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Webb, Smith League’s Best CB Tandem By End Of 2012?
The NFL is a pass-oriented league.
Thus, teams salivate over gifted young cornerbacks who can slow an opposing aerial attack.
“Webb and Jimmy Smith, the team’s first-round pick from a year ago, will be a formidable pair for years to come for AFC North rivals Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton,” wrote ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
That kind of optimistic commentary on the Ravens’ cornerback unit is in stark contrast to what was said two years ago when things couldn’t look more grim. In 2010, the Ravens lost veteran Domonique Foxworth for the season after injuring his ACL in training camp. At the time, Webb and Fabian Washington were both recovering from knee surgery. (And that’s not even mentioning safety Ed Reed, who was coming off hip surgery.)
What was once considered a glaring weakness has now become a definite strength.
Webb, a former third-round draft pick out of Nicholls State, didn’t allow a touchdown last season and quarterbacks throwing at him had a rating of 55.6, according to an NFL statistics and analysis website Pro Football Focus.
Smith had a rough start to his rookie season, missing five games with an ankle injury. He worked back from the ankle and really started to shine in the playoffs. His most notable play came in the AFC championship game when he notched a Tom Brady interception off a tipped pass in the end zone.
Hensley believes Smith has the size and speed to become a shutdown corner.
Smith told BaltimoreRavens.com after the Ravens’ playoff run that he had an “OK” rookie season and he planned on having a great offseason so “I can get that [starting] corner spot.”
One thing is for sure, with a talented group of young corners on the roster for next season, the future looks bright.
“It can be very good with me, Jimmy and Cary starting off,” Webb said in January. “Sky’s the limit for as far as we can go.”
Webb Signing Saves (Some) Cap Space
It’s not much, but every little bit counts.
While Webb’s five-year extension (six-year total) is reportedly worth a total of $50 million, the figure against 2012 cap is $2.615 million. Under his restricted tender, Webb was initially due $2.742 million.
I’m no mathematician, but my iPhone calculator says that’s a total savings of … drum roll … about $127,000.
Prior to the Webb agreement, the Ravens’ remaining salary-cap space was reportedly $1.7 million.
The small figure shouldn’t be worrisome. Ravens brass assured Wednesday that they will be able to sign any good player they feel they want to be a part of the team.
“We talk about the cap basically every day, and if there’s a good player that can come in and help our football team, we’ll be able to fit him under our cap,” General Manager Newsome said at the team’s pre-draft press conference.
Konz Has Impressive Showing At Workout
Ravens Offensive Line Coach Andy Moeller and scout Milt Hendrickson were in attendance at Wisconsin center Peter Konz’ workout Thursday, according to scout.com’s Aaron Wilson.
They were joined by representatives from 19 other teams that didn’t get to see Konz in action at the NFL scouting combine because of his ankle injury.
“From all accounts, it was an impressive showing for Konz,” wrote Wilson.
Konz, who is a popular first-round pick for the Ravens in mock drafts, bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times and did offensive line drills for an hour showing “fluid mobility and natural athleticism.”
Some have projected Konz to be the Ravens’ long-term answer at center when Matt Birk retires, but play at the left guard position in the meantime.
“He’s got the size,” Ravens Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta said Wednesday. “He’s 6-5, 315 pounds. That’s to me a big indicator if a guy can do it. That’s one of those things where sometimes, there is a wait-and-see. We’ve considered all those different things. It’s a matter of working a guy out sometimes, putting him through the paces at the position.
“I think he’s played a little bit of guard in his past. I don’t know that it’s a really hard transition, center and guard. Other than the fact that you have to snap the ball, some of the same skill sets are there. I don’t think it’s a huge transition.”
Another Raven Joins Pagano
That’s three.
Ravens free agent defensive tackle Brandon McKinney signed to a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts Thursday.
McKinney is the third Raven to follow Chuck Pagano, the former defensive coordinator in Baltimore, to the Colts. Defensive end Cory Redding and safety Tom Zbikowski have also signed with Indy this offseason.
McKinney, 6-foot-2, 345-pounds, spent the last four seasons with the Ravens. He played in 14 games in 2011, backing up Haloti Ngata and Terrence Cody, recording 12 tackles and no sacks.
“I’m happy to be playing for Coach Pagano and Greg Manusky,” McKinney told the team’s website. “I’ll be joining some former teammates as well and that’s a good thing. We’re going to put in some good work. I’m happy to be here.”
Billick: Ravens Don’t Disrespect Reed
Safety Ed Reed said that he feels disrespected because the Ravens haven’t renegotiated his six-year contract reportedly worth $44.4 million. He is scheduled to make $7.2 million in 2012.
Brian Billick, who was the Ravens’ head coach when the team drafted Reed in 2002, says the Ravens do respect the future Hall of Famer and believes a new contract will eventually be worked out.
“As is the case of any player on the backend of any contact, you’ve got to know whatever contract you’ve signed, the next year or two someone is going to sign for more,” Billick said in the NFL Network video below. “And so the disrespect that Ed’s talking about, certainly the Ravens don’t disrespect Ed Reed. This is the business part of it.
“I imagine they will get something done, but where Ed is in his career, the position he plays, and where they’re going forward as an organization, it’s a tough combination, but hey, that’s what the offseason’s about.”
Quick Hits
“[Reed’s] been treated like one of the minor Greek gods around here for a long time, and somebody needs to remind him that he signed that contract that he now considers disrespectful,” wrote Peter Schmuck. “There’s no question that he’ll still be a premier player next season, but he needs to be a little more realistic.” [The Baltimore Sun]
I’m sure he’d like to make a signing announcement of his own soon … RayRice27: Congrats to the homie @LWebb21 well deserved #salute
RavensInsider: Lardarius Webb told me: ‘It feels amazing. It’s a dream come true. It seems like it was just yesterday I was watching the Ravens on TV.’ … ‘The Ravens believed in me, and they always believed in me. They stuck by me when I tore my ACL. It means a lot to me.’
Ravens safety Bernard Pollard believes the logical extension of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s emphasis on player safety is to turn professional football into flag football. [ProFootballTalk.com]
