Ravens to make a play for McNabb?

by JasonB on Feb 4, 2008 11:53 AM EST in News

Crazy offseason McNabb trade rumor of the day!

It was only a matter of time before Donovan McNabb's name surfaced in some sort of trade rumor this off-season, and it has happened here at Super Bowl XLII.

A report on ESPN yesterday said that the Baltimore Ravens, with new head coach John Harbaugh, are pondering making a substantial offer for the Eagles' veteran quarterback. After injuries limited Ravens starter Steve McNair to six games this season, it is only natural to wonder if Harbaugh, the Eagles' longtime assistant, would have interest in acquiring McNabb.

The Eagles have gone on record as saying they expect McNabb to be back as their starting quarterback. Team president Joe Banner strongly stated late in the season that McNabb would return.

Honestly this sounds Chris Mortenson sat down with his buddies and thought, "Well, the Ravens need a QB and their coach came from the Eagles and the Eagles drafted a QB last year, so logically the Ravens could try and get McNabb."

Are the Ravens actually thinking about this or is it just conjecture on the part of a reporter here? I can't see happening because it doesn't really make any sense for either side. The Ravens, who hold the #8 overall pick, would have to likely give up the farm for the Eagles to even listen to an offer. If you're Baltimore, why would you bother? Would you give up the #8 overall pick, probably another pick, and a player for a an 30 QB that gets hurt all the time? I love McNabb, but let's face facts. That's what he is. Plus, the Ravens are $5 million over next years cap... which means they'd have to find a way to fit McNabb's $6.3 mil and their rookies under the cap. Not an easy task.

Not surprisingly, Raven's GM Ozzie Newsome completely disputes the report.

General manager Ozzie Newsome disputed an ESPN report that the Ravens are pondering making a substantial offer for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

"We have not had one meeting to discuss any personnel on our team or anyone else's team," Newsome said this morning. "We've been very busy hiring assistant coaches."

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Wow

they wasted no time with the rumors. Don't worry though. Even if McNabb goes, I hear Vinny Testaverde is available.

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by FrankD on Feb 4, 2008 1:14 PM EST 0 recs

cap issue

This is probably a bogus rumor, but if it isn't, the cap space might not be a total deal-killer. Any team that trades for McNabb will likely want to re-sign him for a longer deal, right?

by crickles on Feb 4, 2008 1:28 PM EST 0 recs

Maybe

He's signed through 2013. They may want to rework his deal, but it'll have to be on his terms... And even if they lower his cap number for the first year, it's not as if he's playing for the minimum. Obviously they'd get rid of McNair and maybe Boller and that might save some money, but it'll be tricky either way. I'm sure they could figure it out, it's whether they want to...

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by JasonB on Feb 4, 2008 3:28 PM EST up 0 recs

Mortenson

Should get a job with PFT if that's his new investigative style.

by Behan on Feb 4, 2008 3:53 PM EST 0 recs

Agreed

And by the way, this is how the whole Chad Johnson story got started. He confuses reporting rumors with his own "analysis."

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/story/2007/12/26/17143/935

"There were two parts to it," Mortensen said Wednesday. "The first part dealt with the source saying that because of Chad's passion and pride, they have to figure out a way to deal with him. The second part was my analysis that the discussions could bring them to a crossroads and that could involve a trade. At no time did a Bengals source tell me they could possibly trade him."

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by JasonB on Feb 4, 2008 7:37 PM EST up 0 recs