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| Joe Flacco. Photo credit NFL |
LB Dannell Ellerbe -27- 5 Years 35.0 Million (14.0 M Guaranteed)
LB Paul Kruger -27- 5 Years 40.5 Million (20.0 M Guaranteed)
CB Cary Williams -28- 3 Years 17.0 Million (5.75 M Guaranteed)
S Ed Reed -34- 3 Years 15.0 Million (6.0 M Guaranteed)
Cuts-Trades:
WR Anquan Boldin -32-
S Bernard Pollard -28-
Owner Steve Bisciotti discussed mere minutes after the euphoria in New Orleans that the Franchise wouldn't repeat mistakes of 2000. After winning Super Bowl XXV, the team retained the core, signing veterans to lucrative contracts on the retail free agency market.
Prior to 2012, Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta, Pat Moriarty & John Harbaugh were hesitant to extend Joe Flacco. Despite playoff success, which many attribute to the Defense, Flacco was at a crossroads. Agent Joe Linta now inserts the decision to not extend Flacco was 'Dumb', which is warranted criticism, but hindsight in 20-20. Nobody knew Flacco would become an elite vertical passer that put the team on his shoulders to win the Super Bowl.
The Flacco deal is massive, and represents a transition in the Ravens salary cap structure. Team success will more than ever since the Franchise's inception hinge on offensive output.
Allowing Ellerbe, Kruger, Cary Williams & Ed Reed to depart generated criticism. Looking to fill voids, the Front Office focused exclusively on players Released from their 2012 teams. Rational being- they place value in the compensatory picks that will be returned from the departures. Ozzie & an elite scouting staff will look to rebuild the roster through the draft- Adding players in the wholesale market on affordable 4 year deals.
Committing to Ellerbe & Kruger would've required drafting for need. Now, the Ravens have multiple chances to select their replacements. After two drafts, major holes that remain unfilled can be addressed via free agency. Not committing to the their own UFAs allows flexibility. It's a strategy that should build a roster though the draft, and can be supplemented with shrewd UFA signings. For years, the Ravens have used FA to land valuable contributors at reasonable prices.
Last offseason, Special Teams Ace Corey Graham signed from the Chicago Bears. Inking a 2 Year 3.95 Million contract, Graham started & played exceptionally in stretch run. Opposite him was Cary Williams, who was signed off the Titans Practice Squad in 2009. Ellerbe was an undrafted Free Agent that developed into an upper echelon starter. Deals signed by these players this offseason is a testament to the Ravens strength in player evaluation & development.
Flacco's deal represents Agent Joe Linta attempting to get even. Set up to force reworking of the deal after Year 4, cap figures escalate to roughly 30 Million. But overall, a transition from a Defensively oriented team to an offensive attack. By passing on Kruger & Ellerbe, the team has the resources to retain Dennis Pitta & Torrey Smith in the next two offseasons. In an ideal world, Kruger's replacement is already on the roster or was acquired via the draft.
Ozzie Newsome has enough capital with fans to make bold moves, essentially gutting his roster of longtime Ravens. Letting Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin & Ray Lewis depart in one offseason, every decision followed the same process. Is X player indispensable in terms of winning our next Title?
Joe Flacco is now the Face of the Franchise & was compensated as an 'Elite Quarterback'. After attempting to find a solution at left tackle in the draft, the team retained Bryant McKinnie. Next years draft will be a continuation of the process, and it will be catalyzed by ammunition returned in the form of compensatory picks for the departed Vens.
In a salary cap league, you cannot overpay to retain players. You must rebuild through the draft, and only lockup the vital components. Flacco was one of those indispensable pieces. There are many Paul Kruger's, Ellerbe's & Cary Williams'- We can rest assured the best NFL Front Office will find em.
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