Slow offseason cause for concern

The 2016 NFL season ended a little more than a month ago, and the Ravens have done little since then. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome is known for his deliberate and methodical approach to free agency, but his current slow pace is a cause for concern.

There have to be some anxious people over at The Castle, and head coach John Harbaugh has to be feeling some pressure. His teams haven’t been to the playoffs in three of the past four years and if that happens again, he’ll probably be seeking employment elsewhere.

So, the next 72 to 96 hours are important to this franchise, and there will be indications of where the Ravens are headed in the 2017 season. Conversations and negotiations can begin between teams and free agents today and deals can be announced as early as Thursday afternoon.

The Ravens have been quiet so far, as opposed to some teams that have given franchise designations to players and other teams that have re-signed players to contract extensions. With the Ravens, they either have done very little or are keeping their plans a secret.

“I’m not quite sure of what they are doing,” one NFL agent said. “They make initial contact and then they disappear like they are in this feeling-out process. They need to remember players aren’t dying to play for the Ravens anymore like years ago. Their shine has somewhat faded.”

There are other concerns. In years past, the Ravens have cut players or made other moves seven to 10 days before free agency