Paul Kruger...can/should we try to extend him now

**Ravens75** · 08-20-2012, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Remember, we've had a couple LBs who came up for free agency after productive years and suprisingly, chose to stay with the Ravens (Biggest I can recall was AD's second contract.....)

And that was the beginning of the end of AD IMO. I remember him being 'upset' that he had to resign with the Ravens because frankly he had no other offers of significance. By all accounts he started to become a major pain in the ass steadily over the next 3 years because he felt the Ravens got him on the cheap. Unless the Ravens made him the highest paid player on the team, he was gone after that second contract.

He ended up having his career ended by the Ravens. How ironic.

**bmorebirds_24** · 08-20-2012, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Wow, one offseason of a little bit of harmless whining after all the years he's been playing at such a high level for us. I think that's a little unfair to not want whats been part of the face of your defense for the last decade back.

And yet people defend Bryant McKinnie.

Every year he bounces back and forth with retirement. Every year he wants a new deal. He acted like a baby this offseason. Ed Reeds play has declined. Why are you so pressed on keeping him?

I never defended McKinnie.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

**RavenScallywag** · 08-20-2012, 07:31 AM

I thought AD did have some significant offers, just nothing like we were going to pay him.

At the end of the day, it's all about "How much do the Ravens value you vs the rest of the league". That was why the Ravens didn't flinch with Troy Smith when he was a RFA. They knew that they valued him for his experience and athleticism more than other teams would value his potential starting value, so they tendered him low and sure enough, no one bit. Then Troy just turned into a jerk, but that's another story.

To me, if Kruger has a good year, we're going to compensate him fairly. The only exception I can see playing out is if Pagano gets the Colts to shell out higher than market value for Paul. I think, much like Rex with the Jets, Pagano has a list of guys he would love to steal off our roster, and I could see Kruger being on that list.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 07:41 AM

I can't remember if this has been asked or not, but isn't Kruger going to be an RFA next year? So - if that is the case - what would it matter anyway?

**GOTA** · 08-20-2012, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I can't remember if this has been asked or not, but isn't Kruger going to be an RFA next year? So - if that is the case - what would it matter anyway?

Under the new CBA a player with 4 years of service is no longer a RFA year 5. Kruger will be a UFA next year. Only players with 3 or fewer seasons can be restricted free agents for that 4th year.

**trailhiker85** · 08-20-2012, 07:59 AM

I think they'll be patient with Kruger and see how it plays out. If Flacco's contract gets done, Kruger could be a tag candidate. A number of people are saying Ed Reed will get the tag next year, but somehow I just don't see that.

**RavenScallywag** · 08-20-2012, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Under the new CBA a player with 4 years of service is no longer a RFA year 5. Kruger will be a UFA next year. Only players with 3 or fewer seasons can be restricted free agents for that 4th year.

Is that a new thing? I always thought RFA was just for players with 3 year contracts going into year 4. Maybe I've just grown accustomed to that quickly.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Under the new CBA a player with 4 years of service is no longer a RFA year 5. Kruger will be a UFA next year. Only players with 3 or fewer seasons can be restricted free agents for that 4th year.

For some reason I keep thinking that this is Kruger's 3rd season...

**GOTA** · 08-20-2012, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Is that a new thing? I always thought RFA was just for players with 3 year contracts going into year 4. Maybe I've just grown accustomed to that quickly.

It used to be a player with a 4 year contract would be a RFA year 5. It's a year less now.

**RavenScallywag** · 08-20-2012, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by trailhiker85

I think they'll be patient with Kruger and see how it plays out. If Flacco's contract gets done, Kruger could be a tag candidate. A number of people are saying Ed Reed will get the tag next year, but somehow I just don't see that.

This just doesn't make sense to me. The tag amount for OLB or DE is one of the highest you can have. Unless Kruger has an insane breakout year, you could probably just convince him to go with a really big one year deal that's less than the tag.

It'd be akin to saying "Next year, we should give Sergio Kindle 4 million dollars to resign him". Is anyone else going to give him that much? Not a chance. This is the franchise values for 2012: http://www.theredzone.org/Features/2...agNumbers.aspx. So, we'd be paying Kruger 8.8-10.5 mil (Actually would be more due to the avg 5 salaries rising) for one year? The only benefit of the tag is he can't refuse it. No one is going to give up 2 1sts for him.

Call me nuts, I just can't see us putting the franchise tag on him unless he posts like 20 sacks this year.

**RavenScallywag** · 08-20-2012, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

For some reason I keep thinking that this is Kruger's 3rd season...

Only if you write off the rookie year

Technically, this is Kindle's 3rd year. THAT is weird, guy has barely sniffed an NFL field and he's just about a RFA already!

**GOTA** · 08-20-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Only if you write off the rookie year

Technically, this is Kindle's 3rd year. THAT is weird, guy has barely sniffed an NFL field and he's just about a RFA already!

I think you are mixing up Kindle with Kruger

**GOTA** · 08-20-2012, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

This just doesn't make sense to me. The tag amount for OLB or DE is one of the highest you can have. Unless Kruger has an insane breakout year, you could probably just convince him to go with a really big one year deal that's less than the tag.

It'd be akin to saying "Next year, we should give Sergio Kindle 4 million dollars to resign him". Is anyone else going to give him that much? Not a chance. This is the franchise values for 2012: http://www.theredzone.org/Features/2...agNumbers.aspx. So, we'd be paying Kruger 8.8-10.5 mil (Actually would be more due to the avg 5 salaries rising) for one year? The only benefit of the tag is he can't refuse it. No one is going to give up 2 1sts for him.

Call me nuts, I just can't see us putting the franchise tag on him unless he posts like 20 sacks this year.

It would be like the Cowboys tagging Anthony Spencer which they actually did.

I agree with you that tagging Kruger without some big sack numbers doesn't sound like an Ozzie move.

**leachisabeast** · 08-20-2012, 08:27 AM

I think 13 sacks or more gets Kruger tagged, potencially 10-12 along with a bunch of tackles or forced fumbles. 20 sacks is a bit over the top, I'm pretty sure this whole board will be screaming out for the tag if Kruger plays really well this year.

Realistically your looking at 6-8 sacks and a good number of tackles. I can see Kruger being a solid run defender too with the shape he's in. So Kruger will easily get more money than the Ravens are willing to pay, because he wont be worth tagging at that price, again that's unless he meets the criteria I already said. Sadly, as promising as Kruger is looking right now, you'd think he'd at least have two sacks by now if he was really going to get double digit sacks this year.

On another note, do we have to sign McClellan to anything after this season? He is really looking like he could be a starter this year over Upshaw.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 08:34 AM

McClellan is definitely someone that I hope they are initiating contract talks with. He can play both OLB spots, DE, and ILB. That kind of versatility is really quite valuable to a defense. He's turning into a good player. Ozzie & DeCosta find another defensive gem....hopefully they'll find some offensive gems soon too...

**leachisabeast** · 08-20-2012, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

McClellan is definitely someone that I hope they are initiating contract talks with. He can play both OLB spots, DE, and ILB. That kind of versatility is really quite valuable to a defense. He's turning into a good player. Ozzie & DeCosta find another defensive gem....hopefully they'll find some offensive gems soon too...

All we need on offense is a legit LT, and another good WR who can catch the ball well. Whether that can be found on the current roster (Tandon Doss, or LaQuan Williams) or in the draft next year, it needs to happen.

**BigPlayReceiver** · 08-20-2012, 08:44 AM

Homegrown talent. We all know the deal. If Kruger shows out this year, he'll be wearing the same colors in '13

From my SGIII

**perryw9202** · 08-20-2012, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Reed is getting franchised next year, you heard it here. Tagging safeties is pretty cheap, so if Flacco gets done, it's almost certain that Reed gets tagged. That's unless a deal doesn't get done with Flacco, or if Reed comes to a good realistic contract with the Ravens.

I can't see the Ravens putting the franchise tag on Reed. While it might be cheap to tag safeties, they'd have to pay Reed 120% of this year's salary of $7.2M.. which (doing the math in my head) is over $8.6M.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 09:14 AM

I think they'll offer Reed a 2 year deal where he'll make some decent money and retire a Raven.

**RedSkins Fury** · 08-20-2012, 10:20 AM

I agree with the poster that said Kruger will have an average year. He makes some big plays... but in the end he is average. We are also not guaranteed that Suggs will ever return to what he was. We don't really know the severity of the injury... And we will find out next season if he will be able to move like he always has.