I see what you did there…
Looks like Osi is going to end up in Atlanta. I hope that finally solves the Grimes situation, which has been in limbo for like 10 days.
The only thing Urlacher can really do is try to play the two other base Cover 2 teams against each other for his employment, no?
The Lions are apparently going after Brandon Moore. I’d love to see it, so they can use their pick on other needs.
You’ve gotta think we’re not drafting offensive line if that’s the case. Reiff goes to left tackle, and the line seems to be pretty much set.
Elvis Dumervil is gonna be a Raven (check PFT, linking is dreadful on my phone). That d-line should be very scary, provided they stay healthy.
How the hell did they afford him? They were up against the cap. First year cap hit is like 9m.
Edit: Ugh, idiot nfl reporters. Said he’d make 8.5m in year one. What they meant was 7.5m signing bonus and 1m salary. No one gives a shit what he’ll actually be handed a check over for year 1, we’re interested in the cap numbers.
The Bears are really hording veteran minimum contract guys. This weekend they added DJ Williams, Tom Zbikowski and now another LB in James Anderson. Each move has it’s merits and the DJ Williams signing could turn out to be a master stroke, but I think what’s really clear if that Emery really wants to go into the draft without any dire needs allowing himself complete flexibility to go BPA.
This is almost certainly a wise strategy, so long as these guys in the middle of their careers don’t have forks sticking out of their backs. In any case I feel much better about our LB situation than I did at this time last week.
Adam Schefter said on ESPN that the first year cap hit was $2.5 million.
A most interesting signing, as have all three of Ozzie’s recent pickups on defense been.
Elvis is in the building! I’m very happy about that signing, and a lot less worried about inside backer positions now as well. If Jameel McClain makes it back from his back injury, I think the Ravens defense will be better than it was last year. Safety is a question mark, but not as big as the offensive line.
The o-line is still something to worry about. Gradkowski’s serviceable as Birk’s replacement at center, and they’re set for guards, but the outside is a concern. Movie titles aside, Michael Oher just isn’t a left tackle - they need somebody better to anchor the left side of the line. As it stands, Oher is the best option for LT, and that’s not promising.
I don’t think Pitta’s strong enough to fill the role that Boldin did in the offense, so that leaves a hole in the receiving game. Rice can make up a little of that (he had under 500 yards receiving last season, the fewest since his rookie year), but they need a reliable WR threat to take some of the downfield focus away from Torrey Smith. The left tackle position is more important, but this is #2 on that side of the ball.
Yes, left tackle is a big hole for the Ravens. I worry for Richie Rich’s safety in the pocket.
Unrelated, but I like to read hometown football blogs, but just the Houston Chronicle and the Denver Post really. I know there are unrealistic Ravens fans who think all of Ozzie’s picks are gold, and he does good work, but he was involved with the Kyle Boller pick so…he can mess up. Anyway, reading some stuff from the Denver Post gave me a laugh. For how much shit I’ve seen given (and have received) during this free agency, their fans are really taking this poorly. And likewise, some Ravens fans are probably as overly optimistic about this Dumervil get as the Texans fans are over Ed Reed. Personally, I’d be more excited about scoring Shane Lechler over Ed and I love Ed. I try to temper my homerism, but man fans are funny.
Speaking of funny fans, I read one fan theory to move Pitta to the slot and draft another TE. Because he’ll be just like Boldin right?
Browns sign Jason Campbell. I’m ok with that. He’s probably in the better half of backups in the league. Fits what will likely be Chud’s scheme better than McCoy.
Having watched the Bears melt down last season, I don’t think I’d agree with that.
Huff has agreed in principle to a three year contract with the Ravens. I can’t wait to see the details of that contract.
The Browns have a better offensive line than the Bears do, however.
Campbell seems to get better when he’s taking all the reps, he sucked as a come in cold off the bench guy.
Princess Fancypants’ School for Waward and Untidy Girls has a better offensive line than the Bears.
But now they have Bushrod! Seriously, nobody thought to make a sexual innuendo joke based on dude’s name?
OK, I guess only I am that immature.
Campbell is permanently shell-shocked from his years in Washington and Oakland. He’s a statue who takes a ton of sacks. He doesn’t make bad decisions, but only because he makes almost no decisions.
Here’s your typical Jason Campbell-helmed possession: take snap, take three steps back, stare at one receiver, then when that guy doesn’t come wide open, if you’re lucky he’ll dump off to a running back for little to no gain, or if you’re not, take two steps to the side and chuck the ball out of bounds while getting hit, or taking a sack. Repeat twice, punt.
The Saints have signed OLB Victor Butler from Dallas. That probably shakes up some draft boards, as most mocks I’ve seen have the Saints drafting an OLB/DE in the first round.