Ravens_Flock

Here's hoping that Elam shuts everyone up, and takes his starting job. Play him at SS where he belongs, and not at FS or CB, and we'll see what cooks. Unlike some folks around here, I don't care about Hill one iota. I simply care that our secondary quit sucking.

That's all well and good, however Marlon did not get the playing time he deserved after having a stellar rookie year, in 2014. He wasn't really used much until later in the season, which was lame. Starting him outside opposite of Torrey, and playing Smith Sr. in the slot, I think, always would have been the better way to go. It's the same with guys like Talliaferro, or Elam, or Arthur Brown, etc., if you want them to step up and impress, then play them right, and give them the chance to mature in their natural positions.

People were super patient with Jimmy Smith, even though he didn't contribute much at all his first two seasons. Many of those same people called Elam a bust after his rookie year, even though he was playing out of his natural position (SS), and has been ever since he's been here. He would be a far better starting SS I'd wager than Hill, if they'd just play him in his spot and develop him right. And if he suddenly blows up this year, many of his same detractors will be singing his praises. The fickle nature of sports fans is often saddening.

Ferro needs to be given plenty of carries, period. The kid has future starter potential, he just needs the chance to show it. He certainly showed flashes his rookie year.

I still want to see Marlon cement a spot in this offense for himself. They failed to use him as they should have last year: on the outside, moving the chains, and in the red zone. He's a big target, and has good hands. You don't use a 6'5" guy in the slot. We need a shifty little guy in the slot. They should start Brown and Perriman (if he actually looks ready) on the outside all season in 2015, and rotate Smith Sr., Aiken, and maybe even Butler/Camp in various slot positions. They talked when they first got Sr. last season, early on, like that was exactly where he was going to be, in the slot. He certainly should not be starting every snap like last year, the dude is too old, and absolutely wore down late last regular season. Marlon is good enough to at least be a #2 on the outside, and we should utilize different guys in the slot, to their strengths, in different formations, different plays.

That's fine. But they need to stay HEALTHY to bounce back.

Th fact of the matter is, is we didn't have Smith, Brown would be playing, he'd likely look great, and most of you would not be saying a single negative thing about him. But because the poor kid just can't seem to get on the field, and thus hasn't had a chance to shine, "oh he must suck." Thus continues the fickle and knee-jerk nature of sports fans.

That's cool, and I do want to see him involved. But I really want to see Brown regain his starting job from 2013. He should be used on the outside, and in the endzone, where he's a big target. Not in the slot. Steve Smith should be used mostly in the slot, as they had talked of doing last year, but then never did. If you ask me, It should be Perriman and Brown starting outside, with Smith and Aiken/Camp in the slot.

People are too hard on Torrey. No, he wasn't a "perfect" all around WR, but guess what, very few ever are. Even most that people consider "the best" in the NFL right now, are not. Torrey was a great player for us, period. As for Welker, we DO NOT need any more WRs, let alone another aging vet. And as for Perriman, looking great in OTAs or eventually camp is one thing. Let's see how he performs in real live NFL games, regular season games. If he has appeared to leave the dropsies behind at THAT level, then great.

@WNC-Raven Keep in mind that injuries happen, and NO team is as good as they look in OTAs, camp, or preseason. You can never count on that.

You can't give a player a nickname when they haven't even played a single down yet.

I hope that Allen will be a more useful long-term contributor than Pierce turned out to be (after his rookie year, that is). But ultimately I'm still hoping/counting on Taliaferro showing the coaches that he can be our future starter. He has "Jamal Jr." written all over him, with the way he runs, and I just really hope he gets a chance to have more carries and a bigger role this year. Forsett in no way needs to be getting as many carries as he did last season, he will not last if we keep doing that.

I still contend, with his burst and power, that Taliaferro could also become a starter, I'd LIKE to see him eventually be our starter. And he showed last year, among many other things, that he could pass block and catch out of the backfield, just fine.

Good. How about we never do? Kay thanks.

Doesn't make sense not to grab a top shelf FS. We already have Brown. I guess this means they don't think he's ready.

Well....if he's any good, then great. However, we sure are spending a lot of money. I just hope we have enough to really draft some good players, as well as enough left next year so that we aren't suddenly cash-strapped again, right against the cap. I don't care what anyone says, we need to re-sign Ngata next season, just the same as we did with Suggs this year. We've lost a lot of veteran defensive guys over the last couple years, we do not need to lose Haloti.

I like Jones, but the fact is, we're still overpaying for what is essentially a return specialist. Yes, he can make plays as a receiver, but he is not a #2 WR. Marlon Brown is more reliable as that, and we still need a slot guy, which Jacoby also isn't.