Former Steelers CB Bryant McFadden Perfect Fit for Ravens

by Rexx on Feb 24, 2009 9:18 AM EST

Read it and weep. There, I said it. Let's go get one of the hated enemy's former players. The Pittsburgh Steelers did not re-sign starting CB Bryant McFadden and the Baltimore Ravens should target him to pair with our other starting CB, Fabian Washington. Then they could re-sign Samari Rolle to a more cap-friendly contract to be their nickel back. That would allow us to focus on spending our first round pick on a wide receiver, unless we also sign one during free agency, although I doubt we could make both of those types of signings along with retaining our free agents to be.

McFadden would cost us, but certainly not the amount it would have cost us to sign a top tier free agent. It would settle our starting CB issues and still give us the space to re-sign Ray Lewis and Jason Brown. We don't need to make a huge splash in free agency, as we are not desperate for help in any position. Don't be crazy to think we need a high priced free agent in order to compete for the Super Bowl next season. A mid-level team player or a diamond-in-the-rough such as a Jim Leonhard-type is all we need. Heck, I'd rather have Dallas' wideout Miles Austin than Cincy's TJ Houshmandzadeh, as Austin is young and can fly!

Most importantly about McFadden, this is a guy who knows our most toughest opponent inside and out. He's been practicing against both Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes for all of his career. Who else is better suited to play twice a year against the AFC North opponents than McFadden? I say go out and grab Bryant McFadden on Friday and settle our CB situation on the first day of Free Agency!

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We’ll let you sign McFadden if you let us sign Brown…

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Feb 24, 2009 9:58 AM EST reply actions

ummmm....

….NO!

Rexx

by Rexx on Feb 24, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

Say what you will, but the clock is ticking without much news. Brown’s going to cost $40M+ and McFadden $30-40M (not that he’s worth it, but you know someone is going to pay it). Plus Lewis, Scott, Leonard, etc without the $10.2M of cap space for Suggs. That’s a lot of signing to do in 3 days.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Feb 24, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

He will likely command 7-8 million per year on the open market. Don’t think we have the bucs to sign him within our cap. There are not many FA CB’s available so they will be at a premium price. I think Ozzie will draft a CB and look for value in a trade or FA pickup later on. If a top CB falls to a team in the draft they can’t pass up it may make them willing to deal a good veteran CB. Right player right price.

by Monkey C on Feb 24, 2009 10:17 AM EST reply actions

Nahhhh

I say more in the $6 million annual range with a $8-10 million signing bonus. Certainly in our reach compared to some of the other signings we’ll see at the end of this week. He could be our top FA signing and re-sign Ray and Brown and then fill out the roster on Draft Day. I’d be satisfied. You?

Rexx

by Rexx on Feb 24, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

If we can swing that I’d jump on it.

by Monkey C on Feb 24, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

Monkey C is right

Brown is as good as gone. He’ll get 7-8 mil a year. Something like 40 million over 5 years

by DT711 on Feb 25, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

He's one hell of a CB

I hate to see him go. I’d hate it even more if he went to the ravens!

Go Steelers!!!

Don D.

by hobbeslax on Feb 24, 2009 4:55 PM EST reply actions

The dancing fairy is back!

I dont want a steeler on my team either

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Feb 24, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

You have before

You guys already cherry picked Rod Woodson from us. Why stop there?

Don D.

by hobbeslax on Feb 24, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

So you admit that the ravens can be beat by "fairies"

You keep failing to address this my friend. If Big Ben is a “fairy” and he beat you guys THREE times and then went on to win the Super Bowl what does that make the ravens then?

Don D.

by hobbeslax on Feb 24, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

I never said there is anything wrong with being a fairy god princess......

Did I?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Feb 24, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

Richard Simmons wanna be’s i’d have to admit

by raven on Feb 24, 2009 5:37 PM EST reply actions

I'll pass.

I like the cheaper alternatives in Leigh Bodden, Jarrett Bush (RFA), Eric Green, and Daven Holly. No, none of them are better than Darren McFadden, but I do think they are solid. If that isn’t the case and Ravens have to draft a cornerback with their first pick, hopefullly that player is Sean Smith.

by E-ROC on Feb 24, 2009 7:19 PM EST reply actions

I like Smith as well

and he could probably be grabed in the second round as well. Bodden is a former Brown who sucked there so I wouldn’t take him for free! I still think the intangibles of having McFadden helping us against the Steelers and the rest of the AFC North is huge and worth the bucks. Then we could fcus on drafting a wideout in the first round.

Rexx

by Rexx on Feb 25, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Smith is flying up draft boards

We will have to get him at #26 or trade back a few picks. He won’t be there late in the second round.

by DT711 on Feb 25, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

I just haven't seen his name

on the top of the CB Draft Boards I’ve seen. Everyone seems to love Jenkins, Davis, Butler much more than him.

Rexx

by Rexx on Feb 25, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

How about McFadden for Joe Flacco?

Seems reasonable, doesn’t it?

by paulamalu on Feb 24, 2009 7:55 PM EST reply actions

You make a lot of sense

You guys looking to run some wildcat next year? I know you saw Joe’s incredible running and catching skills this year.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Feb 24, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

Aha

No, I figured that if he learned from a 2X SB winning QB, he’d be much better, but that’s just what I think. Oh and if you guys want a really fantastic punter, I think we might be able to add Mitch Berger in the aforementioned deal?

by paulamalu on Feb 24, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

Sam Koch > Berger

Koch could out punt Berger with his opposite foot. I just realized something, how come you guys have so many players with burger in the their name? I feel like you are going to draft a guy this year named “Dave Pastrami-on-rye”

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Feb 25, 2009 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

LOL

OK, that was a good one, maybe some Aaron Curry as a side dish?

Aha but seriously, I have a real question now, concerning Derrick Mason, how much longer do you guys think he’ll last? And once he’s gone, will Clayton take over as Joe the Crow’s #1 receiver, or someone else?

by paulamalu on Feb 25, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

Curry works

I would say, given good health, Mason has at most 2 more solid seasons. And yes, I could see Clayton taking over. We are one of the few teams in the league that plays this style of possession football. But we are definitely aware we need that deep threat guy and developing a guy like fitz, andre johnson, or reggie wayne would be huge for us.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Feb 25, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions

McFadden?

He’s not a very good CB. I’d rather sign Pat Surtain and spend a high pick on someone to groom to replace him.

by ppdoc on Feb 24, 2009 8:38 PM EST reply actions

agree..the pitt cb’s are not much to talk about…thats why we need a decent receiver. get by troy and the LB’s and your good.

by raven on Feb 24, 2009 11:13 PM EST reply actions

I disagree and agree

You could say that our CB’s aren’t much but give them an opportunity and they will take it. The Deshea Townsend pick-6 against Dallas is the type of stuff I’m referring to. However, you’re right we can be burned deep, Mr. Larry Fitzgerald proved that, but still that’s just because Larry Fitzgerald is a beast.

by paulamalu on Feb 25, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions

Fitz burnt us deep because 3 players (Troy, Ike, Clark) all made huge mistakes on the same play. Ike gave up a 20 yard catch, but safeties are supposed to provide “safety” from plays like that. We also switched up our defense after dominating the Cards for 3 quarters. Maybe the Ravens fans can relate to that one?

Anyway, our CB’s aren’t Pro Bowlers, but since Tomlin has come on board, we’ve been a lot better about protecting them. Less cover-3/cover-1, more cover-2. McFadden probably has the best ball skills and hands of our CB’s, but I’ve seen him have mental errors or just get beat. He could turn into a pro-bowler, but he’s only started about one season’s worth of games in his career, so it’s pretty hard to tell. He’ll probably be a solid starter, but I don’t know if he’s worth big bucks.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Feb 25, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

There aren't too many CB's

that can cover a Fitzgerald and Boldin, especially if the QB has time. However, McFadden is as good as any out there in FA and his knowledge of the Steelers is worth gold.

Rexx

by Rexx on Feb 25, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

your good enough to win the division at cb if we don’t land a big tuna receiver…but, overall it doesn’t much matter with the chemistry you have now..i was hoping for little offseason pitt turmoil..so far no luck just a broken towel dispenser.

by raven on Feb 25, 2009 12:16 AM EST reply actions