[News] Ravens Give 'Very Competitive' Offer To Rick Wagner

[BR News]

The starting right tackle is set to become a free agent next week, but the Ravens ‘absolutely’ want him back and are in active negotiations to try to keep him in Baltimore.

View the full article

[Raven in ATL]

if he doesnt want to resign, id rather have Alex Lewis at RT. two young bookends on the Oline with Stanley and Lewis. we can go look for a left guard afterwards in draft or FA

[ellicottraven]

At this rate, the way Harbaugh depicts we are pursuing Williams, Wagner and Juice, it seems to me that we'll end up overpaying for their services and come to regret it sooner rather than later. That is always my concern with signing Williams especially. I don't believe he'll ever be a pass rushing threat up the middle, but will be a Kelly Gregg/Sam Adams type presence for us. He is not Haloti Ngata who we could never let go with his first extension. So, I hope they make an offer in the 8-8.5 a year range and nothing more. Even that to me may be overvaluing him. As for Wagner if we can't get him between 6-7 a year, I think we just need to let him walk too.

[ellicottraven]

With the Harbaugh regime potentially finished in Baltimore next year (if we don't make it deep into the playoffs), I hope we're not stuck with bloated contracts for Williams and Wagner. He may push for things that may be in his short term interest but not in the team's long term interest and understandably so.That is my real concern.

[bigcatfrank1]

if he doesnt want to resign, id rather have Alex Lewis at RT. two young bookends on the Oline with Stanley and Lewis. we can go look for a left guard afterwards in draft or FA

Agreed, we have 3 RG on the team now that all can play well. Nembot, Jenson and Urschel. both Jenson and Urschel are also back up Centers. So the Ravens could pick up Elflein the best center in the draft/ college and potentially have the best O-line in the NFL.Could even be better than Dallas if all of them can stay on the field.

The cost is low too! leaves money for a RB and WR

[bigcatfrank1]

  18 minutes ago, Raven in ATL said:

if he doesnt want to resign, id rather have Alex Lewis at RT. two young bookends on the Oline with Stanley and Lewis. we can go look for a left guard afterwards in draft or FA

Agreed, we have 3 RG on the team now that all can play well. Nembot, Jenson and Urschel. both Jenson and Urschel are also back up Centers. So the Ravens could pick up Elflein the best center in the draft/ college and potentially have the best O-line in the NFL.Could even be better than Dallas if all of them can stay on the field.

The cost is low too! leaves money for a RB and WR

And I still would rather have Williams than Wagner for the Ravens situation. Especially if it comes down to only one of them, the issue is they both are playing with fire because the Ravens can replace both of them! It may just happen and in that case, Bring on the Young bucks and pay for a couple big playmakers! They will be sorry when they go to non-playoff teams and the Ravens stay healthy.

[Halshayeji]

27 minutes ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

Agreed, we have 3 RG on the team now that all can play well. Nembot, Jenson and Urschel. both Jenson and Urschel are also back up Centers. So the Ravens could pick up Elflein the best center in the draft/ college and potentially have the best O-line in the NFL.Could even be better than Dallas if all of them can stay on the field.

The cost is low too! leaves money for a RB and WR

I also agree. Wouldn't mind rolling the dice with Lewis at RT if Wagner turns the Ravens offer down. But I hope they take that same offer and offer it to the next best lineman in FA. Maybe Mangold and slide zuttah to G. This team needs more quality linemen.

[The Greek]

the new o-line coach may be able to get more out of guys like jensen, urschel, nembot, hurst, ducasse with a few tweaks but it would be a risk to take that chance so hopefully wagner isnt just all about the $$ and signs for a fair cost that will allow us to sign talented players to the roster

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

the new o-line coach may be able to get more out of guys like jensen, urschel, nembot, hurst, ducasse with a few tweaks but it would be a risk to take that chance so hopefully wagner isnt just all about the $$ and signs for a fair cost that will allow us to sign talented players to the roster

not urshel he might be good at math but he is not a NFL caliber lineman

[bioLarzen]

"RAVENS GIVE 'VERY COMPETITIVE' OFFER TO RICK WAGNER"

Doesn't mean a thing. That was the exact same phrase ("a very competitive offer") they used about Osemele last season - and we all know how that worked out...

[RavensDieHard21]

1 hour ago, ellicottraven said:

At this rate, the way Harbaugh depicts we are pursuing Williams, Wagner and Juice, it seems to me that we'll end up overpaying for their services and come to regret it sooner rather than later. That is always my concern with signing Williams especially. I don't believe he'll ever be a pass rushing threat up the middle, but will be a Kelly Gregg/Sam Adams type presence for us. He is not Haloti Ngata who we could never let go with his first extension. So, I hope they make an offer in the 8-8.5 a year range and nothing more. Even that to me may be overvaluing him. As for Wagner if we can't get him between 6-7 a year, I think we just need to let him walk too.

The Ngata comparison is way too tough man. Ngata was a generational player and got paid his contract in 11' and still got $60 million which was a lot for the time. 

Williams might not be a rusher from the interior, but he is an anchor and makes his teammates jobs easier. 

I agree though $8-8.5 is fair and we don't have to worry about run defense falling off a cliff.

[nj_ravens]

"RAVENS GIVE 'VERY COMPETITIVE' OFFER TO RICK WAGNER"

Doesn't mean a thing. That was the exact same phrase ("a very competitive offer") they used about Osemele last season - and we all know how that worked out...

That doesn't mean the result is going to be the same.

[Swift 1]

I am still trying to figure out difference between average and mediocre, and now I have to learn what very competitive  means?

[sami]

With the Harbaugh regime potentially finished in Baltimore next year (if we don't make it deep into the playoffs), I hope we're not stuck with bloated contracts for Williams and Wagner. He may push for things that may be in his short term interest but not in the team's long term interest and understandably so.That is my real concern.

How do you figure the "Harbaugh regime" is finished next year? He isn't going anywhere for a long time.

[zing21042]

  2 hours ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

  2 hours ago, Raven in ATL said:

if he doesnt want to resign, id rather have Alex Lewis at RT. two young bookends on the Oline with Stanley and Lewis. we can go look for a left guard afterwards in draft or FA

Agreed, we have 3 RG on the team now that all can play well. Nembot, Jenson and Urschel. both Jenson and Urschel are also back up Centers. So the Ravens could pick up Elflein the best center in the draft/ college and potentially have the best O-line in the NFL.Could even be better than Dallas if all of them can stay on the field.

The cost is low too! leaves money for a RB and WR

And I still would rather have Williams than Wagner for the Ravens situation. Especially if it comes down to only one of them, the issue is they both are playing with fire because the Ravens can replace both of them! It may just happen and in that case, Bring on the Young bucks and pay for a couple big playmakers! They will be sorry when they go to non-playoff teams and the Ravens stay healthy.

Forget it. The draft is filled with defensive players this year. Choices at offensive lineman are thin. The Ravens feel they have a better chance of filling the defensive line position than the offensive line. Also, they want no excuses next year for any poor play from the Flaccman. Best case scenario; Williams walks Wagner signs. My prediction...both walk.

[Somerset Ravens]

2 hours ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

Agreed, we have 3 RG on the team now that all can play well. Nembot, Jenson and Urschel. both Jenson and Urschel are also back up Centers. So the Ravens could pick up Elflein the best center in the draft/ college and potentially have the best O-line in the NFL.Could even be better than Dallas if all of them can stay on the field.

The cost is low too! leaves money for a RB and WR

I think relying on Nembot, Jensen or Urschel for next season would be a mistake. Both Jensen and Urschel had the opportunity to claim a starting spot last year and could not do so. Their play was disappointing. Expecting Nembot to step up from the practice squad to the starting lineup is quite a reach. We need better O-line play than these three can provide.

[ellicottraven]

1 hour ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

The Ngata comparison is way too tough man. Ngata was a generational player and got paid his contract in 11' and still got $60 million which was a lot for the time. 

Williams might not be a rusher from the interior, but he is an anchor and makes his teammates jobs easier. 

I agree though $8-8.5 is fair and we don't have to worry about run defense falling off a cliff.

The only reason I say this is there are rumors floating around that both Williams and Wagner either expect north of 10M/yr or pundits believe that is their market. Now that number is absolutely ridiculous. We can't make every player the top of his position when they are not the top player of that position. We've already been bitten by that once and fairly severely too.

[ellicottraven]

32 minutes ago, sami said:

How do you figure the "Harbaugh regime" is finished next year? He isn't going anywhere for a long time.

'potentially finished'... was my choice of words. If we don't make the playoffs or even go deep into it, I can't see Harbaugh surviving another down year. He basically mailed an envelope to Bisciotti asking to be fired when he retained Marty as OC. So, if the offense now sputters and the Ravens end up either at the same place or worse than 2016, I don't see how Harbaugh is HC anymore.

[TheRavengers]

To me, I'm actually real comfortable with Alex Lewis as a Guard, but keeping Wagner definitely boosts my confidence for next year. Although, I'd like to see more from Nembot and Wesley too.

[billiejean]

if he doesnt want to resign, id rather have Alex Lewis at RT. two young bookends on the Oline with Stanley and Lewis. we can go look for a left guard afterwards in draft or FA

You have no idea how Alex Lewis plays at right tackle. He did a terrible job at LT and had growing pains at guard.

[Cawtious]

1 hour ago, Somerset Ravens said:

I think relying on Nembot, Jensen or Urschel for next season would be a mistake. Both Jensen and Urschel had the opportunity to claim a starting spot last year and could not do so. Their play was disappointing. Expecting Nembot to step up from the practice squad to the starting lineup is quite a reach. We need better O-line play than these three can provide.

I think what was disappointing was not the play of Jensen and Urschel.  What was disappointing is the evaluation of their play compared to Ducasse.  That's an evaluation issue, not a playing issue.  They are both better than Ducasse, IMHO.  Looking at their grading by Filmstudy and watching the games carefully, I don't see them as a downgrade at the position. 

I question Castillo and Harbaugh, in regards to their judgment. 

What creates havoc on an O-line is constantly mixing guys up in their positional assignments, and not letting a unit gel (when you can, sometimes injuries make that difficult/impossible).  Playing musical chairs up front is not helping the issue. 

[billiejean]

  3 hours ago, Raven in ATL said:

if he doesnt want to resign, id rather have Alex Lewis at RT. two young bookends on the Oline with Stanley and Lewis. we can go look for a left guard afterwards in draft or FA

Agreed, we have 3 RG on the team now that all can play well. Nembot, Jenson and Urschel. both Jenson and Urschel are also back up Centers. So the Ravens could pick up Elflein the best center in the draft/ college and potentially have the best O-line in the NFL.Could even be better than Dallas if all of them can stay on the field.

The cost is low too! leaves money for a RB and WR

Frank you can't be serious here. 3 RG that play well? Urschel has played horribly since starting the last 3 or 4 games of the season 3 years ago (his rookie year). He admirably then, but its all be down hill from there.. Jenson is up and down. He put up a few stinkers this year (I think Jenson is by far the most talented of the trio) and Nembot??? I don't recall him making it off the practice squad last year. Its possible that he did for a game but I am sure he was never activated on game day. You cant determine a guys ability by looking up his height and weight. It just doesnt work that way. Alex L is also a question mark at the RT position. Nembot will be fighting for a roster spot.

[robbie29]

"RAVENS GIVE 'VERY COMPETITIVE' OFFER TO RICK WAGNER"

Doesn't mean a thing. That was the exact same phrase ("a very competitive offer") they used about Osemele last season - and we all know how that worked out...

"Very competitive offer" is the Ravens' way of saying "we're probably going to lose yet another young, talented player because we've got all our money invested in aging/injured players and our overrated QB."

[usmccharles]

2 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

"RAVENS GIVE 'VERY COMPETITIVE' OFFER TO RICK WAGNER"

Doesn't mean a thing. That was the exact same phrase ("a very competitive offer") they used about Osemele last season - and we all know how that worked out...

Yea, making him a top 5 paid G in the league, how disrespectful. 

[ravensnj]

"RAVENS GIVE 'VERY COMPETITIVE' OFFER TO RICK WAGNER"

Doesn't mean a thing. That was the exact same phrase ("a very competitive offer") they used about Osemele last season - and we all know how that worked out...

Lol

Same line every year!

Comp pick coming up!

[billiejean]

3 hours ago, Cawtious said:

4 hours ago, Somerset Ravens said:

I think relying on Nembot, Jensen or Urschel for next season would be a mistake. Both Jensen and Urschel had the opportunity to claim a starting spot last year and could not do so. Their play was disappointing. Expecting Nembot to step up from the practice squad to the starting lineup is quite a reach. We need better O-line play than these three can provide.

I think what was disappointing was not the play of Jensen and Urschel.  What was disappointing is the evaluation of their play compared to Ducasse.  That's an evaluation issue, not a playing issue.  They are both better than Ducasse, IMHO.  Looking at their grading by Filmstudy and watching the games carefully, I don't see them as a downgrade at the position. 

I question Castillo and Harbaugh, in regards to their judgment. 

What creates havoc on an O-line is constantly mixing guys up in their positional assignments, and not letting a unit gel (when you can, sometimes injuries make that difficult/impossible).  Playing musical chairs up front is not helping the issue. 

I dont think you can come to that type of conclusion based solely on "filmstudy".  Although Ducasse is terrible he played better than those guys did at the beginning of the season.  I think the real question for John would be why did we cut Ducasse and let Urschel and Jenon start ahead of him.  Does the RSR have a place where they post the grades that players recieved for each game in one place or is it a bunch of different articles.

Edited March 2 by billiejean

[billiejean]

To me, I'm actually real comfortable with Alex Lewis as a Guard, but keeping Wagner definitely boosts my confidence for next year. Although, I'd like to see more from Nembot and Wesley too.

those guys are going to be fighting to make the team. I almost hope I don't see more of them because that will mean that we have drafted or picked up UDFAs that are better than they are.

[Chuckx999]

Let them all walk. We need cap space to get 1-2 free agents for many positions as well as what we can get in the draft. All Ozzie has to do is use picks 5-7 as bait to move up and get atleast one more 2nd rounder and maybe a third.
CB, LB, Center and a RB. I would love to see Ozzie move up and get TE Howard. We could then cut some of the thousands of TE's we have on the bench because they can't catch. It's even time for Pitta to go. Cap Space.

[bigcatfrank1]

  6 hours ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

  7 hours ago, Raven in ATL said:

if he doesnt want to resign, id rather have Alex Lewis at RT. two young bookends on the Oline with Stanley and Lewis. we can go look for a left guard afterwards in draft or FA

Agreed, we have 3 RG on the team now that all can play well. Nembot, Jenson and Urschel. both Jenson and Urschel are also back up Centers. So the Ravens could pick up Elflein the best center in the draft/ college and potentially have the best O-line in the NFL.Could even be better than Dallas if all of them can stay on the field.

The cost is low too! leaves money for a RB and WR

Frank you can't be serious here. 3 RG that play well? Urschel has played horribly since starting the last 3 or 4 games of the season 3 years ago (his rookie year). He admirably then, but its all be down hill from there.. Jenson is up and down. He put up a few stinkers this year (I think Jenson is by far the most talented of the trio) and Nembot??? I don't recall him making it off the practice squad last year. Its possible that he did for a game but I am sure he was never activated on game day. You cant determine a guys ability by looking up his height and weight. It just doesnt work that way. Alex L is also a question mark at the RT position. Nembot will be fighting for a roster spot.

I am sorry i typed Nembot but I meant Ducasse. I could be mistaken but what I thought played out pretty well was moving Yanda at left guard. Because where Urschel struggled the most was at Left guard.
Also, Jensen plays well, I didn't say great, but all three are young and can improve.
You cannot expect to have a pro bowler/ superstar at every position, the Ravens will have no money to work with.

My reasoning is to keep Williams and let Wagner go.

Right now I am only using the guys on the team, it might be possible to have more available and move things around in many ways. picking up another Guard or T is not out of the question. However I believe the weakness is at Center this also was part of the scenario to keeping alternates.

[billiejean]

15 minutes ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

I am sorry i typed Nembot but I meant Ducasse. I could be mistaken but what I thought played out pretty well was moving Yanda at left guard. Because where Urschel struggled the most was at Left guard.
Also, Jensen plays well, I didn't say great, but all three are young and can improve.
You cannot expect to have a pro bowler/ superstar at every position, the Ravens will have no money to work with.

My reasoning is to keep Williams and let Wagner go.

Right now I am only using the guys on the team, it might be possible to have more available and move things around in many ways. picking up another Guard or T is not out of the question. However I believe the weakness is at Center this also was part of the scenario to keeping alternates.

Yea I think will get a few rookie in camp as well.  A good portion of the roster is yet to be seen or at least that what I am hoping.