$13M in cap space &Tucker's Contract Negotiations

[757RavensFan]

The Ravens are in a very rare position at this time of the year, they actually have some cap savings going into Training Camp  

[rmw10]

A mix of things.

If you can extend Williams, Wagner, Aiken, etc. with some of that excess, great.  Tucker would actually save cap space with an extension, so no big deal there.

If there's a FA available that's worth it, sure.  It gives us the flexibility to do something like that, but the FA options at this point aren't anything special.  I'd imagine that if there was anyone we wanted that's currently on the market, they'd already be here - ILB being the only exception.

If none of the above happens, there's absolutely no harm in saving it.  That number will go down with PS guys, IR'd guys, and others all factored in.  It might appear to be a good amount on the surface, but it can be pared down pretty quickly.

[RaineV1]

Personally, I'd use it try to get a new deal with Williams. He's easily the biggest person they need to resign. Though getting deals done with Wagner and Aiken could be good too.

[The Raven]

Use that money for Brandon Williams or maybe Rick Wagner. Invest in the trenches.

[rmcjacket23]

1. Extension with Tucker will save us space, so that doesn't matter.

2. I'm not sure we are really in a position to extend Aiken at this point. I mean if you could get him to agree to like a $4-5M a year type deal, maybe, but even that's risky, given that Aiken has like a half of a season of quality performance in his entire career. Makes much more sense to let him play out 2016, see if he can beat out guys like SSS and Perriman for significant snaps, and if he indeed does become the #1 guy, you extend him in the offseason.

3. Extending Brandon Williams makes all the sense in the world, though you have to wonder what motivation he actually has to sign a deal now.

4. Signing Wagner makes some sense, but he was so-so last season and we probably want to give him another look this year to make sure he regains 2014 form. RTs aren't typically super expensive, so don't see his value really going sky high with a good offseason anyway. Easily extendable in the off season in my opinion.

As is, if the most realistic option for the cap space is extending our own guys, then items 1 & 3 in the poll are essentially the same thing. We can extend them now, or roll over the cap space to 2017 and extend them then. Only difference is timing.

Edited July 5, 2016 by rmcjacket23

[redrum52]

38 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

1. Extension with Tucker will save us space, so that doesn't matter.

2. I'm not sure we are really in a position to extend Aiken at this point. I mean if you could get him to agree to like a $4-5M a year type deal, maybe, but even that's risky, given that Aiken has like a half of a season of quality performance in his entire career. Makes much more sense to let him play out 2016, see if he can beat out guys like SSS and Perriman for significant snaps, and if he indeed does become the #1 guy, you extend him in the offseason.

3. Extending Brandon Williams makes all the sense in the world, though you have to wonder what motivation he actually has to sign a deal now.

4. Signing Wagner makes some sense, but he was so-so last season and we probably want to give him another look this year to make sure he regains 2014 form. RTs aren't typically super expensive, so don't see his value really going sky high with a good offseason anyway. Easily extendable in the off season in my opinion.

As is, if the most realistic option for the cap space is extending our own guys, then items 1 & 3 in the poll are essentially the same thing. We can extend them now, or roll over the cap space to 2017 and extend them then. Only difference is timing.

Williams and Tucker would be the priority.  Give Aiken and Wagner another season.  Wagner hasn't proven enough to me to get the extension and there's the injury.  Aiken was basically the only healthy guy left last season.  Also, didn't huge chunks of yards just come from toss up plays?  I don't see him coming up with many of those this season.

[Deflated Football]

1 hour ago, The Raven said:

Use that money for Brandon Williams or maybe Rick Wagner. Invest in the trenches.

I think we have Wagner's replacement in Alex Lewis 

[rmcjacket23]

24 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

Williams and Tucker would be the priority.  Give Aiken and Wagner another season.  Wagner hasn't proven enough to me to get the extension and there's the injury.  Aiken was basically the only healthy guy left last season.  Also, didn't huge chunks of yards just come from toss up plays?  I don't see him coming up with many of those this season.

The argument for Wagner and Aiken extensions is that, theoretically, you might be getting them at a pretty low value right now. If you were to lock up Aiken for $4-5M a year, and he becomes your go-to chain mover and basically passes SSS for snaps, he's not a bargain for at least 2-3 years. Conversely, if he goes out and puts up a 1000 yard season, you're now going to be competing with the market place and probably paying much more for him. Same can theoretically be said for Wagner, though as I said earlier, I don't think his value skyrockets with a great season due to his position.

I agree Williams is the priority and the other two aren't likely to get signed, but I go back to the question I asked already... if you're Brandon Williams, why sign?

[757RavensFan]

5 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

The argument for Wagner and Aiken extensions is that, theoretically, you might be getting them at a pretty low value right now. If you were to lock up Aiken for $4-5M a year, and he becomes your go-to chain mover and basically passes SSS for snaps, he's not a bargain for at least 2-3 years. Conversely, if he goes out and puts up a 1000 yard season, you're now going to be competing with the market place and probably paying much more for him. Same can theoretically be said for Wagner, though as I said earlier, I don't think his value skyrockets with a great season due to his position.

I agree Williams is the priority and the other two aren't likely to get signed, but I go back to the question I asked already... if you're Brandon Williams, why sign?

There's only one justifiable reason if you ask me and that's to protect yourself if you somehow get injured this year.  

[rmcjacket23]

2 minutes ago, 757RavensFan said:

There's only one justifiable reason if you ask me and that's to protect yourself if you somehow get injured this year.  

 I mean I guess. Depends on what the injury is and if you think its a long term hindrance to his value. Generally speaking, there aren't a ton of teams shying away from high quality, young players looking for a payday that are coming off an injury. This team itself has been accused by many fans as giving large contracts to players coming off injury, so it wouldn't seem to affect what we are willing to pay either.

 

Edited July 5, 2016 by rmcjacket23

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

The smartest move would be to extend Brandon Williams contract.We'd be hard pressed to find a run stuffer who can get the type of penetration into the backfield that he gets.

[Halshayeji]

3 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

1. Extension with Tucker will save us space, so that doesn't matter.

2. I'm not sure we are really in a position to extend Aiken at this point. I mean if you could get him to agree to like a $4-5M a year type deal, maybe, but even that's risky, given that Aiken has like a half of a season of quality performance in his entire career. Makes much more sense to let him play out 2016, see if he can beat out guys like SSS and Perriman for significant snaps, and if he indeed does become the #1 guy, you extend him in the offseason.

3. Extending Brandon Williams makes all the sense in the world, though you have to wonder what motivation he actually has to sign a deal now.

4. Signing Wagner makes some sense, but he was so-so last season and we probably want to give him another look this year to make sure he regains 2014 form. RTs aren't typically super expensive, so don't see his value really going sky high with a good offseason anyway. Easily extendable in the off season in my opinion.

As is, if the most realistic option for the cap space is extending our own guys, then items 1 & 3 in the poll are essentially the same thing. We can extend them now, or roll over the cap space to 2017 and extend them then. Only difference is timing.

RMC. Your on a roll! Keep spreading those words of wisdome as I completely agree.

If Wagner and Aiken are willing to sign a Shareece wright type of deal then sure why not. If not then I expect them to play their heart out as they're fighting for a new contract after this year. 

b.williams is the priority here. If we can get a deal done then let's not wait till his price balloons.

and I believe that Tucker is a done deal. It's just a matter of time and numbers.

Just out of the box. Tulluck just got released. I think he'd be an ideal signing for us. D.smith 2.0?

[Number23]

I saw Stephen Tulloch got released, we might be waiting to try and sign some guys that get cut before we extend any of our own players. Having said that though I still see Tucker getting his extension before the 15th.

[Deflated Football]

B-Will is a superstar in the making. Too bad he's not dumb enough to sign before the season begins. 

[Daft Classic]

1) I can't believe Tucker hasn't been extended yet. That needed to get done yesterday

2) Williams has next to no incentive to sign now unless its a ridiculously large number. Assuming good health and consistent play, he can wait a year and be the top DT on the market.

3) I don't think the team wants to extend Wagner, at least not yet. Like people have said, RT's aren't expensive or overly difficult to find. They have plenty of options there with Lewis, FA, next year's draft, or just re-signing on a cheap deal

4) If they want to spend any of that money, the best move would be to get an ILB. It's just a gaping hole next to Mosley at the moment. Tulloch I would assume is one everyone's wishlist. Otherwise, save the money for the eventual injury bug

 

Random Note: Could we restructure some of our bigger deals to take a heavier cap hit now to assist the future? I know Jimmy and Yanda's contracts get heavy here on out

[Tiznut]

Tucker and Williams first not sure what soon to be released player is going to require a lot of cap space at this time 

[Cillmatic]

Am I the only one confounded as to how a contract for a KICKER could take this long to talk out?!

[Tiznut]

Wonder if we kick the tires being that we have $

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000673054/article/detroit-lions-cut-veteran-linebacker-stephen-tulloch

[Deflated Football]

How's Tulloch in coverage? We already have a thumper in CJ

Edited July 6, 2016 by Deflated Football

[Tiznut]

9 minutes ago, Deflated Football said:

How's Tulloch in coverage? We already have a thumper in CJ

Couldn't tell you to be honest

did find this http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap2000000169084/Jerome-Felton-Jordan-Babineaux-Owen-Daniels

which leads me to believe if it's cheap Ozzie will like his veteran presence to help in the middle for a yr or two and if healed his speed goes with the desire to get faster in defense

 

[Daft Classic]

53 minutes ago, Deflated Football said:

How's Tulloch in coverage? We already have a thumper in CJ

At 5'11 with a surgically repaired knee, I wouldn't expect any ballhawking

[The Raven]

8 hours ago, Deflated Football said:

I think we have Wagner's replacement in Alex Lewis 

You might be right about that, and we have a history of letting decent to good linemen walk. Grubbs, Oher, Jason Brown... With Ozzie's drafting record and Castillo's coaching, I could easily see us dropping Wagner. I like him though, and I like maintaining chemistry on the line. Although, Alex Lewis may impress me in the preseason. Wagner's good, but he doesn't have the nasty streak I like in a right tackle. Alex Lewis is a bit meaner, and stronger too from what I've seen. 

[cushrinada1986]

Resign Resign Resign. Tucker and Williams are core players and if they can get them long term then it keeps a dangerous team even more dangerous for years to come. Wouldnt mind holding some over for 2017 if anythings left after the resign.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

10 hours ago, Deflated Football said:

How's Tulloch in coverage? We already have a thumper in CJ

Not too good... somewhat of a liability at this point to be honest. But, unless Orr is doing really well or Brown comes out of no where, I could still see Ozzie bringing him in.

I dont think we got rid of Daryl because there wasnt a spot for him - i think it had more to do with the $ they were paying for diminishing returns. If they can get Tulloch in for much cheaper, i dont see anything wrong with bringing in an experienced vet to play early down. Or, even if he doesnt start, or eventually gets taken over full time its still nice to have the insurance.

[52liveforever]

With Brandon Williams skill set he's pretty much shown what he is. I don't think he will improve his worth much with yet another good season. The only thing he can do at this point is hurt his worth with an injury. By skill set I mean he's a rugged nose tackle which no matter what he won't  get the credit he deserves. Best 3-4 nose tackle in  the league, but he won't get a massive contract, but he deserves a big one so hope we get it done now. He doesn't have the sack or TFL's, but he holds down the middle like no one else in the league.

Edited July 6, 2016 by 52liveforever

[757RavensFan]

11 hours ago, Deflated Football said:

How's Tulloch in coverage? We already have a thumper in CJ

He's slow in coverage.  The area where we need improvement from our ILBs, he can't provide. 

[rmw10]

5 years, $46.25M - that's what Williams is looking to meet or beat.  Damon Harrison signing that deal gave us a pretty good framework for Williams if we can work something out.  While Williams is in the situation of potentially testing the open market and getting more, Harrison signing this offseason was great for the Ravens and their efforts to work something out with Williams.

Edited July 6, 2016 by rmw10

[AsianRice]

Arm tree trunk, walking with two hands, best run stuffer must be #1 priority to extend........if we let him test the open market, we lose even more money.......

[PurpleCity5]

I don't see Brandon Williams signing an extension just yet. I don't see why when he can just enter FA and get paid big money. I don't think Ricky Wagner will be the guy who wants to extend just yet unless its an offer that he expects himself to get in his FA. He had a down year and I think he would like to rebound in order to get a bigger contract. 

[OUravensfan]

If we lose Brandon Williams to the Raiders or some team I'll be so mad. Why can't the Raiders or Bucs make terrible trades with us like they did with the Bengals. That Carson Palmer trade was a joke and it set them up so well.