FRAN THE FAN: An Offseason of Change

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Fran The Fan - FRAN THE FAN: An Offseason of Change

A distressful one it has been thus far

Posted On: 3/2/07

Written By:

Fran "The Fan" Vojik

This is turning out to be more of a distressing off-season for yours truly than I ever expected. First, the unexpectedly high increase in my season tickets for ’07. Then information posted on profootball24x7.com that Steve Bisciotti’s debt service on the team may be higher than any of us thought it was – which impacts everything from ticket prices to the front office. Then the loss of probably the most popular Raven on the squad – Adalius Thomas. Rumors of the retirement of Jonathan Ogden, the potential loss of Tony Pashos, Jarrett Johnson, and Ovie Mughelli. To paraphrase Tony on one of his commercials – Aiye Yie Yie!! What’s a Raven fan to do?

I thought the cap “hit” would be relatively minor this year. I was worried about March 2008, when One Winning Drive would resemble “One-Way Revolving Door,” full of players with back-loaded contracts being released – top pros like Derrick Mason, Steve McNair, J.O., Big Ed Mulitalo, Mike Flynn, and yes – even Ray Lewis.

Boy was I wrong.

We’ve all heard by now that the club released Jamal Lewis and realized over 8 million in cap space. Ozzie says - and I believe him - that they will make every attempt to resign him to a lower deal. There was no way they were going to pay him 5 million roster bonus due this month. This was a poison pen contract all the way, and the Ravens were holding the pen.

Jamal’s agent, Mitch Frankel, sounds agreeable to whatever the Ravens can work out. He should be. He’s done his homework and has sniffed the trade winds……there’s not much big contract interest out there for a back who’s been in the league 7 years, has undergone 3 major surgeries on his legs, was incarcerated to boot, and gave every indication last year that he’s lost more than a step..

I read on a web site today that A.D. is looking for a signing bonus in the vicinity of 15 million. I know several clubs have millions to burn, but you have to wonder whether A.D. is a natural freak or a product of Rex Ryan's system - and boy, did we dodge a bullet when the Chargers inexplicably named Norv Turner to be their head coach! My feeling is that he will not get the money he's expecting because of his age and the way that the Ravens used him; also other clubs may not be so "inventive" in their defensive scheming to maximize his talents. But my argument is probably moot. It’s all about the Benjamins, isn’t it?

And given our strength at linebacker, we can afford to lose him.

Now that the Ravens have a bit of breathing room under the cap, I would make a serious run at someone we really can’t afford to lose - RT Tony Pashos. I would dump some of those RFAs and EFAs currently on the squad to make it happen. Devard Darling? Clarence Moore? The likes of Mike Kracalik? Gimme a break! If dumping some of these guys helps the Ravens keep the best right tackle the club has had in years on the team, I’m all for it.

I heard what Pashos’ agent said about him not returning, but I think that's standard cannon fodder for the masses and other clubs. If the Ravens can come close to matching an offer Pashos gets from another team, I think he'll resign. Remember last year when we thought Bart Scott was heading to the Mistake by the Lake?

Listen folks, if Pashos goes and Jonathan Ogden retires, we've lost our bookend tackles and then I really don't like Steve McNair's chances of staying healthy next year – or the Ravens’ odds of making the playoffs.

Last – but certainly not least - I would resign Jarrett Johnson to take A.D.'s place and get Ovie Mughelli under contract, particularly if the Ravens resign Jamal. Lewis doesn't run well unless it’s behind a fullback.

I can’t even think draft until these issues are resolved. I’m not a capologist, or a free-agent expert, or a draftnik like Mel Kiper. I’m just a fan.

And this is my take.