[News] Late For Work 3/29: Ravens 'Monitoring' Two Pro Bowl Left Tackles

[BR News]

Ryan Clady and D’Brickashaw Ferguson could be cut. Ed Reed a future head coach. Upshaw returns comp pick?

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[fusuymada]

This type of article is why I think Bisciotti came out and stroked the ego of Monroe publicly. He has to be able to read and he has to be able to figure out that if the Ravens have any choice whatsoever in keeping him, they won't, but, they don't want to waste a top 6 pick on a left tackle, so he is plan D and he knows it. Given the choice, I would buy into Clady who is still a vet but is much better than Ferguson and more reliable than Monroe. I think everyone agrees that it is Monroe's ability to stay on the field that hurts him, he is a fair run blocker and an above average pass blocker. We need to keep Joe upright and Hurst is not an option so we will need to continue to stroke Monroe's ego unless and until we find someone else because last thing we want is to be stuck with Monroe and he goes down with a mystery injury. He did have shoulder surgery so there is hope he can hang this year.

[SouthernRavens]

This type of article is why I think Bisciotti came out and stroked the ego of Monroe publicly. He has to be able to read and he has to be able to figure out that if the Ravens have any choice whatsoever in keeping him, they won't, but, they don't want to waste a top 6 pick on a left tackle, so he is plan D and he knows it. Given the choice, I would buy into Clady who is still a vet but is much better than Ferguson and more reliable than Monroe. I think everyone agrees that it is Monroe's ability to stay on the field that hurts him, he is a fair run blocker and an above average pass blocker. We need to keep Joe upright and Hurst is not an option so we will need to continue to stroke Monroe's ego unless and until we find someone else because last thing we want is to be stuck with Monroe and he goes down with a mystery injury. He did have shoulder surgery so there is hope he can hang this year.

I agree with what you have said. In addition, given his injury history and how enamored we are NOT with our T depth it would be irresponsible to not look at other options.

[thieverycorporation]

Nice look Breshad on the extended Ravens Family ala #25 tributes. May they be life long alliances.

[ravenwildman]

I wonder if Urshel the math genius can play tackle. He did pretty good at center considering the baptismal by fire in a position that is one of the hardest to play on an O-line. Not perfect, but not too shabby either... :) GO RAVENS!

[bioLarzen]

I wonder if Urshel the math genius can play tackle. He did pretty good at center considering the baptismal by fire in a position that is one of the hardest to play on an O-line. Not perfect, but not too shabby either... :) GO RAVENS!

With KO gone and no new guy added - yet? - to the G corps, I think Urschel will be needed at his natural position.

[Minionhunter]

Also the anniversary of the 2am theft of the Colts and evasion of the MD state police.

[bioLarzen]

I'd be extra cautious with Ryan Clady. When a team basically gives up on their starting LT, it's usually a huge red flag. The broncos coaching staff and FO knows exactly what they can expect of Clady. Apparently it's not enough to want him back... Okung is a good LT, but nearly not so great that his arrival would be a legit reason to get rid of a LT the team deems as good enough to keep otherwise...

[ellicottraven]

We do what we do between now and start of the season. I know one thing for a fact. I trust the Ravens will leave no stone unturned to put the best 53 man roster they can. Will they always be successful? Not necessarily, but find me a better front office first.

[The Greek]

would prefer to draft a lt in the 2nd or 3rd if one seems worthy and pray that monroe can stay healthy. im sure we will wait until training camp cuts to sign an old fart for 1 season

[dirtybird66]

love SEXY REXY,i'm glad he saw the potential of REED,bird's of a feather,stick together for life,no wonder the BILL'S D really took off and i knew given a chance,TYROD would do great,smart REX RYAN.keeping the RAVEN'S connection's.

[dirtybird66]

alway's loved FERGUSSEN.

[ryananth]

I get tired of hearing about how many starters are left from Super Bowl 47. Seems unfair not to mention Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox, Albert McClellan and Dennis Pitta who are also still on the team.

[rmcjacket23]

40 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

I'd be extra cautious with Ryan Clady. When a team basically gives up on their starting LT, it's usually a huge red flag. The broncos coaching staff and FO knows exactly what they can expect of Clady. Apparently it's not enough to want him back... Okung is a good LT, but nearly not so great that his arrival would be a legit reason to get rid of a LT the team deems as good enough to keep otherwise...

They're in the same spot as us in regards to Monroe... they're tired of him being injured and unreliable.

Much like us with Monroe, they are paying a much higher price for a player they don't trust. He's due a $9.5M salary with a $10.1M cap number for the Broncos, of which they can recover $8.9M of that by cutting him.

So obviously, much like the fact that we are scheduled to pay Monroe $6.5M, the Broncos don't have much interest in paying Clady $9.5M.

However, the good news for a team like us is that Clady wouldn't cost anywhere near $9.5M for us to sign him. Frankly, it'd probably cost less than half of that at this point. For probably $3-4M on a one year deal, you could probably sign him as a free agent. Then you let him compete with Monroe for the job... with an actual competition... something Monroe really hasn't had since he's been here.

And the loser of that competition is either the backup for a season and then gets released, or he gets outright cut in camp/preseason.

Trade certainly doesn't make much sense, but signing him as a FA certainly does if he becomes available.

Heck, for $3M for one year, I wouldn't even consider that a horrible price for depth at a position where we don't even have an obvious starter and certainly don't have quality depth at.

[RavensDieHard21]

I wonder if Urshel the math genius can play tackle. He did pretty good at center considering the baptismal by fire in a position that is one of the hardest to play on an O-line. Not perfect, but not too shabby either... :) GO RAVENS!

I think he will end up at LG, he looked good while playing there and RG in the playoffs

[Halshayeji]

would prefer to draft a lt in the 2nd or 3rd if one seems worthy and pray that monroe can stay healthy. im sure we will wait until training camp cuts to sign an old fart for 1 season

I'd rather have both. Nothing is guaranteed in the draft. Let the old farts battle it out with Wagner. The best 2 play T and the third plays LG. Let the young fart battle with Urschel and Jensen for the first spot off the bench as you know the old farts will get hurt sooner or later.

[Halshayeji]

I'd be extra cautious with Ryan Clady. When a team basically gives up on their starting LT, it's usually a huge red flag. The broncos coaching staff and FO knows exactly what they can expect of Clady. Apparently it's not enough to want him back... Okung is a good LT, but nearly not so great that his arrival would be a legit reason to get rid of a LT the team deems as good enough to keep otherwise...

Classic case of "best ability is availability"
Clady may still be the best LT in Denver but he's just too injury prone and his backloaded contract is catching up to him. Okung became available and he's younger and 5 mil cheaper (year 1) as the Broncos need cap space for a QB ASAP. The Broncos thought they could get a guy just as good for cheaper and get value for Clady. Problem is they showed their cards and everyone is now calling their bluff waiting for the cut.

If the Ravens are bringing Clady to compete for LT and possibly start at LG then sure bring him in if he's willing to play for 5 mil a year. If we're gonna swallow 6 mil in dead cap to get rid of Monroe and play Clady instead then Heeeeeeeeel no! That would certainly be a dumb and dumber move.

[billiejean]

love SEXY REXY,i'm glad he saw the potential of REED,bird's of a feather,stick together for life,no wonder the BILL'S D really took off and i knew given a chance,TYROD would do great,smart REX RYAN.keeping the RAVEN'S connection's.

Buffalo had a down year on defense in 2015. In 2014 their defense was the number 4 rated defense in the league. And last year they dropped to 15

[hn68wb4]

I can get behind a Ferguson signing if he's cut. Durable and was once one of the best in the league, if nothing else he provides an upgrade over Hurst.

[stixfix69]

if we sign either one, which i don't see us doing, they would start, and Monroe cut June 1st. I think with us picking so high in each round we can find a solid LT to groom, and just stick with Monroe this year....JMO....

[mendii]

Seeing the photos of Breshad with what looks like Tray's friends and family is really touching. I mean, we're back to talking about the draft and what players we can replace, but there is still a family in Florida that is very freshly in mourning. It's a reality check I guess.

[rmcjacket23]

6 minutes ago, stixfix69 said:

if we sign either one, which i don't see us doing, they would start, and Monroe cut June 1st. I think with us picking so high in each round we can find a solid LT to groom, and just stick with Monroe this year....JMO....

I think that's a lot harder to do than people realize, particularly with the very large majority of LTs in this league currently being 1st round picks.

[eze17]

Really don't see either of these guys starting at LT for us...and we definately wont be trading for either one! My guess would be picking someone up in the draft and letting them back up Monroe, who when healthy is a decent LT.

As for the 2012 draft, while it won't go down as our greatest, it did produce immediate returns, and don't forget Tucker should be included as being part of 2012.

Happy "birthday" to the Raven's organization, and beloved memories to Mr. Modell for making it possible, and healing my heart after losing our Colt's,

[stixfix69]

  21 minutes ago, stixfix69 said:

if we sign either one, which i don't see us doing, they would start, and Monroe cut June 1st. I think with us picking so high in each round we can find a solid LT to groom, and just stick with Monroe this year....JMO....

I think that's a lot harder to do than people realize, particularly with the very large majority of LTs in this league currently being 1st round picks.

Then there has been quite a few solid ones drafted late or undrafted....Draft picks are all a gamble, you never know if they can adjust to the pro game.....These two wouldn't even be discussed if there teams felt they were that valuable or good at LT knowing that is a key position.....

[TheConquerorWorm]

Ronnie Stanley = D'Brickashaw Ferguson

[rmcjacket23]

1 minute ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Ronnie Stanley = D'Brickashaw Ferguson

Agreed... that makes him a quality draft pick. 

He's been an extremely durable, high quality LT for the last decade. I'd love to have a guy like that on our team.

I just don't want to pay the trade and contract costs it takes to get somebody like that. Plus he's also 32.

[Crusader]

I got news for ya 2013 was not much better, except maybe Williams and Kyle. The jury is still out.

[ellicottraven]

The only LT we should take in the 1st is if Tunsil by some miracle falls to us. Otherwise, I think we should stick with a pick that is talented and a safe bet to perform. Most importantly we should pick somebody that energizes the entire fanbase because I think the fans need it after last year's 5-11 season.

[sami]

For $1.25 million we should have signed Upshaw. We could have cut a couple of those useless guys that's on the practice squad were never gonna use. He might not have gotten a lot of sacks but then he was used primarily on running plays and was great at keeping containment on his side.

[rmcjacket23]

5 minutes ago, sami said:

For $1.25 million we should have signed Upshaw. We could have cut a couple of those useless guys that's on the practice squad were never gonna use. He might not have gotten a lot of sacks but then he was used primarily on running plays and was great at keeping containment on his side.

We also gained a comp pick by letting him go, so that's part of the equation.