Who will Baltimore franchise? Will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

[MrBigglesWorth]

Ravens Insider: Cowboys interested in Ravens' Lewis? - The inside scoop and analysis on the team from The Baltimore Sun's Ravens columnist and Ravens beat writer. - baltimoresun.com

Cowboys interested in Ravens' Lewis?

Word around the NFL is that the Dallas Cowboys are very interested in obtaining Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis if he becomes a free agent. The speculation is that the Cowboys are willing to give Lewis a three-year deal worth between $27 and $30 million, with $25 million guaranteed.

Dallas owner Jerry Jones believes his team is in the serious hunt for a Super Bowl title next season, and that Lewis could help solve some of the team's problems inside the locker room.

The Ravens are expected to begin negotiations with Lewis, who is in the last year of his contract, as soon as the season is over. Fellow linebackers Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs are also in the final years of their contracts.

Suggs' decision to play against the Steelers was a courageous one. Oh, and by the way, he happened to come up with two big sacks.

I can't see Ray signing right away. Why would he lose his negotiating leverage unless he truly loves Baltimore?

If Lewis and Suggs are free agents... then who do they franchise and could Suggs be a free agent?

 

[NJ#1PATSFAN]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

I would much rather have Suggs than Lewis

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

Suggs is more valuable than Lewis so I'm thinkin' Suggs will be tagged.

 

[carolinatony]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

I would much rather have Suggs than Lewis.


Agree with you but they will franchise him I'm sure.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

Suggs was already tagged last year, splitting the difference between the tag numbers for LB and DE. He could obviously be re-tagged this year, but his number would automatically go up. I'm sure Baltimore wants to resign him to a long term contract if at all possible.

I don't see Baltimore using the tag on Lewis at all. The LB number was 7.2 million last year. That seems like a lot, even for Lewis in Baltimore. The numbers being rumored for Dallas are ridiculous, and I don't see how Baltimore could match. It would then come down to a question of whether Lewis wants the money or to cement his legacy in Baltimore as an icon, at slightly less $$.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

I think either may be quite expensive for us. Wilfork, Mankins, Merriweather/Mayo further down the road, and Hobbs (depending on what he demands) are all guys we need to resign in upcoming years that will require significant payraises.

We have an extra 2nd rounder this year plus whatever we are going to get for Cassel. With the offense apparently set for the time being most of these can be used on defense. Assume we get 2 2nd's in the next couple years for Cassel, that is 6 total 1st/2nd rounders in the next 2 drafts. Right now our needs appear to be CB, S, and future replacement for Vrabel. I have a feeling the draft will be the way to go.

 

[primetime]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

The numbers being rumored for Dallas are ridiculous

I can see Dallas thinking that Lewis will become the leader in the locker room and make it so all Romo has to do is play football, and get TO to shut up.

 

[blackglass3]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

If I remember correctly, Ray and TO have bad blood from when TO fought the trade from SF to B'more (and ended up in Philly).

Maybe this is proof TO is on the outs in Dallas?

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

I can see Dallas thinking that Lewis will become the leader in the locker room and make it so all Romo has to do is play football, and get TO to shut up.

They don't need to sign Lewis to get TO under control in the locker room. They could just cut his ass.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

Jesus. Does Dallas have a salary cap? Rhetorical question, don't answer. I personally think Suggs might be a little too expensive for us. But if he wanted to come here, I would love to have him. The man is an animal. I would also love to have Ray Lewis too. The guy might be old but he's still a leader and can still hit like a mack truck.

 

[carolinatony]

Re: who does Baltimore franchise? will Suggs be a free agent who Pats can go after?

Jesus. Does Dallas have a salary cap? Rhetorical question, don't answer. I personally think Suggs might be a little too expensive for us. But if he wanted to come here, I would love to have him. The man is an animal. I would also love to have Ray Lewis too. The guy might be old but he's still a leader and can still hit like a mack truck


I never have figured out how Dallas does seem to get $$$ to make a slash every off-season.

 

[D-Money]

Where on earth do the cowboys get all this money?

 

[mavfan2390]

I would take Suggs in a heartbeat, but the more realistic option is Bart Scott to pair inside with Mayo.. he'll be cheaper, and provide a long term answer inside. Suggs and Thomas would be a deadly duo but that's a lot of money to invest in two players... Especially when we have to pay Wilfork soon.

 

[Schmo]

Remember the SAT's?

Baltimore is to LB's as New England is to coaches

 

[BritPat]

Ray Lewis will be at Baltimore until the day he retires. And then he will become a coach there. He is the Baltimore Ravens.