Tag: Ravens rumors (Page 2 of 2)

      Pass defense a concern for the Ravens

      September 22, 2009 /

      While they’ve started the year 2-0 and have a winnable game against the Browns coming up this Sunday, all is not right with the Ravens.

      After two games, Baltimore’s secondary has given up 580 yards through the air and 50 points. That’s 290 passing yards and 25 points per game, which are two big reasons why the Ravens currently own the fourth worst defense in the league right now.

      That ranking is jarring considering the Ravens have had one of the most feared defenses in the league for almost a decade and employ the likes of All-Pro safety Ed Reed in their secondary. But it’s apparent that Baltimore’s D is still transitioning from Rex Ryan to new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s scheme and it might take a while for the unit to gel.

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      NFL

      Mason reconsiders retirement, rejoins Ravens

      August 1, 2009 /

      Wide receiver Derrick Mason has reconsidered retirement and has decided that he will play for the Ravens in 2009.

      “It was a tough decision, but I think it was a good decision for me to come back,” Mason said. “I needed to evaluate my life, football and my career. The last several weeks thinking about it and talking with my family was an important time for me and them.

      “I still have an intense fire inside me, and I want to play. My family and I wanted to finish it out the right way. I felt like I had left something undone, and I wanted to finish it. I believe this is a good example for my son and my daughter on how to be thoughtful and also follow through.”

      “I wanted to make sure that when I do retire, I won’t have any regrets,” he said. “As I’ve thought about this and talked about this with my family, I realized I would have regrets if I didn’t come back.
      “I think I’m in great shape. I have been working out, and I was part of the offseason program. I’m ready to get out there with my teammates.”

      This is great news for the Ravens, who would have been desperately thin at receiver without Mason. While he isn’t a spring chicken at 35 years old, Mason did haul in 80 passes last year for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns. He was Baltimore best playmaker in Baltimore’s passing game last year and Joe Flacco’s number one target.

      Again, this is great news for the Ravens.

      NFL

      Ravens to revisit trade for Marshall?

      July 29, 2009 /

      A Yahoo Sports report suggests that the Ravens may revisit the idea of trading for Broncos’ disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

      This comes after the Ravens were unsuccessful in getting veteran Drew Bennett(notes) to return. Bennett passed a physical last week, but then complained about an old knee injury before deciding to not play.

      Bennett’s decision and Mason’s retirement earlier this month have left the Ravens in a lurch at wide receiver. The Ravens think Mason’s retirement was partly a ploy to help get more money from the team. (Mason had asked to renegotiate his deal earlier in the offseason.)

      The Ravens have declined to comment. However, team history would indicate they aren’t likely to make the deal. General manager Ozzie Newsome doesn’t like to give up high draft picks, could be concerned about Marshall’s history of off-field problems and likely wouldn’t want to pay the large contract Marshall is seeking.

      I have a hard time envisioning Newsome pulling the trigger on a trade for Marshall, but considering how thin the Ravens are at receiver I certainly wouldn’t rule the idea out.

      Even after losing defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, productive linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard to the Jets this offseason, Baltimore still has the makings of one of the better defenses in the league. They also have a solid running game and assuming he doesn’t fall victim to the dreaded sophomore slump, Joe Flacco should only improve in his second year as well.

      So with all of that in mind, Newsome may feel as though his team is only one missing piece away from making another run at the Super Bowl. Receiver is the obvious need and Marshall is a dynamic playmaker. But whether or not he’s worth the risk of acquiring (especially in exchange for high round draft picks) is a decision I don’t envy Newsome for having to make.

      NFL

      Terrell Suggs to get $63 million deal

      July 15, 2009 /

      It appears that the Baltimore Ravens were finally able to sign their most productive defensive player to a new contract, as reports state that linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs has agreed to a six-year, $63 million deal. He’ll also make $38 million in guaranteed money and will be paid $40 million in the first two years.

      That’s a lot of dinero for one player (he’s now the NFL’s richest linebacker), but Suggs is worth it. He’s proven to be a force in the Ravens’ front seven and his versatility is unquestioned. His ability to get after the quarterback makes him incredibly valuable to the Baltimore defense and at only 26, he still has a ton of good years left.

      What’ll be interesting to see unfold this year is how the Ravens do without the underrated Bart Scott, who signed a free agent deal with the Jets earlier this offseason. Scott didn’t get the attention Suggs and Ray Lewis did, but he was incredibly productive and a sound player on Baltimore’s defense. Of course, one could make the argument that a lot of plays were flushed his way because of the attention that offenses paid to Suggs and Lewis, but that doesn’t take away from Scott’s production.

      With Suggs and Lewis back in the fold, the Ravens’ defense will once again be solid. But there will be a ton of pressure on youngster Tavares Gooden to step up and fill the void left by Scott.

      NFL

      Mason to retire – will Ravens pursue Marshall or Boldin?

      July 14, 2009 /

      Ravens wideout Derrick Mason made an announcement on JockLife.com (a website owned by his agents) that he is set to retire from pro football.

      Mason is coming off shoulder surgery and never got the pay raise that he had requested earlier this offseason, although he claims that his main motivation for waiting to hang ‘em up is that he just isn’t “emotionally enthused” about playing anymore.

      With Mason retiring, the Ravens are now extremely thin at receiver, with Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams penciled in as the current starters. Considering they’re devoid of playmakers, it’s easy to speculate that the Ravens might pursue one of the two disgruntled receivers in Denver’s Brandon Marshall or Arizona’s Anquan Boldin.

      Even though he would be a definite upgrade over Mason (and any other Baltimore receiver for that matter), the Ravens might not pursue Marshall considering GM Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh are opposed to adding players with character issues. And in the case of Marshall, they wouldn’t just be adding a player with character flaws, but they would also probably have to give up multiple prospects to acquire him (plus millions of dollars for a new contract).

      Boldin has a few years on Marshall, but he obviously has the talent Baltimore is seeking at receiver. But would the Ravens be willing to part with a first round pick to acquire him? Would they also be willing to shell out the $9 or $10 million that he’s seeking?

      Another thing to consider is that Marshall and Boldin might not even be available. Sure, their situations with their respective teams look bleak, but that doesn’t mean the Broncos and Cardinals aren’t hell bent on trying to resolve the issues and keep both players in house. But regardless, Mason’s retirement plans certainly bring up a compelling situation in Baltimore now.

      NFL

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