What changes do you want to see for next year? (Merged)

[Cillmatic]

•new Safety

•improved WR core

•1,000 yard running back

•top 5 run defense

•top. 10 Pass defense

Edited December 22, 2015 by Cillmatic

[1/28/01]

There is so much wrong with the post that is 2 posts up. So much dead money resulting in half of what is proposed.

[Virginia 55]

I'd like to see us get a big bodied back that has some speed.  

 

Forsett is not the answer and Buck is raw.

LT cant stay on the field.  

So we need a decent back that can make plays.  

Edited January 6, 2016 by Virginia 55

[Deflated Football]

We need speed on both sides of the ball. Breshad should help but I think we should sign or draft another speedy WR so Flacco can have two deep threats to hit home runs with or at least make the defense respect the long throws which will open up some space for SSS, Aiken, our TE's and RB's.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Deflated Football

[January J]

These are all hypothetical things id like to see our front offense attempt to do or actually do...

 

Bring in the Fire Squad!

• Fire Dean Pees, no question, no argument, no hesitation. FIRE HIM. Take his crappy Defensive Playbook with him. His game plans are don't suit the mantra Playing like a Raven.

 

Out With the Old.

• Monroe - TRADE HIM, I'd LOVE to see Monroe traded, and to keep KO at Left Tackle and put Urshal in at LG

   

• Webb - TRADE HIM, anyone else agree that he just cant seem to even guard his own shadow? Cutting him will resort in dead money and we free up almost 26 million in dead money after this season lets not rebuild that.

   

• K. Lewis - CUT HIM. He has no trade value its not even worth it.

   

• Arrington - If possible Trade him. If we cant trade him keep him for depth hes cheap enough it wont hurt. I think Will Davis and Trey Walker are better options as our Outside and Slot CBs with a fully Healthy Jimmy on the other side.

   

• Brooks - START HIM MOVING FORWARD. We unfortunately were stuck with growing pains with Elam, I personally think Brooks is by far a better FS and all around player with his speed and instinct for the ball will be a better option then Lewis. 

   

• Elam - CUT HIM loose do not resign him

   

• Canty - BYE!

   

• PItta - RETIRE PLEASE!

   

• Forsett - I hate to say it because he is a likable guy but Cut or Trade. We can Move forward with West and Allen

   

• Flacco - I am strictly putting Flacco here on the chance we can not restructure, If anyone thinks its worth riding into 2016 season with a 28million cap hit for Flacco is foolish. The saying goes what have you done for us recently. Really unless with have sub 4.3 WRs hes only throwing it to wide open guys. Hes not putting the ball on players that can get it IE Aiken the last 2 weeks from Clausen. Remember Aiken was opposite of SmithSR and he still wasn't targeted. ( I personally am not a fan of moving forward with Flacco. We are trying to much to be a offensive heavy team, with a on again off again QB. We need to get back to Ravens football)

   

• Upshaw - Can we decide simply not to resign him? We can get a decent comp pick and tbh unless his value is at a simple rotational player I do not feel he is worth it.

In with the NEW.

 

• Clay - Resign him and make him the permanent KR/PR/WR 

   

• Chris Matthews - Resign him and make him Him and Waller have potential and Size and we can replace brown for Matthews.

   

• Givens - If he comes at a decent price id say resign, giving up any pick for a 1 year rental isnt worth it. We do another one or two year deal that is incentive heavy and go into camp with him.

   

• Aiken - Again if the price fits Id love to see him back in purple and black

   

• QB - If we do move on from flacco do to contact hold outs. I think a more mobile QB is ideal. Someone that can extend plays with their legs and still be able to keep their eyes down the field. 

   

• First Round Pick - Ramsey or Bosa. is Bosa a DE or a 3-4 OLB thats what it comes down to and what he determines he is and what are coaches could do with him.

 

Draft Day decisions. 

 

• I personally Like the idea of retooling the defense in the draft quit going out and signing players that just are not fitting. We have top draft picks this year lets use this to our advantage and get back to Ravens football. First round pick should be Bosa or Ramsey. At this current moment.

   

• Offensively we should only splurge on a Draftable player if....

   

• Michael Thomas falls and becomes the best avalaiable or Corey Coleman is there in the 3rd.

   

• My reasoning is Michael Thomas (Ohio State WR) is a possession receiver really that does not fit with joe it seems.

   

• Coleman (Baylor WR) has the speed but isn't worth a first 2nd or 3rd in my eyes if Periman is a solid option.

   

• But since that is up in the air a 3rd round pick we can potentially trade up to get wouldn't be a bad thing. I dont like the idea of giving up any of our top 4 picks. but if we can use picks for 2017 to get back into one of the top 4 rounds. Why not? We need to.

you say you want to move on from flacco and get back to Ravens football..in which time period are you referring to? Bc joe has been the qb since 2008, and every qb before him was pretty abysmal. He's won more playoff games than any other qb since that time. However we do need to get back to a dominant defense and the ground and pound...which will in turn open things up for flacco. A lot of your other suggestions are pretty unrealistic but I agree with some.

[jazz1988]

 

These are all hypothetical things id like to see our front offense attempt to do or actually do...

 

Bring in the Fire Squad!

• Fire Dean Pees, no question, no argument, no hesitation. FIRE HIM. Take his crappy Defensive Playbook with him. His game plans are don't suit the mantra Playing like a Raven.

 

Out With the Old.

• Monroe - TRADE HIM, I'd LOVE to see Monroe traded, and to keep KO at Left Tackle and put Urshal in at LG

   

• Webb - TRADE HIM, anyone else agree that he just cant seem to even guard his own shadow? Cutting him will resort in dead money and we free up almost 26 million in dead money after this season lets not rebuild that.

   

• K. Lewis - CUT HIM. He has no trade value its not even worth it.

   

• Arrington - If possible Trade him. If we cant trade him keep him for depth hes cheap enough it wont hurt. I think Will Davis and Trey Walker are better options as our Outside and Slot CBs with a fully Healthy Jimmy on the other side.

   

• Brooks - START HIM MOVING FORWARD. We unfortunately were stuck with growing pains with Elam, I personally think Brooks is by far a better FS and all around player with his speed and instinct for the ball will be a better option then Lewis. 

   

• Elam - CUT HIM loose do not resign him

   

• Canty - BYE!

   

• PItta - RETIRE PLEASE!

   

• Forsett - I hate to say it because he is a likable guy but Cut or Trade. We can Move forward with West and Allen

   

• Flacco - I am strictly putting Flacco here on the chance we can not restructure, If anyone thinks its worth riding into 2016 season with a 28million cap hit for Flacco is foolish. The saying goes what have you done for us recently. Really unless with have sub 4.3 WRs hes only throwing it to wide open guys. Hes not putting the ball on players that can get it IE Aiken the last 2 weeks from Clausen. Remember Aiken was opposite of SmithSR and he still wasn't targeted. ( I personally am not a fan of moving forward with Flacco. We are trying to much to be a offensive heavy team, with a on again off again QB. We need to get back to Ravens football)

   

• Upshaw - Can we decide simply not to resign him? We can get a decent comp pick and tbh unless his value is at a simple rotational player I do not feel he is worth it.

In with the NEW.

 

• Clay - Resign him and make him the permanent KR/PR/WR 

   

• Chris Matthews - Resign him and make him Him and Waller have potential and Size and we can replace brown for Matthews.

   

• Givens - If he comes at a decent price id say resign, giving up any pick for a 1 year rental isnt worth it. We do another one or two year deal that is incentive heavy and go into camp with him.

   

• Aiken - Again if the price fits Id love to see him back in purple and black

   

• QB - If we do move on from flacco do to contact hold outs. I think a more mobile QB is ideal. Someone that can extend plays with their legs and still be able to keep their eyes down the field. 

   

• First Round Pick - Ramsey or Bosa. is Bosa a DE or a 3-4 OLB thats what it comes down to and what he determines he is and what are coaches could do with him.

 

Draft Day decisions. 

 

• I personally Like the idea of retooling the defense in the draft quit going out and signing players that just are not fitting. We have top draft picks this year lets use this to our advantage and get back to Ravens football. First round pick should be Bosa or Ramsey. At this current moment.

   

• Offensively we should only splurge on a Draftable player if....

   

• Michael Thomas falls and becomes the best avalaiable or Corey Coleman is there in the 3rd.

   

• My reasoning is Michael Thomas (Ohio State WR) is a possession receiver really that does not fit with joe it seems.

   

• Coleman (Baylor WR) has the speed but isn't worth a first 2nd or 3rd in my eyes if Periman is a solid option.

   

• But since that is up in the air a 3rd round pick we can potentially trade up to get wouldn't be a bad thing. I dont like the idea of giving up any of our top 4 picks. but if we can use picks for 2017 to get back into one of the top 4 rounds. Why not? We need to.

 

 

The Ravens are not moving on from Flacco even if he doesn't decide to restructure his contract. You don't trade a franchise quarterback and everybody knows this season our defense has been the problem more than the offense.

[edthehead]

Fire the coaches and get rid of all the guys who aren't performing. Take the hit this year.  Let next year should be building for 2017. Cut Monroe, Daryl Smith, Pitta, Lavar Arrington.  Trade Elvis. Let Tucker go in free agency.  A kicker isn't going to put us over the top.

 

 We need to get young.  We need a fresh approach.  

well,

Lavar Arrington      I think he is on nfl network

 

     no more eggnog for you,, lol,,

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Just get all our guys back healthy and have a block buster draft and then beat the NFL up and get another Lombardy trophy.

[Drew P]

I haven't seen one good reason to "cut" Forsette either financially or on the playing field. West and Buck are both short down backs. Zo has yet to prove anything in the NFL.

[rmcjacket23]

 

These are all hypothetical things id like to see our front offense attempt to do or actually do...

 

Bring in the Fire Squad!

• Fire Dean Pees, no question, no argument, no hesitation. FIRE HIM. Take his crappy Defensive Playbook with him. His game plans are don't suit the mantra Playing like a Raven.

 

Out With the Old.

• Monroe - TRADE HIM, I'd LOVE to see Monroe traded, and to keep KO at Left Tackle and put Urshal in at LG

   

• Webb - TRADE HIM, anyone else agree that he just cant seem to even guard his own shadow? Cutting him will resort in dead money and we free up almost 26 million in dead money after this season lets not rebuild that.

   

• K. Lewis - CUT HIM. He has no trade value its not even worth it.

   

• Arrington - If possible Trade him. If we cant trade him keep him for depth hes cheap enough it wont hurt. I think Will Davis and Trey Walker are better options as our Outside and Slot CBs with a fully Healthy Jimmy on the other side.

   

• Brooks - START HIM MOVING FORWARD. We unfortunately were stuck with growing pains with Elam, I personally think Brooks is by far a better FS and all around player with his speed and instinct for the ball will be a better option then Lewis. 

   

• Elam - CUT HIM loose do not resign him

   

• Canty - BYE!

   

• PItta - RETIRE PLEASE!

   

• Forsett - I hate to say it because he is a likable guy but Cut or Trade. We can Move forward with West and Allen

   

• Flacco - I am strictly putting Flacco here on the chance we can not restructure, If anyone thinks its worth riding into 2016 season with a 28million cap hit for Flacco is foolish. The saying goes what have you done for us recently. Really unless with have sub 4.3 WRs hes only throwing it to wide open guys. Hes not putting the ball on players that can get it IE Aiken the last 2 weeks from Clausen. Remember Aiken was opposite of SmithSR and he still wasn't targeted. ( I personally am not a fan of moving forward with Flacco. We are trying to much to be a offensive heavy team, with a on again off again QB. We need to get back to Ravens football)

   

• Upshaw - Can we decide simply not to resign him? We can get a decent comp pick and tbh unless his value is at a simple rotational player I do not feel he is worth it.

 

So we discussed this on PM, but I wanted to express it with the whole group so we all get a better understanding...

 

Under the scenario presented above, the following things happen:

 

Cuts: Elam, Lewis, Canty, and I'll say Forsett, since nobody would trade for him.

Trades: Monroe, Webb, Arrington

Retire: Pitta

 

The rest I'll leave alone for now. Joe will be a Raven next year and for the foreseeable future and everybody knows this, so there's no point in going down that path.

 

Under the above scenario, between the cuts, trades, and retirements, the Ravens would create $23.1M in dead money, while freeing up $12.9M in cap space. The biggest drives of these figures are Monroe ($6.6M dead money, $2.1M cap savings), Webb ($6M dead money, $3.5M cap savings) and Pitta ($6.6M in dead money, $600K in cap savings).

 

Now, as a caveat, I will say one thing... don't worry about the dead money. Russell Street Report did a great article awhile back about dead money and all the fan misconceptions regarding it. Generally speaking, it shouldn't be considered in decision making. Its a fixed, sunk cost. There is no decision the team can make that will change the amount of dead money. Dead money exists on practically everybody's cap figure, and a large chunk of our salary cap space each year is allocated to bonuses we paid to people in the past. That's just how NFL contracts work.

 

For me, there's only two things that matter:

 

1. The Cap Savings (or Cap Cost) of moving on from a player, regardless of whether its via cut, trades, or retirement. 

 

2. Whether or not we can find a replacement level player at that position for equal or less than the Cap Savings.

 

So if we were to look at some of the big names on here and the bigger numbers:

 

1. Monroe. Cap savings from releasing/trading him prior to June 1st is $2.1M. So do we think we can find a LT as good as him for $2.1M? In the draft, maybe, but the draft occurs a good two months after FA begins, and we certainly wouldn't find a better LT in FA for $2.1M. So we'd be rolling the dice by banking on solving that problem in the draft.

 

2. Webb. Cap savings from releasing/trading him prior to June 1st is $3.5M. This one is highly questionable, and I'm sure we could make arguments on both sides. Again, may depend on the draft.

 

Of the guys listed, I think Chris Canty will certainly be cut (frees up $2.15M in cap space, I find him replaceable internally already), and I suspect Kendrick Lewis might get cut as well, though he frees up a little under $1M in space, so not a significant amount. I think cutting Arrington is a no brainer... he's pretty much getting phased out of the defense at this point, and he frees up $1.4M in cap space.

 

Among other players, I think Daryl Smith gets cut as well. He creates $2.625M in cap space, and he's already losing snaps in passing downs and I think we want to get younger at that position next to Mosley. There's some at least respectable in house options, and FA and the draft could provide other depth there.

 

There is no scenario I see where Pitta plays for us next year. If he doesn't want to retire, I think we definitely cut him. He could be a good candidate for post June-1, which allows us to spread out his $6.6M in cap hit over two seasons. There's just no way the Ravens let him stay on long enough to guarantee him the $5M in salary they owe him for 2016.

 

Other "wildcards" as I would call them would be Steve Smith. He frees up $3M if hes cut (not likely) or retires, and we don't definitively know what's happening with him. Monroe and Webb are certainly names to keep in mind if we upgrades those positions significantly in FA/draft, as well as Forsett, who I expect to be back, but if we for some reason address RB early in the draft, he becomes expendable and creates $2.3M in cap space.

[terrynjulia03]

Rmc damn good post. Honestly I dont see us cutting anyone early, except Canty, and Lewis, and Forsett honestly. None have a future here. As much as fans love Forsett, this year, last year in the pkayoffs and even towards the end of the season he just didnt have the legs. He doesnt have the wear and tear people say, true but father time gets everyone. Doesnt matter if youre a construction worker or sit in a office, after 30 well things just start going downhill,lol.

Webb, with his restructure, he'll be here next year. If we dont draft Ramsey than maybe he moves there, like fans have begged for, or maybe the new DC brings in his own guy. Maybe the new DC can get something out of Brooks or Elam and make them a serviceable FS. Who knows. Elam didnt look bad there. Minus Ramsey may be our best bet tbh. Brooks was projected as a robber and backup and contribute on ST coming out. Hes NOT our FSof the future. Again square peg round hole.

Monroe also will be here. Unless they draft Tunsil or Stanley. Maybe hes not a Raven. Maybe hes punked out like some pundits and writers suspect. BUT when he plays, hes better than KO by a large margin. Better than Hurst by so much I think he could go out in a cast and one arm tied behind his back and still be better.

Those few fellows will be based upon who we draft and be post june 1 cuts, which isnt a bad thing.

Forgot DSmith. Sorry. He gone. Pre June1. Pitta, retired and prob use the single post June 1, prior to June 1 designator teams are allowed. Spread that 6.6 over 2 years. Prob one of the worst contracts weve ever signed. Despite fan "feelings" his stats said "average" TE that we signed coming off a major surgery to Davis, Graham, Gronk type of money. So stupid.

[Winchester]

The changes to the ravens football team.... Like fans to adjust to the idea that ravens do not have to win with defense like its tradition. And realize joe cool more often than not carried an expensive star studded defense in most playoff games anyways!! I would cut every player mentioned and trust the ravens could find decent cornerbacks in mid to late rounds as well as bargains in free agency meaning cornerbacks that could be late bloomers and will not cost much at all. Draft Tunsil or Stanley. Keep Osemele at guard and keeps Urschel at center. Once he adjusts he will be an elite center that gets rare movement off the ball for the position. Gives ravens an elite and mauling all time great Oline to run any and all and new schemes and formations. Draft a young possession receiver in round2. Trade a mid round pick in 2017 for Marqise. He has immense talent. He could be the steal of the decade. Campanaro play injury free and realize his underrated talent!! Sign Zack Brown if he is cheap enough or try to give Daryl Washington an opportunity to play drama free. Would like to see Maxx follow through with getting in shape. Not saying he needs to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger but 13-16 lbs of new fast twitch muscle and 14-18 lbs less of speed draining fat. To add to his smooth routes and arrive at an explosive TE that gets respect of a receiver and can challenge for big plays and block competitively. Buck Allen and TW realize the talent and carry the workload. As well as be very good receivers. Not just check down guys. Forsett will be 31 and ravens do not have money to keep a 31 yr old running back who is no better than the younger cheaper guys. Gilmore take the next step. Ravens to have an elite,ball control,balanced trendsetting offense with an all time great OLine. And adopt a top shelf work and prsctice ethic and pay close attention to detail like the patriots. Every player outwork other teams and pay close attention to detail. Every player adopt a rigorous training and strict nutrition program to obtain optimal power,explosion,speed and flexibility. And outwork every other team in mental preparation and strategy. Ravens OLine could earn a nickname like the great olines.

[jazz1988]

Rmc damn good post. Honestly I dont see us cutting anyone early, except Canty, and Lewis, and Forsett honestly. None have a future here. As much as fans love Forsett, this year, last year in the pkayoffs and even towards the end of the season he just didnt have the legs. He doesnt have the wear and tear people say, true but father time gets everyone. Doesnt matter if youre a construction worker or sit in a office, after 30 well things just start going downhill,lol.

Webb, with his restructure, he'll be here next year. If we dont draft Ramsey than maybe he moves there, like fans have begged for, or maybe the new DC brings in his own guy. Maybe the new DC can get something out of Brooks or Elam and make them a serviceable FS. Who knows. Elam didnt look bad there. Minus Ramsey may be our best bet tbh. Brooks was projected as a robber and backup and contribute on ST coming out. Hes NOT our FSof the future. Again square peg round hole.

Monroe also will be here. Unless they draft Tunsil or Stanley. Maybe hes not a Raven. Maybe hes punked out like some pundits and writers suspect. BUT when he plays, hes better than KO by a large margin. Better than Hurst by so much I think he could go out in a cast and one arm tied behind his back and still be better.

Those few fellows will be based upon who we draft and be post june 1 cuts, which isnt a bad thing.

Forgot DSmith. Sorry. He gone. Pre June1. Pitta, retired and prob use the single post June 1, prior to June 1 designator teams are allowed. Spread that 6.6 over 2 years. Prob one of the worst contracts weve ever signed. Despite fan "feelings" his stats said "average" TE that we signed coming off a major surgery to Davis, Graham, Gronk type of money. So stupid.

 

Justin Forsett had  24 carries worth of 129 rushing yards averaging 5.4 yards per carry in  his last playoff game. Even towards the later portion of the season he still was productive. He had over 100 rushing yards in his last game against The Browns with his worst production ever last year being against The Texans.

 

I will admit he did get banged up quite a bit and that could have came from over use but for the most part I'm not so sure about Forsett not having the legs any more. Buck Allen has been solid but he's only averaging 3.8 yard per carry while Forseet was averaging 4.2 yard per carry. Allen at the moment is just better receiver than Forsett but the run game in general has been disappointment compare to last year.

[balfan23]

Before I touch player personnel, I'm going with coaching staff. I honestly think it is time to move away from Pees. Pagano will be fired without a doubt and I am not of the mind that he'll be getting an HC offer elsewhere. Since he'll likely be falling back into the ranks of DC, I'd like to see him back with the Ravens. 

 

I know there may be the sense that you just can't go back and you can't recreate what once was after it has moved on. But I did not like the Mattison regime and Pagano came in and turned the same basic cast of characters into a fired up, aggressive unit. I know we're in the mode of blasting our players, but I just don't believe that the defensive unit - especially the secondary - is as bad as they have looked. 

 

Pees has made his contributions to this team and that is appreciated, but I really think it is time for new blood on that side of the ball. 

[terrynjulia03]

^Think that might have something to do with the line? The entire left side playing out of position and a C thats a rook there. ? Just saying. Buck has done well considering what hes working with. And look at West, against a damn good run D. I think those 2 need to split carries the next 2 weeks against some of the best in the biz with our makeshift line. BUT from what Ive seen, I dont think Forsett would turn in a better perf.

After all you brought up his 2 best games, yes arguably the one being the final game of the offseason. BUT cointering that the other 4 games he averaged under 3.2 ypc. Everyone was talking that he looked worn out. Than he busts a great game at the end in a losing battle and suddenly fans forget that he didnt do squat the 2 games before, had a ok game before that, and 3 games before the ok game averaging less than 3 ypc. Seems we have short memories. Sorry Imma go with the youngins that are cheap and want to make a point and earn their one payday.

[terrynjulia03]

Before I touch player personnel, I'm going with coaching staff. I honestly think it is time to move away from Pees. Pagano will be fired without a doubt and I am not of the mind that he'll be getting an HC offer elsewhere. Since he'll likely be falling back into the ranks of DC, I'd like to see him back with the Ravens. 

 

I know there may be the sense that you just can't go back and you can't recreate what once was after it has moved on. But I did not like the Mattison regime and Pagano came in and turned the same basic cast of characters into a fired up, aggressive unit. I know we're in the mode of blasting our players, but I just don't believe that the defensive unit - especially the secondary - is as bad as they have looked. 

 

Pees has made his contributions to this team and that is appreciated, but I really think it is time for new blood on that side of the ball.

Honestly heres the prob I have with Pags. His players love him. Sure he's gonna get fired. BUT it isnt like he failed as a HC. TBH this seems like another Kubiak situation. Sure he comes back here. Turns everything around and boom gets HC offers again. Maybe hes here for a year, maybe 2. Thats it. Id rather have Petine tbh. Hes never gonna get another HC gig if he gets the can. Unless he gets offers this year once Cle cans him, if they do. If so teams can say hey its Cle who cares and offer HC gigs. Kinda like Rex. Otherwise IF he takes a DC job thats where hes stuck for a while. The Cle stink will settle in and a year or 2 of turning a D around isnt gonna be enough to wear it off. All the drama going on there in Cle. Nope hed at least be here for a while.

But honestly both run a 3-4. Which is so called our base. But our personnel says 4-3 so like another poster said we run alot of 4-3 under and transition to nickle frequently. We have for the past 2 years. We really really need a 4-3 guy. Ive suggested the assistant DC out of Minn honestly. Since hes been there that D has gone from 32nd in ppg, to 17th, to 11th, to this year 1st!

[1/28/01]

So we discussed this on PM, but I wanted to express it with the whole group so we all get a better understanding...

Under the scenario presented above, the following things happen:

Cuts: Elam, Lewis, Canty, and I'll say Forsett, since nobody would trade for him.

Trades: Monroe, Webb, Arrington

Retire: Pitta

The rest I'll leave alone for now. Joe will be a Raven next year and for the foreseeable future and everybody knows this, so there's no point in going down that path.

Under the above scenario, between the cuts, trades, and retirements, the Ravens would create $23.1M in dead money, while freeing up $12.9M in cap space. The biggest drives of these figures are Monroe ($6.6M dead money, $2.1M cap savings), Webb ($6M dead money, $3.5M cap savings) and Pitta ($6.6M in dead money, $600K in cap savings).

Now, as a caveat, I will say one thing... don't worry about the dead money. Russell Street Report did a great article awhile back about dead money and all the fan misconceptions regarding it. Generally speaking, it shouldn't be considered in decision making. Its a fixed, sunk cost. There is no decision the team can make that will change the amount of dead money. Dead money exists on practically everybody's cap figure, and a large chunk of our salary cap space each year is allocated to bonuses we paid to people in the past. That's just how NFL contracts work.

For me, there's only two things that matter:

1. The Cap Savings (or Cap Cost) of moving on from a player, regardless of whether its via cut, trades, or retirement.

2. Whether or not we can find a replacement level player at that position for equal or less than the Cap Savings.

So if we were to look at some of the big names on here and the bigger numbers:

1. Monroe. Cap savings from releasing/trading him prior to June 1st is $2.1M. So do we think we can find a LT as good as him for $2.1M? In the draft, maybe, but the draft occurs a good two months after FA begins, and we certainly wouldn't find a better LT in FA for $2.1M. So we'd be rolling the dice by banking on solving that problem in the draft.

2. Webb. Cap savings from releasing/trading him prior to June 1st is $3.5M. This one is highly questionable, and I'm sure we could make arguments on both sides. Again, may depend on the draft.

Of the guys listed, I think Chris Canty will certainly be cut (frees up $2.15M in cap space, I find him replaceable internally already), and I suspect Kendrick Lewis might get cut as well, though he frees up a little under $1M in space, so not a significant amount. I think cutting Arrington is a no brainer... he's pretty much getting phased out of the defense at this point, and he frees up $1.4M in cap space.

Among other players, I think Daryl Smith gets cut as well. He creates $2.625M in cap space, and he's already losing snaps in passing downs and I think we want to get younger at that position next to Mosley. There's some at least respectable in house options, and FA and the draft could provide other depth there.

There is no scenario I see where Pitta plays for us next year. If he doesn't want to retire, I think we definitely cut him. He could be a good candidate for post June-1, which allows us to spread out his $6.6M in cap hit over two seasons. There's just no way the Ravens let him stay on long enough to guarantee him the $5M in salary they owe him for 2016.

Other "wildcards" as I would call them would be Steve Smith. He frees up $3M if hes cut (not likely) or retires, and we don't definitively know what's happening with him. Monroe and Webb are certainly names to keep in mind if we upgrades those positions significantly in FA/draft, as well as Forsett, who I expect to be back, but if we for some reason address RB early in the draft, he becomes expendable and creates $2.3M in cap space.

We have our differences and I like to give you a hard time about the "caring what fans think" thing and how we look as a group, but great post.

[FlackAttack]

smarter drafting.

 

was just looking at 2014 draft. we took jernigan instead of allen robinson. damn.

 

if allen robinson was on this team he would have top 5 WR numbers.

Edited December 24, 2015 by FlackAttack

[balfan23]

smarter drafting.

 

was just looking at 2014 draft. we took jernigan instead of allen robinson. damn.

 

if allen robinson was on this team he would have top 5 WR numbers.

You could take all but the most spectacular of picks, go back to the draft list and find someone taken later and say, "damn, we should have picked him.". 

[Cillmatic]

Sharks with freaking laser beams!

Edited December 27, 2015 by Cillmatic

[Tank 92]

My change request is a simple one. Go from playing golf during the tournament to hosting the AFCCG. 

[RavensFanMania]

Fire the coaches and get rid of all the guys who aren't performing. Take the hit this year.  Let next year should be building for 2017. Cut Monroe, Daryl Smith, Pitta, Lavar Arrington.  Trade Elvis. Let Tucker go in free agency.  A kicker isn't going to put us over the top.

 

 We need to get young.  We need a fresh approach.  

lol

[RavensFanMania]

Rasey is not a guy to cover the deep part of the field though

He's much more a Tyrann Matthieu type of guy.  Hybrid CB/Safety.

[ellicottraven]

Put everything on the table for a full fledged review. Everything. Players, Coaches and Front office personnel. Review performance metrics of every person that works, coaches or plays for the Ravens and see how they fared first. If they fared poorly, see if they made efforts to change for the better. If they did, then move on to whether what they did helped or didn't. If it didn't find out if there are things they could do to affect positive change. If yes, retain, and if no let go! Do this with every single entity that represents the Ravens. That should be done regardless anyway, but his year it is mandatory that it be done.

[FlackAttack]

You could take all but the most spectacular of picks, go back to the draft list and find someone taken later and say, "damn, we should have picked him.". 

 

sure, but my point is geared towards ozzies philosophy of drafting 334547 defensive lineman in the first few rounds compared to drafting maybe 1, or 2? WR in the first few rounds in ravens history. especially recently with the league changing and the ravens failing to adapt.

Edited December 27, 2015 by FlackAttack

[Dilferian]

Realignment in the whole NFL. If the Rams/Chargers/Raiders relocate, then they can finally get things right. Ravens to AFC East, Bills to AFC North.

[Virginia 55]

We need a new starting QB!  New running Back!  And the O- line needs to be addressed immediately. 

[The Raven]

We need a new starting QB!  New running Back!  And the O- line needs to be addressed immediately. 

 

1. Joe isn't going anywhere. No reasonable, intelligent human being thinks we should move him. 

 

2. Forsett is fine and we have a pretty good stable behind him. Buck Allen was huge today. Yyyuge, I'm tellin' ya. 

 

3. We've allowed the fourth fewest sacks and the ninth fewest QB hits despite having the SECOND most passing attempts in the NFL. If you think offensive line is a problem then you're just plain ignorant. Run blocking has been an issue, but it has gotten much better with Monroe and Hurst out of the lineup. 

 

So... what else ya got?

[redrum52]

My change request is a simple one. Go from playing golf during the tournament to hosting the AFCCG.

This just reminded me how the team was speaking about trying to make sure the playoffs ran through Baltimore this year... that worked out well.

[Tank 92]

This just reminded me how the team was speaking about trying to make sure the playoffs ran through Baltimore this year... that worked out well.

Nothing worked out well this year, except playing pburgh.