Ravens Free Agent Thread

Cut Pollard, not signing Reed....I'm gonna be right about Webb to safety just you watch!

I crossed Pollard off.  Even if the mutiny thing isn't why he was cut, they clearly didn't want him if all they saved was 1 million when they already had about 15 anyway.

Too bad they didn't ask Pollard to bulk up by 15 pounds to take over at MILB.  He hits like a linebacker and with some size might've been better than Ellerbe.  Certainly better than McClain.

Any buying the Prisco comment that the Pollard cut was because he was a box safety and they're "becoming a thing of the past"?  Someone here mentioned that the Ravens will look to get more balanced safeties rather than a ballhawk and run-stopping specialist.  So there might be something to that.  

I'm also starting to wonder if all this "extra" cap space is for Ed Reed and to try and retain him for retirement.  I know that Ozzie doesn't get too sentimental about players, but Reed is different - a fan favorite.  If Ozzie was strictly that cold he prolly would cut Ray Lewis before this season.  Reed is almost as respected as Ray.  

I'm also starting to wonder if all this "extra" cap space is for Ed Reed and to try and retain him for retirement.  I know that Ozzie doesn't get too sentimental about players, but Reed is different - a fan favorite. 

The Ravens are not going to overpay for Reed regardless of what he's meant to the team....in the past!  They pay for what they'll mean in the future and Reed, while he was once the top safety in the game and is certain hall of famer, is not the same player he once was.  If Reed can squeeze $5 mil from the Texans, I say he should take it.

Cut Pollard, not signing Reed....I'm gonna be right about Webb to safety just you watch!

I believe that Jimmy Smith might be moved to safety before Webb is and that is because he has absolutely no ball awareness with his back turned to the QB. He is better suited as a safety imo.  Webb might get moved but he also has proven he is a top flight corner on the outside unlike Smith.

Just my opinion ofc.  Either could happen.

Cut Pollard, not signing Reed....I'm gonna be right about Webb to safety just you watch!

I believe that Jimmy Smith might be moved to safety before Webb is and that is because he has absolutely no ball awareness with his back turned to the QB. He is better suited as a safety imo.  

 My money in on them staying corners for the foreseeable future.  I'm not convinced that a DB "without ball awareness" makes any sense when they just cut aa good one that was just $2.5M against the cap.  Could they be targeting Kenny Vaccaro in the draft and putting him next to Reed?

If they did happen to move either of those dudes to safety (and it's possible) then expect a big move to get franchise CB either in the draft or in FA. 

Pollard was cut because he was becoming a cancer in the clubhouse (rumors only ofc). John Harbaugh almost lost control of the team during Bye week. Repurcussions are happening because of it right now it looks like to me.

I could be way off-base with this but why would you cut Pollard, who had a very manageable contract cap wise and release him with no real safety depth on the roster other than inhedigbo AND take a 2.5 million dollar cap hit in 2014 to boot?

It all screams discipline to me and the Ravens and Harbaugh are sending out the message that John runs this show totally, either shape up or ship out.

Someone here mentioned that the Ravens will look to get more balanced safeties rather than a ballhawk and run-stopping specialist.  So there might be something to that. 

That was me and it was just an opinion as is the fact he was cut because he was a cancer. But if you think about it it makes sense. I've heard the "he was the leading tackler of the Super Bowl" blah blah blah... Most of the time if you look if I remember right when he was the leading tackler of the game it was against a team that ran a bunch. When he came here he was touted as a run stopping safety who hit hard. That works when you have another solid safety who can play center field but without it he can become a liability. We got more solid against the run on the line with Upshaw stepping up and Canty coming in so he's not as necesary.


As far as the Webb/Smith safety discussion I'd see Webb there first because of his knee issues. How fast can a guy be with ACL surgeries on both knees and do you trust him to cover man on man another teams best receiver with that problem. Jimmy gets caught looking in the backfield too much but that can be coached, Webb's injuries can't be coached.

The problem with Webb moving to safety is his salary.  Flat out, he's being paid too much for the safety position.  He'll only move, in my opinion, if he just plain can't play corner anymore.

Smith won't move to safety either because he's not the greatest tackler.  I think they both stick to cornerback

I realize it's improbable, I'm willing to stick with my prediction though if only for the fun of it

As far as the Webb/Smith safety discussion I'd see Webb there first because of his knee issues. How fast can a guy be with ACL surgeries on both knees and do you trust him to cover man on man another teams best receiver with that problem.

Has anyone here had an ACL reconstruction surgery?  I had mine back in the 1990's and allowed me to get back to being a physical beast.  I had issues, but worked through it and was as fast as ever.  I've had 3 surgeries since then.  Getting older sucks, but Webb is is still 27.  If you have a Ferrari with a dent in it, you suddenly don't not race it.