Ogden leaning toward NOT returning..

[B-more Ravor]

Not really a whole lot new here, other than it's his thoughts as of today:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-superbowl0128,0,1978914.story

[purplepoe]

I heard him on the radio a few times today and he seemed noncommittal.

He did say it's mostly physical and not mental as far as factors in his decision.

I have a feeling he's gonna try to get a feel for what it's gonna be like under Harbaugh and that will be the determining factor.

PP

[RavenScallywag]

if it's truly a physical issue, I think he doesn't come back...his body has just taken too much punishment over the years...his character would be the driving force for him returning, and if that's unchanged by the Harbaugh hiring, I think his physical state is just too worn down for a real comeback.

i'd like to see him go out with a Pro Bowl appearance like this, rather than staying around and just getting more and more worn down. Even his Pro Bowl election this year was done more by name than by performance.

[StingerNLG]

I heard him on the radio a few times today and he seemed noncommittal.

He did say it's mostly physical and not mental as far as factors in his decision.

I have a feeling he's gonna try to get a feel for what it's gonna be like under Harbaugh and that will be the determining factor.

PP


And this is the perfect opportunity for the new regime in Baltimore to show they have control over the team.

Ogden is going to the hall of fame. He will be lovingly inducted into the Ring of Honor. But he needs to know that he can't take forever to decide what he's doing this time and effect the development of our younger guys.

He needs to be given a deadline and told to decide by then or the decision will be made for him.

Nothing personal.

[purplepoe]

And this is the perfect opportunity for the new regime in Baltimore to show they have control over the team.

Ogden is going to the hall of fame. He will be lovingly inducted into the Ring of Honor. But he needs to know that he can't take forever to decide what he's doing this time and effect the development of our younger guys.

He needs to be given a deadline and told to decide by then or the decision will be made for him.

Nothing personal.

Agreed.

Somehow though, I don't think he's feeling any pressure from the FO to make a decision.

PP

[Losac]

Well, it's still early, but by draft day he'll have to stop the wishy-washiness and make a decision.

I think Adam Terry is ready to step in at LT, with Gaither waiting in the wings.

[jonboy79]

Make his mind up for him. Tell him that if he would like to save face, he should retire soon, because his cap space is needed, while he is not.

[UKRaven]

He should do whatever is best for the Ravens cap! He earned a shed full of $$$'s - he should go enjoy some of it - and leave us with the best cap position!

[UKRavenGordon]

In the end he probably will retire. But if anyone has earned the right to make us wait for a decision, its JO. The man has been in Baltimore from the start of the franchise, its nice to think he'll almost definately retire a Raven.



:haggis

[camdenyard]

YAWN.

I wish the Ravens would just move on. This is getting tiresome. It's obvious he doesn't have the fire anymore.

[highwater]

In the end he probably will retire. But if anyone has earned the right to make us wait for a decision, its JO.

I tend to agree. I don't want to see him stretching this out like Favre has done in recent years, but I also don't see the point in giving him a deadline in the immediate future. Even if he makes a decision to return or retire before the draft, is it going to effect the draft? I don't think it will -- I think his replacements are already on the team.

He was our very first draft pick, and has been stellar pretty much every season. His occasional sideline temper tantrums have annoyed me, but I agree that he's earned the right to make a decision without being given an arbitrary deadline.

[ravenjoe]

YAWN.

I wish the Ravens would just move on. This is getting tiresome. It's obvious he doesn't have the fire anymore.

Right On, Camden! He just does not want it anymore. The team should just plan to go on without him, and if he changes his mind, then we'll adjust - but he better come in with a better mindset than he has had of late.

[jonboy79]

I tend to agree. I don't want to see him stretching this out like Favre has done in recent years, .



I wish he would do that. Put the team on the back and get us to the championship game? Sure, I'll take that, but making us wait, try and figure out plans on whether he stays or goes, NOT make any salary concessions, skip camp, miss a couple of games cause your toe hurts, then half ass it the rest of the way... That's what we got for "our" $7m last year. It would be a great idea to try that again!

I agree with Stockers, at this point, we should go after "unearned" bonus money. Make him retire, make him dig up some cans of money from his yard, an dput us in a position to be successful, by LEAVING. He'll never spend the money anyways. His grandkids won't miss it.

[The Fanatic]

Sorry, but you hear it all the time from players, coaches and FO people.
This is a business with financial decisions that have to be made.
When players leave that have been shown nothing but loyalty for a bigger pay day, the first thing you here is that it's a business and they got to take care of their family.

I highly doubt his decision will have any effect on the draft regardless of what we as fans think they should do on draft day.
They'll probably still go best player available on their board regardless of what our presasing needs are.

His delay of a decision could seriously impact free agency I think though.

Have no idea what his pro-rated portion of his last bonus is for this year but we're stuck with that either way I believe.

His salary for this year is what we need.
I'll assume it's at least a couple million if not more.
That couple to few million could be a deciding factor in acquireing a free agent we desperately need to fill a void in any one of a few positions.


To me, his deadline should be the start of free agency which I believe is at the end of Febuary.

A football player is supposed to have that burning desire to get back on the field asap and win a championship.
That is supposed to be the number one goal at any time!!

Clearly those thoughts don't appear to be what's going through his head which is reason enough IMO for him to ride off into the sunset and open up the door for somebody else that has that desire.


He says he wants what's best for the Ravens.

What's best for the Ravens is a team of 53 players with the burning desire to win a championship, that can't wait to get back onto the field and work for that goal.

[camdenyard]

What's best for the Ravens is a team of 53 players with the burning desire to win a championship, that can't wait to get back onto the field and work for that goal.

Did you just watch "Patton" or something? Damn, I'm inspired now!! Where's the field?

[The Fanatic]

Did you just watch "Patton" or something? Damn, I'm inspired now!! Where's the field?

Think you can beat out Mcnair, Boller or Troy?:laugh:

You aren't exactly built to play OT or DE (two needs IMO), but I've seen you throw the rock, and you got the build of a QB.

[camdenyard]

You aren't exactly built to play OT or DE (two needs IMO), but I've seen you throw the rock, and you got the build of a QB.

Like Boller, I never know where the ball is going when I throw it.

Like McNair, I throw the rock like a...uh...rock.

Like Troy, my rocks break fingers. Ask FellsPoint :embarassed:

I think I'll stick to my day job :crazy:

[ravens-maniac]

he really needs to retire, if you keep questioning to return or not the desire must not be there, you don't hear Ray asking the same question, because he has the desire to play.save us some cap space & retire and take McNair with you

[B-more Ravor]

........skip camp, miss a couple of games cause your toe hurts, then half ass it the rest of the way... That's what we got for "our" $7m last year. It would be a great idea to try that again!

While I do think it's time for JO to retire, I really think the above is an unfair characterization.

The guy was hurt - that's why he missed practices at camp and a couple of games. But, he was at camp, rehabbing and taking treatment to get back on the field. This type of injury has ended many careers, and appears as if it is going to end JO's as well.

If he really was going to "half ass it", he simply could have just stayed on PUP or gone on IR and gone back home to Vegas for the rest of the season - and still be paid the same amount. Instead, he was here every day trying to get better and playing through the injury. He even continued to play once the season was lost, instead of simply saying "I tried, I'm done" and gone on IR. He didn't.

[B-more Ravor]

Have no idea what his pro-rated portion of his last bonus is for this year but we're stuck with that either way I believe.

His salary for this year is what we need.
I'll assume it's at least a couple million if not more.
That couple to few million could be a deciding factor in acquireing a free agent we desperately need to fill a void in any one of a few positions.



If he retires or they release him prior to June 1, then they will save around $2.189M in cap space and have no lasting Cap implications for him in 2009.

Or they could use one of their June 1 exemptions which would allow them to cut him prior to June 1, but still receive June 1 cap treatment. Under that scenario, they would release him in March (then he would file his retirement papers) and would have to carry his cap number until June 1, at which time they would receive $7.515M in additional cap space. But, the drawback to that scenario is that they would be charged with $5.326M in "dead money" against the 2009 Cap. Again, there would be no such carry over if released before June 1 (if done without using one of the June 1 exemptions).

[Ravens23]

Good. Go ahead and Retire. Let's move on..
He couldn't take a tough training camp these days anyhow...

[camdenyard]

Eat the dead cap this year and let's just move on.

[Greg]

he really needs to retire, if you keep questioning to return or not the desire must not be there, you don't hear Ray asking the same question, because he has the desire to play.save us some cap space & retire and take McNair with you
One word: Favre.

[camdenyard]

Favre never misses a game, though.

You like your apples and oranges today, Greg

[Greg]

Not really, Favre has contemplated retirement numerous times but he still plays with a high level of desire. The poster above seemed to indicate he thought anybody with those doubts wouldn't be.

[pyite32]

What I took from the Farve post is that all the talking heads were saying that Farve was washed up and should retire, and then he comes back and has a Monster Year. I don't know if the poster meant in terms of Ogden or McNair though.

[ExiledRaven]

JO, for the sake of everything holy, please retire.

Watching your half-hearted effort on the field this past year, when you were actually on the field, made me wince. Please stop embarrassing yourself and tainting your legacy.

Further, I am sure you're happy with the 9 million you stole from the team last year...do everyone a favor and don't pretend you're coming back to take up 11 million of cap space.

Thanks.

[highwater]

Watching your half-hearted effort on the field this past year, when you were actually on the field, made me wince. Please stop embarrassing yourself and tainting your legacy.

Further, I am sure you're happy with the 9 million you stole from the team last year...do everyone a favor and don't pretend you're coming back to take up 11 million of cap space.

Sheesh, I am amazed at the hate at JO! As has already been mentioned earlier in this thread, the guy WAS HURT last year, and played through it. He was not "embarrassing himself and tainting his legacy" IMO.

If he wants to retire, that's fine with me, but don't hate the guy for this past season. He is arguably the greatest player the Ravens have had.

[purplepoe]

JO, for the sake of everything holy, please retire.

Watching your half-hearted effort on the field this past year, when you were actually on the field, made me wince. Please stop embarrassing yourself and tainting your legacy.

Further, I am sure you're happy with the 9 million you stole from the team last year...do everyone a favor and don't pretend you're coming back to take up 11 million of cap space.

Thanks.


JO could've easily just told them to IR him and that he couldn't go.

Half assed?

Unreal.

BTW, he played pretty damn well during spurts.

Whether he stays or goes, ripping him is pathetic.

PP

[HoustonRaven]

JO, for the sake of everything holy, please retire.

Watching your half-hearted effort on the field this past year, when you were actually on the field, made me wince. Please stop embarrassing yourself and tainting your legacy.

Further, I am sure you're happy with the 9 million you stole from the team last year...do everyone a favor and don't pretend you're coming back to take up 11 million of cap space.

Thanks.

:grbac:

[ExiledRaven]

I'm not "hating" "ripping" or whatever - as a person or player - call it the "sportcaster windblowing" of around the horn, it's my impression of the situation. I have no information or special reason to believe he's a horrible person or anything of that nature.

He should be immediately inducted into the ring of honor in the event he retires. In my opinion, he might be the best player in Ravens history, edging out Ray Lewis. I'm serious about that.

'Played well in spurts' doesn't deserve that kind of salary he's going to be paid. THAT is my eproblem. Injuries causing him to miss such substantial time and play at a much lower level hurt both him and the team. My opinion.

Yes, there was the injury, yes there were some good games. Sure he might have said to IR him, but who is going to say that as a professional? Wilcox was out almost the entire year too and took up a spot. Both made no sense to me. Of course, about the closest knowledge i have to what goes on inside the pro game are my cousins who currently coaches HS football and one of which worked with the Purdue staff for several years.

But watching JO this year was painful for me when remembering his prime. I compare this to Deion Sanders on the Redskins, maybe even his game with the Ravens. Trent Green this year...and last.

Edit: Regardless, my opinion, I'd appreciate cordiality on this board after being involved in an instance of less than ideal behavior myself. I am sorry we disagree so strongly, but it happens.

That said, please retire JO, you were one of the best.

[purplepoe]

I'm not "hating" "ripping" or whatever - as a person or player - call it the "sportcaster windblowing" of around the horn, it's my impression of the situation. I have no information or special reason to believe he's a horrible person or anything of that nature.

He should be immediately inducted into the ring of honor in the event he retires. In my opinion, he might be the best player in Ravens history, edging out Ray Lewis. I'm serious about that.

'Played well in spurts' doesn't deserve that kind of salary he's going to be paid. THAT is my eproblem. Injuries causing him to miss such substantial time and play at a much lower level hurt both him and the team. My opinion.

Yes, there was the injury, yes there were some good games. Sure he might have said to IR him, but who is going to say that as a professional? Wilcox was out almost the entire year too and took up a spot. Both made no sense to me. Of course, about the closest knowledge i have to what goes on inside the pro game are my cousins who currently coaches HS football and one of which worked with the Purdue staff for several years.

But watching JO this year was painful for me when remembering his prime. I compare this to Deion Sanders on the Redskins, maybe even his game with the Ravens. Trent Green this year...and last.

Edit: Regardless, my opinion, I'd appreciate cordiality on this board after being involved in an instance of less than ideal behavior myself. I am sorry we disagree so strongly, but it happens.

That said, please retire JO, you were one of the best.

If you don't like his salary, blame the Ravens.

You said he was "half hearted" which is certainly a rip.

The guy was in a ton of pain and tried to play the best he could through it.

The Ravens coaches and FO knew the situation and they could've IR'd him if they thought it was the right move. My point was referring to you saying he was hearted in his play and/or effort. Half hearted would've been to sit out while trying to come back and then throw the towel in. He didn't.

My point about playing well in spurts was meant to show that he didn't play horribly for every second he did play last year. The bar for him is set higher than pretty much any LT in the game. He absolutely didn't come close to that last year but he did play well sometimes. Up to his standards? Not close.

If you don't want people to react harshly, then don't accuse a player who's playing through some major pain of half hearting it.

Especially a player like Ogden who has been such a great player for this franchise.

I dunno what you meant or what you edited regarding cordiality. If it was directed to me, I have no clue what you mean.

PP

[B-more Ravor]

If you don't like his salary, blame the Ravens.

You said he was "half hearted" which is certainly a rip.

The guy was in a ton of pain and tried to play the best he could through it.

The Ravens coaches and FO knew the situation and they could've IR'd him if they thought it was the right move. My point was referring to you saying he was hearted in his play and/or effort. Half hearted would've been to sit out while trying to come back and then throw the towel in. He didn't.

My point about playing well in spurts was meant to show that he didn't play horribly for every second he did play last year. The bar for him is set higher than pretty much any LT in the game. He absolutely didn't come close to that last year but he did play well sometimes. Up to his standards? Not close.

If you don't want people to react harshly, then don't accuse a player who's playing through some major pain of half hearting it.

Especially a player like Ogden who has been such a great player for this franchise.

Well said. JO could have just gone on IR at any point, and yet he was out there playing in meaningless games in December. Yet, somehow that was "half hearted" and he was "half assing it"?!?

Good figure...... :insane:

[jonboy79]

Well said. JO could have just gone on IR at any point, and yet he was out there playing in meaningless games in December. Yet, somehow that was "half hearted" and he was "half assing it"?!?

Good figure...... :insane:


Ok, thinking of it that way, the optimistic take is that he is physically incapable of playing at this level anymore. If he was giving his all, his all is no longer enough. If his toe wasn't healed last year, I highly doubt it will be better this year. I would write this same paragraph for McNair. If he was healhty and trying, it's not good enough. He has a small chance of being healhty and better, I do not see that chance in JO, if he gave 100% last year.

[ExiledRaven]

Ok, thinking of it that way, the optimistic take is that he is physically incapable of playing at this level anymore. If he was giving his all, his all is no longer enough. If his toe wasn't healed last year, I highly doubt it will be better this year. I would write this same paragraph for McNair. If he was healhty and trying, it's not good enough. He has a small chance of being healhty and better, I do not see that chance in JO, if he gave 100% last year.

That's probably the better way to put it.

Regardless of the opinion. I don't know the extent of the injury, I'm not blessed with baltimore sports talk radio...well, maybe fortunately with everything on here about NST.

It's just so sad to see a great out there and either 1) clearly struggle or 2) be utterly incapable of the performance.

My opinion on "half-assing" is pointed. If a player is out on the field, you expect 90%+ of what the player's best effort healthy-ish performance would be. Assuming JO is in that shape, there isn't really another explanation.

Given that it seems he was really that hurt and still getting out there, well...that's another long road down which I don't want to argue.

[Purpleguy]

I think Ogden has lost his desire to play. He has other interests and unlike Ray and other players, he can afford to retire. He has done well with his money and he doesn't have to pay child support to 50 illigitimate kids.

[OriAl]

If Ogden's toe doesn't improve, he serves us no purpose by returning. He made the Pro Bowl this past season on his name, not his performance, and his performance won't be any better next season.