Webb moved to FS in 2016?

[757RavensFan]

Based off a couple of recent articles, it looks like the plan is to move Webb to FS permanently in 2016.  What are your thoughts on this?

[1/28/01]

Do it. Much needed for his continuation with the team.

[codizzle]

Gonna need a CB or three

[Tru11]

seems like a good idea in theory.

[GrimCoconut]

I'd put him there but Webb hasn't impressed me all that much this year. With that said, it's his first year at FS so I'd give him time but I wouldn't pass on an elite FS talent if one's available for him.

[ludy51]

Hey look, the yearly "Webb to FS" thread. Funny part is, I think this time it will actually happen.

[rmcjacket23]

Hey look, the yearly "Webb to FS" thread. Funny part is, I think this time it will actually happen.

Because the team has actually already started playing him there...

 

I can't wait for people to play the "I told you so" card after they asked for this like 5 years ago as if it was such a progressive strategy to move a corner to FS when they age...

[ludy51]

Because the team has actually already started playing him there...

I know. I was just waiting for this thread to pop up again since it does every year

[757RavensFan]

I know. I was just waiting for this thread to pop up again since it does every year

 

 

Well since Webb said he pretty much sees himself as a FS going forward, I figured it was post worthy. 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting note from today's post-game locker room: Lardarius Webb said he views himself as a free safety moving forward.

[terrynjulia03]

Depends on the draft. If Ramsey is there at 6, and he prob will be, Webb goes back to nickle corner, or even better only 4th on the depth chart. Personally I stick Brooks in the CB depth chart. He was never graded as a good FS. A backup at best.

Honestly though, I wasnt impressed with Webb at FS. Looked lost at times, cough a big ol TE jogging right past him like he forgot that HE was the over the top help, or slow getting to the ball or diagnosing plays. Sure he didnt screw anything up like Lewis does frequently except for that one play but thats not saying much. Maybe a better secondary coach and DC and he can be good back there, who knows? Honestly with the dynamic duo of a punter turned secondary coach and a failure at DC who really knows what we have in the secondary???? Certainly cant use this year as a evaluation.

[spitfire418]

With the contract he has now and the uncertainty of his play at FS, I wouldn't do it. He needs to restructure his contract before we even consider him as a safety because he's still getting a good outside corner's money as of now.

[rmcjacket23]

With the contract he has now and the uncertainty of his play at FS, I wouldn't do it. He needs to restructure his contract before we even consider him as a safety because he's still getting a good outside corner's money as of now.

Not really. He already restructured his deal last offseason to accomodate us. He's due $5.5M next season, which is a lot, but its not an unreasonable price for a corner of his caliber.

 

Asking him to take a paycut, my guess, would lead to him declining to do so.

[balfan23]

Depends on the draft. If Ramsey is there at 6, and he prob will be, Webb goes back to nickle corner, or even better only 4th on the depth chart.

If the best that Webb can be is 4th on the CB depth chart, then he's not going to be retained. 

[Daft Classic]

Webb will be FS unless we can draft Ramsey or sign Weddle. If we get Ramsey or Weddle, then Webb goes back to Corner or is cut to go pursue another starting safety position. Any of those options I am fine with as long as it means Lewis will not be there

[The Mom Gene]

I know he doesn't necessarily want to play safety, but he's done it pretty well.  If we can get another corner out there on the field, even in the safety slot, then that's all the better. 

[The Mom Gene]

Not really. He already restructured his deal last offseason to accomodate us. He's due $5.5M next season, which is a lot, but its not an unreasonable price for a corner of his caliber.

 

Asking him to take a paycut, my guess, would lead to him declining to do so.

I was going to say the same thing....

[ALPHA]

If he can no longer cover man to man then it makes sense... on paper.

[spitfire418]

Not really. He already restructured his deal last offseason to accomodate us. He's due $5.5M next season, which is a lot, but its not an unreasonable price for a corner of his caliber.

 

Asking him to take a paycut, my guess, would lead to him declining to do so.

Yeah it's not unreasonable for a outside corner, but this thread is about him becoming a starting FS and for the level of play and uncertainty of him at safety he is being paid too much I think.

[rmcjacket23]

Yeah it's not unreasonable for a outside corner, but this thread is about him becoming a starting FS and for the level of play and uncertainty of him at safety he is being paid too much I think.

Possibly, but then again, its hard to determine his value as a FS either. So we could say he's $2-3M a year or whatever, but whats really the basis for that? 

 

He can argue he can at least functionally play two positions of great need for this team, which enhances his value.

 

In my opinion, if I were him, I'd give absolutely zero consideration to a restructured contract that pays him less than $5.5M this season.

[spitfire418]

The truth is we need to get rid of Kendrick Lewis. That's the first and most important thing we need to change. He is terrible. Webb is a nice option for FS, but at this point it still might not be the best option. I think Will Hill should stay at SS without a doubt which just leaves FS up for grabs. Webb seems like a great option because of the point he's at in his career and all the things he has done for us, but there is much more to it. First of all, we have Terrence Brooks and Matt Elam, third and first round safeties that have shown potential and should definitely get a shot and be considered as players to be our starting FS. Then we have the draft and free agency where we could possibly end up adding a potential starting safety. So there are so many different scenarios that could play out at FS for next year. All I want to see happen is having someone besides Kendrick Lewis back there.

[GrimCoconut]

I think it would be fair to ask him if he'll redo the deal some so he can earn back his money and more depending on how he plays at FS. You need an incentive for the player to agree to changing their deal. It's especially true when he just did this last year.

[spitfire418]

Possibly, but then again, its hard to determine his value as a FS either. So we could say he's $2-3M a year or whatever, but whats really the basis for that? 

 

He can argue he can at least functionally play two positions of great need for this team, which enhances his value.

 

In my opinion, if I were him, I'd give absolutely zero consideration to a restructured contract that pays him less than $5.5M this season.

It's just something to think about. Not saying we have to restructure it, but some of the top safeties are getting paid around $5.5M.

[52520Andrew]

Hey look, the yearly "Webb to FS" thread. Funny part is, I think this time it will actually happen.

Funny that it is actually happening now. Next we will be switching to a 4-3 defense lol

[AsianRice]

Webb has been very closed friend to Ed Reed and Ed has taught him pretty much everything he knows.  Placing Webb in FS is a very good idea.  I hope he blossoms in that position.....

[Militant X 1]

Webb has been very closed friend to Ed Reed and Ed has taught him pretty much everything he knows.  Placing Webb in FS is a very good idea.  I hope he blossoms in that position.....

 

I just want a "ball hawker" on the back end.  Haven't seen one of those since Ed Reed left....

[gtalk12]

Can I just have a hard hitting defense again? that's all I ask, not top 5 like before....but something

[ellicottraven]

In his post game interview he acknowledged that he was moving to free safety but didn't seem too happy about it...

[baltimorefan328]

Not really. He already restructured his deal last offseason to accomodate us. He's due $5.5M next season, which is a lot, but its not an unreasonable price for a corner of his caliber.

 

Asking him to take a paycut, my guess, would lead to him declining to do so.

I could be wrong as I saw this from Spotrac, but here is my understanding. Webb's cap hit next year is still 9.5 million, which before any free agency or anything like that puts him as the #12 highest paid cornerback for 2016.  Playing free safety at that value would make Webb the 3rd highest paid Free Safety, at just $400,000 less than Earl Thomas.  I like Webb a lot and I think cutting him would just create even more holes to solve next year, but I just don't know if the Ravens can justify paying Webb that much money to play free safety at this point with how little cap room theyll likely have

[GrimCoconut]

I could be wrong as I saw this from Spotrac, but here is my understanding. Webb's cap hit next year is still 9.5 million, which before any free agency or anything like that puts him as the #12 highest paid cornerback for 2016. Playing free safety at that value would make Webb the 3rd highest paid Free Safety, at just $400,000 less than Earl Thomas. I like Webb a lot and I think cutting him would just create even more holes to solve next year, but I just don't know if the Ravens can justify paying Webb that much money to play free safety at this point with how little cap room theyll likely have

That's probably his full cap hit including his bonuses and guaranteed money that doesn't go away even after he's cut. I didn't look at it personally but that's my guess.

[rmcjacket23]

I could be wrong as I saw this from Spotrac, but here is my understanding. Webb's cap hit next year is still 9.5 million, which before any free agency or anything like that puts him as the #12 highest paid cornerback for 2016.  Playing free safety at that value would make Webb the 3rd highest paid Free Safety, at just $400,000 less than Earl Thomas.  I like Webb a lot and I think cutting him would just create even more holes to solve next year, but I just don't know if the Ravens can justify paying Webb that much money to play free safety at this point with how little cap room theyll likely have

Correct, his cap hit is $9.5M, but that's not how much he personally is actually getting paid. He himself will get paid $5.5M, so a little over half of that. The remaining $4M in cap hit is from bonus money from prior years.

 

In actual cash being paid to the player, in 2016, Webb is the 26th highest paid corner, and he'd be tied for the 8th highest paid safety.

 

That's my point... while I agree it makes perfect sense for the Ravens to want to reduce his pay, if you're Webb, why would you agree to do so? You're not even being paid inside the top 25 of corners, and your ability to play both positions only enhances your value as a safety.

 

I mean the only real possibility I see of reducing his cap number significantly without cutting him is by giving him an extension, since he only has two years left on his deal. Add another year or two to his deal, and you may be able to shave maybe $2-3M off his cap hit for this year and give him a bit more stability as the FS of the future.

 

A bit risky though, as you'd pretty much be guaranteeing him a roster spot for the next two seasons, which I'm not sure you want to do for a player who is injured so frequently.

Edited January 4, 2016 by rmcjacket23