Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
I didn't realize T.O. and Westbrook had rap sheets... :ratsuck
Harbaugh says Ravens are interested in T.O. and Westbrook
Posted by Mike Florio on February 27, 2010 4:40 PM ET
On Friday, Browns president Mike Holmgren made the forbidden public reference to defensive end Julius Peppers, who remains under contract to the Panthers.
On Saturday, the coach of the team that used to be the Browns made a forbidden public reference to receiver Terrell Owens, who remains under contract to the Bills.
"We're interested in T.O.," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, per our own Gregg Rosenthal, who is in Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine. "We're interested in all the guys who can make us better."
It's a public statement of interest, and it's a violation of the anti-tampering rules. Whether the rule is enforced against the Ravens remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, some of you have asked whether Harbaugh's statement of interest in running back Brian Westbrook potentially violates the same rules. In that case, there's no violation because the Eagles have given Westbrook permission to talk to other teams. Though he won't be released until March 5, the Eagles have green-lighted any discussions between other teams and the veteran tailback.
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
If my memory serves correctly, the Ravens were interested in TO back in 04, but the Eagles won the bidding war.
I have to say I don't like the idea of Westbrook on the Ravens. If he somehow manages to stay healthy, he and Ray Rice are going to give us fits on D.
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
Peppers, Owens & Westbrook huh?
There's the first sign of a team willing to take advantage of no more salary cap.
If the Ravens add the sort of talent, but the Steelers, Browns & Bengals keep on 'as if there was a cap', how do they compete against the Ravens for talent on the field?
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
[quote=Chadman]Peppers, Owens & Westbrook huh?
There's the first sign of a team willing to take advantage of no more salary cap.
If the Ravens add the sort of talent, but the Steelers, Browns & Bengals keep on 'as if there was a cap', how do they compete against the Ravens for talent on the field?[/quote]
No worry, Tomlin and Arians will out coach them. :lol:
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
[quote=Chadman]Peppers, Owens & Westbrook huh?
There's the first sign of a team willing to take advantage of no more salary cap.
If the Ravens add the sort of talent, but the Steelers, Browns & Bengals keep on 'as if there was a cap', how do they compete against the Ravens for talent on the field?[/quote]
Brian Westbrook and Terrell Owens are a combined 66 years old. If it were 2004, I would be worried. Not now.
And Julius Peppers has never played OLB in a 3-4 before. He's suddenly going to make that switch at the age of 30? He thinks he can, but Aaron Kampman is the same age, and he couldn't pull off the switch this past season when the Pack switched to the Capers 3-4, because he was set in his ways after so many years of playing 4-3 DE instead. Granted, Peppers is more athletic than Kampman, just you still have to wonder about the coverage ability of a guy over 280 lbs., since 3-4 OLB's don't just pin their ears back and rush all the time like 4-3 DE's...they have to be able to drop back in coverage too.
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
[quote=RuthlessBurgher][quote=Chadman]Peppers, Owens & Westbrook huh?
There's the first sign of a team willing to take advantage of no more salary cap.
If the Ravens add the sort of talent, but the Steelers, Browns & Bengals keep on 'as if there was a cap', how do they compete against the Ravens for talent on the field?[/quote]
Brian Westbrook and Terrell Owens are a combined 66 years old. If it were 2004, I would be worried. Not now.
And Julius Peppers has never played OLB in a 3-4 before. He's suddenly going to make that switch at the age of 30? He thinks he can, but Aaron Kampman is the same age, and he couldn't pull off the switch this past season when the Pack switched to the Capers 3-4, because he was set in his ways after so many years of playing 4-3 DE instead. Granted, Peppers is more athletic than Kampman, just you still have to wonder about the coverage ability of a guy over 280 lbs., since 3-4 OLB's don't just pin their ears back and rush all the time like 4-3 DE's...they have to be able to drop back in coverage too.[/quote]
You're not arguing the point though, Ruthless. If teams are willing to go out & spend up on 3, 4 or more quality FA's, how can other teams, such as the Steelers, who have imposed their own version of a salary cap, hope to compete with the money spenders?
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
To me, it smacks of desperation. Their defense is slipping each year and it is likely a rebuild is in order for that side of the ball. I guess they feel if they load up on offensive power, it will get to them to the Bowl one more time before have to blow up the D.
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
[quote=Chadman][quote=RuthlessBurgher][quote=Chadman]Peppers, Owens & Westbrook huh?
There's the first sign of a team willing to take advantage of no more salary cap.
If the Ravens add the sort of talent, but the Steelers, Browns & Bengals keep on 'as if there was a cap', how do they compete against the Ravens for talent on the field?[/quote]
Brian Westbrook and Terrell Owens are a combined 66 years old. If it were 2004, I would be worried. Not now.
And Julius Peppers has never played OLB in a 3-4 before. He's suddenly going to make that switch at the age of 30? He thinks he can, but Aaron Kampman is the same age, and he couldn't pull off the switch this past season when the Pack switched to the Capers 3-4, because he was set in his ways after so many years of playing 4-3 DE instead. Granted, Peppers is more athletic than Kampman, just you still have to wonder about the coverage ability of a guy over 280 lbs., since 3-4 OLB's don't just pin their ears back and rush all the time like 4-3 DE's...they have to be able to drop back in coverage too.[/quote]
You're not arguing the point though, Ruthless. If teams are willing to go out & spend up on 3, 4 or more quality FA's, how can other teams, such as the Steelers, who have imposed their own version of a salary cap, hope to compete with the money spenders?[/quote]
The same way any good team will compete by putting together the players that are good football players and are willing to play as a team. Football is the ultimate team sport, you can't be successful with only some of your team playing as a unit. This isn't baseball which I call an individualized team sport. In baseball you can buy championships because, you simply don't need function as a unit like you do in football.
Teams have been trying to buy titles for years and have been unsuccessful. The Steelers have built quality teams for 40 years and will continue to do so. There will also be a new CBA one day and I doubt that it comes without a cap of some sort.
Pappy
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
[quote=papillon][quote=Chadman][quote=RuthlessBurgher][quote=Chadman]Peppers, Owens & Westbrook huh?
There's the first sign of a team willing to take advantage of no more salary cap.
If the Ravens add the sort of talent, but the Steelers, Browns & Bengals keep on 'as if there was a cap', how do they compete against the Ravens for talent on the field?[/quote]
Brian Westbrook and Terrell Owens are a combined 66 years old. If it were 2004, I would be worried. Not now.
And Julius Peppers has never played OLB in a 3-4 before. He's suddenly going to make that switch at the age of 30? He thinks he can, but Aaron Kampman is the same age, and he couldn't pull off the switch this past season when the Pack switched to the Capers 3-4, because he was set in his ways after so many years of playing 4-3 DE instead. Granted, Peppers is more athletic than Kampman, just you still have to wonder about the coverage ability of a guy over 280 lbs., since 3-4 OLB's don't just pin their ears back and rush all the time like 4-3 DE's...they have to be able to drop back in coverage too.[/quote]
You're not arguing the point though, Ruthless. If teams are willing to go out & spend up on 3, 4 or more quality FA's, how can other teams, such as the Steelers, who have imposed their own version of a salary cap, hope to compete with the money spenders?[/quote]
The same way any good team will compete by putting together the players that are good football players and are willing to play as a team. Football is the ultimate team sport, you can't be successful with only some of your team playing as a unit. This isn't baseball which I call an individualized team sport. In baseball you can buy championships because, you simply don't need function as a unit like you do in football.
Teams have been trying to buy titles for years and have been unsuccessful. The Steelers have built quality teams for 40 years and will continue to do so. There will also be a new CBA one day and I doubt that it comes without a cap of some sort.
Pappy[/quote]
What he said. Danny Boy Snyder hasn't been able to field a consistent winner by throwing around wads of cash to assemble his own personal fantasy team. The goal is to build a true team that has developed as a unit, not assemble All-Star players.
By the way, even though it has nothing to do with my point here, whenever I mention Dan Snyder, I've got to include the classic Myron quote when Danny Boy wanted Cope to stop referring to the Redskins as the [i]Wash Redfaces[/i]: "If the boy billionaire thinks he's gonna shut me up, he can stick his head in a can of paint."
Re: Ravens interested in T.O. and Westbrook
[quote=Chadman]Peppers, Owens & Westbrook huh?
There's the first sign of a team willing to take advantage of no more salary cap.
If the Ravens add the sort of talent, but the Steelers, Browns & Bengals keep on 'as if there was a cap', how do they compete against the Ravens for talent on the field?[/quote]
cman-
I'm pretty sure you are being rhetorical here...
but- I'm gonna bite anyway.
In Theory- having a financial advantage in the front office would equate to having an actual performance advantage on the field.
Yet time and again, that has been proven not to be the case.
As already mentioned, Dan Snyder is the perfect illustration. Money does not buy the best team. Not in the NFL. (this argument has been discussed ad nauseum- so I'll skip it here)
Now, in specific to the players mentioned-
Peppers: He'd be a good addition for pretty much any team, irrespective of the scheme. His athleticism and speed are still top level. Personally, I think there are better fits for him than Baltimore- but if he truly wants to play in a 3-4... then so be it. (I think that is a smoke screen being used as leverage to leave the team... and that he'll sign anywhere he thinks he has a legit chance to win a SB- and make big $$)
Owens: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Way past the point of being relevant for most teams. Only on Baltimore - where ancient Derrick Mason was the leading receiver- does TO actually make an impact. He'd give the team a target- but as far as ability goes, I'd be more concerned if they acquired Brandon Marshall.
Westbrook: I actually like Michael Westbrook- and if he were healthy, I'd love for him to go to the Steelers. BUT, he isn't healthy, and he is not likely to improve. It is my understanding that the occurrence of a concussion- significantly increases the likelihood of future concussions.
Like i said, I like Michael Westbrook- but I'm not sure what he adds to the ravens that they don't already have- other than more depth at the position.
I recognize they are almost certain to lose McGahee- but they still have plenty of talent in the backfield.
So, at the end of the day- even if the Ravens were to acquire all three of those players- I'm not sure it would actually make a significant difference on the field...
but what it would almost certainly do, is to create future cap issues for them because with the exception of Peppers, those players probably have a season or two left in the tank, at best.
:Cheers