edreed2o

We have seen a number of Ravens enjoy getting out of the shadow of the Ravens defenses' reputation. I think we are seeing a little of that in this case, but I think the real thing is something that Ngata said about how he got complacent in Baltimore. Going to Detroit for him is like having his blinders taken off. I don't begrudge him living in the moment.

In our Fantasy Football delusions we get hung up on stats, but like the U.S. unemployment numbers, stats are manipulated in the sense that they are given a label and then everyone forgets how the statistics are actually gathered (hey I think there is a conspiracy in this country to get us to hate math so the powers-that-be can pull the wool over our eyes). Number 1 Defense = fewest yards, not points, not take aways, not giving the offense the best field position, not most 3-and-outs, not....

Pees has a reputation for "bend but don't break" kinds of schemes. I doubt that we will ever give up the fewest yards under him. But doesn't he have a Superbowl ring? Let's just get healthy, stay that way, win a few more games and beat NE in Baltimore in the playoffs this year. Maybe Ngata will be one of the few defensive players who left Baltimore and did well. For us, as they say, the best revenge is living well.

Who are those ravens that enjoy getting out of the ravens defense shadow? Name one that had good years beyond the Ravens D? Maybe Adailus Thomas or Bart Scott but they both did nothing compared when they were with us.

@John Eisenberg... You're dead wrong on this one and as a matter of fact you should strongly consider retracting this entire article.

"It sounded like a slap at the Ray Lewis-led, high-quality defenses Ngata mostly played on during his nine years in Baltimore,".. That's because it was

"I think his comment has been misinterpreted." No, it was quite clear in what he said and what he meant.

"He wasn’t talking about the quality of the Lions’ defense compared to Baltimore’s; he was talking about the style of defense the Lions are playing.." And here's the key evidence as to why I say you're dead wrong: This is what he also said and that you failed to quote in your article which is in fact quoted on PFT form Ngata's press conference:

“It’s exciting, man,” Ngata said, via the Detroit Free Press. “I’ve never been a part of a defense like this. You have so many athletes: J.J., Ziggy, Caraun, Darryl Tapp. You just have so many playmakers all over the front on the D-line. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

Sure sounds like he's talking about the quality of the Lions D compared to Baltimore's to me. That's the obvious and correct interpretation. He meant what he said and to try and write an article that fluffs it up to paint Ngata in a better light is insulting. And you definitely "fluffed it up" on this one.

I couldn't agree with you more. I love most of John's articles but he does try to sugarcoat things. He never has anything negative to say even if it warrants it. Ngata could of plain out said "this defense is way better than the Ravens defenses I've played in" and John would of still made up something defending Ngata. Sorry John, but you're wrong on this one.

I've seen every episode of lost and dont know who you"re talking about?

its called hot reads, which is what tom brady lives off of.

you have rashaan melvin and anthony levine defending edelman and lafell, you wanna press cover them because you assume "brady dinks and dunks alot, so obviously just press cover because that fixes our problems!" when in reality, brady calls a simple hot read for his wr to toast an absolute bum of a cb for a touchdown instead of a 8 yard catch and run.

this attitude is why you along with every fan out there, is not and never will be a NFL coordinator. assuming closer coverage will automatically wipe out any chance of a quick pass is what would turn a close game with long drives into a blowout with 1 big play after another.

I know what hot reads are and almost every QB does them but Tom Brady does not have the deep ball he once did. I know this because whenever he throws deep, its either overthrown or picked off. I know alot more than most fans do. The dink and dunk is pretty much guaranteed completions. Im not saying play press but playing 3-4 yards from the receiver will atleast keep it competitive. I know our secondary was a joke but you have to stay physical and challenge the receivers. Pees did this on every single down. 3rd and inches? Play back; 3rd and goal? Still playing back. Our defense was exhausted by the end of the game because Tom Brady was being given easy pickens. And another thing, dont pit words in my mouth that I didnt say. I never said playing closer would solve all our problems. Certain situations, I expected Pees to change our coverage. Edelman and amendola make their money on short routes. They arent deep threats by any means.

Didnt Mason say he wanted to retire a raven or something?

While I think Trestman will not be looking to make dramatic changes to the offense we ran last year, he's going to put his mark on things. There will be players that were not often utilized last year that may find their number called more often. I really think one of those could be Brown.

I felt like Kubiak handled the offense very well, I'm not sure what prevented him from utilizing Brown around the goal and having SSS in there. Too often I saw Joe trying to squeeze the ball into small openings when targeting the 5'9" WR in red zone traffic. I'm hoping we can utilize Brown's size in those situations this year.

This. I was thinkng either Marlon Brown and Juice along with more Justin Forsett. Juice just needs to learn to hold onto the ball and stop fumbling. Makes me nervous whenever he touches the ball. Marlon Brown , I think will take a big step this year. He knows the whole route tree by now and does(or did) have good communication with Joe. This was a great article by the way. One of the best I've ever read on this site.

Crockett didnt have a Jason Witten type year last year. He was a rookie last year. Maxx is a rookie this year. Maxx does have a shot. Lets see what they both do on the field during training camp and pre season.

good goaline points. Everyone Peyton gets to the 1 yard line they throw it in. Doesn't matter who's in the backfield

Thats because Peyton calls his own plays to pump up his stats.

to your standards, who on this team will NOT be a pro bowler? first youre saying gilmore is going to be the next gronk. now jernigan is going to be a pro bowler in just 2 years. settle down man lol.

I don't know about the next Gronk, lol but I can see Gilmore being one of the top TE's in the league. Jernigan IS something special too. He could easily be a pro bowler. We have a rediculously good team this year.

Doesn't surprise me one bit. Us Ravens fans take alot of pride in our home record. If we can just make the NFL come to the Bank in the playoffs, we'll be set.

I think people are forgetting about Maxx's huge hands(10.5 inches, bigger than Odell Beckham's hands) and huge wingspan. Those two attributes will take the pressure off his route running and stiffness in the hips. I think his route runnng will be alot better by year two though. There's really not much to complain about Maxx Williams. Yea, he doesn't have the 4.5 speed but most TE's don't. He has a ton of upside and I feel pretty safe about him. I think he'll have about 30 catches this year.

What are you even talking about? Your post makes no sense. Gilmore had a great year last year for being a rookie backup behind a good pro bowl player on the depth chart.

His post makes perfect sense. Gilmore= minimal impact/stats and he wants Maxx to have a huge impact like a Todd Heap or Dennis Pitta. And you said Gilmore had a good season FOR being a rookie backup. He wants him to have a good year for being the starter. Do you understand now?

I'm not sure why people are expecting him to suddenly become a difference making pass rusher. He's not and never has been. He's a good player who offers something important. No more. No less.

I dont think Upshaw is much of a pass rusher neither but lets give him alot more opportunities this year before we say he cant do it.

Why would I put his name in blast like that? John Harbaugh doesnt address every little thing. He has had weight issues. You cn believe it or not. Thats to you.

do you have any links to back this up ?

 

i cant find any article that suggest he had issues during the season and according to our own site the only time he had these issues was in 2012 and 2013 when he reported in over weight before OTA`s.

Those where posted in June and by the time we hit Aug and Sept there where no issues at all.

 

For 2014 there is even an article that said he reported in good shape.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Courtney-Upshaw-In-Better-Shape-Looking-To-Produce/75392dbb-7a19-4900-af26-24d0eef62333

 

For 2015 there hasn't been anything that suggest he was in bad shape.

 

So based on what do people think he still has weight issues?

 

Are we seriously gonna use this against him for the rest of his career even though he seemed to have cleaned up his act?

 

Also his upper body strength is his biggest area of strength lol.

He is the strongside edge setter meaning he is taking on a double team at the point of attack taking on the TE and T.

His biggest weakness is his lack of closing speed.

Its the main reason why can get good pressure but no sacks.

I know somebody who works for the Ravens and he has had weight issues over the years. Just because theres no source on the internet doesnt mean he doesnt have an issue with it.

what?

really?

 

I gotta get my TV fixed.  I am missing a lot of the game then...

Every 3rd and long, yes.

he did it because we know that Webb and Co. Would get. Blown up playing press. There's a reason 5'10 weak knees Webb plays off, he gets beat. It's either let guys play off or make them play close and get beat everytime. You pick.

Give your defense a chance to get off the field. 3rd and short is just an easy pitch and catch for a first down. New set of downs. And I never said press.

I have criticized Pees quite a bit too but for us to get to the divisional playoffs and barely lose to the eventual Super Bowl winners gave me a bit of pause about my thinking .

Virtually nothing at corner or safety and yet we almost won .Of course it was hard to stop Brady but teams with a much better secondary had that problem too.

I will give Pees some kudos for last season's results.

I just didn't agree with pees playcallng with the corners giving 10 yard cushions on every play. It would be 3rd and 2 with a 10 yard cushion. Tom Brady is notorious for his short,little passes and Pees never changed. I know our secondary was torn but still, those 3rd and shorts killed us every time because of how backed our DB's played.

Sending every one but the hot dog vendor on every down doesn't make a great DC.

God..especially on third and long. Screamng at my TV "Why! Why! Why!" because Pees is sending the house. Then boom, 5 yard pass turns into a 20 yard gain. Pee's does it every tme guaranteed.

Am I the only one who looks at Upshaw and doesn't seem impressed by his build. I don't know how to word it, I just look at him and feel like he is not built well or seems out of shape... Don't know if that makes sense

I was thinking the same thing. Upshaw continues to have weight troubles durring and after the season. Doesnt seem like he has alot of upper muscle. That knd of worries me for him being a pass rusher. I really dont think he has the speed or upper body strength against those linemen to be consistent. Really hope zadarius smith comes through in the next three years so we ATLEAST have one pass rusher after sizzle and Doom move on. Doeant look like Doom is going anywhere any time soon. Seems like hes getting stronger as he gets older. Sizzle on the other hand worries me.

"Joe Flacco hasnt even got 4,000 yards". Hate when people say that. Flacco has never had a recieving corps as strong as other elite quarterbacks. Seems like we struggle with drops every year. Hope that changes this year.

I want Elam to prove me and everyone else wrong but it still doesnt look good for him unless Will Hill goes down with an injury. Knock on wood. Hes only gonna get limited reps per game so hes gotta make those count. He's gotta make em count at the line of scrimmage which is dissapointing because usually safeties that are drafted in the first round are pickd because of their coverage skills. I dont see Matt Elam taking away snaps from Will because Will Hill is an all around good safety.

NO NO NO ON REID ON RT.

Will this ridiculous rhetoric giving him a chance STOP??

CALMMM. Rick Wagner is hurt but he'll be back by pre season probably. No worries. I would rather see Hurst at RT but who knows, Jah might of actually gotten better. When was the last time we saw him start? I disliked him before also but give him another chance.

We could go back and analyze each game and find some we won but should have lost and vice versa,... but, once you make the playoffs, your entire team must out-play the other team!

In the Pats' game, Joe Flacco played well enough to win, but Brady feasted on our decidedly inept Secondary by a mixture of nebulous plays and by picking us apart!

Brady was the better man because he did what he needed to in order to win, while Joe, rather than exploiting our strength in the run and short games... being Joe,... he took a shot ... and we went home!  

Brady was facing a beat down secondary you.. Nevermind im not gonna go there and get another warning. Tim tebow could of torched our secondary. Flacco facing a top five secondary with revis, browner, arrington and butler. We had a practice squad rashaan melvin, safeties converted into corners and a lardarius webb still dealing with injuries, who continuously got picked on by every QB we faced! Please...just stop..

You do not!

When you have one of the top Secondaries down the field and you have scorched them on a play already, but you are picking up 1st Downs and methodically moving the ball with a shorter passing game and runs, NO you do not take the shot!

Didn't you hear the Corner say that they [the Pats] talked about that play after Smith scored on it earlier and how to cover it over and under w/o tipping the coverage,.. and Joe threw right into it?

Let me refresh you: "The revamped [Patriots'] defense also held up its end, twice picking off Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who hadn't turned the ball over in his previous five postseason outings." Ya don't throw that all-or-nothing ball! If anything, you throw a safe ball and nobody can convince me that it was a good call!

 A player can go 24 touchdowns and 4 picks in the playoffs versus good defenses and that last pick wipes away the previous 24 touchdowns. You obviously werent a fan of the ravens before flacco came along. You have a short memory.