[Bette]

The Ravens reportedly have only $5 million dollars in salary cap space for 2008. Somehow the Ravens will need to create cap space between now and February 29, the first day of the free agent period.

Baltimore Ravens News - RAVENS SALARY CAP Q&A

[Lefty Noob]

For a team with a lot of holes to fill, that's not exactly good news. So what will they do to free up some bucks?

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

For a team with a lot of holes to fill, that's not exactly good news. So what will they do to free up some bucks?

There are 4 ways to create cap space:
1. Ask a player to take a paycut. If the Ravens keep Steve McNair, he is the only likely player to be asked.
2.Release, retire, or trade a player. Candidates for one of these are:
Jon Ogen Derrick Mason
Ray Lewis Trevor Pryce
Steve McNair Mike Anderson
Samari Rolle Kyle Boller
Mike Flynn
3.Restructure a player's contract
4.Extending a player's contract to reduce his present cap number
Baltimore Ravens News - RAVENS SALARY CAP Q&A

[Seahawker 562]

It wouldnt be a good idea to let these guys go

Ray Lewis
Steve McNair
Samari Rolle
Kyle Boller
Mike Flynn

[Lefty Noob]

I think at least McNair and/or Boller will be gone. I'm starting to wonder about Ray Lewis, too.

[Bette]

McNair will probably go.
I disagree about Lewis. He had 121 tackles, 2 FF, and 2 Interceptions last year. I watched him fly around the field in the game against the Ravens like he was a much younger man.

[Lefty Noob]

Look, I agree that a player like Lewis doesn't come around all that often. But he is getting older, he makes a lot of money and he generally seems unhappy with the direction the franchise is headed in. To me that makes him a prime candidate to be tradebait to a contender. It's something they should at least consider.