Judging from the things we’ve seen and heard around Owings Mills, the bet here is that Chris McAlister will end up on injured reserve within the next two weeks. Body language, rumors, innuendo and the things you read between the lines suggest that McAlister doesn’t really like John Harbaugh and McAlister’s personality isn’t really conducive to eating a little humble pie, buckling up his chin strap and playing football again. Not this year anyway.
Just last week McAlister told reporters that his knee was “excellent.” Want us to read between the lines Chris? Ok, I’ll play. What it says to me is that you are a smart ass!
This behavior is indicative of the unique personality that is Chris McAlister. He’ll reverse field soon, admit that the knee just isn’t 100% and go on IR, officially ending his season and more than likely his career as a Raven.
It is unlikely that Harbaugh will entertain the idea of McAlister returning in ’09 – not with his attitude and not when his release represents an $8 million cap savings which could be used to sign other free agents including a few of the Ravens’ own.
McAlister is on record saying that he would like to extend his playing career by following the career path of Rod Woodson who moved to safety from corner when he no longer possessed the top end speed required for the position. And he could very well do that but it won’t be in
Thanks for the memories…
Speaking of safety, the best in town is Ed Reed, a player most thought would be a life long Raven. And while Reed isn’t quite the malcontent that McAlister is, he isn’t completely buying into the
Ed Reed needs to make plays. He craves it. Consider this quote from the Ravens’ safety:
“I grew up watching Michael Jordan. When his team needed somebody to make a play, he put it on his shoulders and made it. He inspired me. That’s the mentality I take to each game – make a play that will make a difference for my team. When the other team comes to the line, I’m saying to myself: ‘Make a play.’”
So, if that’s Reed’s mentality and more times than not in ’08 he is playing centerfield to protect his injury and to enable the corners to man up, might that not leave him out of position at times? Might that explain why the Ravens have given up so many big plays and then pointed to communication break downs? Does his desire to make a play leave the team vulnerable? And with such pre-snap ambitions, can he fully commit to the concept of “team?”
The truth be told Reed isn’t worth the money the Ravens are spending on him right now. If he can’t buy into “team” (I suggest that Ray Lewis b—- slap him a bit) and if he can’t get on board the Harbaugh Way 100%, then it might be time to move him too. Think it’s a crazy suggestion? Then answer this, how many playoff games have the Ravens won with Ed Reed?
Answer: The same amount that they’ve won with you and me.
Moving on a free agent who has been out there quite a while is Ty Law. If the Ravens consider themselves a serious playoff contender, might he not help? It very well could be that Law is too long in the tooth to contribute but might he not be worthy of a look?
A player the Ravens did give a look to is RB Marcus Mason who they picked up from the Redskins. Mason is said to be a decent special teams player with upside at running back. Now I realize the Ravens are pretty set at RB with the three headed monster but why not move Mason to the active roster – one that includes Edgar Jones who is a transitional tight end (who seems to contribute nothing but penalties to the box score) and WR Ernie Wheelwright (who can’t even get on the field despite the team’s problems at receiver).
Oops, too late now…the Jets just signed Mason to their active roster.
And we never even got to know you Marcus.
