[News] Late For Work 2/24: 'Outstanding' Ozzie Newsome Still One Of Best NFL General Managers

[BR News]

Interest in Mike Wallace or Eric Weddle? Are Ravens’ salary cap cuts near? Burfict wants to change.

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[Bat-mite]

Burfict is full of it, IMO.

[fusuymada]

Wow, this will be short for a change. No sense talking about cap casualties or any free agents, we have no money. I can't see cutting Monroe or D Smith. Even with a drafted rookie LT, it makes no sense to cut Monroe and risk being in the same spot as we were last year, with no decent backup LT. D Smith is a leader and well liked in the locker room. I think cutting him would be a mistake. I can lose Canty, Arrington, Kendrick Lewis and Webb and a couple other guys we grabbed along the way last year.

[bioLarzen]

Burfict will never change. Do you remember his quite catasptrophic combine interviews? All he kept talking about is how EVERYONE ELSE was responsible and at fault for everything he was red-flagged for. The refs, the press, his own coaches and teammates... everyone but him.

Fast forward to now: what's he saying? That he wouldn't have been flagged if it wasn't him... Ergo, who's to blame? The refs. Not him, the refs.

Vontaze, you'll never change - and you'll never grow up to take responsibility for your own actions.

Edited February 24, 2016 by bioLarzen

[bioLarzen]

I kind of like to think Ozzie's chop block is still in the cupboard because he's confident Flacco's deal will get done in time and he'll still hgave time to deal with the free agents in time...

Probalby a bad case of wishful thinking, but hey...

[WNC-Raven]

Is it too simplified to say that free agency success will depend on if a Flacco extension is agreed upon in time and the draft will be dictated by if KO is resigned?

[757RavensFan]

IF Burfict wasn't such a headcase, he'd easily be in the discussion as one of the best LBers in the league. 

[b93333]

This year's salary cap maneuvers and draft will go a long way towards determining whether or not the wizard of Oz still has the touch.

[jravens13]

You can't deny that Ozzie had missed on the early picks. That is where we need to find leaders, and stars who take this team to the next level. We have not been able to replace the Franchise Ravens that we have lost over the years. I would say there is still hope for Elam, but he has to have a healthy season. Think about how long it took Jimmy Smith to get it together.

[ravenwildman]

Let's hope that this year's draft (being in the position they are) is a grand slam! Let's see how many become starters from this class by 2018. GO RAVENS!

[bioLarzen]

43 minutes ago, 757RavensFan said:

IF Burfict wasn't such a headcase, he'd easily be in the discussion as one of the best LBers in the league. 

Just like Josh Gordon would be in the conversation for best receiver - IF...

Edited February 24, 2016 by bioLarzen

[TorryGundy]

I think Ozzie is a great people picker. He has multiple starters in most drafts. Most teams would love to get one, he gets three and sometimes four starters a draft. I think our contracts given over the last 5 to 6 years have been head scratching. All the dead money we paid Ngata, Monroe's contract, Flacco was cap friendly in the beginning but now we either delay the check or have to extend, both of Webbs contracts, Jimmy is not living up to his after only one good half season.

[Space11jams]

Why are we talking about Daryl Smith?! He's Not Getting Cut!!! He's a highly productive player that has played at a high lvl since coming to Baltimore. Why would we cut him? Cut him and keep Eugene who has problems staying on the field? Which in turn can cause K.O, another highly productive player to walk because we can't pay the man his money? That's insane! DSmith name shouldn't be mentioned at all. That would be the dumbest decision Ozzie ever made if he cut him. Especially since we all know the type of player he is. Let me him retire on his own. He's another SSS but on the defense. A aging vet but HIGHLY productive. Top 10 LB in the league!!! Are you kidding me!

[ellicottraven]

I don't think it will be wise to cut either Canty or Daryl Smith even if we draft replacements. Their teaching value, work ethic and leadership is a critical component for our D. Reduce their snaps if necessary but don't release them this year. I believe they'll be very productive with a limited snap count. This way, the younger players can fill in, learn and become productive after these guys are released. Or release them if they get outplayed and outperformed during TC/OTAs.

[Space11jams]

Just now, ellicottraven said:

I don't think it will be wise to cut either Canty or Daryl Smith even if we draft replacements. Their teaching value, work ethic and leadership is a critical component for our D. Reduce their snaps if necessary but don't release them this year. I believe they'll be very productive with a limited snap count. This way, the younger players can fill in, learn and become productive after these guys are released. Or release them if they get outplayed and outperformed during TC/OTAs.

Exactly. I can see Canty being released by DSmith, NO WAY! The guy is still playing at a high lvl. 

[rmcjacket23]

27 minutes ago, Space11jams said:

Why are we talking about Daryl Smith?! He's Not Getting Cut!!! He's a highly productive player that has played at a high lvl since coming to Baltimore. Why would we cut him? Cut him and keep Eugene who has problems staying on the field? Which in turn can cause K.O, another highly productive player to walk because we can't pay the man his money? That's insane! DSmith name shouldn't be mentioned at all. That would be the dumbest decision Ozzie ever made if he cut him. Especially since we all know the type of player he is. Let me him retire on his own. He's another SSS but on the defense. A aging vet but HIGHLY productive. Top 10 LB in the league!!! Are you kidding me!

1. No reasonable person thinks Daryl Smith is a top 10 LB in the league right now. That's, quite frankly, insane.

2. He was already losing 3rd down snaps last season in the 2nd half, primarily due to the fact that he's largely terrible in coverage these days and isn't fast enough to cover TEs.

Given that he has a reasonably high cap number for a MLB ($4.4M) that is certainly declining on the field, it definitely makes sense for the team to at least consider moving on. Doesn't mean they will, but its certainly reasonable to consider it.

[steelcityraven]

Love the idea of Eric Weddle and Will Hill roaming our secondary. Cut KLewis, and Webb (we would more then be able to afford Weddle and have money left over). Let Elam and Brooks in the rotation and continue to develop bc (Weddle and Will are not getting any younger)....Weddle would be an immeadiate upgrade for us...Mike Wallace on the other hand don't help us a lot. (Perriman, SSS, Kamar, Camp, Waller, etc)...not sure where Wallace would fit in and don't even see him being an upgrade over Chris Givens!

[hen826957]

Weedle would be one piece I would love Ozzie to get in free agency but this dang cap space we have. I wish it can happen but it won't because we got our important free agents to sign.

[hen826957]

@rmcjacket23 I wonder why I never see you write about whats on your mind instead of writing about someone else replies or opinions. LOL Daryl Smith is around the 10th best LB in league so he pretty right. He might be older but hes still productive. :)

[budman]

Burfict will never change. Do you remember his quite catasptrophic combine interviews? All he kept talking about is how EVERYONE ELSE was responsible and at fault for everything he was red-flagged for. The refs, the press, his own coaches and teammates... everyone but him.

Fast forward to now: what's he saying? That he wouldn't have been flagged if it wasn't him... Ergo, who's to blame? The refs. Not him, the refs.

Vontaze, you'll never change - and you'll never grow up to take responsibility for your own actions.

I really do think that Burfict is going to critically hurt a player eventually. It's just his mindset to hurt or disable. This is one guy I wish wouldn't be allowed to play in the league any longer. After he does (and he will) disable another player, it will be too late for anything to be done. His mindset and behavior is the reason all 32 teams took a pass on him at the Draft. I guess I just don't like or trust the guy.

[rmcjacket23]

43 minutes ago, hen826957 said:

@rmcjacket23 I wonder why I never see you write about whats on your mind instead of writing about someone else replies or opinions. LOL Daryl Smith is around the 10th best LB in league so he pretty right. He might be older but hes still productive.

1. Look harder. I post my own topics often.

2. Whats the basis for determining he's the 10th best LB in the league? Is that just an opinion pulled out of thin air, or where is that coming from? How is that being determined?

[hen826957]

@rmcjacket23 Not many maybe very rare LOL. I believe it was his opinion. To me Daryl Smith is one of the top 10 Lbs in the league but it might not be according to ratings but he still very good.

[757RavensFan]

2 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

1. No reasonable person thinks Daryl Smith is a top 10 LB in the league right now. That's, quite frankly, insane.

2. He was already losing 3rd down snaps last season in the 2nd half, primarily due to the fact that he's largely terrible in coverage these days and isn't fast enough to cover TEs.

Given that he has a reasonably high cap number for a MLB ($4.4M) that is certainly declining on the field, it definitely makes sense for the team to at least consider moving on. Doesn't mean they will, but its certainly reasonable to consider it.

In all fairness, CJ Mosely was just as bad in pass coverage and he's almost 10 years younger than Darryl Smith. 

[757RavensFan]

2 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

I don't think it will be wise to cut either Canty or Daryl Smith even if we draft replacements. Their teaching value, work ethic and leadership is a critical component for our D. Reduce their snaps if necessary but don't release them this year. I believe they'll be very productive with a limited snap count. This way, the younger players can fill in, learn and become productive after these guys are released. Or release them if they get outplayed and outperformed during TC/OTAs.

Actually, the FO doesn't have to cut Canty, they can just refuse to renew his option this year.  Plus if they don't renew his option and he gets picked up by another team we MIGHT get another comp pick for him.   A $2.2M cap saving plus a potential comp pick, Canty's chances staying on the team are slim IMO.  

Edited February 24, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[rmcjacket23]

5 minutes ago, 757RavensFan said:

In all fairness, CJ Mosely was just as bad in pass coverage and he's almost 10 years younger than Darryl Smith. 

Sure, but as you already know, he was a second year player with room to grow (vs an aging veteran clearly on the decline) and carries a cap number that is about half the older guy.

On a team where cap space needed is vital, an aging veteran at a position that is being devalued for that particular players skill sets makes all the sense in the world to consider as a cap casualty.

Edited February 24, 2016 by rmcjacket23

[Crusader]

Ozzie might be but his draft picks lately have not shown that. Its time to add some more legacy picks to go on that repertoire.

[Crusader]

  4 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

1. No reasonable person thinks Daryl Smith is a top 10 LB in the league right now. That's, quite frankly, insane.

2. He was already losing 3rd down snaps last season in the 2nd half, primarily due to the fact that he's largely terrible in coverage these days and isn't fast enough to cover TEs.

Given that he has a reasonably high cap number for a MLB ($4.4M) that is certainly declining on the field, it definitely makes sense for the team to at least consider moving on. Doesn't mean they will, but its certainly reasonable to consider it.

In all fairness, CJ Mosely was just as bad in pass coverage and he's almost 10 years younger than Darryl Smith. 

and I can't see how CJ can fix that. Either your fast or your not.

[throwback2000]

Eric Weddle might be interesting but too expensive. Mike Wallace is a one trick pony sort of like Torry. But, by no means, or even joke about bringing in an idiot like Greg Hardy. Yes we need a pass rusher! Dallas now regrets bringing that fool in.

[billiejean]

2 hours ago, Crusader said:

4 hours ago, 757RavensFan said:

  6 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

1. No reasonable person thinks Daryl Smith is a top 10 LB in the league right now. That's, quite frankly, insane.

2. He was already losing 3rd down snaps last season in the 2nd half, primarily due to the fact that he's largely terrible in coverage these days and isn't fast enough to cover TEs.

Given that he has a reasonably high cap number for a MLB ($4.4M) that is certainly declining on the field, it definitely makes sense for the team to at least consider moving on. Doesn't mean they will, but its certainly reasonable to consider it.

In all fairness, CJ Mosely was just as bad in pass coverage and he's almost 10 years younger than Darryl Smith. 

and I can't see how CJ can fix that. Either your fast or your not.

Pass coverage as a middle linebacker in particular isn't all about speed (not that it doesn't help). Its about reading and anticipating routes. In Daryl Smiths first year with us he really showed a knack for jumping routes (3 ints, 18 passes defensed, absolutely ridiculous stats for a LB) and I can guarantee he was not any faster than Mosley is now. On intermediate crosses and digs, middle linebackers don't really have to move all that much to be in position to make an interception. Now if the tight end runs a seam route, or the running back runs a wheel route, and the middle linebacker is the only guy in coverage, yea you need speed for that. But the good middle linebackers are good not because they are the quickest guys, they are good because of their instincts.

Edited February 25, 2016 by billiejean