Kruger keeps improving, getting to the QB in playoff games. IMO, you have to keep young talent, especially pass-rushing specialists. Ellerbe is a must sign as well, he's all over the field. The defense had a rough year, but I see some great young talent to build on.

Depends very heavily on whether they can get an extension done with Flacco before free agency starts.

Need to sign Kruger for sure.

I think Ellerbe is a much more pressing need to resign than Kruger.

Kruger has really impressed me with his progress this season.  He really grew into his role.  I dont know how much of his improvement had to do with Suggs but he was solid even before then. 

I've always been high on Ellerbe.  I was always miffed at why McClain played over him. 

It seem now they really raised their price.  Which I was afraid of.  I hope we can re-sign both!

Would certainly help to keep Kruger. He is no J J Watt. But IMO, Kruger has been our biggest pass rushing threat this season. Depending on how well Suggs and Ngata come back, the Ravens pash rush could start at a pretty good spot next season.

It's a 7-10 split.

Kruger has been lights-out the 2nd half...he's played himself into a big contract.
Ellerbe can be had for less money, and has played well, but can't stay healthy.

Pick your poison.

I'd love to be able to sign both of them back, and it may be possible if Reed steps away, and / or Kruger realizes that it's better to maybe take a little less money here, and compete for a Super Bowl every season, as opposed to getting the big contract in Miami and enjoying South Beach on the weekend in January.

We'll see how it goes. If I absolutely, positively HAD TO choose just one, I'd take Kruger and draft ILB. Ellerbe is a nice player, but if he spends 4-5 games in the training room as a part-time player, how can you trust him to hold down the middle as the starter?

once again the front office waits to late both should have been done last yr

Kruger has what 9-10 sacks in the last 10 games? Suggs has been nearly non-existant all year. I'd say pass-rusher is higher priority than Ellerbe. Although I'd love to keep both. Depending on Reed and how much $$ Flacco gets and how its structured should have room for both. Steelers restructure guys contracts all the time to get this **** to work. Where there is a will theres a way.

Not sure its the FO fault.  Sometimes the agents of the players want their client to go to UFA.  Get market value.  If you sign early, the market may not be set and player stands to lose money.  Not saying that happened here, I dont know.  But not everything is as it appears.

The issue I have with Ellerbe is Harbaugh.  Right or wrong, Harbaugh didnt play Ellerbe for a reason.  Im not sure why that is, but they are not going to commit big dollars to Ellerbe if Harbaugh isnt committed to him.  If they commit big dollars to him, they have to feel good enough about him to do it.  Not saying they shouldn't, but it is what it is.

edreedisgod20 wrote: Depends very heavily on whether they can get an extension done with Flacco before free agency starts.

How many days between the end of the season and free agency???

ravensfan86 wrote: Not sure its the FO fault.  Sometimes the agents of the players want their client to go to UFA.  Get market value.  If you sign early, the market may not be set and player stands to lose money.  Not saying that happened here, I dont know.  But not everything is as it appears.

The issue I have with Ellerbe is Harbaugh.  Right or wrong, Harbaugh didnt play Ellerbe for a reason.  Im not sure why that is, but they are not going to commit big dollars to Ellerbe if Harbaugh isnt committed to him.  If they commit big dollars to him, they have to feel good enough about him to do it.  Not saying they shouldn't, but it is what it is.

It seems to me its been more injuries than doghouse with Ellerbe.  Has all the talent in the world but he's been banged up the past three seasons.

Ellerbe didn't do anything in 2010 or 2011 to show he deserved more playing time.  He was out of shape at times, which probably contributed to hamstring injuries.  When he did get on the field, he made more mental errors than big plays.

He's had a great 2012.  Even before the injury to Ray, he had basically unseated McClain.  I'm still nervous about giving him a significant amount of guaranteed money.  Hopefully the depressed market for ILB will keep his price low.

Kruger is the classic second round bust. After all, he only had three sacks and a forced fumble.

Just ask half the posters on this board.

Would certainly help to keep Kruger. He is no J J Watt. But IMO, Kruger has been our biggest pass rushing threat this season.


Granted, he's no Watt, but then again who else comes close to the athletic ability of a Watt? I think Kruger has the makings of something special on defense - something to torture Steeler QBs for a long time. The guy has developed into a game changer. It would be very bad to watch him grow into a terror for another team, especially when pass rushers are a premium in this new age.

I'd like both, but Kruger is definitely the priority.  Was very "meh" in his first season and a half or so, but he's really developed into a threat.  I think he's earned a good contract; you can never have enough good pass rushers, and whether Suggs will be full strength next year concerns me so I think it's important to lock up Kruger.

+1

They're both interesting cases.

Kruger really doesn't bring much to the table besides his pass rush skills, being average at best in run support in pass coverage. On the other hand, he's developed into quite the pass rusher and the idea of him and a potentially healthy Suggs causing havoc on QBs next season is a very appealing one.

Ellerbe's had struggles with injuries throughout his career, yet when he was on the field this season he was the best all round linebacker for the Ravens and it wasn't really even close.

Then there's the specter of the idea that what we have are two classic contract year cases who will revert back to their pre-2012 form when they get their big money.

It's a lot for the Ravens to think about. Ellerbe will cost less. It's harder to find guys like Kruger, though.

And ultimately if they don't sign Flacco to an extension before free agency starts it may not matter.

Somehow the FO needs to sign both. Kruger is finally becoming the other bookend and Ellerbe should be Ray's successor. Both showed their beast sides lately and should carry thru to the ensuing seasons

I"m also wondering if we can redo the contracts of Suggs and Ngata.  That could potentially free up extra cap room.