AFCN Offseason Thread (Flacco highest paid Player in NFL HISTORY)

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='unleashed' timestamp='1359958079' post='1212922']
What safeties are hitting the market this offseason? I thought I heard Goldson from SF is a free agent?

If we could lock up a solid FA safety, it'd give us even more versatility with our draft picks
[/quote]

IMO crocker will be brought back. Don't think they will go after an outside FA. 1yr deal for Crocker with a guy drafted to replace Crocker as soon as he's ready.

[Bengals1181]

[b] [size=3]Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe want another ride with Ravens[/size][/b]
[color=#666666][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=1]
[size=3]Posted by Josh Alper on February 4, 2013, 11:28 AM EST[/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=4]
[size=3][img]http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/300x-43.jpg?w=250[/img][color=#999999][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][i][right]Getty Images[/right][/i][/font][/color][/size][size=1]
[size=3]Quarterback [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4677/joe-flacco"]Joe Flacco[/url]’s contract status has gotten plenty of attention and the future plans of safety [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2222/ed-reed"]Ed Reed[/url] have plenty of people curious, but those aren’t the only decisions facing the Ravens this offseason.[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]A pair of linebackers are also heading for free agency this offseason. [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5181/paul-kruger"]Paul Kruger[/url] and[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5542/dannell-ellerbe"]Dannell Ellerbe[/url] were both key parts of the team’s defense this season and both of them said in the aftermath of Sunday’s victory that they want to return to help the Ravens defend their championship.[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]“I just have to let it happen and let [url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-super-bowl-notebook-0204-20130204,0,7966469.story?page=2"]my agent do his job[/url]. I would love to be here, but it’s not up to me,” said Kruger, via the [i]Baltimore Sun[/i]. “I’ve never been through the process before.”[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]“It’s a business, but I would love to be here,” Ellerbe said. “Baltimore is where I got my start, but it’s not up to me. It’s out of my control. The Ravens know how I feel. I hope we can work something out.”[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]Both players proved their value on Sunday. Ellerbe had nine tackles, one for a loss, and Kruger sacked [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6530/colin-kaepernick"]Colin Kaepernick[/url] twice on the evening. It’s going to be very tough for the Ravens to bring both of them back while also taking care of Flacco, which might leave Ellerbe as the favorite to return. [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2246/ray-lewis"]Ray Lewis[/url]‘ departure makes the inside linebacker more valuable, while the team drafted [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/7478/courtney-upshaw"]Courtney Upshaw[/url]last year as an edge player who could replace Kruger if his 13.5 sacks across 20 games this season wind up making him too expensive for a return engagement in Baltimore.[/size][/size][/size][/font][/color]
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/04/paul-kruger-dannell-ellerbe-want-another-ride-with-ravens/

[JC]

I find it absolutely comical that Joe is about to get Peyton/Brees money.

Completed 59.7% of his passes this year during the regular season. Had 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but 6 fumbles to go with it. As a matter of fact, the guy has had 34 fumbles in 5 years. That is unreal. Completed only 57.9% of his passes in the playoffs. He didn't throw any picks, which is good, but he was bailed out by Denver on that long bomb.

Add on to the fact that Ray Rice had almost 1/5th of the catches for the offense. Anquan Boldin had another 1/5th. Dennis Pitta had another 1/5th. So when he gets his super deal, he is losing the teams slot receiver and 20% of their production. Rice and Pitta will stick, but Jacoby Jones may be on the way out as well. They are a Ray Rice injury away from absolute disaster on offense. Losing Ed is going to absolutely hurt their defense. Kruger is a good rusher off the edge. Ngata and Suggs are 29 and 30, respectively.

Long story short, I'm more worried about the Browns than the Ravens.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='JC' timestamp='1359998888' post='1212973']
I find it absolutely comical that Joe is about to get Peyton/Brees money.

Completed 59.7% of his passes this year during the regular season. Had 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but 6 fumbles to go with it. As a matter of fact, the guy has had 34 fumbles in 5 years. That is unreal. Completed only 57.9% of his passes in the playoffs. He didn't throw any picks, which is good, but he was bailed out by Denver on that long bomb.

[b]Add on to the fact that Ray Rice had almost 1/5th of the catches for the offense[/b]. Anquan Boldin had another 1/5th. Dennis Pitta had another 1/5th. So when he gets his super deal, he is losing the teams slot receiver and 20% of their production. Rice and Pitta will stick, but Jacoby Jones may be on the way out as well. They are a Ray Rice injury away from absolute disaster on offense. Losing Ed is going to absolutely hurt their defense. Kruger is a good rusher off the edge. Ngata and Suggs are 29 and 30, respectively.

Long story short, I'm more worried about the Browns than the Ravens.
[/quote]

1/5 is a step in the right direction. Rice typically had 1/3 of their receptions.


Will be interesting to see how gutted the Ravens get this offseason. I do think they'll hang around as IMO Flacco has taken the next step and they have Rice, but I could see Boldin, Lewis, Reed, Birk, McKinnie, Bobbie, and Kruger all gone.

[JBandJoeyV]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1359999293' post='1212975']


1/5 is a step in the right direction. Rice typically had 1/3 of their receptions.


Will be interesting to see how gutted the Ravens get this offseason. I do think they'll hang around as IMO Flacco has taken the next step and they have Rice, but I could see Boldin, Lewis, Reed, Birk, McKinnie, Bobbie, and Kruger all gone.
[/quote]

Flacco played great in the playoffs and he is one of the top qbs in the game. With that being said he isn't worth 20 mil a year and it will severely handicap them IMO.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='JBandJoeyV' timestamp='1360001092' post='1212982']
Flacco played great in the playoffs and he is one of the top qbs in the game. With that being said he isn't worth 20 mil a year and it will severely handicap them IMO.
[/quote]

Let's hope so.

[Bengals1181]

[b] 2013 waiver period opens[/b]

[color=#666666][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=1]Posted by Mike Florio on February 4, 2013, 1:18 PM EST[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=4][img]http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/x200.jpg?w=147[/img][/size][/font][/color]
[right][i]Getty Images[/i][/right]

[size=3]It’s the day after the Super Bowl, which means that all teams can now release players.
For the 20 non-playoff teams, their rosters froze at the end of the regular season. Then, as each of the 10 non-Super Bowl teams lost in the postseason, their ability to cut players ended, too.
Finally, the Steelers can now officially waive running back Chris Rainey, whom the Steelers announced would be waived after a January arrest for domestic violence. (Rainey has since pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct.)
Some players have contracts with triggers tied to the start of the waiver period. Most notably, Eagles quarterback [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2107/michael-vick"]Mike Vick[/url] will have $3 million of his $15.5 million base salary become fully guaranteed on Thursday.
Of course, that won’t matter for the Eagles, [url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/29/eagles-plan-to-move-quickly-with-vick-decisions/"]for reasons we explained last week[/url]. Regardless, with the 2012 season now officially over, the 2013 offseason officially can begin.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/04/2013-waiver-period-opens/related/"]http://profootballta...-opens/related/[/url][/size]

[HairOnFire]

...and just like THAT the Lions waive Titus Young.

[Le Tigre]

Sounds like the sort of guy to build a team around:

[url="http://tracking.si.com/2013/02/04/lions-release-titus-young/"]http://tracking.si.com/2013/02/04/lions-release-titus-young/[/url]

[turningpoint]

little man syndrome.

[HairOnFire]

Just to be clear, I'm not pimping the guy as I like my football diva-free.

But damn, that was quick.

[Bengals1181]

[b] [size=3]Didn't realize Cary Williams, their #2 CB is also a free agent[/size][/b]

[b] [/b]

[b] [size=3]Super Bowl champs face critical free agency period[/size][/b]
[color=#666666][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=1]
[size=3]Posted by Evan Silva on February 4, 2013, 5:30 PM EST[/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=4]
[size=3][img]http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/ozzie-newsome-pic.jpg?w=250[/img][color=#999999][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][i][right]Getty Images[/right][/i][/font][/color][/size][size=1]
[size=3]The Baltimore Ravens have just over a month to bask on the glory of their football world championship. The free agency period will open on March 12, and G.M. Ozzie Newsome has likely already begun assessing the state of his team, which is littered with question marks.[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]By our count, the Ravens have 13 impending unrestricted free agents, at least eight of whom made significant contributions to the team’s Super Bowl run. Seven more Ravens are scheduled for restricted free agency.[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]Quarterback [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4677/joe-flacco"]Joe Flacco[/url] tops the list of unrestricted free agents, and he is at the very least expected to be retained via the franchise tag. Outside linebacker [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5181/paul-kruger"]Paul Kruger[/url] — Baltimore’s best pass rusher throughout this past season — is next up as a crucial impending free agent. Safety [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2222/ed-reed"]Ed Reed[/url], left tackle [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1210/bryant-mckinnie"]Bryant McKinnie[/url], linebacker [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5542/dannell-ellerbe"]Dannell Ellerbe[/url], cornerback [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4967/cary-williams"]Cary Williams[/url], and nose tackle [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2228/maake-kemoeatu"]Maake Kemoeatu[/url] are other unrestricted free agents who started for the 2012 Ravens. Cornerback Chris Johnson, tight end [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3413/billy-bajema"]Billy Bajema[/url], safeties [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3213/sean-considine"]Sean Considine[/url] and[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5054/james-ihedigbo"]James Ihedigbo[/url], linebacker [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4099/ricky-brown"]Ricky Brown[/url], and defensive lineman [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4354/ryan-mcbean"]Ryan McBean[/url] round out the 13 UFAs.[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]Core impending restricted free agents include tight ends [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5837/dennis-pitta"]Dennis Pitta[/url] and [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5840/ed-dickson"]Ed Dickson[/url], and defensive lineman [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5828/arthur-jones"]Arthur Jones[/url]. Kick returner [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5927/david-reed"]David Reed[/url], offensive lineman [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5950/ramon-harewood"]Ramon Harewood[/url], long snapper [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6131/morgan-cox"]Morgan Cox[/url], and safety[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5123/emanuel-cook"]Emanuel Cook[/url] are also slated for restricted free agency.[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]The Ravens will open the offseason [url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/31/ravens-will-soon-face-tough-decision-on-anquan-boldin/"]$5 million above the 2013 salary cap[/url], per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.[/size][/size][size=1]
[size=3]Inevitably, Newsome is going to have to make some tough cuts and allow some key free agents to walk.[/size][/size]
[size=1]
[size=3]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/04/super-bowl-champs-face-critical-free-agency-period/[/size][/size][/size][/font][/color]

[Bgal]

I wonder if Flacco will really become the highest paid QB in the league?

[|westside bengal|]

One thing to remember is after this year the TV money to the NFL almost doubles from a little more than $20 billion to around $39 billion. The salary cap will go up although it is being argued how much. So teams might have to maneuver this year but will have more money to spend in years to come.

So a new Flacco contract will all be in the details. If the Ravens think he is the "man" they could give him a 5 year $100 million contract like the Saints gave to Brees. They could give Flacco a $40-50 millions signing bonus which would only account for $8-10 million a year against the cap and then back load the rest when the cap goes up and they have more spending money.

[Big Alice]

[quote name='eva4ben-gal' timestamp='1359485918' post='1211737']
The production the Bengals got out of Smith pales in comparison to how he's played as a 49er. He was a bust here.
[/quote]

Ummmm...

Or his production is virtually identical. Take a look at the numbers...

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2552/justin-smith

It's amazing how the perception of good players changes when they're surrounded with other good players. Justin Smith was never part of the problem here.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='Big Alice' timestamp='1360073656' post='1213147']


Ummmm...

Or his production is virtually identical. Take a look at the numbers...

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2552/justin-smith

It's amazing how the perception of good players changes when they're surrounded with other good players. Justin Smith was never part of the problem here.
[/quote]

QFT.

[Bengals1181]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk"][b]ProFootballTalk[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]ProFootballTalk[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
Steelers officially part ways with Chris Rainey [url="http://t.co/zusQE8R8"][size=1]http://[/size]wp.me/p14QSB-7aI8[/url][/background][/font][/color]

[USN Bengal]

[quote name='Big Alice' timestamp='1360073656' post='1213147']
Ummmm...

Or his production is virtually identical. Take a look at the numbers...

[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2552/justin-smith"]http://espn.go.com/n...52/justin-smith[/url]

It's amazing how the perception of good players changes when they're surrounded with other good players. Justin Smith was never part of the problem here.
[/quote]

What's up BA?

It's funny how actual facts can get in the way of perception... LOL!

[sparky151]

The Bengals are in good shape heading into the offseason with the most cap space in the league and some extra draft picks.

The Browns have a new coach and front office. They are trying to decide whether to dump last year's first round pick QB and looking to switch the defense to a 3-4 while not having a 2nd round pick. That has 5 wins written all over it. They do have a lot of cap space though so maybe free agency helps the poor Brownies.

The Steelers are cap strapped again from all the restructurings they've done the last 3 years. They are going to lose Hampton and Wallace, perhaps Harrison too. They'll have turnover on the O-line, maybe at RB, and probably at CB. In short they will be older and probably less talented next year.

The Ravens better enjoy their SB win because next year they will also probably be older and less talented, depending on who retires or goes elsewhere. They'll be on the hook for a big QB salary, plus big contracts for Rice, Ngata, and Suggs. Lewis is retiring, Reed is probably going somewhere else, Boldin is likely a cap casualty, and they can't afford Krueger. They will keep Flacco of course and probably Ellerbee. Birk might retire and McKinnie is a free agent so their O-line will have turnover.

[Bengals1181]

[color=#000000][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=4]Perhaps the biggest challenge arising from a guy who’ll be going nowhere comes from the contract of linebacker [/size][/font][/color][url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2237/terrell-suggs"]Terrell Suggs[/url][color=#000000][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=4]. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Suggs’ cap number for 2013 is a whopping $13.02 million.[/size][/font][/color]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/05/add-terrell-suggs-cap-number-to-list-of-ravens-concerns/

[JBandJoeyV]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1360089984' post='1213183']
[color=#000000][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=4]Perhaps the biggest challenge arising from a guy who’ll be going nowhere comes from the contract of linebacker [/size][/font][/color][url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2237/terrell-suggs"]Terrell Suggs[/url][color=#000000][font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif][size=4]. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Suggs’ cap number for 2013 is a whopping $13.02 million.[/size][/font][/color]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/05/add-terrell-suggs-cap-number-to-list-of-ravens-concerns/
[/quote]

If flacco gets the 20 mil he wants you could be looking at a quarter of the teams cap in 2 players.

[JC]

Mike Boley is older, but he could probably shore up the linebacking position for one or two years if we do not get a guy early. Thought he was really good with the Giants.

Seems like one of those second-tier free agents we pursue.

[Bengals1181]

might as well just use this for league wide news.



[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/RapSheet"][b]Ian Rapoport[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]RapSheet[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
As [url="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk"][s]@[/s][b]ProFootballTalk[/b][/url] said, the [url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Giants&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]Giants[/b][/url] have released RB Ahmad Bradshaw.[/background][/font][/color]


[url="https://twitter.com/ProFootballWkly"][b]Pro Football Weekly[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]ProFootballWkly[/b][/size][/url]
Ahmad Bradshaw had 221 carries for 1,015 yards and 6 TDs last season. Recently had a minor foot surgery. Was due $3.75M for 2013.

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/ProFootballWkly"][b]Pro Football Weekly[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]ProFootballWkly[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
RT [url="https://twitter.com/JennyVrentas"][s]@[/s][b]JennyVrentas[/b][/url]: Giants have also released Chris Canty. [url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23nyg&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]nyg[/b][/url][/background][/font][/color]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter"][b]Adam Schefter[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]AdamSchefter[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
Eagles announced they signed former CFL DE/LB Chris McCoy and release Demetress Bell.[/background][/font][/color]

[VBurfict55]

I remember 2 years ago we were bringing Bradshaw in for a visit before signing Benson.

Not sure if we will look at him again

[Le Tigre]

Not the sort of back we need at this point, but who knows?

Also: the local squawk box afternoon radio hacks here in Columbus had some tease about Wallace coming here once the Stealers refuse his $10mm demand. They were talking about some other media feed's story, but I never heard who that feed was. Probably mindless subjective piffle...but again, who knows?