The Ravens lost Dawan Landry, Chris Chester, Josh Wilson and Le’Ron McClain to free agency but signed Vonte Leach, Bernard Pollard and Ricky Williams. They did lose a few others: Donte Stallworth, Fabian Washington, Jared Gaither & Tony Moll but they all signed minimum deals and probably won’t factor into the compensatory pick equation. So according to our capologist Brian McFarland, the Ravens will more than likely receive only 1 comp pick, probably a 4th or 5th rounder. That said one Ravens’ source has indicated that the team could receive 2 compensatory picks.
A team is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks if it is determined that they lost more or better players than they were able to acquire during the previous year’s free agency period. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents (maximum of four) and that net loss is determined by a complex and unpublished formula developed by the NFL Management Council.
Some observations from the State of the Ravens press conference.
- It’s clear that the decision to bring back Cam Cameron was at least a majority decision and more than likely a unanimous one among the teams hierarchy. This comment from Steve Bisciotti is telling:
Ø "I’m looking at these [positive] trends, and a logical businessman would say that we’re making progress. So, I don’t know if I have a message for that 10 percent of the fans with that vitriol. I just don’t have an answer for them. I just don’t. I’m sorry."
- Many wonder if Lee Evans will return to the club. He had only 4 regular season catches and never really seemed in synch with Cameron’s offense or on the same page as Joe Flacco. Evans is under contract for the 2012 season and is scheduled to make $3.375M in salary and is due a March 1 roster bonus of $1M.
- Ozzie Newsome stated during the press conference that the Ravens will focus upon the offensive line, pass rushers and wide receiver during the offseason. For me that was code that unless Evans takes a pay cut, he’s already played his last down as a Raven.
- Joe Flacco was discussed and this statement from Ozzie is telling about the club’s view on Joe Flacco:
Ø “There’s no doubt that Joe improved,” Newsome said. “The thing that I like about Joe, when you’re in this business, you are judged on one thing: winning. Joe wins. If he continues to win, if one pass is caught, he’d be in a Super Bowl. And I think he’s going to win Super Bowl, a lot of them. And I hope to be a part of them. He has improved. The thing that you cannot knock about Joe is that he’s a winner.”
Somewhere Joe Linta, Flacco’s agent, is sporting a wide smile.
