Draft / FA / Offseason Roster Moves (Merged)

**leachisabeast** · 02-15-2013, 07:46 AM

Idk guys, I think I'd rather have Kruger than Ellerbe if it comes to it.

We are maybe more stacked at OLB than ILB, but the FO has a knack for finding good ILBs. Also don't forget about Albert McClellan who has played well there before.

**leachisabeast** · 02-15-2013, 07:51 AM

I would be over the moon if we ever get to see Joe and Paul Kruger playing together in Baltimore. I kind of wanted Chandler Jones last year, not just because he's a great prospect, but also because I wanted to see him playing with Art Jones.

**JAB1985** · 02-15-2013, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Idk guys, I think I'd rather have Kruger than Ellerbe if it comes to it.

We are maybe more stacked at OLB than ILB, but the FO has a knack for finding good ILBs. Also don't forget about Albert McClellan who has played well there before.

its a tough call, because you certainly can find ILBs more easily than pass rushers... it just seems to be more important stop gap to short term success, imo. I mean besides Bynes its possibly not one other ILB is on the team next year. Ayanbadejo (older, doesnt contribute to defense), McClain (injured, wasnt effective when healthy), and Lewis (retired). Thats a lot of upheaval from a pivotal position that needs to understand the defense. With Kruger, theres a lot less change by just losing him. perfect world we keep both, but personally id rather keep ellerbe at the moment and hope Suggs health, Upshaws progression, and some youth stepping up can help replace Kruger. theres a scenario i dont like to think about, where we lose both. I really hope that doesnt happen more than anything.

**leachisabeast** · 02-15-2013, 08:07 AM

You also have to factor in Ellerbe's health. He missed a lot of games in the season, and missed half of the previous season. Kruger has pretty much been healthy since we drafted him.

**JAB1985** · 02-15-2013, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

You also have to factor in Ellerbe's health. He missed a lot of games in the season, and missed half of the previous season. Kruger has pretty much been healthy since we drafted him.

certainly an issue for him which hopefully lowers his value on the market and other teams interest. He did play through injuries this year and maintained his effectiveness in doing so, may not always be the case.

**GOTA** · 02-15-2013, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

You also have to factor in Ellerbe's health. He missed a lot of games in the season, and missed half of the previous season. Kruger has pretty much been healthy since we drafted him.

Very interesting point and one that never seems to be brought up.

**wickedsolo** · 02-15-2013, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Idk guys, I think I'd rather have Kruger than Ellerbe if it comes to it.

We are maybe more stacked at OLB than ILB, but the FO has a knack for finding good ILBs. Also don't forget about Albert McClellan who has played well there before.

Good point. McClellan could definitely be a starter at ILB if all else fails.

**wickedsolo** · 02-15-2013, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

You also have to factor in Ellerbe's health. He missed a lot of games in the season, and missed half of the previous season. Kruger has pretty much been healthy since we drafted him.

He does have a history of nagging injuries.

However, he also played through a fairly significant ankle sprain in the playoffs and Super Bowl. He played pretty well too, so he is willing to play through pain.

His injury history does give some pause though.

**NC Raven** · 02-15-2013, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Good point. McClellan could definitely be a starter at ILB if all else fails.

Injury history only bothers me if it's something with a chance to recur because of the prior injury. If it's just a bunch of disconnected things, like sprains, stingers, etc., those could happen to anybody any time, even guys who have never been hurt before. Off the top of my head I can't think of any future concerns about a recurrence of anything with him, but then again, I can't really recall what his past injuries were. Is there anything he's had that might be something to worry about down the line?

**alien bird** · 02-15-2013, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Idk guys, I think I'd rather have Kruger than Ellerbe if it comes to it.

Ellerbe might be harder to keep, believe it or not. Some people have him ranked as the top free agent linebacker out there. He and Kruger are two of the top guys so keeping both is highly unlikely.

**bt12483** · 02-15-2013, 09:35 AM

If we cut Leach...has anyone considered James Casey from Houston?

He is a weird TE/FB hybrid. We've shown we kind of like to use the FB as a pass catcher with Leach's usage. Casey could easily fill this role, maybe even better than Leach.

Not sure what kind of $$ he would be looking for though.

**wickedsolo** · 02-15-2013, 09:36 AM

So, with Kruger and Cliff Avril likely being the top FA pass rushers out there...

Connor Barwin may come back into the picture. He had a down year, no doubt, but he is still a good player.

**wickedsolo** · 02-15-2013, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by bt12483

If we cut Leach...has anyone considered James Casey from Houston?

He is a weird TE/FB hybrid. We've shown we kind of like to use the FB as a pass catcher with Leach's usage. Casey could easily fill this role, maybe even better than Leach.

Not sure what kind of $$ he would be looking for though.

I have always liked James Casey. That dude was such a hell of a receiver in college.

I don't know though.

This is going to be a weird off-season. Some suggest that Rice was more effective when the Ravens were 3-wide without Leach in the game. However, Leach is just a quintessential Baltimore Raven. I'd be sad to see him go.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 02-15-2013, 09:56 AM

I've been big on going to more of an H-Back utilization if we have to let Leach go...those undersized TE's who can catch are huge in today's game.

Casey in particular though is doubtful...he likely will be making around the same money as Leach. Those guys are typically mid round picks and if you use them right, they can be weapons for you. Maybe a guy like Willie Carter out of Tulsa in the mid/late rounds.

**bt12483** · 02-15-2013, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I have always liked James Casey. That dude was such a hell of a receiver in college.

I don't know though.

This is going to be a weird off-season. Some suggest that Rice was more effective when the Ravens were 3-wide without Leach in the game. However, Leach is just a quintessential Baltimore Raven. I'd be sad to see him go.

Leach is awesome. But his price is mighty rich for a FB. I would hate to see him go too, but at this point he is mostly a luxury item IMO.

Originally Posted by Raveninwoodlawn

Casey in particular though is doubtful...he likely will be making around the same money as Leach. Those guys are typically mid round picks and if you use them right, they can be weapons for you. Maybe a guy like Willie Carter out of Tulsa in the mid/late rounds.

Yeah I figure Casey might cost just about as much, so it isn't likely. But you never know. Clearly we like funneling HOU players to our squad.

**jonboy79** · 02-15-2013, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by bt12483

If we cut Leach...has anyone considered James Casey from Houston?

He is a weird TE/FB hybrid. We've shown we kind of like to use the FB as a pass catcher with Leach's usage. Casey could easily fill this role, maybe even better than Leach.

Not sure what kind of $$ he would be looking for though.

He'd have to be cheap , and I don't think he will be. I also am starting to think that Leach might see the writing on the wall that he is a dying breed, and may take a relatively cheap extenstion to keep his career going with a winner. Perhaps he takes a straight paycut if it comes with an additional couple of years. Perhaps wiping out the last year of his deal and replacing it with a 3 yr $7m deal.

and Leach... I'd rather have Ellerbe. Ellerbe ca be a 3 down ILBer here, Kruger SHOULD see even less time next year then this year as Upshaw improves. I see more promise to succeed in Kruger's role from hamilton and Macadoo then I see potential in Bynes,Mclellan to replace Ellerbe as our coverage inside backer. In fact, wit Mclin coming off what he is, I could see one of those two replcing McLain for better results.

And Ellerbe should be half the cheese that Kruger gets, perhaps 60%.

**JAB1985** · 02-15-2013, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by NC Raven

Injury history only bothers me if it's something with a chance to recur because of the prior injury. If it's just a bunch of disconnected things, like sprains, stingers, etc., those could happen to anybody any time, even guys who have never been hurt before. Off the top of my head I can't think of any future concerns about a recurrence of anything with him, but then again, I can't really recall what his past injuries were. Is there anything he's had that might be something to worry about down the line?

broken thumbs, ankle sprains, elbow i believe, but the one with cause for concern and made him miss the most time last year was hamstrings which can certainly be problematic. i tend do agree its worth the gamble (because he didnt have a flair up this year and played through other injuries) but it is a legitimate debate.

Sidenote: i just read an article about the steelers cap issues and i must say, as much concern as we have around here, im glad we dont have their philosophy. 100 million invested in their top 10 cap hits vs us at roughly 69 (even if you assume Flacco were still much better off). Definitely not the way to go about it when talking restructures.

**bt12483** · 02-15-2013, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

Sidenote: i just read an article about the steelers cap issues and i must say, as much concern as we have around here, im glad we dont have their philosophy. 100 million invested in their top 10 cap hits vs us at roughly 69 (even if you assume Flacco were still much better off). Definitely not the way to go about it when talking restructures.

a lot of teams are in cap trouble. going to be a really interesting offseason.

**Paintballguy** · 02-15-2013, 10:08 AM

Ellerbe also had a back injury. He said he was in really bad pain during the AFC Championship. I remember seeing him icing his back on the sideline.

**JAB1985** · 02-15-2013, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by bt12483

a lot of teams are in cap trouble. going to be a really interesting offseason.

yeah the steelers werent even the worst offenders, the Jets have 110 invested and i believe they said the Cowboys have 90 or so. If it wasnt a league wide issue id be a lot more worried but theres a lot less teams with an abundance than up against it seems.