vmax Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Joe needs weapons and he's a good one..... While no one knows whether Benjamin Watson can come close to repeating last season's career year, the one certainty is how much the Baltimore Ravens wanted the veteran tight end. It will go down as one of the more unexpected signings based on how the Ravens typically do business in free agency. This is the first time the Ravens have ever reached an agreement with another team's free agent during the four-year history of the negotiating period. The deal can't be made official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.Watson is only the fifth unrestricted free agent to be signed by Baltimore in the last six offseasons. The Ravens prefer cap cuts because they don't count against compensatory picks.And the Ravens had to be aggressive in order to pry him away from the New Orleans Saints, who reportedly wanted to keep him and are now thin at that position.So, why did the Ravens want him so badly? Baltimore prides itself on being a tight end-friendly offense, and the Ravens needed an experienced and durable one. Watson is known for being a leader after 13 seasons in the NFL and he's only missed one game over the last four seasons. The addition of Watson reveals the Ravens' level of concern about Crockett Gillmore's availability this season (two shoulder surgeries this offseason), Nick Boyle's suspension (10 games for peformance-enhancing drugs) and Dennis Pitta's future (a potential post-June 1 salary cap cut)...http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/26255/ravens-really-really-wanted-saints-tight-end-ben-watson. http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/26255/ravens-really-really-wanted-saints-tight-end-ben-watson Very out of character but a solid move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Watson is a different skill set than Maxx Williams or Crockett Gilmore. I love his athleticism and YAC ability. Unusual move by the Ravens however. Signing an unrestricted free agent coming off of a career year on the first day of free agency. Hard not to think that we are "buying high". Watson to me has seemed like a system guy his whole career. Trestman is good at utilizing tight-ends so this might be a good fit. The contract is only two years for $8M. Guess that means Pitta is done. I also wonder if this signals anything about Gilmore's shoulder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Out of character because it shows how desperate they are at TE. Gilmore had 2 surgeries andBoyle has a 10 game suspension. The were in need of a strong verteran performer. Ravens will now cough up a comp pick which Ozzie hates but he'll probably have more than anyone, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Watson is a different skill set than Maxx Williams or Crockett Gilmore. I love his athleticism and YAC ability. Unusual move by the Ravens however. Signing an unrestricted free agent coming off of a career year on the first day of free agency. Hard not to think that we are "buying high". Watson to me has seemed like a system guy his whole career. Trestman is good at utilizing tight-ends so this might be a good fit. The contract is only two years for $8M. Guess that means Pitta is done. I also wonder if this signals anything about Gilmore's shoulder?Pitta has always been gone. That turned out to be a really bad contract. Out of character because it shows how desperate they are at TE. Gilmore had 2 surgeries andBoyle has a 10 game suspension. The were in need of a strong verteran performer. Ravens will now cough up a comp pick which Ozzie hates but he'll probably have more than anyone,You are saying just what I said last yr. Imagine if they had gotten a FA and not drafted Boyle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varaven45 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Sweet move by Ozzie. Solid TE, good character guy. Last time we had a former NE TE named Ben, good things happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Ozzie loves to gain draft picks not give them and often has more comp picks than anyone andwill still have enough. Gilmore was the vet this season and they got 833 yards from the TE position and some goodblocking from Boyle but they were down to just Maxx for sure before this signing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Of course Ben Watson had a total of 825 yards by himself, so he'll be worth whatever pick Ozziehas to cough up - probably a 4th or 5th but just guessing. Like I said, only Maxx was a sure thing at TE til now. http://www.russellstreetreport.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldno82 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 It's a good pickup at a low price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 This move means we are not signing any other unrestricted free agents. Ozzie will not lose that third round compensation pick that KO is going to bring in (we still have to hope that someone signs Upshaw, which will cancel out the Watson signing; Colts are the favorites for Upshaw). Anyone else we bring in will be someone who has been cut this offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsylvester Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Desperation is 2nd round tendering a young tight end who has not played a snap in the NFL. I liked Watson way back when he was young. Now, smells like a Dallas Clarke type move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Desperation is 2nd round tendering a young tight end who has not played a snap in the NFL. I liked Watson way back when he was young. Now, smells like a Dallas Clarke type move.Owen Daniels was released today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Desperation is 2nd round tendering a young tight end who has not played a snap in the NFL. I liked Watson way back when he was young. Now, smells like a Dallas Clarke type move.We are desparate. Gilmore had labrum surgery on both shoulders. Maxx Williams isn't exactly Mr. Durable. http://espn.go.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0494560270622921978-4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsylvester Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 We are desparate. Gilmore had labrum surgery on both shoulders. Maxx Williams isn't exactly Mr. Durable. http://espn.go.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0494560270622921978-4 Oh I know, they needed a tempt tight end. But at his age, with all the miles, just how effective can he be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Enough for 850 yards receiving this year, a little more than what all young Ravens TEshad together this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robjr83 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Age was a problem last year with this team and now they get a 35yo TE. Watson was also playing in a dome with Brees, who knows if he'll put up those numbers here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Still not bad numbers for a 35 yr old wherever he played but he doesn't even have to duplicate thatnumber, just contribute and marginally. See like for how. With two capable tight ends already on the roster in Gillmore and Williams, Watson simply needs to contribute marginally, and quite frankly a stat line in the 40 reception, 500-yard and multiple touchdown range would be considered a win for the Ravens.Based on his play last season, Watson is quite capable of achieving that feat during his first season in purple and black. http://www.russellstreetreport.com/2016/03/09/tale-of-the-tape/ben-watson-solid-veteran-presence/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Oh I know, they needed a tempt tight end. But at his age, with all the miles, just how effective can he be?I have no problem with the miles and age. Watson is one of those physical freaks. My concern is he appears to be a system player. He was a great weapon in New Orleans, but is he a fit for our offense? He was rather forgettable in Cleveland. Jimmy Graham wasn't nearly as effective after being traded from New Orleans. So I don't know the answer to that question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varaven45 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Watson is a security blanket - that's it. Given the number of guys on IR last year, he might become a valuable commodity this year. Good work Ozzie ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Great posts by VA and Thundercleetz. Good point about the system but he should be able to give the numbers posted above underTrestman who loves to pass a lot and to TEs. As mentioned, the Ravens 3 TEs almost producedthe same numbers so they should be able to spread it around when Gilmore comes back andwith Maxx bulking it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBird Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Actually, Watson should do better simply because TRestman doesn't like to use TEs for blockers.That's because the LBs are usually bigger and faster than the TE. So Trest also figures that leavesone less defender and an extra open spot for his TE to hit. He makes up for the loss of a blocker tohave the Center call out a shift for the line to move down in his zone blocking scheme. You know, this is exactly what Dickson said on radio. He said people criticize my blocking but theyhave no idea that I'm going vs LBs 50-75 lbs heavier than me and faster. A lot of fans don't know that. And with WAtson, he'll have a good one despite his age, what stadium he plays in and especially withJoe throwing to him. See link for more details with Trestman and his TEs http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/showthread.php/34136-How-Trestman-and-Kromer-Uses-TEs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmax Posted March 10, 2016 Author Share Posted March 10, 2016 There are now 9 TE's on the roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldno82 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Is there a target date for Gilmore's return? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmax Posted March 10, 2016 Author Share Posted March 10, 2016 Is there a target date for Gilmore's return? No target date but Ozzie says he will play this year. “We got positive news last week, but he still has a recovery road that he has to go down in order to get himself ready for the beginning of the year,” Newsome said of Gillmore. “I feel very good about him barring any setbacks.”Still, even if Pitta isn’t on the team, Gillmore has to miss a few weeks and Boyle obviously will be on the shelf, the Ravens still would have Watson and Williams, and they should be able to find a competent third tight end between Ford, who they tendered at a cost of $1.67 million, Spears, Waller and Reuland.http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/bal-ravens-introduce-watson-move-waller-to-tight-end-20160310-story.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldno82 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Thanks, Max...this kid Ford may have some potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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