Ravens Free Agent Possible Add / Drops

**leachisabeast** · 03-18-2013, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

Plus, he turns 28 in November, which is a bit old for a player entering his 5th season. This isn't a sour grapes justification of why he was expendable from a Raven fan. This is the opinion I've seen from every piece of analysis out there. I'm not sure there was a move that was rated as worse so far this offseason than what Miami gave Ellerbe.

Look below at Ozzies reaction when Ellerbe's agent told him what he's looking for on Tuesday morning.

**RavenScallywag** · 03-18-2013, 07:04 PM

I think the only reason we get negative marks on it is because it was "our #1 priority"

That said, it was pretty obvious Miami pushed all the chips onto the table there. 7 per is 5% of the current salary cap, for a guy who went from "not worth a RFA tender" to a SB starter in one season.

In a few years, we can re-evaluate that one. For now, I'd call it a smart fold.

**iggyman555** · 03-20-2013, 12:07 PM

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 24m

Reggie Dunn, All-American Utah kick returner, ran a 4.26 in the 40-yard dash today at Utes' campus Pro Day workout.

**ursula** · 03-20-2013, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by iggyman555

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 24m

Reggie Dunn, All-American Utah kick returner, ran a 4.26 in the 40-yard dash today at Utes' campus Pro Day workout.

He was named on ESPN's all Pac-12 team for some amazing stats like a 51.3 kickoff return average. That said we got Jacoby Jones.

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_...-25-2#comments

**The Excellector** · 03-21-2013, 09:56 AM

There are still so many potential Free Agent acquisitions out there for the Ravens:

Elvis Dumervil
Antoine Winfield
Richard Seymour
Michael Huff
Nnamdi Asomugha
James Harrison
Daryl Smith
Bryant McKinnie
Charles Woodson
Karlos Dansby
Casey Hampton.

As usual, the Ravens are going to get great value in the coming months.

**bmorecareful** · 03-21-2013, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

There are still so many potential Free Agent acquisitions out there for the Ravens:

Elvis Dumervil
Antoine Winfield
Richard Seymour
Michael Huff
Nnamdi Asomugha
James Harrison
Daryl Smith
Bryant McKinnie
Charles Woodson
Karlos Dansby
Casey Hampton.

As usual, the Ravens are going to get great value in the coming months.

Add a few more -- Darrius Heyward-Bey, Shaun Phillips, and Kerry Rhodes. Heyward-Bey would be a guy I'd basically make a token offer to and see if he takes it, just as a flyer on a guy with a lot of pure talent.

Phillips still had 9.5 sacks last year and can still rush the quarterback, but he'll likely want to be a starter and he's a UFA, and Ozzie has really only been looking at guys who were cut, so I'm not really sure how likely that signing would be.

Kerry Rhodes is the guy I really want Ozzie to go after. He was cut, so he wouldn't affect comp picks next year, and he can still play FS at a really high level. This is a weak market for safeties and I think he could be had for a very team-friendly price.

**NCRAVEN** · 03-21-2013, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Add a few more -- Darrius Heyward-Bey, Shaun Phillips, and Kerry Rhodes. Heyward-Bey would be a guy I'd basically make a token offer to and see if he takes it, just as a flyer on a guy with a lot of pure talent.

Phillips still had 9.5 sacks last year and can still rush the quarterback, but he'll likely want to be a starter and he's a UFA, and Ozzie has really only been looking at guys who were cut, so I'm not really sure how likely that signing would be.

Kerry Rhodes is the guy I really want Ozzie to go after. He was cut, so he wouldn't affect comp picks next year, and he can still play FS at a really high level. This is a weak market for safeties and I think he could be had for a very team-friendly price.

What was Rhodes' deal in NY? Was he a problem child, or am I misremembering?

**bmorecareful** · 03-21-2013, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

What was Rhodes' deal in NY? Was he a problem child, or am I misremembering?

Well, Rex didn't like that he was involved with various things in the New York media. He liked to see himself in magazines and things like that, and apparently that was enough to land him in the doghouse. I don't recall hearing of any "real" locker room or disciplinary problems, and he was very quiet out in Arizona.

I'm not going to place too much stock in Rex Ryan's ability to evaluate character and integrity, personally... I don't see Rhodes' conflict with him to be a barrier to bringing him on board.

**NCRAVEN** · 03-21-2013, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Well, Rex didn't like that he was involved with various things in the New York media. He liked to see himself in magazines and things like that, and apparently that was enough to land him in the doghouse. I don't recall hearing of any "real" locker room or disciplinary problems, and he was very quiet out in Arizona.

I'm not going to place too much stock in Rex Ryan's ability to evaluate character and integrity, personally... I don't see Rhodes' conflict with him to be a barrier to bringing him on board.

Okay. I just thought I remembered him being benched for something, or thought I did.

**Darksouleyez** · 03-21-2013, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

Okay. I just thought I remembered him being benched for something, or thought I did.

here's a link for more insight i found. Maybe helpful.

http://thejetsblog.com/main-page/fox...hodes-benched/

**ursula** · 03-21-2013, 11:06 AM

The issue of course with signing these possible free agents is our tight salary cap, not only with this year but the future years. So it isn't necessarily the best interests of the team to get into a multi-year contract with the likes of Dumervil or Huff or DHB or whoever if we only get into big salary cap troubles next year.

In that sense the Spears and Canty contracts are good because they are basically stop-gap. Harrison, if he drops his salary demands low enough, would be a good fit too as basically a one year rental. Ultimately we need our current and future draft picks to fill in the voids left by Lewis, Ellerbe, Reed, Kruger, Boldin, Pollard, etc. If we could get the likes of Huff or Rhodes or Dumervil to sign a very cap friendly contract then great, but we can't expect it.

Long-term, we aren't finding our solutions in the free agent market. That's a suckers game played by losers.

**GOTA** · 03-21-2013, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by ursula

The issue of course with signing these possible free agents is our tight salary cap, not only with this year but the future years. So it isn't necessarily the best interests of the team to get into a multi-year contract with the likes of Dumervil or Huff or DHB or whoever if we only get into big salary cap troubles next year.

In that sense the Spears and Canty contracts are good because they are basically stop-gap. Harrison, if he drops his salary demands low enough, would be a good fit too as basically a one year rental. Ultimately we need our current and future draft picks to fill in the voids left by Lewis, Ellerbe, Reed, Kruger, Boldin, Pollard, etc. If we could get the likes of Huff or Rhodes or Dumervil to sign a very cap friendly contract then great, but we can't expect it.

Long-term, we aren't finding our solutions in the free agent market. That's a suckers game played by losers.

There are solutions for dealing with next year. Suggs will be in the last year of his contract and could be moved for almost $8 million in cap space. Ngata and Yanda are other options. I agree with you that free agency is the suckers, also known and the Redskins, way to build a team. That doesn't mean that you should dismiss a top free agent at a position of need if he becomes available. It all depends on how good you think the player will be. If there is a guy who you think can have a huge impact you have to consider him even if 3 years down the road he could be expensive to keep.

**The Excellector** · 03-21-2013, 11:31 AM

You go to the draft for your young foundation. You go to FA for your stop gap rentals.

**Bigfish** · 03-21-2013, 11:40 AM

We lost a lot of defensive players so I still think we'll get a few free agents to bolster the defense, but not the pro bowl big contract guys that everyone wants. Those are the guys that blow up your cap space giving you a handicap that ripples for years. Spears and Canty are 2 signings that no one seems to have a problem with and I think we get a few more solid veterans can be had for similar deals to solidify our defense plus a short term deal with a veteran stop gap LT. Picking at #32 in the draft we can't expect to get many(if any) day one starters unless Ozzie does the impossible and ascends to the heavens afterwards. We loved Ed and Ray but too much is being made of replacing them as their play had diminished to a point that no longer resembled the legendary players they once were. Many young players on the roster will improve and at least one unexpected player will surprise us.

**jonboy79** · 03-21-2013, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

You go to the draft for your young foundation. You go to FA for your stop gap rentals.

and at this point, we need both. As has been said, 8 holes will NOT fill themselves in 1 draft.

I can fee comfortable that Gradkoski will likely fill oe, but now needs a backup. There are some LBer S and WR options, but I certainly wouldn't want to go into the season relying on nothign but what we have and new draftees. Furthermore, we are NOT likely to fill LT through the draft drafting where we are. Most positions we "could" fill with stopgps, will ALSO need long term replacements brought in through this draft.
We couldcertainly use a couple FA fill-ins hat could last a few years or more.

**runrayrun27** · 03-21-2013, 11:58 AM

Sign Huff and Nick Barnett. Do the rest in the draft and I think they'll be alright

**The Excellector** · 03-21-2013, 11:58 AM

They'll sign one pass rusher, one safety and look for the rest in the draft.

The signings so far have been good. Has either Canty or Spears ever had the chance to play beside a DT of Ngata's caliber?

Personally, I don't see the big deal in losing so many starters off of a suck ass defense, by Ravens standards.

**jonboy79** · 03-21-2013, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

They'll sign one pass rusher, one safety and look for the rest in the draft.

The signings so far have been good. Has either Canty or Spears ever had the chance to play beside a DT of Ngata's caliber?

Personally, I don't see the big deal in losing so many starters off of a suck ass defense, by Ravens standards.

GOTTA get a LT or we will be seeing Oer out there again...

Maybe ST Louis gets a RT they like and we only get a developental LT and so the Saffold trade becomes reality with a NEXT Year's pick.

**Paintballguy** · 03-21-2013, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by jonboy79

GOTTA get a LT or we will be seeing Oer out there again...

Maybe ST Louis gets a RT they like and we only get a developental LT and so the Saffold trade becomes reality with a NEXT Year's pick.

KO could start at LT potentially.

**The Excellector** · 03-21-2013, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by jonboy79

GOTTA get a LT or we will be seeing Oer out there again...

Maybe ST Louis gets a RT they like and we only get a developental LT and so the Saffold trade becomes reality with a NEXT Year's pick.

Whether it is Saffold or McKinnie, they'll still draft a LT, which is comforting to me. They certainly need one. You can't ask Joe to make those deep throws without a LT that can hold up.

One pass rusher, one safety and one LT, before looking for the rest in the draft.