NFL Offseason is more exciting than the world series.
lol@patriots, just fucking lol.
JULIAN EDELMAN TO THE RESCUE.
NFL Offseason is more exciting than the world series.
lol@patriots, just fucking lol.
JULIAN EDELMAN TO THE RESCUE.
No lolroy, just no.
Ravens gunning hard for Dumervil. I like it.
If he fired his agent, he's probably coming back to Denver. He's pushing the NFLPA to push for his verbal agreement to get honored; Denver's willing to pay him (and able to pay him) more than anyone else on the board. He wants to stay in Denver; Denver really wants to keep him. If he goes anywhere else, the only place I could picture is New England. Why go to a gutted Ravens team, when he can be with an actual contender?
1. He has reportedly expressed interest in Miami and will be hiring a new agent immediately. I'd fire that agent regardless of hwere I wanted to be.
2. If executives retroactively honor that agreement, then sure - it might happen, but I don't know. There's a lot of detail missing surrounding the whole situation, so it would depend on a number of factors.
3. If you don't think the Ravens are "contenders" in the same way New England or Denver is, you don't understand Ozzie Newsome. Only person the team will miss is Boldin, and he's replaceable.
But anyway, you're saying pretty much the same thing every Broncos fan has been saying; we'll just have to see. From an outside perspective? I'm not convinced he does want to play in Denver. He was clearly pretty put off by the offer, given how long it took him to come to an agreement with it. Now that he's actually on the market and has multiple teams trying to talk to him, I would really be surprised if he didn't hear what other teams had to say.
He was given a week by Denver to feel for other offers. The sticking point was, supposedly, a change from before 11:00 am of 3.5M guaranteed, period, to 3.5M guaranteed next year if he's injured. By Dumervil's account and by Denver's account, that was to him by 11:00; his agent is the only one who's said otherwise. Dumervil got his signed copy to his agent by 1:45; the agent didn't forward it on until 2:06. This was an agent being smacktarded, trying to push too hard for things that weren't going to happen, and screwing his client in the process. There's a reason he doesn't have any B list, let alone A list, clients.
I know Ozzie's reputation, and respect him as one of the best in the game. The Ravens might be contenders again in 2-3 years, but you lost way too many pieces to say that Boldin's departure is the only one you'll miss. You aren't contenders this year, and let's face it: if you aren't a contender this year, people don't consider you one. Seriously, though: the Ravens got gutted, and what I trust Ozzie to do is realize that trying to keep those guys would cripple the Ravens for 6 years and not give them the freedom to act to adjust. He plans for the future extremely well, and I honestly think he realized that this year is a rebuild year, work through the draft as much as possible, and be contenders again in a year or two.
But most importantly, "If the Broncos attempt to re-sign Dumervil, it won't be for the $8 million per year he agreed to prior to his release. Dumervil isn't about to command that kind of cash on the open market, but it's no shock to see suitors beginning to hover" this seems to be the general consensus. Denver can still give him close to that 7M this year, and close to 8M next year and not care about the cap hit. Baltimore might be able to, but it would hurt them a lot more. New England would have to cut people. The Dolphins might very well offer him more, because they've been overpaying for everyone, but something tells me that interest is more a matter of negotiating power with Denver; he does like Miami as a city, though, and that might play in, too (he was there at a Kinko's doing the contract faxing... /sigh).
Your opinion on the Ravens is obviously a popular one and I won't spend time other than this post contending it, but there's a reason most Ravens fans aren't worried. If you didn't watch the team for the entire season and relied on sports media, then you would definitely think that losses like Kruger and Ellerbe hurt. But they really don't.
Lost:
Ray Lewis (old liability) - replacement needed
Paul Kruger (one hit wonder) - replacement: Courtney Upshaw, who already won the start over Kruger
Dannell Ellerbe (back-up who did well) - same position as Ray Lewis; need to address ILB - I did not like Ellerbe as a long term answer, however
Matt Birk (old liabilitty) - replacement: Gino Gradkowski, ready to play
Anquan Boldin - discussed, replacement needed
Bernard Pollard (liability in coerage) - replacement somewhat needed, but Ihedigbo and/or Omar Brown look okay. maybe draft
Cary Willaims (terribad) - replacement: Jimmy Smith, Corey Graham, or Chykie Brown - they'll fight for it, I guess. probably Jimmy.
Bobbie Williams - barely played, not good, not needed
So the BIG holes are ILB and WR2. There are a number of people to look at in FA, but frankly, I imagine they go for the ILB in the draft, which is very deep at this position. Additionally, safety in general is a question mark - I also anticipate the draft to fill this hole, with a strong potential for the Ravens to gun for Eric Reid.
Then there's WR2 - I don't know what the plan is here, that's why I said Boldin will be missed the most. Brandon Lloyd could kind of maybe be something good? But I'm not a big fan. There are a few guys I have my eye on in the draft, but none of them are sure things. I will admit I don't think anyone in our backup or practice squad is ready to step up for this position. LaQuan Williams is my favorite, but he would have to make substantial improvements to really fill that role.
Finally, LT. I think they address this in free agency, but if not, there's the chance of re-signing McKinnie (meh, if he can play like he did in the playoffs then great but it's doubtful). Otherwise, to the draft it is.
They gutted a defense that performed worst in th efrnachise's entire history. I have 0 problem with that. If you don't think the Ravens are contenders with Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, Joe Flacco, Dennis Pitta, Suggs, Ngata, Webb, Jacoby Jones, and the rest, then so be it. Will let the team speak for itself.
The Ravens lose players a lot and quickly replace them. They may be down this year, but it won't be for long.
Maroo+Xajii's posts:
I'm gonna have to agree with Xajii. It's fine if you don't think the Ravens are contenders next year, but it shouldn't be because of who they lost to FA or retirement.
I am in BR, note the posting time brah
People still get drunk on st patty's day?
yesterday at least 75% of the people in this town were drunk
oh right Liroy is like 22.
I remember when I thought it was fun to get drunk