Words: Kyle Simpson, Ravens Corespondent

Welcome to free agency season. The time of year where headaches run rampant among fans and general managers and the Ravens are certainly no exception. The first cap casualty of the Baltimore squad is veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

He reportedly became the subject of a trade to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth round pick in this year’s draft.

Now: BEFORE you grab you pitch forks and torches to go burn down the Ravens’ facility, think about it.

Boldin’s cap hit was going to be $7.5 million unless he took a pay cut (which the Ravens offered and then he rejected). The Ravens, even though he was already counted in the cap number, could NOT afford him. Was he worth the full $7.5 million? Of course! But he needed to take a pay cut to make room for other agents like Danelle Ellerbe and Ed Reed. And if he was not going to budge, why would the Ravens cut him and still take his cap hit? Trading him was the smart thing to do. And it shows nothing but respect to Boldin in the fact that he got sent to a team that is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and out of the Ravens conference might I add. The extra $7.5 million gives the Ravens a decent cap number, a reported $18.5 million, after the trade.

Next come tenders. The Ravens issued two second-round tenders to restricted free agents Dennis Pitta and Arthur Jones and a third round tender to Ed Dickson last night. Restricted agent David Reed was given a two-year contract this morning. Both Dickson and Pitta will be crucial now that Boldin has left. Especially Pitta with ten touchdowns over last season including the playoffs. And David Reed will be fighting for a starting receiver slot.

The current status of the Ravens is about $13.1 million in free cap space. They are meeting with Danelle Ellerbe this morning to try and work out a contract before the floodgates open at 4 PM.

Remember:

Keep Calm.
And Trust Ozzie.