LOMBARDI'S WAY: Are Boller and Leftwich Pawns in Ozzie's Chess Match?

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Lombardi's Way - LOMBARDI'S WAY: Are Boller and Leftwich Pawns in Ozzie's Chess Match?

Posted On: 9/6/07

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Tony Lombardi

LOMBARDI'S WAY: Are Boller and Leftwich Pawns in Ozzie's Chess Match?

It’s interesting that Ozzie Newsome has leaked out that the Ravens have offered Kyle Boller an extension while at the same time admitting to making overtures towards Byron Leftwich. Now granted both leaks were subtle but you have to wonder if there’s a message in there to both Boller and Leftwich, two quarterbacks who have fallen well short of expectations.

Newsome avoids negotiating in public the way K-Fed avoids Britney Spears these days. So to admit publicly that the Ravens have submitted extension terms to Boller is certainly fodder for the conspiracy theorist.

I have no idea what those terms are that Ozzie put forth to Boller and his handlers but I would be shocked if the numbers weren’t indicative of those of a commensurately paid back-up given Boller’s experience.

Perhaps Ozzie wants Boller on the cheap. Perhaps he wants to reduce the number of potential suitors for Leftwich to bring down his price. Perhaps he just wants someone to make up their mind.

If I’m Boller’s agent David Dunn (interestingly Ray Lewis’ agent as well), there’s no way I have my client accepting an extension for back-up money unless there is some first-string upside. Why bother if not? Quarterbacks are overpaid and it’s always interesting how a quarterback needy team can become enamored with an available quarterback during the free agency period. They will ignore past performances and the fact that the incumbent team who knows the player best, gave up on the quarterback.

Surely Ozzie knows this but maybe he put it out there to create a sense of urgency for Leftwich and his agent Tom Condon. Maybe he put it out there so that Boller’s teammates might put two and two together. Perhaps he’s worried that bringing in Leftwich could stir up an extremely peaceful locker room. Offering an extension to Boller might become Ozzie’s alibi if his target is Leftwich.

Ozzie could say, “Hey, we offered Boller an extension, he said no so we have to take advantage of this opportunity while it’s available.”

What player could find fault in that logic?

On the other hand there’s Leftwich. Is Atlanta appealing to the former Jaguar? What about DC? Minnesota? Kansas City? Baltimore?

It is quite possible that all things being equal that Leftwich would prefer Baltimore. And if he hears about an extension for Boller, might he light a fire under Condon to make it happen. Might that be the reason for “a couple of small conversations" between Condon and Ozzie?

Time will tell although it’s more likely that the Ravens quarterback position will remain status quo.

One thing that the Ravens and Ravens’ fans hope doesn’t remain status quo is the lack of any activity in the negotiations with Terrell Suggs. Both sides remain cordial and clearly Suggs wants to remain a Raven. Ozzie claims that the lines of communication remain open, something that we’ve been hearing for quite a while. Nothing has happened to doubt that the lines remain open but with barely a whisper heard about any progress or lack thereof, one has to wonder if the only established lines are those in the sand for both sides.

Clearly Suggs will be a very hot commodity should he hit the open market and if he does it’s quite possible that the Ravens will then be out of the running.

When Adalius Thomas left for greener pastures, it was assumed that part of the Ravens rationale in allowing Thomas to leave was to save some dough for Suggs. But if the demands fall outside of the “right player, right price” mantra, don’t expect Ozzie to stray. There is a growing opinion that the Ravens are a systematic defense and that they know how to place athletes given their unique skill sets in position to make plays. The next man up has served the Ravens well when they’ve lost a piece of the defense.

If Thomas fails to match the success in New England that he enjoyed in Baltimore, that could be further proof that the system works and that Ozzie won’t overpay for Suggs.

But someone will.

Just like someone will for Boller and for Leftwich.

Checkmate!