Is Homer Simpson Coaching The Baltimore Ravens?

We’re about 11 hours into this brave new world where the NFL isn’t all about lawyers and lawsuits and mediators and collective bargaining. It’s a good time.

We’re about 63 hours from when teams can start officially cutting players. But that’s apparently not stopping the Baltimore Ravens from getting to “the easiest part of any coach’s job” a little early.

Kelly Gregg? You’re cut.

Willis McGahee? Cut.

Todd Heap? Cut.

Derrick Mason? I like your hustle.

That’s why it was so hard to cut you.

Namath? You stay.

And in a nice story if it is true — Herzlich? You’re good. (Update: He ended up signing with the New York Giants.)

The cuts will save the Ravens about $18.6 million. And while it’s a little jarring to see the likes of Mason and Heap — players who have become so woven into that franchise’s fabric — let go, you know it’s all in the name of business. Plus, those guys could still play in Baltimore this season; they will just need to do so at a reduced rate.

With all that cash, it’ll be exciting what the Ravens choose to buy on the market.

In fantasy football terms, the loss of McGahee would be good news for Ray Rice, who is already a top-5 fantasy running back. Maybe this means an uptick in goal-line carries? Le’Ron McClain might slide into the short-yardage role if McGahee goes elsewhere, but it is no guarantee that Baltimore will bring back McClain, who is a free agent.

With Heap gone, second-year player Ed Dickson probably becomes the Ravens’ main receiver at that position. He is a low TE2 right now, but with upside.

Mason, 37, has kicked around the idea of retirement lately; maybe this move will bring him closer to that conclusion. Anquan Boldin and second-round rookie Torrey Smith are probably Baltimore’s top two wide receivers right now. There’s no doubt the Ravens will be looking to add in that area.

By the way, as a cheap plug, check out FFToolbox.com throughout the week for news on all of the trades, cuts and signings to fantasy-relevant players. We won’t break the news, but we’ll try to be a close second.