[The Blue Blur]

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Personally, many of the players were going to lose because of it are due to retire within 2-3 years.

Boldin was our biggest loss, and IMO the only irreplaceable one.

Its the decision every manager and owner has to decide when they come to a fork in the road like this. Either sign a consistent QB who is a top 5 QB in the league, or risk losing him and being stuck looking for another QB.
The downside is the salary cap. The next couple of years will be tough until the Ravens get some wiggle room with the cap, but i will say this...if the Ravens are still winning divisions and making the playoffs out of the AFC North over the next couple of years than the Bengals, Steelers, and Browns have some BIG issues.

Top 5 QB?? Really?? Never been a Pro Bowler, nor All-Pro. He's a Super Bowl MVP but so was Desmond Howard & Larry Brown. Jacoby Jones gave him a run for his money for that reward.

No offense, you're entitled to your opinion but he's not a HOFer. You can't mention him in the same sentence as Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, & Eli Manning. Who are the Top 5 IMHO & also have Super Bowl MVP's as well as other accolades that Flacco does not. I may give you Top 10 but at that it's questionable.

Flacco could've taken a pay cut for Ed Reed to stay one or two years. Heck RIUTG, if I was a multi-millionaire I may take a pay cut so you could stay on BGR. I mean what would it cost me one less condo in Cabo???