The Baltimore Ravens are a prime example of why getting old and expensive is no way to live. Now, they pay the price.
In sports, and life, there is a price to pay for getting old. In the NFL, it is a slow and painful march toward competitive death, with expensive stops in free agency.
No team is feeling that pain more than the Baltimore Ravens.
General manager Ozzie Newsome is already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a tight end, and he could easily go in for his work in the Baltimore front office. The Ravens have won a pair of championships under his stewardship, most recently in 2012. Unfortunately, things have begun to slowly unravel since, due to a combination of poor draft, overpays for aging stars and bad luck.
While winning Super Bowl XLVII represents the zenith of achievement, it also points us to the beginning of Baltimore’s end in its current state. The playoff run authored by quarterback Joe Flacco took his contract negotiations from good player to top dollar. It resulted in a six-year, $120 million deal with $29 million guaranteed. At signing, it was the largest contract in league history.
However, the deal put Baltimore into cap hell. Only three years later, Newsome was forced to give Flacco a three-year extension to spread the money. It fixed short-term problems but extended them throughout the rest of the decade, with Flacco’s cap hits going from $24.5M, $24.7M, $26.5M and $28.2M over the next four seasons. Considering the dead cap ramifications if he’s released, the Ravens are tied to Flacco until after the 2019 season, at the earliest.
In the meantime, other large contracts handed out by Newsome went sour. Dennis Pitta signed a five-year, $32 million deal before the 2014 season. The first two years of that were marred by injury, seeing Pitta catch 16 passes. The deal was risky when offered, considering Pitta had played only four games in 2013 due to a hip injury.
In 2012, Lardarius Webb was given a six-year pact worth $52 million. The deal went south after the first two years, with Webb no longer an above-average corner. He was released this season after enduring restructures in 2014 and 2015.
These contracts were only compounded by draft misses. From 2009-16, Baltimore drafted 68 players. Of those 68, they have combined for three Pro Bowls (Mosley 2x, Juszczyk) and no All-Pros in a Ravens uniform. Juszczyk was lost to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency this year. The only other draftees from that period to make the Pro Bowl are Tyrod Taylor in 2015 and Kelechi Osemele in 2016, for the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders, respectively.
Even when Newsome has found luck, it has disappeared quickly. Zach Orr was a tremendous find as an undrafted free agent in 2014, making second-team All-Pro last season. Then during the NFL playoffs, Orr announced his retirement, citing a neck injury, walking away at age 24.
All of this leaves Baltimore paying for free agents, plugging holes that should be filled by young guys on rookie contracts. With Newsome releasing Webb, he was forced to sign Tony Jefferson for $36 million over four years. Baltimore also released Elvis Dumervil, leaving it without a partner on the edge for 34-year-old Terrell Suggs.
There was also the offseason retirement of Steve Smith Sr. His departure puts more pressure on third-year receiver Breshad Perriman, who has 33 catches and 499 yards in two seasons. Perriman, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, needs to step up.
After years of missed draft picks and expensive contracts, Newsome’s Ravens are meeting their proverbial maker. With many of its stars over the 30-year-old threshold (Suggs, Flacco, Pitta, Eric Weddle), Baltimore must make piece with an ugly rebuilding process in the near future.
Power rankings
Top 10 potential draft fits
1. Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
2. Malik Hooker – Los Angeles Chargers
3. O.J. Howard – New York Giants
4. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
5. Corey Davis – Tennessee Titans
6. Forrest Lamp – Seattle Seahawks
7. Deshaun Watson – Arizona Cardinals
8. Marhson Lattimore – San Francisco 49ers
9. Leonard Fournette – Carolina Panthers
10. Christian McCaffrey – Green Bay Packers
Quotable
"“It was really hurtful learning that the Redskins didn’t really offer me a contract,” Baker said on Sirius XM NFL Radio on Friday, “being that I was one of their best defensive linemen on their team for the last couple of years and really worked my way up from the practice squad to being one of the best linemen. And for them not to offer me was very hurtful, but I understand it’s a business and I’m very happy to move forward with the Buccaneers and I think I really have a bright future there.”"
– Chris Baker was upset that the Redskins didn’t offer a contract. He shouldn’t be.
Baker is a solid defensive lineman who should help the Buccaneers make a playoff run in 2017. Meanwhile, his absence will be felt by a Washington team with its car stuck in reverse and the gas pedal pinned. In a few months, Baker will be looking at the Redskins’ lack of an offer and smiling from ear to ear.
Random stat
Since the Portsmouth Spartans became the Detroit Lions prior to the 1934 NFL season, the Lions and Chicago Bears have squared off 165 times in the regular season. They are still waiting fo their first postseason matchup.
No two teams have played each other more without a postseason contest.
Info learned this week
1. Hightower remains in New England
After a long flirtation with both the Jets and Steelers, inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower went back to the Patriots on a four-year deal with $20 million guaranteed. Hightower had to be retained by the Patriots, who traded fellow linebacker Jamie Collins at midseason to the Browns.
Hightower’s return continues a very strong offseason for New England. The Patriots already added Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore, although the question of Malcolm Butler’s future remains. Butler is a restricted free agent but has been visiting the Saints in hopes of getting moved to New Orleans for compensation.
2. Raiders, Lynch reportedly have mutual interest
After a year out of the game, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch apparently wants to attempt a comeback. Per Raiders broadcaster Greg Papa, the Raiders are trying to coax Lynch out of retirement to replace Latavius Murray, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
Lynch, 30, may not have much tread left on his tires. In 2015, his last year playing, Lynch rushed for 417 yards (in seven games) on 3.8 yards per carry. The year prior, Lynch was much better, amassing 1,306 rushing yards. For Oakland, the gamble might be worth it, but because lynch remains under Seattle’s control, it may have to trade a pick to acquire him.
3. Veteran stars remain available
In five (or so) years, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be judging the candidacies of Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and Darrelle Revis. Two are locks, while Charles, who holds the all-time record for yards per carry (5.5) will have a strong case. Yet, in 2016, all remain on the free-agent market as afterthoughts.
It’s likely Peterson and Charles will eventually find work, although on cheap, one-year deals. The running back market has settled, and with both over 30 years old and coming off injuries, the demand is puny. As for Revis, he’s trying to overcome off-field issues and rapidly deteriorating play. It’s going to be tough sledding for an all-timer.
4. Tony Romo waiting game continues
Another week, another seven days of speculation out of the Tony Romo saga. Romo remains with the Cowboys while general manager/owner Jerry Jones is hoping to receive a draft pick for his 37-year-old quarterback.
While the Texans and Broncos remain the top two destinations for him, it’s unlikely either forfeits assets to acquire him. Ultimately, Jones may have to simply move on. At that point, we find out who wants Romo more. Bet on Houston.
5. Colts making smart moves … finally
After the dark ages (see: Ryan Grigson’s tenure), the Colts are beginning to make quality additions. General manager Chris Ballard signed linebacker Sean Spence over the weekend, after already signing John Simon, Jabaal Sheard and others.
Indianapolis has a long way to go before it becomes a contender. Frankly, it might take a head coaching change. Still, Ballard has this team making smart investments on the defensive end, while retaining Andrew Luck’s security blanket in Jack Doyle. So far, so good for Ballard.
History lesson
The 1996 Jaguars are one of the great high-wire acts of all time. Jacksonville began the season 4-7 before winning four consecutive games. In Week 17, the second-year franchise reached the playoffs when Morten Andersen missed a 30-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Jaguars a home win over the 4-12 Atlanta Falcons.
A s a sixth seed in the playoffs, Jacksonville went into Buffalo and knocked off the Bills, 30-27, with Mike Hollis banking the game-winner off the upright. In the Divisional round, the 14-point underdogs traveled to Denver and fell behind 12-0. Despite the early deficit, the Jaguars rallied to win, 30-27, behind Mark Brunell and Natrone Means.
The Cinderella run ended one week later in New England, but Jacksonville’s run was one for the ages.
Parting shot
Jared Goff and Carson Wentz were the first and second-overall picks, respectively, in last year’s draft. Their rookie campaigns went in opposite directions from the jump, with Wentz starting all 16 games while Goff was second-string to Case Keenum.
When the year concluded, Wentz had thrown for 3,782 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, the definition of an average rookie season. Goff was largely awful with 1,089 yards, five touchdowns and seven picks. Goff also went 0-7 in his starts.
In the offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams both tried to help their signal callers. Philadelphia added Alshon Jeffery, giving Wentz a top-flight weapon. Los Angeles allowed leading receiver Kenny Britt to leave, but inked Robert Woods and brought in left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Before May, the Rams must add a receiver, but will be without a first-round pick. Philadelphia’s acquisition of Jeffery is a game-changer, while Los Angeles has upgraded the protection for Goff but not his weaponry. If Goff goes into Week 1 with Tavon Austin, Robert Woods and Pharoh Cooper in a three-wide set, it’s going to get ugly. Quick.