The NFL draft and re-signings

Whether it's free agency or the draft, Ozzie always "got this," and 2013 was no exception. Here's a quick rundown of our picks and how they might contribute this year (click on their names to see their NFL.com draft profile):

• Matt Elam (S, Florida)—I'm really excited to listen to the radio after the first regular season game, when 50 Balti-morons call 105.7 The Fan to complain about letting go of Reed and starting Matt Elam. 
• Let's get one thing straight: Elam is going to play more of a Pollard role, and he can do it, if you haven't seen his highlights. Going from Ed Reed to anyone else is difficult; but this kid IS NOT ED REED!

• Arthur Brown (LB, Kansas State)—Same caveat for Brown as for Elam... ARTHUR BROWN IS NOT RAY LEWIS. I know, everyone is going to compare 2013's mike linebacker to Ray Lewis. No one is Ray Lewis; no one is Ed Reed; they are both gone; start getting over it.

• Brandon Williams (NT, Missouri Southern)—I didn't think much about Brandon Williams until the first reports from Ravens Organized Team Activities (OTAs) started surfacing. 
• He looked to me like a Mount Cody clone, but apparently he's an absolute beast. A southern school guy, Williams dominated top offensive line talent at the senior bowl, and is my top pick for the steal of the 2013 draft.... unless....

• John Simon (LB, Ohio State)—Unless John Simon has something to say about that. A starting, award-winning outside linebacker for Ohio State, many analysts have compared him to Jarrett Johnson (we wish). He loves football, loves working out and loves hitting people. AKA he's a Raven.

• Kyle Juszczyk (FB/ TE/ H-back/ U-back/ ...whatever, Harvard)—We have Pitta, the American Express, and now we have Juice (His name, by the way, is pronounced YOOS-check). Whenever a team takes a FB or a TE this high, they see something special about him. Juice was only a decent blocker in college, but he was an amazing play maker. Think a smaller Vonta Leach with worse blocking but better hands, route running, and ball-carrier vision.

• Ricky Wagner (T, Wisconsin)—Honestly, I know nothing about this guy... Google him, I don't know. If we get anything out of him this year, even the Ravens would be shocked. Hopefully Wagner can be a depth guy, and as a fifth round pick, if he can turn into a decent starter in three years, that's a win.

New Contracts, Re-signings

Obviously with so many people leaving via free agency, the Ravens had very few opportunities to re-sign their own players. Their one big signing, however, was a big signing.

Dennis Pitta (1 year, just shy of $2 million)—This isn't the big signing to which I was referring, but Pitta recently signed his restricted free agent tender. Pitta is going to be integral to Joe Flacco's success this season with Anquan Boldin gone and Ed Dickson not reaching his potential yet.

Joe Flacco (6 years, $120 million)— Pat Moriarty and the Ravens, again, draw up a deal to lock down a young, cornerstone player. The organization finalized a contract that Flacco felt fairly represented his value to the team and freed the cap space Ozzie used to make a few of the aforementioned free agency moves. 

Whether or not Flacco's career thus far justified making him the highest paid quarterback in NFL history (before Aaron Rodgers signed his 5 year, $110 million contract) is debatable. The simple answer is, "probably not." The actual answer(s):

• Flacco and his agent arrived at the negotiating table with stats from Joe's career that, whether they were team or individual stats (e.g. most wins in first 4 years, most career postseason road wins), justified a high asking price.

• Flacco played out his rookie contract without missing a single game. In today's NFL, quarterback is, without question, the most important position on the field. Teams that not only have a capable QB, but one who is durable, are in good shape to contend for the playoffs every year.

"Told ya"

In the last month before Flacco's contract expired, he happened to tie Joe Montana for the most TD passes in the playoffs without throwing an interception, and the Ravens won the Super Bowl—because of him and not in spite of him.

WAHHHHHH I did it!!!

Joe pulled an Eli Manning. After Manning won the Super Bowl a few years ago, the Giants signed him to a deal that was, at the time, considered ridiculous and excessive: 7 years, $106.9 million. 1 year more and $13 million less than Flacco. It's the lay of the land and there was no way of getting around it.

On a hilarious side note, were the Cowboys serious when they extended Romo's contract? 6 years, $108 million for a quarterback who has won a total of 1 playoff game in 9 years.

 
Torrey Smith summed it all up perfectly on Twitter: @TorreySmithWR "Romo's contract has more guaranteed money than Joe's... still mad about Joe's deal???"

Rollercoaster offseason aside, this season is going to be extremely interesting. If a couple of the rookies excel, and a couple players return from injury to full strength, The Ravens will be an intimidating, playoff-caliber team. If those things don't happen, Baltimore will be staring down the barrel of an 8-8 season.