[News] Report: Ravens Get More Cap Room, Restructure Jimmy Smith's Deal

[BR News]

Baltimore reportedly created $4.5 million more in salary-cap space by giving CB Jimmy Smith a bonus.

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[harfordravenfan]

Nice this year (next couple sound rough), team is definitely looking to do something with all the restructuring

[WNC-Raven]

So I guess we now all know what everyone will be complaining about next year.12.6mil cap hit? I sure hope Jimmy plays the way we all know he can. Lights out!

[January J]

He won't be able to use that foot as an excuse this season.( not sayin it was) should be all healed up and i expect him to return to form.

[RavensDieHard21]

what in the world does ozzie have up his sleeve? ammunition just in case?

[fusuymada]

I am surprised with the Cap issues we have had since 2012 that Ozzie would continue to rob from the future to meet the needs of today. That is very unlike Ozzie. However, I see a team that was 5-11 last year who realizes that the owner isn't going to accept a second year in a row like that and if they don't get back to the playoffs THIS YEAR, they may all be looking for jobs. So it seems they are scrambling to salvage this year at the expense of future years because if they don't fix this, it isn't going to be there problem in the future.

[Purple_City39]

13 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

I am surprised with the Cap issues we have had since 2012 that Ozzie would continue to rob from the future to meet the needs of today. That is very unlike Ozzie. However, I see a team that was 5-11 last year who realizes that the owner isn't going to accept a second year in a row like that and if they don't get back to the playoffs THIS YEAR, they may all be looking for jobs. So it seems they are scrambling to salvage this year at the expense of future years because if they don't fix this, it isn't going to be there problem in the future.

Man, this is overreacting.  Biscotti isn't putting anybody on any hotseats and nobody of importance will be fired next season if we don't make the playoffs (although I feel we will).  This is just the front office upgrading their approach.  We've been wildly successful as a franchise while waiting for the scraps in free agency.  Now they are taking an approach to be, somewhat, aggressive and see how it pays off

 

I hate this restructure for Jimmy but I'm expecting to hear about a soon to be key player being signed by the end of the week with some of this money. 

[SUGGStobeDUMED]

Could this be more about Jimmy Smith and less about the use of the cap space?

Jimmy has played sub-par(not necessarily his fault due to injuries) and putting his cap hit next year at a STEEP 12 mil would be some good motivation to play a) play up to that or b) accept additional years on a new cap friendly deal next year.

Tryin to get in Oz is head is TOUGH!

[surfdude]

I would bet creating cap space is to sign Mike Wallace. We need a proven burner.

[Purple_City39]

12 minutes ago, SUGGStobeDUMED said:

Could this be more about Jimmy Smith and less about the use of the cap space?

Jimmy has played sub-par(not necessarily his fault due to injuries) and putting his cap hit next year at a STEEP 12 mil would be some good motivation to play a) play up to that or accept additional years on a new cap friendly deal next year.

Tryin to get in Oz is head is TOUGH!

Definitely not as Jimmy would have zero obligation to sign any extension and increasing his cap hit, and dead cap hit, for the sake of motivation would be horrible business practice on the Ravens' end.  This move was about creating space for something

[twiz42]

I think Ozzie is gonna lock up B.Williams now before the price escalates next yr.

[stixfix69]

J.Smith is still getting his money, and we all know the contracts players sign are really for the guaranteed money....Very few players who sign the big money deals, play them out...Wallace is just one example....

[Saxxin]

Ozzie is about to make some moves. A big name receiver, RB or LT is my best guess. K.O. needs to be replaced. They may be clearing space for that too. Either way when it's all over and the season is about to start they will be near the limit. Bisciotti will spend to limit if that's what it takes.

[stixfix69]

IMO...Oz is just taking a different approach and having money available now versus waiting to redo contracts later, and allow a player we could have a shot at get away, because we couldn't show him the money.....But like Twiz42 said, i do hope some of it is to lock up B.Williams, as he would be next years KO if he hits the market, because next year we will be strapped for cash again, and some team would offer him monopoly money....JMO....

[eze17]

Agree that it would be nice to re-sign B. Williams. I think we also need A speedster at WR, Wallace would be great if the money is right, but we need someone in case Perriman can't play or dosn't live up to his hype.

[ravens4life86]

Now that Oz has freed up like an extra 10mil, with Yanda,Smith, etc contracts.

Time for Oz.. go scoop up a CB, a pass rusher, maybe O line depth.. a WR..

Cromartie, Chris Long, Mike Wallace...etc.. lets get a couple more by todays end

[Matty G]

Are the Ravens back to pushing money down the road. Impossible to fill all the holes this year and I hope it is not at the expense of the Ravens future. One restructure is one thing, but two? I guess they want the most COMPETITIVE TEAM, but the Ravens seem like a two year project not one (maybe, maybe playoffs, but realistically I doubt we win the AFC North, so I don't understand the restructures now, given this has to be looked as a rebuilding year). This does not make too much sense......but what do I know

[FloridalovesRavens]

Are the Ravens back to pushing money down the road. Impossible to fill all the holes this year and I hope it is not at the expense of the Ravens future. One restructure is one thing, but two? I guess they want the most COMPETITIVE TEAM, but the Ravens seem like a two year project not one (maybe, maybe playoffs, but realistically I doubt we win the AFC North, so I don't understand the restructures now, given this has to be looked as a rebuilding year). This does not make too much sense......but what do I know

I guess we have to trust in our organization to do the right thing. I'm sure they know what they are doing by this time. Don't you?

[Matty G]

  3 minutes ago, Matty G said:

Are the Ravens back to pushing money down the road. Impossible to fill all the holes this year and I hope it is not at the expense of the Ravens future. One restructure is one thing, but two? I guess they want the most COMPETITIVE TEAM, but the Ravens seem like a two year project not one (maybe, maybe playoffs, but realistically I doubt we win the AFC North, so I don't understand the restructures now, given this has to be looked as a rebuilding year). This does not make too much sense......but what do I know

I guess we have to trust in our organization to do the right thing. I'm sure they know what they are doing by this time. Don't you?

Hope so

[The Mom Gene]

Agree that it would be nice to re-sign B. Williams. I think we also need A speedster at WR, Wallace would be great if the money is right, but we need someone in case Perriman can't play or dosn't live up to his hype.

Ummmm Breshad Perriman... He's your speedster. He'll be back this year. I think he's been bashed enough by the fanbase to know he needs to be. His 4.24 Forty? and his play down here at UCF was amazing.

[Matty G]

Does anyone know what happened to Upshaw?

[ravens4life86]

Moving Waller to TE. Interesting, new Thread...not bad idea. That means Gillmore,Williams,Watson,Waller, Boyle(on his last chance..1 more strike I would assume hes gone), Pitta situation. TE overload.

[hen826957]

Mike Wallace and Bershad Perriman with Steve Smith. l love the sound of that.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Are the Ravens back to pushing money down the road. Impossible to fill all the holes this year and I hope it is not at the expense of the Ravens future. One restructure is one thing, but two? I guess they want the most COMPETITIVE TEAM, but the Ravens seem like a two year project not one (maybe, maybe playoffs, but realistically I doubt we win the AFC North, so I don't understand the restructures now, given this has to be looked as a rebuilding year). This does not make too much sense......but what do I know

There is nothing wrong with freeing up cap space and pushing the cap hit down the line. Realistically you only do this with players that you believe will be good down the road, as the typical outcome is usually an extension being worked out to flatten the cap hit. Ravens are not the only team to use this tactic, but as I said you only really see this move with 'safe' players, who's value will still be there down the road.

[hen826957]

@Matty G Courtney Upshaw hasn't been sign by one yet but it's expected that he might end up with the Indianapolis Colts. I wish Ozzie would sign him he's not that expensive l just don't think Ozzie wants to sign him. He's not gonna demand a lot of money.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Stop buying into the FA hype and thinking the Ravens need to go and spend all that new cap money. Ozzie is simply loading up so he can jump on opportunities as needed. If that money is not available when needed, it doesn't matter if you can find it later, the player you want will most likely be gone. I really don't see any more FA signings coming. Wattson was more a security pick of sorts to ensure TE is not an issue this season. Of all the positions rich with talent in this years draft, TE is near the bottom of that stack, meaning less chance to hit, for all teams, making TE a stronger need for teams needing one or more. Draft and develop players in house is the way to go or else you end up overpaying, especially this time of year.

[Matty G]

  32 minutes ago, Matty G said:

Are the Ravens back to pushing money down the road. Impossible to fill all the holes this year and I hope it is not at the expense of the Ravens future. One restructure is one thing, but two? I guess they want the most COMPETITIVE TEAM, but the Ravens seem like a two year project not one (maybe, maybe playoffs, but realistically I doubt we win the AFC North, so I don't understand the restructures now, given this has to be looked as a rebuilding year). This does not make too much sense......but what do I know

There is nothing wrong with freeing up cap space and pushing the cap hit down the line. Realistically you only do this with players that you believe will be good down the road, as the typical outcome is usually an extension being worked out to flatten the cap hit. Ravens are not the only team to use this tactic, but as I said you only really see this move with 'safe' players, who's value will still be there down the road.

Yea, I mean I understand they want to free up cap space and if the Ravens were a legitimate contender with a shot at a Superbowl run, I would be all for it, as so they can put the best team on the field. But with the amount of holes the Ravens have, it just doesn't make sense for them to do it at this time. They are going with a win now approach, but unfortunately we are short too many pieces and 14 mill isn't going to solve the Ravens problems. Trying to be as unpessimistic as possible but sometimes it's hard hah

[The Greek]

have not done the research but would it be worth releasing suggs and dummervil after next season if needed to create more cap space to resign the younger guys like b. williams, wagner etc..etc.. not sure what the dead money would be on those 2 if it were to happen.

[mendii]

So, is the strategy here just them banking on the fact the salary cap will increase as time goes on?

[steelcityraven]

Wonder what Ozzie is planning???? Is he looking to add a CB or a Pass Rusher (or both).... either way... I think we are prepared to head into 2016 much more talented then we did in 2015 (some just from getting injured players back, some for the FA signings that we seem to be setting up, and some from a wealth of talent with some early draft picks). I like the looks of the barometer right now!