The Linderbaum decision looms large for Ravens and DeCosta

The Baltimore Ravens brain trust have assembled in Indianapolis preparing to pick 14th in the NFL Draft in April but the minds of Luke Jones and Nestor are on two massive contract issues that will need closure before the free agency tampering begins in two weeks. First up is the Lamar Jackson restructure but the real market value for center Tyler Linderbaum and the salary cap tolerance for general manager Eric DeCosta will come into full focus before March 11.

Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discussed the upcoming events and the current state of the Baltimore Ravens. They highlighted the Maryland Crab Cake Tour, including giveaways and events at Gertrude’s, Costas, and Missones. They analyzed the new coaching staff, particularly Jesse Minter, noting his cautious approach and body language. They delved into the contract situations of Lamar Jackson and Tyler Linderbaum, emphasizing the importance of resolving these before the new league year. They also mentioned potential roster moves, including Marlon Humphrey’s contract and the possibility of re-signing Isaiah Likely. The conversation concluded with reflections on the impact of the new coaching staff and the team’s overall outlook.

• [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Check Indianapolis weather and report/update the team plan accordingly (confirm conditions for travel/attendance)
• [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Appear at Gertrude at the BMA event on Wednesday and participate in the Maryland crab cake tour appearance
• [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Attend the event at Costas in Dundalk on Friday and represent the show (including any planned giveaways or appearances)
• [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Attend Missoney’s in Perry Hall on Tuesday, March 10 and participate in the scheduled appearance
• [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Distribute/host the Harlem Globetrotters scratch-off giveaways (scheduled for April) and manage those prize giveaways on-air or at events
• [ ] Join Nestor at the local food/appearance events (Gertrude at the BMA, Costas, Missoney’s) and participate in show appearances

Maryland Crab Cake Tour and Upcoming Events

• Nestor Aparicio announces the Maryland Crab Cake Tour, mentioning Harlem Globetrotters giveaways with 10 grand prizes.
• Nestor discusses upcoming events: Gertrude’s at the BMA, Costas in Dundalk, and Missones in Perry Hall.
• Nestor expresses excitement about the food and mentions Luke Jones will join him at some events.
• Nestor talks about the weather in Indianapolis and the challenges of traveling there.

Observations on Jesse Minter and Eric DeCosta

• Nestor and Luke Jones discuss their observations of Jesse Minter and Eric DeCosta in Indianapolis.
• Nestor notes the different atmosphere around the franchise with John Harbaugh and Jesse Minter.
• Luke Jones finds Eric DeCosta more interesting this time of year than John Harbaugh or Jesse Minter.
• Luke Jones explains Jesse Minter’s cautious approach to public comments about players and the new staff.

Jesse Minter’s Communication Style

• Nestor and Luke Jones discuss Jesse Minter’s communication style and body language.
• Luke Jones notes Jesse Minter’s careful choice of words and his focus on private relationships with players.
• Luke Jones mentions Jesse Minter’s interactions with Lamar Jackson, Nnamdi Asomugha, and other players.
• Nestor and Luke Jones agree that Jesse Minter’s approach is different from John Harbaugh’s.

Eric DeCosta’s Role and Media Engagement

• Nestor and Luke Jones talk about Eric DeCosta’s media engagement and his intentional comments.
• Luke Jones highlights Eric DeCosta’s comments on Lamar Jackson’s engagement and the contract restructure.
• Nestor mentions the importance of free agency and the role of Eric DeCosta in signing players.
• Luke Jones notes the significance of Eric DeCosta’s comments on Tyler Linderbaum’s contract offer.

Tyler Linderbaum’s Contract and Market Setting Offer

• Nestor and Luke Jones discuss Tyler Linderbaum’s contract situation and Eric DeCosta’s comments.
• Luke Jones explains the concept of a “market setting offer” and its implications for Linderbaum.
• Nestor and Luke Jones debate the value of Tyler Linderbaum compared to other top players like Kyle Hamilton.
• Luke Jones mentions the potential impact of other teams’ interest in Linderbaum on his contract negotiations.

Lamar Jackson’s Contract and Cap Space

• Nestor and Luke Jones discuss Lamar Jackson’s contract situation and the need for cap space.
• Luke Jones explains the potential strategies for managing Lamar Jackson’s contract, including restructuring.
• Nestor and Luke Jones talk about the importance of resolving Lamar Jackson’s contract before the new league year.
• Luke Jones highlights the challenges of balancing cap space and roster needs for the upcoming season.

Impact of New Coaching Staff on Players

• Nestor and Luke Jones discuss the impact of the new coaching staff on players like Marlon Humphrey.
• Luke Jones mentions Eric DeCosta’s comments on Marlon Humphrey’s potential return and the possibility of renegotiating his contract.
• Nestor and Luke Jones talk about the renewed energy and hope among players and the coaching staff.
• Luke Jones notes the importance of the new coaching staff in addressing past issues and improving performance.

Free Agency and Roster Needs

• Nestor and Luke Jones discuss the upcoming free agency period and the Ravens’ roster needs.
• Luke Jones mentions the potential interest in players like Isaiah Likely and the challenges of retaining them.
• Nestor and Luke Jones talk about the importance of addressing roster needs through free agency and the draft.
• Luke Jones highlights the need for cap space and the potential impact of Lamar Jackson’s contract on other signings.

Overall Outlook for the Ravens

• Nestor and Luke Jones discuss the overall outlook for the Ravens in the upcoming season.
• Luke Jones expresses optimism about the Ravens’ chances in the AFC and the impact of the new coaching staff.
• Nestor and Luke Jones talk about the importance of resolving contract situations and addressing roster needs.
• Luke Jones emphasizes the need for a successful offseason to set the stage for a strong season.

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

Ravens, Lamar Jackson, Tyler Linderbaum, Eric DeCosta, Jesse Minter, NFL Combine, free agency, contract negotiations, cap space, offensive line, defensive coordinator, player relationships, team strategy, offseason planning.

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SPEAKERS

Luke Jones, Nestor Aparicio

Nestor Aparicio  00:01

Welcome home. We are W, N, S T, am 1570 Towson, Baltimore. We are, Baltimore. Positive, positively taking the Maryland crab cake tour out on the road. I just got word from Roz we’re gonna have the Harlem Globetrotters giveaways. There’s still a couple 10 grand prizes up for grabs. We’re gonna have those next week. So get yourself to gertrudes at the BMA. I’m going to be joining an old friend of mine. I don’t have called an old friend, but he was my one time boss and my old friend. And when we’re going to be getting together with Dan Rodricks folks, I’m really looking forward to this. It’s at the BMA, my cousin’s place. As they would say, there actually was a place in Highland town called My cousin’s place, back in the day when I was a kid at Gertrude at the PMA. I’ll be artsy. On Wednesday, maybe have a vegan crab cake. I don’t know. Man, I had the best meal there right before Christmas. I took it home. It was amazing. On Friday, we’re going to be at Costas, if I need some leftovers, get some oysters. Rockefeller will be in Dundalk, and then on Tuesday, the 10th, we will be at missones in Perry Hall. I’m really looking forward to that great food there. Luke’s gonna come eat everywhere, dude. I feel terrible that we’re not slushing around. I even checked the weather in Indianapolis. I’m assuming there’s got to be like a foot of snow on the ground. I don’t know You tell me. Jesse Minter, Eric dicost, the early morning on a Tuesday, I will check the weather and get it all squared up, because you and I have been in Indianapolis when the weather has been really bad, and then we’ve been there when it’s just lousy. So I you know, literally, you know, and we’re here and it’s lousy, and we would be in Sarasota, and I don’t even know if it’s lousy there or not, but I do know there’s a different air about the franchise in the way it’s going to show, and the way John Harbaugh’s going to show with a, you know, blue jacket and the red tie, and, like all of that, it it’s, it’s different watching Jesse Minter, it is. And I’ll get to all my observations, and you’re going to get to the football and the linderbaum and the and the Decosta and the Lamar Jackson, we can’t hear the questions and all of that, but didn’t learn anything. But I’m getting some body language, and I’m getting some presentation skills, and I’m getting why they hired him, you know, in a general communication way. Yeah.

Luke Jones  02:18

I mean, we’ll get to Eric dicassa and and, let’s be perfectly honest, or at least from my perspective, I always find Eric Decosta far more interesting this time of year than John Harbaugh or Jesse Minter, right? I mean, we’re before free agency. We’re still two months out on the draft. The head coach, generally speaking, is not going to make major headlines right now. Now, a month ago, that was a totally different story, because he was brand new on the job, and he was hiring his staff. And even in the years where John Harbaugh was talking this time of year, maybe he’d be talking about a new coordinator. But you have to understand, Jesse Minter is just getting to know most of his players. He has not worked with any of these guys, other than Marlon Humphrey and a couple other guys that he crossed paths with, like Lamar Jackson the first time around. He’s going to choose his words carefully. He’s certainly not going to publicly critique players based off of last year, throw guys under the bus, have them asking questions. He’s going as we’ve seen the new staff, they’re going to choose their words carefully, talking about old friends, and in the case of Anthony Weaver, he has a relationship with Zach gore. So, you know. So I don’t really, didn’t really have expectations that we were going to hear anything all that terribly compelling or earth shattering from Jesse Minter. But to your point, it’s just getting a feel for him, right? Just getting a feel for how he’s going to speak. You know, he he was asked about some of the interactions, whether it was Lamar Jackson or other other conversations he’s had, Nnamdi, mada BK, and one thing that mentor has said is he’s going to try to keep his personal relationships with players and things that they say behind closed door, behind closed, doors, private, which isn’t all that surprising, all that shocking. It’s not as interesting from our perspective. But I can also understand that. But like I said, Until those guys are in the building even this spring, and he’s laying eyes on them, and he’s in meeting rooms with them, and he’s on the practice field with them, whether we’re just talking about OTAs even, I think he’s going to tread very carefully in how he talks about his new players, his new football team, until there’s something new, until there’s actual substance of interacting with one another on the field. That’s kind of what I expect. But, you know, I thought he handled himself well. He seemed relatively comfortable. I think, you know,

Nestor Aparicio  04:44

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is right in five weeks, six weeks, he’s had the job. You’ve been in a room with him twice, right? Twice, right, yeah,

Luke Jones  04:52

yeah, his opening press conference and his, you know, his press conference that he did with him. If you want

Nestor Aparicio  04:58

to be in a room with him again, you and I could have. Going to Indianapolis instead of Sarasota. We opted to do neither, because, you know, neither one of them, they want to make me drink out of the backwater fountain. We don’t. We don’t need to be there. By the way, was 18 degrees this morning at 7:30am 18. But I’m sure the buffet would have been really nice across the street, and we wouldn’t have gotten into 3am or whatever it would have been. But I just watch it now from afar, and I see the Eric Decosta I knew 30 years ago, and even I knew five years ago that would sit and talk about things and talk about and now, like the third time, even if for either of us or media or whomever to get in front of mentor, you’d have to go to Indianapolis. They’re off the grid now. The next time you’ll have any access to them, will be liars luncheon.

Luke Jones  05:50

No, no. I mean, they’re gonna sign somebody in free agency, right? I mean, they’ll have,

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Nestor Aparicio  05:55

okay, right? So, I mean nothing. That’s sad, but, but not Eric. Well, Eric, this is Eric season. Eric will be a dozen times, right? Yeah.

Luke Jones  06:04

I mean, Eric, it all depends. I mean, sometimes, you know, if it’s a big signing, he’ll be part of that. If it’s middle of the road, you know that that’s where I could see that there’s wiggle room, you know, like, I think for when, like, when they signed Marcus Williams in free agency, what’s going on four years ago now, which obviously didn’t work out, but it was a big deal at the time Eric, Eric sat in on that, right? So it kind of depends on him, but in terms of what we’re guaranteed to see, yeah, you’re talking liar’s luncheon and obviously a draft weekend, but

Nestor Aparicio  06:35

script this dude right, like it’s so like, and you do often the minute the ball sailed wide, right, we start writing the script. You and me, we were getting pretzels up in Monroeville, right coming out of Pittsburgh. Like next day, hardball gets fired. And then there’s a different why in the road to like, 16 interviews and all the stuff that Minter actually talked about a little bit. But this part of the year, whether it’s John Harbaugh or Jesse Minter, it’ll be a little different because of the scheduling that Minter will have extra team time that John, that John will be getting with the giants as well, and there’ll be 10 other places where they’re getting the Pittsburgh but you can script out what this is. And this Indianapolis thing was always a song and dance about linderbaum and about Jackson, little bit about Humphrey, little bit, and then a little picky poke on what scheme going to look like, what’s the pass rush going to look like? I mean, there, you know this. This isn’t state secret, right? And that they’re picking 14th, and that’s a little embarrassing to Eric, in a general sense, to think we’re getting a better pick because the team sucked and the coach got fired. But I am. I’m intrigued by it, just from afar, as as to watching it to see how Jesse Minter is going to be different in regard to communicating, in regard to smiling, in regard to that’s a good question, and sort of having some conviction about all of that, but really not saying much, but letting on that he’s a genius. I mean, you know the part where he handles players and schemes and alignment and how defense works and all of that. It would be interesting to be at the owners meetings where you sit at that breakfast table and, like, talk some football in a way, or some of the off the records that we have done with coaches, and quite frankly, was the way of the world when Billick was the coach and Rex Ryan and Mike Patton and Jim Schwartz and Mike Nolan, and just on and on and on. We’re running around trying to teach football in some way. He communicates the teaching football thing really well, dude, in the first hour that I’ve watched it, and I’m seeing as much as you, you’ve been in the room now you’re out of the room like me. I’m just watching the first hour, hour and a half of the next thing, after 18 years of John Harbaugh, and it’s, um, I don’t know, it’s wild to watch it. That’s all. I’m glad I lived long enough, that’s all, yeah, I mean,

Luke Jones  09:13

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it’s just, I mean, it’s different, it’s new. I mean, there’s a freshness to it. There’s a different sound of the voice, right? I mean, it’s all that but, but even this is the point I’ve made to you a lot about even talking about har ball. I mean, har ball was different from year one to year five, when he won a Super Bowl, to year 10 to year 18, right? I mean, we’re all different, do? We had

Nestor Aparicio  09:35

worn out version of John the last couple years. He really did, right? I mean, definitely. I mean, you seeing him up in Madison Square Garden looking

Luke Jones  09:44

like he’s renewed, sure. I mean, he’s rejuvenated in the same way that you’re hoping that the Ravens players are going to be rejuvenated. And again, it’s not this, it’s not this damning endorsement or indictment of anything. It’s it’s just the idea of sometimes change is just. Just, you know, like to use a very simplistic example that many people that are listening can relate to. It’s like, you know, when you’re younger and like you have a relationship, right? And you know, you get your heart broken, or you get tired of each other, or you just kind of realize you’re not as compatible as you might have been, as you thought six months ago or a year ago or two years ago, right?

Nestor Aparicio  10:23

So I’m still glad I can talk with Allen and get him out all these years later and be compatible next Friday and talk baseball, but I but, I mean, anybody listening to me knows like there were people that worked here, that don’t work here, that worked there, that moved around, and somebody reminds you of somebody else in some way, or take a piece of what they did to wherever they go. I mean, that’s and having Jesse Minter arrive at this moment, at this time, on my television screen as they banned me on Facebook. By the way, Luke like the Raven, so I can’t even watch so I now watching on YouTube. Please don’t ban me because I’m trying to watch these things, including all the ads, but I’m watching it on TV, as fans are watching it on TV, and we’re all watching it. It’s only gonna be eight of you that watch it in person, right? I mean, the way this is going right now that they threw lock and four out too. So for me, I’m just witnessing it and saying it reminds me of Mike Nolan, by the way, his football verbiage and his football acumen and delivery, and the way he discusses the game and defense. And, you know, I was texting back and forth with Mike Nolan, and we had, we had to go and a laugh together about it, but I don’t know it’s Change is inevitable, and there was going to be a next thing. And I didn’t pin this guy is hardball too much early on, and we’ll see that from game management through. You know how he goes about all of this? But I don’t know he feels like his own guy. To me. It feels fresh as a fan, as a former PSO holder, former medium, you know, whatever. I am, just somebody that knows football, that’s trying to watch these things to see. Am I going to learn anything? I mean, that’s where I am as a 57 year old dude. Was it worth my time at lunchtime? So far, I guess a little bit so far, I’m learning something.

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Luke Jones  12:17

Yeah, and like I said, I mean, we’re at such an early phase here again. He hasn’t. He hasn’t been in the same room as as most of his players to this point in time. He hasn’t been in the same room with these guys. I mean, other than guys that were involved in the interview process, he probably hasn’t had extensive conversations with any of his players beyond, you know, whatever involve, whatever degree of involvement Lamar Jackson and Kyle Hamilton and roquan Smith had in the interview process. And we know that there was a select group of veteran players who were involved, so it’s still very preliminary, right? Again, this guy hasn’t had his first team meeting yet. This guy hasn’t had the bulk of players in the building yet, other than guys that are rehabbing right now. You know, he made mention that that he had a conversation with namdi Mada BK recently, although the Ravens continue to be hush hush on that’s with that. So you know how we interpret that, one way or the other? It’s hard to say, but it’s hard to be too positive until there’s definitive word that it’s positive. But the point is, I mean, I don’t really know what we would expect him to say at this point in time. That’s going to be overly headline grabbing, right? Unless he said something really negative, right?

Nestor Aparicio  13:30

He’s trying to do everything to not make headlines exactly everybody in the world’s there. They credential interns to the assistant podcast director at you know, broken school, university. I mean, like, it’s an amazing mix of people. Anybody can ask anything. None of them are miked and di Costa gave six yeses or nos or, I don’t think so. I don’t even what the hell the question was. So, like, you know, there’s what you’re

Luke Jones  14:01

no I was gonna say it’s a reminder. Don’t it, unless you specifically are looking for a yes or no question, don’t ask a yes or no question, right? And some

Nestor Aparicio  14:09

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so there’s an education for Purdue University, whoever’s there, Butler, whatever it is, you know, I mean,

Luke Jones  14:14

I mean, I’m not, you know, I’m not critiquing any one individual, but Eric is very intentional about what he wants to say and about what he doesn’t want to say. And for me, the most, there nothing he said about Lamar was remotely interesting to me. And I’m not saying it was good or bad, you know, he what he said was, you know, he said, he made the comment that Lamar has been, quote, very engaged. He expressed confidence that they’d get something done. But if you go back and hear the question that was either an extension or reworking the contract, well, Eric can rework the contract without lamar’s blessing, right? They can do a simple restructure. So that doesn’t tell us a whole lot. There was one thing that he said that I found to be interesting. It was that he acknowledged. Knowledge, we’ve made a quote market setting offer to Tyler linderbaum. Eric didn’t say, you know, he didn’t misspeak in saying that. I think he made clear that he wanted to put out there that they feel that they’ve put out a very good, very legitimate offer. And it tells me that well, and we know this because there’d be a press conference that there’d be an announcement that Tyler Linder bombs representation has not accepted that yet. And I think that’s where we look at what’s interesting look. We’ve you, and I’ve spent so much time talking about lamar’s contract, and we’ll continue to talk about that, whether there’s a resolution, whether there’s a simple restructure,

Nestor Aparicio  15:39

had an agent, he would be in it, or she would be in Indianapolis, at the Conrad hotel at 630 in the morning, having a coffee and biscotti, talking about Steve bishati, you know, like after having a lot of shotties in the evening, that this is a business week there, not just for the, you know, the poke In the players in the underwear Olympics. I mean, I cannot begin to tell you how many steak dinners, morning coffees, lunchtime bagels, all of that that I’ve seen all over that city that are getting these deals done, where Tyler Linder bombs agents or representatives there of are rolling around Indianapolis, talking to, I don’t know the Browns agent are hanging out with John Harbaugh’s people up in the Meadowlands, because this is, this is where you start to feel, do they have more money? What’s my cap situation? Is Lamar gonna get a deal, dude, if Lamar doesn’t get a deal done with them? But no, franchise is on fire all of a sudden, a week from now, in a way that you and I can’t predict, and Eric didn’t look, I don’t know. Nobody looks real overconfident about anything at this moment, right? There was no tells in any of this that any of this is a done deal. They all look nervous until it’s done, because they are walking around town and rumors are floating, and somebody’s got cap space, and that’s everything they’re trying to tamp down. There is all the things we’re talking about, which is, it’s hard enough trying to get the Lamar deal done, and I’m sure they’re sweating it out, and the Linder bomb thing, and then where do we go? But the thing about Eric and this organization, and having the Aussies, and prior to that, the Ortiz’s and all the people that were the kukinas is in the pipeline is they’ve done a lot of dress rehearsal here, right? They have a plan B for linderbaum, the way they had a plan B for CJ Mosley. And sometimes it’s Earl Thomas, and it doesn’t work out so good, but and the drop off from Plan A to Plan B is also, what do you do if it doesn’t work out, and all of the reservation part of it, and the nervousness part of it, and the rookie coach, in front of all of these people in this big circumstance with all these like, you know, I watched it for what it was, and also knowing that you and I talk every day about What an inflection point this is for the organization, this new blood for selling tickets and sponsorships and the Blackbird club and all the things they need to do that the windows real short on the Lamar thing here for two or three years, to try to get a parade, not to try to win 10 games. And you know all that sits behind this, and the importance of having the center and the quarterback in shop in house easily, so that we can move on and take the 14th best available player.

Luke Jones  18:32

Yeah, I mean, just to finish my thought on linderbaum, like I said, the quote that stood out to me that Eric said, because he said nothing about lamar’s negotiations, which wasn’t shocking, because that’s what they tried to do the last time around. And every time something would, you know, some semblance of morsel of information would leak out the last time around. It generally wasn’t constructive, right? It generally didn’t help things, you know, so, so I think that wasn’t very shocking. But again, the idea that Eric said, we’ve made linderbaum a quote market setting offer, I think that’s that that was intentional. You know, he didn’t just say, well, we’re keeping this private, right? I think that was put out there to say, look, we’re really trying, and we really feel that we put a very fair, legitimate when you say market setting, to me, it has to be now we could quibble, you know, we could kind of mince words about the guarantee, the signing bonus payout over the first two years of the deal, all the different things that either a player or an agent cares about right, and and certain ones prioritize different elements of that.

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Nestor Aparicio  19:45

And when you have two guards that are that are naked and wide open, you prioritize the center more too You’re right, and a quarterback that’s a $60 million quarterback that you want the best for, that’s how important he is. So he is more valuable to the Ravens than he. Should be in other circumstances, if they love him the way they clearly love him, for him to come and say that, right?

Luke Jones  20:07

Well, but what I’m coming back to here, and what I’m implying here is when they’re saying market setting off for I’m assuming that means that the average annual value of the deal is $18 million per year or more. That’s what creed Humphrey the top of market for the Kansas City Chiefs, $18 million a year. So I’m guessing that the ravens are somewhere, very much in that neighborhood, you know, because you can’t say a market setting offer if, if they’re only offering him 17 million a year like that, then, then it’s just a blatant lie, which, you know, maybe it is, but, but Eric dicost

Nestor Aparicio  20:41

has lied to me, just so we know on the record, but

Luke Jones  20:44

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GMs and agents lie. I mean, they just do, they’re trying to do business, right? And they’re and part of this is part of the dance, right? That’s why, that’s why everyone’s so frustrated about Lamar Jackson negotiations, because there isn’t an agent. But part of that is also there’s a lack of information that gets out so other from his perspective, right? The Ravens can put things out

Nestor Aparicio  21:03

whether they and it was telling to me that mentor was timid about talking, in a general sense, not to be over the moon about Lamar, and that, like I It feels reserved to me. It just does I’m watching on TV. It just

Luke Jones  21:17

feels reserved. I mean, I think it’s reserved. I don’t think it’s telling though. I think he’s just going to be very careful, because, to the point that I’ve made over and over, yes, these guys knew each other from mentors first go around with the ravens, but it they didn’t strike up like this close friendship, or there’s not like some from everything that I’ve gathered. And maybe I’m wrong, maybe someone will uncover it, and maybe they’re playing coy, but I don’t think you’re going to see some feature story that comes out that that Jesse Minter and Lamar Jackson in his second year, and Jesse Minter as a low level defensive assistant, that they were having breakfast every morning, played table tennis. Yeah, yeah. You know, I don’t get the sense. Like they knew each other, like they like they got along, like they said hello, but it was what you’d expect, right? He wasn’t. He wasn’t coaching Lamar individually. So anyway, so from that part of it, but what the sense that I’m getting here are, I think the concern from the Ravens perspective here is you have Tyler Linder bomb, who’s hitting the market, who they clearly think highly of. However, let’s also connect the dots here. They did not give him a fifth year option last year. Reason why, and we’ve talked about the system being flawed. That’s in place because it just takes into account offensive lineman rather than other centers to calculate that number. So basically, the fifth year option number would have been as though Linder bomb were a left tackle right. So that’s where it’s problematic. So they declined that to Costa, acknowledged and this wasn’t this shouldn’t have been remotely surprising, but he said that it’s unlikely that they’ll use the franchise tag or the transition tag on linderbaum, because that number is even higher than what the fifth year option would have been, which would have kept him under contract for 2026 so I think where the concern is is the Ravens look at this thing and say, All right, we feel that, you know, even, even if, privately, hypothetically, we might think that, okay, maybe Linder bombs, not quite as good as creed Humphrey, but understanding he’s hitting the market right, are gonna be demands for his services. We’re not gonna get him at 16 like we’re not going to get them at our number. We’re we have to understand free market principles here. When someone hits the market and can become a free agent and you’re

Nestor Aparicio  23:28

not going to hit the market, then, right? Because that’s the only way he’s going to find

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Luke Jones  23:32

it all depends. Well, this is where it comes down to. Where is that number? Is it only equaling creed Humphrey at 18 million, or is it 18.5 or has Linder bombs representation looked at this thing and said, well, the Cleveland Browns are out there. Todd monkens, they’re all their head coach, John Harbaugh’s in New York, and obviously has a relationship with them, you know. And obviously there can be other teams as well, like a center is important to an offensive line. I mean, that was one thing that mentor acknowledged, the things that you and I have talked about going you talking about for years now, the post Matt Burke era was so problematic because Gino grab Koco’s Key, couldn’t do it, and Jeremy Zuto was just okay at best. And kind of go down the list, right? Bradley Bozeman was solid, but you didn’t really want to marry him long term, right? By the way, that $20 million quarterback did not, it did not, however, or

Nestor Aparicio  24:28

their running game or or anything there goes. So sure, therein lies your you like Lamar, then you might want Linder bomb or something like him.

Luke Jones  24:39

Well, but at the same time, you can’t just give them a blank check, necessarily, unless you think he’s that important. So here let’s let’s stick with Kyle Hamilton, because both guys were drafted in the same draft, same first round, right? Kyle Hamilton got $25 million a year the previous. Highest Paid safety think was 21.5 that. I mean, you talk about resetting the market, but that said Eric to Costa privately would tell you. I mean, Kyle Hamilton is cook might be the next Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Hall of Fame defensive player that we have, he’s a unicorn. I mean, he flat out, said that. You know, Jesse Minter has said that. I mean, they they describe Kyle Hamilton as a unicorn. They didn’t mind paying him as such. So a guy, if a guy’s a unicorn, you’re not just going to say, Oh, well, 21.5 is a number, or 22 is the number. The number

Nestor Aparicio  25:36

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is was a unicorn four years ago, and that was part of like, there was nothing else, like a quarterback that’s going to rush for 1000 yards to throw for five, right?

Luke Jones  25:44

Sure, sure, but, but the point I’m trying to make here is, in Kyle Hamilton’s case, like you weren’t going to lose them like you they’re just and if you had to give them a blank check, you’re going to give them a blank check, right? I mean, it’s just that simple. I don’t think Tyler linderbaum Is that guy. And I don’t say that to be disparaging. He’s, he’s a multi Time Pro Bowl center already, but at the same time, you can’t view him like he’s Jonathan Ogden, right? I mean, Jonathan Ogden, five years into his career, you knew he was on his way to being a Hall of Famer. You know, I’m not sure anyone’s ready to say that Tyler Linda bombs gonna be a Hall of Fame center. So looking,

Nestor Aparicio  26:22

what is he a Super Bowl winning center the next three years for your franchise, he might. I mean, he’s important, but I need him to be, because Matt Burke’s not going to the Hall of Fame either. But damn, he was important,

Luke Jones  26:32

man, okay, but, but you can’t just pay everyone whatever the heck they want, right? I mean, they’re you have to have discipline. And I that’s where I kind of wonder if this is shaping up to potentially be, potentially be a CJ Mosley situation, which, by the way, was Eric to cost his first offseason as general manager. They wanted Mosley back. They tried to get him back. This wasn’t like the Zaria Smiths of the world, where they just said, God bless you. We love you. Good for you. You’re going to get an awesome contract, but we’re just, we’re not in on that, like we’re just, we can’t, mostly, they tried, but it got to the point where the Jets were giving them, we’re giving him so much more money, where they just say, okay, and the Jets made him the highest paid middle linebacker in football at the time by a pretty healthy margin. And then you get a dev pick two year, you know, year later. And you do with round pick, you do? I just my point here, you know, it’s kind of a I’m rambling a little bit because I’m trying to choose

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Nestor Aparicio  27:32

my words carefully, rambling too, because I absolutely know my thoughts too. Yeah, my but

Luke Jones  27:37

my point here is, I think they’re perfectly willing to pay Tyler Linder bomb 18 or 18.5 but if another team’s willing to go to 22 and, like, really reset the center market because they’ve got cap space and and they feel they’re desperate, and they want them that badly, I think that’s where the Ravens say, like, look, we can’t get in. We can’t get the business of and then assessing value and then overpay.

Nestor Aparicio  28:02

Well, that’s a problem, like losing, I’m sure Ryan Jensen at a point in time where it was all about just a lot of money. Or I’m thinking of guys like Jared Johnson. I’m thinking of guys that they didn’t want to lose. Seitler To some degree, even Morgan Moses on that side of the line, they just didn’t feel that rich, and they felt like we can get a third round draft pick that’s going to turn into Marshall yonda. And that didn’t happen. And the injury Ronnie Stanley’s been an unfortunate burden on their numbers and their output and what else they’ve had for the offensive line at that point, and he was a first round draft pick that they did sign and keep around, like Humphrey, like Moseley, for a minute, but not for two minutes. You know, like being able to Hamilton, they’re going to keep him around forever. This is the moment of truth for linderbaum And, I think also for Lamar and that core part of my god dude, you saw the guard play, got him blown up last year. If they don’t have a center, what the hell are they going to do? Well, we got the 14th pick in the draft. We’ll get the best center in the draft, good so we have a 30 year old quarterback who doesn’t want to run anymore. We don’t really want them to run that much anymore. To run that much anymore, and now we’re going to have a completely rebuilt offensive line for Lamar and for Derek Henry and for whatever’s left of Mark Andrews and wherever they are with all of this the operation. Listen, I’m not playing the role of Tyler Linder bombs agent here with you right now. But if we wake up on March 14, and he’s a giant or a brown, you know, well what plan B sounds like. But you know, this is where you get coquinas on the phone. Or, you know, you you call the right? So what? What’s our plan B here? And that, to me, is what we should be talking about. So What’s plan B here? Because that would kind of indicate how desperate Plan A would be for them.

Luke Jones  30:11

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Well, um, but, but at the same time, you know, you could have made the same argument about roquan Smith three years ago, you know. And Now, granted, they they extended him, but let’s say that roquan Smith was two weeks out from becoming a free agent. Well, they paid him a heck of a lot of money. And what we’ve heard from a lot of people say the last year or two is that, you know, not really living up. I mean, look, Tyler wonder bombs a Pro Bowl Center. I’m not going to sit here and say that. I think he’s been elite from a past protection standpoint. It certainly wasn’t this past year. Now, your point is well taken about what kind of impact the two guards having their struggles affect the center there, but it’s like I said, there are guys that are Pro Bowl players or top five centers or top seven centers, but you know, if you’re it’s one thing to propose him being the top paid center because it’s his turn, because he’s in that group. It’s another thing if, if the expectation from the opposing side, and I’m not saying it is, I don’t want to put words in the Tyler’s mouth here, but if they’re turning that down, and because they think the giants are going to offer 23 million a year, or the Browns are, you know, named three other teams that have tap space.

Nestor Aparicio  31:22

This is where the tampering theory and you either run back and turtle up and stay home with daddy, or they say, Hey, we’re giving your money to say flowers. I don’t know. I mean, right. I mean in line, right.

Luke Jones  31:37

But that said, I mean, like, I use CJ Mosley as you know, seeing, seeing some parallels here at where we stand right now, which is still two weeks out, and who knows, maybe they’ll have a deal done by the time the combines over. Who knows, maybe they’ll get it done in that time frame, and that they can avoid this. But true or false, the Ravens made the wise decision letting CJ Mosley go. I’d say true, like he didn’t become Ray Lewis, you know, like CJ had some good, you know, had a couple good years with the Jets, but was also hurt and, you know, certainly, but two or three years into that, no one was saying he was the best middle linebacker. Well, that’s

Nestor Aparicio  32:17

where they moved on, and gave that money to Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey, and understood breed of player, right?

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Luke Jones  32:23

Yeah, yeah, but, but at the same time, inside linebacker was a problem for them for the better part of the next two or three years, right? I mean, they had to sign Josh Bynes off the couch the following year because they were in such dire straits at that position, and Patrick Queen didn’t really find his stride to year three, so which is one of the reasons he went out and got roquan Smith, what the better part of three and a half years later. So the point is, while I think they made the responsible cap decision in letting CJ Mosley go, there’s also the matter of replacing somebody, and that’s what, that’s what we always talk you know, there are, there’s nuance to these decisions. It’s not as though it because you don’t resign the player doesn’t mean you didn’t like them, right?

Nestor Aparicio  33:10

So we’ve gone through that with Zeitler and these other really capable guys into where their value is. And do you want to talk all summer about them playing without Tyler Linder ball.

Luke Jones  33:22

Do you want to talk the next three years about having a really highly overpaid center who maybe isn’t, wasn’t worth blowing up the center market for? I mean, you know, there’s we can do this back and forth, like, Well,

Nestor Aparicio  33:34

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you did that with roquan the day they signed him. You didn’t love that. Yeah. And, you know, I never learned Humphrey money the way you and and the Ronnie Stanley thing. I that’s an and that’s not applicable because of the injury they got.

Luke Jones  33:48

Yeah. I mean, it was literally two days after he signed it. Yeah. And let me be clear. I’m not saying this to be disparaging the Linder bomb, but the best teams, the teams that are really good at doing this. They stay disciplined on valuing players. Now we’re talking premier positions. You know, your premiere of Premier positions, quarterback, left tackle, Edge rusher, maybe wide receiver, if it’s a legitimate, serious number one like Jamar Chase, kind of wide receiver, you know, shut down number one corner. But you know, as important as center is, it’s not as important as left tackle right. At least it hasn’t been perceived to be that way. And the market would, would would agree with me, because look at how many $20 million left tackles there are, compared to how many $20 million centers, there are none. So again, this is where I go back to di Costa making the comment that he did, that they, that they made, that, you know, they made a quote market setting offer, which to me, means they’re willing to make him the highest paid senator in the league. But maybe they’re not willing to make him the highest paid center in the league by this overwhelming margin in the way they did for Kyle Hamilton. Because I think they believe Kyle Hamilton is on a, you know, on a path right now to become a Hall of Fame player that, you know, I’m not convinced that Tyler linderbaum is quite that guy just yet, you know, because, like I said, I think he’s a really good run blocker. I think his past protection is at times, a little inconsistent, and that’s where you just have to recognize what you’re getting right. And that’s why I made the comment about roquan Smith. You know? I mean, if roquan’s Truly Ray Lewis, then, then that deal wasn’t a problem two years, three years into it, we’re kind of looking at it and saying, at least a large proportion of people were saying, you know, is that? Is that a value concern right now? I mean, so you just, these are the things you have to do. And look, I don’t expect any general manager to bat 1000 in that way. And ultimately, maybe, maybe they will step up. Maybe they will offer linderbaum a deal that not just makes them the highest paid center, but maybe it resets the market, because they feel they have no choice because of what you said, you know, the alternative is what you know, I mean, are you going to go with Corey Bullock at center? Are you going to go try to draft someone in the first three rounds and kind of do that, you know, go off that dance again? Or do you get to the point where you get to the point where you just say, we don’t have a choice. We’ve got to give him what he wants. Basically, I just think you have to be very careful in the space of identifying the players that are truly that special, where you have to give them what whatever they want. You know, I think Kyle Hamilton was that. I don’t know if Tyler Linder bomb is that so, you know, I didn’t know if roquan Smith was that, but I also understood, when that why they did it, when they did that, right? I understood it, you know, I had a little bit of some reservations about it, but, but at the same time, I also, as I just said, that they made a, in my mind, a responsible decision to walk away from CJ Mosley, but they felt some pain for that, for the next two to three years after that, right? I mean, so, like, it’s, you know, we think of these as either, like, binary choices, right, that either yes and everything’s going to be great, or no, and you know, that means you think the guy stinks, you know, no, there’s a lot of gray in there that you have to figure out, because you have a salary cap because you have a finite number of resources to distribute, and you have a finite number of draft picks to spam.

Nestor Aparicio  37:29

You talked about that, man. I mean, they got, what are they gonna do? And that’s the thing. I mean, what are they gonna do with the pick? Matters a lot to how Lamar and Linder, but they got to get this done first for me.

Luke Jones  37:39

Yeah, well, I mean, the thing with Lamar that I do want to continue to point out, look, the ideal scenario is to do an extension. You clear cap space, and then you’re not taught. You’re not having this conversation for until 2029 I mean, that’s what we’re talking about. I mean, think about 2023 is when they did the deal, and now we’re back at a place where they’re back at the table trying to extend. I mean, that’s kind of how this works. You know, the five year deals tend to be three year deals, in reality, right before you want to start addressing it. And in turn, you know, if, if Lamar had completely fallen apart the last couple years and you wanted to get out of the deal like this is around the time when you’re able to start doing to think about it in those terms, right? So, but I think when you’re kind of looking at this, we have to understand the Ravens have they’re under the cap. Like, if the league, if the new league year started tomorrow, they’re under the cap. Problem is they have so many roster needs that they’re going to need more cap space. So they are technically in a position where it’s the Lamar thing’s not Armageddon, it’s not, it’s not ideal if you don’t get an extension done, because you’ve got to do a restructure. Yeah, that makes you hunky dory for 2026 but then I can only estimate. You know, 74.5 is the cap number for next year too. If you do a simple restructure and add void years on, then your cap number next year is, I don’t know, 8590 like, then you’re like, then you have to do a deal. Then you have no choice that. Then he’s got you by the you know what, and he has 100% of the leverage, whereas now there’s still at least a little bit of nuance that you wiggle room, you can talk about there. So, so

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Nestor Aparicio  39:28

yes, by the way, to Costa had to ask to answer questions in regard to him coming to OTAs and indeed, and

Luke Jones  39:34

he had to be careful, because, you know, as I pointed out to you a week ago, Declan Doyle is and I’m not taking him to task here. Let’s be clear. And frankly, he was being honest, right? Especially, you know, people have want to work with their players, however, however, teams don’t want to get calls from the NFL PA, and that is also a thing too, right? And you don’t want to be in a. Edition, where suddenly you’re being viewed

Nestor Aparicio  40:02

and talked about baseball and labor for, you know, a good hour this week, and that’s where we talk,

Luke Jones  40:07

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as John Harbaugh, the number of times they were fined and lost OTAs over the years because they didn’t follow the rules to the T right, even if there was certainly room for interpretation at different times. So I think, I think, with that in mind, that’s where di Costa was playing a little bit of good cop, you know, a little bit of good cop, bad cop going on there that, hey, it’s optional Lamar, you know. And so that, that, to me, was interesting, but much ado about nothing. And, like I said, I think it was a little bit of little bit of cya going on because, you know, even though it wasn’t this massive league story, you know, league wide story, or anything like that. But Doyle saying what he did, I’m guessing the NFL pa didn’t love, you know, the the tone and and the context of what he was saying, even if it’s true, right, even if it’s important for a team with a first year head coach and first year coaching staff and all that so, but, you know, to bring it back to Lamar, you know, just to put a bow on that, because I do want to touch on a couple of the other guys at least briefly. But you know, they’re not in a position right now where they’re over the cap. So hypothetically, if they get to the eve of the new league year and they’re, they don’t have an extension in place, they could, they could go into the new league year with the 74.5 number, knowing that they could renegotiate, you know, they could turn that, you know, turn the base salary into a bonus, and create cap space. And that’s one thing that Eric’s done maybe a little bit differently than Ozzy. In the past, he’s actually been a little more of we’ll create space as we go when necessary. We’re not just going to create space just because we can, which, you know, is smart business when you think about it that way. You know there ends up not being the free agent that you try to, you trying to land a free agent, and you’re unsuccessful. You just open up a bunch of cap space now for what? Right? So, so I there’s a little bit of that going on that said, go back to what Steve bashati said a little over a month ago. They don’t want the Lamar situation hanging over the start of the offseason. There’s no doubt about that, right? You either want an extension, or if it looks like you’re not anywhere close on that, you read, you renegotiate, you know, you convert the rest, not renegotiate, restructure the deal, create some cap space that way, and then you table it until, I don’t know, June, July, August, right? I mean, you can keep talking later on, but, but, yeah, you don’t want that. You want that. Holding the offseason hostage, you know, you certainly don’t want that.

Nestor Aparicio  42:40

So you need to know, from a cap space standpoint, we’re talking about a good 20, $30 million right? You do, but, but, like I said, I mean some of the leverage you need for, let for but

Luke Jones  42:54

if you really want me to get into the weeds here, the the argument could be made that if it was purely about 2026 cap space, if you didn’t care about ramifications for 2728 29 you could actually make the argument that just restructuring the deal would probably open up more space if you if that was all you were worried about. Problem is it makes next year an even bigger nightmare then. And this is a

Nestor Aparicio  43:18

33 year old linebacker that you feel like you’re going to have a walk away. You don’t want to walk away from Lamar Jackson, if he wins the MVP again this year, right?

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Luke Jones  43:27

Exactly, exactly, and ideally, you know, if he wins the MVP again, and you haven’t worked out an extension prior to this season, then that number is even higher next year that he’s asking he

Nestor Aparicio  43:38

can win the MVP, then you’re, you’re, you’re renegotiating with the wrong guy, right?

Luke Jones  43:44

Yeah, even that. I mean, how, why would you not believe that? I mean, he should have won it in 24 right? It should have been a three time MVP. So, I mean, you’re paid like that. We’re only one year removed from that. I mean, let’s like, let’s not act like his best year was seven years ago, or something crazy, also

Nestor Aparicio  44:02

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through the past, and when everybody’s head in Pittsburgh on the road on a cold ass night, I know he was super rare, and, you know, not for the default, but like, yeah, played his best football this January, if they just would have gotten there, but they didn’t get there, and the coach got fired, and here we are, you

Luke Jones  44:18

know, because they missed the kick and their defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed In the fourth quarter. I mean, it’s just, you know, I mean, it’s just, you know, it’s that simple, you know, it’s a

Nestor Aparicio  44:25

team game. You know, it’s what I keep. Mark Andrews catches the ball last year.

Luke Jones  44:29

They might go and that’s where I’ve continued to be, just with Lamar, you know, with that whole narrative as it is, yeah, he’s had his share of performances that weren’t up to his standard in crunch time, but so many other guys in this core, you know, you would say that about, I mean, Andrews and zay flowers two years ago or three years ago now, and go down the list. I mean, they all have to be better. And I think that’s part of what you’re hoping with a new coaching staff. And I made the point to you the other day, you know, when we had that, I said I had rewatched the. Ravens bills, week one game, and I said there was just this little moment that resonated with me. It was on the Ravens last offensive drive before, remember, they punted on fourth and three, and there was some debate whether they should have gone for it, because it’s like, what John, what confidence did you have in your defense at that point that they were going to stop you? You know? Why didn’t you try to get the first down there? But it was the zave flowers run that got stuffed. And I, I made the point that I actually you could see horrible in the in the background, because it was the far, far side on the TV copy. And you could see him hands on knees, and albeit very briefly, he put his head down. And it was just one of those things where that, to me, epitomized how everyone was feeling about the last few years of this ravens team, that for all the success they might have had in the regular season and expectations and the number one seed and hosting the AFC title game, that the failure had just beaten everyone down. I mean, you said yourself, that’s all washed away when I’m watching mentor from right? I mean, that’s why I’m saying like that, that that part of it’s a clean he doesn’t have to answer any questions about Miss field goal. You have to answer any of that. And it’s not even that he needs to be this super genius that comes up with the way of why that. It’s just like it’s a clean slate, right? It’s the same way that, you know, I’m hoping all these guys with this core group of, you know, Lamar Andrews, go down the list. The guys have been around the last six, seven years. You’re hoping that they finally like, hey, you’ve got a new coach, new marvels

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Nestor Aparicio  46:28

at the Terps game the other night, instead of at the Madison Square Garden. Think about the different like, 19 years in a row you’re making $20 million a year when you get to win a playoff game. Yeah. I mean, come out of

Luke Jones  46:40

the house, like, literally, right? I mean, I don’t think he’s getting booed out of the building in that scenario, but it’s certainly not like the minute that

Nestor Aparicio  46:47

Jesse Minter has his seat five rows off of home plate on opening day and comes and does the Papa wave. And, you know, everybody’s good, yeah, you know, like he can do no wrong so far. So, I mean, they really have all washed their hands of all of this with holy water. They really have everybody’s coming at it, especially as they all walk around in their jock suits in Indianapolis. And they all, maybe not Todd Monckton, but the rest of them have hope.

Luke Jones  47:12

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Yeah. I mean, I think, you know, there’s, there’s two, two groups, you know, and not really groups, because one individual and the group that still carries that are the players, you know, and Eric to Costa, right? I mean, yeah, I think it’s funny to go back and, you know, because I flat out asked bashati at that press conference, you know, what was his evaluation of Eric, you know? And he was very complimentary at the same time. It’s like, but that only goes so far. Think about it. I mean, we’re talking about an owner who had just given John Harbaugh a contract extension nine months prior to firing him. So it’s this league is what have you done for me lately? So Eric’s feeling more pressure. Well, you know, not, not even that. He’s like, Oh, he’s on the verge of getting fired, but like, Hey, we’ve eliminated the coaching staff. So we eliminated that variable. So what’s the roster look like? And then, if you’re the players, it’s the same deal. You know, you can’t blame hardball, you can’t blame monk, and you can’t blame Zach, or you can’t blame, you know, George warhop, like, go, go down the list. You got a brand new coaching staff. So if you guys all have the same exact issues, and you can’t finish games and commit too many penalties, and you’ve got mental mistakes, and you know you’re blowing fourth quarter leads and you can’t win in January. Guess what? People start to think, then maybe it’s the players, you know what I mean, so, and if it’s the players, it’s Eric dicostal, sure, no question. So, so you’re right about the there’s a sense of renewed energy, right? Because it is mentor and, you know, his assistants, and you know, we saw it with the coordinators last week. But like, they’re the guys right now. Those are the guys that can smell themselves and say, hey, you know, last year was last year. I didn’t have anything to do with that. But for the players, you know, that’ll be a little bit different. Yeah, it’ll be different. And they’re you’re hoping they’re rejuvenated. You’re hoping that everyone’s energy energized and is excited, because on paper, they should still be a good team in the AFC, right? I mean, right now, yes or no, do I think they’re gonna be back in the playoffs this coming year? Yeah, you know, I’m not ready to say they’re gonna be the favorite in the AFC, but I all like their chances because of who they have right at the top of their roster. But at the same time, you know, Jesse Minter, it’s one thing for him. Also, let’s keep in mind they don’t play any games for six more months, right? He gets to be zero and zero for the next Exactly, exactly. So that’s where it changes. But, you know, but beyond that, you know, we talked about Lamar. I did think dicos comments on Marlon Humphrey were interesting. He made the comment not necessarily needing to redo his deal, although I’m skeptical about that element of it. But, you know, he did say he expects him to be back. You know, I thought that was maybe a sign that they’ve had some talks. To say, hey, let’s redo the. Last year, this deal maybe in a way that the Ravens did with Ronnie Stanley two years ago. Keep in mind, they gave him a pay cut two years ago, put a bunch of incentives into it, and then what happened? Stanley had a good year, and he ended up getting another contract right. Well, whether, whether that’ll end up ultimately working out or not. It Stanley, he had the kind of contract year he needed to have. So maybe the thought is, well, okay, Marlon wasn’t great last year, but no one was on defense, really. And the idea is with Jesse Minter, Anthony, Anthony Weiner Weaver, and with, you know, Mickens, as far as being the new secondary coach, you know, maybe, maybe that, uh, will help Marlon Humphrey look back to, you know, being closer to what he was two years ago rather than last year, especially, especially if we shave some of the salary, and, you know, can save some cap dollars that way. So, you know, they talked about that, you know, Matt abike, still no news on him. To Costa, kind of gave a throwaway line on not closing the door on Isaiah, likely, I don’t really know. I just don’t know how they make that decision for throwaway lines, though. Yeah. I mean, I look, is it impossible if the market doesn’t develop for Isaiah, likely that he accepts a one year deal and gets to play with Lamar Jackson one more year? I don’t think it’s impossible, do I think that’s likely? No pun intended? No. Because I think, I think there’s going to be some team out there that’s going to look at him and say, Hey, give this guy a chance with, you know, with, without a mark Andrews in the way. And, you know, let’s watch him develop. And the big thing with, likely, I mean, he’s only entering his age, 26 season. This guy’s still really young. You know, for for NFL free agents, he’s pretty darn young. So I think that’s part of the will be some of the allure for him. You know, I’ve, I’ve seen some people mention, you know, maybe he goes to Kansas City, although it sounded like Kelsey is going to come back, the more and more you read the tea leaves, but, but, yeah, I mean that I’m not expecting Isaiah likely to be back. You know, beyond that, you know, we talked about Linder bomb. I think to me, Linder bomb is, I understand why Lamar is the headliner, and I understand it a big picture. Of course, he’s the headliner, but in terms of the urgency right now, you know the Linder bomb comment, you know where the cost of flat out said, you know, we’ve made a market setting offer. He did that. That was purposeful, that that was, hey, we’re, we’re really, feel, from our perspective, we’re really trying here, and we’re not getting a yes just yet. So you know, we’ll see how the next couple weeks play out. And to your point, tis the season of tampering. It’s all that’s going on. And let the

Nestor Aparicio  52:33

tampering begin. Let the tampering begin. In Indianapolis, Luke and I are not there. We were going to be in Sarasota. We’re going to be in Indianapolis, 18 degrees in Indianapolis, Sarasota, dude, Tuesday, 58 no bueno. You know, got to get me into the mid 70s down there, if you’re going to get me to Sarasota, Florida. But we’re here covered it all and talking about it all, maybe more than ever, really. All are brought to you by friends at Planet Fitness. I’m wearing my planet fitness gear here. We’re going to get back out to their new location at Taos, and to get something going, we’re going to be doing the Maryland crab cake tour present. Tour presented by the Maryland Lotter. Have Harlem Globetrotters scratch offs. They had this Maryland artistic competition that they did last year where they they did art and as part of the scratch offs, I’m going to be giving those away in April. But in the meantime, Harlan Globetrotters, Wednesday of next week, we are at Gertrude at the BMA with Dan Rodricks and friends talking some old baseball. And we’re going to talk some new baseball on Friday at cost us in and Dundalk, Luke and Alan are going to be out with me as much as well as some other friends. And then on Tuesday, the 10th of March, we will be at missoney’s in Perry Hall, looking forward to the meatballs and make it, you know, I don’t know what else I’m going to get there, because they said, you know, we don’t traditionally have crab cakes. You sure you do the crab cake to where I’m like, I’ve eaten the food. It’s delicious. Of course, I want to come there. So we’re going to be there on that Tuesday afternoon, the 10th of March. Luke’s around the wnsd tech services also around is brought to you by Cole roofing and Gordian energy. All you have to do is click on it. Get on it. You’ll get breaking news. First, Lamar under contract, fixed, renegotiated, whatever it is, Tyler linderbaum And no injuries out of Sarasota, right? Luke, we’re not no more right. Westburg holiday. We’re done with that. No more text on that.

Luke Jones  54:14

Right. Certainly hope so. Right, although knowing pitching this time of year, still going to be holding our breath, our breaths for a little while here. It’s just the reality. But yes, hopefully no more.

Nestor Aparicio  54:27

We have our newest sponsor as well, the comfort guys at a foreigner and Dermer. Dermer, I keep tripping i i promise them it’s gonna cost me $1 at least a quarter every time I do that. They came over and got the stink out stuff, a couple stink bugs. Anybody’s got an exterminator out there? I need you find me. Nestor Baltimore positive.com but we do have a great HVAC folks who also took care of my plumbing. We had like this whistle going on, driving me crazy, and it’s gone now. So magic. Is what I’m calling them. Comfort guys, a lot more comfortable because of our newest friends. So new sponsors, new friends. Springtime. Spring is sprung. Orioles at Spring Training, ravens trying to figure out the drama of the NFL Combine and the underwear Olympics and the Olympics are over with, except the Paralympics are going on, but we’re watching that as well. I’m Nestor, we’re W, N, S, D, am 1570 Towson, Baltimore. We never stop talking Baltimore positive. We don’t have to go to Indianapolis to do it. Do.