So what's the plan?

[Hammerhead]

I am not freaking out about the Ravens offseason yet like certain radio personalities. And I definitely get the Ravens' operative thinking: why overpay for early free agents when you can get a much better value later in free agency? So, with that in mind, I am not worried about where the Ravens will end up. I just am trying to understand the plan and the vision.

When free agency started, we had the following needs:
C
KR/PR/WR
RB

We now seem to need all of the above plus OG and possibly OLB. We also need secondary depth. And we might lose Jameel McClain creating yet another need at ILB.

I understand that we can't fill all needs in free agency as there will still be the draft -- but we can't fill all needs in the draft either. And I get that we are hamstrung by cap space. But, to make the draft pay off, I would figure that we need to fill 2-3 of our needs in free agency.

I think Kruger can probably fill the spot that JJ's absence creates.

Evan Mathis is the person we are trying to get to fill our OG need. That's fine.

Unfortunately, I don't think Birk fills our need at C. We need someone who is younger and can last effectively throughout the season.

Where are we with Jameel McClain's contract? If Mathis doesn't pan out, what's the plan?

Not panicking. Just trying to understand what the overall strategy is (knowing that I don't have full information).

[leachisabeast]

I don't see how RB is a need when we have AA and Berry to back Rice up, I only expect RB to be a need in August if AA doesn't pan out. I'm not happy with who we've lost so far, and not happy to see Birk being signed for 3 million! I just hope Mathis decides to accept out offer. If Curtis Lofton is still available, I would love to bring him in at the right price.

[arnie_uk]

our overall strategy right now is wait for the big spenders to be shopped out, then we sweep in, get equally as good players for less money

[BcRaven]

our overall strategy right now is wait for the big spenders to be shopped out, then we sweep in, get equally as good players for less money

arnie, a very wise post indeed. I do think that's Ozzie's strategy. Let the "Redskins" of the NFL jump in with both feet prematurely, then Oz waits for reasonable left over talent to trickle down. Patience is a virtue... Bc

[arnie_uk]

you also know there will be some overpaid players to be cut in the coming months and all these big spenders will have no moeny left so you can get these guys at cut throat prices as well
arnie, a very wise post indeed. I do think that's Ozzie's strategy. Let the "Redskins" of the NFL jump in with both feet prematurely, then Oz waits for reasonable left over talent to trickle down. Patience is a virtue... Bc

[Iscull]

Keep in mind that almost everyone that we lost can be easily replaced with a cheaper and more than likely younger player.

JJ - Kruger/Kindle/McAdoo
Redding - McPhee and Jones
Zibby - Late Round
Nakumura - Late Round
Grubbs - Mathis/Early Draft Pick

Overall, the only real loss was Grubbs. The key to winning is having good cheap players. In doing so you have a lot of players outperforming their contracts. This is what happens with us, and showed in this FA.

[somedumbguy]

Here is a video I found of Ozzie and Harbs as free agency began. As you can see, waiting out the crazy prices at the opening will lead to success in the long run. I don't know what the plan is, but I have faith that there is one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24_8wRnPqAM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[JustaslowZ06]

I would say the plan is:
OLB- Replaced by Kruger and Kindle
DE- Replaced by Jones and McPhee

MLB- Draft more than likely
RB- Never a concern, cheaper AA and Berry will do just fine
C- Still up in the air, if they sign Birk to a 3 year deal like there talking I'll prob throw up and call it a failure. HOPING draft.
LG- Mathis? or another high draft pick
S- Backup mid rounds draft pick 4th maybe, maybe even have to use a 3rd if there BPA
Kr/pr- still up in the air
WR- higher draft pick, I can even see them bringing Evans back at a discounted rate(pretty much sold on this idea as he hasn't been in the news at all) while also adding a draft pick.

Really we lost a starting LG and thats about it so far. Couple backups who we had no plans for obviously, an aging OLB as much as he was a Raven it's still a business, a aging DE who's production can be matched by younger more hungry players.

Frankly I'm SHOCKED that McClain hasn't signed anywhere. That absolutely boggles my mind. I would love to have him back and move him into JJ's spot at OLB as I don't have alot of faith in Kruger or Kindle.

[The Fanatic]

our overall strategy right now is wait for the big spenders to be shopped out, then we sweep in, get equally as good players for less money


you also know there will be some overpaid players to be cut in the coming months and all these big spenders will have no moeny left so you can get these guys at cut throat prices as well

This pretty much seems to be the M.O. every year.

We never jump in and grab guys but lose a few we all would like to keep.

Several people panic, flip out, etc.

By the time Sept. comes around holes have been filled with decent talent at great rates, new quality additions in the draft and everybody is calling Newsome the man.

[BcRaven]

This pretty much seems to be the M.O. every year.

We never jump in and grab guys but lose a few we all would like to keep.

Several people panic, flip out, etc.

By the time Sept. comes around holes have been filled with decent talent at great rates, new quality additions in the draft and everybody is calling Newsome the man.

Fanatic, you're much more level-headed than your screen name...LOL
I agree with you, and arnie_UK, and Ozzie... Bc

[Peterman]

Signing Mathis and a returner like Osgood or Ginn would be a great start. Like others have said, young guys will step up to fill these spaces. I'd love to draft Hightower and Barron from ALA, if possible. Maybe some interior OL depth in the 3rd, and some guys that can fill in at special teams after that.

[The Fanatic]

Fanatic, you're much more level-headed than your screen name...LOL


You wouldn't be saying that if you saw me in person. (particularly watching a game) LOL

I get upset at some of what I see as much as the next guy, but this seems to happen every year here.

Some of our best acquisitions and favorite players have been guys that were picked up on the cheap and often after June.

Hard to be patient when you watch other teams improve as soon as the bell goes off and you're still standing at the starting line.

It's like that rabbit versus the turtle race story we all have heard.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

This pretty much seems to be the M.O. every year.

We never jump in and grab guys but lose a few we all would like to keep.

Several people panic, flip out, etc.

By the time Sept. comes around holes have been filled with decent talent at great rates, new quality additions in the draft and everybody is calling Newsome the man.

Couldn't have said it better myself...