papasmurfbell Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I do wish they would stick to it. They should never have brought back Stay Puff last yr. That was yr 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-preston-ravens-column-0324-20150323-column.htmlTime could be running out on the RavensFormer Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has said more than once in the past two years that the window of opportunity is getting narrower for the Ravens.He was probably alluding to the age of some of the older players on the team, but there needs to be a sense of urgency for winning big in 2015. Besides the age factor, the Ravens have more than the usual prominent number of players who will be unrestricted free agents after this season.And then there is the Joe Flacco factor.The seventh-year quarterback's base salary goes from $4 million in 2015 to $18 million in 2016, with $28.55 million counting against the salary cap, twice as much as the upcoming season.The Ravens had to expect they would restructure Flacco's deal after 2015, but it won't be easy. Besides the strong won-loss record and playoff appearances, Flacco is still represented by agent Joe Linta, who likes to create as much drama as the latest reality TV show. He likes the big time and isn't afraid to conduct a national whirlwind tour using every media outlet.That's part of the reason for the sense of urgency in 2015. Every team wants to win as a reward to their fan base, but time might be running out sooner for the Ravens. A year ago, coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dean Pees did a masterful job of preserving older players like outside linebackers Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and inside linebackerDaryl Smith.Suggs and Dumervil were the team's top two pass rushers and the Ravens had two other capable replacements in Pernell McPhee and Courtney Upshaw. But McPhee has signed with the Chicago Bears and Upshaw, who came on as a pass rusher at the end of last season, will be one of the team's unrestricted free agents after this season.Suggs is 32, Dumervil is 31 and Daryl Smith is 33. Two other high profile veterans are receiver Steve Smith, 35, and defensive end Chris Canty, 32. In some cases, the Ravens are rolling the dice bringing back some of these players this year much less in 2016.It's safe to assume Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has already started talks with several players who have a year remaining on their contract, but there could be significant fallout.In 2016, guards Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele will become free agents, and those would be tremendous losses. The Ravens would be able to pay one big money, but probably not two.Right now, Yanda might be the best guard in the NFL and Osemele isn't too far behind even though there are still questions about whether his back will hold up for the rest of his career.Cornerback Jimmy Smith, despite missing half of the season with a foot injury, still had a breakout year in 2014 and will become a free agent in 2016.Those are three of the team's top players. There is more. The Ravens usually have one of the NFL's top kicking games every year, but guess who are free agents in 2016? Place kicker Justin Tucker and punter Sam Koch.Even some of the more high profile backups are scheduled for free agency including linebacker Albert McClellan and cornerbackAsa Jackson. And don't forget Steve Smith, he orginally said he only wanted to play two years, and this season will be his second in Baltimore.Flacco is a key for the team's future, and maybe he'll restructure and give the Ravens some cap relief like Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady has done in New England, or other highly paid players in other towns.It's hard to understand why these contracts are so back loaded because everyone knows most of the final year or two will be voided. It does make the agents look good, but achieves little else.And in some cases like former Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, the player wants the team to honor the original commitment.Regardless, there will be some drama in the future for the Ravens. Let's not call it rebuilding, but there could be some extensive face lifting. Newsome could take away some suspense by getting some players to sign extensions before the end of this season, and the Ravens could do themselves a favor by winning big in 2015.They might not have as much of a chance in 2016. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Ravens don't believe in windows. They won big in 2014 missing the SB by a game on a trickplay and the bending of the rule book. They're still only 2 players away from the SB and will get atleast 1 in the draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 As long as you have bunches of large contracts coming due all the time and many inbunches then you do play in windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldno82 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The future of this franchise is really up to Joe Flacco. If he restructures, we'll be alright but if he doesn't, we won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The future of this franchise is really up to Joe Flacco. If he restructures, we'll be alright but if he doesn't, we won't.Absolutely no doubt January Joe restructures, not even a thought in my mind that he wont Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Like Ngata did? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Ngata was gone and we all knew that, the only folks that talk of joes contract are the haters and uninformed media members like Ray Lewis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I never saw anyone saying that. It was far from a fore gone conclusion. Again you and revisionist history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I never saw anyone saying that. It was far from a fore gone conclusion. Again you and revisionist history.I never saw anyone saying that. It was far from a fore gone conclusion. Again you and revisionist history.We have a whole 2 pages on it a page back, and here's a link to ravens.com, as I said we knew he was gone http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Eisenberg-Haloti-Ngata-Negotiations-Are-Delicate-But-New-Deal-Is-Possible/79a16f25-e038-4cc1-b000-041f048a3dd3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Ngata was gone and we all knew that, the only folks that talk of joes contract are the haters and uninformed media members like Ray Lewis. But while the Ravens know they probably can get by without Ngata, they’ll be a better team in 2015 – significantly better, in my opinion – if he’s still anchoring their defensive front, supported by Williams and Jernigan.Congrats contradicting yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Read the comments, not eisenbergs article, fans knew he was a goner, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Underdogsontop!Feb 14 2015 06:54 AMI hope Ngata restructures his contract, because I'd hate to see our O line go against him in a game! NNITREDFeb 14 2015 02:03 AMThe best thing we have going is that NOBODY is going to absorb Ngata's $16million cap hit or anything close to it and especially at this stage in his career. btfan2Feb 11 2015 07:23 PMCRAZY!! To even consider not making a deal with Ngata. MDpgRavenFeb 11 2015 02:46 PMBuy a bucket of RoFo Chicken and bring Haloti in, that will soften him up to signing a dealYeah I see that people were certain he wasn't coming back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 I thought Ngata might want a shot at another ring butmoney is more important but at his level he's alreadya millionaire many times over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrubberRaven Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Ngata still hasn't restructured in Detroit. He retires at the end of this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenMad Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I'm pretty sure we all came to the conclusion that Ngata would take a pay cut or he was gone. I have to say I didn't think anyone would trade for him but fortunately the Lions were desperate after losing Suh and Fairley and they made the trade. Webby also took one for the team with a pay cut. I believe we get something done with Joe or we trade him. There will be multiple teams lining up with a fistful of draft picks if we give any inkling that Joe is available and I guarantee you the first call will have a Denver caller id. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Joe is not leaving the east coast, his entire family is here, and again I'm not concerned of his contract, it will be restructured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 If he is traded Joe has no control of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldno82 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Losing Joe would really hurt. But it might come down to that if he doesn't restructure. His agent, Joe Linta, is a pain in the ass and conceivably could create a trade situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmax Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Ravens only 2 players away from another Super Bowl "Is one of them Matt Schaub?" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmax Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I'm pretty sure we all came to the conclusion that Ngata would take a pay cut or he was gone. I have to say I didn't think anyone would trade for him but fortunately the Lions were desperate after losing Suh and Fairley and they made the trade. Webby also took one for the team with a pay cut. I believe we get something done with Joe or we trade him. There will be multiple teams lining up with a fistful of draft picks if we give any inkling that Joe is available and I guarantee you the first call will have a Denver caller id. OH...Images of Joe Flacco are forever burned into their mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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