[News] Eisenberg: Ozzie Newsome Walking A Fine Line

[riseNConquer81]

what future? you sacrifice the offense year after year for the sake of strengthing the defense, but they suck now too. No part of this team is sustainable or sufficient.

[riseNConquer81]

Everybody wanted Ozzie to pick a WR in the first round this year.  He did.  NOBODY could possibly predict the guy would get hurt.  It's a crazy discussion.  Nobody predicts that Gilmore and Smith get hurt either.  So let's just question Ozzie for that.  *sigh*

the problem is that was always too little too late to begin with.

you dont build an offense over night with a single draft pick.

outside of Flacco, the offense has been an afterthought in every way possible for years...developing no one and always relying on midnight acquisitions of former super stars, some of whom work out okay, and others who dont. We gamble with our point scorers every year, and that just isnt a winning formula in 2015, especially if a slew of the defensive pieces you sacrificed the offense for end up flopping.

[law215]

It's both coordinators that's the biggest problem. At least 3 times Ravens had 2nd and 2-3 yard and threw ball and killed the drive. Why is Pees blitzing in the 4th quarter with a lead when over and over the secondary can't hold up in man coverage? No adjustment to cover TE or Duke Johnson coming out of the backfield. He makes guys who are All Pro look terrible. Trestman is too pass happy. They could have put Browns away early with running the ball. There are talent issues, but the coordination is the problem.

[Flamengo1265]

As long as Dean Pees is the DC the Ravens have no chance to be successful. The defense cannot hold a lead, they can't even hold two leads. It's a joke......and cut Babin too while you are at it.

[Flamengo1265]

It's both coordinators that's the biggest problem. At least 3 times Ravens had 2nd and 2-3 yard and threw ball and killed the drive. Why is Pees blitzing in the 4th quarter with a lead when over and over the secondary can't hold up in man coverage? No adjustment to cover TE or Duke Johnson coming out of the backfield. He makes guys who are All Pro look terrible. Trestman is too pass happy. They could have put Browns away early with running the ball. There are talent issues, but the coordination is the problem.

Even Mosley looked horrible out there trying to cover the TE......when a journeyman like McCown throws for 500 yards you know you got a problem.

[The Mom Gene]

the problem is that was always too little too late to begin with.

you dont build an offense over night with a single draft pick.

outside of Flacco, the offense has been an afterthought in every way possible for years...developing no one and always relying on midnight acquisitions of former super stars, some of whom work out okay, and others who dont. We gamble with our point scorers every year, and that just isnt a winning formula in 2015, especially if a slew of the defensive pieces you sacrificed the offense for end up flopping.

We have pieces... problem is they cannot stay healthy.  Webb played well today, and got hurt...AGAIN... and didn't play the entire 4th qtr.  Arrington gets hurt...  Justin gets hurt, on top of Steve, Camp, Perryman...  we got nobody left.  But it's time for jobs to be lost.  it's time....  Something needs to fire these guys up.

[Purple&Black]

Part of the reason they haven't had much production might be because their quarterback can't get the ball to them. The great find of Jim Harbaugh, Colin Kaepernick, is turning out to be a dud.

 

I won't second-guess Ozzie too much, I'm not a GM, but I still think they should have found a way to keep Boldin.  Every time Joe finds chemistry with a receiver, they end up letting them go because they think they cost too much.

I loved Bolden when he was here, but I'd rather have Steve Smith

[Tenacious Faulker]

You are forgetting the salary cap. Smith will free up about $3 million, Jeffrey will want $12 million. You still need salary cap space to get deals done with Flacco, Tucker, Yanda, KO, Upshaw, etc. So in order to sign Jeffrey you're are giving up one of those players. Yanda & 3rd Round pick is NOT a good deal...

I'm not forgetting anything.  In fact, you've a superfluous view of the cap situation. 

 

First, your take on these contracts is too simple.  For one Smith Sr.'s salary is $41.1M, not $3M, but who's counting, right?  The other deals you mentioned will not all come to fruition nor will they all increase either in 2016.  Joe's WILL go the other way and I expect him to make significant room for players to help the team.  If Ben and Brady did  it then so will Joe and you can expect a sizeable chunk freed up.  They might try, but I wouldn't expect them to retain both Yanda AND K.O. at top guard salaries.  K.O. wants to be the highest paid guard in the NFL and that won't be possible.  Expect him to go the way of Ben Grubbs.  Upshaw too - could be the next McPhee.  Sad to say, but its true.  So with next man up for at least two of those top players, expect more cap room.

 

Second, I'm not sure why you've put an absolute figure of $12M out there for Jeffery.  Based on what?  Who knows where the market goes and how successful they've been at pursuing top talent for a reasonable price.  They got Dumervil, Monroe, Boldin, and Smith Sr. under market value and they may be able to for Jeffery too IF he is in fact on their hot list.  

 

Third, if they want a player that they know is worth the money, they'll find a way to make it happen.  With his age, Jeffery would be better than any other receivers we've brought in so far including  Mason in the middle of his career, Boldin after all the punishment he'd taken, and Smith Sr. at the end of his career. 

 

Fourth, I was an advocate for trading for him now while he would fit in our 2015 salary cap like they did for Eugene Monroe back in 2013.  When his deal was up at the end of the season it was generally thought that he'd command top 3 LT money - about $11M/yr in 2014.  They got him for about $7.5M/yr - about 30% less.  So it is NOT IMPOSSIBLE.  Even with this loss, it might be a good plan just to get the right of first refusal for him next season.  This of course is predicated on whether the bears are willing to deal him or not. 

 

Fifth, never underestimate the power of a proven commodity.  They are typically worth far more than a No.1 overall draft pick because you know exactly what you're getting.  It's just a fact.  The Ravens typically don't trade away high draft picks, but every once in a while they'll surprise us.  Never say never especially in a situation like they're in now. 

 

Sixth, building on pint #5, expect some big (not wholesale) changes.  This team stinks on ice right now.  Most of that is due to poor quality of depth and lack of top veteran talent.  They won before because their depth chart was tops in the league.  Now that it isn't and definitely it shows (1-4).  They have just one 36 y/o playmaker on offense this year and no one with enough experience who can problem solve.  Changes will be forthcoming.  Bet on it.

[TheConquerorWorm]

I'm not forgetting anything.  In fact, you've a superfluous view of the cap situation. 

 

First, your take on these contracts is too simple.  For one Smith Sr.'s salary is $41.1M, not $3M, but who's counting, right?  The other deals you mentioned will not all come to fruition nor will they all increase either in 2016.  Joe's WILL go the other way and I expect him to make significant room for players to help the team.  If Ben and Brady did  it then so will Joe and you can expect a sizeable chunk freed up.  They might try, but I wouldn't expect them to retain both Yanda AND K.O. at top guard salaries.  K.O. wants to be the highest paid guard in the NFL and that won't be possible.  Expect him to go the way of Ben Grubbs.  Upshaw too - could be the next McPhee.  Sad to say, but its true.  So with next man up for at least two of those top players, expect more cap room.

 

Second, I'm not sure why you've put an absolute figure of $12M out there for Jeffery.  Based on what?  Who knows where the market goes and how successful they've been at pursuing top talent for a reasonable price.  They got Dumervil, Monroe, Boldin, and Smith Sr. under market value and they may be able to for Jeffery too IF he is in fact on their hot list.  

 

 

Steve Smith's salary is $4.1 million but $1.1 million is guaranteed so that would still count against the salary cap regardless if SSS retires or gets cut.

 

$ 4.1 million - $ 1.1 million = $3 million So, he frees up $ 3 million - Who's not counting right? 

 

Right now the Ravens are about $10 million under the salary cap for next year, NOT counting Yanda, KO, Tucker, etc or any UFA the Ravens have. Assuming Flacco reworks his deal to what he's getting paid now ($14.5 million - ranked 12th in NFL), that frees up another $14 million. If, like you say, the Ravens keep Yanda & Tucker and let everyone else walk, those two will add $10 million ($8 million for a top G and $2 million for top K). So that leaves about $14 million left. The draft picks will take up another $5-6 million, leaving $8-9 million WITHOUT adding a single player.

 

Second, this is Alshon's first real contract and he's one of the higher end young WRs. So based off the 1st real contracts of other WRs: Dez $ 14 million, Demarius Thomas $ 14 million, Julio $ 14 million, Maclin $ 11 million, VJax $ 11 million, Cobb $ 10 million, Torrey $ 8 million, I would slot Alshon behind the big 3 but ahead of Maclin. So, basically $12 million per. SSS & Dumervil were late off season cuts when most teams had little cap space left. Boldin was a 30 year old WR that still got $8 million per year back in 2010 - not exactly under market. Monroe was an average LT for 4 years with the Jags (which is why they dealt him), so not exactly a top shelf LT when he hit the FA market. None of those examples really compare to Alshon's FA situation. Especially considering that he is by far the best FA on a really weak WR market next year (the next two guys - Percy Harvin, Michael Crabtree), he is easily in the $10 - 14 million range (I split the difference).

 

Again, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit all pay top dollar for WR's, guess what they all have in common? They are watching the play-offs from home come January. Guess what teams don't pay top dollar for WR's? Seattle, New England, Baltimore, Green Bay. See the pattern? In fact, I bet if you look at the stats of free agent WRs AFTER they sign a big deal, it will prove even more that paying top $ for a #1 WR is not a good investment. (See Dez 2015, Damarius 2015, Golden Tate 2014, DeSean Jackson 2014, Mike Wallace 2013, Jennings 2013 - all the top WR free agents that year)

[Drew P]

Steve Smith's salary is $4.1 million but $1.1 million is guaranteed so that would still count against the salary cap regardless if SSS retires or gets cut.

 

$ 4.1 million - $ 1.1 million = $3 million So, he frees up $ 3 million - Who's not counting right? 

 

Right now the Ravens are about $10 million under the salary cap for next year, NOT counting Yanda, KO, Tucker, etc or any UFA the Ravens have. Assuming Flacco reworks his deal to what he's getting paid now ($14.5 million - ranked 12th in NFL), that frees up another $14 million. If, like you say, the Ravens keep Yanda & Tucker and let everyone else walk, those two will add $10 million ($8 million for a top G and $2 million for top K). So that leaves about $14 million left. The draft picks will take up another $5-6 million, leaving $8-9 million WITHOUT adding a single player.

 

Second, this is Alshon's first real contract and he's one of the higher end young WRs. So based off the 1st real contracts of other WRs: Dez $ 14 million, Demarius Thomas $ 14 million, Julio $ 14 million, Maclin $ 11 million, VJax $ 11 million, Cobb $ 10 million, Torrey $ 8 million, I would slot Alshon behind the big 3 but ahead of Maclin. So, basically $12 million per. SSS & Dumervil were late off season cuts when most teams had little cap space left. Boldin was a 30 year old WR that still got $8 million per year back in 2010 - not exactly under market. Monroe was an average LT for 4 years with the Jags (which is why they dealt him), so not exactly a top shelf LT when he hit the FA market. None of those examples really compare to Alshon's FA situation. Especially considering that he is by far the best FA on a really weak WR market next year (the next two guys - Percy Harvin, Michael Crabtree), he is easily in the $10 - 14 million range (I split the difference).

 

Again, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit all pay top dollar for WR's, guess what they all have in common? They are watching the play-offs from home come January. Guess what teams don't pay top dollar for WR's? Seattle, New England, Baltimore, Green Bay. See the pattern? In fact, I bet if you look at the stats of free agent WRs AFTER they sign a big deal, it will prove even more that paying top $ for a #1 WR is not a good investment. (See Dez 2015, Damarius 2015, Golden Tate 2014, DeSean Jackson 2014, Mike Wallace 2013, Jennings 2013 - all the top WR free agents that year)

 

ATL and DAL are locks for the playoffs and GB shelled out big bucks for Jordy and Cobb. Last year the Ravens made it to the playoffs thanks to a miracle and this year we thought (unrealistically) they were a playoff caliber squad. They were slightly above average last year in a .500 league and this year they are slightly below.

[letitgosometimes]

Kiwis are flightless birds. Birds of feather stick together. Where are the real Ravens?

[Tenacious Faulker]

Steve Smith's salary is $4.1 million but $1.1 million is guaranteed so that would still count against the salary cap regardless if SSS retires or gets cut.

 

$ 4.1 million - $ 1.1 million = $3 million So, he frees up $ 3 million - Who's not counting right? 

 

Right now the Ravens are about $10 million under the salary cap for next year, NOT counting Yanda, KO, Tucker, etc or any UFA the Ravens have. Assuming Flacco reworks his deal to what he's getting paid now ($14.5 million - ranked 12th in NFL), that frees up another $14 million. If, like you say, the Ravens keep Yanda & Tucker and let everyone else walk, those two will add $10 million ($8 million for a top G and $2 million for top K). So that leaves about $14 million left. The draft picks will take up another $5-6 million, leaving $8-9 million WITHOUT adding a single player.

 

Second, this is Alshon's first real contract and he's one of the higher end young WRs. So based off the 1st real contracts of other WRs: Dez $ 14 million, Demarius Thomas $ 14 million, Julio $ 14 million, Maclin $ 11 million, VJax $ 11 million, Cobb $ 10 million, Torrey $ 8 million, I would slot Alshon behind the big 3 but ahead of Maclin. So, basically $12 million per. SSS & Dumervil were late off season cuts when most teams had little cap space left. Boldin was a 30 year old WR that still got $8 million per year back in 2010 - not exactly under market. Monroe was an average LT for 4 years with the Jags (which is why they dealt him), so not exactly a top shelf LT when he hit the FA market. None of those examples really compare to Alshon's FA situation. Especially considering that he is by far the best FA on a really weak WR market next year (the next two guys - Percy Harvin, Michael Crabtree), he is easily in the $10 - 14 million range (I split the difference).

 

Again, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit all pay top dollar for WR's, guess what they all have in common? They are watching the play-offs from home come January. Guess what teams don't pay top dollar for WR's? Seattle, New England, Baltimore, Green Bay. See the pattern? In fact, I bet if you look at the stats of free agent WRs AFTER they sign a big deal, it will prove even more that paying top $ for a #1 WR is not a good investment. (See Dez 2015, Damarius 2015, Golden Tate 2014, DeSean Jackson 2014, Mike Wallace 2013, Jennings 2013 - all the top WR free agents that year)

1) Don't forget that the salary cap for 2016 will go up another $8M-$12M. That's been the trend since the new CBA.  I'm not sure if Joe cuts his salary in half, but it a generous offer.    I was thinking about $10M, but you might be right.  $5-$6M for rookie is a bit high.  It depends on the size of the draft class but that averages about $4-$.5M.  IF the Ravens traded away any of those top picks for Alshon (likely a 1st rounder) then that's ~$2M in cap space.

2) This is why I'm an advocate of bringing him in before the end of the season where his prorated salary is justr $436k and give the Ravens an inside track on resigning.  l don't believe teams will see him at the same level as Demaryius and Dez, but even if they did I think I've shown that there's room to spend uncharacteristically high by the Ravens' standards.  

 

Certainly there are obstacles, but its not impossible, especially when Ozzie and DeCosta are involved.  If they could make the Dumervil signing a reality then there is hope for virtually anything.  Not saying they give into my desires or anything, but nickel and diming the team without viable playmakers as they tried to this year can take you only so far - or not far at all.