Len Pasquarelli said Ravens didn't want to pay Thomas

[Fanfrom1960]

Heard him on ESPN radio this mornng. First of all, he said that the Patriots had a great weekend of signing, and that he spoke to Bill Belichick and Bill was "the happiest he'd heard him in almost forever". Something like that. But, he said that the Ravens realized Thomas was getting up there in age a bit and that they didn't want to pay through the nose for him. He said the Ravens did pay to extend someone else, didn't get the name. He didn't specify any particular weakness he thinks Thomas has, and, again, said the Patriots were a winner in FA so far. Not like Borges at all, but a bit cautious.

 

[Fumblerooski]

My only concern with this deal is it is coming because of Ozzie Newsome and that dude doesn't make many mistakes. But, even he can make one. Only time will tell for sure who was right and who was wrong.

 

[zippo59]

Thanks, we'll take him.

 

[Flying Fungi]

My only concern with this deal is it is coming because of Ozzie Newsome and that dude doesn't make many mistakes. But, even he can make one. Only time will tell for sure who was right and who was wrong.

I like Fat Lenny.

Newsome is indeed a shrewd FO man, but I'd put Piolichick up against any FO in talent evaluation and cap management.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Heard him on ESPN radio this mornng. First of all, he said that the Patriots had a great weekend of signing, and that he spoke to Bill Belichick and Bill was "the happiest he'd heard him in almost forever". Something like that. But, he said that the Ravens realized Thomas was getting up there in age a bit and that they didn't want to pay through the nose for him. He said the Ravens did pay to extend someone else, didn't get the name. He didn't specify any particular weakness he thinks Thomas has, and, again, said the Patriots were a winner in FA so far. Not like Borges at all, but a bit cautious.

Keep in mind that the Ravens personnel decisions are heavily influenced by their salary cap situation which isn't all that rosey at the moment ($3.3MM). IIRC only 4 other teams have less sal cap available to them than do the Ravens.

It shouldn't surprise anyone, especially someone like Len P, that the Ravens weren't going to be able to pay gobs of money to keep arguably their best defensive player.

 

[GHOSTOFSAMGASH]

did they not want to pay him or could they not afford to, if they want to stay competitive?

they probably could have franchised him but that would have handcuffed the team in the draft and in fa, i think it is more about not being able to afford him than it is not wanting to pay him

 

[zippo59]

They've already shelled out tons of money on defense between Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Chis McCallister, Trevor Pryce, and Samari Rolle. I don't think they could pay a lot for another one even if he was really good. We, on the other hand can.

 

[Pats67]

My only concern with this deal is it is coming because of Ozzie Newsome and that dude doesn't make many mistakes.

How's his quarterback situation coming along?

 

[Remix 6]

some Raven players were not happy with this. I know Reed called out their FO

Thomas said Ravens couldnt afford him so it was business and nothing personal

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

they probably could have franchised him

The Ravens didn't have the $7.21MM franchise amount available to them to tag Thomas.

 

[Remix 6]

i think they also see a nice replacement in jarret johnson who was ad's backup he is 6'3 and 270, but he is also a fa. he will likely come cheaper, so maybe the pats should sign him too for depth :rocker:

he resigned with Ravens: 3 yrs $13 million

 

[GHOSTOFSAMGASH]

The Ravens didn't have the $7.21MM franchise amount available to them to tag Thomas.

they could have gotten some of their bigger contracts to restructure if they wanted to. any player will take unguaranteed salary money and make it guaranteed instantly to "help the team"

 

[Return of the Nizz]

If Newsome is so great what the hell happened to that SB winner that had one of the best defenses in history? They had to rebuild once because they couldn't structure their cap and are inching that way again. Maybe they shouldn't have given a gazillion dollars to that criminal that barks like a dog and hasn't been nearly as effective without two gargantuan DT's in front of him.

Didn't want to and couldn't are completely different things.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

they could have gotten some of their bigger contracts to restructure if they wanted to. any player will take unguaranteed salary money and make it guaranteed instantly to "help the team"

You're guessing again are you ................

 

[stinkypete]

The Ravens have enough playmakers on defense and a pretty talented replacement on hand in Jarrett Johnson. Given their cap situation, it did not make financial sense for the team to keep Thomas.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

he resigned with Ravens: 3 yrs $13 million

Sam Gash's ghost likes to guess alot.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

How's his quarterback situation coming along?

LOL Not to mention his RB, HC and OC situation situations.

He's paying Ray Ray a bundle at 32 and all I saw him do in the playoff game against the Colts was flumox his own teamates attempting to make multiple potential game changing INT's.

 

[GHOSTOFSAMGASH]

Sam Gash's ghost likes to guess alot.

bobs my uncle likes to make suggestions for ne that will never come true, at least my guesses are logical? who is not guessing when it comes to speculating about what the team MIGHT do. unless you are BB or Pioli, are you either one of them?

 

[JoeSixPat]

Heard him on ESPN radio this mornng. First of all, he said that the Patriots had a great weekend of signing, and that he spoke to Bill Belichick and Bill was "the happiest he'd heard him in almost forever". Something like that. But, he said that the Ravens realized Thomas was getting up there in age a bit and that they didn't want to pay through the nose for him. He said the Ravens did pay to extend someone else, didn't get the name. He didn't specify any particular weakness he thinks Thomas has, and, again, said the Patriots were a winner in FA so far. Not like Borges at all, but a bit cautious.

Correct. They would have franchised him but they didn't have the cap space.

They desparately wanted to keep him - and tried to talk him into taking a major hometown discount.

So yes, it is true that the Ravens did not have the cap space to keep AD

 

[Patriot Missile]

Didn't want to? Or couldn't? Big difference.