[News] Late For Work 3/13: Ravens Monitor As WR Market Heats Up

[Pharaoh]

if we sign steve smith it should be on a one year deal mostly due to his age but we still need to draft a WR hopefully evens fall to number 17

[rmcjacket23]

golden tate. Boldin...

You mean the same #1 WR Tate that averaged 20 yards per game during a SB playoff run? That #1 WR? The one that they could have easily retained if they thought he was worth it? The one that was paid $6m a season to be a #2 WR in FA?

Welcome to the definition of subjectivity my friend.

[JGreeno1980]

Steve Smith gave Panthers list of 5 teams as trade partners--Dallas, NE, Baltimore, San Diego, Tampa Bay, per source. I think our real comp will be NE and Tampa. If he goes to NE we might get Edelman unless the Browns overpay. If we can't resign D. Smith I really like Brandon Spikes (for cheap) since he would help us stop the run and A. Brown will take care of the passing downs IMO.

[Pharaoh]

Am I the only one who DOESN'T want Steve Smith? Sure, he's had a great career and all, but he is past his prime. We need to use the money on picking up a FS or another TE. I think we should get Clemons at FS and Owen Daniels at TE and draft a WR in the first round. I'd rather have a 1st round rookie who is fresh than a 35 year old receiver who is past his prime.

you are not the only one i dont want steve smith but if we do sign him i hope its only on a 1 year deal

[steelcityraven]

bring in Alex Mack... Draft Donte Moncrief WR and we are set on offense (like to add depth on the OL- possibly another T (Taylor Lewan). Then move focus to the defense. A big interior DL (Daniel McCullers) / Re-sign Daryl Smith or draft another ILB (Lamin Barrow or Chris Young) to build for the future with Arthur Brown. Look for a Safety (Marqueston Huff) and possibly a CB (Watkins or Stnaley Jean Baptiste).

[trevorsteadman]

Am I the only one who DOESN'T want Steve Smith? Sure, he's had a great career and all, but he is past his prime. We need to use the money on picking up a FS or another TE. I think we should get Clemons at FS and Owen Daniels at TE and draft a WR in the first round. I'd rather have a 1st round rookie who is fresh than a 35 year old receiver who is past his prime.

I would agree but after what I saw on offense last season he may be a good fit. His numbers were down last season due to injuries. If he proves to be healthy he still can put up great numbers. I mean before last season he was still putting up 1000+ yards in a horrid Panthers offense... I would also like Owen Daniels but I think in the end that the Ravens will probably draft Pryor or Haha Clinton-Dix with their first round pick and then a receiver in round 2. It all depends on what he is asking for. The Ravens didn't want to lose Boldin but 6 million is a lot of cash the Ravens didn't have last season. If Smith, a quality player, asks for around 4 million I wouldn't see why not. I think he may be a spark for the Ravens receiving core. 

[JGreeno1980]

The Panthers have cut Steve Smith, team announces

[bioLarzen]

"The Ravens are 3-for-3with retaining their own players."

 

Haha, that's cunning We're 3 of 5 - we lost Corey Graham and Art Jones, right? But the three we kept are much more important than the two we lost. i agree on that.

[BrianRandolph011]

Id rather gamble on Kenny Britt than Steve Smith.. Im just sayin.. the guy is only 25.. if anything give him a one year deal.. If it works out this season then next year when the cap goes up another 10 mill you can lock him up for a long term deal.. the talent is definitely there.. possibility for a huge reward.. Seems like the type of player that would give his all if playing for a contender.. Just a thought.. You never know these days

[bioLarzen]

BTW, as far as I remember, this was the second time Jacoby took less to be a Raven... Two years ago the Panthers (?) offered more, if I recall that correctly.

So, its one more reason to like the guy.

[axisofeeble]

Steve Smith released 5 minutes ago.................Ozzie??

[trevorsteadman]

Id rather gamble on Kenny Britt than Steve Smith.. Im just sayin.. the guy is only 25.. if anything give him a one year deal.. If it works out this season then next year when the cap goes up another 10 mill you can lock him up for a long term deal.. the talent is definitely there.. possibility for a huge reward.. Seems like the type of player that would give his all if playing for a contender.. Just a thought.. You never know these days

 

 

I think I would rather have the best player in Panther's franchise history who has been consistent ever since his 2nd year of playing than a iffy Britt who can go either way. Remember the Ravens need a play maker to be a play off contender. If so Smith will only be signed for a 1 or 2 year deal. If Britt comes cheap as well why not get him also? He may come cheap because not many teams want him.

[trevorsteadman]

BTW, as far as I remember, this was the second time Jacoby took less to be a Raven... Two years ago the Panthers (?) offered more, if I recall that correctly. So, its one more reason to like the guy.

He wasn't kidding when he said he would take a pay cut to stay in Baltimore last season. I am happy because he makes returns exciting and when Flacco chucks up the ball to him deep you can't help but stand up off the couch. 

 

.

[axisofeeble]

Who plays RT? Who's our center? Zone,stretch,run game and QB protection again this year? Steve Smith??---not "the" top priority. Incognito for depth? Right tackle?

[bioLarzen]

If the Broncos are real about trying to snatch Daryl Smith then they are seriously going all-in on the very short term, while Peyton is still in play... I guess they are gonna be in real trouble in about 2-3 seasons... But they're gonna be a heck of a force next season... With or without Smith. Well... hopefully without

[trevorsteadman]

"The Ravens are 3-for-3with retaining their own players." Haha, that's cunning We're 3 of 5 - we lost Corey Graham and Art Jones, right? But the three we kept are much more important than the two we lost. i agree on that.

Don't forget Ihedigbo who was signed this morning to the Lions. So 3/6 but not sure if you would count that because I do not think the Ravens even tried to retain him. 

[steelcityraven]

We are not looking to keep Steve Smith Long term... but if we can get two good years out of him and draft a WR (that gives that WR time to develop) and gives us a legitimate threat opposite Torrey. all of a sudden we are dangerous in the passing game. Torrey, SSmith, JJone, Marlon Brown, Pitta and Rice out of the backfield Kubiack could have some fun with those weapons.

[balfan23]

Am I the only one who DOESN'T want Steve Smith? Sure, he's had a great career and all, but he is past his prime. We need to use the money on picking up a FS or another TE. I think we should get Clemons at FS and Owen Daniels at TE and draft a WR in the first round. I'd rather have a 1st round rookie who is fresh than a 35 year old receiver who is past his prime.

Probably not the only one, but I'm not in that camp. Of course, he's past his prime ... if he were in his prime, he'd be a clear-cut top FA who would command big money. As it stands, he could be just the right fit for us ... savvy, experienced, tough as nails and a good model for Brown and the WR to be selected in the draft (I have to assume we'll get one). 

 

We've been considering bringing in a vet WR all along, so I don't know that moving on Smith stops us from doing anything we hadn't already planned - except picking from the list of other FA WRs that have been known to be on the market.

 

Of course, it will still come down to price - but I'm pretty sure Ozzie won't just start forking over stacks of cash ... that's not his style. In that regard, it is not a done deal like so may wish to think, but I think it is a great fit and I hope we strike a reasonable deal and get him in. 

[bioLarzen]

Don't forget Ihedigbo who was signed this morning to the Lions. So 3/6 but not sure if you would count that because I do not think the Ravens even tried to retain him. 

 

Yeah, he was probably not in our future plans anyway. Sad, because I really liked the guy last season - but hey, there are casualties every season... And I'm much less sad about losing Ihedigbo (or Corey Graham) than Monroe, Jacoby or Pitta... So, I'm quite a happy camper right now.

[mendii]

I wonder if the Ravens are taking a look at Danario Alexander. He can play with the best of them when he's healthy, but his knee hasn't held up for an entire season... He would probably come in cheap, and he's got tons of potential.

[trevorsteadman]

Probably not the only one, but I'm not in that camp. Of course, he's past his prime ... if he were in his prime, he'd be a clear-cut top FA who would command big money. As it stands, he could be just the right fit for us ... savvy, experienced, tough as nails and a good model for Brown and the WR to be selected in the draft (I have to assume we'll get one). 

 

We've been considering bringing in a vet WR all along, so I don't know that moving on Smith stops us from doing anything we hadn't already planned - except picking from the list of other FA WRs that have been known to be on the market.

 

Of course, it will still come down to price - but I'm pretty sure Ozzie won't just start forking over stacks of cash ... that's not his style. In that regard, it is not a done deal like so may wish to think, but I think it is a great fit and I hope we strike a reasonable deal and get him in. 

'Nuff said. 

[steelcityraven]

I know Steve Smith is 35 but Mason came in late in his carreer and provided some good years for us. (Stallworth / TJ / Lee Evans) we had some bad luck with veterans too but I do think that Smith has shown that he still has more inthe tank then some of those guys!

Plus he (like Mason has always been a # 1) Evans / TJ / and Stallworth were # 2's at best throughout their carreers! Smith could make us dangerous!

[trevorsteadman]

I wonder if the Ravens are taking a look at Danario Alexander. He can play with the best of them when he's healthy, but his knee hasn't held up for an entire season... He would probably come in cheap, and he's got tons of potential.

Yeah I have been preaching this for the last couple months. It's a low risk high reward. I think it would be a good chance. Just don't play him against the Steelers.... That Polomalu/Mitchell combo looks very scary for next season. 

[axisofeeble]

O-line......................................running game,Please!!!

[verified]

You mean the same #1 WR Tate that averaged 20 yards per game during a SB playoff run? That #1 WR? The one that they could have easily retained if they thought he was worth it? The one that was paid $6m a season to be a #2 WR in FA?

Welcome to the definition of subjectivity my friend.

Your points you think your making make no sense. If thats what he averaged show me a WR on there them that made more plays for them the whole season. He was 1 of only 2 WR  in the superbowl who had a TD catch for them (the other was harvin but he was gone the whole season). also Pats let welker walk even tho he was their #1 Jets just let Santonio walk their #1 Panthers just let theres walk with steve smith Steelers let theres walk in wallace we let ours walk in boldin so because he wasent resigned means nothing and it doesnt matter what he signed for boldin didnt sign for much even tho he was our #1 so what does that mean that tate only signed for 6mil a year.He was still their best WR #1 by production alone...

[BmoreB]

Ozzie: "Hello?".....Ravens Secretary: " Hi Mr. Newsome. What time would you like me to schedule the Steve Smith conference for ?"...... Ozzie: "1:00 tomorrow and put the announcement out today around 3:00" .... Ravens Secretary: " Will do Mr. Newsome. You're the man by the way".... Ozzie: "I know, but it never gets old hearing that."

[RavenManiac20]

If we sign Steve Smith we don't have to draft a WR early with Jacoby being back. Means we can go FS in the first round and RT in the second round and MLB in the 3rd if Daryl isn't back... which I think he will be. I am still hoping we some how get Mack from Cleveland

[evass#ravensnation]

Dream case scenario

Resign D.Smith

Sign Alex Mack and S.Smith

1st-Lewan/Martin or if we go FS Pryor

2nd-J Mathews

[BrianRandolph011]

I think I would rather have the best player in Panther's franchise history who has been consistent ever since his 2nd year of playing than a iffy Britt who can go either way. Remember the Ravens need a play maker to be a play off contender. If so Smith will only be signed for a 1 or 2 year deal. If Britt comes cheap as well why not get him also? He may come cheap because not many teams want him.

My point is if you get Steve Smith this point in his career your saying we will win a Super Bowl this year and or next year.. because at that point he will be gone.. Lets be real here.. we are all ravens fans and have the right to dream but realistically speaking we will not go from 8-8 to Super Bowl with a 35 year old Steve Smith.. We need to think young talent and get some longetivity..not 1-2 year experiments

[The Mom Gene]

If we sign Smith, and can retain D. Smith,  I think they are going offensive line in the first round...  and maybe FS in the second round....Our secondary was pretty solid last year.  Yeah, we lost Graham, but you still have Webby, Smith, Elam back there... and Asa Jackson ready to grow up.....