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

[stampedehero]

There you go.    Its official.   Teddy Bruski said it  so it must be true.  Completely objective.

[stampedehero]

This may be the year Flacco puts up ridiculous numbers; which would be nice. However, big numbers don't win super bowls, winning does. Obvious statement of the year. As long as we win, I really don't care about Flaccos numbers. Keep the turnovers low and just win.

2000 Ravens..............Defense      2012 SB Got there with Complete luck.....especially the Denver game.  Last year against the Pats.   But.......Joe Cool lives for December and January and thats the turnkey as he propels this team into the playoffs.  

[rmcjacket23]

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.

And in this instance, a contrarian view and an objective view are nearly identical. I agree completely that I take contrarian views on many things on these boards because, well, its necessary. If I didn't, nobody would be able to see through the extreme purple tint that is prevalent. 

 

I'm simply pointing out that while there's plenty of indication that the Ravens are largely a "classy" organization, there are clear examples that many people voluntary choose to ignore that are reflective of not being "classy". All you're really doing is pointing out what we already know... this lack of "class" is a league-wide function. Nobody is saying that these situations are unique to the Ravens, because they certainly aren't. 

[Mystigo_Dragon]

This has been quite a pre season for me!

 

First, I admitted that IMHO "Joe Cool" Flacco has shed the "Average Joe" moniker I was fond of calling him and finally showed that he isn't as much a "gunslinger" any more - is learning his position!

 

Now, here's another "First" -- I am liking what a TV Talking Head said!

 

Yup, ESPN's analyst and former AFC rival Tedy Bruschi gave an on point critique of the Ravens and I agree with every word! 

 

Yes, I feel just fine and yes, it is me, the MysticDragon! To prove it, lemme say, I still think Harbs is a hyperbole-filled politician!

 

See?

Edited June 14, 2015 by Mystigo_Dragon