jdynamite

I voted for Za'Darius Smith, because while he might not get as many snaps as Perriman, Williams, when Smith does see the field in pass rushing situations, he should face one on one match ups due to him playing along side Suggs and/or dummervil.

His impact could be as simple as recording 4-7 sacks, maybe a FF, giving the team another rotational guy.

i would love for Perriman to bust out and become another one of the few Rookie Wrs to reach 1,000yds, ( I hope that fans realize that is not the norm, even with all the passing these days. )

- Same could be said for Maxx Williams rookie TIght-ends typically struggle in terms of production in the NFL.

I want all of the Rookies to have above average years and this team towards another SuperBowl.

tuckers leg is superior to gostkowski. we have put much more weight on his shoulders than the patriots have done to gostkowski, and he has responded to the biggest, most nerveracking, and impossible moments with great results, and this is all at such a young age while gostkowski has been around the block for quite some time now.

tucker > gostkowski and he deserves to get paid like it too. id be ok with giving tucker 5mil per year for the next 5 seasons, he is part of this teams identity, we are known for being a dangerous squad in crunch time, and that is because joe flacco can get it to the 40 yard line more often than not, and tucker can bang the 57 yard buzzer beater with his eyes closed. he is a weapon and letting him walk would be a huge mistake by the ravens

I can't agree with 5M per you're willing to pay. I mean if Tucker ( I've always had great appreciation for both Kickers & Punters Matt Stover is still one of my favorite Ravens. ) but if Tucker were making 5M/yr. I don't see how we'd be able to pay others like Yanda, Osemele contracts in balance with respect to that. Even a guy like Upshaw might have a hard time accepting his next contract if the kicker were making 5M per.

I was hoping tucker could get a deal similar to Koch but maybe more guaranteed money.

Man when did kickers pay other than Janakowski ( raiders crazy organization ) get this high. My gosh it's like Madden. Over 4M a year for a kicker. That contract something close to what Cary Williams was offered a few years ago.

They need to start doing those old events at the Pro Bowl again, like they do for College All Stars.. QB Challenges Deep Ball, Accuracy hitting moving targets, etc... 

I used to like seeing those obstacle courses etc..

Too little, too late. Matt Williams = Lee Evans

Who?

I usually don't get wrapped up in rankings, but this one is just too out of whack.. We have players that don't even have enough games under their belt to compare yet ranked ahead of Flacco, like Mariota hasn't taken a snap in the NFL, Sam Bradford hasn't played in over year but gets the benefit of the doubt because he is playing in Chip Kelly system if healthy enough to play, Teddy Bridgewater did impress me as a rookie and I expect him to improve going forward but he shouldn't be ranked that highly.

PLayers like R.Tannehill & Geno Smith seemingly get passes for their faults: Tannehill's deep ball issues are overrated according to this guy, but last year the Dolphins basically ran the offense as if Alex Smith were the QB short passes nearly every play sure he is completing a high percentage 26 out 36 passes for maybe 230 yards but he also taking a ton of sacks. Cutler, Cam Newton, are too erratic as passers, they both have too many over throws or under throws in the dirt to compare to Flacco whom the writer says "Accuracy was really bad." I don't even think Flacco's horrible 2013 season would warrant a ranking this low. And 2013 season is really an outlier when it comes to Flacco's career its the only season where he threw over 12 interceptions.

@DEN - W - come out firing on all cylinders, defense has a strong showing and puts a beating on peyton. (34-17)

@OAK -W - we get off to a slow start in the first half, but end up getting the victory rather easily. offense starts really clicking in 2nd half. (24-10)

CIN -W - tight game thats gets won by a justin tucker feild goal on final drive of the game.( 24-21)

@PIT -L - another slow start, we try to fight back but come up short. our d-line finally gives up a 100 yard rusher to bell. (17-10)

CLE -W - we beat the breaks off of them and put on a show for the home crowd. this is where the offense begins to catch fire. (42-7)

@SF -W - another strong performance from flacco and the offense. kendrick and jimmy get a pair of picks in a poor performace from kaepernick. (31-14)

@AZ -L -we get an early lead but start to sleep on them in the 2nd half, palmer gets them the victory in a close one. (28-24)

SD -W -another classic slow start, rivers make a run in the 4th quarter and as last year starts to replay in our heads will hill takes an interception to the house for the win. (23-13)

JAX -W -we were expected to come in and dominate this game and guess what? thats exactly what we do. (38-13)

STL -L - This is one of those games that we just fall apart. nothing is working on offense and despite the defense keeping us in it, it just wont be enough. ( 16-7)

@CLE -W -this will be one of those afc north specials. we win this one on the ground with a pair of touchdowns from tali.(17-14)

@MIA -W- our vacation to miami. this game really helps us get into a groove and we head back to the bank with confidence. (29-13)

SEA -W - a close game, but lynch cant get anything going on the ground. will hill shuts down jimmy graham on a failed 2 pt. conversion and SSS burns richard sherman to put the game away. (28-24)

KC -L - a discouraging loss in a back in forth game. kansas city kicks a feild goal to win it in overtime. (37-34)

PIT -W - feild goals arent going to win this game, another nail biter but a bomb to perriman wins it. (16-10)

@CIN -W - jimmy smith and the defense has a steller performance and the ravens head into the postseason with steam and home feild advantage (26-13)

12-4 ; AFC North Champions, will face the winner of Dallas @ Green Bay in superbowl 50.

Wow you truly put a lot of thought into this considering how far we are from the season. Kudos. Lol.

Reading this I can see some of those slow start games occurring, every year we seem to have a few of those games after a very strong game or two.

Melvin is an interesting player, because given the circumstances he played decent for a player that was thrown straight into battle after being a practice squad player not even on our roster. I mean he was most likely still learning the defense. He showed good tackling after catches were made. He was targeted and picked apart versus the Patriots, plenty of names can be added to that list in that respect.

I hope when training camp starts they put out more articles focusing on the D-Lineman.

I really want to know how they look versus the oline. Updates on KLM, Urban, D.Tyson, C.Davis, Jernigan, even B.Williams. Toss in updates for rookie pass rusher Z.Smith. No shortage of stories there.

This time last year, I remember reading similar stories on here about Elam looking confident, playing faster in pursuit of the ball, etc. I specifically recall an article where L.Webb spoke about Elam being very vocal and much improved. So I can't say this article has restored my confidence as of yet.

I just hope he has really watched plenty of film, went over mistakes, errors. Work on form tackling, just his overall coverage skills, back pedaling, turning, breaking on balls.

i hope to see a strong preseason from him.

Reminds me of last weeks video where Mink & Downing went back & forth one felt Perriman had 1 drop at practice and the other felt he didn't have a drop because it was a really deep pass, that he stretched out as far as he could and the ball touched his fingertips. Both admitted if he had caught it, the catch would have been spectacular.

Stuff like that wouldn't bother me, just don't drop an easy slant going to middle. Or alligator arm a pass in traffic.

I read this somewhere else first, and after reading about the four drops during a practice, I immediately thought to myself well lots of people have been waiting for him to drop a few so they could say "I told you so" but that article I read also came back and said after the drops he caught a few difficult passes in traffic, showing that he has mentality to move on to the next play.

I am glad to see it on the team site as well, because it kind of takes that waiting for him to look bad feeling away, and since Mink & Downing both have spoken so glowingly about Perriman and his impressions at camp only fitting that they speak about a few drops as well.

Kevin Minter.

Yeah that's him. I thought he would have had a much stronger start to his career.

I've been pulling for him, I was extremely pleased when he was drafted although I liked ILB from LSU ( name escapes me Cardinals drafted him) a little more at the time but he hasn't shown much either yet.

Seems like Art Brown may end up in similar spot as Ellerbe ( minus all the special team experience), he may get some minutes this year then next year the final year of his rookie deal he may end up finally on the field get some good numbers tackles maybe a sack or 2. Then get picked up by another team.

Unless he looks great in preseason and we get offered a 3rd or 4th round draft pick for him.

It's great he's ahead of schedule, but hope they don't allow him to rush back. We need him completely recovered, ready to go for the next few years included.

While it's always good to have veterans come to voluntary camps like this, I was hoping he would sit this out so that Arthur Brown could get these valuable snaps so the team can finally begin to draw some conclusions on his future... If he isn't in our plans can we at least feature in him in preseason games to trade him for a late round draft pick..

It's cool that Za'Darius Smith likes the comparison to McPhee, but I don't feel every article written needs to constantly mention McPhee when talking about Z.Smith.. Let this player create his own path.

The difference is Cory Redding and Trevor Price were taller and bigger guys and Rob Burnett was really just a situational player for the ravens because of his size, he was tall but didn't have the weight on him, Which is why all 5 technique defensive ends need to be and are usually around or over 300 lbs. Brandon Williams is a prime example. He's not that tall but he has his weight to throw around. Suggs and Dumervil's job is to go after the QB. Jernigan is a good player but I need to see more from him because the 4 games with Ngata were against Miami, Jacksonville, Houston and Cleveland. Miami is the only team not under .500, That's hardly what he'll be facing this year. We play the NFC West this year and the Steelers and Bengals twice. Can he hold up to the pounding he'll take this year?

Jernigan drop 5 lbs. so he is currently around 295, there is plenty of time for him to gain that back before the season starts also, those 5 lbs aren't as important as, if he has improved his overall technique, if he has learned to play with more leverage.

Jernigan is a young player with plenty to learn, and improve upon, my point is people need to stop comparing him to someone like Ngata there aren't many 6'5" 340 lb people that can do what Ngata did. More realistic expectations would be to hopeful for things along the lines of those players.

If we are going to base success merely on size & weight metrics then we C.Davis should be penciled in immediately at 6'5 320. Lol.

S.Richardson has had success with similar measurables 6'3" 294. At the 5 tech ( under Rex Ryan with Jets )

Some of my Favorite Prospects.

WR Pharaoh Cooper 5'11"  208 lbs - South Carolina  ( this is a very explosive WR, he has kick return ability as well. They just find ways to get him the ball and he makes plays. He took over the bowl game versus my Hurricanes it was incredible )

S/ LB Su'a Cravens 6'1" 225 lbs- USC  I hope this offseason Cravens and the USC staff make a commitment to a position. He came in as a Safety, but he put on some bulk and played a lot of LB last season and moved to safety at times. Not many safeties can carry that much weight and move around well enough at the pro level ( Chancellor is doing it currently and Adrien Wilson is another example ) 

CB Vernon Hargreaves - Florida  he is already a household name, he has some really good technique. If he's not the first corner next year I would be shocked.

CB Kendall Fuller - Virginia Tech   his Sophomore season wasn't like his freshman season but is very good cover corner, his freshman year he played opposite his older brother Kyle Fuller ( Bear now ) and Kendall looked like the best defender on the field most of the time.

RB Derrick Henry - Alabama   for such a big back he has a great burst, since he shared a backfield with Yeldon and Drake he hasn't taken much punishment in college. Also catches the ball well out the backfield.

WR Travin Dural - LSU  he started last season off he red hot, but poor QB eventually took it's toll he faded down the stretch, he's an interesting WR outside of the big name ones.

u'a Cravens

I have always been impressed by Jalen Ramsey, S, when I watch FSU. I heard he is moving back to CB this year so it may be interesting to watch how that pans out but I think outside of the already talked about Edge need S may be a big one for the future.

Yeah he both impressed me and infuriated me at that same time when Miami played FSU last year. He just kept making plays and talking smack while doing it. lol   He's the type of player that used to be a Hurricane. I was very impressed with him in both run support and pass coverage. He has great closing speed to make quick tackles. 

If Campanaro injury lingers longer than expected or he suffers a setback maybe the team can put him on the PUP list get him back after Week 6 fully healthy. This could give some of the other WRs like D.Carter, Waller the chance they need to get more reps and impress the team..

I hope Lewis-Moore can remain healthy and have a chance to finally begin his NFL career on the field this season. When we drafted him I instantly thought about how we drafted Arthur Jones coming off an injury and got him late due to injury. The Jones gamble paid off and I really believe Lewis-Moore will as well.

In regards to Jernigan I hope he develops into a player similar to Trevor Pryce for us.

I've found it interesting how LT has been overlooked since the drafting of Buck Allen, reading that he is "trimmed down and muscled up" I can't wait to see that competition, I think both will see playing time throughout the season, unless somebody just truly impresses. I was pleased with his rookie year, in limited action he showed plenty of determination while running, his extra effort got him into trouble when he fumbled versus Steelers.

Let's remember also no one expected LT to play or contribute when he was drafted last year, he should have been 4th on the depth chart ( R.Rice, Pierce, Forsett, LT ) he gained valuable experience.

With his position he shouldn't be worried about how many sacks he gets, his job is to stop the run and free up linebackers, which is why Ray Lewis lasted so long in the NFL because of guys like Sirgusa, Kelly Gregg, Sam Adams and Ngata, these guys were big and strong, Ngata was a freak of nature being he was big, strong and athletic. Hopefully Jernigan understands that, especially dropping weight the way he did. He's a 5 technique defensive end so his only job is to control gaps to keep offensive lineman from getting to the second level. So with him losing weight I hope he's gotten stronger and a lot more physical because if not he's going to have a long season ahead of him especially in the tough and rugged AFC North and make it hard from the linebacking core.

I understand the point you are trying to make, but you are attempting to compare players that don't exactly match up...  Siragusa and Adams were both pure run-stuffing DTs with the girth to be a solid NT in a 3-4 as well, but they were with us during a time when we used a lot more 4-3 fronts and the league was more run oriented. Which meant those 2 played side by side LDT & RDT to clog the middle and free up Ray Lewis as you stated.  When we drafted he Ngata he slid into a similar role early on but Ngata had rare athleticism to go with his enormous size, which led to the team moving him across the line. Kelly Gregg was a run-stuffing big-bodied guy similar to Adams and Goose but much more active in terms of tackles.  

Jernigan is a more of a penetrating DT, that can play the 5 technique, but would probably be best playing inside abusing guards.. A ravens comparison for Jernigan would be more in line with Trevor Pryce, Rob Burnett, or Cory Redding, guys that were versatile enough to play outside, be strong against the run, but also rush the passer from the outside as well as sliding inside in Nickel situations...    If Jernigan can give us anything similar to those three then the team will be in great shape.