Ray Lewis. The Ravens are not alone in this regard. The Patriots seem to get away with it too because of their equalizer - Tom Brady.

 

Well, nobody's perfect. Everybody makes mistakes - so, you don't trust anybody?

[JamesA119]

"Well, nobody's perfect. Everybody makes mistakes - so, you don't trust anybody?"

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Bio that's funny. It's not a matter of trust or no trust. It's just stating the facts.

[Crusader]

Corey being gone just means the Ravens secondary just got more inexperience then ever. You think they look confused last year just watch the busted coverages this year. Just saying

[Crusader]

The most experience player is Webb with 5 years and he missed 2 1\2 years with injuries.

[IconicTester34]

Does anyone else feel like the ravens missed out on a lot of key players. they should of went for decker, now that he is gone they should try for Sanders. if they miss out on him we are gonna be in the same stage as last year. they also should go for alex mack and cromartie (because we lost graham). also they should look for players like branden spikes. not only is he young but if we dont get smith back we are gonna need an inside linebacker.

[EdReedsOldGymSocks]

Does anyone else feel like the ravens missed out on a lot of key players. they should of went for decker, now that he is gone they should try for Sanders. if they miss out on him we are gonna be in the same stage as last year. they also should go for alex mack and cromartie (because we lost graham). also they should look for players like branden spikes. not only is he young but if we dont get smith back we are gonna need an inside linebacker.

 

We wont sign a FA just because they are an FA. There are lots of things to consider and we believe in the ppl on the roster. I not upset with no getting Decker and think we can do with Cromartie and Sanders. Mack would be nice but expensive, i think.. 

 

Still alot of offseason left and this is only the beginning of the bunch. 

[EdReedsOldGymSocks]

So, it's 4:04 ... haven't we signed Smith yet :-)

 

...now 5:06. People on Twitter are losing their minds lol

[balfan23]

Adam Schefter tweeted: "By and large, Tiffany free-agent prices are over. From now on, with a few exceptions, it's shopping at Target."

 

Ozzie is a Target shopper, he definitely doesn't shop at Tiffany's.

[RavensBaltimore]

"JamesA119 Graham is not worth the contract he is getting anyway. he was a 3rd corner, not irreplaceable. You can't pay everybody. We also have a GM named Newsome. Hes got this." {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Well that's the problem. I like Ozzie, but there appears to be this blind faith in his decisions. What happened with Spears, and Huff in free agency last year? Cody, Kindle, Dickson etc., in the draft? How about always losing players in their prime? - Ellerbe, Redding, Jarret Johnson etc., I think all these years we got away with it because we had the "equalizer" Ray Lewis. The Ravens are not alone in this regard. The Patriots seem to get away with it too because of their equalizer - Tom Brady.

You could cherry pick moves that didn't work out with every franchise.  Ozzie has one of the best track records at making the right decisions more often than not, which is why he is one of the best GMs in the league.  It's a good sign that the Ravens have lost a bunch of good players to free agency.  It shows that they are good at drafting and developing players, and because of the cap, they have more talent than they can afford.  Bad teams, like the Browns and Raiders, usually don't have that problem.

 

It really undermines the rest of the team to say that they got away with bad moves just because of Ray Lewis.  There were plenty of bad seasons with Ray, which proves that he alone was not the reason that the Ravens "got away with it."  It's also inaccurate to say the Patriots get away with bad moves because of Tom Brady.  The Patriots continued to win when Brady himself missed the whole season.  Franchises that win consistently do it because of consistent good decision making, not because of one player.

[Mystigo_Dragon]

Hope we finish second in the sweepstakes for Steve Smith's services!

 

Originally, I was not in favor, then I got intrigued by his "Boldin-like" pass-catching tenacity, but in the final analysis, his overall ego and self-appraisal are both too big for Russell Street!

[Dewy101]

Corey being gone just means the Ravens secondary just got more inexperience then ever. You think they look confused last year just watch the busted coverages this year. Just saying

Corey didn't play very well last season. I think now with more chemistry in the back end and Webb 100% and hopefully moving Elam to SS our secondary is going to be scary good