Nakamura Visiting the Panthers

[akashicrecorder]

According to PFT:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/15/special-teams-dynamo-nakamura-visiting-panthers/

[CoverD]

If he wants to start...he's probably not going to be re-signing here. :grbac:

[wickedsolo]

Both he and Zibby are looking for the opportunity to start.

That's not here in Baltimore unless Zibby wants to wait and see with Ed Reed possibly retiring in the next couple of years.

[JettRavensSuperPup]

It would be wise to retain either Zibby or Nakumura (sp) but I dont think we need to keep both. Sign one and draft someone to cover the other position. With Ed Reed at the point in his career that we cannot be certain he will play 16 games, we need a veteran backup.

[The Excellector]

Both of them have waited long enough. They both deserve to start on another team.

[Carey]

Ravens in a tough spot with him a Zibby, teams dont even have to do much financially, just a solid deal and an opportunity to start and their gone. Not even a lock for a starting job, just the opportunity is enough.

[Paintballguy]

Zbi and Nakamura will be gone. I see the Ravens drafting a safety in the late rounds.

[Ravenous1]

Yea losing both sucks from a depth standpoint but it is what it is

[goodandfast]

Zbi and Nakamura will be gone. I see the Ravens drafting a safety in the late rounds.

It depends on how the rest of the first round goes, but I wouldn't be surprised if the team took Mark Barron @ 29.

[Baltoravens]

It depends on how the rest of the first round goes, but I wouldn't be surprised if the team took Mark Barron @ 29.

I'd be pretty surprised if Barron lasted that long.

[goodandfast]

I'd be pretty surprised if Barron lasted that long.

I actually think it might be more likely than a lot of people think. Safeties are rarely taken in the first round, and as far as where he ranks overall in the class, he's definitely an end of the first round/start of the second type talent. Keep in mind Ed Reed was the top safety coming out when we drafted him at the end of the first round.

[Tyrian]

Aaron Wilson ‏ @RavensInsider Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Panthers are expected to lock up Ravens free agent safety Haruki Nakamura today. Good fit in Carolina

and then:

Aaron Wilson ‏ @RavensInsider Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Ravens free agent safety Haruki Nakamura gets a three-year deal with the Panthers, according to a league source

Bye Haruki!

[GOTA]

That's a great spot for Nakamura. Hope he gets his chance at starting.

[B-more Ravor]

3-year deal? Nice, good for Haruki!

And, good for the Ravens - the more multi-year deals, the more qualifiers for Comp pick calculation.

[pslholder96]

3-year deal? Nice, good for Haruki!

And, good for the Ravens - the more multi-year deals, the more qualifiers for Comp pick calculation.

Performance and playing time is another qualfier correct?

[Justlovemybirds]

Congrats Nak!

Its amazing to see JJ, Nak, and potentially McClain gets chances to on other teams and none of these guys were real high draft picks, speaks to the development of talent on this team.

[The Fanatic]

Performance and playing time is another qualfier correct?

I believe that is correct.
If he is brought in down there and ends up playing significant time (starter) it should turn into a comp pick- very late round.

The loss of Haruki by us weighs more heavily on our spectial teams unit more so then anything else.

I'm thinking they should be able to fill that role fairly easily with one of their draft picks.

[Shas]

Congrats Nak!

Its amazing to see JJ, Nak, and potentially McClain gets chances to on other teams and none of these guys were real high draft picks, speaks to the development of defensive talent on this team.

Adjusted it for you.

It's a long list on the defensive side. Adalius Thomas, Ed Hartwell, Bart Scott, Abrayo Franklin, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Antwan Barnes, Dawan Landry, Will Demps. All fourth rounders or lower who cashed in with other teams.

It's hard to come up with fourth rounders or lower on the offensive side who cashed in.

Ed Mulitalo went to the Lions, but he was kind of done by then. Jason Brown was a fourth rounder, and he certainly qualifies. Priest Holmes would be one for sure. Jeff Mitchell counts...he was a fifth rounder. I guess you count Tony Pashos, also a fifth rounder.

Other than Holmes, I can't think of a later round skill player on offense who they developed and allowed to cash in.

[RavenScallywag]

Anyone think this makes it more likely they push to retain Zbikowski? He hasn't drawn much interest yet and I think you have to keep one of the two. Can't go into this year with a rookie backing up Ed Reed...

[RavenScallywag]

Adj
It's hard to come up with fourth rounders or lower on the offensive side who cashed in.

Ed Mulitalo went to the Lions, but he was kind of done by then. Jason Brown was a fourth rounder, and he certain qualifies. Priest Holmes would be one. Jeff Mitchell counts...he was a fifth rounder. I guess you count Tony Pashos, also a fifth rounder.

Other than Holmes, I can't think of a later round skill player on offense who they developed and allowed to cash in.

Mughelli

[B-more Ravor]

Performance and playing time is another qualfier correct?

Yes, but the primary thing is the yearly average of the contract. That initially sets the round of the comp pick. That can then go up a round based on performance (post season honors) or down a round based on PT (or lack thereof).

[Justlovemybirds]

Adjusted it for you.

It's a long list on the defensive side. Adalius Thomas, Ed Hartwell, Bart Scott, Abrayo Franklin, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Antwan Barnes, Dawan Landry, Will Demps. All fourth rounders or lower who cashed in with other teams.

It's hard to come up with fourth rounders or lower on the offensive side who cashed in.

Ed Mulitalo went to the Lions, but he was kind of done by then. Jason Brown was a fourth rounder, and he certainly qualifies. Priest Holmes would be one for sure. Jeff Mitchell counts...he was a fifth rounder. I guess you count Tony Pashos, also a fifth rounder.

Other than Holmes, I can't think of a later round skill player on offense who they developed and allowed to cash in.

lol Thanks, I thought it went without saying they've been better at the on D than on O.

[leachisabeast]

I find it surprising how Zibby hasn't made any noise in FA, and Nakamura is the one who has now been signed before Zibby. Nakamura is a solid contributor and ST player, but IMO he isn't as talented or has as much upside as Zibby.

[The Fanatic]

Adjusted it for you.

It's a long list on the defensive side. Adalius Thomas, Ed Hartwell, Bart Scott, Abrayo Franklin, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Antwan Barnes, Dawan Landry, Will Demps. All fourth rounders or lower who cashed in with other teams.

It's hard to come up with fourth rounders or lower on the offensive side who cashed in.

Ed Mulitalo went to the Lions, but he was kind of done by then. Jason Brown was a fourth rounder, and he certainly qualifies. Priest Holmes would be one for sure. Jeff Mitchell counts...he was a fifth rounder. I guess you count Tony Pashos, also a fifth rounder.

Other than Holmes, I can't think of a later round skill player on offense who they developed and allowed to cash in.

Leron McClain

Wouldn't exactly say he's been "cashing in", but he has moved on, gotten contracts and was a 4th round pick.
With that being said, we all know your point and know we have always been better at drafting defensive talent in the latter rounds, etc.

[Shas]

Anyone think this makes it more likely they push to retain Zbikowski? He hasn't drawn much interest yet and I think you have to keep one of the two. Can't go into this year with a rookie backing up Ed Reed...

I'm not a huge fan of Zbikowski, and would have preferred Nakamura by a large margin.

I think it will be hard for Zbikowski to find a starting job, so for that reason, coming back would be more likely than if there was a market for him. There are better safeties on the market if you are looking at free safety. Reggie Nelson, maybe to the Jets. Brandon Merriweather took the Redskins out of the safety market. Zby is like Brodney Pool, in that he's between a strong and free safety, really. Pool left the Jets for the Cowboys, so that spot is taken. Steve Gregory went from the Chargers to the Patriots. LaRon Landry is still out there looking for a starting job.

Anyway, that kind of leaves Zby short of teams looking for a starter. If you are talking back ups, there are plenty of guys the Ravens could sign. Madieu Williams was a pretty good safety before he got nicked up in Minnesota. If he's healthy, I like him as an option. He saw some time with the niners last season.

[JAB1985]

personally i think Zibi is more dynamic than Haruki. Haruki could play the slot DB and safety, but we didnt really need him to this year, while Zibi can play both S positions and return kicks. considering what we have on defense now and db i think Zibi makes more sense of the two to bring back. being able to fill in for either Reed or Pollard is a bonus. 95% sure we end up with a rookie, but if zibi leaves well probably find a vet that gets cut late too.

[Shas]

personally i think Zibi is more dynamic than Haruki. Haruki could play the slot DB and safety, but we didnt really need him to this year, while Zibi can play both S positions and return kicks. considering what we have on defense now and db i think Zibi makes more sense of the two to bring back. being able to fill in for either Reed or Pollard is a bonus. 95% sure we end up with a rookie, but if zibi leaves well probably find a vet that gets cut late too.

My view of Nakamura is that he is simply a better player. While Zby can do all that on paper, I think he is subpar at all three positions. I thought Nakamura had much more value on ST and was a better free safety and nickle than Zby was a free or strong safety.

Anyway, yeah, I suspect they will spend a draft pick later on and find a player like Demps or Landry, as they have done in the past.

[Irish Raven]

Zibby may still leave us, Pagano was secondary coach here so if he wants Zibby they may come calling

If we could only keep one of them I would have preferred to keep Nakamura


Edit, yes- time to update the thread title

[Blacklightning]

Nakamura is now a Panther.....

[festivus]

Good for him. I hope he gets to start.

He's on my short list, or was on my short list, of favorite Ravens.

Good luck, Haruki, I'm glad you got your payday. I hope you get another one.

[Poeboy]

Dime a dozen player. Move on.

[sandiegosean]

My view of Nakamura is that he is simply a better player. While Zby can do all that on paper, I think he is subpar at all three positions. I thought Nakamura had much more value on ST and was a better free safety and nickle than Zby was a free or strong safety.

Anyway, yeah, I suspect they will spend a draft pick later on and find a player like Demps or Landry, as they have done in the past.
I agree with you that Haruki is more valuable. Dont know if it was mentiond but Derek Anderson was sixth rounder who cashed in elsewhere. Brandon Stokley was a fourth rounder, who got better when he jeft and cashed in. They're few and far betweeen, but there out there. Probably not much different than other teams experiences.

[JAB1985]

My view of Nakamura is that he is simply a better player. While Zby can do all that on paper, I think he is subpar at all three positions. I thought Nakamura had much more value on ST and was a better free safety and nickle than Zby was a free or strong safety.

Anyway, yeah, I suspect they will spend a draft pick later on and find a player like Demps or Landry, as they have done in the past.

I guess we can agree to disagree. i dont really think theres leaps and bounds separating the two in anything really. I just like the added versatility when were thin at safety and KR.

getting a demps or landry seems so simple doesnt it? thank god for Ozzie. I fully trust well have an adequate S in here by training camp.

[Tucker: M&T Sec 527]

It would be wise to retain either Zibby or Nakumura (sp) but I dont think we need to keep both. Sign one and draft someone to cover the other position. With Ed Reed at the point in his career that we cannot be certain he will play 16 games, we need a veteran backup.

Losing both in one off-season not only affects depth, but takes 2 seasoned ST contributors from units that were already too green and ineffective last season.

[bmorebirds_24]

I hope Zibby signs somewhere else soon.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[Dragz]

Dime a dozen player. Move on.

I completely disagree with that. He's versatile enough to come in when we're in dime, he can play at safety and he's a good special teams guy. You're not gonna find a lot of guys who will have the "Yes Coach" attitude in the NFL and just come to work with their lunch pail and get it in. Ravens are NOTORIOUS for that, so I can understand why one of us would think that those guys are a "dime a zoen" but when you have it good (or HAD it good), recognize that and appreciate it. Ruki leaving the team saddens me but I'm happy that he's getting what he wants out of his career. With that being said, we NEED to lock up Zibby. I'm a little skeptical about a rookie coming in and backing up Ed. On top of that, if we bring in a vet, why not bring in one of OUR veteran FAs?

[BleedPurple92]

Like someone else said, i would rather have kept Nakumra. I think he is the better player, but Zbi is no slouch. Whenever he came in for Ed Reed a few seasons ago, he filled in more than nicely.

Whatever the front office does i'm fine with.

[Paintballguy]

I completely disagree with that. He's versatile enough to come in when we're in dime, he can play at safety and he's a good special teams guy. You're not gonna find a lot of guys who will have the "Yes Coach" attitude in the NFL and just come to work with their lunch pail and get it in. Ravens are NOTORIOUS for that, so I can understand why one of us would think that those guys are a "dime a zoen" but when you have it good (or HAD it good), recognize that and appreciate it. Ruki leaving the team saddens me but I'm happy that he's getting what he wants out of his career. With that being said, we NEED to lock up Zibby. I'm a little skeptical about a rookie coming in and backing up Ed. On top of that, if we bring in a vet, why not bring in one of OUR veteran FAs?

Please. There are tons of young hungry players that will do anything to make a NFL roster.

[RavenScallywag]

Please. There are tons of young hungry players that will do anything to make a NFL roster.

I think it's somewhere between the two opinions. If he was so remarkable, he would've beaten out Pollard this year for a starting job. If your argument is that his best style is playing in between a bunch of positions, that's not starting, and he wants to be THE guy at Safety.

But, a dime a dozen guy doesn't get a chance to start somewhere else usually. He's a good talent. There's other good talent that can be had, but you have to hit on it in the draft or find a guy that everyone overlooked. I like Ozzie to do that, but it's not an easy thing.

[Tyrian]

Aaron Wilson ‏ @RavensInsider Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Haruki Nakamura's three-year deal with Panthers is worth $3.8 million and includes a $1 million signing bonus, per a league source

(he later tweeted 4.8)

[The Excellector]

That is not a bad deal for him and I wish him well. He has waited long enough to get a chance to start and we'll see if he gets that chance in Carolina.

[Florida Art]

The Ravens are going to seriously regret letting Haruki go. He will turn to to be a total stud.

(I also said the japs would never hit Pearl Harbor)