Something's up with JO

[B-more Ravor]

On the NFLPA site, his base salary is now showing up at $820K, not $6.11M as it was previously listed.

http://www.nflpa.org/Resources/ActivePlayerSearch.aspx?id=23848

There must have been some sort of restructure, but I doubt it would include him getting more money now since his retirement would likely happen, if not this year, than next year.

Any thoughts on what that means?

My guess is that he's retiring in June and will be released so that they can take advantage of spreading the hit out over this year and next. By reducing his base salary now, they get the cap room now.

[ExiledRaven]

very interesting...

Of course there is the chance that he plays two years...but that's highly doubtful.

If JO has decided to retire, you can't help but wish him the best, I'm sure we'll hear when a final decision has been made.

[Losac]

If JO retires, offensive tackle becomes our weakest spot and biggest need going into the draft.

[Art-Florida]

If J.O. goes, I have every confidence in Terry stepping right in. The trouble spot of course, still is right tackle. The draft, obviously, but who?

I'm still advocating Staley, and for two reasons;

1. He'd slide right in on the right side, and Staley is more the athletic type we seem to be gravitating towards.
2. If Terry goes down, Staley could fill the left side since he is a competent experienced left tackle.

Alternatives? Not many. Sears or Ugoh maybe, but neither seems as good a choice as Staley and would worry me on the left side.

We'd better hope Staley is still there when it is our turn.

If J.O. stays another year, there are far more possibilities. We can consider Blaylock, Kalil, Grubbs, and others.

[HDDream]

If JO goes, you're probably looking at a starting line of Flynn and essentially four first-year starters. Ouch.

[jonboy79]

If JO retires, offensive tackle becomes our weakest spot and biggest need going into the draft.


JO doesn't need to retire for that to be true.

[LBoogy]

If JO is gone, I'm highly advocating a Staley and Beekman draft. Getting two OL on the first day would become a must.

Hell, they will probably need to draft 2 tackles. That sucks.

[jonboy79]

Staley is a tiny finesse guy. That doesn't seem like a RT to me.

[festivus]

Could it simply be a restructure to be ready in *case* he retires now?

Remember according to everything we've been led to believe, normally Ozz has Plans A, B and C. You may have found a clue pointing to Plan B. . .

[HDDream]

If Staley's drafted by the Ravens (and I don't think he will be), it won't be to play RT.

[ravens-maniac]

i would draft blalock in first round then trade up to get ugoh in the second round, that would give you a strong guard that can play both gaurd and takle and a right tackle, moving terry to left. I think this base salary is an indication that we are preparing for ogden to retire

[Art-Florida]

Some info on Joe Staley. From NFL.COM draft section...



Having arrived on Central Michigan's campus as a 225-pound tight end in 2003, Staley has not only matured physically, but has developed into one of the elite offensive tackles in the collegiate game. Blessed with incredible quickness, Staley has the long wingspan and strong hands to consistently neutralize his opponent.
Known for his drive-blocking ability, he helped the team produce three 1,000-yard rushers during his Chippewas career. With former teammate, center Eric Ghiaciuc, emerging in his second year with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006, pro scouts are eagerly anticipating Staley's arrival at the next level, as many feel he is the best down lineman the school has ever produced.
Staley lettered twice in football and track at Rockford High School. He was a Grand Rapids Press Dream Team member and ranked No. 13 overall prospect by the Detroit Free Press on its Fab 50 squad and No. 49 on the Detroit News Blue Chip list. Advance newspapers added him to its all-area team.
The prep tight end caught 24 passes for 559 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. In track, he set three school records in the 200-meters (21.9), 4x100 (42.5), and 4x200 (1:27) relay teams. He placed sixth in the state in the 200-meters to earn all-state honors, as the team finished fourth in the state finals in the 4x100, fourth in 4x200,and sixth in 4x400 (43.1).
Staley enrolled at Central Michigan in 2003, starting four of 11 games at tight end as he was limited early in the year by an August camp ankle sprain. He grabbed 11 passes for 130 yards (11.8 avg.) and one touchdown. The sophomore added more than 25 pounds of muscle to his frame, which earned him a move to right offensive tackle in 2004, where he started 11 times. His blocking helped the team average 370.7 yards per game.
Another position move in 2005 saw Staley emerge as one of the best pass protectors in college. He shifted to left tackle and did not allow any sacks, as the team featured a 2,800-yard passer in Kent Smith and a 1,000-yard rusher in Ontario Sneed.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/staley_joe