Ravens' Evans Feels Remorse For Dropped Season

by lastcallbmore on Feb 3, 2012 1:00 PM EST

Lee Evans had the worst season of his career statistically. He may of had his worst season mentally as well after his dropped touchdown pass in the final second of the Ravens 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. If Evans had been able to secure the ball it would have put Baltimore up 27-23 with under 20 seconds left in the game. Assuming the extra point was good. This would have all but solidified the Ravens first trip back to the Super Bowl since they won it in 2001.

Evans is well aware that a missed opportunity of this magnitude can haunt a player for the rest of his career. Not knowing where to turn he sought the counsel of Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome.

"Lee came and sought me out on Monday after the game because of that experience," Newsome said. "He sought me out just for some counseling, and I was able to talk with him."

Lee Evans had a tough season this year in Baltimore but not once did I see him sitting on the sidelines sulking. He was always the first one running down the sidelines cheering his teammates on. I think he really wanted to be a part of a winning organization and that drop really hurt him.

Evans knows what this drop meant. He knows what it meant to Ray Lewis and the Ravens organization. He knows what it meant to the city of Baltimore and the fans. I truly feel for him. He does not want this moment to define what has been a very nice career up until this point. But it may...

"What happened, how it happened, it’s still hard to deal with."

Said Evans Monday after the loss. He will be feeling this one for a long time. I hope he can move on and make fans forget this moment. I'm not sure if he will be a Raven next season but I'd take him back. Joe Flacco seemed to be starting to feel comfortable with him towards the end of the season and I think he could be a great help to this team with a full off season. If he is able to stay healthy that is.

That being said. Evans most likely will not be a Raven next season. He is under contract but he is owed over four million in salary and roster bonuses. Ozzie did say the team will look to make some moves at the receiver position this off season as well. This could spell the end of the Lee Evans era in Baltimore unless he is willing to come back at a greatly reduced rate. Hopefully he will be willing to work something out. Hopefully the fans will be able to let it go and let Lee and the Ravens work on getting back there in 2012.

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Comments

get rid of the guy…all that money for 3 catches and a huge drop. he looked stunned that the ball was actually in his hands..like a rookie he got lost in the moment and forgot to squeeze the ball. stupid.

by raven on Feb 3, 2012 1:54 PM EST reply actions

I still want to keep him. We need to go into the season with at least 3 proven WRs.

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by El.Dude on Feb 3, 2012 2:07 PM EST reply actions

Cut him and make a move for Bowe or either of the Jacksons?

"Picture Me Rollin"

by Mr MaLoR on Feb 3, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

EFF Desean. He’s little and a punk. I see him slacking off once he gets paid. I’d definitely take Bowe or VJ. KC and SD won’t let those guys go though.

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by El.Dude on Feb 3, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Tell us how you really feel.

You see him slacking off when he gets paid? How so? Because DeSean didn’t do what Matt Forte did? Its hard to keep one’s attitude in check when everyone around him and free agents were getting extensions and huge contracts but him. He has comically outplayed his contract. Sometimes, its better to take care of your own, kinda like what the Ravens do. Andy Reid didn’t do that.

by E-ROC on Feb 3, 2012 5:43 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

My magic eight ball told me so.

We do the same stuff Reid does. Pay guys only when we have too, or when it benefits the organization’s future.

Notice how Ray Rice outplayed his contract. Why didn’t he get paid earlier…

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by El.Dude on Feb 4, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

Two different approaches between the organizations.

And the Ravens didn’t pony up money in the same fashion as the Eagles.

by E-ROC on Feb 4, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt the ravens go after bowe or jacksons just too much money.

by jazz20 on Feb 3, 2012 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Would be great, but doubt we have the cap room.

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 Feb 3, 2012 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

pipe dream

Right player, right price, means there’s a good chance of keeping evans for cheap

"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."

by jackmca on Feb 4, 2012 8:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Cheap(er) than right now I mean

by jackmca on Feb 4, 2012 8:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think they cut him

See how the market develops. Either bring him back at a reduced rate or find someone else willing to.

Pretty big WR FA maket with Dwayne Bowe, Plaxico Burress, Marques Colston, Early Doucet, Braylon Edwards, DeSean Jackson, Vincent Jackson, Steve Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Mario Manningham, Robert Meachem, Steve Smith, Mike Wallace (RFA), Reggie Wayne, Wes Welker.

After those guys sign, you gotta figure the second tier market will have some decent pickings.

"the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge."
Hamlet, William Shakespeare

by Fandemonium on Feb 3, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions

I’d love to get Brandon Lloyd if he’d sign for second tier money.

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by El.Dude on Feb 4, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Heard he really wants to follow mcdaniels since that’s who he was successful under and go to NE. They need another WR too, so I’m sure he will end up there.

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 Feb 4, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

If that happens, NEs offense will be incredibly difficult to gameplan against.

daytime commentator. night time ninja.

by El.Dude on Feb 4, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

I could definitely see Plaxico.

by jackmca on Feb 4, 2012 8:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Manningham

Would be intriguing…

Everybody else listed I fear would be asking too much, or too past their prime, or too much of a headcase, or just not very good; or some combination thereof.

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For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind

by vlad755 on Feb 6, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

CUT!

Oz mentioned receiving corps as a priority.

Goodbye Lee, you are set to earn $4.5 mill.

Cap casualty.

"Have a good time...all the time." - Viv Savage

by Jergs on Feb 3, 2012 2:13 PM EST reply actions

Remember how many people wanted Webb cut off last year's playoffs?

I’d love to have Evans back with a restructured contract. He’ll be playing the season with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. We can’t afford to lose him as a receiver.

by fedfan64 on Feb 3, 2012 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Evans could def come back at a reduced salary

and in Training Camp and pre season he and Joe looked to have some serious good chemistry. I’d take him back at our price depending on what else is only the market in that range and also draft a speedy small guy to return kicks and play in the slot at times.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Feb 3, 2012 3:11 PM EST reply actions

I agree

His contract MUST be restructured. He missed half of the season with an injury, which is the first time he’s missed time in his entire career. Give him the benefit of the doubt, and a chance to play in 2012 with an edge and a will to play better.

by fedfan64 on Feb 3, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely. We got Housh at the vet min, maybe Evans now, even though he's 10X the player Housh was at that time.

Like almost all our non-marquee FAs,, he will be asked to restructure his contract, or simply cut and then resigned at whatever price is worked out.

The Ravens have all the leverage here. Evans has nothing to stand on in contract negotiations. His season numbers are abysmal; he was spectacular in the postseason but all anyone will remember is his drop. No other teams can talk to him until he is cut.

Evans sought out Ozzie in remorse. I think they have a serious chat and he comes back for WR3 money. He was signed to be our WR2 when we had nothing but ?s behind Q. Now he’s a WR3 in the scheme that uses three WRs less than any other team in the league.

I think Evans has been through too many losing seasons with the Bills. I would love to give him a season to prove to us what a player he is.

by dimik on Feb 3, 2012 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

I think the ravens should keep Lee Evans and allow him to redeem him self but also still draft a wideout.

by jazz20 on Feb 3, 2012 6:39 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

+1. It's refreshing to see how mature Ravens fans have been about this

esp. compared to 9ers fans, etc.

by dimik on Feb 3, 2012 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

I have no problem bringing him back, but I think it would have to be a lower Salary. 3 mill and some change plus his 1 mill roster bonus is too much for a guy who didn’t show us a whole lot and is the 3rd WR on this team. I feel he could potentially add something if healthy, but I just don’t think we should be giving that kind of money to our #3 guy when we have other players who I think could help us out more.

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 Feb 3, 2012 7:11 PM EST reply actions

An incentive laden contract could make both sides happy.

daytime commentator. night time ninja.

by El.Dude on Feb 4, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Something like that would be good. I just think tat that price it’s too much to bring him back.

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 Feb 4, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

Vet mini if he wants to play in Baltimore. He has 0 leverage so paying him $3M doesn’t make sense

by Evan Skev on Feb 4, 2012 12:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If we dont keep Evans around,

I’d be all for trying to bring in Plax for a year or two. Along with a wide receivers coach, guys like Torrey and Ed Dickson (although he’s a TE) would benefit with their own coach. That, or they can let Pitta become the first player/position coach, his hands are god-send.

Scott Hines

by shines on Feb 4, 2012 2:58 AM EST reply actions

Plax for second tier money would be sweet. We need that big body high pointer outside.

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by El.Dude on Feb 4, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah thats what Im thinking, Im one of the few that believe Mark Sanchez in a borderline good QB, not horrible, not great, but somewhere in the middle. I believe Joe is light years better than Mr. Sanchez, and the reason I say this is that Plax made Sanchez look great at times this year, and he had a very modest approach to it as well. I just think it could work really well, Joe is only about an inch taller than Plax and it would be nice for him to have a big guy in the endzone who stands out.

Scott Hines

by shines on Feb 4, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions