While the Browns hoped they could have Gerald McCoy signed before he left Cleveland, they now have serious AFC North competition. The Ravens are trying to execute the same strategy.
McCoy’s Tuesday visit will continue to Wednesday morning, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. The Ravens hope to have a deal with the decorated defensive lineman by Wednesday, per ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. The Browns, though, have remained in contact with McCoy since he left their facility, Hensley adds.
The six-time Pro Bowler (but zero-game playoff participant) wants to land with a contending team. The Browns have enjoyed a busy offseason loading up for what could be their most talented team since rebooting in 1999, but the Ravens are the defending AFC North champions. This has become an interesting pursuit. No other McCoy visits are known to be scheduled, though numerous teams have inquired.
Baltimore obviously lost plenty of talent from its No. 1-ranked defense this offseason, but most of the shakeups occurred in Baltimore’s secondary or linebacking corps. Brent Urban, however, signed with the Titans after starting 16 Ravens games last season. McCoy would join Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce, who recently signed his second-round RFA tender, on Baltimore’s front. Third-year players Chris Wormley and Willie Henry reside on the Ravens’ line as well. Baltimore also signed UDFA Gerald Willis, who was viewed as a mid-round draft prospect.
The Ravens hold $13.7MM in cap space but have not signed their top three draft choices. A multiyear deal should not be ruled out, with that likely serving the Ravens’ interests better, as The Athletic’s Jeff Zreibec writes (subscription required). Baltimore is expected to hold more than $55MM in 2020 cap space. Another potential draw for McCoy: the employment of defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who was the Buccaneers’ D-line coach from 2014-15.
If he wants to play for a winner he won’t go to either.
At least make some sense, Browns are probably the favorite in the North and Ravens just won the division last year and could at the very least be a wild card team.
Just because those are the top two teams in a division doesnt mean they are contenders.
People are crowning the Browns and they haven’t played a snap. Good on paper does not mean good on field. This has been proven many times. We won’t know until they play.
The Ravens tied their long term future to Lamar Jackson. While he is a talented runner, he is an awful passer. The one dimensional offense thing worked great when there was no film on him. Now that teams have tape to study, dont expect the same success. Not to mention, that defense was absolutely gutted.
“Gutted”, lmao, Thomas upgrades the secondary which was already really good, Suggs was a situational rusher like Smith and Onwuasor actually outperformed Mosley down the stretch last season.
Yes, when you have 5-6 starters main contributors leave, that would mean gutted. Whether they can perform at that level with a bunch of new guys remains to be seen. Once again, just because you think they improved on paper means absolutely nothing come gametime.
I chuckle at this notion that the Browns will amount to much this year. The Browns are the Browns and they will do Browns stuff.
But those are the 2 best teams in the division.
Nope
He’s giving a lot of Ravens fans some anxiety with this wait. I personally don’t see the need but having more talent never hurt a team.
The need is simple to see. The Ravens struggle to get to the QB and one of the best guys they had with that talent was in his mid 30’s and now no longer with the team; Suggs.
The Ravens front three have questionable talent. Brandon Williams used to be a beast in the run game and not so much in the pass rush. Since signing his mega deal he hasn’t been as impactful. Michael Pierce is the same kind of player. Chris Wormley has done almost nothing. Henry has yet to step on the field and they lost Brent Urban as well.
McCoy had more sacks than the entire defensive line of the Ravens last season. 2.5 to 6.