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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — When requested in January how the Baltimore Ravens would appeal to a free-agent huge receiver, basic supervisor Eric DeCosta made reference to one in every of his favourite films.
“I’ll simply name on a line from The Godfather, ‘I’ll make him a suggestion he can’t refuse,’” he stated.
Almost two weeks into free company, the Ravens’ tough hunt for an skilled goal for Lamar Jackson has led to one in every of two conclusions:
— The Ravens don’t have the wage cap room for DeCosta to do his greatest Marlon Brando impersonation and overwhelm receivers with offers that lure them to Baltimore.
— Or huge receivers don’t need to play in Baltimore’s run-dominated offense.
The Ravens have made simply two reported provides to free-agent huge receivers this offseason — JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.Y. Hilton — and struck out each occasions despite the fact that you can also make the argument Baltimore had put the most effective offers on the desk.
Final week, the Ravens provided Smith-Schuster a one-year, $9 million provide that included $4 million in incentives, in accordance with the NFL Community. Smith-Schuster selected to stick with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a one-year, $8 million contract.
On Wednesday, Baltimore made a powerful push for Hilton, providing him a multi-year take care of extra assured cash than the Indianapolis Colts, in accordance with a supply. However Hilton determined to stay with the Colts on a one-year, $10 million contract.
It’s potential that the Ravens’ provides weren’t wealthy sufficient to get Smith-Schuster and Hilton to go away the comforts of the groups that drafted them. It’s additionally potential that neither Smith-Schuster nor Hilton need to play in an offense that threw the ball simply 406 occasions, the fewest within the NFL in eight years.
The failed pursuit of huge receivers has prompted loads of frustration amongst Ravens’ followers and even impressed a meme on Twitter that drew a Jackson remark.
Why are free-agent WRs saying no to Ravens?
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 25, 2021
The Ravens are in a troublesome state of affairs as a result of they need to assist Jackson develop as a passer however additionally they don’t need to tinker an excessive amount of with a profitable components.
Since Jackson took over as Baltimore’s beginning quarterback halfway by way of the 2018 season, the Ravens have gained extra video games (31) and scored extra factors (30.1) than any crew within the league. Baltimore has completed this on the energy of an offense that has produced two of the most effective dashing seasons in NFL historical past.
However the Ravens perceive they should develop into extra balanced after failing to attain greater than 20 factors in all three of Jackson’s postseason losses. After the season, Baltimore huge receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown expressed his displeasure over the Ravens rating No. 1 in dashing and No. 32 in passing.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh has stated he’s “not apologizing” for the crew’s run-oriented philosophy and he’s not going to beg a large receiver to come back to Baltimore. It’s only a powerful promote to get a receiver to come back to an offense the place you’re blocking greater than operating go routes. The final Ravens huge receiver to eclipse 800 yards receiving was Mike Wallace in 2016.
Baltimore’s remaining choices embody signing Sammy Watkins, who visited the Ravens on Tuesday, or discover a commerce. Baltimore may add a large receiver within the draft, however the crew’s observe file doesn’t encourage a lot confidence. Solely one of many 30 huge receivers drafted by the Ravens has produced a 1,000-yard season (Torrey Smith in 2013).
The Ravens have repeatedly patched up their huge receiver group over time by signing a 30-something huge receiver, from Derrick Mason to Anquan Boldin to Steve Smith Sr. However Baltimore hasn’t added a big free-agent huge receiver within the two offseasons with Jackson as its starter.
Till the Ravens land a big-name goal for Jackson, the query of whether or not huge receivers need to play in Baltimore will loom over the franchise.
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