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

[balfan23]

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 don't know ... as the chain gang captain famously said in the classic movie "Cool Hand Luke" ... "What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach"

 

Some guys are just immature and can be molded. Others are just what they are. You may even get them under control for a bit, then they eventually go their own way no matter what. I think Burfict is who he is and no mentor is going to be able to change that. 

[balfan23]

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...

That's a good question ... I'll be surprised if it comes to that, but it would be interesting (well, actually more like horrifying) if the team finds itself in this position. Actually, I'd think it would be more a decision to swallow his entire cap or trade (not cut). I think there are teams who would be willing to take on his salary and give up meaningful draft picks in return. I think Houston would be on top of that list.

 

What would be more painful, fielding the team we have (minus virtually every FA we have and adding virtually no FAs ... low cost or otherwise) or have Mallet be our starter for 1 year (who knows what happens after that) and only add an additional 1st round pick and maybe a second (via the Flacco trade) and another mid level FA (with the whopping $2.8M in savings)?  

 

As you say, 2 very bad options. 

[Winchester]

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.

He was dominated by Tunsil in the bowl game

[goldenboldin]

Lets clear up one thing -- Kamar Aiken is no Anquan Boldin lol #HOF #ToughAsNails

[cushrinada1986]

I wonder if the Ravens would be willing to draft out of the top ten, mayble 11-12, to stock pile picks and rebuild the defense. I think there still may be some very solid players at DB, pass rusher, and Oline from pick 11 on.

[goldenboldin]

According to this article, either the Ravens wont spend money because the players are young, in their prime and expensive.... or because players are too old.... OK who else is left? The Ravens are tight on cap. Jeffrey (who I'd love) is a reach and Boldin (my fav Raven) doesn't fill an immediate need in the slot.. but Ngata could come at a good deal. Can never have too many interior linemen.

[roamingcharges]

At this stage of Flacco's career would it be egregious for the Ravens to consider it if a QB needy team offered the package the Redskins paid for Robert Griffin for him?

[jravens13]

He was dominated by Tunsil in the bowl game

Dominated? He was still effective and getting pressure even though he didn't get a sack. PS: Tunsil is the best tackle prospect since Ogden, and he will be gone 1 or 2. And if you just have Suggs, a Tackle w/help can quiet them down. We need two guys that force double teams on the edge. 

Edited January 12, 2016 by jravens13

[jravens13]

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.

Cause we couldn't add talent at key positions. AKA we let McPhee and Torrey walk, yet we couldn't bring in guys to replace them in free agency either. 

[b93333]

It should be remembered that Joe pays Linta to be his agent. If Linta plays hardball with the Ravens (which he assuredly will) it's really Flacco calling the shots. We shall soon see if Joe wants to win or if he wants to simply get richer.

[reed20fence]

Perhaps BR.com should put a poll out there.

How comfertable are you as a fan swapping the 6th overall for a mid to late 1st round pick this year and having multiple first round picks next year as a result (as well as additional picks in later rounds this year and future years)?

Keep in mind that if we pick late this year we swing right back around and have the 6th pick in the 2nd round as well.

I get that we want playmakers. But that's just it, we want playmakerS. Plural, not one high pick that could or could not pan out.

Edited January 12, 2016 by reed20fence

[EdBallhawkReed20]

Hey guys we do have the no.6 pick in the draft on that Flacco deal. It is in an option moving forward. Honestly, I'm all up for option 2 or 3. Mallett, Tucker, and K.O. for Flacco sounds like a viable choice. If you are going to keep Flacco and renegotiate the contract get Anquain Boldin. Joe Flacco does not have a history of playing well with young receivers. I personally don't think its the receivers in a total of 8 years, but he plays better with older veteran receivers. Anquain and Permian (any speed receiver will do) on the outside with Steve Smith in the slot. Joe in my eyes needs to be replaced for obvious reasons, but if kept that would be the best option via drafting a big body catching receiver like Dez Bryant.

[trevorsteadman]

From my perspective, the only way that we can fix our offense is through multiple drafts. Say what you want, but Gus Bradley and the Jags a couple years ago said they are going to go out and draft primarily only offensive players. They drafted Bortles, Robinson, Lee, and got undrafted Hurns. Now that offense is near the top of the league with players in their first and second years. The only way we can fix our offense is through multiple drafts. Sure we drafted Perriman and Williams last year... But is that enough? I say no. Perriman has yet to show anything and Williams showed flashes but that is not enough to rely on him. In my opinion, we need to draft another receiver with a high pick. I wouldn't be upset with Treadwell at #6. Our defense started showing up a lot at the end of the season, ending at the #2 best defense the last 8 games or something like that. Yes we need defense, but we end up finding a lot of good players at the 3rd or 4th picks. The Ravens need to find those play makers because when Steve Smith is gone the Ravens offense will be non existent.

[trevorsteadman]

Perhaps BR.com should put a poll out there.

How comfertable are you as a fan swapping the 6th overall for a mid to late 1st round pick this year and having multiple first round picks next year as a result (as well as additional picks in later rounds this year and future years)?

Keep in mind that if we pick late this year we swing right back around and have the 6th pick in the 2nd round as well.

I get that we want playmakers. But that's just it, we want playmakerS. Plural, not one high pick that could or could not pan out.

As much as that sounds great... With aging players like Suggs, Dumervil, Steve Smith, and Daryl Smith I do not think the team would benefit. They are in win now mode the next 2 years before those guys are all most likely out the door. That is the core of our team right there. Also with trading picks for future years is really risky because you do not know how well that certain team will play and if they play well then we would get low draft picks... 

[January J]

I wonder if the Ravens would be willing to draft out of the top ten, mayble 11-12, to stock pile picks and rebuild the defense. I think there still may be some very solid players at DB, pass rusher, and Oline from pick 11 on.

very possible and much more likely than trading up. Trading up would take away picks in the 2nd and third - which is where most of the value is in this draft. With the holes we need filled it is much more likely we stockpile picks and I really don't even see trading up as an option.

[January J]

As much as that sounds great... With aging players like Suggs, Dumervil, Steve Smith, and Daryl Smith I do not think the team would benefit. They are in win now mode the next 2 years before those guys are all most likely out the door. That is the core of our team right there. Also with trading picks for future years is really risky because you do not know how well that certain team will play and if they play well then we would get low draft picks...

cant see us moving back more than 5 or 6 spots unless a team like Philly or St. Louis absolutely break the bank for us.

[cushrinada1986]

very possible and much more likely than trading up. Trading up would take away picks in the 2nd and third - which is where most of the value is in this draft. With the holes we need filled it is much more likely we stockpile picks and I really don't even see trading up as an option.

So how far can OZ go? even pick 15 would have some nice value to someone like the Texans or even a team like NE who dont even have a 2nd round pick. Not to get too much into "Madden Science" here but I think its possible OZ could trade back to a point where he could get away with a 2nd and maybe even 2 additional 3rd round picks before his first selection. I like Mackensie Alexander, Eli Apple, Eric Murray, and DJ White. I figure if we can trade back and still get 2 of the 4 mentioned then we escape with some good players to rebuild the DB group.

[trevorsteadman]

cant see us moving back more than 5 or 6 spots unless a team like Philly or St. Louis absolutely break the bank for us.

There is still a big risk.. Let's say St. Louis gave us a 2nd round pick and they ended up going to the playoffs next season... We would get a low pick #2. If it was a high pick #2 I would agree because round 1 talent could fall, but if a player like Bosa (won't happen, Tunsil (won't happen), Ramsey, or Treadwell fall to us at #6 I would say take them. We need play makers and trading back has given us solid starters but we need elite talent to get turnovers and big plays that is what the team is lacking. Our depth showed really well this year keeping up with teams with 3rd and 4th string talent. That big jump to be a play off team will need to be aided with elite talent.

[trevorsteadman]

So how far can OZ go? even pick 15 would have some nice value to someone like the Texans or even a team like NE who dont even have a 2nd round pick. Not to get too much into "Madden Science" here but I think its possible OZ could trade back to a point where he could get away with a 2nd and maybe even 2 additional 3rd round picks before his first selection. I like Mackensie Alexander, Eli Apple, Eric Murray, and DJ White. I figure if we can trade back and still get 2 of the 4 mentioned then we escape with some good players to rebuild the DB group.

Texans were a play off team so they will be drafting I believe in early 20's and it would take a lot more in my opinion for them to move up into the top 10

[Big G]

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.

It is actually year 4. The first 3 years the cap was below the league average for a franchise QB. He deserved what he got and I am sure he will do a new contract that puts more up front money in his pocket and again is cap friendly for the Ravens.

[ellicottraven]

No to Jeffrey, no to Boldin and no to Ngata. We are great the way we are.

[Grapple Raven]

I'm not normally a King fan, but on this one instance I say Bravo to Peter King for that "Open Letter To Players" for coming out and stating a premise that the majority of professional sports media analyst have refused so far to acknowledge.  If you haven't read it, it is a great read and something that needed to be said.  Thank you Peter King!

 

Link to his article:  http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/01/11/nfl-open-letter-players

[gekaap]

Regarding the three options on Flacco's contract, the second one is the most important. As explained, cutting or trading Flacco just isn't going to happen. And THAT is the only fact that really matters. Because it's the only option that gives the Ravens any scintilla of leverage. But there's absolutely no way that the Ravens will pull that trigger. Thus, they have zero leverage.

 

The other two options are 100% at the mercy of Flacco, though he apparently defers all such matters to his agent. Neither Flacco nor his agent Linta have any incentive whatsoever to renegotiate. Linta especially doesn't care one iota about the Ravens' cap problems. Why would he? His job is to make the most money he can, and he does that by getting the biggest payday possible for his clients.

 

The ONLY way the Ravens can gain any leverage to entice Flacco to renegotiate is to get serious and to be willing to get rid of him. If he were to hit the open market he gets far less money. So, until the Ravens are willing to cut Flacco, they are stuck with Flacco, and his big contract. This should be a lesson to everyone. When you sign an agreement you're going to be held to that agreement.

Edited January 12, 2016 by gekaap

[Winchester]

Dominated? He was still effective and getting pressure even though he didn't get a sack. PS: Tunsil is the best tackle prospect since Ogden, and he will be gone 1 or 2. And if you just have Suggs, a Tackle w/help can quiet them down. We need two guys that force double teams on the edge.

Not sure what you consider effective. I like Tunsil but he is not the best tackle prospect since Ogden. And Tunsil did dominate Ogbah!! The broadcasters made several references to Tunsil dominating Ogbah.

[bioLarzen]

That's a good question ... I'll be surprised if it comes to that, but it would be interesting (well, actually more like horrifying) if the team finds itself in this position. Actually, I'd think it would be more a decision to swallow his entire cap or trade (not cut). I think there are teams who would be willing to take on his salary and give up meaningful draft picks in return. I think Houston would be on top of that list.

 

What would be more painful, fielding the team we have (minus virtually every FA we have and adding virtually no FAs ... low cost or otherwise) or have Mallet be our starter for 1 year (who knows what happens after that) and only add an additional 1st round pick and maybe a second (via the Flacco trade) and another mid level FA (with the whopping $2.8M in savings)?  

 

As you say, 2 very bad options. 

 

The question is how much dead money Flacco would leave in our cap.

[bioLarzen]

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).

 

Bosa is projected to go at #1. If you study the Trade Value Chart, you'll see that it would either take just about all our tradable picks of the next draft or multiple 1st-2nd round picks to trade up frm #6 to #1 - and not a lot less to #2. That means unless something unexpected happens until the draft, these players may just as well be out of our range.

[bioLarzen]

So how far can OZ go? even pick 15 would have some nice value to someone like the Texans or even a team like NE who dont even have a 2nd round pick. 

 

Either of these teams would have to give up a HUGE LOT of picks to trade up to #6 - possibly multiple 1st/2nd rounders for years. Ozzie would jump at once at such an offer.

 

Sadly, it seems less than unlikely. Such a trade would be very, very hard to justify on their behalf. And the Pats never give up half of what it would take.

Edited January 12, 2016 by bioLarzen

[January J]

There is still a big risk.. Let's say St. Louis gave us a 2nd round pick and they ended up going to the playoffs next season... We would get a low pick #2. If it was a high pick #2 I would agree because round 1 talent could fall, but if a player like Bosa (won't happen, Tunsil (won't happen), Ramsey, or Treadwell fall to us at #6 I would say take them. We need play makers and trading back has given us solid starters but we need elite talent to get turnovers and big plays that is what the team is lacking. Our depth showed really well this year keeping up with teams with 3rd and 4th string talent. That big jump to be a play off team will need to be aided with elite talent.

the 2nd round pick would likely be for this year. They might even give us a first rounder for next year too...which in your scenario would be a low first round pick...but it's still a first rounder. And then there's the chance they lose 12 games and we end up with a shot at a guy like fournette to take forsetts place...or whichever top 5 talent is on the board next year.

[law215]

When it comes to being in the top ten, I value quality of a pick over quantity of picks. It's rare that a team that expects to compete for championship have a top 10 pick where you can find the elite pass rushers, sure thing LTs, CBs, DBs. Ravens need to just get the guy at #6. They can always move up and down day two. There are no sure things, but the more you move down the board, the more you move away from a consensus pick.

[Halshayeji]

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...

I for one really loved Ngata as a player and as a man when he was here. It bothered me that people started bashing him for not taking a huge paycut on his backloaded contract that was cap friendly for the majority of his stay here. It bothered me even more when people all of a sudden forgot how great he was for years and years as a terror to opponent teams quarterbacks and just destroyed opponents game plans.

Most people commenting on his play in Det didn't even watch him play a single snap! The dude still demands double teams and makes things easy for teammates in the line. Watch the film and don't follow stats is all I have to say to them.

I for one wish Ngata back but understand that it's probably not gonna happen. But i don't go disrespecting a Raven that gave us his all like he's no good or we have better options. No we have more glaring needs and you said it right.

To your other post regarding Flacco and FO not coming to an agreement..... I don't even wanna think of something like that. It's only Jan and I don't wanna panic just yet. I'm giving both sides the benefit of doubt until FA starts and the 28 mil cap hit really hurts us. I just think it's hillarious watching from a distance how both sides are playing hard to get. Joes agent is basically fired if he gets traded or cut. Ozzie and FO will have to answer to Steve if they do that as well and we as fans will go crazy lol