Next Year's Team

[cmacarolle21]

What's the deal with resigning our linebackers. They're all eligible I think they'll pull it together and resign all of them. With Kyle Boller leaving I'm guessing that will free up some cap room. Were 2nd to last in Team Salary any way I don't see why we couldn't. I'd be pretty damn content with trading Frank Walker for like a 5th round draft pick. Go into the draft first round focus on the OL. 2nd draft focus on a CB. 3rd focus should be a WR. I feel were deep enough at LB and Saftey. After Samari, C-Mac, and Fabian I'm not very confident in our corners. Maybe I'm dreaming but maybe we could sign Dawkins and move him to SS.

 

Imagine Starting Next Year

 

Pryce

Ngata

Johnson

Bannan

 

Suggs

Scott

Lewis

 

Mcalister

Rolle

Dawkins

Reed

 

[SpearSrai]

I've heard people talking about McAlister becoming a salary cap casualty this offseason... don't know what to make of that yet. I'm perfectly happy with what Leonhard is bringing to our defense...totally unexpected after Dawan Landry went down... couldn't ask for much more from the guy. He may be a better tackler than Ray at this point (uh oh...)

 

As far as the draft goes, I'm far more concerned about the receiver and corner positions in the first round than our o-line. Has our o-line really been so bad that you think we need to address it right off the bat? I think we've shown outstanding depth with our young line this year. What we need more than anything is a big-play receiver to take some pressure off of Mason, Flacco, and the running game. And our corner need is pretty obvious.

[colincac]

McCalister is being talked about as a cap casualty, and as long as we can grab another veteran in free agency for cheaper or draft a guy in the 2nd/3rd round, I'm fine with that. Like people have said, we have amazing depth at Safety and at Dline. I expect Gregg and Dawan to come back strong next year, and as far as I know, we aren't losing anyone at either of those positions. I wouldn't mind seeing Rex(or whoever takes his place ) playing with an extra downlineman more often in kind of a 4-4 set up, or mix it up and bring in 3 safeties to mask our problem at corner. I see us losing Scott this offseason, and using our depth at Safety and DLine could help us cope with his loss.

[vmax]

I've heard some media comments that Greeg might not be able to comeback from his injury. They are more of the rumor/hint/concern type of reports.

It seems

A decent amount of the local media feel CMac won't be back....they also agree McGahee will be a Raven next year due to CAP implications.

I don't see how the Ravens can rationalize putting the large amount of CAP money into the linebacker position to keep all 3.

[SpearSrai]

I don't see how the Ravens can rationalize putting the large amount of CAP money into the linebacker position to keep all 3.

 

Here's my rationale:

 

So we can win back-to-back Super Bowls.

[BeenAround]

If they don't bring Chris back next year, they better find a corner that can tackle because there's not one on the field right now.

[yagersports]

I would say, before WR, corner and even LB are bigger needs than WR. I think you will see with another year in the NFL, Flacco will be much more experienced and poised to spread the ball all over the field. WRs don't win championships, solid defense and good QB play do in my opinion.

 

We could lose two of three starting LBs, so maintaining the high level of play here will be important. If no solid LBs are available, perhaps Oz could work his magic to obtain an impact pass rushing defensive end. That would help make up for possible weaknesses at the LB position.

[cravnravn]

If we dont get a WR, that means we are committed to D-Wil..Uggggh

[SpearSrai]

Whether or not WR's win championships is arguable... the Patriots almost went 19-0 last year because they gave their already-great QB 2 great WR threats to work with. Warner won a Super Bowl and almost won another with great WR's to stretch the field... both Mannings won Super Bowls in large part to their superstar WR's. Both teams had pretty good defenses (in the playoffs at least), but even our worst-case-scenario defense will be just as good as either of those two. Reed isn't going anywhere...Ngata isn't going anywhere...worst-case scenario one or two of our linebackers are returning (Ray hopefully)... and that defense is plenty good to win a championship with.

 

You don't need a GREAT defense to win a championship unless you have absolutely no offense whatsoever. Any Ravens D + a good QB with a few good receiving threats = lock to make the playoffs every year.

 

I still say our 2 biggest needs are WR and CB...whichever we get better value at in the first round. They're about equal IMO.

[vmax]

I still say our 2 biggest needs are WR and CB...whichever we get better value at in the first round. They're about equal IMO.

 

Agreed. Derrick Mason is great and I want him back on the field but they need another consistant playmaking receiver...prefferably one who can stretch the field.

 

If they don't get 2 very solid corners...they will not sniff the playoffs next year. I'm basing that on CMac not returning and Rolle retireing. Washington will be back as a starter so that leaves one starter and one quality backup as needs...Washington seems injury prone although he is a gammer.

 

[52isUnstoppable]

If they don't bring Chris back next year, they better find a corner that can tackle because there's not one on the field right now.

Agreed, Cmac would be real nice to have right now for his ability tackle. Those hitches are killing us when rolle or washington overshoots which direction the receiver is coming up the field. And when you give receivers a 10 yard cushion like we do you HAVE to be able to tackle.

 

Whether or not WR's win championships is arguable... the Patriots almost went 19-0 last year because they gave their already-great QB 2 great WR threats to work with. Warner won a Super Bowl and almost won another with great WR's to stretch the field... both Mannings won Super Bowls in large part to their superstar WR's.

I agree with this too. Me and a friend were discussing the prospect of signing a T.O. type of receiver. Aside from the PR nightmare at least you know your getting 10+ TDs a year guaranteed. Thats 70 points more a season, divide that by 16 games your getting 4.4 more PPG. How many games have we lost this year where 4 or 5 points would have been huge. I personally dont want to sign a rookie WR because even in the 1st round its still hit or miss. There have been several 1st round busts at WR, hell we have one on the roster right now ... I'd like to look in the direction of a proven Veteran like we did when we got mason. Someone who puts up consistent yards and TDs every year. Ill trade the house for Boldin.

[thundercleetz]

I am not worried about the corner situation, Ozzie very wells knows what needs to be done, I am sure a big, physical corner is right up there on the list. I will say though, I have been very impressed with Rolle's play this year. He may not be a great tackler, but at least he is giving a great effort.

[SpearSrai]

Rolle is doing okay because of the pressure we're able to generate...something that we didn't have as much of last year with Pryce and Co. out. As soon as we stop getting so much pressure, Rolle's weaknesses will become obvious again. That's why we can never call the dogs off... no prevent defense for us. Keep the pressure coming right until the final whistle, or we get eaten alive until we get a new C-Mac.

[ForceEight]

Something about Rolle that might be relevant is that, if you look at the statistics, two of his three tackles were of Ronnie Brown. I think there was a quote written after the game in which someone asked him what he was doing at the line of scrimmage so much, with a Rolle reply that he's putting it all on the line.

 

For better or worse, that makes me feel more confident about his play, and about the team, going forward. A physical corner (that stays on the field, right BA? ;)) is a huge asset.

 

Hopefully he doesn't go so far as to sport the neck roll he used to wear in Tennessee. :lol:

[SpearSrai]

Something about Rolle that might be relevant is that, if you look at the statistics, two of his three tackles were of Ronnie Brown.

 

I don't think this is accurate... according to NFL.com's play-by-play account of the game, Rolle's 3 tackles were against Ricky Williams (2 yard run), Brandon London (10 yard pass), and Ted Ginn Jr. (6 yard pass).

[thundercleetz]

There is a saying in the NFL, show me a Pro Bowl corner and I'll show you a good pass rush. Ever wonder what happened to Antonio Cromartie's production this season? Shawne Merriman got injured, that's what happened. Very few corners inthe history of this league have been shutdown corners by themselves. A Champ Bailey in his prime is one of them, Nnamdi Asomugha is probably the only guy this year with that type of talent.

[ForceEight]

I don't think this is accurate... according to NFL.com's play-by-play account of the game, Rolle's 3 tackles were against Ricky Williams (2 yard run), Brandon London (10 yard pass), and Ted Ginn Jr. (6 yard pass).

As written by Mr. Mike Preston in yesterday's Sun:

 

Don't play soft

 

With a lead of 20-3 in the third quarter, the Ravens started playing soft and allowing the Dolphins to complete short passes.

 

After one to Ginn, Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle looked to the team's sideline and hunched his shoulders as if to say "OK, Rex, when you going to do something about this?"

 

Rex Ryan, the defensive coordinator, didn't have to do anything. Four plays later, Reed stepped in front of one of those short Pennington softballs intended for running back Patrick Cobbs at the Ravens' 15-yard line for the safety's second interception.

 

"We knew they couldn't beat us except for some sort of trick play," Rolle said. "But as a competitor, you want to step in front and take one of those passes the other way."

 

Rolle had three tackles, two near the line of scrimmage on running back Ronnie Brown. Rolle is not known for attacking the line of scrimmage.

 

"It's playoff time," Rolle said, laughing. "There is no tomorrow."

I didn't bother looking at stats for the game, so I take it and move on.

[SpearSrai]

So that's how Mike Preston earned the reputation that he has on the Sun's website...

[colincac]

Does anyone know what will happen to our cap if we cut CMac? What kind of money do we get back?

Something I just realized thats a big help is that I know JO's and McNair's retirements didn't take full effect on our cap this year, but will next year. I'm not sure how much we got back this year, but I recall it not being a lot.

I don't see us signing Scott, simply because he is very easy to replace at this point.

[ravinmaniac52]

Does anyone know what will happen to our cap if we cut CMac? What kind of money do we get back?

Something I just realized thats a big help is that I know JO's and McNair's retirements didn't take full effect on our cap this year, but will next year. I'm not sure how much we got back this year, but I recall it not being a lot.

I don't see us signing Scott, simply because he is very easy to replace at this point.

I think I am doing this right.

 

CMac's 2009 base salary is $8 Mil. with a bonus of almost $3 Mil.

They could save that $8 Mil. but not the bonus. The Bonus would be dead money.

 

So the savings would be $8 Mil.

[colincac]

Thanks, and if you did it the correct way with the right numbers, we are definitely gonna let him go.

[SpearSrai]

With the salary cap going up next year, we can probably keep whoever we want and still stay under.

[ravinmaniac52]

If I added this up right they should about $10 mil. under 2009 cap to start.

That is before the cap is put up higher.

[thundercleetz]

I am not worried. When it is said and done there will be some significant roster turnover and some tough decisions will have been made. But Ozzie will have us in the right place to be ready to compete for the playoffs. Here is the big thing, we now have our franchise QB. No longer do we have to answer questions of if we will have good QB play. With how good we are at drafting, having a franchise QB should put us right up there with the Chargers, Pats, Steelers, and Colts as teams in the AFC that annually compete for division titles.

 

Specifically, I would say Jay Brown is the number one priority. Does anyone know for sure if Suggs can be franchised again? If so, I would look into trading him for a Jared Allen-type deal. If he cannot be franchised again, I would be re-signing Suggs my number two priority. Re-signing Ray is next up.

[RavenMad]

I am not worried. When it is said and done there will be some significant roster turnover and some tough decisions will have been made. But Ozzie will have us in the right place to be ready to compete for the playoffs. Here is the big thing, we now have our franchise QB. No longer do we have to answer questions of if we will have good QB play. With how good we are at drafting, having a franchise QB should put us right up there with the Chargers, Pats, Steelers, and Colts as teams in the AFC that annually compete for division titles.

 

Specifically, I would say Jay Brown is the number one priority. Does anyone know for sure if Suggs can be franchised again? If so, I would look into trading him for a Jared Allen-type deal. If he cannot be franchised again, I would be re-signing Suggs my number two priority. Re-signing Ray is next up.

 

Suggs can be franchised again but he gets a 20% raise on whatever his franchise tender cost last season so his cap figure would be roughly $10mill.

 

As for C-Mac, he hasn't bought into the Harbaugh system and if that is the case he needs to go which is a shame. We could use that cap savings of $8mill to spend on getting at least Suggs and Ray resigned.

 

But we NEED to draft another CB in the 1st or 2nd round this year in that scenario. I'm ok with Rolle and Washington as starters next season and the new guy as the nickel and learning from Rolle.

 

The only other position of need is a deep threat WR. If we can get one of those with our other pick in round 1 or 2 then we can move Clayton to the slot.