[News] Late For Work 1/8: Re-Doing Joe Flacco's Contract Might Not Be Necessary, Agent Shares His Take

[BR News]

Did you really expect drama from Bisciotti? Losing Monachino hurts. What helped Pees. Where to find WRs?

View the full article

[atomicfront]

Extending Joe Flacco's contract doesn't save the team caps space. It actually takes up more caps space. It just could save money next year and then you have a bigger problem coming down the road. Same with restructuring Webb's contract. It is just stealing money from future teams. And that is the reason we have the problems we do every year with cap space. Cutting Webb would only save 3.5 million dollars so if you think you can find a better free safety than him for that money do it. But i doubt you can.

[iluvpurple]

We have the BEST FO and owner in the league...... I am one that believes and trusts that Steve is doing exactly what needs to be done, and we have the vast majority of pieces in place to succeed. He didn't become a wealthy, successful businessman by making poor business decisions. Look at the teams that constantly have a large turnover in their FO and coaching, none have been very successful for years. Fans are going to complain no matter what, even if we are winning, so I am more content with minimal changes going forward, and even most players I hope can stay, give or take one or two or three. If next year we are in the same place, then maybe at that time we may see a few changes. This was the year from he!! ALL the way around, so we can only hope it gets better from here.

Edited January 8, 2016 by iluvpurple

[Raveology101]

Treadwell or Jaylen Ramsey please!!

[Raveology101]

Ozzie listen Heres what you do trade 2nd round pick and 1 3 rd comp pick for 1 more 1st round pick pick Jalen Ramsey then pick Treadwell. Use the other picks to draft pass rusher then a solid LG or LT tackle. That's it

[Tenacious Faulker]

RE: Joe's Contract - I can't see a rebuild without a contract extension for Joe. Even at the upper end of the projected cap scale for 2016 ($155M) Joe's salary eats up 19%. I love me some Flacco, but he didn't necessarily show that he could elevate up and coming talent (i.e. "cheaper" players) as Aiken didn't really start to improve until after Joe's trip to IR. Joe seemed to rely on SSS too heavily and struggled after he went on IR. Now, if Trestman can get Mallet (and QBs like McCown) to elevate their game, why not Joe (or Cutler)? While Joe has the elite physical tools he seems to possess average pocket awareness that the elites do have. Until he proves that he does have "it" they will need to acquire talent to make HIM better. That will likely require a restructure.

[Tenacious Faulker]

RE: Monachino and Pees - It makes sense that Pagano would get a good Ravens coach to become his DC and he knows and worked with Monachino. I'd have like to see the DB coach go but he sucks, but that's a separate issue. If we had to loss a defensive position coach LB coach is probably best because Pees was a damn good LB coach himself regardless of what anyone thinks of him now. With all the injury derailing his defenses recently I don't see all the Pees hate as rational. It's frustrating, yes, but I don;t believe that Rex or Pagano would've been able to overcome the same problems Pees has faced. As far as the defensive player talent level, that's on Ozzie and DeCosta.

Overall this is a successful team since Harbs took the helm from Billick. Harbs has one losing season an missed out on 2 other SBs because of garbage Patriots cheating ans Lee stinking Evans. Pees was a part of every SB contending/winning team rebuilding three defenses by mid-season to end up one of the best defense in the second half of each of those seasons. Imagine what he can do with a healthy defensive unit? I think Bisciotti, Harbs and Ozzie understand that.

[Dorota]

"Bisciotti spoke about how the Ravens underestimated the debilitating domino effect the loss of Terrell Suggs had on the defense." - I don't think they didn't take it seriously enough, or underestimated anything. However, because you realize something is BIG trouble doesn't automatically relate that you can overcome the hurdle with a snap of your fingers.

It was week 1, we lost Sizzle. It was also the first week of regular season without Pernell McPhee on the roster and trust me, if he wasn't such a big hit on salary cap money, the FO would never have let him go. Let's face it, we had Doom, who's a great pass rusher, but, no one experienced on the other side to take some of the attention and double teams off him. We had Courtney Upshaw, who is a very good OLB, but more of a trench work guy than a stat & highlight reel guy. He enables others to get the work done, but there was no "other". Za'Darius Smith was a rookie, with zero season starts, who showed good upside, and I believe he'll develop, but NFL experience as well as Ravens weight conditioning program one year down is something he didn't have at that point. No underestimation, just bad luck.

 

As to Ozzie being committed to Lardarius Webb - do you really wonder? Sure, he cannot be an outside CB anymore, because with two torn Achilles' he just doesn't have the flat out speed for man2man on speedsters like AJ Green or Antonio Brown (which are unfortunately both in our division).

However there are these things that he does have NFL experience as starter; team spirit - last year he did not renegotiate his contract, he accepted a LOWER salary to help the team; played safety in college; good communicator; he attacks the ball, not the player; soft hands. Apart from him, we have no one seniority in the secondary. On all positions you need a mentor, someone who is both willing and capable to help the young guys transition and develop. For secondary it's truer than for most, because the amount of judgement calls is higher than at most other positions.

 

PS: You're right, Kapron Lewis-Moore, I can't take Steve Smith Sr seriously with that barber job either. I want handsome Steve back!

Edited January 8, 2016 by Dorota

[The Greek]

i hope they at least force pees to be more aggressive and if he cannot than they shot themselves in the foot by letting monachino go. hope they hire a lb coach with dc experience

Edited January 8, 2016 by The Greek

[BmoreB]

I know of a retired LB that would be just perfect for the vacated LB Coaching job.

[757RavensFan]

Per Joe's contract, even if the new 2016 salary cap allows the Ravens to absorb his $28M, I would hope they would still try to renegotiate so we can sign some of our own FAs or bring in others.  

Edited January 8, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[EliteRavens]

Treadwell or Jaylen Ramsey please!!

Throw Vernon Hargreaves name in there too

[surfdude]

Look Joe has to know IF he does not renegotiate to a "fair" deal for both sides so that the team can plug a few holes he will be tarred and feathered if the Ravens have another non playoff season. It could very well be a disaster ..... clean house kinda disaster.

Joe is a good not great QB, no way is he worth 28 million. 18 - 20 yes. not 28.

As far as a lot of you calling for Dean Pees head have to remember he's been playing with a short deck since the super bowl. Injuries have played a MAJOR role. Suggs going down and Jimmy Smith coming off a FOOT injury which is a major thing for any athlete. He has to play with the kinda players he has. Get healthy and add a couple and the offense does its job and attack mode will come back , but until then bend but don't break will be the game plan. He's a good coach and glad he's staying.

[surfdude]

One other thing after yesterday's press conference my take is that Steve and Ozzie have their sights on Joey Bosa and will do what it takes to get him. They both emphasized having a pass rush.

[BMORE = BEASTING]

I know of a retired LB that would be just perfect for the vacated LB Coaching job.

 

I agree. But, Bisciotti previously stated upon Lewis' retirement that he does not pay his LB coaches a large salary. Lewis is current making a seven-figure salary with ESPN. However, some Defensive Coordinators do make a  seven-figure salary. Which could be appealing to Lewis. Lewis has an incredible talent for reading offensive formations, and he is even more talented at selecting proper defensive audibles. 

[atomicfront]

Ozzie listen Heres what you do trade 2nd round pick and 1 3 rd comp pick for 1 more 1st round pick pick Jalen Ramsey then pick Treadwell. Use the other picks to draft pass rusher then a solid LG or LT tackle. That's it

 

You can't trade comp picks this year.  I would think trading up to the first round is a good idea. Maybe at the back of the first.  Going to the top isnt going to happen for a second and third.   But getting back into the first lets you get another player you can keep for 5 years instead of 4.  

[WNC-Raven]

I worry about using our 6th overall on a CB. It is rare that a rookie Corner can transition into the NFL. Takes time & patience. 2 things most fans don't have

[surfdude]

yes you can trade comp picks this year.

[757RavensFan]

yes you can trade comp picks this year.

 

Actually you can't.  It doesn't take affect until 2017. 

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14274468/nfl-owners-ok-compensatory-pick-trading-2017

 

 

 

The owners, who are meeting in Irving, Texas, voted to allow compensatory draft picks to be traded beginning in 2017 and also voted to shorten the "legal tampering window" before free agency from three days to two.

Edited January 8, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[gekaap]

Wait a second....so it's a "negotiating ploy" for Ozzie to publicly claim that the other side can tell him to stuff off and they'll be fine? That makes no sense. That doesn't do anything to maneuver your own self into a better power position. Quite the opposite, it gives the other side increased power to press upon you. If Ozzie wanted to maneuver for negotiating purposes, he would be talking about an ability to put together a football team without Flacco, and being able to deal with potential dead money. That's the only way you gain leverage in this situation.

 

When Flacco got his contract all this fanboi cult worshipers said "Oh, it'll be renegotiated, it will HAVE to be. Everyone knows it." So the question was asked: What if Flacco doesn't agree to a renegotiation? And everyone said that he HAS to renegotiate, because everyone KNOWS the cap figure makes things impossible. Well now, it seems that both sides agree that no re-negotiation may be happening. And just like I and others said back then....Why SHOULD Flacco renegotiate and take less money? When the Ravens organization clearly (even if erroneously) acts like Flacco is a one man team football messiah, there is absolutely no reason in the world for Flacco to pass on his contractually obligated pay.

 

But if this is what people think of as "negotiating" then I would really, REALLY love to negotiate a business deal with you.

Edited January 8, 2016 by gekaap

[surfdude]

i stand corrected on the comp picks.

[bioLarzen]

Of course NOBODY is buying for a moment that Ozzie seriously entertains the idea of laaving Flacco's cap figure intact. That is not going to happen. Why?

 

"New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the league with a $30 million cap hit next season, followed by Flacco, New York Giants’ Eli Manning ($24.2 million), Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger ($23.9 million) and Falcons’ Matt Ryan ($23.75 million)."

 

How many of these 5 QBs teams made the playoffs? One - and even they only as a wild card team. And the other four didn't even really come close.

 

That's why.

Edited January 8, 2016 by bioLarzen

[surfdude]

The thing about these deals is that football is the ultimate team sport and without your other teammates you wont have great success. I understand that QBs are the most important player on the team, but I do remember Ravens have a dominate season and winning a super bowl with Dilfer. I know the game has changed, but the one thing that hasn't is that football is a team sport and will always be. Joe do what's right and renegotiate, I know you most likely good with your money. Do the right thing and put ego aside. Cuz I do remember you "wanted to be the highest paid player" after the SB. EGO c'mon man !

[January J]

Ozzie listen Heres what you do trade 2nd round pick and 1 3 rd comp pick for 1 more 1st round pick pick Jalen Ramsey then pick Treadwell. Use the other picks to draft pass rusher then a solid LG or LT tackle. That's it

well that's a wrap then..Ozzie needs to take heed in your advice bc your obviously a professional gm. It takes two teams to trade..you can't just jump anywhere around the board just because you want to. Otherwise all teams would be moving back into the first and taking multiple first round prospects.It has to make sense for both teams, and it generally takes more compensation than that. You also can't trade comp picks until 2017.

[harfordravenfan]

Per Joe's contract, even if the new 2016 salary cap allows the Ravens to absorb his $28M, I would hope they would still try to renegotiate so we can sign some of our own FAs or bring in others.  

 

The FO has to plan for both ways but i agree that the team would be very handicapped salary wise if his contract ain't re-worked. Less protection and targets for Flacco if a deal can't be struck (I believe it will be done but worried it will take way too long)

[Winchester]

Extending Joe Flacco's contract doesn't save the team caps space. It actually takes up more caps space. It just could save money next year and then you have a bigger problem coming down the road. Same with restructuring Webb's contract. It is just stealing money from future teams. And that is the reason we have the problems we do every year with cap space. Cutting Webb would only save 3.5 million dollars so if you think you can find a better free safety than him for that money do it. But i doubt you can.

Well, the hope is he takes a small paycut and moves some money!! The goal is to draft better and thus be better equipped couple years later to take the direct hit of Joe's formidable contract. Joe is a QB who likes to trust his receivers. It is why SS played far better than anybody thought he could at 36. And I agree with the Defense's talent level and scheme a high octane offense is necessary!! If anybody wants to get technical a high octane offense is necessary in today's NFL anyways!! At some point even teams with the most hyped defenses in the current national football league will need to win a shootout at at some point on the way to a championship. The ravens offensive line dominated the steelers and Bengals lines. And could add even more OLine talent in round one. If KO walks it will be necessary because Monroe is unreliable at best!! And injuries have taken some of his skills. As matter of fact look at pics of him recently then his pics from the jags. He looks deflated. Regardless of what the Eric oz and Harbs tried selling at the conference. The ravens OLine dominated. A couple legit playmakers and ravens would of beaten the Bengals convincingly!! Playmakers will lead to championship contention faster than a dback will.

 

Pees is what he is. Vanilla, conservative running a bend but don't break system that breaks statistically too often. If he's staying, we fail unless we address offense and are able to put up 30 or better most games. Pees will pull that rare great game, like the 2nd Steelers' game this year, where the offense might not need 30, but like I said last year - only a high octane offense saves us from Pees' brand of defense. And as we saw this year in Oakland, even THAT won't guarantee us a win.

[harfordravenfan]

well that's a wrap then..Ozzie needs to take heed in your advice bc your obviously a professional gm. It takes two teams to trade..you can't just jump anywhere around the board just because you want to. Otherwise all teams would be moving back into the first and taking multiple first round prospects.It has to make sense for both teams, and it generally takes more compensation than that. You also can't trade comp picks until 2017.

 

Listen here

 

A high second and untradeable low third to get back into the top 10 of the first... that one made me laugh

[MadMaxDj]

RE: Monachino and Pees - It makes sense that Pagano would get a good Ravens coach to become his DC and he knows and worked with Monachino. I'd have like to see the DB coach go but he sucks, but that's a separate issue. If we had to loss a defensive position coach LB coach is probably best because Pees was a damn good LB coach himself regardless of what anyone thinks of him now. With all the injury derailing his defenses recently I don't see all the Pees hate as rational. It's frustrating, yes, but I don;t believe that Rex or Pagano would've been able to overcome the same problems Pees has faced. As far as the defensive player talent level, that's on Ozzie and DeCosta. Overall this is a successful team since Harbs took the helm from Billick. Harbs has one losing season an missed out on 2 other SBs because of garbage Patriots cheating ans Lee stinking Evans. Pees was a part of every SB contending/winning team rebuilding three defenses by mid-season to end up one of the best defense in the second half of each of those seasons. Imagine what he can do with a healthy defensive unit? I think Bisciotti, Harbs and Ozzie understand that.

EXCEPT FOR THE FACT that aside from Suggs (who was a tougher blow than everybody expected) defense was basically intact the majority of the season...

 

Please don't come out with Canty losing time, because Lawrence Guy played almost as effectively as him...

[stixfix69]

Chillax people, we are a week into the off-season, FO and coaches are decompressing....Whatever deals need done will be done, whatever payers walk will walk, whoever we sign we will sign, whoever we restructure we will restructure....Not Oz's first rodeo when it comes to cap space issues....

[roamingcharges]

I think the defensive improvements in the second half of the season are a bit misleading. We played games against several lackluster offenses and when we played good offenses (KC and Seattle) we got torched. We did play the Steelers (a good offense) well, but that's a divisional game and those are more mental and spiritual than they are physical and tactical. That said I'll get used to the idea that Pees stays; it's not the end of the world.

 

Another point, I'm going to write myself a note to restrain myself from anyone that begins OTAs by touting our Ravens as early Superbowl favorites. I will live with money I earn not with projections and predictive calculations borne out of hopeless optimism. Thank you.