Baltimore Ravens: Jake Long the Latest Free Agent to Spurn Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens and Jake Long could not come to terms on a contract agreement. Free agents backing out is a situation that is familiar in Baltimore this season.

It was just days ago we lauded the Ravens for bringing in free agent offensive tackle Jake Long. It was a move that made sense for the team, Long and the development of first-round pick Ronnie Stanley.

Remember when we all thought that the Baltimore Orioles had a contract with Dexter Fowler? A couple days later, he backed out of the deal and re-signed with the Chicago Cubs.

This is the same situation here.

One of the main reasons that Fowler did not sign with the Orioles is because the O’s essentially wanted him to pay for the loss of the first-round pick that was tied to him. When the Orioles would not budge on that contract detail, Fowler opted for the Cubs.

The Ravens wanted Long to sign a injury waiver as a part of the agreement. Long feels that his knee is ready after passing physicals with both the Atlanta Falcons and Dr. James Andrews. The team was looking out for themselves if Long was injured once again.

So once again, Baltimore lost out on a quality free agent.

This has not been the case all offseason. Baltimore did bring in veterans Mike Wallace, Eric Weddle, Jerraud Powers and Ben Watson, and each should play a prominent role with this team. Most players around the league want to play for a team like the Ravens.

What hurts about both situations is that they were players that were needed. The Orioles were looking for an outfielder that could bat lead off. The Ravens needed a veteran to serve as the insurance policy to Stanley. Now the Ravens’ front office has to come up with another backup plan.

There is a hole on the offensive line behind Stanley and Ricky Wagner, as well at left guard. Long could filled multiple roles for the offensive line, and if he returned to his Pro Bowl form, even better. Now, the competition on the offensive line gets more interesting.

Next: Failed Conditioning Tests and Injuries

The Ravens missed out on another quality player, but we are used to that in Baltimore. The Orioles still have not brought in that starting pitcher we have been begging for for years.