Jets cut two, focus on Ravens LB By RICH CIMINI http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/story/499693p-421348c.html
Heck yeah...but are we willing to actually pay the price should a bidding war commence... I live in Baltimore right now, and the guy is simply fantastic. I wonder how old he is...but no matter he has at least 3 years of probowl ability left IMO. With all the good players getting tagged nowadays I'm surprised to see someone fall through the cracks like this...I doubt we get him due to the asking price, but who knows. My guess is he'll go to San Fran...for obvious reasons. But if he wants to stay with a contender and is willing to take a little less to do just that things could get interesting.
He is 30 years old. I hate the idea of giving big money long terms deals to anyone over 30. It's a philosophy that Andy Reid has followed at the Eagles (God I hate that team and that whole miserable city) - it makes a lot of sense and has been very successful for them.. Go throw a boat load of $ at Nate Clememnts PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is only 27
Thomas is going to demand a 6-7 year deal, eventhough he is already 29 (30 when the season starts). If we go after Thomas I'd really want to front load his deal, because unless he's still playing at an amazing level, I don't want a 35 year old LB making 7-8 million dollars. I want him cuttable after year 4 or 5 of the deal without much cap hit.
I agree his age is a bit of a deterrent, but he has been a big time playmaker the last couple of years. I still find it hard to believe if the Ravens can't sign him they won't tag him for 7 million this year. The problem is there are a number of teams highly interested in him including the Packers, 49ers, Chargers, Giants to name just a few. I fear a bidding war is going to put him out of our price range. Tough call.... ---edit--- This is his big payday, don't believe he isn't going to want every penny he can get. After the return for TD in the probowl he was quoted as saying "That return is going to cost them" referring to the team who signs him. :smile:
The guy is versatile enough to play the way Mangini schemes, he's a playmaker (nevermind the 11 sacks, did you see his TD run in the ProBowl?), and he's a key cog in a defense that held Payton to 5 FGs in the playoffs. With a little offense, the Ravens should've won that game going away. To really make a move on the Pats, and the rest of the conference (Colts, Chargers), we'll need a big addition like this. Hell, I'd give him the 2 #1s if they franchise him. He's worth a #1 this year, and next year, will be picking in the 30s!
This is good news in terms of the coaching staff not being satisfied with just settling for the players they have. They are building a real defensive unit to challenge the good teams that are standing in our way. We franchised Abraham two years in a row at the tune of 6-8 million, a year if I am not mistaken, so ponying up good dough for an impact player would be o.k. for me! But that’s the key he's got to produce or even serve as a presence on the line to draw double teams to open up other rushers. I guess we still have a wait till this becomes a real scenario. Ill be watching.
He'll be 30, but doesn't have real heavy mileage on him. A very very athletic player of a Willie McGinest build, I could see him being an effective player well into his 30s.
He's a late bloomer.....still in his prime, and will be there for atleast a few more years.....frontload the contract and bring him in here......him and BT off the edges would be sickkkk
This could very well be the "superstar" people like chapionjets have been looking for. I like the tenacity he would add to our D. Although, he is old so we would get more hurt in a bidding war than we would with Clements.
