[News] 2014 Ravens Free Agency Rumor Mill

[Ravens07]

Yeah sign a 34 year old ex steeler when ed reed is sitting out there with no job!!! So disrespectful!!!!

 

I'd equally welcome Eddy back, my all-time favorite player.  If he is willing to come back at a fair price, I don't see why the Ravens would deny him. Same for Clark. He's a solid player, and for the right price he should be considered. Forget loyalties, this is about winning, period. It's important to point out that Ryan Clark had arguably the best season of his career last year.  When a guy is playing well, you don't just ignore it because of rivalries; he's no longer apart of that.

[rmcjacket23]

Yeah sign a 34 year old ex steeler when ed reed is sitting out there with no job!!! So disrespectful!!!!

There's a reason he is sitting out there with no job.

I swear some fans think Ed Reed will still be a great player 10 years from now.

SMH.

[Ravens07]

There's a reason he is sitting out there with no job.

I swear some fans think Ed Reed will still be a great player 10 years from now.

SMH.

 

Well, Ed Reed really is still a great player. The Texans didn't utilized him properly. When he went to the Jets, where Rex used him properly, he had three interceptions in just five games starting. He would have been back in Baltimore at the right price.

[M@rtinez]

Well said Ravens07

[Halshayeji]

Don't get me wrong Clark is a great player and I'd love to have him on the team as he'd instantly help us but come on! The only reason were not signing ed reed back is because he's 35 years old and everyone here is complaining about Steve smith being 34. Why would we sign an ex steeler when ed reed is out there for a cheap price. I really think loyalty should be taken into consideration here unless there's something we don't know about

[Halshayeji]

Edd is 1 year older and 10 years wiser and 100 times more respected in a locker room to help develop our young players into stars. Ed and Clark are both coming in as short term starters and full time mentors. Why a 34 year old steeler? Why?

[boldtown]

clark on the ravens will be a bad move for one reason only. denver. should the ravens make the playoffs like everyone hopes, denver will be a city that most liking be hosting the game. and clark will be medically available. the playoffs would not be the time to depend on a second and third stringer.

[Stephenjr]

Clark can't play in Denver because of sickel cell.Playoffs will go thru Denver most likley. Then what?

[rmcjacket23]

Well, Ed Reed really is still a great player. The Texans didn't utilized him properly. When he went to the Jets, where Rex used him properly, he had three interceptions in just five games starting. He would have been back in Baltimore at the right price.

Is that why he was benched late in the season with the Jets and they have thus far given no interest to re-signing him? Also, why didn't you reference the number of missed tackles he had and how he was burned deep in coverage routinely in a Jets defense that was notorious for that?

Or do we only care about him because he gets INTs? I thought we wanted well-rounded defensive players?

The Ed Reed you KNEW isn't the Ed Reed we currently see.

[Ravens07]

Both of you make very valid points about Clark's medical condition.

[Ravens07]

Is that why he was benched late in the season with the Jets and they have thus far given no interest to re-signing him? Also, why didn't you reference the number of missed tackles he had and how he was burned deep in coverage routinely in a Jets defense that was notorious for that?

Or do we only care about him because he gets INTs? I thought we wanted well-rounded defensive players?

The Ed Reed you KNEW isn't the Ed Reed we currently see.

 

Looking at it from afar -- which is all we can do -- it appears to be medical worries. Missed tackles, burned deep, please provide proof for this. I watch multiple Jets games and he played really well; however, I can't say the same for some of his Texans performances, for which I mentioned misutilization. Interceptions is the first job of a center-fielder, so obviously it is important. Pass defense has always been Ed's strong suit. Ed is a leader and a teacher; he is as smart as it comes for a defensive player, and despite popular opinion, which is likely what you base your view on, he is still an outstanding football player.

 

Is he as fast as a 20 year old? No way. Is he as durable as when we drafted him? Not even close. But for around minimum vet salary, it is foolish to not sign him. We won a Super Bowl with him back there a couple years ago. 

[EdReedsOldGymSocks]

No to Reed and Clark... unless they would sign for the vet minimum.. on 1 year deals

 

We still have yet to see the post-draft cuts.

 

I still think there are younger vet options out there but who wouldn't want to see Ed back with the Ravens. I agree, his leadership and mentor ability is immeasurable and worth significantly more than his contract would be. But this is not the Ed of old and he never will be. some of you need to come to terms with that.

[Ravens07]

I have absolutely come to terms that this is not the Ed of old, obviously. But the Ed of current is not as bad as he has been depicted as is all I am saying. When he is in the right system, and he would be with us, he is in a good situation. The only question is if he would take minimum vet salary. 

[Ravens07]

Well, if you are going to down-vote me, at least come back with a reply with your opinion. 

[ravensdfan]

I would rather see Ed Reed back here than washed up Clark & he IS washed up. It's why he's always grabbing jerseys because he can no longer keep up. I don't like Clark AT ALL! He's a dirty player!

If we're going on the back-side of 30 for a FS than Reed knows us, the system & we know all his quirks.

[MarioB1]

Rather sign De Cloud or Clemons instead of Clark.

[ellicottraven]

I would be really sad if we ever signed Clark. I think he is a sissy who can't take a hit. I think he is an empty vessel that makes a ton of noise but essentially is empty. Moreover, when did the Ravens ever need Steeler discards??

[ellicottraven]

If we are even considering Clark, why not ask Reed to come back at vet minimum and retire after this season? I think a horrible Ed Reed is vastly superior to Clark on any given Sunday despite how slow he might seem to the rest of you who seem to think he is totally washed up. I guarantee you if Ed Reed were back as a Raven, he would have at least 5 ints because now QBs think they can throw his way...

[Halshayeji]

What's with all the hate towards Ed Reed?

He's gona get paid the minimum and is willing to sit whenever whoever we draft is ready to take over at FS.

It's just so rude hearing u guys hate on a guy that gave this team his heart without real reasons other than he's 35 or he's not as good as he was. Really? And Clark is as good as he was? Is he 28? The simple right solution is right there but unfortunately harbs is too proud to even consider bringing back ed. Simple as that

[Halshayeji]

And for all of those who want to hate on his performance last year. Yes he was 34 years old coming off a bad injury (missed 4 games I think) and played in 2 different systems including the circus that was the Houston Texans last year. In other words he wouldn't have made a probowl if he was 25 under those circumstances

[Halshayeji]

Oh and one last respond to a guy earlier that complimented Clark for 104 tackles in 2013. Brother I'm afraid your wrong. When a free safety or a corner back records that kind of stats and only 2 interceptions it means he's late! It basically means he's not respected and thrown to a LOT!

[trevorsteadman]

What's with all the hate towards Ed Reed?

He's gona get paid the minimum and is willing to sit whenever whoever we draft is ready to take over at FS.

It's just so rude hearing u guys hate on a guy that gave this team his heart without real reasons other than he's 35 or he's not as good as he was. Really? And Clark is as good as he was? Is he 28? The simple right solution is right there but unfortunately harbs is too proud to even consider bringing back ed. Simple as that

I don't think that people are hating on Ed Reed... But even a year before the Ravens super bowl win you could tell Ed Reed was on the decline. You could see the same in Ray Lewis. Of course they could of still been productive players but there is a thing called aging... Ed Reed missed a lot of tackles the last couple seasons which is exactly why Baltimore didn't overpay for him like Houston did. Baltimore offered him probably the best that they knew he would perform at because they love him. I think it would be better suited for the Ravens to find someone else besides Clark and Reed. I wouldn't be upset using our first pick on Pryor or Clinton-Dix. But I would rather sign a tight end and a center and call it good for the most part on free agency end (besides a couple back ups for depth) and then draft a tight end like Ebron or Amaro in the first round because of our receiving depth is huge.... (I do not see a lot of our younger receivers playing. Most time will go to Smith Squared, Jacoby, and Marlon)

[H8R]

What's with all the hate towards Ed Reed?

He's gona get paid the minimum and is willing to sit whenever whoever we draft is ready to take over at FS.

It's just so rude hearing u guys hate on a guy that gave this team his heart without real reasons other than he's 35 or he's not as good as he was. Really? And Clark is as good as he was? Is he 28? The simple right solution is right there but unfortunately harbs is too proud to even consider bringing back ed. Simple as that

Holding onto players is cool if you're into nostalgia and not winning. Ed can probably grab a few picks at his age, but his health is seemingly questionable. Ed WAS a great player, those days have passed . He hasn't tackled well in 3-4 years and that's my biggest complaint.

[rmcjacket23]

What's with all the hate towards Ed Reed?

He's gona get paid the minimum and is willing to sit whenever whoever we draft is ready to take over at FS.

It's just so rude hearing u guys hate on a guy that gave this team his heart without real reasons other than he's 35 or he's not as good as he was. Really? And Clark is as good as he was? Is he 28? The simple right solution is right there but unfortunately harbs is too proud to even consider bringing back ed. Simple as that

1. There is absolutely no evidence that hes willing to accept the vet minimum, nor is there any evidence he is willing to play for anybody in a reserve role. He didn't accept it last season, and he played like a guy who should be making the vet minimum.

2. If were are using a first or even second round pick on a safety, he should be starting from day 1. So why are we brining in Ed anyway? For the "veteran leadership"? To "lead the young guys"? Thats what coaches are for... so why would we pay Ed to play in a jersey?

Based on what almost everybody who has posted anything about Ed becoming a Raven again, all of your desires for him are more directed in his ability to coach more than it is to play. So why are we even discussing him on the field? I think too many people are making judgments based on feelings over making judgment based on brains. You like Ed Reed, and you want to see him as a Raven again. But the on-field production just doesn't benefit the Baltimore Ravens any longer. This is a team looking to get younger and more athletic in many areas, and FS is one them.

I think we are all overreacting to this. I think the FO intention is to use an early pick on a FS and start him from the beginning. Perhaps Clark will be nothing more than a depth signing, and perhaps he is more likely to accept that role than Reed is.

[rmcjacket23]

And I'd also point out one more thing... the role of a FS in the NFL has changed. No longer are the days of Ed Reed standing 20 yards off the ball and people throwing deep on him and him making plays... thats not what FS's in the NFL do any longer. All these people talking about INTs and all this nonsense... do you realize that Earl Thomas only had 5 INTs last season, while Reed had 3? Does anybody realistically think that Reed is even on the same planet in terms of talent as Earl Thomas in the present day NFL? What FS's are required to do is play closer to the ball (because very few teams throw deep anymore anyway), cover TEs and slot receivers in coverage, and make tackles. Does anybody trust Ed Reed's ability to tackle anybody currently? Does anybody trust Ed Reed's ability to cover an athletic TE in coverage (which almost every team has nowadays)? I sure don't.

[brendandeal]

Reading some of the comments and everybody has great things to say (some better than others). We, as Ravens fans, need to realize that we have the best GM and one of the most successful coaches in the NFL. Last season was our worst year in SO long and we still didn't go under .500!! I 100% trust Ozzie and personally I think he has done a GREAT job before the draft! & if you don't get goosebumps thinking about next year already with all the changes in place then I promise you will after the draft! In Ozzie we trust!!

[Ravensfan4life2010]

good we are not getting mack he is too expensive. We have to stick behind Gino watch this year he will be a better center. He gained lot of experience

[El Cuervo]

Ozzie will move down and will get either Pryor or Ha Ha, if available, he always draft next year needs, taking in consideration next yaer cap casualties. Almost every rookie come as a backup and will get Ravens 101 in their first season. It happens every year with players like Pitta, Rice, Krueger, Ellerbe, Art Jones, UFAs, etc.

Ravens have a master plan that keep us strong year in and year out.

Is awesome to be a Ravens fan.

Go RAVENS!

[cobrajet]

I am just glad we are still looking and checking into players in FA instead of standing pat until the draft. Go Ozzie!!!

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

No hate for Reed he's no longer very good and Ryan clark the squeeler Stinks If we dont get youger we will be just likePitts-burg