The Baltimore Ravens will be OK without AD.
That is the reassurance defensive coordinator Rex Ryan gave as he commented on the team?s offseason moves prior to Tuesday night?s Ed Block Courage Foundation Award banquet at Martin?s West. The Ravens have parted ways with linebacker Adalius Thomas, along with offensive players like offensive linemen Edwin Mulitalo and Tony Pashos and running back Jamal Lewis.
“AD leaving was a tough one because we?ve had him for seven years,” Ryan said. “He?s a tremendous person, as well as a great player, and he will be missed as much in the community as he will be on the football field.”
Ryan said thetoughest part about losing a player like Thomas was that he came up through the organization before salary-cap concerns made it impossible to keep him from signing with the New England Patriots.
“But that?s part of the business,” Ryan said. “Unfortunately, that?s what we do. Sometimes, you work with these guys and get them to a certain level through their commitment, as well as that of the assistant coaches that work with these guys. Then they become the tops in the game and they walk out the door, and that?s tough to do.”
On the plus side, Ryan added, the Ravens have always found a way to replace those players in the past through the draft or free agency. He doesn?t expect that to change in 2007.
“We?ve got the best personnel guys in the league and [they] do a great job,” Ryan said. “The cupboard is never going to be bare here.”
Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy shares Ryan?s assessment of the team?s offseason.
“We lost a couple of good players like Jamal and Adalius,” Ivy said. “But we had some good acquisitions with [former Buffalo Bills running back] Willis McGahee coming in, and hopefully we can improve on what we did last year and have another successful season.”
NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci, the former head coach of the 49ers and Lions, said he sees no reason why the Ravens can?t compete next season after going 13-3 and winning the AFC North Division title last year.
“McGahee is a great player, and if he stays healthy, then he is going to be a very productive player,” Mariucci said. “Losing Thomas is a tough one, but they finished strong last year. Steve McNair will have one more year in the system and will be in sync with his receivers. They will definitely be a contender again this year.”
