Ravens Offer Lewis 3 Year Deal

[Raven07]

the latest news on Linebacker Ray Lewis and the Team in when wants to re-sign him, accordingly, the Ravens have offered Lewis a 3 year deal worth about 24 million, in which 17 million would be gaurenteed money. the only word on how far or the state for the Ravens other LB in Bart Scott, is meanwhile, Baltimore has reportedly proposed to give Bart Scott $7 million annually
[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=140144"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines...L&hl=140144[/url]

this is a potentially hazardous move on all parts because the suspense is un bearable, fans and players alike get gitty with all this limbo talk.... wil lit happen, will it not, will they re-sign him, will they not........ who knows Raven Fans, who knows, but this report is the latest.

[Ravnet]

That's a fair deal. Reports are that New York could offer 25 guaranteed, but that's probably a bit overblown. If it comes down to 17 guaranteed vs. 22 from the Jets, I'm sure Ray would return, and for an affordable price.

That being said, I wouldn't be shocked if New York hiked it up a few more million.

[20ReedsAll]

That's a very, very fair offer. Takes into account his age and ability.

[Ravensfan23]

There also seems to be a offer on the table for Bart Scott, I think he just wants to test FA for a day or 2.

Also Bart Scott is suppose to be on ESPN tonite so it will be interesting to see what he has to say

[FlaccoFlicker]

i got a feeling scott will be a raven (signed) by mid morning

[Raven07]

yea i forgot to add that, i edited it and added it in the post above

[Ravnet]

I hope Ray takes this lowball deal as some fans would be forced to choke on their own words.

That was harsh, but deserved as people have been throwing him under the bus because of one interview with [b][i]Jamie Dukes.[/i][/b]..

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='158321' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:33 AM']I hope Ray takes this lowball deal as some fans would be forced to choke on their own words.

That was harsh, but deserved as people have been throwing him under the bus because of one interview with [b][i]Jamie Dukes.[/i][/b]..[/quote]

Since when is $17M GUARANTEED for a 34 year old LB low-ball?

[Ravensfanspls]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='158321' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:33 AM']I hope Ray takes this lowball deal as some fans would be forced to choke on their own words.

That was harsh, but deserved as people have been throwing him under the bus because of one interview with [b][i]Jamie Dukes.[/i][/b]..[/quote]Jamie dukes is a ****.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' post='158322' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:37 AM']Since when is $17M GUARANTEED for a 34 year old LB low-ball?[/quote]

In Ray's eyes, he is probably being lowballed. Actually, I have no clue what Ray is thinking, but 17 isn't much compared to the 21+ [i]at least[/i] guaranteed from other teams.

[ravens9273]

Negotiations before Ravens offered Ray 15 mill guaranteed. Ray wanted 20 mill guaranteed.

[neepo13]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' post='158322' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:37 AM']Since when is $17M GUARANTEED for a 34 year old LB low-ball?[/quote]

Agreed. Almost 20 million dollars guaranteed for ANY player over the age of 30, is overpaying in my opinion.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='neepo13' post='158326' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:42 AM']Agreed. Almost 20 million dollars guaranteed for ANY player over the age of 30, is overpaying in my opinion.[/quote]

Ray Lewis isn't any player. I'm still confused as Ravens fans of all people should understand that Ray deserves some money for intangibles alone.

Let's not look at this from a business standpoint because Ray is above all of that. I'm not sure how anyone can disagree with that as he IS the franchise.

[FlaccoFlicker]

i'm just wondering will the jets become the mini ravens. even tho i still have some confidence in scott signing it may very well be lewis,scott,and leonard ending up in n.y. of course um yeah do they have a qb?

[papachewlo]

Man all this talk about money for dudes who got much $$$$$$$$$$$$ is getting on my nerve. NFL turning to be just like NBA...All about the $$$$$$$$$$$ no loyality. The messed up part is going all out and paying these people a lot of $$$$$$$$$ and they get hurt. I like Ray, but he aint the Ray he once was. He aint getting after them players like he once did.I feel like we got the best years out of Ray that we will get. I just heard the interview with Bart Scott and this dude is about the money... At this point i don't know anymore. If Ray goes... well whoever gets him wont get out of him what we did..and as for Scott... I think he is waiting to see if Lewis get sign.. he then will go from there.

[the_PICKle]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='158329' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:45 AM']Ray Lewis isn't any player. I'm still confused as Ravens fans of all people should understand that Ray deserves some money for intangibles alone.

Let's not look at this from a business standpoint because Ray is above all of that. I'm not sure how anyone can disagree with that as [b]he IS the franchise[/b].[/quote]

Ray may be the face but no one player is the franchise.

[flynismo]

That's more than I would have offered him and feel he's worth; but hey not my decision to make. Now let's see him sign it. He got his fat, overvalued offer, now let's see if he signs it.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='the_PICKle' post='158333' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:47 AM']Ray may be the face but no one player is the franchise.[/quote]

Cal Ripken wasn't the Orioles?

[Raven07]

it is also reported that Free Agent Linebacker Bart Scott isnt declining the Ravens offer they presented to him, he seemingly just wants to take a look around the league and see how things turn out.

Espn's John Clayton reported on ESPN just now that 7 million a year, Bart isnt declining the offer, he just wants to take a look around first before signing on the dotted line.

[the_PICKle]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='158336' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:52 AM']Cal Ripken wasn't the Orioles?[/quote]

Nope. He may have been the most loved and the only reason to watch them. If you let a single player become the franchise your getting yourself into trouble.

[Florida Ravens Fan]

If R.Lewis does not want to sign in the next couple of days, i say bump bart scotts contract to 8-9 mill. It will be verrrrrry upseting to loose both!

[Ravnet]

[quote name='the_PICKle' post='158339' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:54 AM']Nope. He may have been the most loved and the only reason to watch them. If you let a single player become the franchise your getting yourself into trouble.[/quote]

Without Ray Lewis, I could easily see the Ravens being a team with a much smaller following, and a nonexistent national reputation. He made this team in my opinion.

Nick Markakis is the face of the franchise. Joe Flacco could be the face of the franchise. Ray Lewis is the franchise. I just see him differently.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Florida Ravens Fan' post='158340' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:58 AM']If R.Lewis does not want to sign in the next couple of days, i say bump bart scotts contract to 8-9 mill. It will be verrrrrry upseting to loose both![/quote]

9 million per for Bart Scott? I just vomited.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='158329' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:45 AM']Ray Lewis isn't any player. I'm still confused as Ravens fans of all people should understand that Ray deserves some money for intangibles alone.

Let's not look at this from a business standpoint because Ray is above all of that. I'm not sure how anyone can disagree with that as he IS the franchise.[/quote]

Thats were the disagreement lies. I understand Ray Lewis is a great player but he's not above the team, IN MY OPINION. Its not hard to comprehend. It just depends on your priorities and where your loyalty lies. I am a RAVENS fan, NOT a Ray Lewis fan. And my priority is winning at all cost, not catering to Ray Lewis so that he can retire a Raven just because we love him so much. Ray Lewis isnt going to line up on the defensive line to rush the passer, he's not going to line up at C to protect Flacco, at WR to catch balls, or at CB to stop us from being beat through the air. If he could do that, maybe he'd deserve the special treatment but he cant, he is ONE guy on a TEAM. And he alone is not going to be the difference between a win and a loss.

[Florida Ravens Fan]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='158344' date='Feb 27 2009, 01:03 AM']9 million per for Bart Scott? I just vomited.[/quote]

Wow, one or two mill more wohooo not a big difference!

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='158336' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:52 AM']Cal Ripken wasn't the Orioles?[/quote]

Did the Orioles retire with Ripken?

[the_PICKle]

[quote name='neepo13' post='158346' date='Feb 27 2009, 01:06 AM']Thats were the disagreement lies. I understand Ray Lewis is a great player but he's not above the team, IN MY OPINION. Its not hard to comprehend. It just depends on your priorities and where your loyalty lies. I am a RAVENS fan, NOT a Ray Lewis fan. And my priority is winning at all cost, not catering to Ray Lewis so that he can retire a Raven just because we love him so much. Ray Lewis isnt going to line up on the defensive line to rush the passer, he's not going to line up at C to protect Flacco, at WR to catch balls, or at CB to stop us from being beat through the air. If he could do that, maybe he'd deserve the special treatment but he cant, he is ONE guy on a TEAM. And he alone is not going to be the difference between a win and a loss.[/quote]

I fully agree. And while you can be a fan of Ray Lewis, you should always be more worried about the team. One day Ray will move on and does it really matter if it is via free agency or retirement? It may to your emotional attachment but that is about it. I know I can let me emotions get in the way of seeing things clearly, as they did up until midnight tonight but when I sit back and look at it, I know things will get better. May we slip a little next season? Perhaps. But Ozzie knows what he is doing. We have a fantastic front office and great owner. If everyone, including myself, can calm down for two seconds, just realize we are in great hands.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Florida Ravens Fan' post='158347' date='Feb 27 2009, 01:06 AM']Wow, one or two mill more wohooo not a big difference![/quote]

Well, yes and no....
Just keep in mind that we have very little cap room, a bunch of high salary guys to resign, and when that's all said and done, we're going to have a lot of rookies to sign after the draft. We'll be fortunate if we only lose one out of the remaining three big name FA.

[RavensIQ]

So let's say Ray excepts $24Mill over 3 years with $17M in signing bonuses

$17M guaranteed/3 years is $5.6 per

yr1 $5.6M (sb) + $1.4M base salary = '09 $7M salary cap
yr2 $5.6M (sb) + $2.4M base salary = '10 $8M salary cap
yr3 $5.6M (sb) + $3.4M base salary = '11 $9M salary cap

Sounds about right, right?

Lets say Bart Scott excepts the $35Mill over 5 years w/somewhere around $10M in signing bonuses

$10M guaranteed/5 years is $2M per

yr1 $2M (sb) + $3M base salary = '09 $5M salary cap
yr2 $2M (sb) + $4M base salary = '10 $6M salary cap
yr3 $2M (sb) + $5M base salary = '11 $7M salary cap
yr4 $2M (sb) + $6M base salary = '12 $8M salary cap
yr5 $2M (sb) + $7M base salary = '13 $9M salary cap

Sounds about right, right?

Bart + Ray for 2009 would = $12M against the salary cap leaving $7.5M for whatever.

If we sign a starting free agent CB (Foxworth) is it safe to say Samari will be released? ($4.1M in cap savings)

Then you still have the potential release of Marques Douglas to add into the equation.
($2.4M in cap savings)

So all in all potentially the Ravens could be looking at $14M in available cap space after signing Bart and Ray?? Not to mention the extra room they can still create if they restructure veteran contracts. (Pryce, Mason, Gregg, Anderson)

Nothing here is based off of actual contracts since nothing has been official. This is just a scenario I came up with given the current info on the web.

[Florida Ravens Fan]

[quote name='flynismo' post='158356' date='Feb 27 2009, 01:18 AM']Well, yes and no....
Just keep in mind that we have very little cap room, a bunch of high salary guys to resign, and when that's all said and done, we're going to have a lot of rookies to sign after the draft. We'll be fortunate if we only lose one out of the remaining three big name FA.[/quote]


I understand! But if they are willing to pay Ray 17 Million guarantee and he does not take it, why not use one mill of that to keep Bart????