Welcome to Baltimore Eric Weddle!

[dpatrickguy]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we saw a similar situation to Steve Smith here, in which an older player had a souring relationship with his previous team and was seeing a dip in production comes in and finds some newfound energy playing for our organization. I'm excited.

[JoeyFlex5]

1 minute ago, spitfire418 said:

I don't have a question. I was just letting you all know how I felt about the move. We have Will Hill who is already locked into a starting safety spot along with 4 guys who are trying to start with him. Then we add Weddle which locks him into the other starting safety spot, leaving 4 guys who could possibly start for us. We can't have 4 backup safeties with starting potential. That's just impossible. I thought we already had too many safeties before this signing, plus the draft coming up with a good safety class. So I don't like how we go out and sign a 31-year old guy to a 4-year $26M contract who is regressing in his career and we lose out on a comp pick as well. Why can't we ever develop a safety like other teams. We never let them learn from their mistakes (unless they're first round picks, Elam). None of our safeties played good last year. Not even Hill really. So how can we tell if these other guys are bad when they could be affected by Dean Pees coaching.

Pretty sure he wasn't released... he will count against our comp picks. Look it up. Plus I'm not saying Ozzie is bad, but this is a move that I don't like.

Other teams aren't developing safeties like you say they are.. The league is starved for safeties atm. 

 

Those 4 backups, are not potential starters, they are CAMP BODIES forced onto the active roster and playing as liabilities year in and year out. 

 

These 4 starting safeties you mention are the exact reason we blew the patriots and a huge part of why we went 5-11 last year. Where are you getting this "potential starter" idea from?

[Ravens4Real]

3 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

And both guys would also have a lot of TD passes and blown tackles, because that's what they've shown so far.

But hey, they got those INTs, so that's something.

You asked who would have more splash plays. So don't try to add in how much TD's they would let up when the argument isn't going your way.

I said he fails at making splash plays and you responded with who do we have that would make more. Literally anyone of the Safteies we have left have just as good of a shot at making splash plays. 

[January J]

2 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

I don'met a question. I was just letting y ou all know how I felt about the move. We have Will Hill who is already locked into a starting safety spot along with 4 guys who are trying to start with him. Then we add Weddle which locks him into the other starting safety spot, leaving 4 guys who could possibly start for us. We can't have 4 backup safeties with starting potential. That's just impossible. I thought we already had too many safeties before this signing, plus the draft coming up with a good safety class. So I don't like how we go out and sign a 31-year old guy to a 4-year $26M contract who is regressing in his career and we lose out on a comp pick as well. Why can't we ever develop a safety like other teams. We never let them learn from their mistakes (unless they're first round picks, Elam). None of our safeties played good last year. Not even Hill really. So how can we tell if these other guys are bad when they could be affected by Dean Pees coaching.

Pretty sure he wasn't released... he will count against our comp picks. Look it up. Plus I'm not saying Ozzie is bad, but this is a move that I don't like.

Again- Just Bc we have that many safetys right now doesnt Mean they will make Final 53. So its Really irrelevant.

[Alexir]

Eric Weddle makes me feel a lot more comfortable about our secondary than it did with Lewis last year. I am excited to have him in Baltimore, he is a hard worker and a smart player. Great pick up.

 

Wonder what we do with Webb? 

[rmcjacket23]

21 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

I don't like this signing and I don't care if you disagree with me. A 4-year, $26M contract for a 31-year old safety when we already have a logjam at safety?! What is Ozzie thinking? Plus we had to restructure other players deals and probably lose our comp pick because of this signing... Wow. Yeah Weddle is a good player, but I just don't understand why we would pay all that money, restructure deals, and lose a comp pick for him when we have 5 potential starting safeties already on the roster. Now we have 4 guys who have started a lot in their careers and 2 young guys that have started a little bit and have shown their potential. I guess we have given up on both Brooks and Elam as well as Webb and Lewis? Ozzie just spoke so highly of Webb at the press conference not too long ago saying he will be a great safety and then he completely contradicts that statement with this signing. Also, I guess we won't draft a safety either this year even though it's a great safety class and we could easily find another young potential starter instead of a 31-year old player for almost $7M a year. Go ahead and negative my post. I really don't care. I just wanted to let you all know how I feel about this. All I can say is... we have some moves to make with those 6 potential starting safeties on our roster. There is no way that we can keep them all.

LOL, boy where to begin...

1. Don't get caught up on the 4 years or the $26M, because they are meaningless. He won't be here for four years nor will he get $26M. Think of it as a 2 year, $13M contract, since that's basically what it is.

2. Don't care about a 4th round comp pick. Its a fourth rounder, not a first rounder. The great drafting teams whiff completely on probably over half of their 4th round picks.

3. We have a bunch of safeties and besides Hill, none of them have shown or proven anything. Webb basically hasn't played safety in the NFL, Elam sucked two years ago and didn't play football all last season, Brooks is never healthy and wasn't any good when he was healthy, and a bunch of bad safeties like Lewis and Levine who should only be playing if several injuries occur. Most of the last four guys are basically ST players at best.

Quantity doesn't equal quality. We want quality, not quantity. 

4. Considering we will probably still cut some players, I would say its certainly possible we draft a safety this year. It likely means it won't come early in the draft, but then again, we haven't been very successful doing that so far anyway.

There isn't a single reasonable, educated Ravens fan who thinks we have five potential starting-caliber safeties on our team. There were times last season, with the same players, where I thought AT BEST we had one starting caliber safety on our team.

ONE.

[January J]

1 minute ago, Ravens4Real said:

You asked who would have more splarightays. So don't try to add in how  much TD's they would let up when the argument isn't going your way.

I said he fails at making splash plays and you responded with who do we have that would make more. Literally anyone of the Safteies we have left have just as good of a shot at making splash plays. 

Because we made so many last year right.. What are you even saying Right now, do you hear yourself?

[berad]

8 minutes ago, PolishRifle said:

Dude, what the heck did the Chargers do to Weddle?

Instituted a 'no facial hair' employee policy.

[rmcjacket23]

2 minutes ago, Ravens4Real said:

You asked who would have more splash plays. So don't try to add in how much TD's they would let up when the argument isn't going your way.

I said he fails at making splash plays and you responded with who do we have that would make more. Literally anyone of the Safteies we have left have just as good of a shot at making splash plays. 

Actually, that was my first response. I could care less about "splash plays"... I care about tackling and defending. He could be a top five safety in the league and not pick off a single pass.

We were 5-11 last season. The last thing we need is "splash". How about we start by just getting some solid football players.

[Ravenskid52752]

Eric Weddle Cap hit!

Brian McFarland‏@RavensSalaryCap 1h1 hour ago

Brian McFarland Retweeted Mike Garafolo

Sounds like probably a $8M bonus w/ $1M base = 2016 Cap # of $3M

[dpatrickguy]

I also look at the last two years where we went bargain-bin shopping for safeties and picked up Stewart and Lewis and neither panned out how we hoped, really. I think Weddle is easily worth a shot.

[spitfire418]

2 minutes ago, GrimCoconut said:

Well, as a rookie Brooks looked right at the ball coming his way and had a lot of time to adjust to the ball to intercept it and failed to do that. I also like Brooks a lot, but even coming out of FSU his hands were considered a major question mark on him. I think you're exaggerating here. I quite like Brooks, but let's not act like this will stunt his growth or something. Maybe Weddle helps Brooks become a better safety? 

I think Will Hill could possible leave next year when his contract is up and Brooks could take over as the SS. Even the coaches said they like him better at that spot. You guys who are hating on Brooks need to stop. He's never had a large enough amount of playing time to truly show that he's bad as you all say he is. First of all, none of our safeties played good last year. Hill was the best, but he was very average. I think that coaching (Dean Pees) is part of the issue with these guys, but with Brooks you gotta give him some time. He's only a 2-year safety who has dealt with bad injuries and is still learning some things about the position as well as improving his weaknesses. In much less playing time, he has shown more potential than Elam who has started an entire year and more where he really hasn't shown anything great, but I still wouldn't say Elam is a terrible player. He had a decent rookie year and went first round for a reason. I do think Elam needs to go to another team at this point since it's his last year on the contract and our logjam at safety, but Brooks should get a shot at replacing Hill if he leaves next year.

[Alexir]

Just now, Ravenskid52752 said:

Eric Weddle Cap hit!

Brian McFarland‏@RavensSalaryCap 1h1 hour ago

Brian McFarland Retweeted Mike Garafolo

Sounds like probably a $8M bonus w/ $1M base = 2016 Cap # of $3M

AWESOME!

[1/28/01]

Some people seem slow. 

[ravefan52]

People are seriously complaining about the possibly of us having to cut guys like Lewis and Elam? Are you kidding me? Those guys suck and we just got a great player at what was a huge position of need.

[Ravens4Real]

2 minutes ago, January J said:

Because we made so many last year right.. What are you even saying Right now, do you hear yourself?

Well since I'm typing, it would be pretty difficult to hear myself. 

But back to my initial point, all I said was that Weddle is becoming ore of an SS than an elite FS. His splash plays (INT, FR, FF, passes defended) have all been declining the past couple years. 

Thats all I said, I questioned the signing because I feel he is becoming more of an SS than an FS. You and Grim are attacking me for it. 

I don't mind having an educated argument. Let me know if you can have one also.

[rmcjacket23]

9 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

I don't have a question. I was just letting you all know how I felt about the move. We have Will Hill who is already locked into a starting safety spot along with 4 guys who are trying to start with him. Then we add Weddle which locks him into the other starting safety spot, leaving 4 guys who could possibly start for us. We can't have 4 backup safeties with starting potential. That's just impossible. I thought we already had too many safeties before this signing, plus the draft coming up with a good safety class. So I don't like how we go out and sign a 31-year old guy to a 4-year $26M contract who is regressing in his career and we lose out on a comp pick as well. Why can't we ever develop a safety like other teams. We never let them learn from their mistakes (unless they're first round picks, Elam). None of our safeties played good last year. Not even Hill really. So how can we tell if these other guys are bad when they could be affected by Dean Pees coaching.

Pretty sure he wasn't released... he will count against our comp picks. Look it up. Plus I'm not saying Ozzie is bad, but this is a move that I don't like.

Just to hammer home this flawed argument about comp picks, we likely would get a 4th rounder for KO. Here are our fourth round picks for the last five drafts:

Tandon Doss (not on the team), Gino Gradkowski (not on the team), Christian Thompson (not on the team), John Simon (not on the team), Juice (our starting FB), Brent Urban (often injured), Lorenzo Taliaferro (often injured, may not make team this season), ZaDarius Smith, Buck Allen, Tray Walker.

That's what we MIGHT give up for Weddle, and those are fourth rounders. The comp pick we may have lost for Weddle is probably later than that.

I get the comp pick loving, but some people need to take a step back and look at what you really get there.

[Deflated Football]

2 minutes ago, ravefan52 said:

People are seriously complaining about the possibly of us having to cut guys like Lewis and Elam? Are you kidding me? Those guys suck and we just got a great player at what was a huge position of need.

+1. Lewis is awful and Elam might be on the streets after this season. 

[Raven07]

interesting and exciting signing here, in Oz we trust

[DrPuff]

I just dont see how you guys think Webb or Lewis will be cut. When Webb moved to safety at the end of the year it was Hill that came off the field. He would also make the most financial sense to be the one cut. So Hill is in no way safe.

[rmcjacket23]

4 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

I think Will Hill could possible leave next year when his contract is up and Brooks could take over as the SS. Even the coaches said they like him better at that spot. You guys who are hating on Brooks need to stop. He's never had a large enough amount of playing time to truly show that he's bad as you all say he is. First of all, none of our safeties played good last year. Hill was the best, but he was very average. I think that coaching (Dean Pees) is part of the issue with these guys, but with Brooks you gotta give him some time. He's only a 2-year safety who has dealt with bad injuries and is still learning some things about the position as well as improving his weaknesses. In much less playing time, he has shown more potential than Elam who has started an entire year and more where he really hasn't shown anything great, but I still wouldn't say Elam is a terrible player. He had a decent rookie year and went first round for a reason. I do think Elam needs to go to another team at this point since it's his last year on the contract and our logjam at safety, but Brooks should get a shot at replacing Hill if he leaves next year.

Cool. So Hill leaves and Weddle takes a spot, so you just justified the signing.

I'm all for giving players "time", but its not that simple. For one... the "time" we've given him so far represents 50% of his current contract... he's 2 years into a 4 year deal. If you don't show something by year 4, you're probably gone and maybe out of the league entirely. The clock is ticking.

Secondly, you aren't given playing time... you earn it. If you're hurt all the time, you can't earn playing time, and if you can't outplay safeties who aren't playing good, then you don't earn playing time.
 

Learn faster, play better. That's what Brooks has to do to get on the field. Whatever he's doing now... he's just simply not cutting it.

[sflegend89]

[rmcjacket23]

I'd also caution people on one aspect being overlooked...

We do have this thing called Special Teams. Its a position this team and our HC values significantly. Not sure if most of you are aware, but offensive and defensive lineman don't always make the best ST players for obvious reasons, and as such, you need guys on the roster who can do that.

Safety would be one of those positions. Its a position where many teams carry 5-6 on the active roster on gameday, because they can play ST. Why do you think Levine has stayed on the roster all these years? Not like we are waiting for him to develop into a starting safety. He's a quality ST player, much like an Albert McClellan.

Not every player on this roster is actually here to be a starting player at their assigned "position". I have zero doubt there's several players on this team that the FO and coaching staff have zero ideal interest in ever seeing them play safety, linebacker, etc. in an actual meaningful NFL game.

So unless you want to see Breshard Perriman, Steve Smith, and Joe Flacco running down there in kickoff coverage, I'd suggest some people get on board with the likelihood of us carrying 5-6 safeties and maybe even 5-6 corners.

[ravefan52]

Also, barring what happens with the rest of FA and the draft, Weddle should be playing behind a better front 7 than he's ever had in San Diego (Unless I'm forgetting about one). That's huge for a safety.

[AnthonyGames]

I dig this! I feel our CBs weren't as bad as people think, although we did lack depth. I think we gave up way too many big plays on the back end, and I think Lewis played so poor we could of had nobody at FS and we would have had the same results. 

Ed Reed still was an elite saftey, albeit being up there in age and lacking the athleticism he once had. He had football intelligence and was a ball hawk, just like Weddle. A true center fielder is what we need. Will Hill is a great at SS; he can play the run and physcial enough to cover TEs. Now we got Weddle and Hill at saftey, with Elam and Brooks backing up, with a ton of upside if they can play to their potential. And then we got guys like Tarawick that are good...but great on special teams. 

AND, we got Webb back at CB providing more depth. Jimmy Smith, Webb, Arrlington, and Wright is a good foundation 

[jazz1988]

33 minutes ago, Ravens4Real said:

They mean making splash plays which is usually a great predictor of defensive success. Our defense has been poor that past two years because we have lacked turnovers and the splash plays. 

I'd much rather have a younger FS playing center field making splash plays than him. But that's just me I guess.

To top it off, he's already 31. His peak years are behind him. Had one of the best years a safety has ever had back in 2012. Too bad that was 4 years ago now. 

 

That's understandable but   it's more to free safety than making splash plays. The free safety is litterally the leader/quarterback of the secondary. They have to be able to make the right calls when necessary and keep everybody in the secondary on the same page.

 

Weddle interceptions may have gone down since 2011 but The Chargers have been in need of  pass rusher help for atleast four nows. Ed Reed once said him self what helps him create turn overs is the pass rush. The Ravens are in much better shape currently than The Chargers in the pass rush department.

[JoeyFlex5]

In the draft, what helps make this pick even more valuable? Vh3 to pair with Jimmy and make our secondary elite? A pass rusher to cut down on coverage time? That would be hard to find at 6th overall though..

[rmcjacket23]

6 minutes ago, DrPuff said:

I just dont see how you guys think Webb or Lewis will be cut. When Webb moved to safety at the end of the year it was Hill that came off the field. He would also make the most financial sense to be the one cut. So Hill is in no way safe.

Webb I sort of agree with, though asking him for a paycut isn't unreasonable, given he's one of the highest paid at a position he's never really played before.

Lewis in my opinion really doesn't offer much. If we have Weddle, Hill and Webb, Lewis is the 4th safety at best, and he can only play FS, which he would probably be the 3rd or 4th guy there at best. Webb can play FS, Weddle can play FS, and I think Hill could probably play FS better than Lewis.

So either Lewis better become really good at ST, or I don't see much value he brings. Luckily for him, it doesn't save us much to cut him, so he likely stays. But I don't plan on seeing much of him.

[PurpleCity5]

7 minutes ago, DrPuff said:

I just dont see how you guys think Webb or Lewis will be cut. When Webb moved to safety at the end of the year it was Hill that came off the field. He would also make the most financial sense to be the one cut. So Hill is in no way safe.

Cutting Will Hill is completely out of the question in my opinion. He still ranked fairly high as a Safety and I would attribute a lot of his struggles to the amount of weight he had to carry in coverage. He didn't really play a traditional style of SS play IMO. 

[PurpleCity5]

FWIW, cutting Webb could make sense. I mean his cap hit is mean and it seems certain he won't be beating out Weddle for the starting job. He also doesn't have the ability to play on the outside. It makes sense cutting him, Lewis I can imagine being on ST or getting cut, but I would say ST, his cap hit is rather small.