[News] Late For Work 4/14: Should Ravens Show Interest In Pro Bowler Donte Whitner?

[BR News]

NFL announced it was almost ready to announce schedule announcement. Eugene Monroe's wife gives birth to baby girl. Vegas not sold on Ravens yet. Eric Weddle salutes Kobe Bryant in final game of 20-year career.

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[noleafclover613]

Even though it is off topic, thank you Rams for trading for the #1 pick. Our odds of grabbing one of the playmakers we want in the first round just increased significantly.

[VermontRaven]

Looks like there's a good chance 2 qbs go in first 5 picks...almost guaranteed at least 1 will with Rams trading for first overall pick...increases the odds Ravens get defensive playmaker they want (or Tunsil)

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15201946/tennessee-titans-trade-no-1-pick-los-angeles-rams

[fusuymada]

Does Webb have blackmail material of someone's wife or something? Not only are we not cutting Webb to free up cap space, and we aren't cutting him to make room for Donte Whitner, we are actually saying we are choosing Webb as a safety over Whitner? Has Ozzie bumped his head? (could explain recent drafts) Is this a Harbaugh thing (if I don't like you then you are gone, if I do, then you don't even have to be a good player). What is this great allegiance to Webb when we ditch Ngata, ditch McPhee, ditch Torrey Smith, all over huge salaries and Webb is overpaid for a good player much less one who is no longer able to play his original position and is unproven at safety. I think Harbaugh is a good coach, but since he has come here, our personnel decisions become very curious to be kind. I understand that Ozzie accepts other's opinions, I have to wonder if for some reason, John has veto over decisions. I know that sounds crazy, but there are personnel moves that are made that leaves everyone scratching their heads. If they were good decisions there would be no discussion, but the fact they are discussed over and over and over indicates they are questionable (Boldin, Smith, Ngata, Pollard, Ihedigbo, etc...).

Edited April 14, 2016 by fusuymada
update

[WNC-Raven]

What a morning Ravens nation! Rams jump to number 1 to most likely pick a new QB to start their LA team fresh. Browns should still take a QB as well and even if they don't someone will probably get nervous and trade in front of or with us to grab the other one. Maybe Tunsil actually drops to us? I hear the sound of draft boards being shuffled all over the country and it's looking good for us!

[mendii]

Must be weird to go out and get some food with your buddy and then be asked to take a picture with the entire staff.

[rmcjacket23]

1 minute ago, fusuymada said:

Does Webb have blackmail material of someone's wife or something? Not only are we not cutting Webb to free up cap space, and we aren't cutting him to make room for Donte Whitner, we are actually saying we are choosing Webb as a safety over Whitner? Has Ozzie bumped his head? (could explain recent drafts) Is this a Harbaugh thing (if I don't like you then you are gone, if I do, then you don't even have to be a good player). What is this great allegiance to Webb when we ditch Ngata, ditch McPhee, ditch Torrey Smith, all over huge salaries and Webb is overpaid for a good player much less one who is no longer able to play his original position and is unproven at safety. I think Harbaugh is a good coach, but since he has come here, our personnel decisions become very curious to be kind. I understand that Ozzie accepts other's opinions, I have to wonder if for some reason, John has veto over decisions. I know that sounds crazy, but there are personnel moves that are made that leaves everyone scratching their heads. If they were good decisions there would be no discussion, but the fact they are discussed over and over and over indicates they are questionable.

There's not much to like bout Whitner, particularly when we already have safeties like him on the roster already.

[rmcjacket23]

2 minutes ago, noleafclover613 said:

Even though it is off topic, thank you Rams for trading for the #1 pick. Our odds of grabbing one of the playmakers we want in the first round just increased significantly.

Perhaps.

May change nothing though, since Cleveland won't be getting Wentz and they may choose not to take a QB at #2. If they don't, and nobody else does, it changes basically nothing for the Ravens.

[Abz]

Webb's 6 million in dead money is a sunk cost nothing is gonna change it and so it shouldn't be taken into consideration when making a decision. Currently, with his contract there is a cap hit of 9.5 mil which means cutting him and signing Whitner for 3 mil would save the team 500k in cap space and we get a proven player along side Weddle. Yes we have a lot of safeties but not a lot of proven quality except for Weddle. Webb transitioning to safety is a project that might work or might not... I'd rather go with the proven veteran in Whitner and save 500K in cap space...

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

  7 minutes ago, noleafclover613 said:

Even though it is off topic, thank you Rams for trading for the #1 pick. Our odds of grabbing one of the playmakers we want in the first round just increased significantly.

Perhaps.

May change nothing though, since Cleveland won't be getting Wentz and they may choose not to take a QB at #2. If they don't, and nobody else does, it changes basically nothing for the Ravens.

I think LA's going Goff - the home town kid - and the Browns still go Wentz... or now that the price to move up has been set I think either the Eagles or 49ers will be interested in moving up to 2 or 3 to grab the other QB. Either way, I think the odds have increased greatly of 2 QBs being taken before our pick.

[noleafclover613]

  8 minutes ago, noleafclover613 said:

Even though it is off topic, thank you Rams for trading for the #1 pick. Our odds of grabbing one of the playmakers we want in the first round just increased significantly.

Perhaps.

May change nothing though, since Cleveland won't be getting Wentz and they may choose not to take a QB at #2. If they don't, and nobody else does, it changes basically nothing for the Ravens.

Ok, ye with little faith. Highly doubt it. Either Goff or Wentz is an upgrade from RGIII. I think they would happily take either guy. However, if the Browns only like one guy and that guy (Wentz or Goff) is selected by the Rams, they will most likely trade out of that position and gather picks. Or, if the Brown's do bypass a QB at two, I think that will only start a situation where teams such as the Eagles and 49ers will be looking to move up to three. Although they may be able to get the QB they want at 7 or 8, you don't want to take the chance of Dallas grabbing your guy at four. Either way, I believe it leaves the door open for us to get more options at 6.

[rmcjacket23]

8 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

I think LA's going Goff - the home town kid - and the Browns still go Wentz... or now that the price to move up has been set I think either the Eagles or 49ers will be interested in moving up to 2 or 3 to grab the other QB. Either way, I think the odds have increased greatly of 2 QBs being taken before our pick.

If you are the Rams... why trade up to #1 to get Goff? Why wouldn't you just trade to like the #3-6 range for a cheaper price?

Everybody knows the Browns like Wentz more than Goff... so if you're the Rams, the only team you have to get ahead of is likely SF.

I don't think the "hometown kid" thing means anything at all anyway. I think they like Wentz better and will take him.

[rmcjacket23]

1 minute ago, noleafclover613 said:

Ok, ye with little faith. Highly doubt it. Either Goff or Wentz is an upgrade from RGIII. I think they would happily take either guy. However, if the Browns only like one guy and that guy (Wentz or Goff) is selected by the Rams, they will most likely trade out of that position and gather picks. Or, if the Brown's do bypass a QB at two, I think that will only start a situation where teams such as the Eagles and 49ers will be looking to move up to three. Although they may be able to get the QB they want at 7 or 8, you don't want to take the chance of Dallas grabbing your guy at four. Either way, I believe it leaves the door open for us to get more options at 6.

1.  I doubt any team really considers Dallas as a threat to take a QB at #4... just not very realistic. In particular, if they can't even get the best one in the draft class, it really makes less sense.

2. The entire basis for this is determining one question we can't answer... how much does Dallas like the QB that the Rams don't select? I suspect the Rams wouldn't move up to #1 unless they wanted the same guy as Cleveland, which is likely Wentz. If that's the case... do we really think Cleveland will take Goff if they don't like him nearly as much as Wentz? Just because QB is a need? Remember... new regime there. Quite a different line of thinking in that building right now, as the FA has shown us.

3. Same thing applies to Eagles or 49ers... how much do they like the guy that is remaining? If you're SF, and Wentz is gone and Cleveland doesn't take Goff... you really don't have to worry a ton about moving up, because there's not much point. Most likely outcome is the guy falls right into your lap at #7. If Philly is willing to trade into the top 5-6 to get the second best QB in a weak QB class, let them do it. They've already got over $30M in guaranteed money tied to two QBs anyway, so good luck with that.

I think the door is open for more options for the Ravens... ONLY if Cleveland takes a QB at #2. Other than that, I don't think it changes much.

[noleafclover613]

  12 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

I think LA's going Goff - the home town kid - and the Browns still go Wentz... or now that the price to move up has been set I think either the Eagles or 49ers will be interested in moving up to 2 or 3 to grab the other QB. Either way, I think the odds have increased greatly of 2 QBs being taken before our pick.

If you are the Rams... why trade up to #1 to get Goff? Why wouldn't you just trade to like the #3-6 range for a cheaper price?

Everybody knows the Browns like Wentz more than Goff... so if you're the Rams, the only team you have to get ahead of is likely SF.

I don't think the "hometown kid" thing means anything at all anyway. I think they like Wentz better and will take him.

First of all, if you're going to do something, it's worth doing right. Maybe the Rams tried to trade with SD and Dallas, but no one wanted to bite. Maybe the price of moving up to three wasn't much different than moving up to one. Nobody knows, but I do know one thing. If you want the guarantee of getting the player you desire, there is only one draft spot where that is secure.

While most analyst like Wentz better than Goff, I haven't seen any indication that Jackson likes Wentz better than Goff. The Browns speak highly of both players, brought both in for interviews and attended pro days. If you're referring to the hand size argument, I don't think that will play a big role. Sure, Wentz has the larger hand size, but he also holds the football like a loaf of bread (one-handed scanning the field).

[krnraven]

When will someone make deal like that with the Ravens? Ravens need to learn how to fleece teams like Denver a few years back trading from 8th to 26th and got back squat. On top of which wasted some of those picks on the elusive Arthur Brown. Take note FO

[FloridalovesRavens]

Vegas can keep on not giving us love. We really like being the underdog. Go Ravens!

[ellicottraven]

All I care about is 2 QBs going before we pick. It is almost inevitable that it is going to happen. If Wentz is taken #1, then a team really looking at acquiring one of the top 2 QBs isn't going to sit around till #7. That is assuming the Browns continue being the Browns and outsmart themselves into believing Hue Jackson will transform a 2nd or 3rd round QB into Brady. In fact I expect the Browns to draft a defensive player or Tunsil at #2 and screw that player's career. Teams like the Niners, Eagles or even the Jets ( less likely ) aren't going to sit around waiting for Goff to fall to them.

[FloridalovesRavens]

Must be weird to go out and get some food with your buddy and then be asked to take a picture with the entire staff.

I'm sure he is quite used to it lol.

[b93333]

There is still a very good chance someone will want to jump ahead of SF to grab that second QB. LA was probably afraid Dallas would grab one at #4. If not, the ravens still may be sitting pretty to clean up by trading back.

[FloridalovesRavens]

What a morning Ravens nation! Rams jump to number 1 to most likely pick a new QB to start their LA team fresh. Browns should still take a QB as well and even if they don't someone will probably get nervous and trade in front of or with us to grab the other one. Maybe Tunsil actually drops to us? I hear the sound of draft boards being shuffled all over the country and it's looking good for us!

I'll bet Tunsil is upset at maybe not being #1 pick.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

With the Rams trading up to #1 pick that pretty much makes it a lock that at least 1 QB is going before the Ravens pick. If the Browns panic and take the other QB between Goff and Wentz then that means one of the studs we're hoping for in Baltimore has to fall to us.

Baltimore doesn't have to cut Webb to get Whitner in the house. They can turn down the option on Elam if he still looks like the bust he's been so far, they can cut Kendrick Lewis who was awful, or they can cut Terrence Brooks whose been injured every single year he's been here. Anthony Levine is probably a keeper because he can also play corner and is a special teams player. All that being said, I don't think the Ravens will get Whitner. They've had thumpers on the back end of the defense for several years now and have released them promptly in an effort to get better coverage; Will Demps, James Ihedigbo, Will Hill, and Bernard Pollard. Not sure why they'd go back to a formula with Whitner that they think doesn't work anymore. I would have rather had Reggie Nelson whom signed with the Raiders for only $2 million in actual money.

As for Kobe Bryant, who the blankity blank blank really cares?

Eugene Monroe and the Monroe family, congratulations on the new baby girl.

The Ravens were a playoff team before this year's draft and all the injuries and a lot of that team is returning this year. I mean...we were on our 3rd and 4th options at starting WR, our 3rd and 4th RBs, 4th QB, back ups at C and LT, had nobody healthy in the secondary, and didn't have Suggs. So yeah, a strong draft would certainly help us, but I think you could say that about most teams. Getting all the starters back healthy would be enough for the Ravens to win 10 games.

[billiejean]

Does Webb have blackmail material of someone's wife or something? Not only are we not cutting Webb to free up cap space, and we aren't cutting him to make room for Donte Whitner, we are actually saying we are choosing Webb as a safety over Whitner? Has Ozzie bumped his head? (could explain recent drafts) Is this a Harbaugh thing (if I don't like you then you are gone, if I do, then you don't even have to be a good player). What is this great allegiance to Webb when we ditch Ngata, ditch McPhee, ditch Torrey Smith, all over huge salaries and Webb is overpaid for a good player much less one who is no longer able to play his original position and is unproven at safety. I think Harbaugh is a good coach, but since he has come here, our personnel decisions become very curious to be kind. I understand that Ozzie accepts other's opinions, I have to wonder if for some reason, John has veto over decisions. I know that sounds crazy, but there are personnel moves that are made that leaves everyone scratching their heads. If they were good decisions there would be no discussion, but the fact they are discussed over and over and over indicates they are questionable (Boldin, Smith, Ngata, Pollard, Ihedigbo, etc...).

why would you replace Webb with Whitner? That does't make any sense. Whitner is a SS who really at this point in his career is about as agile and athletic as a Linebacker. Webb is our only true FS. There is nothing questionable about moving on from Ngata, Pollard, Ihedigbo, or Smith. Pollard and Ihedigbo were terrible in coverage. Ngata didn't want to renegotiate his contract so we got what we could for him. Smith???? Would you pay Smith the money San Fran is. I mean come on he isn't worth that big of a contract and how did he do last year? Boldin might be the only questionable cut on your list. Im thankful that we have a FO that can objectively determine a guys worth. Your getting to sentimental. All of the guys you mentioned were way past their prime or in Ihedigbo case just an average run of the mill player.

[Maurice0094]

Congrats on the new baby Eugene, that being said the way the draft board goes....we might have a new LT in Tunsil. This trade really helps the Ravens pushing down the positional talent.

[rmcjacket23]

Just now, EdTheMythicalOne said:

With the Rams trading up to #1 pick that pretty much makes it a lock that at least 1 QB is going before the Ravens pick. If the Browns panic and take the other QB between Goff and Wentz then that means one of the studs we're hoping for in Baltimore has to fall to us.

Baltimore doesn't have to cut Webb to get Whitner in the house. They can turn down the option on Elam if he still looks like the bust he's been so far, they can cut Kendrick Lewis who was awful, or they can cut Terrence Brooks whose been injured every single year he's been here. Anthony Levine is probably a keeper because he can also play corner and is a special teams player. All that being said, I don't think the Ravens will get Whitner. They've had thumpers on the back end of the defense for several years now and have released them promptly in an effort to get better coverage; Will Demps, James Ihedigbo, Will Hill, and Bernard Pollard. Not sure why they'd go back to a formula with Whitner that they think doesn't work anymore. I would have rather had Reggie Nelson whom signed with the Raiders for only $2 million in actual money.

As for Kobe Bryant, who the blankity blank blank really cares?

Eugene Monroe and the Monroe family, congratulations on the new baby girl.

The Ravens were a playoff team before this year's draft and all the injuries and a lot of that team is returning this year. I mean...we were on our 3rd and 4th options at starting WR, our 3rd and 4th RBs, 4th QB, back ups at C and LT, had nobody healthy in the secondary, and didn't have Suggs. So yeah, a strong draft would certainly help us, but I think you could say that about most teams. Getting all the starters back healthy would be enough for the Ravens to win 10 games.

May be true, but keep in mind that most of those injuries occurred after the first 5-6 weeks of the season.

How well did we perform with a largely healthy roster, which we were for at least 5-6 games?

Remember... we played 7 games last season with about the healthiest Ravens teams you've seen in many years. We were missing Suggs and a rookie WR who never played. Other than that, a largely fully healthy defense and an offense that was as expected since July.

In those 7 games... 1-6. 2-6 in the first half of the season with a largely healthy roster. Even Monroe played four games in our first eight.

[billiejean]

1 hour ago, Abz said:

Webb's 6 million in dead money is a sunk cost nothing is gonna change it and so it shouldn't be taken into consideration when making a decision. Currently, with his contract there is a cap hit of 9.5 mil which means cutting him and signing Whitner for 3 mil would save the team 500k in cap space and we get a proven player along side Weddle. Yes we have a lot of safeties but not a lot of proven quality except for Weddle. Webb transitioning to safety is a project that might work or might not... I'd rather go with the proven veteran in Whitner and save 500K in cap space...

Whitner at this point in his career is as slow as a middle linebacker. There is a reason teams haven't signed him. You do realize that you can't just put two SS back there and expect them to be good in coverage.

Edited April 14, 2016 by billiejean

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Does Webb have blackmail material of someone's wife or something? Not only are we not cutting Webb to free up cap space, and we aren't cutting him to make room for Donte Whitner, we are actually saying we are choosing Webb as a safety over Whitner? Has Ozzie bumped his head? (could explain recent drafts) Is this a Harbaugh thing (if I don't like you then you are gone, if I do, then you don't even have to be a good player). What is this great allegiance to Webb when we ditch Ngata, ditch McPhee, ditch Torrey Smith, all over huge salaries and Webb is overpaid for a good player much less one who is no longer able to play his original position and is unproven at safety. I think Harbaugh is a good coach, but since he has come here, our personnel decisions become very curious to be kind. I understand that Ozzie accepts other's opinions, I have to wonder if for some reason, John has veto over decisions. I know that sounds crazy, but there are personnel moves that are made that leaves everyone scratching their heads. If they were good decisions there would be no discussion, but the fact they are discussed over and over and over indicates they are questionable (Boldin, Smith, Ngata, Pollard, Ihedigbo, etc...).

Boldin is currently a FA looking for work and not finding any. At his age he was going to decline and the Ravens gambled it would happen sooner rather than later.

Torrey Smith move shouldn't be questioned. He signed a HUGE deal in SF and flamed out badly. That was a no brainer move.

Ngata? Do you know what Ngata did with his new fat contract? Sat on it on the DL and is now fighting for a starting spot in a defensive rotation. We got the best years out of Ngata and he was showing signs of braking down, plus the PED suspension in his last season with us. That was a smart move.

Pollard had one last decent season with the Titans, then got hurt and missed most of last year, then he was cut and he's still looking for work. Also has a reputation of being a locker room problem.

Ihedigbo had a great 2014, but then flamed out in 2015 and lost his starting job, then got cut and he's currently looking for a job.

I think you should do a little research on these things before you make a comment like this. It is always better to get rid of somebody a year too soon than a year too late. In every single one of these moves, the Ravens were on the right side of them.

[noleafclover613]

  1 hour ago, fusuymada said:

Does Webb have blackmail material of someone's wife or something? Not only are we not cutting Webb to free up cap space, and we aren't cutting him to make room for Donte Whitner, we are actually saying we are choosing Webb as a safety over Whitner? Has Ozzie bumped his head? (could explain recent drafts) Is this a Harbaugh thing (if I don't like you then you are gone, if I do, then you don't even have to be a good player). What is this great allegiance to Webb when we ditch Ngata, ditch McPhee, ditch Torrey Smith, all over huge salaries and Webb is overpaid for a good player much less one who is no longer able to play his original position and is unproven at safety. I think Harbaugh is a good coach, but since he has come here, our personnel decisions become very curious to be kind. I understand that Ozzie accepts other's opinions, I have to wonder if for some reason, John has veto over decisions. I know that sounds crazy, but there are personnel moves that are made that leaves everyone scratching their heads. If they were good decisions there would be no discussion, but the fact they are discussed over and over and over indicates they are questionable (Boldin, Smith, Ngata, Pollard, Ihedigbo, etc...).

Boldin is currently a FA looking for work and not finding any. At his age he was going to decline and the Ravens gambled it would happen sooner rather than later.

Torrey Smith move shouldn't be questioned. He signed a HUGE deal in SF and flamed out badly. That was a no brainer move.

Ngata? Do you know what Ngata did with his new fat contract? Sat on it on the DL and is now fighting for a starting spot in a defensive rotation. We got the best years out of Ngata and he was showing signs of braking down, plus the PED suspension in his last season with us. That was a smart move.

Pollard had one last decent season with the Titans, then got hurt and missed most of last year, then he was cut and he's still looking for work. Also has a reputation of being a locker room problem.

Ihedigbo had a great 2014, but then flamed out in 2015 and lost his starting job, then got cut and he's currently looking for a job.

I think you should do a little research on these things before you make a comment like this. It is always better to get rid of somebody a year too soon than a year too late. In every single one of these moves, the Ravens were on the right side of them.

In Oz We Trust.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

19 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

May be true, but keep in mind that most of those injuries occurred after the first 5-6 weeks of the season.

How well did we perform with a largely healthy roster, which we were for at least 5-6 games?

Remember... we played 7 games last season with about the healthiest Ravens teams you've seen in many years. We were missing Suggs and a rookie WR who never played. Other than that, a largely fully healthy defense and an offense that was as expected since July.

In those 7 games... 1-6. 2-6 in the first half of the season with a largely healthy roster. Even Monroe played four games in our first eight.

Jimmy Smith and Eugene Monroe were not healthy at the start of the season. Smith tried to play through his injury and finally Monroe had to stop playing. Steve Smith also was playing with some back injuries before he tore his ACL. The secondary was all banged up as well as Webb wasn't 100% healthy. If you think this team was completely healthy at the start of the season you'd be wrong. Rick Wagner was also playing the whole season coming off of a lisfranc injury like Jimmy Smith's.

Edited April 14, 2016 by EdTheMythicalOne
clarification of names, too many Smith's on this team :)

[merryjman]

57 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

Does Webb have blackmail material of someone's wife or something? Not only are we not cutting Webb to free up cap space, and we aren't cutting him to make room for Donte Whitner, we are actually saying we are choosing Webb as a safety over Whitner? Has Ozzie bumped his head? (could explain recent drafts) Is this a Harbaugh thing (if I don't like you then you are gone, if I do, then you don't even have to be a good player). What is this great allegiance to Webb when we ditch Ngata, ditch McPhee, ditch Torrey Smith, all over huge salaries and Webb is overpaid for a good player much less one who is no longer able to play his original position and is unproven at safety. I think Harbaugh is a good coach, but since he has come here, our personnel decisions become very curious to be kind. I understand that Ozzie accepts other's opinions, I have to wonder if for some reason, John has veto over decisions. I know that sounds crazy, but there are personnel moves that are made that leaves everyone scratching their heads. If they were good decisions there would be no discussion, but the fact they are discussed over and over and over indicates they are questionable (Boldin, Smith, Ngata, Pollard, Ihedigbo, etc...).

You make it sound like Webb is a worthless player, and I think he's not. Two ACL tears are a problem, yes, and it's unlucky that they happened, but when he's healthy he is a great player. The knees plus the age have made him a potential liability at corner where speed is so important, but someone with his skills, talent and experience still potentially has a place on this team. 

I also don't consider any of the releases you listed to be questionable. The reason they're still discussed is because a lot of internet commenters are great at hindsight, and because they've never had to sit down with (a) a $130 million salary cap, (b) the brutal truth that you can't keep your full roster with that cap, and (c) limited time to make decisions; then decide who stays and who goes. Ozzie's "right player, right price" mentality has steered the team pretty well over the last decade or so. Did any of the names you listed go to the playoffs last season? Let me save you some research: not a single one of them.

[hen826957]

Well it looks like they may have a shot to get Ramsey or Myles Jack after all. The Rams trade and got the 1 pick now. That's great. ?