Value-Priced NFL Free Agents

by Bruce Raffel on Jun 20, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

Over at the National Football Post, Greg Gabriel takes a look at some of the potential veteran free agents who could be on the market at reasonable prices once the NFL labor dispute is settled. He also states that there is a solid chance that the NFL Lockout could end as early as July 10th, leaving two weeks of a feeding frenzy for the veteran and undrafted free agents out there to be signed before Training Camps open around the league.

Gabriel lists six guys in a variety of positions that are not star-quality players, but would definitely help out certain teams based on what they offer in terms of where they might fit in on certain offensive and defensive schemes. One of the players that might interest Baltimore Ravens fans is RB Mewelde Moore, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With the expectation that RB Willis McGahee might not be returning to the Ravens, they could be in the market for that multi-purpose back that would be needed to complement Ray Rice. Moore is only 29 years old and could also bring the Ravens an inside scoop on his former team, which just happens to be the Ravens biggest rivals.

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Mewelde Moore has just over 200 yards on the ground over the past two seasons and is a poor man’s Ray Rice in the passing game. I don’t know how much advantage we’d gain by signing a former Steeler information-wise when we already play them two or three times a year.

A much brighter scenario would be re-signing McClain as a FB and change-of-pace or short yardage RB. Knowing that he’ll be getting several touches per game could entice him to remain with us; when he was injured this past season, our offense wasn’t the same. With as many receivers, cornerbacks, and linebackers that we could potentially be keeping, most of our roster spots are really going to need to count.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

An opinion can be well-founded or poorly informed. Opinion and reason are not mutually exclusive.

by Ampallang on Jun 21, 2011 1:02 AM EDT reply actions

Good to see you back Amp and couldn’t agree more. McClain plays a big role on our offense and I don’t know that he can be replaced. I would prefer to keep him and let him get some more carries because he can ware down defenses. We would really miss his versatility if we allow him to walk. I think we have enough weapons to figure something out if we let him walk, but nobody can give us what he can at the FB position.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 21, 2011 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions

McClain’s a great fullback, and yet Ozzie has shown he can always find a suitable replacement at FB. We let the highest paid FB (Ovie) ever sign with Atlanta; prior to signing Neal, and then drafting McClain.

Oz knows FBs. We’ll get somebody decent if McClain gets paid somewhere else.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

we’re trying to get rid of him for a reason, he doesn’t have any more burst left. Can’t hate on MM though.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jun 21, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

If we don’t end up signing Nnamdi, I’d like to see us at least make an offer for Deangelo Willams or Reggie Bush.

Both guys are home run hitters and would offer great playmaking ability as back ups. Then we could use Anthony Allen as our powerback / closer.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

I would love to have either of them here, but I think Deangelo will for sure be out of our price range and I can see some team over paying Reggie. I do agree we could use a home run hitter at RB though. If we had the room I think bringing in Noel Devine could be nice. He has good hands and we could move him into the slot as well. I think he could have a Sproles type of effect for a team, but obviously could never carry the load because of his size.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 21, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I dont think the Ravens need to go sign another runningback I really dont expect

Leron or Willis back. I think the Ravens are better off just allowing runningbacks like Matt Larence, Jalen Pamele, Curtis Steele, and Anthony Allen battle it out

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes

by jazz20 on Jun 21, 2011 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

yes

Save that money for a potential game changing FA at another position, or just don’t spend it at all.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 9:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

or just don’t spend it at all.

Are you Biscotti’s finance manager or something?

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Mike Brown's...

"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I

by Steel Spike on Jun 21, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Like…………Asomugha???

"Woodley obviously doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I mean, come on. What does he think? That they’re going to do it every year? Believe me, when I hear that kind of stuff, it definitely sparks a little something in me." - Joe Flacco

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

i swear

if either one of us gets him, its going to be a daunting task for the other team

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jun 21, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Pittsburgh doesn’t make those kind of moves, so I doubt he ends up on your team. If he comes to Baltimore, I feel bad for the 19 teams we have to play next year. Asomugha and Reed covering your WR while Ngata and Suggs are trying to crush you? There might be a rule installed where you aren’t allowed to have that good of a defense.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

we might or might not get him

But I am 99% sure the steelers won’t. You guys always stand pat with whatever talent you have developing in house. That said, the though of losing Ike with no capable replacement might scare them into action, but I still don’t see it.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I see them going after a guy like Carlos Rodgers or Richard Marshall before they go after Nnamdi.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

yes to rodgers

As for marshall I’m not too familiar with him, forgive me

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty solid CB from Carolina. Physical type of player, so he suits you. Behind Nnamdi and Ike, I think Marshall is the 3rd best CB free agent.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

roger that

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Lawernce and Parmele appear to be just special teamers.

I haven’t seen Curtis Steele enough in live action to get a feel for his talent level.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Lawernce and Parmele appear to be just special teamers.

These two have been buried on the depth chart behind Rice, McGahee, and McClain since they’ve been with the Ravens. Lawrence had four carries in 2009 and Parmele had seven carries between 2008 and 2009. Is there something besides their understandable lack of playing time that has you relegating them to being “just special teamers?”

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

An opinion can be well-founded or poorly informed. Opinion and reason are not mutually exclusive.

by Ampallang on Jun 21, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve seen them both play in the preseason, and they don’t appear to be explosive athletes.

Maybe the back up OL couldn’t making any holes for them, but playmakers usually find a way to get noticed.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve seen them both play in the preseason, and they don’t appear to be explosive athletes.

Parmele has never rushed more than seven times in a pre-season game, but still broke runs of 48 and 80 yards. Lawrence carried the ball more than twice in only two pre-season games; one of those games was a pretty good performance and the other was a dud. Steele’s carries in a pre-season game broke into the double digits only once (he’s the only player of these three to see that much time running the ball in one game), and he managed to lose a fumble in that game. In my opinion, I haven’t seen enough of any of these guys to make a prediction about the trajectory of any of their careers.

Maybe the back up OL couldn’t making any holes for them, but playmakers usually find a way to get noticed.

If you’re talking about the 2010 pre-season, our starting offensive line was scary bad. I can’t fault anybody for not pulling a Barry Sanders behind their backups.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

An opinion can be well-founded or poorly informed. Opinion and reason are not mutually exclusive.

by Ampallang on Jun 21, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Bryan Mattison was quite possibly the worst OL to ever put on a Ravens uniform.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

actrally Curtis Steele has impress the coaches and has soon much promise in last year training camp where he gaining much success on the ground against the first defense. John Harbaugh was upset of the matter because it was the back up offense against the starter defense but overall it should show good Curtis Steele could be and he also very fast.

I read that when he was on practice squad he saw some action in the wildcat and that could mean he has some versatility to his game.

by jazz20 on Jun 21, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I have no problem rolling into next year with our current guys at RB. FB might be an issue but McKie isn’t awful he’s just not LeRon

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t relize Devine went undrafted. Hell yea, bring him in and give him an opportunity.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I thought he at least would have got drafted because of his speed. I think he is worth at least bringing in to camp to compete for a spot. He could create a lot of mismatches and also can be another returner. I know the coaches love Parmele, but I just don’t think he brings anything to the team we don’t already have.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 21, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Too small. He is not the Ray Rice or MJD short either. He is 5’7" and about 160 pounds. That won’t work against Pittsburgh.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve heard the “to small” arguement way too many times to doubt guys on their measurables.

160 lbs in college will quickly turn into 185 or 190 in the pros. (Good ole HGH)

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Devine’s wiki page lists him as 180lbs., which is in the same size range as Sproles. That’s small, but not necessarily too small.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

An opinion can be well-founded or poorly informed. Opinion and reason are not mutually exclusive.

by Ampallang on Jun 21, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

MaLoR nailed his last measured height/ weight.

From the Senior Bowl, he was 5’7" and 160 lbs.

At 23, it would be interesting to see if he could add any weight and maintain his speed, which is the biggest part of his game. If he can add 10-15 lbs. without losing his foot speed, he’s worth a look see. But the “if” in that scenario is pretty big. Adding weight really hurt Steve Slaton, and Felix Jones to an extent, and they were more prototypical in terms of size than Noel.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 21, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Trust me

the older you get the easier it is to add weight lol

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jun 21, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Truth.

I guess I should have clarified by saying adding “good” weight.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 21, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t bring him in as an every down back, but just a guy to add a few explosive plays, similar to the way Sproles is used. It would depend on what we do with our backfield, but I think he’s a guy who could bring a couple big plays.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 21, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup yup.

His pass blocking would be suspect too. Maybe put him in slot on some sub packages, so he doesn’t have to worry about the big boys.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 22, 2011 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions

The only FA running back or full back I see us making an offer for is LeRon. Apart from that, I think we have confidence in our ability to develop from within.

There is too much talent at other positions to waste money on a running back when you already have a top5 running back in Ray Rice

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 9:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I just don’t want Rice to get worn down too quickly. The Ravens and Rutgers have already used him a lot in his young career.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 21, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

sure

So parmele and/or steele can lighten the load. Trust me we got guys who can ball, you don’t always need big names, especially at RB where ttheres always some unknown dude bursting onto the scene

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Pass on Moore. We really should try to retain Leron and give him the carries behind Rice. IMO I see us going after a veteran QB (if Bulger decides to go start for another team), and a pass rush specialist. All this hype about the Ravens being interested in Nhamdi (or however its spelled) is probably just BS. If we bring back Wilson (which I’d prefer over Carr) then we’ll be just fine at CB. However I would like to see us pursue disgruntled Osi (I’d probably butcher the spelling of his last name) from the Giants. With us drafting
Jimmy, I see our lack of a pass rush as our biggest concern. Even of Kindle is cleared to play, he’s likely facing a suspension for his latest DUI.

by StuckInUtah on Jun 21, 2011 10:55 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Osi would/probably would not fit the way we play defense and he looking for a big pay day while

we still have more important player or our own like Ngata,Yanda , and etc waiting for there pay day. In my opinon I think the Ravens should sign a pass rusher( outsidelinebacker) that is already familar with a 3-4 system like Manny Lawson or Matt Roth

by jazz20 on Jun 21, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ll make the same arguments for signing Osi as I’ve heard for signing Asocalafragilistic. Maybe he’s willing to take less money to come play for a contender. Granted the Giants aren’t as bad as the Raiders, but who wouldn’t want to line up next to Ray, Reed, Ngata, and T-Sizzle?

by StuckInUtah on Jun 21, 2011 11:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

you right but he is a defensive end and our defensive end position is pretty crowded

with Redding, Krugar, Jones, and Mcphee, I like what we already have at the positon but if the Ravens figure that Osi is for the best i’m cool with that. “Asocalafragilistic” I laugh when saw that but cool name for him lol

by jazz20 on Jun 21, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Honestly, you guys don't really want Moore

If you want a guy who can’t break tackles, is fair-to-middlin’ in the passing game, and slower than Man-Bewbs Cody, then sure. Okay, he’s not THAT slow, but it sure seems like it…

He’s good at chipping a blitzer, but he can’t really pass-block to save his life. I saw him get physically picked up and carried into Ben in 2009.

Moore’s best days are behind him in a PBS, and would need to go to a team that runs a ZBS to be successful for the 2 or 3 years he has left.

by Steel Spike on Jun 21, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Yea, we don’t want Moore.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

It seems like people just feel safer asking for players they’ve heard of rather than trusting the FO to develop better players than that. Zero reason to chase mwelde

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jun 21, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

We have two very good options right now at RB with Parmale and Allen. Both of them are young and we aren’t really sure how good or bad they will turn out. People are obviously aware now that Moore is just not that great. RB is a position where youth excels, possibly more than any other position in the league.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 21, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions