Could Hauschka be on his way out?

Jamison Hensley is reporting a "change of tone" for Harbaugh's comments about the kicker. See article here

Collective Bargaining Agreement - A Primer

While much of the attention lately has been focused on whether or not Rush Limbaugh will make a good owner, a larger issue has been brewing just below the surface. It hasn't received much attention though, even though the implications are far more severe.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire next year, and although there has been MUCH debate over whether it works, what the loopholes are, and how they are often exploited/ ignored, there is no debate over the impact it has had on the league since it's introduction in 1994. There are many aspects to the CBA, but one of the major issues, and certainly the one that gets the most attention is the salary cap. The salary cap, in theory, encourages parity and makes it much more difficult for teams to spend their way to a championship. (I'll go ahead and say it. Like the Yankees)

The NFL opted out of the CBA last year, although the agreement, which was formed in 1996 does not expire until 2010. Discussions have been ongoing, although NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has not participated in them. According to reports, he will be at the meeting which will take place this week.

The NFL Salary cap sets both a base (minimum) payroll and a maximum payroll teams must stay between. The cap is adjusted each year based on the previous year's revenue. At it's inception the cap was $34.6 million per team, while for the 2009 season it had grown to $128 million per team. This number is commonly 60% of total revenues, with teams required to pay out in salary a percentage of the cap number. The cap also includes numerous conditions - mostly including signing bonuses and performance bonuses which allow some "fuzzy math" as far as what is counted and what is not counted toward the cap.

The owners, as you can imagine, have many issues with the cap. They argue that the environment has changed since the CBA was being negotiated in the early 90's. Most notably, stadium overhead has increased in ways not imagined (it takes a lot of juice to run that screen in Dallas!) and raising the cap every year does not take into account outside factors like the economic downturn.

So does the cap work? Although it has looked at times like the greatest document since the 10 Commandments, many say that in recent years, it hasn't made much of a difference. This year alone there have been 6 shutouts and 20 blowouts of 21 points or more. In a recent article for the Wall Street Journal, Reed Albergotti reports the following:

Last season, six teams spent less than the league's official salary minimum in actual dollars, while 13 teams spent above the maximum, according to a person familiar with the matter. This season, the spread between the league's biggest payroll and the smallest was a whopping $66 million, enough to cover Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning's salary six times over.

If there is no agreement by March, it doesn't mean that owners will go on a spending spree. There are restrictions as well for an uncapped year. The amount of time before veterans can become restricted free agents is increased, and there will be a "transition tag" in place, which operates similarly to the franchise tag. The Players Association has stated that when/ if the cap expires, that will be the end of it, they will not a cap to be put back in place.

So what will happen? We will have to wait and see, and we will keep you updated.

Stover to Colts?

Early reports say the Colts may sign Matt Stover to replace injured kicker Adam Vinatieri. This would make Matt the only player to play for all 3 Baltimore teams!

Update: It's Official. Adam Schefter is reporting the Colts signed Stover.

Ravens to cut Curtis

Mike Duffy from BaltimoreRavens.com is reporting that the Ravens are cutting Tight End Tony Curtis to make a roster spot for WR David Tyree.

David Tyree to the Ravens

Adam Shefter is reporting that wide reciever David Tyree is expected to sign with the Ravens today. See it here.

Ravens top of the ESPN Week 3 Power Rankings

I am a surprised to see this, but the Baltimore Ravens landed at the top of ESPN's Power Rankings. Full list HERE

Scary Thoughts and Happy Thoughts

After viewing the first two games this season, I can't help but realize some of the talking heads were right. (That is a scary thought in and of itself.) I kept hearing about how Rex Ryan and Bart Scott leaving the Ravens would be the demise of last years #2 overall defense last year.

I always reply with the fact that there were a few defensive coaches who left the Ravens in the past and the Ravens survived just fine. A few of note include Mike Nolan, Marvin Lewis, Jack Del Rio, Mike Singletary, and Mike Smith.

This time I may be wrong and here is why (again bulleted for your convenience):

• 17th rank in yards per game allowed by the defense
• 23rd rank in points per game allowed by the defense
• 26th rank yards allowed per play
• 14th rank in forced fumbles
• 25th rank in fumbles recovered
• 21st rank in sacks

Come on defense what is up with that? How does that happen considering the secondary was mildly improved in the off-season with the acquisition of Foxworth. Was Rex's defensive schemes that important? Is Mattison's milder attack to blame? Perhaps they are letting up because the pressure is off? Oh yeah, the Ravens have an offense, and a good one, too! How good? See below:

• 2nd rank in points scored per game (2nd only to the ridiculous NO offense)
• 2nd rank in total points scored (again to NO)
• 2nd rank in total touchdowns scored
• 2nd rank in first downs (to NE)
• 2nd rank in 1st down percentage
• 5th rank in QB sacks allowed

I guess a W is a W and I will take it. Maybe it's just me, but this is strange...

Go Ravens!

NFL Waiver System

I had a recent conversation with my brother, and we were talking about who had recently been cut, and who the Ravens were/ should be interested in, and it turns out I didn't REALLY understand how the waiver system works. This is due mainly to the fact that the official NFLPA (NFL Players Association) document reads as easy as something by James Joyce.

So after some research, here is a quick primer on how the waiver system works. (bulleted for your convenience)

• Teams are required to have a 53 man roster.
• A player is put on the waiver system if they have four or less "accrued" years in the league (6 or more games, and some other small print such as IR or practice squad)
• If a player has more then four years, they become a free agent.

The teams with the worst record the previous season have first priority on players on waivers. If they pass, it goes to the team with the next worse record, and continues on down the list. The top teams from the previous season have to wait until the progression goes through the teams below them to see if they have a shot. That is why teams are often slow to speculate or react when a player that is seemingly a good fit (David Tyree for the Ravens) becomes available.

For those who enjoy punishment, you can find the full definition, in all of its legal glory HERE

Baltimore Ravens Talk is Back

Call it poor planning. Call it an inability to follow through. Call it what you will but this blog is back. And to quote a certain Mike from a certain 4 letter network, We are back and better than ever.

Am I the only one all but giddy over the prospect of the upcoming season? College football has begun. Mel Kiper is already reviewing the next draft class. Pre-season football is over and most NFL fans are eagerly awaiting the kickoff to the season with Thursday Night Football. It’s gonna be a good year!!!