Ravenmaniac52

-- Will the Ravens Franchise Ray Lewis to Keep Him? -- Fri Jan 23, 2009 --from FFMastermind.com The Baltimore Sun reports for the second time in a year, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has played his hand way too early in the coming negotiations with LB Ray Lewis, who just completed the final season of a six-year contract. In March, Bisciotti said he expected the Ravens to outbid other teams for the services of Lewis. And Wednesday, Bisciotti said he didn't foresee the Ravens using the franchise tag on Lewis. That was interesting because GM Ozzie Newsome, in preliminary talks before the season started, has already let Lewis' side know the general manager could use the designation on Lewis. It's the trump card the Ravens don't want to play, but it's nice to have that ace up their sleeve. Fortunately, Bisciotti has said Newsome will handle the negotiations, which could begin as early as next week, when the Ravens start their player-evaluation meetings. "Let's just hope that it doesn't get to that point," Newsome said of using the tag. "All I can say is that we have a process in place, and we also have a history of retaining our top players. In other cases, there is also a process in place where we allow free agents to test the market and then they can get back to us. We just have to see how these things play out."

-- Jets Likely Eyeing Two Ravens DBs -- The Star Ledger reports Ravens S Jim Leonhard and CB Corey Ivy, both unrestricted free agents, are likely on the Jets' wish list in free agency, especially with the Jets finishing 29th in the NFL in pass defense this past season. I say let Ivy go ... but Leonhard is a must keep.

-- Ravens Could Trade for Anquan Boldin -- The Carroll County Times reports the only potential blockbuster move the Ravens could make is possibly trading for Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin. Boldin is under contract through 2010 and is disgruntled because he wants a new contract. He also got in a nasty argument with OC Todd Haley during the NFC title game.

I would love to see all these guys back next year ... but I have to agree that Scott will probably be the odd man out.

The Baltimore Sun reports LB Ray Lewis, LB Terrell Suggs, LB Bart Scott, C Jason Brown, SS Jim Leonhard, FB Lorenzo Neal and PK Matt Stover are the most prominent Ravens who can become unrestricted free agents in March. While the team contemplated using the franchise tag on either Lewis or Suggs, the other players spoke yesterday of their desire to remain with the team. "Everybody knows that I would love to come back here to Baltimore," said Brown, who anchored a young, talented offensive line. "The wonderful coaching staff, the wonderful administration upstairs, wonderful players. We've definitely grown this year into a football team, coming from last year and how things were around here and nobody knew exactly how far we would progress." Added Leonhard, who was signed to a one-year deal: "I would love to be back here. We'll work this out here in the next couple months. I had a great time here. I think anyone in the media that's talked to me can understand the type of season that I've had and just how much I've enjoyed it. I would love to be back in Baltimore. We'll see how everything plays out." According to his coaches, Scott put together a strong season, but he might be the odd man out with the team expected to focus on Lewis and Suggs, neither of whom talked to reporters yesterday. Scott said he hasn't given his future much thought. "After I step out of this room, I won't think about football," he said. "I'll think about being with my family, playing with my kids, taking my son to school, and playing with my daughter." Stover rebounded from a 4-for-7 start to finish with a 31-for-37 conversion rate. Stover said he and HC John Harbaugh discussed his returning but acknowledged that retirement is an option. Neal turned 38 last month but said he wants to return. "Oh yeah, I still love to play," he said. "I would still love to get another year or two in."

-- Ravens Injury Update -- Wed Jan 21, 2009 -- The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens SS Dawan Landry, who suffered a spinal cord concussion in September, has yet to be cleared for contact. ORG Marshal Yanda (knee surgery) has made solid progress since undergoing major knee surgery, but he probably won't be ready to practice until training camp. NT Kelly Gregg (left knee surgery) had microfracture surgery on his left knee and likely won't be cleared to return until offseason workouts in May or June. The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens LB Antwan Barnes said he underwent surgery to repair his torn left pectoral muscle after the team's playoff win against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 4. "I'll be back here in March when we start lifting and everything like that," he vowed. TE Daniel Wilcox said he contemplated retirement while rehabilitating his sprained left big toe. "Even now, I'm still in a lot of pain," he said. "But I know in my heart, I just really need some time to heal. … I'm definitely coming back next year."

I'll take the heat off of you Crav .... *** I'm stupid for thinking this game is easy ***!!!!!!!!! :P