Ravens Free Agent Possible Add / Drops

**wickedsolo** · 03-04-2013, 10:19 AM

I've heard that several teams could be targeting Ellerbe...

New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia (who is switching to a 3-4), I'm sure Cleveland could be interested (Ellerbe lined up beside Jackson would be a really nice combo), the Giants, Houston, and now apparently Buffalo.

I think Ellerbe is going to have a lot of suitors.

**Iscull** · 03-04-2013, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by landshark52

Knighton seems too much like another Mount Cody to me. He has weight issues and is not great against the run. I would rather grab a guy like Jean-Francois and draft Brandon Williams.

Also add these to your list of possible free agents.

Larry Grant ILB San Fran
Deandre Levy ILB Detroit (cover linebacker)
Wallace Gilberry DE Cincy (pass rush specialist)

Knighton only had weight issues outside of season. In season, he buckled down and dominated. This dude is a LOT stronger than Cody.

**Paintballguy** · 03-04-2013, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I've heard that several teams could be targeting Ellerbe...

New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia (who is switching to a 3-4), I'm sure Cleveland could be interested (Ellerbe lined up beside Jackson would be a really nice combo), the Giants, Houston, and now apparently Buffalo.

I think Ellerbe is going to have a lot of suitors.

That will definitely increase his price.

**Iscull** · 03-04-2013, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I've heard that several teams could be targeting Ellerbe...

New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia (who is switching to a 3-4), I'm sure Cleveland could be interested (Ellerbe lined up beside Jackson would be a really nice combo), the Giants, Houston, and now apparently Buffalo.

I think Ellerbe is going to have a lot of suitors.

I can see Philly going after a lot of our FA's due to their switch to a 3-4 defense. Ellerbe and Kruger would be perfect fits for a team looking to build around two solid starters.

**wickedsolo** · 03-04-2013, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Iscull

I can see Philly going after a lot of our FA's due to their switch to a 3-4 defense. Ellerbe and Kruger would be perfect fits for a team looking to build around two solid starters.

The Saints and the Browns are switching to a 3-4 as well. Supposedly Buffalo is going to run a hybrid too.

**pslholder96** · 03-04-2013, 10:36 AM

The dolphins just placed on the franchise tag on Randy Starks which allows Sean Smith test free agency unrestricted. Not sure if his name was thrown around but my guess is that he would be too expensive, not a good fit for us or both?

**Iscull** · 03-04-2013, 10:41 AM

Ed Reed says he really can't see himself playing anywhere else. Good to hear, but do we have any money left to give him what he wants?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ing-elsewhere/

**pslholder96** · 03-04-2013, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Iscull

Ed Reed says he really can't see himself playing anywhere else. Good to hear, but do we have any money left to give him what he wants?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ing-elsewhere/

That's pretty consistent with what Ozzie said at their year end press conference, that based on Ed's body language he really wants to be here. I think at the end of the day he will take a slight pay cut to remain here.

**GOTA** · 03-04-2013, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

The dolphins just placed on the franchise tag on Randy Starks which allows Sean Smith test free agency unrestricted. Not sure if his name was thrown around but my guess is that he would be too expensive, not a good fit for us or both?

Sean Smith is exactly the kind of CB that the Ravens like. He's 6'3 and 215. I doubt they'll be able to afford him if they can't afford Cary Williams.

**Justlovemybirds** · 03-04-2013, 10:52 AM

Do the Saints even have enough room to make an offer to Ellerbe?

**MD Boy** · 03-04-2013, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Sean Smith is exactly the kind of CB that the Ravens like. He's 6'3 and 215. I doubt they'll be able to afford him if they can't afford Cary Williams.

Was he the CB out of Utah a few years back? I remember wanting to draft him instead of Cody in the 2nd round.

**MD Boy** · 03-04-2013, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I've heard that several teams could be targeting Ellerbe...

New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia (who is switching to a 3-4), I'm sure Cleveland could be interested (Ellerbe lined up beside Jackson would be a really nice combo), the Giants, Houston, and now apparently Buffalo.

I think Ellerbe is going to have a lot of suitors.

With Flacco signed, can we use the franchise tag on Ellerbe?

**RavenScallywag** · 03-04-2013, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

That's pretty consistent with what Ozzie said at their year end press conference, that based on Ed's body language he really wants to be here. I think at the end of the day he will take a slight pay cut to remain here.

My only concern with this is he STILL seems to be thinking the Ravens will be contacting him first. And we STILL seem to be thinking Ed's going to open negotiations with us. He's saying the right things, but this seems to be headed towards us waiting for him to bring us an offer from another team so we can try to match it. I love Ed, but he handles his business a bit nutty sometimes, what with the retirement talk the past few years and not having an agent.

**wickedsolo** · 03-04-2013, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by MD Boy

With Flacco signed, can we use the franchise tag on Ellerbe?

If you want to pay the guy about 9 mill for 1 year...

**HoustonRaven** · 03-04-2013, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by MD Boy

With Flacco signed, can we use the franchise tag on Ellerbe?

Ozzie has already said he's not using the tag.

**Paintballguy** · 03-04-2013, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by MD Boy

With Flacco signed, can we use the franchise tag on Ellerbe?

Sure they can but the chances of that happening are probably 0.00%. Franchise tags have to be designated by today at 4pm.

**pslholder96** · 03-04-2013, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by MD Boy

With Flacco signed, can we use the franchise tag on Ellerbe?

Prior to Joe's resigning, Ozzie said they will not use the tag on anyone but Joe.

**pslholder96** · 03-04-2013, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

My only concern with this is he STILL seems to be thinking the Ravens will be contacting him first. And we STILL seem to be thinking Ed's going to open negotiations with us. He's saying the right things, but this seems to be headed towards us waiting for him to bring us an offer from another team so we can try to match it. I love Ed, but he handles his business a bit nutty sometimes, what with the retirement talk the past few years and not having an agent.

Honestly. That's exactly the way I think it goes. Ozzie is going to let Reed test the market to see what he can get. I think he pretty much already has a number in mind to offer Ed but he's not going to play his cards yet. He did that with Bart Scott and Ray Lewis.

**MD Boy** · 03-04-2013, 12:24 PM

Thanks for the responses in regards to using the tag on Ellerbe, gentlemen.

I can see losing Kruger but really hoping we don't lose Kruger & Ellerbe.

**arnie_uk** · 03-04-2013, 01:18 PM

If we don't get ellerbe back I'd like to pursue a potential left tackle, maybe long if he doesn't get. What he initially asked for, around the 8 per year range, or Brandon Albert.

I think iirc we have around 10 or 12 in cap left.