We don't really know what the Trifecta is thinking other than they want "more players" (Parcells), "more players" (Ireland) and "more players" (Sparano). It's as if they're on the same page, however lacking in sentences that page may be. Now, we fans know that you can only have so many bodies on the team, so they must mean more "playmakers", or players who make a bigger impact on the game. And for that reason we look initially to free agency, because we know what these players can do. There will be "players" in the draft but we don't know them, or how they will pan out. We DO know that the big name free agents are big name free agents because of what they can do.
And for over a month now, the biggest buzz in free agency has been the Baltimore Ravens' linebacking corp. It should be noted that things do not look well for the Ravens in 2009. They have a much worse free agent situation than Miami, because their free agents are significantly better than our free agents. Worse than that, they are older on defense than we are, and are likely to have to sort of start halfway from scratch in replacing half their secondary, and possibly 4 or 5 starters. I know you're thinking that we're in the same boat, but the truth is, it's unlikely we lose more than two of our free agents, and the other guys on defense are pretty much locks at starting in 2009 (but anything's possible).
The Ravens have a banged up, aging group especially in the secondary. If that area becomes a major reconstruction, how can they focus on the linebackers? Ray Lewis is GOING to be a Dallas Cowboy in 2009. I'd put good money on that, but not as much as Jerry Jones is going to pay Ray. You'd think that would leave enough money for the Ravens to re-sign Scott and Suggs in an effort to keep as much of their starting D intact. But what good are those guys without Lewis in the middle? And how good would Suggs' pass rush be without a guy like Samari Rolle locking down in coverage? The Ravens are going to be crippled by poor planning for their future and cannot afford to shore up all their areas of need. They also need help on the o-line and at wide receiver.
I think the Dolphins can take an aggressive but not desperate stand in acquiring valuable free agents in 2009. I believe the Ravens may have to do the reverse.
Your thoughts?
ps. things are so bad in Baltimore, they still haven't done a blog post at the Baltimore Sun since they lost their playoff vs the Steelers. Three weeks and counting...
Update - Well I can't even have a blog up for an hour without someone contradicting me. In this case it's the actual Baltimore Ravens.
I wonder how much Ross will be a factor in what we do in FA.
ReplyDeleteParcell's strategy is more or less a matter of record over the years and is not dissimilar to NE - don't overspend, get value players who come in and make immediate contibutions in areas of need and fit the system without disrupting the balance of the team. This should give us pointers on the type of characters that might be targetted. How aggressive he is may just be down to how much pressure Ross applies to make a big splash or conversely, how tight he holds the purse strings?
Another interesting factor to watch will be how FAs (who may already be secure financially) may view Miami/Sparano/Parcells/Ross as an incentive to sign. It factored into Chad's decision and I hope we will see more targets tempted than in the past, where lots of hopefulls signed elsewhere for better money, prospects or both.
Baltimore's in a bad way having to decide who to franchise/pay to keep Ray Lewis, Jason Brown, Terrel Suggs and Bart Scott. My guess is that since only one of them protects Flacco, they'll keep Brown and roll the dice with their D!
ReplyDeleteWell, according to nydolphin, in the latest entry, we've done well in FA/draft because we've won the Super Bowl in 2010!
ReplyDeleteI'd need to see their books, but if they intend to outbid everyone for Ray Lewis, AND like you said sign Brown, then they'll still be f'd because they'll have a hole at Tackle, a hole or two in the secondary AND possibly two holes at linebacker.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they didn't see this coming. If I were them I would've resigned at least one of them last year to an extension and tried to work some of the money up front so it wouldn't go against 2009's cap.
The Giants have cut Sam Madison. Think he can still play? ;)
ReplyDeleteWow - that was quick work. Parcells is better than advertised!
ReplyDeleteHe could probably cover Wilford?
ReplyDeleteoh blasphemer, Madison could be in a wheelchair and still cover Wilford!
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeleteNo! LOL
ReplyDeleteMadison is at the end.
the end of a fantastic interception you must mean....lol
ReplyDelete