Ravens ellerbe close to deal

**lowrider** · 03-09-2013, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Reedpixuoff

McClain got 3.5 mil/year and he's overpaid. 6 mil/year is way too much for a player who gets beat like a redheaded stepchild in coverage.

All ILB's get beat like red headed step children more times then not my friend. We don't pay ILB's to be great in coverage, we pay them to stop the run first. If they can hold their own in coverage, which I think Ellerbie can, then that's all you can ask.

Bart Scott and/or Spikes? Really? They're on the downside of their careers. Why do you think Scott is no longer in NY?

**BcRaven** · 03-09-2013, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

I honestly hope Kruger gets a ton of money. Hello 3rd round comp pick lol

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Now this we can agree on buddy... Bc

**leachisabeast** · 03-09-2013, 08:22 PM

Cosell thinks Ellerbe has improved in coverage and is adequate. Says that he's easily a 3 down LB because he's arguably the best A gap blitzer in the league. Ellerbe is athletic enough to become good in coverage IMO. There is no getting away from this guys, Ellerbe is a very good player that would be a huge loss if we don't get him re-signed.

**Ravenswintitle** · 03-09-2013, 08:24 PM

We need Ellerbe IMO

**Paintballguy** · 03-09-2013, 08:31 PM

http://ow.ly/2vnkcl

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**leachisabeast** · 03-09-2013, 08:32 PM

Take anything Preston says with a grain of salt...

**pslholder96** · 03-09-2013, 09:05 PM

I really do hope we resign Ellerbe. He's our best linebacker right now on the roster. I hate to go into next season with a linebacker core of Upshaw, McClellan, Bynes, future draftee and Mcclain (coming of injury). We would have some serious depth issues.

**leachisabeast** · 03-09-2013, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

I really do hope we resign Ellerbe. He's our best linebacker right now on the roster. I hate to go into next season with a linebacker core of Upshaw, McClellan, Bynes, future draftee and Mcclain (coming of injury). We would have some serious depth issues.

Suggs?

**pslholder96** · 03-09-2013, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Suggs?

We still have serious depth issues.

**PalladinInNC** · 03-09-2013, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Take anything Preston says with a bucket of shit!...

Fixed it for you!

**NC Raven** · 03-09-2013, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

I really do hope we resign Ellerbe. He's our best linebacker right now on the roster. I hate to go into next season with a linebacker core of Upshaw, McClellan, Bynes, future draftee and Mcclain (coming of injury). We would have some serious depth issues.

That doesn't mean he's worth $6 million a year though. While Ellerbe is clearly a valuable player, the fact that he's the best guy we have at one position doesn't mean he's actually worth a big money contract. We're paying Jamell McClain about half that, and frankly it's too much money.

Six million bucks pays for a lot of depth. I don't know how wise it would be to spend it on one guy just so we don't go through spring and summer wondering who will play his spot. I am sure there's a FA or rookie out there we can use to fill his role, for less, if that's what it comes to. I just don't see Ellerbe fitting in the Ravens' salary structure given the numbers being thrown around.

Other than Ray, the Ravens allocate almost NOTHING salary-wise to the ILB position. There has got to be a reason for that. I'm guessing it's the scheme, and that the Ravens believe they can scrape up guys off the UDFA list every year and keep re-fililng it. Seeing that Ellerbe was himself a UDFA along with all the other ILBs not named Ray Lewis, I'd say they've got a good process in place to handle vacancies at ILB.