John Eisenberg of BaltimoreRavens.com takes a look at some of the decisions the Ravens will be faced with this offseason and offers his take on what could transpire.
Terrell Suggs
Eisenberg mentions the Ravens should offer Suggs a contract extension that would reduce his 2014 salary cap figure of $12.4 million. Eisenberg believes Suggs wants to stay in Baltimore, which means there is a chance he would be willing to accept a reasonably priced extension.
However, should Suggs balk at the Ravens offer, Eisenberg would release him.
Suggs, 31, is two years removed from being the Defensive Player of the Year, and is coming off of a season in which he totaled 80 tackles, ten sacks and a fumble recovery. He missed half of the 2012 season with a partially torn Achilles, but was able to join the team and help them win a Super Bowl.
Parting ways with Suggs would free up $7.8 million in cap space, according to Overthecap.com.
Ray Rice
According to Eisenberg, “there’s really no option” with regards to RB Ray Rice because of how his contract is structured and he adds that “cutting him makes no sense.“
Rice, 26, is coming off of a very disappointing season in which his yard-per-carry average plummeted from 4.4 to a pedestrian 3.1. On top of that, Rice received a huge five-year, $35 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed. He has dealt with injuries in recent years and his age will end up being a concern in the coming years if he doesn’t have a bounce-back season in 2014.
The Ravens would take a cap hit of over $5 million by releasing during the offseason and wouldn’t see a positive impact on their cap until 2016. With that in mind, it appears as though Rice isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Free Agents
- Eisenberg would franchise TE Dennis Pitta due to the fact that he’s not replaceable.
- Eisenberg also mentions that franchising LT Eugene Monroe is another option, but he believes the Ravens can work out a long-term deal.
- Eisenberg has ILB Daryl Smith “the top priority” among defensive free agents.
- DE Arthur Jones is likely to price himself out of Baltimore.
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