DiscoJamal wrote: I imagine the plan is for this to eventually become a 7-8 year deal, they'll need to lower that cap number in a few years - by converting salary to bonus

I like knowing that our Super Bowl MVP QB is young and we can build around him.  Keep giving him weapons so he can show off that cannon hanging from his right shoulder.

jagrsucks wrote: Looks like we will have to restructure after 3years when his hit becomes 22-25 mil.

jagrsucks wrote: Usually these deals go 2 ways: Joe plays great and we tear the deal up after 3 years or he under performs and we ask him to restructure

I hear the Flacco cap numbers in years 1 and 2 of the proposed contract are $6.8m and $14.8m. Huge help for Ravens if it gets signed Monday.

Downeyoshenhun wrote: The salary cap will go up over the next few years - especially if the networks give the NFL another sweetheart deal.  I can see Flacco restructuring his deal after three years, so the Ravens will remain competitive during his career. 

His current deal will allow us to resign or retain folks like Ellersbie, Kruger, and Boldin.

akacrow wrote:

Downeyoshenhun wrote: The salary cap will go up over the next few years - especially if the networks give the NFL another sweetheart deal.  I can see Flacco restructuring his deal after three years, so the Ravens will remain competitive during his career. 

His current deal will allow us to resign or retain folks like Ellersbie, Kruger, and Boldin.

We need starters at DT, FS and ILB.  We are covered everywhere else.  I would love to see Kruger retained, but it could cost us down the road if we need to retain a starter at another position.

The F.O. could re-sign all our starters except for Kruger and C. Williams, Webb is returning and Upshaw can start at OLB.  We could then sign a LT in FA not named McKinnie and keep Reed on a short term/club option contract for a year or two until we secure the FS position. 

That would give us

QB Flacco
RB Rice
FB Leach
LT ???
LG Osemele
OC Gino
RG Yanda
RT Oher
WR1 Smith
WR2 Boldin
TE Pitta

DT Ngata
NT Kemo
DE Jones
ROLB Suggs
RILB Ellerbe
LILB ???
LOLB Upshaw
RCB Webb/Gram
SS Pollard
FS Reed 
LCB Smith/Brown

The only question marks being left tackle and ILB, we have some ILBs on the roster who could possible start, and the draft is stacked at ILB.  The FO should be able to sign a left tackle in FA.  An additional DT should be added some time in FA, and via the draft.


Edit: This still leaves us weak on the defensive line, but hopefully the draft, and to a degree free agency can help stop the bleeding, specifically the rush defense.

52decleetzu wrote:

akacrow wrote:

Downeyoshenhun wrote: The salary cap will go up over the next few years - especially if the networks give the NFL another sweetheart deal.  I can see Flacco restructuring his deal after three years, so the Ravens will remain competitive during his career. 

His current deal will allow us to resign or retain folks like Ellersbie, Kruger, and Boldin.

We need starters at DT, FS and ILB.  We are covered everywhere else.  I would love to see Kruger retained, but it could cost us down the road if we need to retain a starter at another position.

The F.O. could re-sign all our starters except for Kruger and C. Williams, Webb is returning and Upshaw can start at OLB.  We could then sign a LT in FA not named McKinnie and keep Reed on a short term/club option contract for a year or two until we secure the FS position. 

That would give us

QB Flacco
RB Rice
FB Leach
LT ???
LG Osemele
OC Gino
RG Yanda
RT Oher
WR1 Smith
WR2 Boldin
TE Pitta

DT Ngata
NT Kemo
DE Jones
ROLB Suggs
RILB Ellerbe
LILB ???
LOLB Upshaw
RCB Webb/Gram
SS Pollard
FS Reed 
LCB Smith/Brown

The only question marks being left tackle and ILB, we have some ILBs on the roster who could possible start, and the draft is stacked at ILB.  The FO should be able to sign a left tackle in FA.  An additional DT should be added some time in FA, and via the draft.


Edit: This still leaves us weak on the defensive line, but hopefully the draft, and to a degree free agency can help stop the bleeding, specifically the rush defense.

The myth of the "bleeding rush defense" was one generated by the media who still in 2012 don't know what stats actually represent the quality of the unit. Yards per game stats are worthless. useless. Should be used for nothing, but somehow still are what we judge on.

The Ravens allowed 4.0 YPC last year, 8th overall. That is the stat that matters. That was with a banged up Ngata and injuries all over the place in the front 7. Every single player except Jones/Cody were hurt/playing hurt for long stretches.

Yet we still somehow managed another top 10 ranking. Just imagine what we could have done with a healthy Suggs, Ngata, Ray, Ellerbe, McClain, McPhee for even the majority of the year.

We will definitely take a DL/DT though probably pretty high, draft is extremely deep in that area. Cody will probably be a goner next year need to have someone waiting in the wings, and Ozzie likes to take those guys a year early in these situations.

akacrow wrote:

52decleetzu wrote:

akacrow wrote:

Downeyoshenhun wrote: The salary cap will go up over the next few years - especially if the networks give the NFL another sweetheart deal.  I can see Flacco restructuring his deal after three years, so the Ravens will remain competitive during his career. 

His current deal will allow us to resign or retain folks like Ellersbie, Kruger, and Boldin.

We need starters at DT, FS and ILB.  We are covered everywhere else.  I would love to see Kruger retained, but it could cost us down the road if we need to retain a starter at another position.

The F.O. could re-sign all our starters except for Kruger and C. Williams, Webb is returning and Upshaw can start at OLB.  We could then sign a LT in FA not named McKinnie and keep Reed on a short term/club option contract for a year or two until we secure the FS position. 

That would give us

QB Flacco
RB Rice
FB Leach
LT ???
LG Osemele
OC Gino
RG Yanda
RT Oher
WR1 Smith
WR2 Boldin
TE Pitta

DT Ngata
NT Kemo
DE Jones
ROLB Suggs
RILB Ellerbe
LILB ???
LOLB Upshaw
RCB Webb/Gram
SS Pollard
FS Reed 
LCB Smith/Brown

The only question marks being left tackle and ILB, we have some ILBs on the roster who could possible start, and the draft is stacked at ILB.  The FO should be able to sign a left tackle in FA.  An additional DT should be added some time in FA, and via the draft.


Edit: This still leaves us weak on the defensive line, but hopefully the draft, and to a degree free agency can help stop the bleeding, specifically the rush defense.

The myth of the "bleeding rush defense" was one generated by the media who still in 2012 don't know what stats actually represent the quality of the unit. Yards per game stats are worthless. useless. Should be used for nothing, but somehow still are what we judge on.

The Ravens allowed 4.0 YPC last year, 8th overall. That is the stat that matters. That was with a banged up Ngata and injuries all over the place in the front 7. Every single player except Jones/Cody were hurt/playing hurt for long stretches.

Yet we still somehow managed another top 10 ranking. Just imagine what we could have done with a healthy Suggs, Ngata, Ray, Ellerbe, McClain, McPhee for even the majority of the year.

We will definitely take a DL/DT though probably pretty high, draft is extremely deep in that area. Cody will probably be a goner next year need to have someone waiting in the wings, and Ozzie likes to take those guys a year early in these situations.

Stats?   We were 20th in rushing TDs allowed.   Teams ran on us at will last season, we couldn't get offenses off the field, and were in second and third and short way too often.  Teams ran on us more often than 28 other NFL teams in the league.

theravenkidd wrote: www.nfl.com/player/rickyjeanfrancois/79583/profile

Wouldnt mind having this guy take Kemo's place. We should also be getting McBean back in the fold as well. Couple that with the a draft prospect within the 1st two rounds and our dline could be a strength going into next season.

rantnrav wrote: If the cap # for this year is that low, they could easily bring back some of the free agents on at least 1 or 2 year contracts, such as Ed Reed.

PSURaven wrote:

rantnrav wrote: If the cap # for this year is that low, they could easily bring back some of the free agents on at least 1 or 2 year contracts, such as Ed Reed.

I doubt Reed is signing a 1 or 2 year contract.  If he's coming back it will be something similar to Ray Lewis' last contract.

rantnrav wrote:

PSURaven wrote:

rantnrav wrote: If the cap # for this year is that low, they could easily bring back some of the free agents on at least 1 or 2 year contracts, such as Ed Reed.

I doubt Reed is signing a 1 or 2 year contract.  If he's coming back it will be something similar to Ray Lewis' last contract.

There is no way that the Ravens are going to give Ed Reed the type of contract they gave Ray Lewis back in early 2009.  That deal was a 7 year deal with $10 million up front and more signing bonuses the next two years.

Lewis was the face of the franchise, was a year younger than Reed and was healthy and still playing at a high level. 

Reed, while a cornerstone, is not the face of the franchise.  He has well documented serious injuries and is winding down his hall of fame career. 

If you think the Ravens, or any team for that matter, is about to give Reed a contract that pays him a double digit signing bonus and multiple years you are crazy.  Even young and healthy safeties in the prime of their careers are not getting those types of contracts.

No, if Reed wants to continue to play football, he is going to play for a 1 or 2 year contract for maybe 5 or 6 million signing bonus, at most.

52decleetzu wrote:

rantnrav wrote:

PSURaven wrote:

rantnrav wrote: If the cap # for this year is that low, they could easily bring back some of the free agents on at least 1 or 2 year contracts, such as Ed Reed.

I doubt Reed is signing a 1 or 2 year contract.  If he's coming back it will be something similar to Ray Lewis' last contract.

There is no way that the Ravens are going to give Ed Reed the type of contract they gave Ray Lewis back in early 2009.  That deal was a 7 year deal with $10 million up front and more signing bonuses the next two years.

Lewis was the face of the franchise, was a year younger than Reed and was healthy and still playing at a high level. 

Reed, while a cornerstone, is not the face of the franchise.  He has well documented serious injuries and is winding down his hall of fame career. 

If you think the Ravens, or any team for that matter, is about to give Reed a contract that pays him a double digit signing bonus and multiple years you are crazy.  Even young and healthy safeties in the prime of their careers are not getting those types of contracts.

No, if Reed wants to continue to play football, he is going to play for a 1 or 2 year contract for maybe 5 or 6 million signing bonus, at most.

This! But keep in mind those "1-2 year contracts" are usually 3-4 year the way NFL contracts are structured. He will get something that might resemble a 3-4 year deal, but it won't be in reality.

Reed just said he had 2-3 years left max on NFL AM.

That was straight from his mouth.

If Ellerbee gets to be a money issue I'm betting they turn their attention to Ed reed

With Flacco only having a 7 million cap number retaining him shouldn't be too big of a problem any more

DiscoJamal wrote: They might do a couple years to lower the cap hit a bit
Didn't Birk sign a 3 year deal last year even though we all knew he was done after this year?

mprasad1x wrote: Joes contract will handcuff the team's ability to place quality players around him.

He had decent season and a great playoff run but he is getting hall of fame caliber pay without the consistency.  He is one notch below pro bowl caliber and is getting the money of a future hall of famer. 

This salary would be fine if he could play at a high level like he did in the playoff's for a whole season but he doesn't

Now we have to see how many key players are left to walk because there is not enough money to go around.

They should have franchised him and made him prove it one more time.

mprasad1x wrote: Joes contract will handcuff the team's ability to place quality players around him.

He had decent season and a great playoff run but he is getting hall of fame caliber pay without the consistency.  He is one notch below pro bowl caliber and is getting the money of a future hall of famer. 

This salary would be fine if he could play at a high level like he did in the playoff's for a whole season but he doesn't

Now we have to see how many key players are left to walk because there is not enough money to go around.

They should have franchised him and made him prove it one more time.

mprasad1x wrote: Joes contract will handcuff the team's ability to place quality players around him.

He had decent season and a great playoff run but he is getting hall of fame caliber pay without the consistency.  He is one notch below pro bowl caliber and is getting the money of a future hall of famer. 

This salary would be fine if he could play at a high level like he did in the playoff's for a whole season but he doesn't

Now we have to see how many key players are left to walk because there is not enough money to go around.

They should have franchised him and made him prove it one more time.

1		Terrell Suggs at Defensive Tackle	$13,020,000
2		Haloti Ngata at Defensive Tackle	$11,500,000
3		Anquan Boldin at Wide Receiver	$7,531,250
4		Marshal Yanda at Guard	$7,450,000
5		Joe Flacco at Quarterback	$6,800,000
6		Ray Rice at Running Back	$5,750,000
7		Lardarius Webb at Cornerback	$5,385,000
8		Michael Oher at Tackle	$4,955,000
9		Jacoby Jones at Wide Receiver	$4,900,000
10		Vonta Leach at Fullback	$4,333,333

Paintballguy wrote:

mprasad1x wrote: Joes contract will handcuff the team's ability to place quality players around him.

He had decent season and a great playoff run but he is getting hall of fame caliber pay without the consistency.  He is one notch below pro bowl caliber and is getting the money of a future hall of famer. 

This salary would be fine if he could play at a high level like he did in the playoff's for a whole season but he doesn't

Now we have to see how many key players are left to walk because there is not enough money to go around.

They should have franchised him and made him prove it one more time.

I'm not sure where to start with this post. Flacco's cap hit this year is lower then what his cap hit was for this past season.

Top Ravens cap hits

1		Terrell Suggs at Defensive Tackle	$13,020,000
2		Haloti Ngata at Defensive Tackle	$11,500,000
3		Anquan Boldin at Wide Receiver	$7,531,250
4		Marshal Yanda at Guard	$7,450,000
5		Joe Flacco at Quarterback	$6,800,000
6		Ray Rice at Running Back	$5,750,000
7		Lardarius Webb at Cornerback	$5,385,000
8		Michael Oher at Tackle	$4,955,000
9		Jacoby Jones at Wide Receiver	$4,900,000
10		Vonta Leach at Fullback	$4,333,333

mprasad1x wrote: Joes contract will handcuff the team's ability to place quality players around him.

He had decent season and a great playoff run but he is getting hall of fame caliber pay without the consistency.  He is one notch below pro bowl caliber and is getting the money of a future hall of famer. 

This salary would be fine if he could play at a high level like he did in the playoff's for a whole season but he doesn't

Now we have to see how many key players are left to walk because there is not enough money to go around.

They should have franchised him and made him prove it one more time.