Ravenmaniac52 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 -- 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." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmax Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 ...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." That's an important quote for fans who are not familiar with how the Ravens deal with their free agent players. 1. Other than the CAP purge of 2002, they do have a history of retaining their top players. McCrary, Ray, Ogden, Heap, Reed, Boulware, Stover...even McAlister. 2. They definately let others test the market. You know who it is because you'll see no movement on the player for some time during free agency. Once that players value is established Ozzie moves...if the price is right. Bart Scott is an example...Ozzie had a number and Scotts agent had one higher...Ozzie waited until Bart was in Cleveland, about to get a staff infection and said "Come home Bart"... The money was close enough so Bart deceided not to risk his life. 3. "Right player/right price" is in effect at all times, wether it's Raven Free Agents or FA's from other teams. Ozzie wiil not mortgage the future...he did it once and it won us a Super Bowl but the turnover cost was high. 4. Other than their own "home grown, drafted and developed players Ozzie signs Free Agents selectively. Free Agency is not how he wants to build this team. He uses it to fill gaps...like the great job he did this year in Willie Anderson, Leonard, Lorenzo Neil, Washington and Walker...key players for the price of one Bret Favre. The draft is his main source for personel. The Ravens are in the top 3 teams as far as having the most starters that they drafted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Hell no. One Ray has earned the right to get the payday he needs to live on for the rest of his life. It would be disrespectful to tag him at this point in his career. Also we cannot break the bank for him. If he leaves for a big payday then have a nice life. I would give him 3 yrs for $15 mil 10 upfront. I fully expoect that to be to small and Ray to leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpearSrai Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 4. Other than their own "home grown, drafted and developed players Ozzie signs Free Agents selectively. Free Agency is not how he wants to build this team. He uses it to fill gaps...like the great job he did this year in Willie Anderson, Leonard, Lorenzo Neil, Washington and Walker...key players for the price of one Bret Favre. Just wanted to clarify that Fabian Washington was acquired via trade, just like McGahee and McNair were. No big deal, and it doesn't really change your point. Just wanted to draw the distinction, because it seems like we're more willing to go after big-name players via trade than FA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Just wanted to clarify that Fabian Washington was acquired via trade, just like McGahee and McNair were. No big deal, and it doesn't really change your point. Just wanted to draw the distinction, because it seems like we're more willing to go after big-name players via trade than FA. Which means no Nnamdi Asomugha? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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