NFL Free Agency: Things are Still Going to Get Worse in Baltimore Before they get Better

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed (20) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens fans have been losing their collective minds all day, starting with the news that Bernard Pollard was being released. I have bed news Ravens fans, this thing is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.

For those of you who haven’t heard, the widespread rumor and belief by NFL personnel is that Pollard was cut because he was a locker-room nightmare and the Ravens had a tough time handling him when Ray Lewis was out of the building. It has been well known for a few months now that Pollard, along with Ed Reed who I will get to shortly, was the main instigator in the Ravens infamous October mutiny attempt on John Harbaugh. Mike Silver, who origionally broke the story, said that Pollard is the one who started the attack on Harbaugh, and that he was a major reason for the breakdown in the locker-room. John Harbaugh is one of the most competent leadership figures in the league. Not many coaches would have survived that experience without losing the locker-room, but John did. That says something about him as a man and as a coach(any Ravens fan who ever bitches about Harbs is off their rocker, he is a top 3 NFL coach no question). John survived the Mutiny, but that doesnt mean he could do that again. That is why Pollard is gone.

One Anonymous NFL personnel man said of Pollard,

"He has been on what, about to be 4 teams now in 5 years, that should tell you all you need to know about him."

That is pretty harsh words, but they do make some sense. He went on to say that Pollard is loud, brash and a disruption. His incredible talent usually gets him a second year, but he wears out his welcome quickly.

With Pollard gone, you would think it would be even more important that Ed Reed comes back, after all, losing 2 safeties is a tall obstacle to recover from. Apparently though, the Ravens have still never contacted Reed and many suspect that the Ravens don’t even want him. One expert went so far as to say that he didn’t think the Ravens would resign him at vet minimum. Ouch.

Here is the part I was referring to earlier when i said this mess is going to get even worse. Get in your heads now Ravens fans. Ed Reed is done in Baltimore. I have been told it is already a done deal and the Ravens aren’t pursuing Reed at all. The final tally looks like it will have the Ravens losing Boldin, Kruger, Ellerbe, Lewis, Birk, Reed, Pollard, McKinney, and Williams. 9 starters(technically like 8 1/2).

It is almost pitch black right now. but don’t worry, It cant get much darker and the second wave of free agency is almost here.

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