Next Up: Ravens Free Agents--Who goes? Who stays?

[TurkishRaven]

I still don't know what to expect from Kafusi. What exactly his position is?

[rmw10]

2 minutes ago, TurkishRaven said:

I still don't know what to expect from Kafusi. What exactly his position is?

I think he'll have many different roles.  In a base 3-4 or the 4-3 under, he's most likely going to be your 5T.  He's still lining up close to the edge on the shoulder of the tackle.  He can also probably play a bit of base end in a true 4-3 alignment as well, depending on the situation of course.  I think eventually he could slide in as a 1T or 3T in certain situations, but he really needs to work on his leverage before I consider that a legitimate possibility.

[terrynjulia03]

1 hour ago, TurkishRaven said:

I still don't know what to expect from Kafusi. What exactly his position is?

He's pretty similar to Doom. Situational pass rusher. Honestly if you watch his film he's a lot like Kruger at this point. We played more experienced guys in front of him while he learned the NFL. Honestly kinda our MO. And keeping with our MO and the fact that he's a 2nd rounder he'll get his shot at starting next year. Provided they don't waste the money bringing back Doom. Which Oz and Co are kinda notorious for, but I'm guessing they waste resources bringing back Pitta and/or Watson. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

5 hours ago, terrynjulia03 said:

No worries man. I agree I don't see Doom coming back either. I think KC was seen as the next man up. They might look at some other pass rushers but I doubt it. I think they're going to have to take a look at the ILB market and get a guy to put next to Mosley. A guy like Hightower would be intriguing to pair next to Mosley for the next few years. 

The Pats arent letting Hightower go.

From speaking with my Pats friends... part of the reason BB was willing to let Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins go was because their FA priority is Hightower, and they couldnt spend big money on all 3.

Theyre going to do what it takes to keep him around.

[redlobster]

3 hours ago, terrynjulia03 said:

He's pretty similar to Doom. Situational pass rusher. Honestly if you watch his film he's a lot like Kruger at this point. We played more experienced guys in front of him while he learned the NFL. Honestly kinda our MO. And keeping with our MO and the fact that he's a 2nd rounder he'll get his shot at starting next year. Provided they don't waste the money bringing back Doom. Which Oz and Co are kinda notorious for, but I'm guessing they waste resources bringing back Pitta and/or Watson. 

Are you talking about Correa or Kafusi? Kafusi was a 3rd round pick and is nothing like dumervil, considering one is 5'10" and the other is 6'7" and play different positions.

Edited February 7 by redlobster

[Halshayeji]

On February 5, 2017 at 11:40 PM, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Sorry that's partially my fault. 

The draft talk only started as it pertained to decisions on our own FA's and then continued to further clarify those opinions. But it did get too far off track. My bad. 

--

Anyways back on track...

I can't see us bringing Doom back. Our D was very good without him overall and at his cap number I just can't justify it.

Maybe if he is willing to take a pay cut but I doubt he will. 

Plus it's a very solid and deep FA class of pass rushers. The top guys like Chandler Jones and Melvin Ingram are way out of our price range... but the middle pack is good too. 

Guys like JPP, Datone Jones, Mario Addison, Nick Perry, Demarcus Ware, etc... we might be able to get a younger for similar money. 

Love Doom and if healthy hope we find a way to keep him around... it's just got to be at a lower #. That's $6m or whatever it is could go a long way to resigning Wagner/Williams or bringing in a Marshall/Garcon, Tretter, or younger pass rusher. 

Wow you are on fire! 3 awesome posts in a row. I'd definitely read an article if you wrote one.

[BmoreBird22]

On 2/5/2017 at 3:40 PM, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Anyways back on track...

I can't see us bringing Doom back. Our D was very good without him overall and at his cap number I just can't justify it.

Maybe if he is willing to take a pay cut but I doubt he will. 

Plus it's a very solid and deep FA class of pass rushers. The top guys like Chandler Jones and Melvin Ingram are way out of our price range... but the middle pack is good too. 

Guys like JPP, Datone Jones, Mario Addison, Nick Perry, Demarcus Ware, etc... we might be able to get a younger for similar money. 

Love Doom and if healthy hope we find a way to keep him around... it's just got to be at a lower #. That's $6m or whatever it is could go a long way to resigning Wagner/Williams or bringing in a Marshall/Garcon, Tretter, or younger pass rusher. 

Melvin Ingram is a guy I'd love to have. I really liked him back in the 2012 draft and would love to add him. If there were a position I could see the Ravens making a huge splash at, it's pass rusher.

Of the second tier guys, Nick Perry would be my first choice. I was a huge fan of him in GB, but I think this recent 11.0 sack campaign will only raise his value significantly. I think he goes back to GB. And on the topic of Ware, I think he said he only wants to keep playing if it's for Dallas, but I'm not sure.

[PurpleCity5]

3 hours ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Melvin Ingram is a guy I'd love to have. I really liked him back in the 2012 draft and would love to add him. If there were a position I could see the Ravens making a huge splash at, it's pass rusher.

Of the second tier guys, Nick Perry would be my first choice. I was a huge fan of him in GB, but I think this recent 11.0 sack campaign will only raise his value significantly. I think he goes back to GB. And on the topic of Ware, I think he said he only wants to keep playing if it's for Dallas, but I'm not sure.

Both Ingram and Perry are on my wishlist but Ingram seems mildly expensive. I don't know if we want to pay up that much. 

I would love to have Perry here, I don't know if he leaves Greenbay since they've made such an effort to keep him around and had such high hopes for him, I can't see him leaving due to that, but I still would love to have him, he's a 1A option for me because he costs a bit less than Ingram. 

I definitely agree that a splash signing would be at pass rusher and Doom's cap space could facilitate that. 

[redrum52]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000773220/article/hightower-martellus-bennett-head-top-25-free-agents-of-2017

 

Our players are rarely mentioned until it's time for FA...

[berad]

I would be a proponent of signing McCown as our backup QB, if the price was right. He's a solid veteran and we've obviously all seen he has gas in the tank.

[rmw10]

5 minutes ago, berad said:

I would be a proponent of signing McCown as our backup QB, if the price was right. He's a solid veteran and we've obviously all seen he has gas in the tank.

I'd think he could be another bridge guy somewhere else.  Still quite a few teams out there where he could actually start.

[berad]

1 minute ago, rmw10 said:

I'd think he could be another bridge guy somewhere else.  Still quite a few teams out there where he could actually start.

You're probably right, he can spot-start in the league.

[rmw10]

56 minutes ago, berad said:

You're probably right, he can spot-start in the league.

Otherwise, I'd be all in.  Definitely reinvented himself late in his career.  Solid with a spectacular performance added in on occasion.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

16 hours ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Melvin Ingram is a guy I'd love to have. I really liked him back in the 2012 draft and would love to add him. If there were a position I could see the Ravens making a huge splash at, it's pass rusher.

Of the second tier guys, Nick Perry would be my first choice. I was a huge fan of him in GB, but I think this recent 11.0 sack campaign will only raise his value significantly. I think he goes back to GB. And on the topic of Ware, I think he said he only wants to keep playing if it's for Dallas, but I'm not sure.

I think Ingram is going to get PAID. As much as I'd love him, i just don't think we'll have a shot at him. 

GB has 3 OLB's hitting FA. Perry, Jones and Peppers. I think clearly they're going to prioritize Perry, so unfortunately idk if he even hits FA. 

 

Mario Addison would probably be my top target at pass rusher. The Panthers are going to have to sign Kawaan Short to a monster deal, so Addison might be available. 

Hes been consistently more and more productive over his career with about 10 sacks last season. Plus he's 29 going on 30 so he's not likely to break the bank like a guy coming off his rookie deal, but is still squarely in his prime and peaking. 

And I think he's a much better fit as a stand up edge rusher in a 3-4. 

So if we could get him for around what we were planning to pay Doom I'd be ecstatic. Plus he kind of bridges our age gap at the position. Not as old as Suggs/Doom but older and more established than Judon, Correa, Zadarius, etc...

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

17 hours ago, Halshayeji said:

Wow you are on fire! 3 awesome posts in a row. I'd definitely read an article if you wrote one.

Idk if this is sarcastic or not - but thanks!

 

[redlobster]

Just a thought but seeing that dumervil is probably not back, wonder if there is any trade value for him? I know his contract might make it tougher but I'd love to see a mid-round pick for him.

[terrynjulia03]

22 hours ago, redlobster said:

Are you talking about Correa or Kafusi? Kafusi was a 3rd round pick and is nothing like dumervil, considering one is 5'10" and the other is 6'7" and play different positions.

Correa. Not sure where you got Kafusi from. 

[JustinB]

2 hours ago, rmw10 said:

Otherwise, I'd be all in.  Definitely reinvented himself late in his career.  Solid with a spectacular performance added in on occasion.

i want him on the team because we have so much trouble against him every time we play him

[BmoreBird22]

Sam Shields got released by the Packers.

He was one of the best corners in the league in terms of INT/PDs and opponent rating against.

Anyone know why he got released?

[rmw10]

5 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Sam Shields got released by the Packers.

He was one of the best corners in the league in terms of INT/PDs and opponent rating against.

Anyone know why he got released?

Some mega concussions.  Apparently, he's still in the protocol from going on IR earlier in the year.  He was released with the failed physical designation.

[rmcjacket23]

5 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Sam Shields got released by the Packers.

He was one of the best corners in the league in terms of INT/PDs and opponent rating against.

Anyone know why he got released?

Severe concussions. Suffered one in week 1, missed the rest of the season. As of late January he was still not medically cleared.

[JO_75]

According to spotrac... we would have about $15M in cap space as of now. Also judging by that list, Wagner needs to be a priority because some team with a lot of cap space is going to overpay Williams. 

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/2017/

Edited February 8 by JO_75

[ellicottraven]

My honest fear is we'll end up paying more than we should to retain Williams and let Wagner go. Wagner is a rock solid RT and is getting better. Williams is maxed out and we know what we're going to get from him. He gets double teamed, is a great run stopper but doesn't penetrate like other great DTs that are highly paid. I think we should let Brandon walk for a compensatory pick and sign Wagner, Guy and Juice. Listening to Mink of BR.com talk about how they're going to go after Williams made me wonder if they actually will. He has replacements in house right now. We have Pierce who is an able run stopping replacement with a low center of gravity and weight comparable to Williams except he gets more penetration imo. We have Henry and Davis on standby as well along with Jernigan and Guy. Speaking of Guy, he is the more important DL signing in my view. He is rock solid and just gets it done play after play. He reminds me of the production of JJ in a way. Now I don't pay too much attention to what Mink says because frankly he is just a reporter for BR.com and has no inside track and is basing all these articles on a 3 minute interview he had with DeCosta at the Senior Bowl. 

[rmcjacket23]

9 minutes ago, JO_75 said:

According to spotrac... we would have about $15M in cap space as of now. Also judging by that list, Wagner needs to be a priority because some team with a lot of cap space is going to overpay Williams. 

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/2017/

By similar accounts, Wagner is one of the most highly sought after tackles available in FA this year, and could command quality money too.

Some have suggested as much as $9-10M a year, which means POTENTIALLY the cost of Wagner and Williams will be very similar. 

We're going to have to pay up to retain either one of those guys.

[terrynjulia03]

8 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

By similar accounts, Wagner is one of the most highly sought after tackles available in FA this year, and could command quality money too.

Some have suggested as much as $9-10M a year, which means POTENTIALLY the cost of Wagner and Williams will be very similar. 

We're going to have to pay up to retain either one of those guys.

Link? Because the second highest paid RT in the league right now, who just signed his deal last year is set at 7.5. And no one is going to argue that Wagner is the best RT in the league. He should be in the 6m per league, at best. 

[rmcjacket23]

27 minutes ago, terrynjulia03 said:

Link? Because the second highest paid RT in the league right now, who just signed his deal last year is set at 7.5. And no one is going to argue that Wagner is the best RT in the league. He should be in the 6m per league, at best. 

I'd have to go back digging, but most likely just some speculation from a beat writer.

I will point out that its pretty rare that the highest paid player at any position is actually the best player at that position, particularly when the best player at any given position is subjective and changes annually.

Compensation has a lot more to do with timing and supply/demand. Wouldn't surprise anybody if he ended up being close to if not the highest paid RT, and that's also not taking into account whether a team may feel that he could play LT for them also.

I don't even think you're in the ballpark unless you start at $7M a year. He could get that from half a dozen teams in his sleep. The question beyond that is how much higher somebody will go. Pretty weak class for Tackles all around this year, and teams aren't afraid to spend on offensive lineman.

He probably won't get as much as Williams, but I bet the gap won't be as big as some think.

[allblackraven]

1 hour ago, JO_75 said:

According to spotrac... we would have about $15M in cap space as of now. Also judging by that list, Wagner needs to be a priority because some team with a lot of cap space is going to overpay Williams. 

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/2017/

Looking at how much cap space other teams have, I doubt we can retain either player. Juice, too. They are all gone.

[allblackraven]

51 minutes ago, terrynjulia03 said:

Link? Because the second highest paid RT in the league right now, who just signed his deal last year is set at 7.5. And no one is going to argue that Wagner is the best RT in the league. He should be in the 6m per league, at best. 

That was last year. Remember KO? Got more than top LTs.

Wagner is top 5 RT, he will get the money.

Edited February 8 by allblackraven

[rmw10]

53 minutes ago, terrynjulia03 said:

Link? Because the second highest paid RT in the league right now, who just signed his deal last year is set at 7.5. And no one is going to argue that Wagner is the best RT in the league. He should be in the 6m per league, at best. 

There's speculation out there.  Nothing confirmed, but I don't think it's too farfetched.  Teams need OL.  OL in this draft is pretty bad.  Teams have money.  It wouldn't shock me at all if someone lets Wagner set the market at RT going forward.  There are very few good OL options out there this offseason.

[GrimCoconut]

I think pass rusher is an interesting option for us in free agency because you'd think we'd go that direction in the draft by then again you have to realize that it's not so simple.  Looking back though we seen yo use free agency to fill an area of dire pressing need.  We typically fill big needs through free agency and aren't afraid of spending in that circumstance. See Leach, Weddle, and more. 

We definitely need a pass rusher and a legitimate CB across from and to back up Jimmy but we arguably need a center just as much.