So what are the 'tough' decisions the Ravens have this offseason?

[baltiMOREO&R]

OLB Terrell Suggs -- $13,020,000
DT Haloti Ngata -- $11,500,000
WR Anquan Boldin -- $7,531,250
OG Marshal Yanda -- $7,450,000
RB Ray Rice -- $5,750,000
CB Lardarius Webb -- $5,385,000
OT Michael Oher -- $4,955,000
WR Jacoby Jones -- $4,900,000
FB Vonta Leach -- $4,333,334
LB Jameel McClain -- $4,200,000

I know he got hurt but what has Jameel McClain done to justify this hit?
I think Josh Bynes played very well.

I would go with Ellerbe, Bynes, draft pick, + free agent signee and let McClain go.

[OriginalColtsFan]

I thought Josh Bynes got punked.

[LarryN]

If he signs long term, he and his family is set for life.

I'm pretty sure that if he's franchised, gets hurt in training camp, and never plays another snap in the NFL, he and his family could be set for life.

[durango46]

It'd done once the decision is made. So far, it has NOT been made. There's a huge difference between tagging and signing Joe to a long term contract. Until it's done, it's still up in the air.

First let me say I've been a Flacco supporter as you know. Maybe not to the same degree as you but still a Flacco supporter. Amazing what getting rid of Cam has done for Joe. Would love to hear the truth about their relationship some time in the future....

Well here's my take on Flacco for what it's worth
For starters I'll tell you what, "timing is surely everything". Not only beating Luck, Peyton, Brady but outplaying them was big. Flacco has earned a big pay raise that's for sure. No one can deny that..

I don't think he's a $20M QB...up until mid to late season (when Cam was fired) Flacco was still a decent QB at best...nothing like the hype surrounding him now. Even many Flacco haters have crossed over to his side since his magnificent playoff run...should we forget those regular season let downs so easily ?

I think $17 - $18 just may get it done....if not I would franchise him.
Here's why I say that..

Joe has as much to lose as the Ravens do....

1. Is Joe willing to risk a long term deal over a couple million a year ???
2. Is Joe willing to risk possible injury if the Ravens franchise him over a couple million a year and a long term deal ??
3. Is Joe willing to risk possibly losing Boldin and even Jones ? How many cuts would the Ravens have to absorb for that $20M dollar contract ?
4. Is Joe okay with leaving the Ravens, a team that supported him thru his mediocre play during the last 5 regular seasons ? Remember most doubted the Ravens would even make the playoffs this year after the bad loss to the Steelers.
5. Is Joe okay with leaving Bmore period ?
6. Is Joe really as good as the so called elites ?? Rodgers, Manning brothers, Roethlisberger, Brady and Brees ?

I'm real interested to see how this plays out..

What do you think ?

[bmore_ken]

I'm pretty sure that if he's franchised, gets hurt in training camp, and never plays another snap in the NFL, he and his family could be set for life.

I agree. $20M minus the agent commission minus taxes still equals a boat load of money

[OriginalColtsFan]

First let me say I've been a Flacco supporter as you know. Maybe not to the same degree as you but still a Flacco supporter. Amazing what getting rid of Cam has done for Joe. Would love to hear the truth about their relationship some time in the future....

Well here's my take on Flacco for what it's worth
For starters I'll tell you what, "timing is surely everything". Not only beating Luck, Peyton, Brady but outplaying them was big. Flacco has earned a big pay raise that's for sure. No one can deny that..

I don't think he's a $20M QB...up until mid to late season (when Cam was fired) Flacco was still a decent QB at best...nothing like the hype surrounding him now. Even many Flacco haters have crossed over to his side since his magnificent playoff run...should we forget those regular season let downs so easily ?

I think $17 - $18 just may get it done....if not I would franchise him.
Here's why I say that..

Joe has as much to lose as the Ravens do....

1. Is Joe willing to risk a long term deal over a couple million a year ???
2. Is Joe willing to risk possible injury if the Ravens franchise him over a couple million a year and a long term deal ??
3. Is Joe willing to risk possibly losing Boldin and even Jones ? How many cuts would the Ravens have to absorb for that $20M dollar contract ?
4. Is Joe okay with leaving the Ravens, a team that supported him thru his mediocre play during the last 5 regular seasons ? Remember most doubted the Ravens would even make the playoffs this year after the bad loss to the Steelers.
5. Is Joe okay with leaving Bmore period ?
6. Is Joe really as good as the so called elites ?? Rodgers, Manning brothers, Roethlisberger, Brady and Brees ?

I'm real interested to see how this plays out..

What do you think ?

As I've stated, a long term contract worth $20M plus. Joe was held back significantly by Cam Cameron, yet still got the team to the playoffs and 3 AFC Championship games. Joe is the single most important and constant factor in the team's success. He's younger than any of the other "elite" QBs. Joe is a stand up guy of extremely high character. That's what I think.

[bmore_ken]

First let me say I've been a Flacco supporter as you know. Maybe not to the same degree as you but still a Flacco supporter. Amazing what getting rid of Cam has done for Joe. Would love to hear the truth about their relationship some time in the future....

Well here's my take on Flacco for what it's worth
For starters I'll tell you what, "timing is surely everything". Not only beating Luck, Peyton, Brady but outplaying them was big. Flacco has earned a big pay raise that's for sure. No one can deny that..

I don't think he's a $20M QB...up until mid to late season (when Cam was fired) Flacco was still a decent QB at best...nothing like the hype surrounding him now. Even many Flacco haters have crossed over to his side since his magnificent playoff run...should we forget those regular season let downs so easily ?

I think $17 - $18 just may get it done....if not I would franchise him.
Here's why I say that..

Joe has as much to lose as the Ravens do....

1. Is Joe willing to risk a long term deal over a couple million a year ???
2. Is Joe willing to risk possible injury if the Ravens franchise him over a couple million a year and a long term deal ??
3. Is Joe willing to risk possibly losing Boldin and even Jones ? How many cuts would the Ravens have to absorb for that $20M dollar contract ?
4. Is Joe okay with leaving the Ravens, a team that supported him thru his mediocre play during the last 5 regular seasons ? Remember most doubted the Ravens would even make the playoffs this year after the bad loss to the Steelers.
5. Is Joe okay with leaving Bmore period ?
6. Is Joe really as good as the so called elites ?? Rodgers, Manning brothers, Roethlisberger, Brady and Brees ?

I'm real interested to see how this plays out..

What do you think ?

Here's what I think.

You may not think he's worth $20M but I'd bet my house there's more than one GM that thinks he is

Injury risk is somethign all players have to deal with and Joe's been pretty durable the last 5 years

Risking a long term deal? Worse comes to worse he gets franchised for 2 straight years at $20M per season, that's $40M and he's still young enough for the big payday anyway with $40M in his pocket

Leaving the Ravens? I'm sure he can be convinced for $100M

Is Joe as good as the "elites"? He just outplayed 2 of them in the post season.

Boldin. Even if Joe settles in the $17M area, he still may lose Boldin.

End result: Joe's going to get his $20M per whether it's from us or someone else

Strictly my opinion of course

[durango46]

Here's what I think.

You may not think he's worth $20M but I'd bet my house there's more than one GM that thinks he is

Injury risk is somethign all players have to deal with and Joe's been pretty durable the last 5 years

Risking a long term deal? Worse comes to worse he gets franchised for 2 straight years at $20M per season, that's $40M and he's still young enough for the big payday anyway with $40M in his pocket

Leaving the Ravens? I'm sure he can be convinced for $100M

Is Joe as good as the "elites"? He just outplayed 2 of them in the post season.

Boldin. Even if Joe settles in the $17M area, he still may lose Boldin.

End result: Joe's going to get his $20M per whether it's from us or someone else

Strictly my opinion of course

I thought the franchise tag for QBs was $14M+

[OriginalColtsFan]

I thought the franchise tag for QBs was $14M+

That's only for the non exclusive tag, which allows other teams to offer him a deal, although they must give up 2 1st round draft picks to the Ravens in the process, and the Ravens retain the right to match the offer. That tag is around $14M. The exclusive tag is $20M, and does not allow other teams to make any independent offers to Joe.

[bmore_ken]

I thought the franchise tag for QBs was $14M+

That's only for the non exclusive tag, which allows other teams to offer him a deal, although they must give up 2 1st round draft picks to the Ravens in the process, and the Ravens retain the right to match the offer. That tag is around $14M. The exclusive tag is $20M, and does not allow other teams to make any independent offers to Joe.

Right you are OCF
Now, it’s a no-brainer that the Ravens will apply the franchise tag to Flacco, if the two sides can’t work out a long-term deal soon. But if the Ravens win the Super Bowl and if Flacco has a big game, the Ravens would be taking a huge risk by using the non-exclusive version of the tag, since a quarterback-needy and cap-rich team could be very tempted to give up two first-round picks for a crack at Flacco.


So the Ravens may have to use the exclusive version of the franchise tag, which would prevent him from talking to other teams and which would pay Flacco the average of the five highest quarterback cap numbers for the 2013 league year. The tentative numbers are, according to a source with access to the information, $21.55 million for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, $20.82 million for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, $20.35 million for Giants quarterback Eli Manning, $20 million for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, and $19.6 million for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

That equates to an average of $20.464 million.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...franchise-tag/

[OriginalColtsFan]

Right you are OCF
Now, it’s a no-brainer that the Ravens will apply the franchise tag to Flacco, if the two sides can’t work out a long-term deal soon. But if the Ravens win the Super Bowl and if Flacco has a big game, the Ravens would be taking a huge risk by using the non-exclusive version of the tag, since a quarterback-needy and cap-rich team could be very tempted to give up two first-round picks for a crack at Flacco.


So the Ravens may have to use the exclusive version of the franchise tag, which would prevent him from talking to other teams and which would pay Flacco the average of the five highest quarterback cap numbers for the 2013 league year. The tentative numbers are, according to a source with access to the information, $21.55 million for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, $20.82 million for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, $20.35 million for Giants quarterback Eli Manning, $20 million for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, and $19.6 million for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

That equates to an average of $20.464 million.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...franchise-tag/

Right you are, B More. But as the capologist B-more Ravor at 24x7 pointed out, IF/WHEN Brady, Stafford, and any other top paid QBs restructure their contracts, that number can change.

[durango46]

That's only for the non exclusive tag, which allows other teams to offer him a deal, although they must give up 2 1st round draft picks to the Ravens in the process, and the Ravens retain the right to match the offer. That tag is around $14M. The exclusive tag is $20M, and does not allow other teams to make any independent offers to Joe.

you have to excuse me because I am cap illiterate

2 first round picks.... is their such a team ? I'm sure there is but how many and are they cap friendly and needing of a high dollar QB ?

if the Ravens can match any offer why use the exclusive tag ?

[bmore_ken]

Right you are, B More. But as the capologist B-more Ravor at 24x7 pointed out, IF/WHEN Brady, Stafford, and any other top paid QBs restructure their contracts, that number can change.

Oh I know, that was in the story too.

[bmore_ken]

you have to excuse me because I am cap illiterate

2 first round picks.... is their such a team ? I'm sure there is but how many and are they cap friendly and needing of a high dollar QB ?

if the Ravens can match any offer why use the exclusive tag ?

Because you have some control over what you're paying him. If they use the exclusive tag, they know what the amount is. If they use the non exclusive one, well it's good thing the Redskins have RG3 because I could see Danny boy making some kind of crazy offer that the Ravens would have to match or lose him. It's a risk to use the non exclusive tender. Particularly for the Super Bowl MVP

[durango46]

Because you have some control over what you're paying him. If they use the exclusive tag, they know what the amount is. If they use the non exclusive one, well it's good thing the Redskins have RG3 because I could see Danny boy making some kind of crazy offer that the Ravens would have to match or lose him. It's a risk to use the non exclusive tender. Particularly for the Super Bowl MVP

do you really see another team offering Flacco more then $20M AND giving up 2 first round picks ????

[OriginalColtsFan]

do you really see another team offering Flacco more then $20M AND giving up 2 first round picks ????

Absolutely. You don't?!! Look at what the Bears gave up for Cutler. CUTLER. Look at what the Falcons gave up for Julio Jones. Dude...it happens all the time. Joe is hitting his prime. He might not be valued in Baltimore, which is a damn shame...but GMs who know how tough it is to grab a winning franchise QB would easily give that up. No question about it. THAT'S why the Ravens have to work out a LONG TERM deal that is cap friendly and put this issue to bed already. And the sooner the better. Why shell out $20M on a one year tag that counts 100% against the cap, when you can give a $20M (or maybe more) that doesn't count 100% against the cap -- when you know you want the guy you're signing? (It depends how the contract is set up with signing bonuses, etc., but a $20M amount in a long term deal might only eat up, let's say, $13M instead of $20M. That allows other players to be signed, obviously.)

[bmore_ken]

do you really see another team offering Flacco more then $20M AND giving up 2 first round picks ????

Why not? You have a proven franchise qb who wins consistently and just had one of the best playoff runs performance wise I've seen in a long time. Have you seen some of the starting QBs in this league? Cassell,Sanchez,Weeden,

[jessup270]

The Ravens are loaded with players with big cap space numbers, now they have to add Flacco.

You want to keep the fans favorite players or do you win a chance to compete in the 2013, you can't have it both ways.

[jessup270]

OLB Terrell Suggs -- $13,020,000
DT Haloti Ngata -- $11,500,000
WR Anquan Boldin -- $7,531,250
OG Marshal Yanda -- $7,450,000
RB Ray Rice -- $5,750,000
CB Lardarius Webb -- $5,385,000
OT Michael Oher -- $4,955,000
WR Jacoby Jones -- $4,900,000
FB Vonta Leach -- $4,333,334
LB Jameel McClain -- $4,200,000

I know he got hurt but what has Jameel McClain done to justify this hit?
I think Josh Bynes played very well.

I would go with Ellerbe, Bynes, draft pick, + free agent signee and let McClain go.

These ten guys plus adding Flacco at say 15M, comes to roughly 81 million.

If the cap is 120M, that leaves 39M to pay 40 other players on the roster, no way Ravens contend with that kind of cap spending.

[OriginalColtsFan]

1. People always bring up the cap, but the reality is there are creative ways of dealing with the cap; all teams do it, including the Ravens. It boils down sometimes to robbing Peter to pay Paul, but there ARE ways of making things happen when it appears to not be possible at first glance.
2. Ray Rice said it all: "The Ravens pay who they want to pay".
3. The Ravens have made, IMO, some poor choices in the past. The one choice that is NOT poor is to pay Joe.