They should have heard from JO before the draft. He has been keeping the Ravens hostage since the end of last year.
As for Ray I hope they do get his new contract out of the way. I agree I wouldn't overpay him. He is on the down side of his career and should be paid less than what he was worth in his prime.
I hope the talks with Suggs resume soon and like to see him a Raven the rest of his career.

Oh but they could afford to pay Elvis Grbac 25 millon dollars for what....and they could afford to pay Kyle Boller an 8 milloin $ signing bonus.....what did they get for that.....for all the $ and the12 millon bonus plus they paid Mcnair how many completions did he give them per $....but when it comes to the man who actually forged the teams identity and made it worth something .....now they want to get conservative.

Oh please. The nightmare for our QBs would be to see JO come back the way he did last year -- ineffective at best. He's DONE, Preston. Period. He'll get into the HOF, probably on the first ballot, but as far as current events go, he's history.

Terry did a decent job at LT, although he has more than amply demonstrated his inability to play RT. Whether it's the footwork or whatever the problem is, he simply can't adjust from LT to RT. But he is more than adequate at LT, assuming his foot has properly healed from the surgery he had in the off season. He played against Schobel in 2006 and did very well.

The problem for the Ravens is at right tackle. Since Terry can't play RT, and apparently they're not looking to plug Gaither in there, we're left with a bit of a hole, especially since Cam Cameron has said he's moving Yanda to guard. Cousins and Hale need time to develop, and Kracalik is a human turnstile. It would be nice if the Ravens could pick up Shane Olivea, the former Chargers RT. He already knows Cam's system, and as long as he's healthy and the price is right, he would be the final touch to an otherwise pretty solid O-line.

We need to keep our players in Baltimore! In meeting Ray Lewis myself and being in his presents gave me just a chill being there! I know he is in his 13th season but his value to the franchise cannot have a dollar amout on it! He makes this team click in all cilenders at all times! do we forget that he was defensive player of the year,MVP of the Supper Bowl,And one of the top middle linebackers of all time? I would take Ray Lewis over any linebacker in the NFL from the intencity, tanacity, and pride he bring to the Baltimore Ravens! He is and always will be the heart and soul of the ravens until he dies!

I wish I was big enough to play for T-sizzle! Terrel it is not all about money because as a ravens fan I can tell you as long as you wear the black and purple these fans of Baltimore will live and die for you! I know we all need money but take it from a person that has none and you are doing your dream of playing football! Take a cut if you have to it is for the best of the team! Having a team and organization to back you since you were drafted and playing beside a team of great defensive players should be enough to keep you home! We know you are one of the top defensive players out there but take a cut and see what this organization will do for you! When Ray retires there will be a void that only you could fill! You have won Defensive player of the year, rookie Defensive player of the year among other awards. Stay home Terrell and the fans of Baltimore will never forget you!

I know that Jonathan Ogden is getting old but talk him out of retirement for one more year! He does not have to start every game but we still need him to play one more season to get these young guys ready for the the big blow when you do retire for good! It will take a year of you playing back-up to get the 2 young tackels ready for the following season! You are argueably the best ever at you position! Give it one more year Mr Ogden before you call it quits!

Good riddens , ogden should have retired last year.Don't get me wrong the ravens don't have a replacement for him, but he shouldn't hang them out to dry if he didn't have intentions of returning.

Does Ray Lewis really expect a higher salary? He is nearing retirement and there are hungry players on the bench just waiting for a chance. Don't be too greedy.

Its time to turn the page on the Ogden situation. The same goes for Ray Lewis. We cannot have aging veterans eating up our cap space.

Mike, are you one of Ogden's inside people?

Mike, You don't speak for me.

When it comes to Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis, I believe the Ravens have shown them well-earned respect.

Let J.O. go away on his own terms and, Ray may be in his 13th year, but I will bet that offensive coordinators still worry about him in their game planning!

It is a business, but I also think that the Ravens are doing right by both players.

Thanks to JO for representing the Ravens with nothing but class since the inception of the franchise in 1996, especially with all the weight of being the 1st overall pick in the history of the team. Perhaps the classiest Raven of all time also.

I agree that JO should have called it quits last year. He is one of the greatest LTs to ever play, but he was a shell of his former self last year and if you are truly a Ravens fan, then you had to notice it. That being said, I am not sure who our starting LT will be. I mean, Terry is horrible on the right side, but with that foot injury, the jury will still be out on him. If he is our starting LT, I would love to see Gaither at RT. He is a monster and should be good on that side, esp when we run the ball. I still think that Yanda may move back to the outside and play either tackle if Terry and Gaither don't solidify those spots. As for signing Shane Olivea, not going to happen. We simply don't have the cap space to do it. It would be a great pick up for us, but the money just isn't there for it to happen. Either way, I am VERY excited about the upcoming season.

GO RAVENS

Somehow, the will he/will he not comeback story for JO is not compelling in the least - who does he think he is, Brett Favre? Roger Clemens?

I blame some of the 5-11 nightmare of last season on JO. Adam Terry practiced at LT all training camp (since JO was no where to be found) then on opening day Terry was moved over to RT, and than back to LT after JO got hurt. Back and forth with Terry, and then he also got hurt.

Gaither versus Terry competing for the LT spot in camp should bring out the best in both, may the best man win.

Alright Ogden enough is enough with this hold up, he should have announced what he was going to do before the draft or directly after it. I love the guy but he needs to make a decision already.

Skay,I know you and I have had some fun disagreememnts in the past,at least I thought they were,but I'm hoping somebody cuts a decent right tackle before training camp ends,however don't see too many out there.You do your homework,what's your take on any movement and why can't Gaither pick up on the non-blind(RIGHT) side,I think he has the feet for it,just not sure about the mentality.Will always think it was a mistake to let that center who played for Flynn leave for DC though.God I hate this,just had his name on the tip of my tongue.He filled in very well at multiple positions.I can picture the guy just can't remember his name.

Unfortunately it is a chaning of the guard in Baltimore. It will be a sad sight to see number 75 not line up at left tackle. First Ballot Hall of Famer for sure. Completely dominating and imposing and my lasting memory of him was from his last game of his career where he guarded three guys at one time. He played tough every down and did it the right way, an old blue collar player who represented the cities spirit. Johnathen Ogden, elite player, elite person.

hale is the right deal at right tackle post!

he 's a natural right tackle, very tough and technic, tons of experience, very solid senior campaign...

the new pashos!

What possible reason does Ogden have for delaying his retirement announcement if indeed he is retiring?

Logic and common sense dictate that an early decision would help the team that has made him a rich man.

The only possible excuse is that he is waiting for a particular date to determine the wellness of his "turf toe." However, from all reports, it has not gotten any better.

He is a smart guy. Is he angry with someone? Why is he angry?

Odgen was done last year so it's good that he's retiring. He's been a great Raven, but i don't remember in the history of the game where there's ever been a RT that's also an offensive coordinator? He's a sure fire HOF'er, but considering how bad the offense was while he was here some may wonder why or say he's overrated just because of freakish size. He's no brett favre so his retirement watch each year tarnished his career in my mind.

As for RAY, when he's not hurt and pouting, which is only maybe 20% of his career, HE IS THE BEST POUND FOR POUND PLAYER IN THE NFL PERIOD. if he really wants to be a team player with the new coach I'd I take an aging Ray lewis for 3 more years. The Ravens are DEfense and for 13 years the best Defense is lead by 52! Pay him and let him retire a Raven.

Brian Starks, when did Ray help us win the Supper Bowl? I'm pretty sure we have never won a Supper Bowl. In fact I don't think Baltimore has ever won a Supper Bowl.

hey Skay........the player you mentioned but could not remember his name was Casey Rabach.

Like many other posters, I think Ogden - as a team member - has erred in not being forthcoming Re: his retirement plans. The only legitimate reason to nullify that would be the question of his turf-toe injury healing time, that would determine his decision to play or not play. That issue aside, JO set the standard for LT in the NFL. He will be remembered as one of the truly greats, if not the greatest to play his position. 1st ballot Hall of Farmer for sure.

Ogden is great and deserve his due in the HOF but if age and will to play are lacking then it is just time - no need to drag it out. He could have retired 3 months ago and we would all be happy. He should be well off the rest of his life plus he has a ring to show for it.
Ray-Ray, awesome player - almost Cal-like to this town but he should know when enough is enough. If he is a team player he won't suck the cap dry with his salary extension. If he cares about this franchise he would settle with a reasonable multi-million pre-retirement trust or play for less. If that isn't the case then I think it is time for him to move on.

There is no way I can see Ray Lewis wearing another uniform.

Some of you brought up issue of why Jonathan Odgen is playing the Clemens/Favre retirement game. I dont question Ogden's career , he is professional and consumate first ballot HOF for Ravens . However his yearly retirement watch is wearing thin . I dont know anything about "Turf Toes" , but Odgen has been hiding behind it for what 2 or 3 years now ?
My theory is Mr Ogden wants to skip the hard work at training camp , then one week before season Opener , declare he is READY to play . I hope i am wrong but what other possible reason for Odgen's delay?

What Ray Lewis has done for the Ravens? How about what the Ravens; especially Art Modell, has done for Ray Lewis? No other team in professional sports would have stood by a player arrested on a double murder charge like the Ravens did. Apparently that means nothing to Lewis.

The Ravens must have some prospects in mind to fill in Ogdens shoes. If he wants out then he must have lost his desire to compete etc. I think he has been a great asset to the team and wish him good luck in retirement.

Ogden told the team months ago to proceed as if he was going to retire. Regardles of whether it was March or June, his retirement didn't have any effect on what the Ravens did this offseason.

Julie,

With all due respect, if Ray Lewis were an average MLB or a gunner on special teams, Art Modell and any other owner would have cut him in 2 minutes. Because he is the one of the three best MLBs in history, Modell did what anyone with any modicum of common sense would have done, he waited the situation out. Does Ray desrve to be paid like the top defensive players in the league? Perhaps not but he is still an above average MLB and a very good player. Lewis has always posted for the Ravens, has worked harder than anyone to be a good football player and gives 110% in everything. You have never seen the guy quit on anything from jumping jacks to a 4th and 1 in a crucial game. I've been to Westminster and have seen him practice EVERY play like it was his last. He has earned a special waiver as far as I'm concerned just because he plays the way he does and leading a team that couldn't score a TD for a month to an NFL title. It irritates me that when after almost 10 years of offensive frustration, he finally let out some displeasure, he was castigated for it. He just said what every Raven fan had said since Billick took over the offense and all of a sudden we get the revisionist history majors calling him out. I'm surprised it took him that long. Ever since his trouble in 2000, he has kept his nose clean and has done his job. Just shut that crap up. You sound like you are from Cleveland or something. You know nothing about the business of sports if you honestly believe the bull that you wrote. Every team in the NFL would have stood by him and if the Ravens had been stupid enough to cut him he would have been claimed on waivers in 5 minutes, charges and all.

I love these idiots who say JO should have retired last year. Its very apparent the people who are bashing ogden really dont watch football. To say Ogden hurt us last year is ridiculous. When he played he played well better than 90% of the tackles in the league. Ogden is in a no win situation becuase of the level he ha set in the past Ogden could play another 3 years and still be better than 90% of the tackles in the league Ravens fans needs to get there head of out of you know what

Matt S,
What you are saying is great and all but if a player like Ogden doesn't have the want to play anymore (have you heard him speak about playing for the Ravens another year(s) - he doesn't have the want to do it. I think his final straw was in the Colts playoff game.

Amen to the Ray backers.....he is the reason we've been successful. How much is that worth?

As for Ogden, good riddance. What have we ever been able to count on where he's concerned? Only that the opposing team will try to maul our qb from the other side. The most overrated player ever.

In the old days, you used to have to accomplish something in your career to be labeled a Hall of Famer. You know, be the reason your unit is having success. We're still waiting for said unit to shine.

I was wondering how Justin Green was
doing and if his knee was completely
healed from his injury two years ago.
Isn't he one of the better Special
Teams players?