Free Agency Targets

[redrum52]

I'm assuming he just played for a low price for a 1 year prove it deal, but what about Brandon Flowers?  Was productive and I was hoping we made a move for him last year.  Proved to be a valuable part of of the Chargers defense.  He could've been the difference in our team winning a ring this year.

[Bruce_Almty]

chsbasebalplayer, on 02 Feb 2015 - 2:52 PM, said:

Didn't know where to ask this question. But I know Rashaan Melvin was signed to a one year contract is he a RFA or is he unrestricted?

 

You can go here for all the Raven players contract info. Brian McFarland does a fantastic job with his spreadsheets.

[Ray Lewis 4 President]

The only position worth spending money on this free agency is obvious.

Cornerback.

That being said, I think the team should sign one of the top 5 free agent CB's available

AND

also draft a CB in the first or second round.

-  I think the only 2 CB prospects that make sense potentially landing with the Ravens is,

Tramon Williams or Brandon Flowers

- And the top 2 CB prospects I see the team targeting in the draft will be,

PJ Williams or Jalen Collins.

* In a dream world, the team grabs Brandon Flowers & Jalen Collins.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Ray Lewis 4 President

[Static]

Jordan Cameron wants to get out of the dumpster fire that is Cleveland. Interesting. 

[childsgame]

Brandon Flowers- CB, cut aaron ross, develop melvin.

Rolle- S from Giants is an AWESOME IDEA.

Resign forsett- vision is good, Castillo is still here. 

Resign Owen Daniels- great down the stretch.  Pitta is lost cause.

Resign Torrey Smith or get Eddie Royal WR.

 

Simple plan eliminate holes in free agency and draft best available for the future.

Need to be really active in free agency for cb. Rest can be cuts by other teams. 

[Purple_City39]

Jordan Cameron wants to get out of the dumpster fire that is Cleveland. Interesting. 

A few issues with that.  The first is what his price tag will be.  Might be too much for Baltimore.  The second is that he's a serious concussion risk.  And 3rd, Ozzie isn't a fan of the unrestricted free agents as it hurts the comp picks in the future.

[rmcjacket23]

A few issues with that.  The first is what his price tag will be.  Might be too much for Baltimore.  The second is that he's a serious concussion risk.  And 3rd, Ozzie isn't a fan of the unrestricted free agents as it hurts the comp picks in the future.

1. I think his price tag would be small, given the injury risk. He's actually likely to get a short-term, "prove it" deal most likely, which is something the Ravens would probably be interested in.

 

2. I think the notion that Ozzie doesn't sign UFAs because of comp picks is a myth. Historically, comp picks don't amount to anything, and I seriously doubt Ozzie has ever once not signed a player solely because of a comp pick. If we don't sign a guy, its because his price is too high or we simply don't want him.

[Purple_City39]

1. I think his price tag would be small, given the injury risk. He's actually likely to get a short-term, "prove it" deal most likely, which is something the Ravens would probably be interested in.

 

2. I think the notion that Ozzie doesn't sign UFAs because of comp picks is a myth. Historically, comp picks don't amount to anything, and I seriously doubt Ozzie has ever once not signed a player solely because of a comp pick. If we don't sign a guy, its because his price is too high or we simply don't want him.

You think it's a coincidence?  Who were the last 5 UFAs signed by the Ravens that you recall?

 

In terms of the importance of comp picks, Gilmore, Taliaferro, and Juice are a few examples of what Ozzie can do with comp picks.  It's why he'd jump into a bidding war for someone like Dumervil, Smith Sr, etc but you almost never hear about him going after others.  For a front office that admittedly loves having as many picks as possible, I'd bet they factor in comp picks when they choose who to go after in free agency right along with price, age, etc.

[Alexir]

Mike Oher was just cut. Would only re-sign him for league minimum but he would make a great back up since he was our starter just 2 years ago lol

[rmcjacket23]

You think it's a coincidence?  Who were the last 5 UFAs signed by the Ravens that you recall?

 

In terms of the importance of comp picks, Gilmore, Taliaferro, and Juice are a few examples of what Ozzie can do with comp picks.  It's why he'd jump into a bidding war for someone like Dumervil, Smith Sr, etc but you almost never hear about him going after others.  For a front office that admittedly loves having as many picks as possible, I'd bet they factor in comp picks when they choose who to go after in free agency right along with price, age, etc.

Yes actually, I do think its a coincidence. You answered your own question in your next paragraph, when you alluded to guys like Dumervil, both Smith's, etc.

 

The factors that you are NOT considering is 1. its not a coincidence that in recent years our activity with UFAs has been limited by the amount of actual salary cap space we have, which is a far greater consideration than whether or not we can get a comp pick for it and 2. whether or not the FA we would be signing could be replaced by a comp pick in the future.

 

Given that the names you described would be almost impossible to replace with a 4th round comp pick, it doesn't make sense for Ozzie to pass on them if we have the cap space and we want them just so he can get some late 4th round pick, who by your own examples, will turn into quality ROLE players IF they tap out on their value.

[757RavensFan]

Michael Oher released by the Titans.  OL depth maybe?  

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12285671/tennessee-titans-release-veteran-right-tackle-michael-oher

[omar586]

y not, depth

[GrimCoconut]

Michael Oher released by the Titans. OL depth maybe?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12285671/tennessee-titans-release-veteran-right-tackle-michael-oher

I'd entertain it if he comes cheap. Veteran minimum type cheap. I think he'll get scooped by some team needing a LT badly and they'll try to throw him back at LT. That's my guess.

[mg90]

2. I think the notion that Ozzie doesn't sign UFAs because of comp picks is a myth. Historically, comp picks don't amount to anything, and I seriously doubt Ozzie has ever once not signed a player solely because of a comp pick. If we don't sign a guy, its because his price is too high or we simply don't want him.

iirc, many of our comp picks have amounted to very useful players. Like Wagner and McPhee.

[redrum52]

Mike Oher was just cut. Would only re-sign him for league minimum but he would make a great back up since he was our starter just 2 years ago lol

 

This gets a neg...

Michael Oher released by the Titans.  OL depth maybe?  

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12285671/tennessee-titans-release-veteran-right-tackle-michael-oher

This got a +1

 

 

What the hell is wrong with you people?

[K-Dog]

This gets a neg...

This got a +1

What the hell is wrong with you people?

You of all people know Ravens fans are fickle and can't make up their minds.

[redrum52]

You of all people know Ravens fans are fickle and can't make up their minds.

I plead the FIF...

[GrimCoconut]

iirc, many of our comp picks have amounted to very useful players. Like Wagner and McPhee.

Wagner, McPhee, Arthur Jones, Le'Ron McClain are a few guys we got in the compensatory selections. Antwan Barnes was as well. 

[mmcclend]

is lynch a realistic target???

Hahahaha!

[mmcclend]

I see all of these names being thrown around like its a fantasy football draft. We DONT have the cap space to get top tier players in Purple!!! Period

Agreed, but you know a lot if ppl on this board think this is madden lol like ppl are saying lets get Marshawn revis and Marshall???? Really???

Edited February 6, 2015 by mmcclend

[DMH_in_WA]

Sitting over here in Seattle listening to the conversation about Wilson and Lynch. Pretty much universally thought that if Lynch will stay, they are gonna pay him. And Wilson is a no brainer. Which means at least one larger salary guy has to go and that someone is thought to be CB Byron Maxwell.

What are your guys' thoughts on Maxwell? Where do you think he ends up salary-wise?

[JoeyFlex5]

I like Randall Cobb no doubt he benefited alot with having Jordy Nelson  on the field  with himbut I have no idea if he's a number one receiver. The Packers have a great quarterback in Rodgers and they really have great offensive system as well  but Cobb always strike me as a slot receiver.

agreed, i think if cobb goes elsewhere he gets #1 money and a #1 role and regresses, he will still be good because he is just a damn good player, but i think the workload he will see and demanding #1 attention from defenses will affect his production. he is definitely an elite and versatile slot weapon for teams who run 3 wide and is about as good of a #2 as you will find, but i wouldnt give him the money he is gonna be demanding so he can come here in a #1 role, its a role i just dont fully trust him in.

[RaineV1]

I think signing Maxwell is doable if the Ravens give up on resigning McPhee and Torrey. To me, that trade off is worth it. Maxwell and Smith would be a great tandem.

[JoeyFlex5]

Agreed, but you know a lot if ppl on this board think this is madden lol like ppl are saying lets get Marshawn revis and Marshall???? Really???

lets not forget those who were clamoring for peyton manning 3 years ago. 

 

my father being one of them. 

[52520Andrew]

Sitting over here in Seattle listening to the conversation about Wilson and Lynch. Pretty much universally thought that if Lynch will stay, they are gonna pay him. And Wilson is a no brainer. Which means at least one larger salary guy has to go and that someone is thought to be CB Byron Maxwell.

What are your guys' thoughts on Maxwell? Where do you think he ends up salary-wise?

Maxwell is getting paid and I would imagine he is going to be out of our price range.

[757RavensFan]

This gets a neg...

This got a +1

 

 

What the hell is wrong with you people?

 

Dude, I stop paying attention to  -  and +  a long time ago.  It will truly have you scratching your head, trying to figure out people's thought process.  LOL.  

[redrum52]

Dude, I stop paying attention to  -  and +  a long time ago.  It will truly have you scratching your head, trying to figure out people's thought process.  LOL.  

Trust me, I don't care either.  I'm usually checking the forum in mobile.  I just thought it was funny that the person above makes the comment maybe 2 or 3 posts before you and there was a difference in opinion between that 1 post sandwiched between.

[Purple_City39]

Yes actually, I do think its a coincidence. You answered your own question in your next paragraph, when you alluded to guys like Dumervil, both Smith's, etc.

 

The factors that you are NOT considering is 1. its not a coincidence that in recent years our activity with UFAs has been limited by the amount of actual salary cap space we have, which is a far greater consideration than whether or not we can get a comp pick for it and 2. whether or not the FA we would be signing could be replaced by a comp pick in the future.

 

Given that the names you described would be almost impossible to replace with a 4th round comp pick, it doesn't make sense for Ozzie to pass on them if we have the cap space and we want them just so he can get some late 4th round pick, who by your own examples, will turn into quality ROLE players IF they tap out on their value.

The problem here is that you're only thinking about the big names and higher priced free agents.  I only mentioned those names to show Ozzie isn't afraid to spend a little.  You're ignoring the fact that we don't even go after cheap UFAs.  Just looking at last season, we didn't we go after a proven former Baltimore player who was a free agent like Josh Wilson but go after Aaron Ross?  Wilson signed a 1 year deal for under a million.   The reason is, Wilson was a UFA and Ross was cut.  

 

This is just an example as I know Wilson was an UFA off the top of my head since I had a discussion on it last year.  But again, it's not only about the expensive guys.  Feel free to name the last 5 cheap UFAs we've signed.

 

Dumervil and the Smith's actually back up my point.  Ozzie isn't afraid to go after names and spend a little money......so long as they are released/cut by their teams.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Purple_City39

[poedacrow]

You can go here for all the Raven players contract info. Brian McFarland does a fantastic job with his spreadsheets.

And I just read this awhile ago from his blog

http://russellstreetreport.com/2015/02/06/baltimore-ravens-salary-cap/complete-ravens-salary-cap-update/

 

The Salary Cap looks, in his words, "bleak."  He's provided a meticulous analysis of our cap situation and it looks there'll be a lot of restructures and cuts just to get under the cap.  It's not clear how much the league will adjust the final cap number (+7mil?) but he didn't factor that in. Unless that number goes up significantly there won't be a whole lot of money left to sign any high profile FA.

[CalvinSmoke]

If players cooperate with adjustments we may end up with close to 10-12 mil in space