Free Agency Update With the signing of Jamal Lewis yesterday, it would be hard to believe that the Ravens will draft a RB in the first round this year. And there has been some questionable moves in the offseason this year. They have signed a NT to replace Ma'ake Kemoeatu who weighed around 350 with Justin Bannan who weighs around 305. Well, the Ravens need a DT who can collapse the middle for their 36 defense scheme and let the linebackers do their job by getting to the QB. But it would be hard for a "light-weight" DT to do that. Speaking of QB's, the free agency look for QB's has basically been shut. Daunte Culpepper has been traded to the Dolphins, Drew Brees has been negotiating with New Orleans, and Jon Kitna has signed with the Lions. The only names out there that stand out are Kerry Collins, Brian Griese, and Josh McCown. Draft Update With the free agency signings so far, I thought I should update my draft predictions. 1st round: Jay Cutler QB, Vanderbilt /// Jimmy Williams S, Virginia Tech 2nd round: Ko Simpson S, South Carolina (If Jimmy Williams was not first pick) /// Offensive Guard 3rd round: Traded to New England in 2005 draft 4th round: Outside Linebacker /// Cornerback 5th round: Center /// Offensive Tackle 6th round: Defensive Tackle /// Any 7th round: Any
I've heard that Miami may or already has released Frerotte. Today's Dan Patrick show said Baltimore may be in the market for a veteran QB to push Boller. Gus to Baltimore???
Backfield Update After thinking about the awkward singing of Jamal Lewis, everything started coming together. See it like this, Jamal Lewis and Mike Anderson came into the league in the 2000 season right? Mike Anderson won rookie of the year, Jamal came in second. Mike Anderson lost his job when Terrell Davis came back from injury. Hope I haven't lost you yet because this is where it gets to the point. In the 2002/03 season, when Clinton Portis was in Denver, Mike Anderson played fullback for him. In those two seasons, Portis ran for over 3000 yards. What am I getting to? Clinton Portis, like Jamal Lewis, is a power back. Mike Anderson is a blocking running back and can be a power back. In the AFC North, you need two running backs, a bruising type who breaks tackles and a speedy type that can make the moves. An example is the Super Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh Steelers. They had Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker. The Ravens are embarking on a new generationg of running back tendems. Two power running backs may be the future. Running back coach, Tony Nathan, has expressed his opinions on having Mike Anderson and his history. He wants to have an offensive gameplan that involves both of them on the field. Mike Anderson can play fullback and Jamal can play RB. Anderson, is okay with that and wouldn't mind splitting carries as well. But Jamal, like last year, doesn't like splitting carries so he just have to live with it. But there are some reports that the Ravens are leaning towards drafting a RB in April. Maybe they can add DeAngelo Williams, to become their shifty speed back or LenDale White to have a three power running back tandem. They also have another power back in their disposal, the injury proned Musa Smith. Roster Update Defensive Coordinator announced that Kelly Gregg will move to nose tackle and Justin Bannan will play defensive tackle. Free Agency Update The Ravens have finally showed some direction in the QB situation and showed some interest in Tampa Bay's QB Brian Griese. Former Raven FS Will Demps has signed with the Giants. The Ravens are looking at Jason Baker, a former Carolina Panthers punter. Longtime Raven, Peter Boulware has been released.
Free Agency Update Rumors are that the Ravens are waiting until after the draft to make their decision at the quarterback position. It's clearly obvious that they want the Tennessee Titans to draft a QB in the first round, cut Steve McNair (An expected salary cap casualty), and the Ravens will sign him. But will take time but what happens if that doesn't happen. Here are a list of QB's that are out there right now: Aaron Brooks (NO) Brian Griese (TB) Kerry Collins (OAK) Jay Fiedler (NYJ) Tommy Maddox (PIT) Possibly after the draft: Anthony Wright (BAL) Tony Banks (HOU) Seneca Wallace (SEA) Dave Ragone (HOU) So the depth of the QB will be drained if not already since players that may be potential starters like Josh McCown, Jon Kitna, Drew Brees, and Chris Weinke has been signed already. There are also rumors that the Ravens are "shopping Ray Lewis for an offensive linemen." On CBS Sportsline Rumor Central. This is MASSIVELY STUPID! Why would you trade a sure HOF MLB for a linemen that you can find in free agency or in the draft. Two free agents have signed their tenders. Musa Smith RB Jarret Johnson DE And TE Darnell Dinkins has been signed by the Cleveland Browns. NFL Europe Four Ravens have been sent to NFL Europe and they are being watched. OT Mike Kracalik, Rhein Fire OT Rob Droege, Frankfurt Galaxy CB Duvol Thompson, Berlin Thunder WR Brian Bratton, Cologne Centurions
Free Agency Update The Ravens have resigned OG Brian Rimpf who will compete for the right guard position. Defense Update <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Ravens acknowledged their new-look line could lead to more traditional formations on defense, but not a change from that group's successful tradition. A week after the arrival of Trevor Pryce and Justin Bannan - and perhaps a return of the 4-3 alignment - coordinator Rex Ryan said the Ravens will remain among the elite defenses. There has been some question as to whether the Ravens can maintain that excellence after losing their top two free-agent targets on the defensive line. Unable to retain nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu, the Ravens opted to go with a smaller and quicker replacement in Bannan. When they lost defensive end Tony Weaver, they responded by signing Pryce, who is more of a pass rusher than a run stopper. While some NFL observers consider these additions as Band-Aids, Ryan said the Ravens are ready to prove otherwise. "We're fortunate to be able to add two quality players," Ryan said. "I'm excited and I can't wait. What's exciting to me is to have [safety] Ed Reed and [linebacker] Ray Lewis on the field for 16 games next year." With those two former NFL Defensive Players of the Year missing a bulk of the 2005 season with injuries, the Ravens' defense came up with some creative ways to finish No. 5 in the league. The Ravens alternated from a 3-4 formation (three linemen and four linebackers) to an unconventional 4-4 look (with linebacker Adalius Thomas playing safety). Although Ryan doesn't want to pigeonhole his defense, he said there will be more four-man fronts than last season (with Pryce and Terrell Suggs at ends and Bannan and Kelly Gregg at tackles). "Obviously, with guys that we've added, we can be able to line up in some traditional defenses and get after you," Ryan said. "We still want to be able to play multiple fronts. We're not going to do offenses any favor and just line up. Everyone wants to target you: Are you a 4-3 or 3-4? We're just multiple. We truly define that." Whatever alignment the Ravens choose, the toughest task is making up for the lack of girth inside. The Ravens are banking on two high-effort linemen - Bannan and Gregg - to shield blockers from Lewis. Gregg will be asked to be the same cog at nose tackle as Kemoeatu despite, at 310, weighing 40 fewer pounds. "Kelly played nose a couple of years ago, and, in my opinion, he was the best in the league," Ryan said. "I'm not worried about Kelly Gregg one bit as far as size. He's a big man, but he's just short. He's going to whip any of those big guys that you're talking about." The other concern surrounding the Ravens' line is the health of Pryce. After missing 14 games in 2004 with a herniated disc in his lower back, he recorded four sacks last season, his lowest total for a full season. "On my [Ravens] physical, the doctors gave me an X-ray, and she said she couldn't find anywhere where I got hurt on my back," Pryce said. "So that pretty much answers the question for you." The Ravens say Pryce's brash attitude makes him a perfect fit for this defense. "He's angry and we're happy about that," Ryan said. "We want all of our guys to have a little chip on their shoulder."</div>
Free Agency Update The Ravens have signed former St. Louis Ram, Corey Ivy (CB) and former Kansas City Chief, Gary Stills (LB) to "add depth" to special teams and defense. Draft Update The Ravens are taking precautions in the "Quest for a Quarterback" by attending Vince Young's Pro Day workout. And Young wows them along with other NFL scouts who attended.
Free Agency Update <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Top free agent quarterbacks still available: Name, 2005 team Kerry Collins, Oakland Raiders Collins was one of the earliest names in the buzz surrounding the Ravens' quarterback search, but was in a free agency limbo when the Collective Bargaining Agreement deadline was pushed back not once, but twice. Eventually, the Raiders cut him in a salary cap move, and although Collins may not have had his best season last year, he still threw for 3,759 yards and 20 touchdowns. The 6-5, 245-pound signal-caller is durable, strong-armed and could challenge Boller for the starting nod. Collins has also expressed interest in coming to Baltimore. Jamie Martin, St. Louis Rams With only eight starts under his belt, Martin doesn't have the career experience of other quarterbacks on the market, but keep in mind that he made five of those starts last season and finished the year throwing for 1,277 yards and a 70.1 completion percentage. Martin prepares immensely for every game, something he may have learned from his usual role as a backup - and something that would make him a great mentor to a young quarterback. Jay Fiedler, New York Jets Fiedler is another proven starter, having been the primary signal-caller with the Miami Dolphins before being signed by the Jets as injury insurance should Chad Pennington get hurt. Unfortunately, Pennington did get hurt, and then so did Fiedler, undergoing surgery on his right shoulder towards the end of last season. Still, he possesses good timing and accuracy. The 10-year veteran is not going to put up any flashy numbers, but he could play the role of offensive caretaker and quarterback mentor.</div> Taken from http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article.jsp?id=8620 There are rumors that the Bengals might sign ex-Raven Anthony Wright when he visited them. GM Ozzie Newsome is waiting for the market to "settle down" before adressing the Safety and Punter position and adding depth to the roster. The Ravens were "looking" at Tennessee Titan Tank Williams before he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings.
Free Agency Update A while ago, the Ravens signed punter Leo Arguez, he will replace Dave Zastudil. Draft Update Entering the draft, here's a look at the team needs. 1. Safety 2. Defensive Tackle 3. Offensive Tackle 4. Quarterback 5. Cornerback 6. Outside Linebacker
