As reported by The Baltimore Sun (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2011/07/ravens_to_release_heap_and_mason_in_surprise_cuts.html) the Baltimore Ravens are planning on cutting Todd Heap, Derrick Mason, Kelly Gregg, and Willis McGahee on Thursday.
I’m not surprised to read that the Ravens will attempt to re-sign both Heap and Mason to lower dollar contracts. That was my expectation when I first heard the news they would be cut.
If you look at the entirety of the moves Ozzie Newsome has made as General Manager of this Franchise, you understand why he deserves the benefit of the doubt with every move he makes. Newsome illustrated his rationale of the moves made in the statement (http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/29695/ozzie-newsome-promises-early-roster-cuts) the Ravens released this evening. This is going to be a hectic week, and the Ravens (and everyone else) are going to have to move quickly with their decision making process. Obviously the Ravens have made a calculated decision that they can Heap and Mason back at a cheaper price. Clearly the Ravens are looking at the Salary Cap, and have determined the risk of losing these players is less than the risk of not adding cap relief.
That benefit of the doubt earned, does not mean every decision made is perfection though. Make no doubt about it, this is a dangerous game the Ravens are playing here. Every move the Ravens makes has to be looked at through the prism of an organization that is striving to get back to a Super Bowl. I’ve spoken numerous times about how I believe Ed Dickson will emerge this year. Still, when the only goal is winning this year, losing Heap would obviously hurt. In 13 games last year, Heap had 40 catches for 599 yards and 5 TD’s. Most impressively, Heap averaged 15 yards per reception (11.8 for his career). Dickson and Pitta combined for 12 catches.
Think Flacco would miss his safety-valve, and the vastly improved pass-blocking skills of Heap? Part of the equation for this move, is the Ravens calculation that not only can they get Heap to come-back cheaper; but that they 1) Either don’t believe Heap will be willing to go elsewhere, or 2) Don’t believe others will be in on him, and 3) Are willing to move on if he does.
We will see what happens if Heap calls the Ravens bluff, and decides he can (or wants) to be elsewhere.
The same points apply for Derrick Mason. For all of the attention that was received with the Anquan Boldin addition last year, him and Mason finished last year with nearly identical numbers. Boldin had 64 grabs, for 837 yards, 13.1 yards per reception, and 7 TD’s. In comparison, Mason had 61 catches, for 802 yards, 13.1 yards per reception, and 7 TD’s.
After the Week 8 bye last year, Boldin was a complete non-factor. He had just 26 catches for 319 yards. Those numbers came with Mason opposite of Boldin. Boldin’s numbers are not going to improve, if Heap and Mason are not there to receive some attention from opposing defenses.
I’m sure the Ravens realize that they will not win a Super Bowl this year, if their receiving core is Boldin, T.Smith, D. Reed, T. Doss, (J. Hardy, M. Smith, J. Harper). Maybe the gamble pays off, and the Ravens get Mason back at a cheaper price. If they lose him, Baltimore will have a major hole to fill.
McGahee getting cut was expected by everyone. (As discussed here: https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=2584) I’m very interested in seeing what the Ravens attempt to do with McClain. It has been my contention with the signing of Jason McKie at FB, that the team should be attempting to get McClain back. Besides his familiarity with the offense, his size and running style is a nice compliment to Rice. If needed, he has shown he can be a true-lead blocker, and also a weapon as a receiver out of the backfield (70 receptions the past 3 years). There are some other RB’s available as Free Agents that could be interesting (Michael Bush is one EDIT: Bush is a Restricted FA, and is extremely unlikely to be leaving Oakland), but I think retaining McClain should happen. I do expect Parmele to make the team, and think there is a good chance 7th round pick Anthony Allen does as well. Depending on either would be a mistake though, and not something that the Ravens are likely to do. Earlier this off-season, we asked the Ravens Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz the following on Allen (https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=1889):
Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Ravens ended their 2011 Draft, with the selection of Georgia Tech RB Anthony Allen. The 6’1, 230 lb back had 1,316 yards rushing this past year, and is described as having good burst, and toughness. The Yellow Jackets under Paul Johnson use the triple-option offense. Is it harder to evaluate backs in that system? How are his hands out of the backfield? With Georgia Tech not doing a lot of throwing, is his blitz-pickup raw?”
Joe Hortiz: “It is tougher to evaluate running backs in that offense. They play much closer to the Line of Scrimmage and come out of a 3-point stance. That said, what you can see every play is their willingness for contact as they either carry the ball or carry out the fake and get hit while looking for someone to block. Having the ability to see him participate in the Senior Bowl gave us an opportunity to evaluate him as a pro style runner. In terms of hands, he didn’t get a lot of chances at Georgia Tech but he caught it very well in the position drills at the combine and has catch production in his background from his days at Louisville. He’ll need some refinement in terms of blitz pickup but he is big, strong and willing to block.”
Last December, Coach Harbaugh had the following to say about Kelly Gregg:
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Kelly-Gregg-has-staying-power.html
“Kelly Gregg, he’s an amazing guy. He’s played all these year in the middle, probably one of the toughest positions in football. He’s not the biggest guy, but there’s nobody that plays with better leverage. There’s nobody who understands blocking schemes better. And Kelly is playing at a very high level. He’s playing as well as he ever has. He’s a big part of our defense.”
I have to wonder if an off-season review of the game tape changed that December evaluation? I saw a guy that got pushed around a lot last year, had trouble stopping the run at the point of attack, and rarely made plays behind the line of scrimmage. He’s had a very solid career. If he can return at a cheaper price as a reserve Tackle, that is good depth to have. If he does not return, you thank him for the very solid career he had here, and wish him the best. The Ravens will be okay without him. I expect Terrence ‘Mount’ Cody to start next to Ngata this year. Baltimore also has Brandon McKinney who they likely feel good about. Matt Vensel from the Baltimore Sun, interviewed Matt Williamson from ESPN’s Scout Inc. in June, and Williamson actually preferred McKinney to Cody (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-06-06/sports/bal-sportsblitz-ravens-breakouts0606_1_ravens-defense-lardarius-webb-ed-dickson) stating:
“McKinney is very impressive to me. I think many people are talking about Cody — and Cody might be a fine space eater, your next Kelly Gregg — but I think Brandon is the better player,” he said. “He has a chance to be a real difference-maker, a really solid contributor.”
A week that figures to be very interesting, has certainly started off that way. In the cases of Heap, and Mason – more questions are raised vs. being answered. We will see what the results are.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.