[News] Late For Work 6/12: Tedy Bruschi: Ravens, Not Patriots, Have NFL's Top Roster

[Cillmatic]

This team would demolish the 2012 team.

[cec327]

Makes nice reading but means nothing. " Flip switch" Joe? How about 2-time Super Bowl Joe.

[ellicottraven]

I really think Kamar Aiken's expectations are about right. However, I would say that Breshad Perriman will have the biggest single impact on our offense this year. Not with great yard totals or TDs but the way he will have safeties pinned back every time they face him. That will allow Kamar, Steve Smith Sr., and Forsett with 'Running "Buck" Allen' great statistical seasons!

[ellicottraven]

The Ravens fans' already knew the Ravens have the best roster in the league. In fact they had the best roster last year, but for the injuries on the secondary. Short of those injuries we would be SB champs and the rest of the league is just beginning to realize that and getting on our bandwagon!

[Popeye the sailor man]

I originally liked Wacko Flacco so that's what I'm sticking with. I just hope that all these praises doesn't go to the Ravens heads. Just play football

Edited June 12, 2015 by Popeye the sailor man

[Bandit666]

Evans won't be cheap. I say use the money towards KO and Yanda and keep the continuity. We have one of the best O-lines, lets keep it.

[ellicottraven]

Evans reminds me of Terrell Owens. We were stood up by both those guys. So I say "NEVER"! He basically used us to get a good deal with Philly and nobody in the NFL does that to the Ravens EVER!

[hen826957]

@Bandit66 exactly Ozzie needs to focus on signing K.O. and Yanda instead of signing Mathis. Ozzie needs to extend one of them this year to have a chance and keeping both K.O. would be my choice first because he's younger and would cost a whole lot more than Yanda. If we extend K.O. now we will save millions. We got to extend him now. Signing Evan Mathis would be a waste of money even though I wouldn't mind him here got to save money for those two guards.

[The Greek]

hate when we have so much attention on us in the national media. this team needs to stay grounded and get it done on the field.

[Bohica5]

"Flip the switch joe"?......How about beat teams we are suppose to beat joe?.......I'll settle for that one.....Home field is what we need to shoot for this year.....No Slacking!!!

[riseNConquer81]

Yes Mink, please set him straight.

[Halshayeji]

And I'd agree, except you'd be signing Mathis this season, having no intention of playing him, and then starting him next season at 34-35 years old?

No thanks.

There's also the other easy answer... why would Mathis agree to sign with a team where he realistically knows that he isn't in the running to start? As much as fans like to pretend that every player's #1 priority is to play on a SB contender, I have a suspicision that Mathis, who is coming off an All-Pro type season, isn't interested in riding the pine on any team at this stage in his career.

There's plenty of really good teams that could insert him as the best Olineman on their roster right now. Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, amongst others come to mind.

I'd be shocked if he signed here, just like I'd be shocked if the Ravens actively pursued him.

I agree. No thanks. Il take a healthy KO and Yanda all day any day!

With that being said I think the chances of Mathis actually signing for the Ravens is like 5-10 percent. but I really don't understand why we are all rushing into this situation. The Ravens benefit regardless of what happens. If a team signs Mathis to a multi year deal the he'll set the bar for the Yanda and KO negotiations. Perhaps it may add a sense of urgency. If this stalls and teams are not willing to commit to him, then I don't see why the Ravens wouldn't bring him in for a one year 3-4 mil. Keep in mind, we were one injury away from a disaster on the Oline. You can never have enough good linemen. Especially when you give up nothing but cap space that's already available

Edited June 12, 2015 by Halshayeji

[runcontrol]

I just gained even more respect for Tedy Brushi because he is a realist. Everybody can see the talent we have on this roster.

 

This must be a new Tedy Brushi. For years all you ever heard him do is praise the Patriots.  Its good to see that has taken the blinders off and is being more truthful with his analysis.  

[RavensFootballFan]

Another analyst has Ravens at #1 pre-season? (Lets out a long whistle) Wow, I am loving this. Man, I would love to see a Ravens/Packers Super Bowl which almost happened last year.

[Fullblack_RAVEN]

The rebuild is finally complete.

 

It took 2 full seasons to finally recover from the 2013 offseason roster purge. The ravens look deep & talented at their weakest positions from last season.

 

Safeties: Will Hill, Terrence Brooks, Kendrick lewis & a 3rd yr matt elam.

Corners: Jimmy smith, Lardarius webb, Kyle arrington, Rashaan melvin, Asa Jackson & Tray Walker (I assume that tray will make the roster but if he is p-squaded, he'll make a difference next season). 

Tight Ends: Maxx Williams, Crockett Gillmore, Pitta (if he plays; i expect him to be on the pup list), Nick Boyle

Wide Receivers: Steve Smith, Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown, Breshad Perriman, Darren waller and mike camp (hopefully)

 

I haven't even mentioned some of the bubble guys whom wiil surely get snatched up by other teams due to how talented they are. I don't know if the ravens will keep 7 wr's due to having so much d-line depth. It'll depend on if they keep that shifty, talented wr steve smith likes so much as a special teams returner (his name escapes me right now). 

 

In conclusion, the ravens strengthened their weaknesses by getting healthy & acquiring talent via FA & the draft. The ravens' strengths continue to be strengths. Both lines of scrimmage are strong. The qb is strong & with a better wr/te core, he'll be even better. The RB position looks good. I really like what buck allen and a slimmer LT will bring behind justin forsett. The linebackers still look strong. 

 

I hope the injury bug stays away from this team. However, even if it does strike, it seems to me like this team will be well equipped to make up for losses here and there. Jimmy smith is probably the most important injury prone player on the roster. If he can play all 16 + playoffs, the ravens will have a great shot at being in serious contention for the  title.  

[rmcjacket23]

I agree. No thanks. Il take a healthy KO and Yanda all day any day!

With that being said I think the chances of Mathis actually signing for the Ravens is like 5-10 percent. but I really don't understand why we are all rushing into this situation. The Ravens benefit regardless of what happens. If a team signs Mathis to a multi year deal the he'll set the bar for the Yanda and KO negotiations. Perhaps it may add a sense of urgency. If this stalls and teams are not willing to commit to him, then I don't see why the Ravens wouldn't bring him in for a one year 3-4 mil. Keep in mind, we were one injury away from a disaster on the Oline. You can never have enough good linemen. Especially when you give up nothing but cap space that's already available

Thats fine. Clearly it would benefit the Ravens to sign him to a reasonable one year deal.

 

But again, my entire point was... under what scenario is it beneficial for Mathis to agree to become a Raven? The only real possible "perk" is the chance to win a SB. That's it. The financial compensation would be equal or less than probably what somebody else would pay him (on both a short or long term deal), and the playing time would undoubtedly be exponentially smaller here. There's plenty of scenarios where he gets paid at least a couple million dollars to never play a single snap on this team. 

 

If I'm Mathis, and I'm looking around at probably at least a half dozen or more competitive and SB caliber teams who could afford to sign him AND he would instantly become a top-end starter, why on Earth would I sign with the Ravens?

[January J]

I think some people greatly, greatly, greatly underestimate how difficult a position change is in the NFL, particularly for somebody who's spent at least a decade at one position.

There's also the likely possibility that Mathis just doesn't want to play center. Why would he?

this can't be said enough. When athletes get comfortable with one position their entire lives perfecting their craft and techniques and then you ask them to switch it's an extremely awkward feeling. Some people think a lineman is a lineman but it's not that simple. I played short stop my entire life and got a scholarship to JMU. When we began practicing the coach moved me to 2nd base. It took me almost the entire season to adjust and even then it just wasn't the same. Different sport I know- but same principle. People like sticking with what they know bc it becomes second nature, and any little change can throw you off of your game. Edited June 12, 2015 by January J

[RRRRRavens]

All this praise the Ravens are getting from these "Analysts", but as soon as we lose 1 game they will all write us off. If Will Hill can post those types of projected stats, I'd be VERY happy.

I'd be happy about those Will Hill stats too.  Especially that tweet that has him declining an invite to the Pro Bowl, presumably because he has another pressing NFL engagement at that time at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. 

[ravenwildman]

It only took eight years of eating crow for the media to finally say "hey....these guys are good!" lol. Hopefully the days of "any team but the Ravens" philosophy with the media is fading. We shall see. Let's cap it solid by winning another ring!

GO RAVENS!

[hen826957]

Finally they showing us some respect. Glad they noticing how awesome our roster is but we got a lot more work to do. The team is going to be special this year no doubt about it. There is too much talent on this team it's scary.

[Halshayeji]

Thats fine. Clearly it would benefit the Ravens to sign him to a reasonable one year deal.

But again, my entire point was... under what scenario is it beneficial for Mathis to agree to become a Raven? The only real possible "perk" is the chance to win a SB. That's it. The financial compensation would be equal or less than probably what somebody else would pay him (on both a short or long term deal), and the playing time would undoubtedly be exponentially smaller here. There's plenty of scenarios where he gets paid at least a couple million dollars to never play a single snap on this team.

If I'm Mathis, and I'm looking around at probably at least a half dozen or more competitive and SB caliber teams who could afford to sign him AND he would instantly become a top-end starter, why on Earth would I sign with the Ravens?

For starters, Mathis signed with the Eagles as a free agent and thus his backloaded contract haunted him. i think teams are interested but I don't think any GM is willing to commit top dollars to a declining injury prone guy at this point. Mathis is also owed a mil this year and a mil next by the Eagles. He can double dip and compete for a championship at an organization that treats veterans with nothing but class. Don't count is Ozzie out on Mathis if he's still on the market in a week

[gekaap]

Finally they showing us some respect.

 

Is it that?  Or are they just showed the Pats extra hate?

[rmcjacket23]

For starters, Mathis signed with the Eagles as a free agent and thus his backloaded contract haunted him. i think teams are interested but I don't think any GM is willing to commit top dollars to a declining injury prone guy at this point. Mathis is also owed a mil this year and a mil next by the Eagles. He can double dip and compete for a championship at an organization that treats veterans with nothing but class. Don't count is Ozzie out on Mathis if he's still on the market in a week

1. Mathis wasn't haunted by anything... the Eagles were haunted by his backloaded contract (which really wasn't that backloaded to begin with, since the last three years of his deal were all within a $1M salary cap range). Mathis made over $13M the last two years... he's not haunted by anything.

 

2. He's not going to command top dollar, but then again, even $2-3M is more than I'd guarantee Ozzie wants to pay for a guy who will ideally never play a snap for us. There's plenty of championship contending teams out there that he could choose AND start for. 

 

3. The Ravens treat veterans like most teams treat veterans... we pay them and play them when they're doing well, and we cut them or trade them when we feel they aren't worth the value of their contract. Something tells me Anquan Boldin might think he wasn't treated with the upmost "class".

[The Mom Gene]

 

3. The Ravens treat veterans like most teams treat veterans... we pay them and play them when they're doing well, and we cut them or trade them when we feel they aren't worth the value of their contract. Something tells me Anquan Boldin might think he wasn't treated with the upmost "class".

Boldin wanted more money....  $6M...  Ravens offered his agent $4M...  bottom line, is the $$$

[rmcjacket23]

Boldin wanted more money....  $6M...  Ravens offered his agent $4M...  bottom line, is the $$$

Sure. but wouldn't "class" be to honor the contract that you gave him when he clearly was willing to honor it?

 

I'm not naive enough to think that the Ravens were in the wrong by letting him go from a business/team perspective, but that doesn't mean they handled the situation with "class". 

 

In fact, you could argue that the SECOND classiest thing they could have done was to outright release guys like Boldin and Ngata, because then those veterans would have the benefit of actually getting to choose who they play for. Sort of like releasing a guy like Jacoby Jones far sooner than they could have, thus giving him the ability to choose his new team quicker. Arguably, the LEAST classiest choice of the three possible scenarios is to trade the guy, which is what we did with Boldin and Ngata.

 

Just saying... when you actually look OBJECTIVELY at the situation, you see things a bit differently than what the franchise narrative is.

[RavenManiac#7]

There seems to be little question that we have a strong roster. As all of us know, we are not at all accustomed to getting any respect. Most of us Ravens fans, myself included, have been stating how difficult we think the job of selecting our final 53 will be. This is the time of the year that all kind of hope and assurance abounds concerning how well the team is going to do and a lot of people go so far as to nearly award a spot in the upcoming SB to us (of course, I'm talking about us Ravens fans on this last point). But, in reality, it is just SO, SO early. Yes, on paper it seems like we could, and maybe even should, win every game we play this year. I even saw a prediction of 19-0 by one poster. But, the truth is, I'm really glad that the games aren't played on paper. It is SO much more fun watching the games as they are being played on the field. So what do all these predictions at this point really mean? Nothing! That's right, Nothing. Anything can happen. We all saw what happened to our CBs last year. Every year there are teams that everyone thought would be so good wind up playing poorly. I'm not suggesting that will happen to us. I just think that it would be wise to reserve our inflated optimism for a while and give things some time. Can we at least wait until we finish our preseason schedule so that we can get a glimpse of what we just might look like on a football field rather than on a piece of paper? At this point, I'm optimistic too. But, my optimism is painted with a bit of reserve and I definitely think that some of the things I read on here tend to be a bit on the non-realistic side. I sure am hopeful and anxious, but I'm trying to temper things a bit at this point.

[RavenManiac#7]

Sure. but wouldn't "class" be to honor the contract that you gave him when he clearly was willing to honor it?

 

I'm not naive enough to think that the Ravens were in the wrong by letting him go from a business/team perspective, but that doesn't mean they handled the situation with "class". 

 

In fact, you could argue that the SECOND classiest thing they could have done was to outright release guys like Boldin and Ngata, because then those veterans would have the benefit of actually getting to choose who they play for. Sort of like releasing a guy like Jacoby Jones far sooner than they could have, thus giving him the ability to choose his new team quicker. Arguably, the LEAST classiest choice of the three possible scenarios is to trade the guy, which is what we did with Boldin and Ngata.

 

Just saying... when you actually look OBJECTIVELY at the situation, you see things a bit differently than what the franchise narrative is.

Jacket, I agree with you 100%. Everyone always wants to, and usually does, say that the Ravens are the "classiest" organization in the NFL, and it very well may be. Almost Always the team Does act with class. But sometimes, just sometimes, even the classiest don't get it right.; not every time. The sad thing is, for the most part, you don't see a whole Lot of class in contract situations from either the club Or the players side. The NFL is a business, a Big business, and as such it acts the part. Class is a rare commodity in professional sports these days. I am glad, though, that by far, most of the time the Ravens get it right. Our team gets it right far more often than most teams do, in my admittedly biased opinion. I'm, at least, thankful for that, but I'd be less than honest if I were to say that I think it gets it right Every time. I can think of a few times that I definitely think that it did not.

[January J]

When you are running a franchise you have to do what you have to do. Unfortunately sometimes being "classy" gets in the way of being successful. Fortunately the ravens are an organization that atleast attempt to balance the two.

[TXRavensFan]

Sure. but wouldn't "class" be to honor the contract that you gave him when he clearly was willing to honor it?

 

I'm not naive enough to think that the Ravens were in the wrong by letting him go from a business/team perspective, but that doesn't mean they handled the situation with "class". 

 

In fact, you could argue that the SECOND classiest thing they could have done was to outright release guys like Boldin and Ngata, because then those veterans would have the benefit of actually getting to choose who they play for. Sort of like releasing a guy like Jacoby Jones far sooner than they could have, thus giving him the ability to choose his new team quicker. Arguably, the LEAST classiest choice of the three possible scenarios is to trade the guy, which is what we did with Boldin and Ngata.

 

Just saying... when you actually look OBJECTIVELY at the situation, you see things a bit differently than what the franchise narrative is.

 

What you've done here is not argue an OBJECTIVE point of view. Rather, you have taken a CONTRARIAN point of view and posited it as an OBJECTIVE view (which you tend to do in the vast majority of your posts). To be truly objective, one would have to look at the issue on all sides, and not just from a perspective that starts with a premise that the organization acted without class. For instance:

 

1) NFL contracts are not fully guaranteed, and include clauses that allow a team to void the contract at any time. Players are fully aware of this when they sign the contract, and the overwhelming evidence suggests that players are aware that the full length of the contract may not be honored (e.g., Flacco and Linta conceding that Joe's six year contract would most likely be re-negotiated after 3 years).

 

2) Players are not without power when it comes to their contracts (e.g., Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas this year).

 

3) Releasing a player into free agency is no guarantee that a player will play for a team he wants under the terms he wants, and they often make less money on a new contract. We don't know what teams would have been willing to pay Boldin in free agency, but there is a chance that his best offer on the open market would have been less than the Ravens offered (it could have been more, granted). In fact, this is often the case; since you brought up Jacoby Jones, I'm sure that you're aware that his new contract (after being released) will pay him about half as much as what he was due with the Ravens. In addition, Evan Mathis will most likely not receive anywhere near the salary he was due with the Eagles when he signs a contract with his new team.

 

Considering that the trade allowed Boldin to play for a contender under the terms of his existing contract, it may not have been the least classy move the Ravens could have made as you seem to suggest (consider the possibility that the highest bid may have been made by the Browns, Bucs, Titans, etc. at well under the salary due from his Ravens contract). Again, the above situation may not have happened, but is probably as likely as Boldin having to decide among $10M/year contracts from the Colts, Packers, Seahawks, or whatever contender.

 

4) Finally, none of us were privvy first-hand to the actual events as they transpired. There is the story from the Ravens, and the story from Boldin and his agent. Since they differ, one will typically judge which of the stories they believe more, then form an opinion.

[Underdogsontop!]

We don't need another guard if we need anything I would say add another veteran NT or DT someone that can clog the middle.

Red Bryant for a small price would be good for our D line.