SUGGS FILES GRIEVANCE AGAINST RAVENS

[Fire Wade]

Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens franchise player Terrell Suggs has filed a grievance against the team, saying he should be designated as a defensive end instead of a linebacker.

At issue is whether the Ravens should be allowed to give Suggs the one-year tender offer of $8.065 million that linebackers get, or the one-year tag of $8.879 million for defensive ends. The franchise tag is equal to the average salaries of the five highest-paid players in the NFL at a position, and since the highest-paid defensive ends make more than the highest-paid linebackers, Suggs would be entitled to $814,000 more on his one-year offer if he's considered a defensive end.

An arbitration hearing has not been scheduled, but in the mean time, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said the grievance has halted any negotiations on a long-term contract for Suggs.

“We’ve heard from Terrell’s agent [Gary Wichard] yesterday, but we are involved in a grievance regarding arbitration of what position he’s playing,” said Newsome in a story on the team's web site. “When that is resolved, we’ll get back to the table.”

Suggs says more than half his snaps in 2007 were as a defensive end, so that's the position he should be considered to play. The Ravens say Suggs is a linebacker in their base defense. They also note that he is listed as a linebacker in places like his NFL.com player page and the Pro Bowl ballot.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

[Lor2435]

yeah i saw that. this actually could be a very important issue in the next few seasons with all the "tweeners"

[abellamy]

Just give the man his money. To me this is another case of using a franchise tag the wrong way. They are saying, "We love you on the field, we just dont want to pay you, oh and we are going to classify you as a linebacker too so you get even less." They need to figure out a way that the franchise tag works for everyone, because it seems to me that it is set up to only help the organization and not the player. Yes $8 million+ is a lot of money, but you never want to be under paid when you know you are as or more talented then the five highest paid players in your position.

[Wolverine]

But wait a minute here.

Do they or do they not run the 3-4?

If they do he's a linebacker..

If they run the 4-3 he has a beef.

If they run both then we have an issue here. I know he took more snaps there but the NFL better decide on some sort of rule.

[Jags4Lyfe]

Is this really called for?...Can't they just change it?

[Azazel]

they can change it yes.....but a grievance will move that along faster.

[jjflr]

interesting argument from Suggs. in a 3-4, his position is just as much a DE as an LB and he may just win this one. apparently, they did the calculations and feel Suggs is playing more DE than LB for the Ravens.

[ThomasTomasz]

Primary defense is the 3-4. They have run some of the 4-3, and Suggs will go down to play DE in multiple DB sets, but the 3-4 is the primary defense of Rex Ryan. They have a legitimate reason here for trying to franchise him.

Heck, what is to stop a safety who always is back in coverage from saying he is a cornerback, and deserves a huge raise to one of the highest-paying positions? Or, a tight end like Antonio Gates from saying he is a receiver because he puts up the numbers of a #1 wide receiver?

This has huge implications for the NFL. Yes, it is only around $800,000, but it could be a precedent that will open up a huge can of worms league-wide.

[william00777]

Originally Posted by ThomasTomasz

Primary defense is the 3-4. They have run some of the 4-3, and Suggs will go down to play DE in multiple DB sets, but the 3-4 is the primary defense of Rex Ryan. They have a legitimate reason here for trying to franchise him.

Heck, what is to stop a safety who always is back in coverage from saying he is a cornerback, and deserves a huge raise to one of the highest-paying positions? Or, a tight end like Antonio Gates from saying he is a receiver because he puts up the numbers of a #1 wide receiver?

This has huge implications for the NFL. Yes, it is only around $800,000, but it could be a precedent that will open up a huge can of worms league-wide.

I see what your saying Thomas but I think those arguements are much weaker. yes Gates puts up WR numbers but that doesn't make him a WR. He does line up as a reciever at times but not as much as he lines up as a TE. As far as the Saftey. The type of coverage isn't what makes the difference it's where they line up at the begining of the play. I understand that some could argue but they would be weaker cases that should easily be dissmissed.

With that said I really don't get sports ownership and GMs sometimes. They are getting paid they are making tons of money. Why is 800,000 in this case such a big deal? don't you want one of your star players to be happy? Pay the man he diserves it. I will never get why some franchises have such tight pockets at times. And this is another reason why I hate the franchise tag

[Parrish]

The thing is, when they run a 3-4, he is pass rushing from two feet sometimes and he is sometimes rushing with one hand on the ground but more out of position than a regular 3-4 LBer. I would say they probably play 3-4 70% of the time and 4-3 30%. I'm not sure about that, but I've read about them putting the 4-3 in a lot more than usual.