[News] Late For Work 12/18: Kelechi Osemele May Further Price Himself Out Of Ravens' Range

[BR News]

Schaub looks uncomfortable. More proof of bizarre season. Harbaugh bumped from exclusive club. Picks.

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[descent into the maelstrom]

I was wondering why try KO at left tackle when we already can't afford him.  I now think the reason is to get a higher 2017 comp pick when he inevitably leaves, since a good LT would elicit the highest possible comp pick.

[fusuymada]

I hate the fact that Suggs has really shown he isn't interested in being a leader and that the young guys who are battling through this season have to notice that he just disappeared but we are so poor in pass rush that even if he is out there with a walker he is better than what we are doing. I am shocked at that lack of ability our coaches have in evaluating talent. Harbs talks about looking at training, lets look at how the coaches go about their evaluations in practice. For us to be singing praises of our secondary, offensive line, defensive line, pass rush, and receivers this year and when we were full strength in those areas, we were horrible. Don't blame injuries because until the last few weeks Suggs was the only starter who was injured. How do we look at the players we had in preseason and think they were NFL players and good NFL players at that? It looks like the "model" we are using for drafting and signing players is not getting us quality players and that "model" needs to be reevaluated whether it is Ozzie's or John's.

[Mystigo_Dragon]

Bleeding purple over hear, but wondering what's the use?

When we develop a starter, we let him go,... then go scoop up "discards" from other teams and field a mediocre team! Now, we're hearing K.O. may go,... meanwhile, how much is "Average Joe" bringing in 2016?

We are steadily becoming the Baltimore "Browns"! This fan needs a transfusion of confidence!

[rmcjacket23]

I was wondering why try KO at left tackle when we already can't afford him.  I now think the reason is to get a higher 2017 comp pick when he inevitably leaves, since a good LT would elicit the highest possible comp pick.

He will get paid well as a guard anyway, so I'm not sure that would elevate his comp pick at all. I don't think he'd sign a contract much bigger than what somebody like Monroe signed, so that's still 4th round comp pick level. 

[salamander]

The more time and distance we get from the Ray Rice incident, the more I feel that Ray is a good and decent man who has certainly done his best to change and make amends after he made the worst mistake of his life. I wish that the NFL would take him up on his recent offer to help with Domestic Violence in the league. I can't think of a more sincere person who has paid such a heavy price who could possibly get through to other players more than Ray Rice. Ray could help the NFL try make an impact league-wide regarding DV and it would be nice to see something positive come out of this tragedy. Best wishes to you and your family Ray.

[cushrinada1986]

It also sucks to know that both Micheal Oher and Dickson are having a incredible year on the Panthers squad. Oher and Dickson both never performed to our standards(add in Rolando to the list as well) and now are performing better than ever imagined outside of Baltimore. Maybe it was the system, maybe it was coaching but it something we have to fix with recruiting and coaching to make sure we can regroup and get back in the SB picture asap.

[rmcjacket23]

It also sucks to know that both Micheal Oher and Dickson are having a incredible year on the Panthers squad. Oher and Dickson both never performed to our standards(add in Rolando to the list as well) and now are performing better than ever imagined outside of Baltimore. Maybe it was the system, maybe it was coaching but it something we have to fix with recruiting and coaching to make sure we can regroup and get back in the SB picture asap.

Oher, yes. Dickson, no. Dickson is just another guy on that team. The team is doing well... he's not a huge part of it. He had better production in Baltimore.

[757RavensFan]

I hate the fact that Suggs has really shown he isn't interested in being a leader and that the young guys who are battling through this season have to notice that he just disappeared but we are so poor in pass rush that even if he is out there with a walker he is better than what we are doing. I am shocked at that lack of ability our coaches have in evaluating talent. Harbs talks about looking at training, lets look at how the coaches go about their evaluations in practice. For us to be singing praises of our secondary, offensive line, defensive line, pass rush, and receivers this year and when we were full strength in those areas, we were horrible. Don't blame injuries because until the last few weeks Suggs was the only starter who was injured. How do we look at the players we had in preseason and think they were NFL players and good NFL players at that? It looks like the "model" we are using for drafting and signing players is not getting us quality players and that "model" needs to be reevaluated whether it is Ozzie's or John's.

 

Remind me again how much Suggs was around when he ruptured his Achilles the 1st time. 

[ryananth]

I hate the fact that Suggs has really shown he isn't interested in being a leader and that the young guys who are battling through this season have to notice that he just disappeared but we are so poor in pass rush that even if he is out there with a walker he is better than what we are doing. I am shocked at that lack of ability our coaches have in evaluating talent. Harbs talks about looking at training, lets look at how the coaches go about their evaluations in practice. For us to be singing praises of our secondary, offensive line, defensive line, pass rush, and receivers this year and when we were full strength in those areas, we were horrible. Don't blame injuries because until the last few weeks Suggs was the only starter who was injured. How do we look at the players we had in preseason and think they were NFL players and good NFL players at that? It looks like the "model" we are using for drafting and signing players is not getting us quality players and that "model" needs to be reevaluated whether it is Ozzie's or John's.

 

What does he need to be around for? To remind players that you can get really bad injuries? These are professional athletes, they don't need injured players to be their cheerleaders to get them motivated. Players play...coaches coach. Let the coaches do their job and let the injured get on with their rehab. How much were Ray Lewis and Suggs around when they were injured during the Super Bowl season?

[gabrielgrissom]

Bleeding purple over hear, but wondering what's the use? When we develop a starter, we let him go,... then go scoop up "discards" from other teams and field a mediocre team! Now, we're hearing K.O. may go,... meanwhile, how much is "Average Joe" bringing in 2016? We are steadily becoming the Baltimore "Browns"! This fan needs a transfusion of confidence!

browns have sucked forever we have sucked for one year

[January J]

I was wondering why try KO at left tackle when we already can't afford him. I now think the reason is to get a higher 2017 comp pick when he inevitably leaves, since a good LT would elicit the highest possible comp pick.

hey that's brilliant. I was actually thinking that this was a foolish move for the Ravens. If we are already gonna have a hard time affording him as a guard why in the heck let him prove to the rest of the league he can play LT as well? Well you just said it brother! If we already know that he's out of our range , Not only will we help the guy get a huge payday...but his payday means Possibly getting a third round comp pick. More than likely a 4th but Brilliant nonetheless. Who says ozzies not thinking ahead Edited December 18, 2015 by January J

[ryananth]

Why are we all gifting the starting Left Tackle job to KO already? He's started exactly ONE game at the position for us. Have we already given up on Monroe getting healthy? If we're being honest we all know KO is likely gone anyway whether he gets guard or tackle money. I hate to see him go, but if there is one thing the Ravens do well it's draft quality linemen on both sides of the ball.

[January J]

Why are we all gifting the starting Left Tackle job to KO already? He's started exactly ONE game at the position for us. Have we already given up on Monroe getting healthy? If we're being honest we all know KO is likely gone anyway whether he gets guard or tackle money. I hate to see him go, but if there is one thing the Ravens do well it's draft quality linemen on both sides of the ball.

I'm giving up on both of them for next year. Tunsil or Stanley hopefully is in our crosshairs.

[bioLarzen]

When this idea of switching KO to LT first came up a few weeks ago, there were some people here who, for some strange reason, thought it would actually increase the likelihood of the Ravens being able to retain him... One of them even called us *names* for not seeing it...

[ryananth]

It also sucks to know that both Micheal Oher and Dickson are having a incredible year on the Panthers squad. Oher and Dickson both never performed to our standards(add in Rolando to the list as well) and now are performing better than ever imagined outside of Baltimore. Maybe it was the system, maybe it was coaching but it something we have to fix with recruiting and coaching to make sure we can regroup and get back in the SB picture asap

I take exception to this comment about Oher. He was a true Raven, great teammate, always conducted himself professionally on the field and in public. He also played wherever he was needed and never whined. He's the kind of guy you'd want fighting next to in a foxhole.

[rmcjacket23]

I take exception to this comment about Oher. He was a true Raven, great teammate, always conducted himself professionally on the field and in public. He also played wherever he was needed and never whined. He's the kind of guy you'd want fighting next to in a foxhole.

I mean, that's great and all, but he also regressed as a player. To me, being a hard worker who doesn't complain is sort of a minimum requirement in this sport.

[ryananth]

I'm giving up on both of them for next year. Tunsil or Stanley hopefully is in our crosshairs.

 

I agree. Drafting a LT in the first round and keeping him for five years on a rookie deal a lot better than paying $10mil/year for a vet. If not Tunsil then I hope we get help for the secondary with either Hargreaves or maybe Ramsey.  I hope we trade down a few spots and get Hargreaves if we don't get Tunsil with our original pick. Hargreaves looks like the next great shutdown corner.

[ryananth]

I mean, that's great and all, but he also regressed as a player. To me, being a hard worker who doesn't complain is sort of a minimum requirement in this sport.

 

I should've added..he was a very good RT the first two or three years here and did regress after he was asked to move up and down the line. Yes. it's a business and all but the Ravens got great value for him when he was drafted (unlike Dickson). I'm glad he's gotten it back together because he is the consummate professional and never made any excuses for his drop in performance he just keeps grinding.

[RavensDieHard21]

It is painful to watch talented young players get groomed here then leave for bigger pay days. I get that it is a business, and that these players have their own interests, but the sports world as a whole has just become so obsessed over money that players would rather uproot their families and leave the team that drafted them for a few extra bucks, which I get can be a lot when team such as the Dolphins are willing to make a DT the highest paid player ever, but I just wish that players would be more home-team oriented. I'm not even singling out anyone on this team, just the NFL and sports in general. How awesome would it be if players thought, you know what if my Ravens for example are willing to give me 5 years and 25 million, I'll stay here to win championships and cement a legacy, instead of taking 5 years and $30 on a pedestrian team that can't even go .500.

It's all frustration and obviously everyone can't get paid, but if we kept just one extra player every year instead of losing them to free agency. We would be stacked every season.

[bioLarzen]

Why are we all gifting the starting Left Tackle job to KO already? He's started exactly ONE game at the position for us. Have we already given up on Monroe getting healthy? If we're being honest we all know KO is likely gone anyway whether he gets guard or tackle money. I hate to see him go, but if there is one thing the Ravens do well it's draft quality linemen on both sides of the ball.

 

I think it doesn't really concern us anymore: KO will, in all likelihood, be gone by the next season - just like ellerbe, Grubbs, Torrey and McPhee was surely gone when thery became UFA's. So, for us it's really unimportant where KO will line up next sesason. KO, however, may help himself to a bigger payday if in these last games he proves he can also be a good LT..

[jravens13]

It is painful to watch talented young players get groomed here then leave for bigger pay days. I get that it is a business, and that these players have their own interests, but the sports world as a whole has just become so obsessed over money that players would rather uproot their families and leave the team that drafted them for a few extra bucks, which I get can be a lot when team such as the Dolphins are willing to make a DT the highest paid player ever, but I just wish that players would be more home-team oriented. I'm not even singling out anyone on this team, just the NFL and sports in general. How awesome would it be if players thought, you know what if my Ravens for example are willing to give me 5 years and 25 million, I'll stay here to win championships and cement a legacy, instead of taking 5 years and $30 on a pedestrian team that can't even go .500. It's all frustration and obviously everyone can't get paid, but if we kept just one extra player every year instead of losing them to free agency. We would be stacked every season.

This is where Ozzie has been failing. He has poorly managed the cap and we find ourselves in the situaiton every year unable to retain guys who should become core leaders in Baltimore. We need to take advantage of the draft, because that is the place where you can find the best talent for your buck. 2nd would be aging Free Agents that are still hungry. 3rd would be retaining our own, 4th would be signing top talent from other teams that are still in their prime. We know what the most expensive positions to fill are, and the most important positions. We should use the draft to reload the expensive positions (Pass Rusher, Corner, LT, WR) or sign hungry aging FA's to fill in for a few years until we can find a replacement. So when McPhee left because we didn't have enough to pay him. We should have signed a bargain rusher, or drafted one early that can make an immediate impact. We continue to extend contracts to guys who aren't worth the money. Webb, Monroe, Jimmy got (Top 5 money) Not a top 5 CB. Flacco's deal was fine until you have to pay out the last few years where he is being paid $28M, 31M, 24M. These contracts keep stretching our cap now, and kill our cap in the future. You can't miss 1st Round picks either and Ozzie has missed a lot under Harbaugh. 

Edited December 18, 2015 by jravens13

[bioLarzen]

He will get paid well as a guard anyway, so I'm not sure that would elevate his comp pick at all. I don't think he'd sign a contract much bigger than what somebody like Monroe signed, so that's still 4th round comp pick level. 

 

Well, he MAY be improving his chances for a bigger payday. Nothing to lose really, is there?

[thecommish]

joe has to take a pay cut to help himself by helping his team.....he cant afford to count on monroe or hurst again! Thats the simplistic solution to keeping ko

[balfan23]

Nothing worse than seeing players that you draft and fail to develop go to other teams and perform. Reid is an example. Oher is looking like another. What is up with that? Oher had a role, but seemed to digress over time. Reid never contributed at all. Really disconcerting.

[balfan23]

If not for the fact that Monroe was such an absentee case, the KO situation would not be as troubling. I think the expectation was that we couldn't pay top money to 2 guards, and that Urschel would be the next man up ... but that's when we thought we had an LT. Unfortunately, we don't and because of his contract (and a few others) we can't afford to keep KO or even fill the void at that critical position. Looks like we probably either expend a relatively high pick or try to find a cost effective FA to be a backup LT and pray that Monroe can get off the cycle of playing 5 snaps to start a game and then be out for the next 4 weeks.

[jravens13]

Do not blame injuries on the success of our season. We were a losing team with Flacco, Suggs, Smith, Forsett, etc. Stop trying to fool ourselves. We need more talent on the field and in the coaching staff. Our CB's get smoked, we can't generate a rush without sending the house. Our linebackers are too big and slow to cover TE's and RB's. Our blocking has been average, our play calling does not capitalize and put up points or put teams away. We can't stop teams on 3rd down, or make crucial stops to win games. Good QB's terrorized us. Every team deals with injuries. Next man up philosophy. If we didn't have a single injury this team is probably 8-8 or 7-9 with an easy schedule and we are talking about how a few close games could have put us in the playoffs. Reality is your record. 4-9.

[Crusader]

I Seriously don't thing this coaching group can develop talent just look at the people Ravens got rid of that are on winning teams and or still playing. The coaching staff is full of buddies, friends, and relatives not coaches. If John can't get along with Alpha males on the team he sure as heck not on coaching staff. I like John but he needs to have a awakening before he puts his ALL his people out in the street.

[Bohica5]

1 More nail in harbaughs coffin won't hurt......wait until next year folks, i really don't see us going over .500 then either if we keep the same mentality in our organization that we have now.....gotta make drastic changes soon!!

[rmcjacket23]

Well, he MAY be improving his chances for a bigger payday. Nothing to lose really, is there?

I agree with that. My post was in the context of the Ravens not really getting a better comp pick regardless of whether he gets signed as a guard or a LT. 

 

KO himself has everything to gain and practically nothing to lose.

Edited December 18, 2015 by rmcjacket23