Best Moves for Ravens Now

**Hammerhead** · 03-19-2012, 02:11 PM

Given all that has shaken out with free agency, what do you think the best FA moves the Ravens can make are?

In my mind, if we can sign:

1. Jameel McClain,
2. One of: Kassim Osgood/Ted Ginn, and
3. A veteran OG (Steinbach)

Then, we will be in good shape heading into the draft. We can get safety depth in the draft. We can get an ILB (Hightower would be great) in the draft. We could get a younger C (Molk?). We could get more OL candidates as well. We might even find another WR. If we do that, then I like our chances in the AFC North. I think our clear strategy should be to win the division and get hot at the right time. We are not competing against the Steelers, Patriots, Broncos, Texans, etc. for seeding. In my mind, we are competing with the Bengals, Steelers and Browns. If we beat them (even at 9-7), we get a home game and we can roll if we get hot (see this year's Giants). Getting one of the top two seeds is less important than being hot at the right time IMO.

Where the money will come from for the above proposed signings is not yet clear to me. Then again, if we had money to offer Grubbs 5 years and close to $30M, I would think that we could make these three signings before the draft.

(Many people throw around a $3M cap number for Matt Birk this year. That seems like it might be too high. Does anybody have confirmed details on that?)

Anyway, given who is left out there and our current needs, what should the Ravens do in the first wave of FA to set themselves up for the draft?

**leachisabeast** · 03-19-2012, 02:19 PM

There is a draft and FA thread you could have posted this in.

Anyway first of all, what is all this talk about Steinbach? He had a terrible season in 2011, I would rather go in with a 3rd round rookie at G. Ted Ginn would be a solid signing, but if you sign McClain, after just tendering Elerbee it wouldn't make any sense to go after Hightower in the draft. If you sign McClain to a considerable amount of money, and just tendering Elerbee with a 2nd round pick, you need to look at other positions in the first round.

For me this has to be the best but at the same time a realistic scenario..

Sign Ginn to be our prime kick/punt returner as well as #4 receiver.

Re sign McClain.

Move Reid to right guard, move Yanda to left guard, and draft a guard in the mid rounds just in case Reid doesn't work out at guard.

Draft a center (hopefully Philip blake) that can sit behind Birk for a season, and that doesn't mean Peter Konz since you'd have to use a first round pick on him.

Sign a veteran OLB to back up Kindle and Kruger.

First round pick should be on either a WR, a OLB like Upshaw, or move up to get a LT like Johnathon Martin who could well fall past 20.

**RavenScallywag** · 03-19-2012, 02:22 PM

At OG, i think the more likely move is Jah Reid or Oher. Gallery just signed with the Pats, so that's one more decent option off the table. There's only a few guys I'd put ahead of the Oher/Reid experiment left. Given that we have head no sort of urgency about the Ravens bringing in anyone else for a visit, I think that's the way we're heading.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 03-19-2012, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

There is a draft and FA thread you could have posted this in.

Anyway first of all, what is all this talk about Steinbach? He had a terrible season in 2011, I would rather go in with a 3rd round rookie at G. Ted Ginn would be a solid signing, but if you sign McClain, after just tendering Elerbee it wouldn't make any sense to go after Hightower in the draft. If you sign McClain to a considerable amount of money, and just tendering Elerbee with a 2nd round pick, you need to look at other positions in the first round.

Steinbach wasn't terrible in 2011 and he wasn't good either. He didn't play at all due to his back injury.

I'd take a flyer on him...IF he checks out medically on a short, cheap deal and have him compete with Reid and or rookie.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 03-19-2012, 02:27 PM

RE: Steinbach...

It ALL depends on whether he is healthy or not, but the guy still was playing well as of his last season on the field...2010.

The offensive line remained stout, especially on the left side where guard Eric Steinbach was actually superior to the Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas (see Myth Buster).

Myth Buster

Joe Thomas is Cleveland’s best offensive lineman

This wasn’t the case in 2010. Guard Eric Steinbach enhanced his reputation as the best offensive lineman never to make a Pro Bowl. Thomas was fantastic, no doubt. But Steinbach, who always thrives in pass protection, offered the same mobility as Thomas, only with more nastiness tacked on the end. Also, in the run game, you can do more with a mobile guard than you can with a mobile left tackle.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/eric-steinbach/

**Lime in the Coconut** · 03-19-2012, 02:33 PM

1. Let McClain walk and make undeserved big money elsewhere
2. Sign Ginn for ST abilities and even Osgood if cheap
3. Sign an OL so this way you're not forced to draft one or even two OL within the first 3 picks
4. Maybe TBC for OLB depth

Ozzie has a plan!

**Hammerhead** · 03-19-2012, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Lime in the Coconut

1. Let McClain walk and make undeserved big money elsewhere
2. Sign Ginn for ST abilities and even Osgood if cheap
3. Sign an OL so this way you're not forced to draft one or even two OL within the first 3 picks
4. Maybe TBC for OLB depth

Ozzie has a plan!

Interesting. But it looks like the market for McClain hasn't percolated the way we once thought. Then again, it might be that the ILB market has been slow to materialize so far. (Even Tulloch is unsigned.) I don't think McClain will make as much as he might be hoping (and I am still worried about his coverage skills). I know he had a visit in Denver, but they resigned their own ILB FA shortly thereafter. But I think you are right overall -- right player, right price. And if McClain ends up being too expensive, I would let him walk. Somehow, I think he will have more value to the Ravens than anybody else -- and, despite our cap situation, the final offers may reflect it. But given the information veil we all are working with, I could be very wrong.

**GOTA** · 03-19-2012, 02:38 PM

The best player that the Ravens might be able to afford in a position of need is David Hawthorne. Hawthorne has near 350 tackles the past 3 seasons. He's a very good tackler who knows how to take down players in space. That's exactly the kind of player you want next to Ray Lewis.

**Hammerhead** · 03-19-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

The best player that the Ravens might be able to afford in a position of need is David Hawthorne. Hawthorne has near 350 tackles the past 3 seasons. He's a very good tackler who knows how to take down players in space. That's exactly the kind of player you want next to Ray Lewis.

Very intriguing. Hawthorne has visits with the Saints and Lions coming up. Let's see if we show any interest -- but a very good player that we might be able to get at the right price.

**GOTA** · 03-19-2012, 02:43 PM

For some reason the ILB market has been frozen. Not sure if that means these guys are all asking for too much or that position is just out of favor. If the prices start coming down you might really get a lot of bang for cap space buck needed to sign one.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 03-19-2012, 02:44 PM

Exactly, Hawthorne would be a great pickup

**pslholder96** · 03-19-2012, 02:47 PM

Best moves the ravens can make right now is to sign both Flacco and Rice to contract extensions (i.e cap friendly deals)....otherwise I'm fine with them waiting until cuts are start coming in June/July and instead focusing on the draft.

**pslholder96** · 03-19-2012, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

For some reason the ILB market has been frozen. Not sure if that means these guys are all asking for too much or that position is just out of favor. If the prices start coming down you might really get a lot of bang for cap space buck needed to sign one.

I think we are seeing a trend. It's all about paying and chasing those who get to the QB. And ILB has no reason to consistently get after the QB unless by design (i.e stunts, delayed blitz).

**blah3** · 03-19-2012, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

Best moves the ravens can make right now is to sign both Flacco and Rice to contract extensions (i.e cap friendly deals)....otherwise I'm fine with them waiting until cuts are start coming in June/July and instead focusing on the draft.

They can then start working on Webb

**TTRaven** · 03-19-2012, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by blah3

They can then start working on Webb

Good chance Webb is extended before Flacco and Rice.

Also we can't afford a guy like Hawthorne. The Ravens have under $5M in cap space.

**GOTA** · 03-19-2012, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

I think we are seeing a trend. It's all about paying and chasing those who get to the QB. And ILB has no reason to consistently get after the QB unless by design (i.e stunts, delayed blitz).

You're right. Teams just aren't that concerned with stopping the run. You can see it in the DT signing to. Those guys who can play DT/DE like Calais Campbell, Kendall Langford and Red Bryant did well. The guys who a pure DTs like Jason Jones and Paul Soliai signed short contracts for a lot less money.

It's all about stopping the pass. Teams are going to save money by paying less for the run stoppers and shift that to anyone who can pressure the QB or play Corner.

**Ravenous1** · 03-19-2012, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by TTRaven

Good chance Webb is extended before Flacco and Rice.

Also we can't afford a guy like Hawthorne. The Ravens have under $5M in cap space.

Yea totally agree. Webb and Flacco will get done first. Makes sense for now to just leave Rice franchised this season and address it next offseason

**Carey** · 03-19-2012, 03:31 PM

I think Raveninwoodlawn mentioned Bobbie Williams as a potential guard target, if he's healthy he's a good player. Ginn i'd like as a return guy as long as he's not too expensive. Inside linebacker Larry Grant is a guy i mentioned before as a sleeper signing. I'd take Bannan back as D-Line depth.

**pslholder96** · 03-19-2012, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by blah3

They can then start working on Webb

Aaaahh.. yes absolutely!

**pslholder96** · 03-19-2012, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

You're right. Teams just aren't that concerned with stopping the run. You can see it in the DT signing to. Those guys who can play DT/DE like Calais Campbell, Kendall Langford and Red Bryant did well. The guys who a pure DTs like Jason Jones and Paul Soliai signed short contracts for a lot less money.

It's all about stopping the pass. Teams are going to save money by paying less for the run stoppers and shift that to anyone who can pressure the QB or play Corner.

Whatever happened to those days where defense and running the ball were all the rage. The league is getting a little to cute with the rules designed to favor the passing offense.