Tomorrow the Ravens are hosting former Tampa defensive tackle and recently turned free agent Gerald McCoy. And given the logjam of talent in the team’s interior defensive line, you might wonder why Eric DeCosta covets such a player who is likely to be a bit pricey.
McCoy has been a disrupter in the passing game during his time in the NFL. To his credit, the 31-year old, 6-time Pro Bowler has 54 ½ sacks during his 9-year career, six in 2018. A presence like that along the Ravens defensive front could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the team’s young edge rushers, namely Matthew Judon, Tim Williams, Tyus Bowser, Jaylen Ferguson and Shane Ray?
Age is clearly an issue but McCoy could benefit from the behemoths around him, like Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce?
McCoy recently visited with the Browns but left without a contract. But according to both sides, the negotiations are fluid and remain open. But apparently McCoy wants to make the trip to Baltimore because the Ravens are the reigning No. 1 defense and the former Buc has a history with Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen who coached McCoy in Tampa.
The announcement of the visit could mean many things…
Maybe his agent Ben Dogra wants to drive up the costs to sign his client.
Maybe the Ravens want to drive up the costs for Cleveland to sign the coveted defender.
Maybe the Ravens have a corresponding deal in the works to move another of their defenders to patch up areas of weakness.
Whatever the case may be, the interest in McCoy, whether genuine or not, is further evidence that DeCosta will continue to explore any and all means to improve the Ravens roster. And in all likelihood, this will go on right up until kickoff in Miami on September 8.
