Complete the Trifecta Baltimore! Grab this player...
by BenedictA on Mar 7, 2010 7:19 AM EST
Email
Print
After picking up key WR additions so far in the off-season, I think that there is only one more key addition the Baltimore Ravens need to grab in the off-season to complete their WR corps. T.O. you say? No. The answer is simple: Antonio Bryant.
Antonio Bryant has been a consistent producer for teams during their times of woe. Take a look at the list of teams he has played for and you will see that Bryant has managed to play for every team during their worst seasons of the 00's and still has managed to get good numbers.
Antonio Bryant should be a free agency steal too! Granted, that since having signed the league minimum in 2008 has has shown that he can still produce in an unlikely environment, the Ravens could still sign him for a moderately low price. This would keep the salary cap open for other areas that need to be addressed (CB, S, DL, TE) either in free agency or in the draft. And, with the rules that have been set forward regarding the cap-less year for teams in the "top eight," he shouldn't impact our future drafts significantly.
Its true that Bryant has a bit of a troubled past with his drug history and unhappiness with coaching, but when you look at his consistency in the receiving game he would be a solid target for QB Joe Flacco. He has good speed and would stretch the field as a good streaking WR as a secondary WR. If the Ravens were to acquire him that I believe the teams depth chart would look something like this:
- Primary WR 1: Anquan Boldin
- Primary WR 2: Antonio Bryant
- Secondary WR 1: Derrick Mason/ Donte Stallworth
- Secondary WR 2: Donté Stallworth/ Mark Clayton/ Derrick Mason
It would be understandable to push WR Derrick Mason down to backup for the primary/ secondary as his body appears to be catching up with his age. This would be assuming that the Ravens did decide to keep Mason as a WR option. If the Ravens were to retain Mason under this scenario I would then assume that they would either release Mark Clayton or use him as possible trade bait to grab a viable corner.
So grab him while you can Baltimore, with the threat of our RB game combined with these key additions Coach John Harbaugh and QB Joe Flacco will have plenty of chances to lead their team to victory.
The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!
12 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I do like the TO option, even now
He stretches the field and makes Flacco better because he can throw the ball up and more than likely Boldin and TO can either fight for it or outrun the defense. Look how many balls Randy Moss grabbed that were poorly thrown by Brady a couple of years ago?
Besides, it appears the Bengals are looking at TO, and anything to stop them from putting 85 and 81 out there together works for me.
aka 'Rexx'
I like Bryant alot
And I feel that he will be a beast a #3 WR. Re-sign mason so the depth will look like:
1: Boldin
2: Mason
3:Bryant/Rookie
4:Clayton/washington/rookie
The night is darkest right before the dawn
Where would Stallworth fit?
You’re forgetting that we also have Stallworth in this mix but I do like your depth chart other than that :)
by NgataChance!! on Mar 7, 2010 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
As a Secondary WR 2, Stallworth in that scenario would look mighty nice. Our Hail Mary plays would definetly be a beast. But with that many good WR’s I doubt we would ever get a chance to use it.
Think Bryant wants to be a #3 WR?
He doesn’t like being a #2, so drop his production and future contract down a bunch and no way he comes here.
aka 'Rexx'
81 & 85 would cause trouble in too many ways
I agree that no defense will want to see an 81 & 85 pairing. I think that compining those two together in the long run will help everyone in the AFC North, though. T.O. and OchoCinco are too much alike to share the spotlight with each other. Granted that this last year OC appeared a little more humble in his statements (I assume because Palmer was back and producing), they both have way too much to say if things go awry early or late in the season. In fact if I was to expect to see 2 teamates actually fight on field, I think we would see it with this pairing.
I think the issue between Bryant and T.O. comes down to dollars. T.O. is still capable of putting up big numbers but does he still want the big paycheck? With Bryant I’m not sure that we have seen what he is capable of yet. And yes with him there is the size issue as well.
At a bargin T.O. is the better short-term option, as he is already friends with a couple of the Ravens players and is an explosive player once he learns the playbook. My only concern with him would be longevity. But thats what modern medicene is for right? Plus if you compare the ammount of hits a WR takes compared to say a RB or TE they should last until their speed gives out. As it is now there is no question that either of these guys have great speed.
And Bruce I’m with you, not only do I not want to see Cincy get Owens, but I would hate to see any rival AFC team get either of the players. And you know Steel-town is going to be looking for a solid secondary for Ward since their other WR’s aren’t consistently producing.
But Pittsburgh would never
spend the bucks for a TO type of player, as it’s not in their philosophy.
aka 'Rexx'
No thanks again
I am done with WR. He is older as well and had one good year before being riddled with injuries.
Only guy I want to sign as of now is Mason. This draft is one of the best for WR in the last few years considering the depth we could get in later parts. Rather concentrate on some different FA like CB, LB and DE instead of getting another WR.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Bryant
Your arguement is based on 1 major misconception: Bryant will not come cheap. He was franchised last year, and he is looking for his 1 large contract. He is the premier UFA WR option out there, and he knows it. He is also a bit of a headcase. And he doesn’t bring anything to the table we don’t already have in Boldin. I would rather MAson 10/10 times. Pass. The reason I am a promoting T.O. is that he bring things to the table that Mason, Boldin and Bryant do not. But only if the price is right; low. Bryant will command a 4-5 year contract, probably in the 30-40 million range, 2-3 times the price of T.O. or Mase.
So I say HELL NO!
Chambers then?
Ok there is a chance that Bryant may demand a high salary. I honestly don’t think he will receive more than $ 7 million a year at best. Assuming he does want to thicken his wallet why not chase Chris Chambers. He was relatively productive last year but hasn’t been getting the big money. I think Baltimore could get him attached to a 3 year deal for around $ 15 million give or take bonuses. This is a good deal then for a receiver who’s play is similar to that of a younger Derrick Mason. Additionally, Mason is going to want that one last big paycheck even if it is only a 2 year deal. I would suspect he will command about $ 8 million with bonuses. So maybe the best deal is in the slightly more youthful Chambers?
7 a year is alot
That is what Boldin is making, and he is a better player than Bryant. Plus, there is no way we are paying our #2 that.
I don’t hate the idea of Chambers if he is cheap, assuming Mason will not return. He has nice size, and looked good for KC last year.
Enough with the free agent WR's
No more are coming here, other than re-signing Clayton (definitely) and Mason (perhaps). We’ll bring in a young draft pick from the second or third day of the draft but that’s it for FA, WR-wise.
aka 'Rexx'
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Baltimore Beat Down
Related FanShots on Baltimore Beat Down
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
