Russell Street Report Street Talk Just Say No to Dez

So you want Dez Bryant to sign with the Ravens, do ya?

Maybe you strongly feel that the Ravens need to outfit Joe Flacco with not only some shiny new (well, chronologically speaking, old) weapons, but you believe he needs all of the weapons?

After all, it’s the reason you believe the team should’ve pushed harder for Jimmy Graham, Allen Robinson, Trey Burton, Jarvis Landry (via trade) and the list goes on and on … cost be damned!

Joe just needs weapons so he can somehow, suddenly revert back to his short-lived Super Bowl run level of play, right? And when it comes to Dez Bryant, it’s a no brainer! He’s extremely talented! Sure, he had unfortunately fallen on some tough luck in the form of Zeke Elliott stealing the show (and stats), but he would be a great weapon to fix Joe, right? He should just look at our history with veteran wide receivers and realize he belongs in Baltimore at a very team-friendly price! Hooray!

Riddle me this though …

Why would Baltimore want Dez, and why would Dez want to come to Baltimore?

Hear me out before you get all bent out of shape!

First, let’s address the fallacy that Joe just needs all of the weapons. Yes, he needs help, but that doesn’t mean “go sign every big name free agent.” The team already signed Michael Crabtree and John Brown, with Chris Moore a carry over Raven from 2017. There’s your vets and a guy who knows the system in Moore.

What you need now is rookies to develop, not another vet who turns 30 mid-season and ain’t coming cheap… and hey! Wouldn’t ya know it? The draft is LITTERED with talented receivers! In a few years time, the vets will be gone, and you need to make sure you have young guys on team friendly rookie deals in place to carry on. After all, it’s about continuity, right Harbaugh and Stevie Bisciotti?

Still not convinced?

What about the 8 years of Dez drama that ultimately contributed to his ousting in Dallas? As recently as 2017, there were concerns about his rapport with teammates and coaches alike, as well as concerns he had quit on the team come November (effort on contested catches was questioned). Even after being cut, Bryant said he was going to text his former teammates that screwed him over … Does that sound like a Raven to you?

I bet you still won’t join the dark side, so let’s talk diminished ball skills!

This is fairly damning. It doesn't necessarily mean poor hands, either. Also can be a result of reduced separation resulting in more contested targets. @Ravens @RavensViews https://t.co/mrOMUP76bU — Ken McKusick (@FilmstudyRavens) April 17, 2018

This isn’t blasting the wideout — he is still without a doubt still a great receiver … but it’s clear he’s not the 1,000+ yard wideout he used to be. He’s lost a step, and struggles to create separation, while also struggling in 2017 with drops. DROPS. Do we need more of those?

STILL think we need Dez? I didn’t want to do this but let’s talk contract.

Yes, I understand the team currently shows $10 million in cap space, but as our local capologist, Brian McFarland, explains, it’s not that simple, and is more likely in the $1M-2M usable cap range:

Not much really. Presently have a ~$10M in Cap space, but will need:

* ~$2.5M to fit in draft picks

* ~$1M when RuleOf51 ends and 53 on roster count (more if anyone goes on IR during TC)

* $1.3M for PS

* Would like to have $3-5M to carry into season for injury replacements 1/ https://t.co/iPleZgYIKj — Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) April 17, 2018

Suddenly, the Ravens are looking to restructure another deal/kick the can down the road (again), AND likely need to knock out this C.J. Mosley extension, just to make Dez fit, while still allowing space for the draft, practice squad, injuries, etc.

If you’re not convinced now, I assume you’re just a stubborn ass, which is cool! I too am a stubborn ass!

We’re a proud people.

But let’s flip the coin now and check out why Dez would want to come to Baltimore. After all, there’s so many reasons he should covet this franchise offering him a deal, right? Just look at this list of reasons!

-winning franchise -great QB play -perennial playoff contender -plenty of cap space to satiate his contractual needs

Wait… that’s the list back when we signed Steve Smith Sr. years ago. Let’s update it real quick:

-.500 franchise -subpar QB play -missed the playoffs in 4 of last 5 years -cap strapped

Yea … if I’m Dez? None of this is alluring to me. The team may be “the most aggressive” or “the most interested” but it needs to be a two-way street. It’s kind of hard to convince the former Pro Bowl wide receiver to join a flustering offense that shows no signs of a resurgence any time soon.

One more angle here: the contract.

Should Dez want to do a 1-year prove-it deal, would he really feel confident that Joe Flacco, Marty Mornhinweg and the Ravens offense will boost his numbers and parlay it into a big, new deal in 2019?

Hell, if Dez really wanted to go to after a 1-year prove-it, why not the Patriots? Or maybe the Packers? Two teams who could match Ravens offer financially, while giving Dez much more hope of turning in a great season, while offering a realistic shot at a Super Bowl.

Hard to beat that.

If we’re looking at a long term deal, I’d imagine Dez Bryant would be much more interested in a team like the 49ers, the Colts, or the Bears; all teams with plenty of cap space, plenty of need for a wide receiver and no worry about a possible retool/reboot in the next year should the team falter in 2018.

…

Ultimately, could it work? Sure it can.

The Ravens could make room, use their recruiting team to convince Dez to join the Ravens and we’ll cross our fingers for the best. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s in the Ravens best interest, both short term and long term, to steer clear and focus the remaining wide receiver needs on the upcoming draft (you can get a slow, jump ball guy who can’t get separation in Round 4 or 5- his name is Auden Tate).

Thanks for listening! Hope you’re day isn’t ruined!

-Your local Ravens cynic