[News] Eisenberg: Eric Weddle Should Stop Safety Merry-Go-Round

[BR News]

Even if Eric Weddle represents Plan E or F for the Ravens at safety, he’s a terrific Plan E or F.

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[bnyce52]

He's plan A. You don't pay that much money for anything but a clear starter. Other than having Ed Reed's top-end speed (though he's still pretty fast), Weddle has everything that we miss about the days of having #20 roaming the back of our defense. He's one of those guys that becomes an offensive player the moment he picks the ball off and I love that he brings it back the other way no matter where he is on the field - even if in the endzone. The guy is supremely confident in his abilities which is what you have to have as a free safety. He sees it and then turns it loose without hesitation. Him and Will Hill are going to be nasty together.

[Saxxin]

Webb will be the other starter. Hill will come in on nickle and dime packages and Webb will move up to cover the slot. The rest will be considered backups until they prove they can do a better job. Which won't be an easy thing to do. I think Elam is gone and for good reason. He's a bust. Time to move on.

[mearzunkies]

This D can be dangerous if we can get a pass rush. Bring in the big boy that should fall to us.

[hen826957]

@mearzunkies if we get our hands on Joey Bosa, Buckner or Ramsey at number 6 we could be a scary defense. :-)

[cali_raven8989]

Myles Jack from ucla if he falls to us will be a perfect fit. an outside linebacker who can cover TE's slot receivers and get at the QB. He was ucla's nickle corner covering slot receivers the last 2 years.

[law215]

I think its an upgrade,maybe too much money for a 31 yr. old ( 4yrs $29M). I think Webb will be asked to lower salary or be a post June 1st cut. I don't think they will have the budget for that much money at one position.

[JamesA119]

I think Elam and Lewis are gone if they keep 4 safeties, unless Elam plays lights out in training camp. In that case they keep 5. Lewis is good as gone.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

I think its an upgrade,maybe too much money for a 31 yr. old ( 4yrs $29M). I think Webb will be asked to lower salary or be a post June 1st cut. I don't think they will have the budget for that much money at one position.

I saw 4 years for $26 million, with $9 million this season. The guy had a good season last yr, despite dealing with injury and a under performing defensive front. Weedle has not shown large drop off yet either, clearly evidenced by the number of teams interested in signing him. I 'm on board with Webb will probably be a restructured deal or potential cut. Who knows though, maybe he stays put at CB after the dust settles from FA and draft. Still along ways until camp days are here.

[rmcjacket23]

14 minutes ago, JamesA119 said:

I think Elam and Lewis are gone if they keep 4 safeties, unless Elam plays lights out in training camp. In that case they keep 5. Lewis is good as gone.

Could easily keep 5-6 safeties. They are prime special teams players.

I do think they keep Levine for that reason, meaning somebody amongst Lewis, Elam, Brooks, or possibly Webb doesn't make the team.

Think 6 safeties is realistic, particularly if they don't carry more than 3-4 corners. We know Webb and Elam have experience at corner, so that helps.

I'd bet they carry 10 DBs in some form or fashion, but we will likely see at least one safety cut.

Edited March 15, 2016 by rmcjacket23

[ellicottraven]

Our secondary now looks nearly impregnable with Weddle at free safety. It is time to negotiate a pay cut with Webb so he can be used as a third safety in nickle situations and 2 TE formations.

[MYTH420]

Yes, this is easy. First, cut Walker. I don't know why Ozzie keeps drafting these small school project players. Second, Webb plays in the slot. Sorry Webb, Maybe you can play Safety next year. That gives you 5 CB (Smith, Wright, Webb, Davis, Arrington), you get another in the draft. Next, the Safeties. First, cut Kendrick Lewis. You save a little money and he just isn't good. You play Weddle at FS and Hill at SS, with Elam and Brooks as your backups. Now if Levine looks good in camp, you could find a spot for him. You can also save money by cutting Elam. I know you hate to give up on a 1st round pick, but you have to keep the best guys.

[Black&purple#55]

Yes, this is easy. First, cut Walker. I don't know why Ozzie keeps drafting these small school project players. Second, Webb plays in the slot. Sorry Webb, Maybe you can play Safety next year. That gives you 5 CB (Smith, Wright, Webb, Davis, Arrington), you get another in the draft. Next, the Safeties. First, cut Kendrick Lewis. You save a little money and he just isn't good. You play Weddle at FS and Hill at SS, with Elam and Brooks as your backups. Now if Levine looks good in camp, you could find a spot for him. You can also save money by cutting Elam. I know you hate to give up on a 1st round pick, but you have to keep the best guys.

agreed

[stixfix69]

Play them all and let camp sort them out......

[pocket]

They will probably wait on Elam.. If they do want to cut him.. Get a late round pick. This looks to be a trenches draft.

Edited March 15, 2016 by pocket

[SouthernRavens]

I see a lot of ability for scheming with this group. You can show 3 safeties and know that 2 of 3 (Weddle and Webb) can cover the slot. I think they keep Brooks and Levine at the back ups with Lewis and Elam being cut/trade bait. I could also see them dealing Webb and keeping Elam as a back up depending on what we do in the draft at CB.

[law215]

Our secondary now looks nearly impregnable with Weddle at free safety. It is time to negotiate a pay cut with Webb so he can be used as a third safety in nickle situations and 2 TE formations.

I think adding Weddle improves the secondary but no where near an end product. Jimmy is up and down, Webb whether people want to believe is done, and teams only stay away from Wright because Webb was easy target. Ravens need to add a CB in the second or third round. Give Walker and Davis an opportunity

[mearzunkies]

@mearzunkies if we get our hands on Joey Bosa, Buckner or Ramsey at number 6 we could be a scary defense. :-)

Ramsey or Buckner not Bosa or Myles:-)

[mearzunkies]

I think its an upgrade,maybe too much money for a 31 yr. old ( 4yrs $29M). I think Webb will be asked to lower salary or be a post June 1st cut. I don't think they will have the budget for that much money at one position.

no no no He is a project! At #6 we need an immediate contributor. IMMEDIATE! IMO

[mearzunkies]

  3 hours ago, law215 said:

I think its an upgrade,maybe too much money for a 31 yr. old ( 4yrs $29M). I think Webb will be asked to lower salary or be a post June 1st cut. I don't think they will have the budget for that much money at one position.

I saw 4 years for $26 million, with $9 million this season. The guy had a good season last yr, despite dealing with injury and a under performing defensive front. Weedle has not shown large drop off yet either, clearly evidenced by the number of teams interested in signing him. I 'm on board with Webb will probably be a restructured deal or potential cut. Who knows though, maybe he stays put at CB after the dust settles from FA and draft. Still along ways until camp days are here.

Exactly my thoughts. But I accept a BIG pay cut.

[mearzunkies]

  2 hours ago, MYTH420 said:

Yes, this is easy. First, cut Walker. I don't know why Ozzie keeps drafting these small school project players. Second, Webb plays in the slot. Sorry Webb, Maybe you can play Safety next year. That gives you 5 CB (Smith, Wright, Webb, Davis, Arrington), you get another in the draft. Next, the Safeties. First, cut Kendrick Lewis. You save a little money and he just isn't good. You play Weddle at FS and Hill at SS, with Elam and Brooks as your backups. Now if Levine looks good in camp, you could find a spot for him. You can also save money by cutting Elam. I know you hate to give up on a 1st round pick, but you have to keep the best guys.

agreed

second

[mearzunkies]

I see a lot of ability for scheming with this group. You can show 3 safeties and know that 2 of 3 (Weddle and Webb) can cover the slot. I think they keep Brooks and Levine at the back ups with Lewis and Elam being cut/trade bait. I could also see them dealing Webb and keeping Elam as a back up depending on what we do in the draft at CB.

Doubt Webb is going to be traded. Big money average play...

[RavensDieHard21]

Our secondary now looks nearly impregnable with Weddle at free safety. It is time to negotiate a pay cut with Webb so he can be used as a third safety in nickle situations and 2 TE formations.

That would give us a lot to scheme with and he could also come down and cover receivers when needed, or we could keep Hill near line of scrimmage to make plays and drop webb and Weddle back. I think one more young talented corner and we can focus on getting pass rushers for the future.

[RavensDieHard21]

@mearzunkies if we get our hands on Joey Bosa, Buckner or Ramsey at number 6 we could be a scary defense. :-)

factor in one of those three and add in a great second rd pick like a Dodd, Spence, or Floyd and we will be looking like a scary unit again

[hen826957]

@RavenDieHard21 l know this isn't going to happen but what if Ramsey slip to us at number 6 pick then Noah Spence falls to the second round omg. That would be scary defense. I can imagine that LOL. :-)

[hen826957]

@RavenDieHard21 or even Deforest Buckner and Noah Spence along with resigning Courtney Upshaw that a lot of talent on the defensive line. :-)

[RavensFanMania]

5 hours ago, Saxxin said:

Webb will be the other starter. Hill will come in on nickle and dime packages and Webb will move up to cover the slot. The rest will be considered backups until they prove they can do a better job. Which won't be an easy thing to do. I think Elam is gone and for good reason. He's a bust. Time to move on.

no, Hill will be the other starter at SS.  Webb will cover the slot.

[ravens4life86]

Before I hit the hay... just reading on NFLTRADERUMOR as of midnight,
Weddle comments on signing...saying he made his mind up Sunday night. That when you think Baltimore, you think Culture,Winning,Defense,blue Collar. They wanted me and my heart wanted them.

Then same article saying Mike Wallace and Ravens meeting today. If true dont let him leave without signing a contract. Lastly it also mentions Percy Harvin as another option at WR. But sign Wallace

[huntrgathrr]

Weddle and Hill will be the starters and Webb covering the slot sounds good....I guess Smith and Wright will be our corners but it wouldn't surprise me if they take the best corner available with their first round pick.
Forget Mike Wallace although he could really excel with Flacco's big arm. If he doesn't get his catches he brings conflict to the team. He's not a team player and a real liability in the locker room. Unless he's really cheap, I'd pass on this guy.
I can't wait for the draft......dreaming of Joey Bosa and Mosely in the middle of our defense. We can get offensive lineman in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds (see Urshel, Wagner, Hurst and Jensen). I could also see Ozzie getting a top tier running back in the first round if available. Should be a big haul for the Ravens this year.
Call me crazy but I really think they are very close to returning to the Super Bowl. Can we have just one year with less than 20 players on IR?????? That is the question.

[J.O.14]

  12 hours ago, hen826957 said:

@mearzunkies if we get our hands on Joey Bosa, Buckner or Ramsey at number 6 we could be a scary defense. :-)

Ramsey or Buckner not Bosa or Myles:-)

Myles might be the best player in the draft....