Welcome to Baltimore Eric Weddle!

[spitfire418]

8 minutes ago, FGSB said:

As long as he can still play, I don't have a problem.

What I don't get it where this puts Webb, Elam, and Brooks.

Not bashing Ozzie, I just don't understand how we fit all these safeties somewhere. Even if Webb splits nickle with someone, that leaves a 1st round pick and a 3rd round pick the odd men out which makes for a very disappointing use of high draft picks. Maybe Elam gets traded and Brooks becomes the guy after Weddle starts to decline? Someone make sense of this for me please

This is basically what I think about this move as well. I agree with everything you said.

[RayRave2]

4 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

This is basically what I think about this move as well. I agree with everything you said.

Who has been the leader in the secondary the past 4 years? There really hasn't been one. Weddle is the QB back there, he'll make the other guys so much better. Brooks and Elam don't HAVE to go. Webb fits all over the secondary, Elam takes the 2 spot behind Weddle and develops, Brooks does the same at the SS position behind Hill, Jimmy and Shareece start at CB (from what it looks like pre-draft), with Arrington rolling in at nickel or corner, still fits 2 more corners behind them. Plenty of depth, plenty of special teams players in that mix, and uses the normal roster spots allotted for the secondary... whats the issue?

[BmoreBird22]

I'd have to imagine two things happen-

1. Webb takes a pay cut (which I saw happening anyway with a top three safety cap hit)

2. Then Ravens utilize more three safety sets with uncertainty still looming at corner. 

I really love the move 

[RayRave2]

1 minute ago, BmoreBird22 said:

I'd have to imagine two things happen-

1. Webb takes a pay cut (which I saw happening anyway with a top three safety cap hit)

2. Then Ravens utilize more three safety sets with uncertainty still looming at corner. 

I really love the move 

Agreed. I really feel like the corner situation is gonna work out just fine. Jimmy wasn't at 100 percent last year and he'll benefitted massively from having a reliable guy back there like Weddle. Wright came on strong and with more time with complex defense like ours will help him as well. Plus I expect either a trade back and pick up of a first round corner or we grab a solid guy in the second. At this point I'm more worried about our aging pass rush.

[rmcjacket23]

42 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

So you're saying you know every Ravens fan opinion on this topic. LOL I doubt it. You also are saying I'm uneducated lol. Yep I'm very uneducated thanks... lol. Ok, let me just say I really don't like Kendrick Lewis. I don't think he is a starter, but I put him as a "potential starter" for us or another team because he has started basically his whole career. Webb hasn't played much safety at all in his career, but he's started a bunch in his NFL career, played some safety in college/NFL, and was supposed to be our starting safety before this signing. Brooks and Elam were both high draft picks and were drafted to be "potential starters" and have shown what they could potentially become one day. They have both dealt with injuries and I think our coaches, mostly Dean Pees, has held them back along with the rest of our guys like Will Hill. You all act like Will Hill was incredible last year. He wasn't, he was just decent and played the best out of him and Lewis (which isn't hard lol). Btw I'm a Gators fan so it's not like I hate Hill lol. I think he can be a great safety if put in the right position. I'm sure we will make some cuts before the 53-man roster. Hill and Weddle seem like the starters now. Lewis should be gone 100% which leaves 5 guys. Webb's contract is way to big for a safety at his age even though he could be a good safety for us like he was supposed to be before this move. Brooks should be here because he has two more years on his deal, he is at least a good special teams player for us, and hes got potential to be a starter for us if he stays healthy and gets a fair chance. Elam still has potential to be a starter. I know it hasn't looked good since his rookie year, but he was a first rounder for a reason. I don't know what happened his sophomore year, but coaching/scheme could've been part of it. Then he had the unfortunate injury last year which we can't blame him for. Maybe now you can all understand what I'm saying and stop bashing me by calling be uneducated, etc. If you still don't understand what I'm saying then whatever. You guys aren't GM's or anything lol so you can think I'm stupid or whatever. I just gave you all my thoughts on this move and wanted to put it out there to relieve some of my disappointment. I've posted just about everything I need to say relating to this topic so yeah there ya have it.

Well, by training camp, we will probably have like 90 potential starters... so what does that mean? Should we just not sign any more players at any position? We have like 12 potential starters at WR right now... so we shouldn't add any more?

I haven't seen anything on the football field so far to indicate that Kendrick Lewis or Terrence Brooks would make quality safeties as starters on this football team. I, like the FO, don't have the luxury of saying "well maybe they will get better"... that's a recipe for a whole lot of people to lose their jobs. You look at positions where players aren't developing in the way you'd like them to be (Elam, Brooks) and you look to upgrade. Standard operating procedure in the NFL.

Maybe Dean Pees is holding these guys back (never bought this because nobody ever says how), but that's also irrelevant, because most of these guys will likely be gone before Pees is. 

I don't see the potential for Brooks as a starter (frankly I'm not sure how anybody does at this point), and after what I saw from Elam, I think that's suspect as well. One thing Pees can't possibly hold guys back from or make them worse at is tackling, and Elam was a horrendous tackler. If you can't tackle, you can't play defense. All the skills, hype, draft status, etc. in the world won't mean a thing if you can't tackle.

As for draft status, Elam's been here three years. Where he was chosen and why he was chosen is irrelevant after three years. He certainly won't be the first or last first round pick who turned out to not be a very good football player in the NFL.

I already explained to you why Weddle's contract isn't too much. I got that a lot of fans don't understand NFL contracts and how they work, but that's not my problem. Like I said already... if you signed him a two year deal worth $13M, nobody would say a word. Yet, that's basically what this deal is.

[hn68wb4]

3 hours ago, berad said:

Very interested to see who we keep at safety

I'm guessing we'll keep 5 + maybe one for ST

Weddle, Hill, Webb, Brooks and a battle for the final spot

[DefensiveMind]

6 hours ago, Purple_City39 said:

I may be in the minority but I don't like it for the price.  4 years, 26M to add a 14th safety to the roster.  I guess we'll see how many safeties are getting cut soon.  I'm guessing Lewis, Elam, and Hill.

For the record I'm fine with the player, just not the price

Why on earth would we cut hill? He was a top 5 caliber SS last year

[RayRave2]

3 minutes ago, hn68wb4 said:

I'm guessing we'll keep 5 + maybe one for ST

Weddle, Hill, Webb, Brooks and a battle for the final spot

My thoughts exactly. 

[ALPHA]

He's a great player, hopefully he will see his entire contract and doesn't go into decline too soon. Also hoping he can be a difference maker if we can't fix our pass rush and/or cornerback problems.

[Underdogsontop!]

I like this signing, but I wonder if this means there's less chances of us signing Mike Wallce?? If we got Mike Wallace for cheap that would also irritate steeler fans more? 

[RayRave2]

imagine the highlight reel hits that will be laid by Weddle and Will Hill over the course of this season *sheds happy tear*

[scrock]

i've wanted eric weddle for the last year or two, ever since the Chargers didnt want to address his contract and make him a charger for life.

 

this is awesome news

[RayRave2]

2 minutes ago, Underdogsontop! said:

I like this signing, but I wonder if this means there's less chances of us signing Mike Wallce?? If we got Mike Wallace for cheap that would also irritate steeler fans more? 

I saw an article saying we have enough for both, its just a matter of closing the deal.

 

[JimmyBlack]

1 minute ago, RayRave2 said:

I saw an article saying we have enough for both, its just a matter of closing the deal.

 

I really like how Ozzie is aggressively going after the right player at the right price.

[DefensiveMind]

Will the Thrill and Weddle the level

Even though he is getting older he gives us that FS that can scare QBs. They will be a lot more hesitant to throwing deep on Weddle than they were on Lewis/Elam

[RayRave2]

Just now, JimmyBlack said:

I really like how Ozzie is aggressively going after the right player at the right price.

Exactly. It makes a difference to show players just how much they mean to your team. Same as how he did with Watson. People take for granted what respect in an organization can do for a team as a whole.

[Drew P]

7 minutes ago, scrock said:

i've wanted eric weddle for the last year or two, ever since the Chargers didnt want to address his contract and make him a charger for life.

 

this is awesome news

They will insert Jalen Ramsey into that spot

[spitfire418]

31 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

Well, by training camp, we will probably have like 90 potential starters... so what does that mean? Should we just not sign any more players at any position? We have like 12 potential starters at WR right now... so we shouldn't add any more?

I haven't seen anything on the football field so far to indicate that Kendrick Lewis or Terrence Brooks would make quality safeties as starters on this football team. I, like the FO, don't have the luxury of saying "well maybe they will get better"... that's a recipe for a whole lot of people to lose their jobs. You look at positions where players aren't developing in the way you'd like them to be (Elam, Brooks) and you look to upgrade. Standard operating procedure in the NFL.

Maybe Dean Pees is holding these guys back (never bought this because nobody ever says how), but that's also irrelevant, because most of these guys will likely be gone before Pees is. 

I don't see the potential for Brooks as a starter (frankly I'm not sure how anybody does at this point), and after what I saw from Elam, I think that's suspect as well. One thing Pees can't possibly hold guys back from or make them worse at is tackling, and Elam was a horrendous tackler. If you can't tackle, you can't play defense. All the skills, hype, draft status, etc. in the world won't mean a thing if you can't tackle.

As for draft status, Elam's been here three years. Where he was chosen and why he was chosen is irrelevant after three years. He certainly won't be the first or last first round pick who turned out to not be a very good football player in the NFL.

I already explained to you why Weddle's contract isn't too much. I got that a lot of fans don't understand NFL contracts and how they work, but that's not my problem. Like I said already... if you signed him a two year deal worth $13M, nobody would say a word. Yet, that's basically what this deal is.

Everyone is technically a potential starter, but some players have more than others and have been invested in for a reason (draft picks, contracts). For example, I don't even mention Anthony Levine because he is a ST guy just like Trawick was. The other guys I mentioned have true potential to be starting safeties in the NFL. I don't see much potential from Lewis being a good starting safety in the league, but he has started several years for some reason. On the other hand, how have you not seen anything on the field from Brooks or even Elam as a matter of fact. You must not watch all the games or you just don't want to admit that they've flashed potential in their small amount of playing time. Even if we signed Weddle for 2-years $13M I would still care. That contract doesn't really change my opinion at all.

Also, you wouldn't have 90 potential starters. We have to get down to a 53-man roster no matter what. Yeah those players have potential, everyone does, but that's just how the NFL works. The players I'm mentioning are in a whole entire different category than most of the players who don't make the 53-man roster. These guys are high draft picks that have shown potential or experienced starters already. Plus not everyone is a potential starter. For example, Joe Flacco is a for sure starter along with many others on our team.

Edited March 14, 2016 by spitfire418

[lgcs27288]

I smell a trade for some late draft picks or a couple of safeties are getting nixed.

[Hardbaugh]

Great news!!! I resigned myself into thinking he was going to Oakland because of all the money they have available. The Ravens really need a guy like this on the back end. Great day!! If they can bring Wallace in at a fair rate I call the offseason an overwhelming success.

[GrimCoconut]

1 hour ago, FGSB said:

As long as he can still play, I don't have a problem.

What I don't get it where this puts Webb, Elam, and Brooks.

Not bashing Ozzie, I just don't understand how we fit all these safeties somewhere. Even if Webb splits nickle with someone, that leaves a 1st round pick and a 3rd round pick the odd men out which makes for a very disappointing use of high draft picks. Maybe Elam gets traded and Brooks becomes the guy after Weddle starts to decline? Someone make sense of this for me please

If you've got the money to buy yourself a filet mignon from Ruth's Chris, there's no need to go to Outback. 

[spitfire418]

11 minutes ago, GrimCoconut said:

If you've got the money to buy yourself a filet mignon from Ruth's Chris, there's no need to go to Outback. 

Doesn't mean it was the best choice though.

[GrimCoconut]

5 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

Doesn't mean it was the best choice though.

Who's better? I think you'll say Brooks? I like Brooks as much as the next guy but I think it would be a mistake to rely on him taking over at FS. What if we do that and Brooks fails? I'd rather ease him into the role. Hill is in his final year this year, I believe. Brooks will get his chance.

Edited March 14, 2016 by GrimCoconut

[Willbacker]

I see a lot of flexibility with our secondary right now with Weddle and Hill being the "true safeties" while Webb,Elam and Brooks can do double duty at corner or safety and adding Will Davis and Arrington brings a lot of optimism. Camp battles are gonna be great.

The cherry on top of it all is outdoing the Raiduhs(way more cap to spend plus them snagging KO),Cowboys(always seeming to try to grab what we want and often succeeding) and uh........who am I forgetting ...........Oh yeah. The Steelers!!!

[rmcjacket23]

39 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

Everyone is technically a potential starter, but some players have more than others and have been invested in for a reason (draft picks, contracts). For example, I don't even mention Anthony Levine because he is a ST guy just like Trawick was. The other guys I mentioned have true potential to be starting safeties in the NFL. I don't see much potential from Lewis being a good starting safety in the league, but he has started several years for some reason. On the other hand, how have you not seen anything on the field from Brooks or even Elam as a matter of fact. You must not watch all the games or you just don't want to admit that they've flashed potential in their small amount of playing time. Even if we signed Weddle for 2-years $13M I would still care. That contract doesn't really change my opinion at all.

Also, you wouldn't have 90 potential starters. We have to get down to a 53-man roster no matter what. Yeah those players have potential, everyone does, but that's just how the NFL works. The players I'm mentioning are in a whole entire different category than most of the players who don't make the 53-man roster. These guys are high draft picks that have shown potential or experienced starters already. Plus not everyone is a potential starter. For example, Joe Flacco is a for sure starter along with many others on our team.

1. You don't have to cut to 53 for another 5+ months, so we have more potential starters than just 53, because you don't know who those 53 are. Some of those starters aren't even on the team right now.

2. Case Keenum is a starter. So was Matt Schaub. Being one doesn't make you a good player. Kendrick Lewis starting for this team or any other team means he was one of the better safeties on that team, but that doesn't make him a good safety or even a top 64 safety. Last season, I'd be at least a half dozen teams had 3-4 safeties on their roster better than any starter on our team not named Will Hill.

Being a starter doesn't make you good.

3. I've seen no flashes of anything from Brooks, and every time somebody says that I ask them what they saw and I hear nothing. I didn't see speed, I didn't see coverage or ball skills or even what looked like an understanding of positioning. Frankly, him getting cut (Elam also) is as likely as him starting this season in my eyes.

Sure, Elam showed flashes. And if that was the last thing I saw from him, I'd agree. But then I watched him play all of 2014 like somebody who was terrified to tackle, and I immediately lost interest. Regression is a bad thing.

[usmccharles]

Im extremely happy with this, this signing gives us options instead of relying on sub-par talent.  This will help deal with the WR talent in the AFCN, also i think we have a pretty rough schedule with WRs this year. 

[spitfire418]

1 minute ago, GrimCoconut said:

Who's better? I think you'll say Brooks? I like Brooks as much as the next guy but I think it would be a mistake to rely on him taking over at FS. What if we do that and Brooks fails? I'd rather ease him into the role. Hill is in his final year this year, I believe. Brooks will get his chance.

I was just saying that the Eric Weddle signing may not have been the best choice though. Also, if we're comparing a Ruth's Chris filet to an Outback one, I'd say that Eric Weddle is possibly a little better quality, but overpriced lol.

[rmcjacket23]

11 minutes ago, spitfire418 said:

Doesn't mean it was the best choice though.

Implies that there was a choice...

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Weddle and Hill on the back end inside is going to be HARD HITTING ACTION.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm starting to see why other fans think we're whiners. Everyone says FS is an issue and agrees it's a major area of weakness yet they complain when Ozzie addresses it. Like he's supposed to go and trade for Earl Thomas, Joe Thomas, Von Miller, and JJ Watt for a 5th, 6th, 7th, and a 4th. 

If Ozzie relied on who we have and we struggled people would say Ozzie trusted his guys too much again and they'd be right. Now people want to call signing Weddle a questionable move? 

I don't get it. We needed a FS. Weddle was a Hell of a FS. Perhaps he needed a change of scenery, perhaps not. Was this move necessary? Yeah, it was.