The Baltimore Ravens are certain to be a part of a lot of trade and free agent rumors this coming off season as Ozzie Newsome looks to fill holes. After so much was discussed as the season progressed, Newsome knows that the fans are expecting some changes in an attempt to make the Ravens an elite Super Bowl contender.

So while I wait in ultimate suspense for my cell phone to ring, my email to fill up, and however else my two friends can figure out how to contact me, I am left contemplating and researching vague rumors revolving around the mindset of the Ravens’ front office in a weak attempt to generate excitement for next season. I mean, really, we are all already looking forward to the 2010 football season, right? Just say yes.

For starters, here is some good news! According to the Ravens official website, the asking price for Cardinals’ WR Anquan Boldin is likely to be a bit less than most had originally thought. Whether it is due to a lack of interest because of speculation over his durability, or possibly his diminished role in the Arizona offense, the Cards are apparently looking for a 2nd round draft pick in exchange for the services of Boldin.

All of a sudden, Brandon Marshall has become an afterthought. Marshall is a receiver that has the potential for shenanigans just as much as he does for big plays, which can be scary. Yes, the Ravens have had players that have had their fair share of problems, but their shenanigans are cheeky and fun, while Marshall’s are cruel and tragic, making them not really shenanigans at all. For all we should care, knowing that Boldin is available for as cheap and a second rounder, Marshall can keep his little piece of hell up in Denver.

You’ve got to be out of your mind to think that Anquan isn’t a tough player. It’s hard to imagine anybody wanting to call into question the toughness of a guy who declined pain medication when having metal plates put into his face in order to restructure his jaw. Boldin missed minimal amount of time after being crushed between two New York Jets defensemen in 2008. Want to see it? Well I just so happen to have the rare video footage right here.

As for wide receivers, Brandon Marshall is still generating a lot of interest around the league. Despite conflicting claims by him and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, it seems to me that Marshall wouldn’t be able to convince people he doesn’t want out of the mile high city, even if he tried. He has thrown together a small circus in an attempt to gain the attention of the front office, but Bowlen has chosen to ignore such antics, saying that he wants Marshall to stick around. Brandon will most likely be granted his wish, but it is still up in the air as to whether he will be happier with the team he is dealt to.

According to James Walker of ESPN, Dawan Landry may not be in the long term plans for the Ravens if it comes down to having to shell out big bucks. In an uncapped season, as 2010 will be unless the world ends, it might not make a lot of sense financially to invest tons of cash into a safety that may never fully recover from a neck injury like the one Landry suffered last season. One would have to think that the Ravens’ final decision will only come after Ed Reed has chosen whether or not to hang up the cleats.

Walker also doesn’t consider the Ravens to be making a huge push to keep Fabian Washington in town. When asked about what he thinks the future CB situation will be for Baltimore, Walker claimed that it seems as if the Ravens are leaning towards Lardarius Webb and Domonique Foxworth as their go-to guys. After seeing the way those two played towards the end of the season, I hold no qualms towards letting Washington go and putting the money saved towards an extension for a receiver like Boldin.

Several other free agents have been brought up in connection with the Ravens. Most recently, former Raven Adalius Thomas has surfaced as a possibility to add more pressure on the quarterback. While Thomas has not yet been released by New England, it seems inevitable that the day will soon come when Adalius will be looking for a job.

It seems as if this move would make sense for the Ravens. The team has always been deep at linebacker, and a rotation of Thomas, Dannell Ellerbe, and Tavares Gooden may serve the defense well. Thomas is somewhat familiar after spending several seasons in the purple and black, and may adapt more to a style of football that is less strict and player performance-reliant such as the New England defense. Thomas had his best years as a Raven because of the role he played, not because he was a super, automatic hall of fame-worthy linebacker who was relied on to do everything. It would suit him best to find a system that is similar to the one that Rex Ryan ran in Baltimore during the years that Thomas played here.

Free agent Donte’ Stallworth is another name that has recently been connected to a possible answer to the Ravens’ wide receiver problems. To this, I can ask only one question.

Why?

Team/Player Photos: Baltimore Ravens Team / Player Photos on Jul 25, 2010

Why, in the name of Roger Goodell himself, would any team, much less the Ravens, want to sign this guy as the answer to a glaring problem? When was the last time this guy has had a better season than current #1, Derrick Mason? The answer is never. Stallworth, who is coming off a year during which he made birthday cake for his dead cat, has never broken the 1,000 yard receiving plateau. In 2008, he only had 17 receptions, a career low. He has been a glorified wide receiver his entire career, but has never actually proven himself to be a true asset to any team. For these reasons alone, I hope that Ozzie Newsome will not attempt to provide Stallworth with a chance to revive a career that was never that great to begin with. Talk about shenanigans- this guy brings the worst shenanigans of them all.

So, while we wait for the off season picture to shape up, check back in from time to time to catch a glimpse of what might happen in a few months. The acquisitions will be there, it’s only a matter of time.