Ravens_Flock

I know Asa wasn't perfect, but how much you want to bet he winds up being a good return man for NY?

Steve Smith should line up anywhere he or the coach pleases, and you should be happy to have him there. he doesnt have to be in the slot just because he's short.

Did anyone mention his height? While we're on the subject though, it doesn't make much sense to play a 6'5" WR who isn't known as a "speedster", in the slot either. Marlon would be better used on the outside, both because of his size, and because he is more of a possession type player. Smith should be used more in the slot, both because of his size, because he is shifty, but also because he is OLDER, and should be kept fresh. We all saw last season, when he noticibly faded down the stretch. In fact, he already gradually started seeming to run out of gas after he blew up in that Panthers game. Once that chip was off his shoulder, "Showing" his old team up, later in the season he just kind of faded out. He only made the 1000 yd. mark due to his product in the early part of the season. It was actually Torrey who came on strong in the second half, including the playoffs, and ended up with 11 TDs.

I like Smith Sr. I'm just saying, it was the coaching staff who made the conscious decision not to live up to what they themselves said, and play the aging Smith Sr. in the slot, and to barely play Marlon at all. He really didn't play himself OUT of the spot. They just kind of decided to give it to Smith. I just think, overall, playing those three WRs together like that, would have been more effective. Would have kept Sr. fresh, and given Marlon more opportunies to make plays, which he barely got till later in the season.

You yourself just said that he wasn't spectacular, so what's your point?

I was obviously being sarcastic, hence the quotation marks. Those numbers were pretty significant, considering that Pierce got more opportunities than he did, and considering that he was basically nonsensically benched by "doghouse" Harbaugh for several games, because of ONE fumble that wasn't his fault (it was knocked out),

Point being, what he managed to do with the limited playing time he was given as a rookie, was fairly impressive, and he showed major flashes. I think if injury (and the coaching staff) don't limit him this year, he really can, and should, build on that. I really think, IF he can stay healthy, that he has the kind of potential to be a starter for us in the future.

Considering that the team is being very vague about Perriman's "return window", I think it's entirely possible the kid gets put on IR without ever playing this season. Hopefully not, but it's pretty unusual to have such a non-descript "we don't know when he'll be able to play" type deal going on. Also, last I hear, Urban was likely out for the season (again), since when might he be able to come back? I think using the "Designated to return" status on him might be a mistake, and we more than likely might have a much bigger injury that we might want to use that on, for a much more important player, during the season itself.

As for Marlon Brown? The only "resurfacing" he needed to do, was to remind the coaching staff that he exists. Nothing he did last season cost him playing time, they just forgot about him. He needs to get himself noticed and come on strong this year, same with Taliaferro when he returns.

There is no way Marlon Brown does not make the team. As someone else pointed out, he runs good routes, is a big target, and has good hands. He may not have blazing speed, but she also had the longest play of that last pre-season game. I think his "drop off" last season had a lot more to do with the Ravens coaching staff and Smith Sr. coming in, than it did with any actual drop in his ability or performance. By all rights, as I've said many times, Smith Sr., at his age, should have been playing the slot for us, while Marlon should have remained the outside starter along with Torrey. He is still, in my mind, a better candidate for the #2 WR, over Aiken. Aiken has played well and proven himself, but Brown, to me, still has more overall potential and ability.

Also, I certainly hope that my fears about Taliaferro essentially losing his #2 spot (for the entire season) to rookie Allen, aren't true. Allen looked good at times, but he certainly didn't do enough to take the top backup role. I think Taliaferro showed that he is the change of pace power back we need to compliment Forsett. I have no doubt Allen can contribute as well, and that we'll likely use all three backs at points, but I just would hate to see Taliaferro's chance to really come on strong and have a bigger role, be hampered by a minor knee injury that is likely to only keep him out Week 1.

I'm sure Pitta wants to play. But let's be honest. He only had one good, healthy season. It's unfortunate what happened to him. But people in here after the 2012 season, proclaiming him to be better than Heap, were insane. Heap was a monster, and a long-time Ravens hero. Pitta had one decent season as starter, and then got hurt, same injury, two years running. He might never play again, and our big 5-year contract to him has been, sadly, a waste of time and money. I like the guy, and feel bad for him. But it is what it is.

Regardless of Lewis or Hill being on the roster, I'd still like to see this kid excel and maybe take a starting job at some point.

It might matter plenty if that kind of "effort" shows up on the field in the regular season. Just saying. And the injury bug is certainly already raining down upon us, as it somehow seems to do every single season.

No offense, but people need to quit getting excited every year about "camp players" like Waller. The kid may look good in practice or pre-season, but Marlon has already proven himself as not only a playmaker, but a starter for the Ravens, in the regular season. There was honestly no real reason to knock him down the depth chart last season, when he should have still been starting outside, and Smith Sr. playing slot like they talked about when they first brought him in. But regardless, We know the guy can play, and he is the most experienced on the roster outside of Smith, with Brown technically having one more year experience with the Ravens and Joe, over Steve.

That is incredibly lame is Taliaferro, who was looking very good, gets knocked down the depth chart and gets less carries in the regular season, all because of an injury in a worthless preseason game.

Maybe Smith is in for a "big year"....IF he can stay healthy all 16 games

Perriman and Brown both out. I really want to see Brown back, he needs reps, because I think he can still be a quality starter if he'd get the chance. Also....let's NOT talk politics on a football site.

It's amusing how the article points out that he was "solid but unspectacular" in his rookie season, even though he had nearly 300 yds., a 4.3 yds. per carry average, 100 receiving yds., and 4 TDs.....as the THIRD string back behind Pierce. That may not be "spectacular", but for a third string rookie, those are damn good numbers. I hope we see a lot more of him in 2015.

I hope he keeps it up, but as far as I'm concerned, Taliaferro already proved he could/should be the #2 back, at the very least, last season. He showed he can run hard, catch, and block, all last season. The dude is legit. Buck Allen has nice hands and a good burst. But for my money, I'll take "Jamal Jr." as our primary behind Forsett. And regardless, hopefully we don't lean too much on Forsett this season, hopefully we spread the carries around between all three guys, keep them all fairly fresh and utilize their strengths.

Taliaferro needs to stay healthy. The kid is a beast, and can only get better. IF he stays healthy, and gets the kind of carries he should this coming season, there is no reason in my mind why he can't show the Ravens that he can be the starter of the future for us. I saw it in him last year, and I hope to see even more from him this year. Staying healthy is the key. Forsett is a good veteran safety value for now. But perhaps Taliaferro and Allen could be our "Thunder and Lightning" combo in years to come.

I would certainly like to see DeAngelo Tyson get a chance to get more playing time again this season, and possibly have a bigger impact. I've always thought he was a very solid player. It would be cool to see him rise from solid, into "very good".

And yet people actually complained about Billick's Bill Walsh inspired "Camp Creampuff" approach.

And with that, Dan Cody Jr. is now confirmed.

This is why Marlon needs to get fully healthy, because he is too good to slip in the WR competition and wind up being ignored for playing time like he bewilderingly did last season. The guy can be money, he's shown that, and needs to give himself the chance to show it again.

As much as some fans give him trash talk, I have always liked Elam. He has been played out of his natural position since day 1 here, for the most part, playing FS his rookie year, and being used all over the field, but mostly as a CB, which he is not, last year. I think he was showing improvement and making an earnest effort to prove his First Round worth. I honestly was rooting for him to win the SS job over Will Hill, but now that is obviously not going to happen, and I feel bad for the guy. I would say I hope he can bounce back next year, but who knows what'll happen by that point. Either way, our safety depth, at the very least, takes a major hit with this injury. We seem to have some kind of major injuries in camp EVERY single year. I hope it doesn't go much further.

@jrubin80 Dude, that is really not fair at all to say. Torrey was nothing but a class act, and he was the most productive WR the Ravens ever drafted. The best WRs in franchise history, Qadry Ismail, Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason, were all free agent veterans. While I feel Mark Clayton was very talented, and a great Raven considering the offenses he played in, the fact remains that Torrey far and away was the best DRAFTED WR the Ravens have ever had. He did nothing at any point in his four years with us, to deserve any Ravens fan trash talking him or putting him down. The dude was legit, and came up big for us FAR far more than he ever let us down.

I hope Brooks turns it around. I think he's got a lot of potential.

I don't see us dropping DeAngelo Tyson. He has talent and experience in our system.

No offense to Forsett, but Peterson is in a league by himself, if he can get back to playing the way he was before. Forsett was a good piece in a good offense last year. In years past, Peterson WAS the MIN offense.

Call me crazy, but I'd love to see Doom get more attention from offenses this year, and free up Suggs to take the sack record himself.