[News] Late For Work 1/7: Ranking Ravens' Top Free Agents Of 2016 Class

[RavensDieHard21]

Pretty sure we can't tender KO

I meant to say franchise tag him. Oops lol

[ajf3030]

billiejean- Not really true. I'm also not saying he will be a Raven this year, but timing is half the battle in free agency, as we've seen in the past. For example, we let Boldin go because we think we'll need that money to sign starter-quality players at other positions, then we end up signing Huff, Spears, and Canty for a total of about half of what we saved cutting Boldin, and Huff and Spears are off the roster by week 2. My point is, if we tag Osemele, he'd be tagged as a Guard, which would then buy the Ravens time in extending him. That's relevant because the longer they have to work out numbers, the better idea they'll have of how much they're going to spend elsewhere. Right now, without Flacco yet being restructured, the possibility of Pitta retiring/being cut, other roster cuts that could happen in the spring or post-June 1, there's no way to know if KO could be retained or not. If we tagged him, that would give time to potentially find a trading partner for Monroe, which takes some of that money off the books. There are so many possibilities, it is certainly worth being optimistic that KO could be signed.

[ravenwildman]

IMHO, Monroe gets (and stays) injured way too much, I understand the economics of releasing him and keeping KO, but if he continues to be a part time LT then it's a dead roster spot and here we go again with a backup protecting Flacco's blind side......maybe the hit is worth it. GO RAVENS!

[sami]

the problem with signing KO isn't if we have the money but does Ozzie want to spend that big of a percentage on one player. We have a lot of people to sign including Flacco so its gonna have to be "the right player at the right price" scenario.

[BmoreB]

I understand the gap between the Ravens and Bengals may be widening since they beat us 5 straight. However, to say the gap is widening vs the Steelers is just wrong considering we've beat them 4 out of the last 5 games. 

Just to add a little more to this... We've beaten them 8 out of the last 11 !

[Winchester]

Does anyone realize how stable our offensive line was down the stretch? That is one of our biggest strengths, but to allow KO to walk would really damper that. Look at how bad even some of these playoff teams lines are. NE, Den, Arz, Sea, they all have major flaws in their lines. If we keep KO we have one less worry, I'd say get Tucker's deal done a sap and tender KO if needed. He would get tendered as a guard anyways since he spent a majority of his time there. Once we clear some space in our cap, sign him! Aiken also should receive 3rd round tender, unless we don't have intentions on a WR early, which in that case if we can afford it, let's do it.

Agree on all accounts!! Accept ravens need to find a way to keep KO!! Most dominating guard in the NFL and a very good tackle. I don't know how Jensen projects to backup. He outplayed Yanda at times. The OLine was very dominant the last couple games!! If there were legit playmakers on the ravens then the offense would of put cincy and Pittsburgh and away by halftime. Aiken should get a round 3 salary. No team would give up a round pick for Aiken. KO is a bigger priority than JT!!

[utalkingtome123]

I really hope we can KO but if we can't the we need to find someone in the draft or FA but idk if theres any good lineman on the market this year.

[The Greek]

osemele will remain a raven. they will find a way. oh its true its true

[trevorsteadman]

I have always respected Ike Taylor. He was a very classy guy coming out of Pittsburgh and it is hard to stay classy in a heated rivalry. It is cool that he said that about Steve Smith. Ravens need to do everything they can to keep Osemele. They can use Urschel or Ryan Jensen at guard, but they need to try to trade Monroe. Tucker will be franchised, and Wright and Cox should also be resigned.

[Maryland]

Agree with most of the FA assessments except for the 2nd round tender for Aiken. I would give him a 3rd round tender and be ecstatic if anyone actually gave us a 3rd round pick for him.

[steelcityraven]

I would love to see us re-sign KO but I think he is gone. Tucker will be here... I say slap a 3rd round tender on Aiken.... if someone gives us a third rounder for him... we can grab the same level WR or better with that! Upshaw will be back bc he is more valuable here then anywhere else outside of Tuscaloosa, Mclellan will be gone, Zach Orr will become the new Mclellan! Jensen will be re-singed especially if we lose KO! Clausen is gone (that's why we signed Mallet) Morgan Cox will be back... I wouldn't mind binging givens back if the price is right... Butler and Marlon will be gone Shareece Wright will be back and I think will be even better next year (unless Pees is back then none of our DBs will play well again). Schaub is gone... KCLay gone... WEst is the only one I am not sure about but we are deep at RB so I don't expect West to return here???

[purpledown]

wonder what unis Osemele and Upshaw will be wearing next season? I hope its not the Steelers.

[bioLarzen]

the problem with signing KO isn't if we have the money but does Ozzie want to spend that big of a percentage on one player. We have a lot of people to sign including Flacco so its gonna have to be "the right player at the right price" scenario.

 

Well, right now we don't have the cap space necessary to retain him... so, maybe you're right that its not THE problem - but it sure is A problem...

[bioLarzen]

Agree with most of the FA assessments except for the 2nd round tender for Aiken. I would give him a 3rd round tender and be ecstatic if anyone actually gave us a 3rd round pick for him.

 

So, you would gladly give away a proven, 26-year old guy who is clearly on the rise and almost had a 1000-yard season, for a 3rd round pick?

 

I wouldn't.

[bioLarzen]

wonder what unis Osemele and Upshaw will be wearing next season? I hope its not the Steelers.

 

The Steelers aren't too lucky with their cap situation right now either... I doubt they could afford KO. I would think he'd go to a lesser team... like the Bucs or the Rams maybe... Or Detroit? Maybe Torrey and Boldin lures him to SF - they have the cap space, too.

 

As for Upshaw... the only reason I'd like to see him back is that he clearly seems to do well v. the steelers (that stpid NZI penalty notwithstanding), and especially Roethlisberger...

Edited January 8, 2016 by bioLarzen

[bioLarzen]

WEst is the only one I am not sure about but we are deep at RB so I don't expect West to return here???

 

I guess we'll try to get him back on the PS? If Forsett and Taliaferro are both back, he'll sure be a surplus.

[NNITRED]

Forsett's return to the 53 may not be written in stone IMO. With Allen , West, and Taliaferro you have guys that can make things happen without the seas parting. i love his patience but with Forsett the play is generally dead at first contact and Trestman loves those pile driving RBs that can tear up a defenders arms.

[Joshuahill2@aol.com]

So, you would gladly give away a proven, 26-year old guy who is clearly on the rise and almost had a 1000-yard season, for a 3rd round pick?

 

I wouldn't.

 

I assume you use "proven" loosely. Personally, I would give him up for a 3 round pick.

[gekaap]

Well, right now we don't have the cap space necessary to retain him... so, maybe you're right that its not THE problem - but it sure is A problem...

 

Eh, we have the cap space.  While I agree that bringing back KO is unlikely, I don't see it as a question of lacking cap space so much as simply having other options that make more sense.

It's going to simply be a strategic decision, though it may not be a simple decision.  Our O line needs some major improvement.  Has for years.  Monroe has proven to be a mistake.  Cutting him in favor of KO makes plenty of sense.  KO will provide better contributions, and would partially pay for itself.  At least, if we were looking at it in a vacuum that would be the case.  But perhaps an even better alternative is to look to use that 6th overall draft pick.  Ronnie Stanley is a very strong contender to be the Ravens' pick.

And while I know everyone talks about the secondary being the top priority, the fact of the matter is that our problems this past year are the same as the year before, namely the fact that someone, somewhere in the Ravens organization is failing to keep the players healthy.  we have a great CB in Jimmy Smith, and Webb remains a great talent who should end up being very solid at FS.  Our remaining CBs are perfectly adequate to perform their support roles.  A #2 CB is the only real need.

So, Ozzie will have to decide whether to resign KO based on what he expects to happen in the draft, and what he thinks is the comparative value of different avenues.  Do the Ravens have a chance as picking up Jalen Ramsey?  Can we really justify using a 6th overall to draft to fill a #2 spot on the roster when chances are we could use a 2nd round pick and for a strong CB in a draft that has several talented CBs available?  I don't see that as being the Ozzie way. 

[sami]

I have always respected Ike Taylor. He was a very classy guy coming out of Pittsburgh and it is hard to stay classy in a heated rivalry. It is cool that he said that about Steve Smith. Ravens need to do everything they can to keep Osemele. They can use Urschel or Ryan Jensen at guard, but they need to try to trade Monroe. Tucker will be franchised, and Wright and Cox should also be resigned.

OMG did you just use classy and Pittsburgh in the same sentence?

[crewed]

Mr.Newsome put in a lot of effort building this O-line. Why wood he let K.O go when he is a top OG and is capable of sliding over to tackle in the event the LT is injured and can't go. K.O. is worth a lot to the Ravens because he has value at two positions. If you haven't noticed over the years Mr. Newsome values versatility. Ravens will sign K.O. and keep Monroe.