HoosierCat Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Piece of a Mike Preston column from the Baltimore Sun...According to a league source, the Ravens have been sending out "feelers" to gauge the interest in Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis. We're not talking heavy-duty stuff here, but the word was out.Teams, though, might not want to trade for a player who is on the decline, is injury prone and has three years left on his contract worth $5.5 million next season and $6.5 million in 2007 and 2008.In 2005, Lewis wasn't happy that the Ravens failed to restructure his contract, a move that would have given him significant upfront and guaranteed money. Because of this, Lewis became isolated and no longer wanted to be the face of the Ravens.He has remained silent since leaving the Bears game on Oct. 23 with a season-ending groin and hamstring injury, but it's well-known around the Ravens' training complex that Lewis would prefer to play elsewhere next season.The ideal situation for Lewis would be to play for a team that is close to breaking through but lacks a veteran leader that could put it over the top. It needs to be a good fit, much like tight end Shannon Sharpe was for the Ravens in 2000.If Lewis remains here, it will be interesting to see how he interacts with his teammates after the Ravens sign safety Ed Reed to a lucrative, multi-year contract this offseason. The Ravens have become believers in Lewis' backup, Bart Scott, who also will become an unrestricted free agent.Billick recently warned some team officials that cornerback Chris McAlister might not be with the team next season, despite having five years left on his contract worth about $36 million. McAlister received the first part ($10 million) of a signing bonus in October 2004, and another $7.5 million last spring.He did not play in the last game against Cleveland, reportedly because of injuries, but a recurring problem off the field may have been a factor as well, according to a team source. General manager Ozzie Newsome apparently wants to keep McAlister because he is under contract, and the Ravens might as well get the most out of him.But Billick is right: It's time McAlister had a change of scenery. He started off strong last season, but then looked slow, unprepared and uninterested. The Ravens have gone out of their way to both help and defend him through the years, and he hasn't played up to potential the past two seasons.Regardless of how his salary affects the cap, it's time for a change.The Ravens have basically told free-agent safety Will Demps that he will not be re-signed, but Demps had pretty much made up his mind not to return before an injury sidelined him for the season Nov. 27 against Cincinnati.Apparently, Demps didn't think he got enough credit for aligning the secondary when Reed was out of the lineup with an ankle injury. He was right. The only members of the secondary who knew the coverages, including the secondary coaches, were Reed, McAlister and Demps. The most clueless of all was Deion "Part-Time" Sanders, the team's nickel back.http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...sports-footballI wouldn't object to McAlister or Demps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 There's rumor to a Dante Culpepper for Ray Lewis trade that's possibly in the works leaving Kitna with, potentionally, Detroit and/or Green Bay as destinations.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 There's rumor to a Dante Culpepper for Ray Lewis trade that's possibly in the works leaving Kitna with, potentionally, Detroit and/or Green Bay as destinations....I never thought about that.I was just telling someone last night that I thought Kitna would play great for us next year......in Baltimore With all the stuff that goes on in the offseason it's almost as fun as when they play the games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Yea, apparently the new Vikings owner wants to sketch Dante out because of his supposed involvement with the boat scandel and plus Culpepper is demanding a new contract -- which translates after receiving a big one that I want out. I think Ray-Ray is a shell of his former self. His name is still carrying him around the league but injury, as with all older players, will, and has, doom him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjakq27 Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 There's rumor to a Dante Culpepper for Ray Lewis trade that's possibly in the works leaving Kitna with, potentionally, Detroit and/or Green Bay as destinations.... Was Billick in Minnesota when they drafted Culpepper? Or was he in Baltimore by then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Nope, just missed. Culpepper drafted in 1999 (roughly April) while Billick joined the Ravens on Jan. 19th, 1999.He may have interviewed with him, but knowing Dennis Green, I bet Culpepper is Green's guy -- hence the Culpepper to Arizona rumors. The NFL has their own version of silly season... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I wouldn't object to McAlister either and before he signed his contract with the TurdBirds, he stated how he would love to play for Marvin Lewis again. His price would surely be much lower than two years ago coming off a pro bowl season. Culpepper in Baltimore huh ?? Interesting and confirms everyones opinion that Kyle Boller really is the biggest douche pretending to be an NFL quarterback...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Culpepper struggled mightily with a downgraded receiving corps in Minnesota. Imagine him in Baltimore...I'd love to have Demps or McCallister as well. They'd both fit our needs perfectly, and put the Ravens even more in the Dumps (no pun intended). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted January 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 There's rumor to a Dante Culpepper for Ray Lewis trade that's possibly in the worksI can't believe that Baltimore is that desperate! Trade Ray-Ray for a QB who has worse knee injury than Palmer and who was sucking big time before he got hurt?leaving Kitna with, potentionally, Detroit and/or Green Bay as destinations....GB has young whathisface in the wings and Favre is still dilly-dallying, which I expect means he'll be back. Detroit would be interesting but at most it's a 1-year gig killing time while Jay Cutler learns the ropes. Better for Kit to stay in stripes, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 GB has young whathisface in the wings and Favre is still dilly-dallying, which I expect means he'll be back. Detroit would be interesting but at most it's a 1-year gig killing time while Jay Cutler learns the ropes. Better for Kit to stay in stripes, IMHO.The theory, of course, is that Favre retires -- which isn't out of the question considering Favre did state that his fate with the Packers would be the same as Sherman's. He hasn't come out and adjusted that position so I'm sure they are looking for a veteran to compete, or guide Rodgers along.And I do think wherever he goes, it'll be a one-year gig, unless he sticks with Cincy, which I could see signing a two-year deal for now and eventually retiring as a Bengals and turning into a QB coach. C'mon, he's the obvious natural choice for the Bengals future QB coach while Ken Zampese moves his stuff into the offensive coordinators office considering Bob Bratkowski is such a big head coaching can.... oh wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted January 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 The theory, of course, is that Favre retires -- which isn't out of the question considering Favre did state that his fate with the Packers would be the same as Sherman's. He hasn't come out and adjusted that position so I'm sure they are looking for a veteran to compete, or guide Rodgers along.I would expect they would install Rodgers as the starter if Farve retires. You draft him, he does his "Carson Palmer time" on the sideline, no better time to see what you've got. So I think even GB represents a vet backup gig for Kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 I didn't realize the new guy GB hired has an assocation with Brett. Fine by me. I'd love to see Favre play another 10 years and break Marino's records. LOVE IT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Next_Big_Thing Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 For the right price, I'd take any of these guys, even Ray "Charles cause I didn't see nuffin eider" Lewis as a mentor for Odell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybren Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 And I do think wherever he goes, it'll be a one-year gig, unless he sticks with Cincy, which I could see signing a two-year deal for now and eventually retiring as a Bengals and turning into a QB coach. C'mon, he's the obvious natural choice for the Bengals future QB coach while Ken Zampese moves his stuff into the offensive coordinators office considering Bob Bratkowski is such a big head coaching can.... oh wait.I think you hit the nail on the head. Assuming Zampese and/or Kitna don't get hired away, they've gotta be shoe-ins for the OC and QB Coach jobs respectively. So after next season, the team's success or failure will demonstrate that Brat should get a head coaching job, or that his time is up. Either way, Zampese moves up the ladder. And if not Zampese, then maybe Hue Jackson. I'm sure Carson would approve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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