[News] Late For Work 1/12: Chances Of Ravens Pursuing Alshon Jeffery, Anquan Boldin, Haloti Ngata?

[BR News]

Leverage in Flacco contract. Build defense less reliant on Suggs? Drafting ahead of 49ers may make difference.

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[jravens13]

Emmanuel Ogbah please and thank you Ozzie. The REAL question we all should be asking is: Why is Flacco's cap number so high???

[Dorota]

I expect that Sizzle will play next year and to a high level, the way we expect him to. However, Za'Darius Smith is a potential replacement for him when Sizzle decides to call it a day in the future. That is, we can't expect the same, because Sizzle is exceptional, but Za'Darius has good speed, great wingspan and can get at the QB and can be a threat that Courtney Upshaw just isn't. It'll take some work and lots of experience, but he's promising. Also, if we can get to keep Courtney, it'll work to our benefit. He does a lot of under-the-radar stuff, that helps out pass rushers do their job.

 

As to attitude guys, we have those. The stars of this, masters of making people go mental, without being cheap are of course Terrell Suggs on defense and Steve Smith Sr on offense. Another guy with an attitude that I've noticed is Timmy Jernigan. He can wind people up bigtime and he's a showman. However, he has to mature, because he did cause us penalties with at least two cheap shots this year, the first one being the late late hit on the QB, the other I can't remember. If he can keep in check, he's got the attitude to prove a showman for us and a pest to fans of all other teams. You have to have guys that other teams' fans love to hate!

Edited January 12, 2016 by Dorota

[cobrajet]

Actually Boldin's stats were not too bad. I would not be upset if he still wants to play and would be willing to sign here at a discounted rate. I would love to have Jeffery but the Bears made it clear they want him to stay, so he is not going to come cheap and we do not have the much cap space.

[gabrielgrissom]

To be completely honest I would like to see upshaw sign somewhere else for the better of the team... yes because I mean he is a glaring factor in how kruger and mcphee walked... granted kruger cant defend the run to save his life but if upshaw isnt on the roster I believe we retain at least one of those two... I am excited to see zadarius develop I like him outside more than inside... and I believe he can develop into a solid edgesetter

[fusuymada]

Flacco's cap number is so high because we pushed it back to have cap space in the past 3 seasons to be able to function. Right or wrong, Flacco got paid for the Super Bowl and we all agree on that. Well, the Super Bowl is over, Joe has missed the playoffs 2 of 3 years and a lot of that is on his back with wild throws and interceptions. The Joes (Linta and Flacco) need to realize that he can't continue to be paid like a super bowl MVP when he has a losing record since the super bowl. Let's get serious and I am not a Flacco basher by any means. We have the spot we have and while everyone is clamoring for a CB, WR or pass rusher, maybe it is time to grab a young QB and put him on the field like we did Flacco and grow with him. Flacco can be traded just like Ngata was and the Joes needs to realize that. He is good, but he is not elite, and he can not carry a team on his back. He can produce well enough that if a team has a good defense, he can get in the playoffs. That is not worth 27 million dollars. I want Flacco, but I want him at a price that is commensurate with his talent. 27 million is about 15 million more than he is worth IMO.

[SCravenfan]

I wondering if we had taken Burfict and he had a year with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. A few years with Coach Harbaugh and Suggs, what would he be like. I believe with our strong leadership and Ray's guidance we would have tamed his thugness. What do y'all think

[bioLarzen]

The REAL question we all should be asking is: Why is Flacco's cap number so high???

 

That is not really a question, is it? After the Super Bowl win, it was kind of obvious that it's gonna take a monster deal to keep Flacco in Baltimore. And when you have a monster contract, it has to have huge chunks at some point. For Flacco, it starts with year 3.

[Wildabeast88]

Emmanuel Ogbah please and thank you Ozzie. The REAL question we all should be asking is: Why is Flacco's cap number so high???

FLacco's cap hit is so high because he made a 1mil base in 2013 after being the Super Bowl MVP and doing his deal very cap friendly on the front end while renegotiating after a few years to extend further out and level the cap hit from there

[jravens13]

he looks more like a DE than an OLB

He is a freak. 6-4 275, long arms, motor, and he got to the QB in every game. He would be very similar to Suggs in terms of size and athleticism. I would call him a hybrid DE/OLB for a 3/4. He will not be dropping in coverage very often because he does his damage in the backfield. 11 Sacks as a Sophomore, 13 as a Junior. 

Edited January 12, 2016 by jravens13

[bioLarzen]

Although everone takes it for granted that Flacco's contract is gonna be redone (and I think so, too), let's just for a moment imagine it doesn't, as the two sides cannot agree. What may be the #2 way the Ravens would go from there? Swallow the 28M cap number and go from there, or cut him? Before we got Mallett, it was kinda obvious the Ravens weren't in the position to seriously consider letting Flacco go - but now we have a QB who we can at least imagine could be good enough to manage the team's O. Swallowing the current cap number would basically inhibit any kind of serious restocking...

 

So, let's hope the deal gets redone because if it isn't, Ozzie can only choose from two real bad options...

[bioLarzen]

I wonder how those who want Ngata back think about this all... I totally understand the emotional part of this - but we have more than enough holes to be patched - why even thinking of spending top dollar on one of the few positions where we are all right? That would be like thinking about trying to get Luck when we have Flacco...

[billiejean]

That is not really a question, is it? After the Super Bowl win, it was kind of obvious that it's gonna take a monster deal to keep Flacco in Baltimore. And when you have a monster contract, it has to have huge chunks at some point. For Flacco, it starts with year 3.

hey bio would you by chance know what draft picks we have this year.  I know we don't know the compensatory picks yet, but didn't we do some pick swapping for Gino Gradkowski and even for that UDFA center that we sent to the niners.  I can't find this info anywhere.  Cheers 

Edited January 12, 2016 by billiejean

[jravens13]

FLacco's cap hit is so high because he made a 1mil base in 2013 after being the Super Bowl MVP and doing his deal very cap friendly on the front end while renegotiating after a few years to extend further out and level the cap hit from there

 

That is not really a question, is it? After the Super Bowl win, it was kind of obvious that it's gonna take a monster deal to keep Flacco in Baltimore. And when you have a monster contract, it has to have huge chunks at some point. For Flacco, it starts with year 3.

So why did his contract take 3 years to kick in, and sacrifice cap space? Which put us in a bad spot for 2016, 2017, 2018. We were 5-11 last year looking to add playmakers and we are completely hindered by backloaded contracts of Jimmy, Webb, Flacco, Monroe, and Pitta. I don't understand why we continue to make deals like this. Look how injuries, and declining performance has backfired on these deals. Pay a flat base and stay disciplined financially. We could actually add some high impact Free Agents for a change when there are bargains, or retain more of our own. 

 

Our records since his contract: 8-8, 10-6, 5-11. One Playoff in appearance three years and now his cap number is doubling. 

 

If his salary had a flat base, we would already have a deal done with KO. Instead we are assuming that he is already gone. 

Edited January 12, 2016 by jravens13

[The Mom Gene]

Ngata played the entire season knicked up. We have Jernigan and Brandon Williams. While I loved Ngata while he was here, and would love to see him come back and retire a Raven, he's just beyond it all.

Still cannot believe the classlessness of that game the other night. Absolutely is an embarrassment to the AFC North.

[salamander]

There is a lot of negative focus on not only the Bengals, but the Steelers as well, after the out of control playoff game. I think the reputations of both teams will be damaged further for years with accusations of dirty players tolerated, lack of discipline, etc. I am glad that the Ravens organization is not the current national focus of this scorn, distraction and controversy.

Edited January 12, 2016 by salamander

[gabrielgrissom]

I wondering if we had taken Burfict and he had a year with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. A few years with Coach Harbaugh and Suggs, what would he be like. I believe with our strong leadership and Ray's guidance we would have tamed his thugness. What do y'all think

I mean If its one thing he has had was mentoring oppurtunities... veterans around him maualuga peko james harrison coaching staff reggie nelson etc... Who knows though 

[Ravensfansince03]

Kam Chancellor was a 5th round draft pick.

[January J]

He is a freak. 6-4 275, long arms, motor, and he got to the QB in every game. He would be very similar to Suggs in terms of size and athleticism. I would call him a hybrid DE/OLB for a 3/4. He will not be dropping in coverage very often because he does his damage in the backfield. 11 Sacks as a Sophomore, 13 as a Junior.

at 6? I dont think so...  

hey bio would you by chance know what draft picks we have this year.  I know we don't know the compensatory picks yet, but didn't we do some pick swapping for Gino Gradkowski and even for that UDFA center that we sent to the niners.  I can't find this info anywhere.  Cheers

I could be wrong but right now I believe we have a first, a second, a third, 2 fourths and a sixth.

[TheSim]

We were 5-11 last year looking to add playmakers and we are completely hindered by backloaded contracts of Jimmy, Webb, Flacco, Monroe, and Pitta.

 

We started the 2015 season with over $8m in free cap space. Cap room had virtually nothing to do with the failures of the team in 2015.

[The Greek]

of course they need to build that defense with the mindset that suggs will not be here because he will most likely retire in another year or 2 and his production will drop as well. need to draft and develop or sign faster younger pass rushers asap

[whobilly]

If Boldin "Showed Signs Of Aging" with 69 catches whats the word on Torrey Smith who had a whopping 33 receptions? If the Ravens could get Boldin for the right price why not? Again, ONLY at the right price.

[WNC-Raven]

Although everony takes it for granted that Flacco's contract is gonna be redone (and I think so, too), let's just for a moment imagine it doesn't, as the two sides cannot agree. What may be the #2 way the Ravens would go from there? Swallow the 28M cap number and go from there, or cut him? Before we got Mallett, it was kinda obvious the Ravens weren't in the position to seriously consider letting Flacco go - but now we have a QB who we can at least imagine could be good enough to manage the team's O. Swallowing the current cap number would basically inhibit any kind of serious restocking...

 

So, let's hope the deal gets redone because if it isn't, Ozzie can only choose from two real bad options...

How much is the cap hit for Flacco if he was cut? If it meant we had an extra 20mil or so to load up the team with a new star WR, CB, safety, keep KO then it may not be so bad. We will be discussing restructuring Flacco's contract for the remainder of his time with the team and it will mortgage our future every time.

[Tenacious Faulker]

Re: Picking ahead of San Fran - Ozzie could use this draft as a chance to actually move UP. Bosa has got to be highest on their list next to perhaps Tunsil (who'll go #1). The Chargers would likely take Bosa so it will cost the equivalent of a 2nd and a 3rd minimum to get to ask them to step back and a 3rd to get to #4 to ask Dallas to do the same. That is if his bowl suspension doesn't cause him to drop.

If they can;t get a shot at him, then yes, I see a trade back if a top CB is still available in that space.

[Tenacious Faulker]

Re: Free agent targets - Alshon Jeffery is a pipe dream unless he's looking to sign specifically with Baltimore. Ngata could return at an affordable price IF his poor 2015 campaign did enough to make him more affordable. I think the fans would love having him back and his veteran presences will be needed to guide the younger DL players. Boldin is a fantasy. I love the guy, but unless SSS recants his un-retirement statement then he's not necessary.

[Wildabeast88]

at 6? I dont think so...  I could be wrong but right now I believe we have a first, a second, a third, 2 fourths and a sixth.

that is correct plus comp picks projections 2-4th rounders(McPhee,Smith) and a 5th for Daniels I hate that the projection has Tyrod Not getting us a pick just missing the cutoff

[Tenacious Faulker]

Re: Can they build a defense with less Suggs? - Its not IF, but the MUST. If Suggs can return to form, it'll be in 2017. He wasn't the same after his last Achillies but returned to for the season after. That's reasonable for a man of his age and this injury history.

Re: Ravens need players with attitude and restraint - That would nice, but I think they understand that. Those players are costly in free agency and they can't spend that much of a single player. The current cap situation allows them only so much, so if they do get Joe to take a restructure, it will be for that reason. Joe will need to weigh whether he can win with what he has or if he needs help. Even Brady, Brees, Peyton and Ben have restructured because the want to win more than maximize their already considerable salary in one year. I could see Joe doing this too. It will be the only way they can afford a top player now that the $24M in 2016 dead money is nearly gone.

[Tenacious Faulker]

How much is the cap hit for Flacco if he was cut? If it meant we had an extra 20mil or so to load up the team with a new star WR, CB, safety, keep KO then it may not be so bad. We will be discussing restructuring Flacco's contract for the remainder of his time with the team and it will mortgage our future every time.

Most other teams with a top QB have to manage this too.  There isn't anyone else they could field that has Joe's ability and if we're talking Mallet, he had one good game fir us and one bad one.  That's not enough to consider cutting Joe for the money even if it was feasible.  There's simply no one out there unless you want to start again with a rookie QB in 2016.

[balfan23]

Chances of the Ravens pursing these guys? Zero percent, zero percent and zero percent.

 

On Boldin and Ngata ... While the cost of these guys fit within the normal FA level that we may pursue, they really make no sense for us. If SSS retired, then Boldin would be a maybe, but the addition we need at WR is not an aging guy on the verge of retirement. Of all the needs this team has, interior D line isn't one of them, so Ngata won't be on our radar.

 

While it could be argued that it would be nice to have Jeffrey - he's high cost and high risk (with respect to injury). We never spend big partly because we never have money and this year is no exception.

[balfan23]

How much is the cap hit for Flacco if he was cut? If it meant we had an extra 20mil or so to load up the team with a new star WR, CB, safety, keep KO then it may not be so bad. We will be discussing restructuring Flacco's contract for the remainder of his time with the team and it will mortgage our future every time.

Shedding Flacco will not give us a sudden ability to go crazy on the FA market. His cap hit if we do not renegotiate is $28.5M and is $25.8M if we cut him.

 

So often, fans will talk about the possibility of trading untradeable players. If we decided to let Joe go (which as Zrebiek indicated in this article is "not happening), he would be a clear case for a trade. The cap implications stated above don't change in that scenario ... trade = cut in terms of cap hit. But we'd no doubt get a 1st rounder in return (maybe more).

 

Renegotiating his contract seems to be the only reasonable path, but there are no guarantees that will go smoothly.