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

[757RavensFan]

Glad the nfl is allowing teams to trade compensatory picks this year, Ozzie will use that to his full advantage to hit a home run in this years draft.

Doesn't take affect until 2017.

[BmoreB]

dick butkus?

this was really funny lol

[Halshayeji]

I don't think the Ravens are afraid of Joe Flacco or Linta. They could care less. The reason they're not negotiating at this point is they are comfortable if he has to play this year at his cap rate. They perhaps don't want to renegotiate and give out a stupendous contract extension for two reasons. Joe has torn both ligaments in his knee and they would like to make sure he is fully healthy and can play at a high level first. Also, they may believe that Flacco has received a reward compensation for his SB victory already with his first contract. They may now want to extend him with a contract totally commensurate with his production. Right now, they may not believe that they can give out a large extension with top dollar right now. That is exactly what Linta may want from the Ravens. So, they will do what is in the best interest of the entire team and franchise. Our front office is responsible to put together a full team that is competitive and good enough to win us a few SBs. They're not in the business of Joe Linta, whose express purpose is to get more money than any other QBs' for his client Joe Flacco. That may not help the Ravens put a complete roster that can actually help win anything. And Joe isn't a transcendental QB (Like a Brady or P. Manning or even a Rodgers) who can carry this team to SB wins with limited talent around him. In fact, he's proven that he needs a really good supporting cast to be successful.

I really hope your right. Joes agent keeps playing hard to get and now it's the Ravens turn to say hey...... We love your client but won't wreck our future unless we have to. Especially since he's coming of knee surgery. This time I really think joe will step up and end this drama himself if he has to. I'm not expecting that cap hit to look like Brady's but I am expecting Joe to act like the joe we know. "I don't care about the money because I already got it" now it's time to win! But Joe won't get disrespected with a pathetic contract. I have no idea man. I'd hate loosing the best quarterback in franchise history. But I'd hate to pay this quarterback the richest contract in history. Again lol

[Halshayeji]

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.

We only complain because we are passionate and always want it all. Steve and Ozzie are to blame because they spoiled us with their class and smarts. You called it the way it is. This season came from hell and we still believed and watched every minute of every game! We can argue why we'd like the cap money to be spent but no one can argue that Steve always spends till the cap stops him. No one can deny that he attempts to hire the best and usually does.

Oh man this season hurt but seriously. Id rather be hurt for the Ravens than for anyone else. Keep bleeding purple Ravens flock......... We'll be back sooner than later

[balfan23]

"I don't know what negotiations we're talking about" - Linta

 

Hearing such an obviously flippant reply is concerns me. No, we're not currently in negotiations. Yes, Ozzie did say that they will look at whether they could put together a football team without having to renegotiate.

 

When the team gets together to discuss whether they can put together a winning football team without negotiations ... the answer is going to come back, NO. Ozzie spoke specifically about using Webb as an FS, so he's not going to be cut to save $. SSS is not retiring ... so where is this cap space coming from for us to do anything if we don't work with Joe's exorbitant cap hit? The increase in the league cap? Yeah, that's not going to be sufficient, as that is just going to escalate the salaries of those who we will need to sign to improve this team (and we do need to improve this team)

 

So, Mr. Linta, that's the negotiations this interviewer we're talking about.

[Moderator 3]

I actually think they should hold off as long as possible to make sure Joe is fully recovered first.

[gooftroop]

"I don't know what negotiations we're talking about" - Linta

 

Hearing such an obviously flippant reply is definitely a concern. No, we're not currently in negotiations. Yes, Ozzie did say that they will look at whether they could put together a football team without having to renegotiate.

 

When the team gets together to discuss whether they can put together a winning football team without negotiations ... the answer is going to come back, NO. Ozzie spoke specifically about using Webb as an FS, so he's not going to be cut to save $. SSS is not retiring ... so where is this cap space coming from for us to do anything if we don't work with Joe's exorbitant cap hit? The increase in the league cap? Yeah, that's not going to be sufficient, as that is just going to escalate the salaries of those who we will need to sign to improve this team (and we do need to improve this team)

 

So, Mr. Linta, that's the negotiations this interviewer we're talking about.

What's Joe's agent supposed to do? Answer the question in such a way that it makes the fans happy?

[balfan23]

What's Joe's agent supposed to do? Answer the question in such a way that it makes the fans happy?

Please ... he knows darn well that negotiations over his contract are looming. Perhaps answer it not like a smart aleck, when a reporter is just trying to do their job? How about that maybe. 

[balfan23]

I actually think they should hold off as long as possible to make sure Joe is fully recovered first.

The problem is in order to utilize the money that would be freed up by reworking his contract, a new deal will have to be reached by early spring ... otherwise, it will be of no use as many FAs will already be on the move by then (including our own). I don't think we're going to be able to have a solid understanding of Joe's recovery before that. 

[purpledown]

Just saw Alex Smith win a playoff game for the Chiefs. He is a game manager has a solid running game and good defense. I believe the Ravens can win without Flacco, if necessary with the same type of things going for them.

[utalkingtome123]

The thing that I did notice is that Mallet kind of spread the ball around more and receivers actually sometimes tried to get open, it may have been the same ones like aiken, butler, max williams but atleast they played aggressive ad hungry which I like. Flake doesn't read defenses and kind of only looks at 1 or 2 people to throw to. Still are they the answers to our receiving....no we still need way better receivers but I did notice that.

[Crusader]

Agents and Lawyers are in the same category. They suck unto they are in your corner.

[MTRavensFan]

Doesn't take affect until 2017.

When, hopefully, we'll be back to picking at 32.

Seriously, it sucks we can't trade comp picks this year.

[harfordravenfan]

"I don't know what negotiations we're talking about" - Linta

 

Hearing such an obviously flippant reply is concerns me. No, we're not currently in negotiations. Yes, Ozzie did say that they will look at whether they could put together a football team without having to renegotiate.

 

When the team gets together to discuss whether they can put together a winning football team without negotiations ... the answer is going to come back, NO. Ozzie spoke specifically about using Webb as an FS, so he's not going to be cut to save $. SSS is not retiring ... so where is this cap space coming from for us to do anything if we don't work with Joe's exorbitant cap hit? The increase in the league cap? Yeah, that's not going to be sufficient, as that is just going to escalate the salaries of those who we will need to sign to improve this team (and we do need to improve this team)

 

So, Mr. Linta, that's the negotiations this interviewer we're talking about.

 

If Linta refuses to re-negotiate the contract (saying he wants more), I hope Joe steps in

 

it's Linta's job but lost some respect for his comment, not a very professional thing to say

[balfan23]

If Linta refuses to re-negotiate the contract (saying he wants more), I hope Joe steps in

 

it's Linta's job but lost some respect for his comment, not a very professional thing to say

I wouldn't count on Joe stepping in. Most players just leave it to the agent and let them be the bad guy. 

 

I don't know that this is necessarily anything to worry about. At the end of this exchange, it was stated that "If the Ravens end up approaching Linta to re-work the contract, he said he and Flacco would be open to that.". I'm just a little concerned that the rude reply is an indicator of what we may have in store for us when the team ultimately does approach them about it. 

 

I say "when" not "if" above, because I just see no way that we're going to be able to field a winner - cap increase or not - with the weight of his cap hit on the team. The tweets from Smolka and Zrebiec indicated as much. I love Joe and defend him when many in our fan base don't appreciate him, but to say "That's the price of these types of quarterbacks" ... is to compare him with absolute upper echelon of the league and I'm just not of the mind that he's in that group. 

[BMORE = BEASTING]

I don't know if there is a precedent in the NFL where a retired player's first coaching job was NFL DC or OC, without any kind of position coaching or assistant coaching experience... That would be highly, highly unlikely, even if Ray was interested - which we don't know.

 

Are you trying to say Lewis has no coaching experience?  If yes, that's absurd.  He might not have had a formal title of being a coach, but he has provided many lessons to fellow players, he reads offensive formations better than most OCs.  He calls better defensive plays than DCs as well. 

[harfordravenfan]

I wouldn't count on Joe stepping in. Most players just leave it to the agent and let them be the bad guy. 

 

I don't know that this is necessarily anything to worry about. At the end of this exchange, it was stated that "If the Ravens end up approaching Linta to re-work the contract, he said he and Flacco would be open to that.". I'm just a little concerned that the rude reply is an indicator of what we may have in store for us when the team ultimately does approach them about it. 

 

I say "when" not "if" above, because I just see no way that we're going to be able to field a winner - cap increase or not - with the weight of his cap hit on the team. The tweets from Smolka and Zrebiec indicated as much. I love Joe and defend him when many in our fan base don't appreciate him, but to say "That's the price of these types of quarterbacks" ... is to compare him with absolute upper echelon of the league and I'm just not of the mind that he's in that group. 

 

totally agree and also believe they will approach Linta with hopes of restructuring. Just sucks having to rely so much on a guy like that agreeing to a deal (in a timely manner) in order for us to truly be financially able to truly compete.

[harfordravenfan]

Are you trying to say Lewis has no coaching experience?  If yes, that's absurd.  He might not have had a formal title of being a coach, but he has provided many lessons to fellow players, he reads offensive formations better than most OCs.  He calls better defensive plays than DCs as well. 

 

Kind of a moot point (whether you think he has coaching experience or not) cause IMO I couldn't see Ray being remotely interested in dropping such a sweet job to work the crazy hours a coach works

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Linta will help negotiate when the time comes, but all decisions will ultimately come down the what Joe wants and thinks is best. Joe's a smart level headed person so, I do not forsee much issue negotiating a new deal. The exact details may take some time to get right, but Joe will not be a scrooge at the table. He's had enough time to think about that on his couch recovering.

[Virginia 55]

If Flacco or his agent is not willing to renegotiate then we dont need either of them. Flacco can be replaced! It's really that simple. There is no way we are giving 20 to a player that might only be worth slightly over half that. Overnight we might turn into the Redskins. SMH

[RavenManiac#7]

I don't like what professional sports has become in the way of finances. Money truly has changed sports and not for the better. And players' agents are near the top of the list of things that have negatively affected pro sports. And Linta, well, let's just say that I think he is one of the worst as far as anything goes except his clients. I certainly realize that's his job, but he really is a pain in the. I like Joe, but I don't want him, or anybody else, to care only for himself so much that he is detrimental to the team. If he can't instruct his agent to negotiate a restructure of his contract that will help his team better themselves by reducing his cap figure then I'm going to lose some respect for him. We're not talking about him giving money away by taking less pay. We're talking about the way in which he is paid the same amount of money. It's done all the time and both Joe and Linta knew that this was coming. Linta even said so himself. Greed is a very ugly thing. To me, this isn't just about football. To some degree, I think this is going to tell me something about the kind of man Joe is, not QB, but man. I think I already know what kind of man Linta is. I believe it takes a certain kind of man to even Be a players' agent. Unfortunately, life can sometimes be ugly and I think money as it relates to pro sports is a prime example of that.

Edited January 17, 2016 by Moderator 3
Inappropriate comments removed