Kirk Morrison???

**wickedsolo** · 08-04-2011, 12:46 PM

He's still available. I wouldn't mind him as MLB depth.

He's averaged something like 120 tackles per season since he's been in the league. He'd be a good one to have sitting behind Ray. He's still fairly young.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 08-04-2011, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

He's still available. I wouldn't mind him as MLB depth.

He's averaged something like 120 tackles per season since he's been in the league. He'd be a good one to have sitting behind Ray. He's still fairly young.

I like him...he would have to be on the backburner though as we have other more pressing needs.

**Peterman** · 08-04-2011, 12:49 PM

I also like him. Would love to see him as a Raven.

**wickedsolo** · 08-04-2011, 12:52 PM

I agree that we have more pressing needs, but do any of us REALLY feel confident that Ellerbe or McClain could adequately fill in for Ray if something were to happen or when he retires?

I like Ellerbe and I like McClain, but Morrison is one of the most fundamentally sound MLB's in the NFL. He's not awesome in coverage, but he's above average. However, he hits hard and tackles everything. He's always around the ball. That's something you can't really coach with MLB's.

**Peterman** · 08-04-2011, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I agree that we have more pressing needs, but do any of us REALLY feel confident that Ellerbe or McClain could adequately fill in for Ray if something were to happen or when he retires?

I like Ellerbe and I like McClain, but Morrison is one of the most fundamentally sound MLB's in the NFL. He's not awesome in coverage, but he's above average. However, he hits hard and tackles everything. He's always around the ball. That's something you can't really coach with MLB's.

I saw him play a bit for Oakland and he impressed me. Granted Oakland's D was pretty bad for the most part, but he is a sure tackler and more of a sure thing at this point than the others you mentioned. I'd also like to see McClain moved to the outside.

**BcRaven** · 08-04-2011, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

He's still available. I wouldn't mind him as MLB depth.

He's averaged something like 120 tackles per season since he's been in the league. He'd be a good one to have sitting behind Ray. He's still fairly young.

With the Ravens $alary cap being a bit strained as is, I'd rather draft a MLB (ILB) high in 2012. IMO we cannot afford a player like him while we've still got McClain, Ellerbe, and Gooden on the roster. Better to spend the $$$ on Center (back-up OT) or vet WR or Pass Rush at this point... Bc

**BLSmokey** · 08-04-2011, 01:21 PM

On a one-year deal, I'd take Morrison over any ILB we currently have on the roster not named the GOAT.

**BcRaven** · 08-04-2011, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by BLSmokey

On a one-year deal, I'd take Morrison over any ILB we currently have on the roster not named the GOAT.

Thing is that McClain/Ellerbe/Gooden may be better than they've been the past 2 years because Pagano is now our DCoordinator. They're young, but experienced as opposed to our current WR corps (except Boldin) or Centers (now that Birk is ailing)... Bc

**BLSmokey** · 08-04-2011, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Thing is that McClain/Ellerbe/Gooden may be better than they've been the past 2 years because Pagano is now our DCoordinator. They're young, but experienced as opposed to our current WR corps (except Boldin) or Centers (now that Birk is ailing)... Bc

None of the ILBs currently on the roster have had a year approaching Morrison's worst, let alone his best.

He is a CLEAR upgrade, regardless of scheme or DC.

**BcRaven** · 08-04-2011, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by BLSmokey

None of the ILBs currently on the roster have had a year approaching Morrison's worst, let alone his best.

He is a CLEAR upgrade, regardless of scheme or DC.

Smoke, I don't doubt you. It's just that there's just some much $ to go around, and IMO there are other positions (C, WR, OT) that are in more of a need of an upgrade than ILB... Bc

**BLSmokey** · 08-04-2011, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Smoke, I don't doubt you. It's just that there's just some much $ to go around, and IMO there are other positions (C, WR, OT) that are in more of a need of an upgrade than ILB... Bc

I hear you on depth at other positions, but I don't think Morrison will cost much. Most of the FAs still on the market are signing for cheap one-year contracts around the veteran minimum.

I would have no problem with Morrison bumping one of the underachievers off the roster. Then Ray's real replacement could be drafted in 2012.

**Dragz** · 08-04-2011, 05:46 PM

Nope. We have capable middle backers right now and with the cap, its less than necessary. The next one to lead our linebacker corps is Suggs anyway, Ray's heir is already on the roster.

**wickedsolo** · 08-04-2011, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dragz

Nope. We have capable middle backers right now and with the cap, its less than necessary. The next one to lead our linebacker corps is Suggs anyway, Ray's heir is already on the roster.

From a leadership perspective, ok. However, Suggs is an OLB/DE and Kirk Morrison is a MLB.

**dandrews** · 08-04-2011, 05:51 PM

If there is one position I can almost guarantee Ozzie isn't going to pay for in free agency, it's linebacker.

**Ngata Nother Suggs** · 08-04-2011, 05:55 PM

The one question I would ask is how many yards did the guy with the ball get before Morrison tackled him?

This is the team that just gave an average player Wimbley insane money.

**zing!** · 08-04-2011, 06:07 PM

I really like the potential of Danelle Ellerbe and believe if he just smartens up he can become a heck of a contributor to the Ravens as an Mike LB. I hope the Ravens move Jameel McClain to the outside since he seems to have take better angles and be a good Sam LB.

**Dragz** · 08-04-2011, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

However, Suggs is an OLB/DE and Kirk Morrison is a MLB.

How does that matter?

**Ngata Nother Suggs** · 08-04-2011, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by zing!

I really like the potential of Danelle Ellerbe and believe if he just smartens up he can become a heck of a contributor to the Ravens as an Mike LB. I hope the Ravens move Jameel McClain to the outside since he seems to have take better angles and be a good Sam LB.

I like Ellerbe too. If he can become the player full time that he was in the second half of 2009 the Ravens will have a nice player. He has a nose for the ball, and decent quickness.

**wickedsolo** · 08-04-2011, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dragz

How does that matter?

Because you were making it out that I was implying that Kirk Morrison would be the leader replacement for Ray. I wasn't.

My pint was that getting someone like Morrison now, who is a very solid MLB, might prove beneficial in the long run considering that at this point Ellerbe is still kind of a wild card and McClain at MLB seems a bit out of place.

I'd also like to point out that with McClain and Ellerbe there is a very good chance that they'll leave for larger contracts because of their play here. It's happened multiple times for us and even though we survive, it would be nice if we had a solid piece behind Ray in the event that McClain or Ellerbe decide to pull a LeRon McClain/Bart Scott/Ovie/Jason Brown/ (insert players name here) and go split city in the pursuit of more money.

**wickedsolo** · 08-04-2011, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Ngata Nother Suggs

I like Ellerbe too. If he can become the player full time that he was in the second half of 2009 the Ravens will have a nice player. He has a nose for the ball, and decent quickness.

I just hope he doesn't make a name for himself here and then leave for a bigger contract.