2010 Free Agent Targets

[baltimore_hokie]

The Wide Receiver situation will be substantially affected by the status of the CBA, so it is somewhat pointless to discuss that now.

We will most likely be looking to upgrade the secondary, and Lito Sheppard will likely be cut this off-season to avoid a $10M roster bonus and the further escalation of the draft compensation given to the Eagles in return for him. Is this a guy anyone would be interested in?

Any other targets?

[4G63]

Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, and Miles Austin and maybe Steve Breaston are the WR's that we should look at along with Elvis Dumervil and/or Aaron Kampman for help along the D-line...

[baltimore_hokie]

Kampman would be a nice buy-low candidate, except for the fact that the entire reason we would be buying low is that he sucks playing in the 3-4. If Mattison were to switch to the 4-3, he would be a heck of a pick up.

I don't think any of those WR's will be available without a CBA in place, but they are obvious targets if they are UFA's.

[JoeCool5]

Come on, guys. I know this season has not been what many of us expected, but it isn't over yet. We still have a realistic shot of sliding into the postseason. I say let's wait until we are officially done to project what the offseason will bring.

[4G63]

Come on, guys. I know this season has not been what many of us expected, but it isn't over yet. We still have a realistic shot of sliding into the postseason. I say let's wait until we are officially done to project what the offseason will bring.

Nobody thinks this season is over, just projecting who we'd like to get in the offseason....

[jonboy79]

Kampman would be a nice buy-low candidate, except for the fact that the entire reason we would be buying low is that he sucks playing in the 3-4. If Mattison were to switch to the 4-3, he would be a heck of a pick up.

I don't think any of those WR's will be available without a CBA in place, but they are obvious targets if they are UFA's.

Mattison switched to the 4-3 before this season started... Suggs has been playing DE this year, as is Kruger now.

I wish he would switch back. I think our personnel fits the 3-4 better and I think the formation is stronger in general.

[baltimore_hokie]

Mattison switched to the 4-3 before this season started... Suggs has been playing DE this year, as is Kruger now.

I wish he would switch back. I think our personnel fits the 3-4 better and I think the formation is stronger in general.

We've had this debate about 50 times on here, but Suggs and Kruger are dropping back into coverage relatively often so we are really still playing the 3-4.

Getting a guy like Kampman who does not drop into coverage would signify a change to the 4-3, but it has not happened yet no matter who puts the hand where.

[baltimore_hokie]

Come on, guys. I know this season has not been what many of us expected, but it isn't over yet. We still have a realistic shot of sliding into the postseason. I say let's wait until we are officially done to project what the offseason will bring.

Yeah, my post was by no means looking past this season. I saw a little something about Lito and though I would just have one thread about all the people we should go after.

[RavenScallywag]

Also remember we're looking to replace Pryce, who is never in coverage...so Kampman could play the Pryce position and be fine.

[baltimore_hokie]

Also remember we're looking to replace Pryce, who is never in coverage...so Kampman could play the Pryce position and be fine.

Eh, I can't agree with you there. Kampman only weighs in at around 265 lbs, nowhere near where you need to be to play DE in a 3-4.

He is fine as a DE in a 4-3, but would be sized more as an OLB in our system. Problem is, he simply can not play in space.

[TL24x7]

Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, and Miles Austin and maybe Steve Breaston are the WR's that we should look at along with Elvis Dumervil and/or Aaron Kampman for help along the D-line...

The Ravens won't be a player for Marshall and it's doubtful that they are interested in either of Dumervil of Kampman. I'm told they see Dumervil as a product of Mike Nolan's system and that his stats are somewhat misleading. Kampman may be too expensive for their cap structure, particularly if they make a play for a FA wide receiver.

I'm told that the primary offseason needs that they will focus upon are (not necessarily in this order): WR, DE, CB, TE and K.

[RavenScallywag]

Eh, I can't agree with you there. Kampman only weighs in at around 265 lbs, nowhere near where you need to be to play DE in a 3-4.

He is fine as a DE in a 4-3, but would be sized more as an OLB in our system. Problem is, he simply can not play in space.

That's true...Unless Mattison is looking to REALLY change the face of this defense, I think we keep going for hybrid 3-4/4-3 lineman. I think being a hybrid defense works best for us, we can change fronts and looks without having to change personell, or shorting ourselves by having a lightweight DL playing a 3-4 DE spot. So we'd probably look for someone maybe a bit undersized for a 4-3 DT, but bigger and stronger than a 4-3 DE.

[JimZipCode]

I'm told that the primary offseason needs that they will focus upon are (not necessarily in this order): WR, DE, CB, TE and K.

I don't think any fan disagrees with that list. Nice to see WR on it.

Do you think Cundiff can change their minds about K, if he continues to perform well? He looks like a pro to me right now. Though maybe he hasn't shown a ton of leg on kickoffs.

[RavenScallywag]

I think Cundiff has at least earned an invitation to camp next year. Not sure if he'll get ticked off if we still want a kicking competition, but I think the only reason he's not our K next year is if we find a younger guy who can kick as well as he can.

[baltimore_hokie]

I'm told that the primary offseason needs that they will focus upon are (not necessarily in this order): WR, DE, CB, TE and K.

I can see that order being how the FO operates this off-season. Here are the options at those positions (with the guys I see as options the Ravens will pursue bolded):

WR
Brandon Marshall - most likely a RFA
Breylon Edwards - most likely a RFA
Vincent Jackson - most likely a RFA
Terrell Owens - Ozzie may go after him again
Miles Austin - Cowboys will pay him
Antonio Bryant - may be a decent option after a down season, still an enigma
Steve Breaston - most likely a RFA, product of system
[B]David Clowney[B] - young and fast, will come cheap
[B]Malcolm Floyd[B] - huge, but has stuck behind very good WR's. I REALLY like him
Chis Henry - most likely a RFA

DL
Julius Peppers - not happening
Elvis Dumervil - product of system
Aaron Kampman - doesn't make sense for the Ravens
Kyle Vanden Bosch - decent option, huge drop off after Fat Albert left
Vince Wilfork - too expensive
Richard Seymour - don't see it happening
Ray Edwards - most likely a RFA
John Jolly - guy has been playing well, could replace Pryce
Barry Cofield
Casey Hampton - yeah right

CB
Dunta Robinson - too expensive
Fabian Washington - good nickel back
Lito Sheppard - good buy-low after injury and trade, if cut
Marlin Jackson - did he sign an extension?
Leigh Bodden - solid vet, good in man coverage

TE
Tony Scheffler - athletic and young, I like him alot
Owen Daniels - too expensive
Anthony Fasano - not sure about him
Bo Scaife
Jeff King - he was awesome at Tech

K
Stephen Gotskowski
Shayne Graham
Neil Rackers
Sebastian Janikowski
Jeff Reed
Garret Hartley



So in summary:
- There are some elite WR's out there, but they will cost a ton. The elite guys won't be UFA's most likely, though.
- John Jolly may be a nice guy to have on the DL to replace Pryce.
- Fabian may be our best option for a veteran CB
- Scheffler would be nice at TE
- There will be a ton of solid veteran kickers out there.

[baltimore_hokie]

That's true...Unless Mattison is looking to REALLY change the face of this defense, I think we keep going for hybrid 3-4/4-3 lineman. I think being a hybrid defense works best for us, we can change fronts and looks without having to change personell, or shorting ourselves by having a lightweight DL playing a 3-4 DE spot. So we'd probably look for someone maybe a bit undersized for a 4-3 DT, but bigger and stronger than a 4-3 DE.

As I wrote above, maybe John Jolly?

[4G63]

After seeing the TD catch Anquan Bolden had down the sideline against the Viqueens makes me think he'd be worth backing up a Brinks truck to get!!

[baltimore_hokie]

There is no...too expensive. There will be no salary cap and most contracts that were made last year were made with that in mind. We can have anybody because there will be no cap. So why is someone too expensive? Biscuit has the money. We will likely need 2-3 WR's, DL, and 1-2 CB's.

1. You have to plan for when the cap does come back, because it will.
2. There are stipulations in place for keeping teams from over-spending in a situation where a CBA is not in place. You can only sign a big FA for every big FA you lose and draft pick losses are incurred also. It won't just be a free-for-all.
3. Biscotti does have money (more than Snyder), but Ozzie isn't the type to go crazy in free agency. A few key pickups are the extent of what he does to add to his solid drafts.

[JimZipCode]

WR
Brandon Marshall - most likely a RFA
Breylon Edwards - most likely a RFA
Vincent Jackson - most likely a RFA
Terrell Owens - Ozzie may go after him again
Miles Austin - Cowboys will pay him
Antonio Bryant - may be a decent option after a down season, still an enigma
Steve Breaston - most likely a RFA, product of system
David Clowney - young and fast, will come cheap
Malcolm Floyd - huge, but has stuck behind very good WR's. I REALLY like him
Chis Henry - most likely a RFA

Please god let us *NOT* pursue Terrell Owens.
Malcom Floyd will be 29 next season.

I'd love to throw big money at Miles Austin or Vincent Jackson. Get one of those guys and trade for Dwayne Bowe. Holla!

Ozzie doesn't work like that. I am still not sure what it is he looks for in a WR. Route-running and blocking downfield, I guess? I suppose we'll get an insight into that when we see who Ozzie pursues in the offseason. I do like Kelley Washington. He's a football player.

While it is frustrating not to have better wideouts now, I do agree with the order the organization has tackled the problems on offense, the last couple years.

• Getting a good offensive teacher and a legit QB prospect were the top priorities (check)
• Shoring up the O-line was the 2nd priority (check)

Now, wide receivers.

DL
John Jolly - guy has been playing well, could replace Pryce

My understanding is, the plan has been that Kruger will bulk up in the offseason and replace Pryce.

- Fabien may be our best option for a veteran CB
- Scheffler would be nice at TE

The injury isn't going to help Fabien Washington get the big bux. Since he'll likely be cheap, I imagine he'll be back. I don't mind that: Fabien showed last year he can play. I also think Ozzie will dig up someone I've never heard of. Maybe someone a little slower but more physical.

At TE, I wouldn't be surprised if Ozzie ltabs a guy who's more of a run blocker. Supposedly Ozzie was looking at Craig Stevens in the 3rd last year, until the Titans grabbed him.

[21xxxv]

Watching T.O. not try to defend multiple errand passes that were under thrown Thursday night against smaller Jet DB's was the final nail in the coffin. He is poison. I repeat he is poison. At 36, I will keep Mason or Clayton,as well as signing Kelly Washington then pursue a younger physical WR.