[News] Why Michael Pierce Is A Key Piece Of Ravens' Free Agency Picture

[whobilly]

We would like to have kept a lot of people the past 5 years. CAP SPACE is the name of the game and we have nothing left after paying "old 3 and out Flacco" the mother load. So we will just have to be happy with 8 and 8 seasons until Flacco and about 3 other OLD GUYS are gone. Maybe 2020 could be a playoff year.

What were the other options we had at QB when the confetti was dropping in New Orleans? Eventually most teams will have to BUCK UP for their QB. The Raiders are next. Pay Carr and not resign other key players along with not being able to sign free agents due to cap space. That's life in the NFL today.

[whobilly]

We would like to have kept a lot of people the past 5 years. CAP SPACE is the name of the game and we have nothing left after paying "old 3 and out Flacco" the mother load. So we will just have to be happy with 8 and 8 seasons until Flacco and about 3 other OLD GUYS are gone. Maybe 2020 could be a playoff year.

In addition to the QB comment I made the other big piece of the pie is the Draft. Since 2009 we have whiffed on a number of high round picks and selected lots of roster fillers with the others. That has eventually caught up with us.

[Halshayeji]

7 hours ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

I agree 100%. And getting a "top CB or WR" means $12 million+. Garcon wants $9 million & Brandon Marshall (if cut) wants $12 million. That's a lot of cash to pay for an old WR. CB Stephon Gilmore wants $14 million.

Cutting Dumervil, Shareece Wright & Kyle Arrington gets you the money to sign Williams ($10 million+). You're going to replace Wright with a CB in the draft anyway. Same with Arrington.

Cutting Watson & Kendrick Lewis gets you most of the money to resign Wagner. All 5 of those guys have in house replacements. And more importantly, your entire O-line stays intact (Ravens were 4-0 last year when they all started together).

If you didn't cut anyone else, you'd still have about $9 million to go out and get a veteran WR/CB/ILB. Add in at least 1 maybe 2 top CB in the draft and this defense looks infinitely better - BWill, Pierce, Suggs, Judon, Mosley, Peanut, Weddle, Webb, Jimmy, Tavon, Draft CB, Draft CB, Draft S. Still have Kaufusi, KC, Davis, Henry, ZaDarius, Canady waiting in the wings.....That's a Top 5 defense.

If Marshall is released then we probably can't afford him. I don't see why Ozzie wont just offer a late pick for him and his 7.5mil contract. It's been a while since ozzie made an aggressive move and this is as close as it gets to a sure thing! Do it Ozzie!!

[Halshayeji]

16 hours ago, omar586 said:

Williams is replaceable, pierce showed he can pressure up the middle, Williams is limited when comes to pass-rushing, run D on the other hand Williams excels, davis or that michigen U guy needs to step up.

yes, Pierce is a better pass rusher but theyr are both extreemly limited pass rushers as Pierce had 2 total sacks all year. It's not their job or really a knock on them if they don't get 10 sacks a year. Heck if Williams ever did get close to 10 sacks he'd ask for Suh money lol

[TheConquerorWorm]

  1 hour ago, Chuckx999 said:

We would like to have kept a lot of people the past 5 years. CAP SPACE is the name of the game and we have nothing left after paying "old 3 and out Flacco" the mother load. So we will just have to be happy with 8 and 8 seasons until Flacco and about 3 other OLD GUYS are gone. Maybe 2020 could be a playoff year.

What were the other options we had at QB when the confetti was dropping in New Orleans? Eventually most teams will have to BUCK UP for their QB. The Raiders are next. Pay Carr and not resign other key players along with not being able to sign free agents due to cap space. That's life in the NFL today.

Exactly. The Falcons paid their choke artist QB $100 million and he's coming up on Free Agency. Cousins is going to get $25 million per. And Stafford is talking that he wants his contract to start at $150 million....Add in Carr, Winston, Mariota in the next 2-3 years and Flacco's contract is going to seem cheap....

[Halshayeji]

6 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Looks like they're both going to get a ton of money. I think someone is going to unload a ton of money on Jefferson, which is ridiculous. The guy has 2 picks in 63 career games. I am a fan of Gilmore, and it would be excellent to sign him. But if he's asking for Josh Norman money, that might be tough. I'm starting to think Trumaine Johnson might be a better investment. He'll be cheaper, and he might actually be better. They came into the league at the same time, yet Johnson has played in more games and has more picks. Plus it doesn't look like he'll get tagged. I think trading for Marshall and signing Johnson would make this team way better, and not only for next year. Not to mention signing Johnson would give us a lot more flexibility in the draft. That way, instead of having to take a corner in round 1, maybe we could move up a few spots and grab Mike Williams or Fournette. So many different ways to go about things.

Wow. That would be a 10/10 offseason regardless of what we do in the draft

[The Greek]

10 hours ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

I watched every game, no one played as well as Willams. Sure The Ravens young guys did a good job, however big guys cannot play all the downs no matter who they are. So your point is you would rather give up first downs, control of the ball and possibly multiple scores.

No one is arguing getting a CB, It can be done but lets stay in contention.

Williams shut down run games, he has the capability of playing some pass however its not his best suit. The Ravens have no veteran DL if Williams goes. I believe he is an anchor of the team. He is a leader on and off the field.

I would give up Zuttah and Dumervil for Williams any day of the week.
I would risk a Rookie Center or developing a replacement, than a weakened DL. The LB crew will be fine without Doom.

As far as a WR, the Ravens can afford one with the loss of SSr.

I argue that the Ravens have the space to keep Williams. If you are saying you don't want him, that is just something that we disagree on.

i want to add that having a guy like williams makes it possible for orr and mosley to make tackles at the line of scrimmage because they go unblocked due to williams solid play that demands double teams

[JetLife94]

Michael pierce might be a big reason why we let Bwill walk in free agency. He can rusher the passer a bit as well. Nice to see from a rookie NT. Draft another big body also.I still want to see what Bronson Kaufusi is all about! I thought he would've had a interesting rookie season. Carl Davis & Jernigan need to step up!

Edited February 18 by JetLife94

[Adreme]

3 hours ago, Chuckx999 said:

We would like to have kept a lot of people the past 5 years. CAP SPACE is the name of the game and we have nothing left after paying "old 3 and out Flacco" the mother load. So we will just have to be happy with 8 and 8 seasons until Flacco and about 3 other OLD GUYS are gone. Maybe 2020 could be a playoff year.

I get that making demeaning nicknames to players seems witty but I promise you it isnt by the 30th times its been said.  Also plenty of teams are contending with 20 million dollar QB deals.  The Championship games were 3 teams with teams that had a HIGHER QB hit than Flacco and then Brady who does his own thing for a lot of other reasons mostly involving having a wife who makes over 40M a year and his own endorsements making him around his contract already.

Establishing that it is completely possible to build a contender with a 20M QB and it is also completely possible to build a solid defense around him with a solid O-Line.  If you want to know how I know that I can look at the Ravens last year and realize they had a great defense and were just one piece away from a great O-line and are about to cut a bunch of pieces to help speed along that process.  So if you like being doom and gloom by all means keep pouting but in reality the Ravens contend for the playoffs every year barring MASSIVE injuries and once they get in they always make there mark.

[utalkingtome123]

9 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Looks like they're both going to get a ton of money. I think someone is going to unload a ton of money on Jefferson, which is ridiculous. The guy has 2 picks in 63 career games. I am a fan of Gilmore, and it would be excellent to sign him. But if he's asking for Josh Norman money, that might be tough. I'm starting to think Trumaine Johnson might be a better investment. He'll be cheaper, and he might actually be better. They came into the league at the same time, yet Johnson has played in more games and has more picks. Plus it doesn't look like he'll get tagged. I think trading for Marshall and signing Johnson would make this team way better, and not only for next year. Not to mention signing Johnson would give us a lot more flexibility in the draft. That way, instead of having to take a corner in round 1, maybe we could move up a few spots and grab Mike Williams or Fournette. So many different ways to go about things.

You're right I just want this offseason to go great because I feel like we are so close to another Super Bowl but our few holes that we have are big ones that need to be filled immediately but also the correct way.

[sizzlingdoom]

  22 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Looks like they're both going to get a ton of money. I think someone is going to unload a ton of money on Jefferson, which is ridiculous. The guy has 2 picks in 63 career games. I am a fan of Gilmore, and it would be excellent to sign him. But if he's asking for Josh Norman money, that might be tough. I'm starting to think Trumaine Johnson might be a better investment. He'll be cheaper, and he might actually be better. They came into the league at the same time, yet Johnson has played in more games and has more picks. Plus it doesn't look like he'll get tagged. I think trading for Marshall and signing Johnson would make this team way better, and not only for next year. Not to mention signing Johnson would give us a lot more flexibility in the draft. That way, instead of having to take a corner in round 1, maybe we could move up a few spots and grab Mike Williams or Fournette. So many different ways to go about things.

Wow. That would be a 10/10 offseason regardless of what we do in the draft

It's still so incredibly early, but I'm starting to hone in on my ideal offseason plan. Totally feasible too.
W&W might walk no matter what we do. And we have in house replacements, whether they are as good or proven YET in Lewis and Pierce.
Trade for Marshall now and he fills a massive need and we get a bargain with his salary.
Sign Trumaine Johnson. Tall, physical, very good corner that gets picks every year. Underated Corner. Fills another massive need and turns our CB weakness into a huge strength just like that with Jimmy and T&T.
Then, Soloman Thomas falls to us, or we go get somebody that was born a Raven, Jamal Adams.
Then take the LSU or Ohio State Center in the 2nd.
Regardless of everything else, I think that would make us primed to face NE in the AFC Championship game. Might even provide us with home field for once

[sizzlingdoom]

  22 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Looks like they're both going to get a ton of money. I think someone is going to unload a ton of money on Jefferson, which is ridiculous. The guy has 2 picks in 63 career games. I am a fan of Gilmore, and it would be excellent to sign him. But if he's asking for Josh Norman money, that might be tough. I'm starting to think Trumaine Johnson might be a better investment. He'll be cheaper, and he might actually be better. They came into the league at the same time, yet Johnson has played in more games and has more picks. Plus it doesn't look like he'll get tagged. I think trading for Marshall and signing Johnson would make this team way better, and not only for next year. Not to mention signing Johnson would give us a lot more flexibility in the draft. That way, instead of having to take a corner in round 1, maybe we could move up a few spots and grab Mike Williams or Fournette. So many different ways to go about things.

You're right I just want this offseason to go great because I feel like we are so close to another Super Bowl but our few holes that we have are big ones that need to be filled immediately but also the correct way.

I agree! Still early but I just put my ideal offseason plan in a post right below this

[bigcatfrank1]

  On 2/18/2017 at 0:45 AM, bigcatfrank1 said:

  On 2/17/2017 at 6:56 PM, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

  On 2/17/2017 at 5:00 PM, bigcatfrank1 said:

keep Williams

only if the price is right I mean what games did some of you guys watch for Christ sake this guy is good But NOT Great and should make nowhere close to 10 mill a year and with we overpay him we will be set back again I would rather have a top CB or Receiver

I watched every game, no one played as well as Willams. Sure The Ravens young guys did a good job, however big guys cannot play all the downs no matter who they are. So your point is you would rather give up first downs, control of the ball and possibly multiple scores.

No one is arguing getting a CB, It can be done but lets stay in contention.

Williams shut down run games, he has the capability of playing some pass however its not his best suit. The Ravens have no veteran DL if Williams goes. I believe he is an anchor of the team. He is a leader on and off the field.

I would give up Zuttah and Dumervil for Williams any day of the week.
I would risk a Rookie Center or developing a replacement, than a weakened DL. The LB crew will be fine without Doom.

As far as a WR, the Ravens can afford one with the loss of SSr.

I argue that the Ravens have the space to keep Williams. If you are saying you don't want him, that is just something that we disagree on.

I agree 100%. And getting a "top CB or WR" means $12 million+. Garcon wants $9 million & Brandon Marshall (if cut) wants $12 million. That's a lot of cash to pay for an old WR. CB Stephon Gilmore wants $14 million.

Cutting Dumervil, Shareece Wright & Kyle Arrington gets you the money to sign Williams ($10 million+). You're going to replace Wright with a CB in the draft anyway. Same with Arrington.

Cutting Watson & Kendrick Lewis gets you most of the money to resign Wagner. All 5 of those guys have in house replacements. And more importantly, your entire O-line stays intact (Ravens were 4-0 last year when they all started together).

If you didn't cut anyone else, you'd still have about $9 million to go out and get a veteran WR/CB/ILB. Add in at least 1 maybe 2 top CB in the draft and this defense looks infinitely better - BWill, Pierce, Suggs, Judon, Mosley, Peanut, Weddle, Webb, Jimmy, Tavon, Draft CB, Draft CB, Draft S. Still have Kaufusi, KC, Davis, Henry, ZaDarius, Canady waiting in the wings.....That's a Top 5 defense.

I think your cuts are reasonable, I would not pay Garcon or Marshal the big money. I would only pick them up for low cash deals with maybe a trade.


Otherwise I would put the 9 mil out for L Murray or Lacy boost our Running Backs to the Super Bowl level and take a vet WR for a lower price like Cruz or B LaFell. That would be the only difference considering that I just don't think the Ravens will retain Wagner.

Keep Williams (up to 11 mil., 4/$44 should do it )

I agree with the LB corp, adding a 4/5 draft pick will be fine.

CB #1
Ravens will need to pick up a Center at #2.
WR/S #3 or #4
LB- Pass Rush #5
O-line Guard #6

[eze17]

  On 2/18/2017 at 0:45 AM, bigcatfrank1 said:

I watched every game, no one played as well as Willams. Sure The Ravens young guys did a good job, however big guys cannot play all the downs no matter who they are. So your point is you would rather give up first downs, control of the ball and possibly multiple scores.

No one is arguing getting a CB, It can be done but lets stay in contention.

Williams shut down run games, he has the capability of playing some pass however its not his best suit. The Ravens have no veteran DL if Williams goes. I believe he is an anchor of the team. He is a leader on and off the field.

I would give up Zuttah and Dumervil for Williams any day of the week.
I would risk a Rookie Center or developing a replacement, than a weakened DL. The LB crew will be fine without Doom.

As far as a WR, the Ravens can afford one with the loss of SSr.

I argue that the Ravens have the space to keep Williams. If you are saying you don't want him, that is just something that we disagree on.

i want to add that having a guy like williams makes it possible for orr and mosley to make tackles at the line of scrimmage because they go unblocked due to williams solid play that demands double teams

Orr retired...another off season need for the Ravens. We'll see if Correa can contribute or if we need to pick up an ILB elsewhere.

[billiejean]

  On 2/18/2017 at 2:11 AM, TheConquerorWorm said:

  On 2/18/2017 at 0:45 AM, bigcatfrank1 said:

  On 2/17/2017 at 6:56 PM, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

  On 2/17/2017 at 5:00 PM, bigcatfrank1 said:

keep Williams

only if the price is right I mean what games did some of you guys watch for Christ sake this guy is good But NOT Great and should make nowhere close to 10 mill a year and with we overpay him we will be set back again I would rather have a top CB or Receiver

I watched every game, no one played as well as Willams. Sure The Ravens young guys did a good job, however big guys cannot play all the downs no matter who they are. So your point is you would rather give up first downs, control of the ball and possibly multiple scores.

No one is arguing getting a CB, It can be done but lets stay in contention.

Williams shut down run games, he has the capability of playing some pass however its not his best suit. The Ravens have no veteran DL if Williams goes. I believe he is an anchor of the team. He is a leader on and off the field.

I would give up Zuttah and Dumervil for Williams any day of the week.
I would risk a Rookie Center or developing a replacement, than a weakened DL. The LB crew will be fine without Doom.

As far as a WR, the Ravens can afford one with the loss of SSr.

I argue that the Ravens have the space to keep Williams. If you are saying you don't want him, that is just something that we disagree on.

I agree 100%. And getting a "top CB or WR" means $12 million+. Garcon wants $9 million & Brandon Marshall (if cut) wants $12 million. That's a lot of cash to pay for an old WR. CB Stephon Gilmore wants $14 million.

Cutting Dumervil, Shareece Wright & Kyle Arrington gets you the money to sign Williams ($10 million+). You're going to replace Wright with a CB in the draft anyway. Same with Arrington.

Cutting Watson & Kendrick Lewis gets you most of the money to resign Wagner. All 5 of those guys have in house replacements. And more importantly, your entire O-line stays intact (Ravens were 4-0 last year when they all started together).

If you didn't cut anyone else, you'd still have about $9 million to go out and get a veteran WR/CB/ILB. Add in at least 1 maybe 2 top CB in the draft and this defense looks infinitely better - BWill, Pierce, Suggs, Judon, Mosley, Peanut, Weddle, Webb, Jimmy, Tavon, Draft CB, Draft CB, Draft S. Still have Kaufusi, KC, Davis, Henry, ZaDarius, Canady waiting in the wings.....That's a Top 5 defense.

I think your cuts are reasonable, I would not pay Garcon or Marshal the big money. I would only pick them up for low cash deals with maybe a trade.


Otherwise I would put the 9 mil out for L Murray or Lacy boost our Running Backs to the Super Bowl level and take a vet WR for a lower price like Cruz or B LaFell. That would be the only difference considering that I just don't think the Ravens will retain Wagner.

Keep Williams (up to 11 mil., 4/$44 should do it )

I agree with the LB corp, adding a 4/5 draft pick will be fine.

CB #1
Ravens will need to pick up a Center at #2.
WR/S #3 or #4
LB- Pass Rush #5
O-line Guard #6

Neither of those running backs would be a huge upgrade from what we have. Eddie Lacey cant keep his hands out of the cookie jar. He has not played well for the last two years. And someone is going to overpay Murray

[bigcatfrank1]

  11 hours ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

  On 2/18/2017 at 2:11 AM, TheConquerorWorm said:

  On 2/18/2017 at 0:45 AM, bigcatfrank1 said:

  On 2/17/2017 at 6:56 PM, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

  On 2/17/2017 at 5:00 PM, bigcatfrank1 said:

keep Williams

only if the price is right I mean what games did some of you guys watch for Christ sake this guy is good But NOT Great and should make nowhere close to 10 mill a year and with we overpay him we will be set back again I would rather have a top CB or Receiver

I watched every game, no one played as well as Willams. Sure The Ravens young guys did a good job, however big guys cannot play all the downs no matter who they are. So your point is you would rather give up first downs, control of the ball and possibly multiple scores.

No one is arguing getting a CB, It can be done but lets stay in contention.

Williams shut down run games, he has the capability of playing some pass however its not his best suit. The Ravens have no veteran DL if Williams goes. I believe he is an anchor of the team. He is a leader on and off the field.

I would give up Zuttah and Dumervil for Williams any day of the week.
I would risk a Rookie Center or developing a replacement, than a weakened DL. The LB crew will be fine without Doom.

As far as a WR, the Ravens can afford one with the loss of SSr.

I argue that the Ravens have the space to keep Williams. If you are saying you don't want him, that is just something that we disagree on.

I agree 100%. And getting a "top CB or WR" means $12 million+. Garcon wants $9 million & Brandon Marshall (if cut) wants $12 million. That's a lot of cash to pay for an old WR. CB Stephon Gilmore wants $14 million.

Cutting Dumervil, Shareece Wright & Kyle Arrington gets you the money to sign Williams ($10 million+). You're going to replace Wright with a CB in the draft anyway. Same with Arrington.

Cutting Watson & Kendrick Lewis gets you most of the money to resign Wagner. All 5 of those guys have in house replacements. And more importantly, your entire O-line stays intact (Ravens were 4-0 last year when they all started together).

If you didn't cut anyone else, you'd still have about $9 million to go out and get a veteran WR/CB/ILB. Add in at least 1 maybe 2 top CB in the draft and this defense looks infinitely better - BWill, Pierce, Suggs, Judon, Mosley, Peanut, Weddle, Webb, Jimmy, Tavon, Draft CB, Draft CB, Draft S. Still have Kaufusi, KC, Davis, Henry, ZaDarius, Canady waiting in the wings.....That's a Top 5 defense.

I think your cuts are reasonable, I would not pay Garcon or Marshal the big money. I would only pick them up for low cash deals with maybe a trade.


Otherwise I would put the 9 mil out for L Murray or Lacy boost our Running Backs to the Super Bowl level and take a vet WR for a lower price like Cruz or B LaFell. That would be the only difference considering that I just don't think the Ravens will retain Wagner.

Keep Williams (up to 11 mil., 4/$44 should do it )

I agree with the LB corp, adding a 4/5 draft pick will be fine.

CB #1
Ravens will need to pick up a Center at #2.
WR/S #3 or #4
LB- Pass Rush #5
O-line Guard #6

Neither of those running backs would be a huge upgrade from what we have. Eddie Lacey cant keep his hands out of the cookie jar. He has not played well for the last two years. And someone is going to overpay Murray

Im missing your points, both backs have eclipsed 1000 yd seasons and are proven playmakers.
I think you are rendering your opinion without factual statistics.
The Ravens must improve in the running game.
Pro Bowl playmakers, competition and veteran players are proven ways to achieve that in the NFL.

If you don't think the Ravens can utilize a veteran 1000 yd RB that is your opinion however West could have played his best year of his career this past year, we don't know, he certainly did not have 1000 yds in the past 5 seasons and Cleveland seemed to notice a similar pattern.

A sophomore RB who struggled his first year to take on the starter role is not a guaranteed situation either. I see more promise in Dixon than that of West or Allen, both of whom have had multiple years to show what they have, or don't have.

I just don't see taking a chance on the same three running backs again while knowing that the Ravens rely on an above average running game to put them in playoff contention.

[billiejean]

8 hours ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

Im missing your points, both backs have eclipsed 1000 yd seasons and are proven playmakers.
I think you are rendering your opinion without factual statistics.
The Ravens must improve in the running game.
Pro Bowl playmakers, competition and veteran players are proven ways to achieve that in the NFL.

If you don't think the Ravens can utilize a veteran 1000 yd RB that is your opinion however West could have played his best year of his career this past year, we don't know, he certainly did not have 1000 yds in the past 5 seasons and Cleveland seemed to notice a similar pattern.

A sophomore RB who struggled his first year to take on the starter role is not a guaranteed situation either. I see more promise in Dixon than that of West or Allen, both of whom have had multiple years to show what they have, or don't have.

I just don't see taking a chance on the same three running backs again while knowing that the Ravens rely on an above average running game to put them in playoff contention.

Latavius Murray has only hit the 1000 yards mark once, and Lacy has a total of 1118 yards for the last two years.  These are "factual statistics".  Sure we could "utilize a veteran 1000 yd RB" but we have much more pressing needs.  Another "fact" which you seem to have misrepresented is that Cleveland's release of West had nothing to do with his production.  Frank.... picking up either Latavius or Eddy would be a huge mistake.  Such a big mistake that there aren't any guys in the front office even considering it.  You and probably only about 100 other Ravens fans would actually think this is a good idea.  Could we use running back help? Absolutely, and we have both the draft and FA to add a few running backs, but under no circumstances will we be trying to throw money at the top two backs in FA this year.

[JimmyBlack]

Pierce has the size to take over for Williams. I don't think that we'll be able to afford our free agents with the tight cap space.

[purpledown]

Pierce has "potential" thats why the Ravens have been out of the playoffs because of "potential". Until they sign players in their prime like Brandon Williams they will not win consistently.