The Ravens - Ch-Ch-Changes

Ok, the football season is officially over and I'm ready to move on. But I just wanted to talk about a few final things before we turn out the lights.

One again, congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for a superb season. Although many people didn't give them due credit, they proved all the nay-sayers wrong. The are the team to beat next season. Or are they.....

It will be interesting to see how they'll do next year considering all of the players who are now free agents. Obviously Ray Lewis won't be back. His absence will be felt on and off the field. Having Lewis around was like having a defensive coordinator in the huddle. Someone is going to have to step up next year.

But what about key players like Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, Bryant McKinnie and Cary Williams. These guys are are now unrestricted free agents.There's possibility that none of these guys will be in a purple uniform next season. Keep in mind that both Tight Ends (Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta) are restricted free agents.

The imminent re-signing of Joe Flacco is going to take a big chunk of the Raven's salary cap. I think it's safe to say that this will be enough to guarantee the departure of some of the free agents. Ed Reed, as much as I'd love to see him end his career as a Raven, it ain't gonna happen. I would be shocked if he gets the money that he wants in Baltimore. However, I do expect another team (possibly the Patriots) to scoop him up. Ed Reed has been one of the Raven's all-time greats and, except for his singing,  he will certainly be missed. (Sorry, Ed.  But after hearing your rendition of "Two Tickets To Paradise", I now know how a defenseless receiver must feel after you bury a shoulder into his chest.)

So, who should the Ravens concentrate on re-signing? Personally, I think you've got to look hard at Ellerbe, who will be the most likely to fill Ray Lewis's shoes. I really like Paul Kruger too, but I don't know if it's possible to pay them both big bucks. Out of the two, I think Ellerbe makes the most sense.

And I think you've got to make every effort to bring Cary Williams back. He's shown that he can step up in big situations. The defense is going to really need an experienced cover guy. If they don't sign Williams, the Ravens will likely have to make an off-season move to acquire another experienced cornerback. It probably makes more sense to just bring Williams back.

As for the tight ends, I think Pitta's got to be your go-to guy. His soft hands and overall toughness reminds me a a lot of Todd Heap. He has proven that he can go across the middle, take a big hit and still take care of the football.. His name doesn't get mentioned nearly as much as some of the other star players, but Pitta was key in the Raven's Super Bowl journey this year. Give the guy what he wants and get him signed!

Now, here's one that I don't quite understand. I hear that there's a possibility that WR Anquan Bolden won't be re-signed for the upcoming season. But when I look at Baltimore's contract details, it shows Bolden as being signed for $6 million for the 2013 season. In any event, this guy has got to be on the team. Along with Torrey Smith, he completed the circuit for Joe Flacco this season. No doubt, Flacco made some pinpoint passes, but there aren't that many receivers who have the talent to catch them. Bolden does! Make sure he's here next year.

Now, as for Torrey Smith, he will indeed be here next year. He is scheduled to make approximately $683,000 for the 2013 season. Alot of money to most people, but relative chump-change for a premiere NFL receiver. The good news is that since they've got Smith at a bargain basement price for the next two years, the Ravens should have a few extra bucks to spend elsewhere..

And keep in mind that Ray Lewis was signed through the 2015 season at a total cost of around $18 million. Now, I'm not sure what happens to that money since he retired. But nonetheless it should at least free up a little money for another player or two.

I don't know how any of this will pan out. In a perfect football world, we would be able to bring back all of the players from this year's Super Bowl team. But realistically, we all know that it's financially impossible. The Raven's front office has shown that they are one of, if not the best, in dealing with these situations. So, I expect them to find the missing pieces of the puzzle by the start of next season.

kw