Rick Johnson (RJ): By not signing with the Ravens within the first 48 hours of free agency Ray Lewis has now officially made this Harbaugh's team--even if he comes back.  Best move he could have (not) made.

Tony Lombardi (TL): Not so fast…first, Ray will be back and secondly, I’ll believe it is OFFICIALLY Harbaugh’s team when Ray comes off the field on third and long.  One source close to the Ravens told me Ray can’t cover a dead man with a blanket.  Time to check the ego at the door Ray or have it checked for you.

The Good

How the Ravens are handling Ray’s situation…

RJ: The Ravens should lower their offer on principle alone, and tell Ray to sign within 72 hours, or the offer could go lower.  Help minimize the damage Ray has already done to himself (and we could use the cap room).

TL: Rick, you are right in part but they shouldn’t lower the offer.  Just tell Ray they are looking to improve and if he can’t accept the $17 million guaranteed, they understand but they need to move on and use the resources earmarked for Ray on other players.

How they have handled the Rolle situation...

RJ: Rolle is lucky he was with the Ravens and made nice $$ when he was sick. Take a cut or be done. It’s a young man’s game—sorry.

TL: Man that’s cold! I'm not so sure this fits in the "Good" category Rick. Rolle when he was on the field was an effective corner in ’08.  But his age and apparently brittle physique make him undependable.  He needs to take the pay cut and move to nickel (although I don’t think he’ll be that strong against slot receivers) and if that is unacceptable, move on and let him market his services elsewhere and the team to use the money on someone else.

The Questionable

Foxworth signing…

RJ: At that price? What happened to right player, right price? Ozzie loves to overspend on the skill positions (Willis, Rolle, McNair, Heap, McAlister) with little return, and says to heck with linemen (both sides—please do not use Ogden as an example).  This will now allow them to draft C Alex Mack, if available, in the first round or an O-tackle depending on the Marvel Smith situation.  But will he do it?

TL: The Foxworth signing has been labeled a bit more expensive than it actually is in terms of perceived “bonus/guaranteed” money.  You need to read Brian McFarland's piece on Foxworth's contract. The guy runs a 4.3 40 and is a solid albeit not great corner and looks to have some upside.  His ability to recover frees up Ed Reed to do more in the secondary.

RJ: Hey you know Tony, Suggs need to get a long term deal or traded for a high draft pick or two—no player.

TL: I think Suggs can develop into a leader and the team is hardly interested in trading him.  From what I’ve been told, they don’t think that a Suggs for Anquan Bolden deal is even – the Ravens would want more return.  Get the long term deal done now!  The longer they wait the more expensive the deal becomes but hey if Ozzie can pull off a deal that gets him what Detroit got for Roy Williams, go for it! 

Jim Leonhard…

RJ: The numbers I heard he wanted were not that bad…these new guys will have a big shoe to fill as Leonhard is a bonafide footballer…and what is going on with Landry’s spine?

TL: Leonhard is an unnecessary luxury given the presence Haruki Nakamura, Tom Zbikowski and the expected return of Dawan Landry.  Leonhard is a nice player, don’t get me wrong.  He was Johnny on the spot down the home stretch last year but there’s no reason to think that the others can’t be as effective at safety and you don’t spend a ton for a guy to just return punts particularly when you have to carry two kickers like the Ravens do if Matt Stover stays.

Jason Brown…

RJ: The Ravens wanting to pay him like a center was stupid.  We're not talking a lot of dollar difference here. Center was the most important position on the O Line for the Ravens right now as Brown was the leader and senior player.  Flacco will need to get comfy with a new center – and why Manning wanted Jeff Saturday back.  However Brown did go expensive and I’m not sure I would have paid him THAT! They need to now draft a legit center as Chester will get crushed up the middle.

TL: Brown was a nice player but not elite and he got elite money.  Remember right player, right price? Chester presents a different skill set than Brown and offensive line coach John Matsko might try a few things with Chester at center that he couldn’t with Brown. That said, I agree that Chester will get manhandled by behemoth tackles like Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers.  Here’s hoping Cleveland trades Rogers. You really think center is the most important position? Then why aren’t they paid the most?

NYCD: (nothing you can do)

RJ: Bart Scott went HIGH to Jets because someone needed to know Ryan's system – and he was the perfect fit.

TL: It will be interesting to see if Scott can take on the role of a defensive leader. I think Bart can do it but personally, if he had taken 5 years for $35 million from the Ravens with half of that guaranteed, I’m not so sure THAT qualifies as right player, right price either.  To me he isn’t an impactful player. Plus good coaches work with the players they have and I think Rex could have installed his system in New York without overpaying for Bart.