papasmurfbell Posted August 12, 2013 Posted August 12, 2013 http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/12/newsome-was-willing-to-move-boldin-to-fix-defense/ At a time when the Ravens are bringing in guys to fill in blanks on offense based on offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell’s Colts memories of them, it’s easy to think how much they could use wide receiver Anquan Boldin.But Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome told Peter King of the TheMMQB.com that he had no regrets over trading his veteran wideout for a sack of beans, saying the money saved helped rebuild their defense.“The acquisitions of Elvis Dumervil and Michael Huff are a direct result of the money we saved from that contract,” Newsome said. “And other guys we got—Chris Canty, Marcus Spears, Daryl Smith—were helped by the savings. So if you ask the question, you can’t just say, ‘Do you wish you kept him?’ You also have to look at the unintended consequences of your actions.”Boldin was shipped to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick, but the real benefit was the $6 million in salary Newsome peeled off the books. Losing tight end Dennis Pitta for the season leaves the Ravens with a hole in the middle of their offense, but Newsome filled many more gaps on the other side with the savings (Dumervil, Huff, Canty and Smith count $6.47 million against the cap this year).“You have to have an owner who understands the long haul, and I’m fortunate that Steve Bisciotti does,” said Newsome. “When Dumervil came free, unexpected of course, we weren’t looking to spend that kind of money [five years, $27 million], but Steve’s point was, ‘We’re going to be winning, and we’ll never be able to get a pass rusher like that in the draft where we’ll be picking.’ That’s really beneficial for a GM like me, to have an owner who can see down the road and see the big picture. . . .“I took a safety net from Joe [Flacco], and I’m well aware of that. I’ve been a safety net for Brian Sipe and Bernie Kosar, so I understand what he’ll be missing.”Dumervil also gives the Ravens long-term cover for outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who’s scheduled to make $7.8 million in 2014, the last year of his current deal. That’s the kind of long-term thinking that has put the Ravens in a consistently successful place, and they’re willing to sacrifice an immediate need for that stability. 1 Quote
vmax Posted August 12, 2013 Posted August 12, 2013 That was an excellent report from Peter King. I hope the Ravens fans read this. It helps in understanding the situation. It hurt me just as bad as you to see Boldin go.What hurts worse would be to see a poor 2012 Ravens defense be even crappier in 2013.I do not want to see our team get pushed around. Because the Ravens D has been very good for over a decade the Ravens can play anybody, anywhere with a good chance to win. Quote
Oldschool739 Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 He could have stayed if he would have agreed to restructure his contract but he chose not to. Probably thinking he had the leverage, but he forgot, this is Ozzie !! A tough decision had to be made and Ozzie did it..... We will have a more balanced team because of that decision and some others.... Hate to see him go, but that's the beast of the biz.... Ravens Proud !!!! Quote
cravnravn Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 Absolutely Boldin could have stayed, it was his choice not to renegotiate his contract. We made out with the savings, losing 1 over paid TE and gaining 2 Pro Bowlers, sounds like a pretty savvy move to me. Quote
RavenMad Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 Boldin was great. 1 of those guys who epitomized the philosophy of playing like a Raven. However, what we have got from his departure appears to be much greater than what his role would have been. With Pitta and Dickson now injured would I love to have Boldin back...Sure would. However, I still think we made the right move. Quote
Robjr83 Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 Hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20 It is... but I still thought before the draft the Ravens would get a WR or TE in the mid rounds. I guess Juice could count as a TE, Mallette at the end doesn't count. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted August 13, 2013 Author Posted August 13, 2013 He could have stayed if he would have agreed to restructure his contract but he chose not to.Probably thinking he had the leverage, but he forgot, this is Ozzie !!A tough decision had to be made and Ozzie did it.....We will have a more balanced team because of that decision and some others....Hate to see him go, but that's the beast of the biz.... Ravens Proud !!!!In the past Ozzie would reach to hold onto guys like Q. With Rays retirement I think everything has changed. Quote
Robjr83 Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 Lets not also forget Harbs in this equation. He wanted the trouble makers gone. Quote
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