52liveforever

I can't go that far yet. They appear to be missing perhaps just a couple of important pieces that may actually be on the team but need time to develop. But, I do think it will be a mistake to take them lightly.

Look at their record last year. Then account for the fact they faced 3 playoff teams in their division two times a piece. Last yr they wouldve been a playoff team had they not been in this division.

If the Browns were in almost any other division they would be playoff contenders

At first I thought the Ravens would need to sign another DT after losing Urban, but looking at the depth we have, we don't need anyone else. If Lewis-Moore stays healthy and plays like he did at ND, the D-line will be great. If everyone steps it up one notch, this D could be better than 2000.

I don't think our defense makes that jump quite yet, but I can see next years D being the #1 overall defense with these young guy growing and gaining chemistry. I think just with the new roles being played and new guys coming in this season the D is going to start slow. I think by the end of the season this defense will really start to click and teams in the playoffs are going to be in for a surprise.  

I doubt any of our WRs have much trade value.  Think of it conversely… if you were a fan of another team and these were your options for trade, would you be happy about moving a pick for them?  That's not to say that they're bad, but there's so much of a lack of experience in pretty much all of our receivers, that I doubt we'd be able to get anything back for them unless it's a player for player depth swap.

we've gotten more with less. AQ Shipley and gino.

Oh Camp is definitely on the team. I honestly think the WR group is set, it's just a matter of who plays where and how often. I strongly feel we keep 7. Especially considering how Harbs said he wanted to limit Smitty's role and the injury history of both Brown and Camp suggest we'll keep 7 jmo.

As far as Camp being on the outside, i just think right now Trestman doesn't want to pigeonhole anyone as strictly a certain type. I think everyone agrees that Camp is better suited for the slot but Trestman needs to know if needed can he trust Camp on the outside. Also I'll say that not having Brown and Perriman the last couple days takes two guys who'll spend a ton of time on the outside out of the rotation. I'm sure one of those guys would have been on the field most of the times Camp was lined up outside, but their absence gives Camp, Butler and Waller great opportunities to show more.

I think we trade one of our receivers for a late rounder. I think after preseason week 1 Aiken, Butler, and Brown could be on the trade block after solid performances and ozzie takes whatever the best deal is. It's not a popular solution im sure, but it does seem like an ozzie like move to me.

Ok so it looks like a consensus is forming on '06 as the best, which I probably agree... But I think it is close - definitely closer than I thought originally.

One advantage the '06 group did have was Rex Ryan - he definitely knew how to control the line and set the linebackers up to play free and clean everything up. He put them in great position to succeed. Adalius was no where near the same player in New England. Part of that was I think they tried too hard to make him a pure pass rusher which took away arguably his greatest strength which was dropping into coverage.

But the fact that this group is pretty close to the '06 crew WITHOUT an in-his-prime Ray Lewis is pretty darn impressive.

So where does that '06 group rank all time? Who are some other notables (I'll be honest, while I consider myself pretty knowledgable on the game in general... Im not as well-versed on the game pre-1996) historically? I know the Bears unit was great, and I'm sure the Steelers had some good units back in the Curtain days.

And once that's established, is this current group worth mentioning in the same breathe as some of the all-time units?

I agree when I stopped and thought about it last years group was something very special. Much more special than I had even realized due to the secondary hurting the overall success of the defense. the thing about last years team is that Upshaw and McPhee gave it a whole other dynamic than what you just would see on a depth chart. As far as this argument goes you cant pick against ray ray

You don't factor those in since there's a good chance there will be at least 1-2 players on IR between weeks 1 and 6.

Kinda depends on who gets hurt

I just don't know how they're going to make a decision this year.

 

QB (2): Flacco, Schaub

RB (3): Forsett, Taliaferro, Allen

FB (1): Juszczyk

WR (8): Smith Sr., Aiken, Perriman, Brown, Butler, Campanaro, Waller, Carter

TE (3): Gillmore, Williams, Boyle

OL (10): Monroe, Osemele, Zuttah, Yanda, Wagner, Hurst, Urschel, Myers, Reid, Jensen

DL (10): Williams, Jernigan, Canty, Urban, Davis, Guy, Tyson, Lewis-Moore, Bilukidi, Walker

ILB (5): Smith, Mosley, Brown, Orr, McClellan

OLB (5): Suggs, Dumervil, Upshaw, Smith, Means

CB (10): Smith, Webb, Arrington, Melvin, Walker, Pointer, Vaughn, Greenwood, Jacobs, Jackson

S (5): Hill, Lewis, Levine, Trawick, Perry

ST (3): Tucker, Koch, Cox

 

That's 65 guys already that I'd say have a legitimate shot at this roster.  That doesn't even include guys like Fitz Toussaint, Terrence Magee, Tom Nelson, Aldrick Robinson, etc. that would compete for a spot in the typical offseason.  Cuts are going to be so tough this year.

and don't forget about when pitta and brooks return.

Looking at WR, you have to think about building a team.

If we only take 6 WR's, you have to look at skill set and what one guy may bring to the table that others don't.

SSS is a lock. So is Perriman.

This isn't being on Camps jock, but he's the only pure slot receiver we have, has the ability to run crisp routes over the middle and sit down in zones to pick up 3rd downs. Plus he's a returner - 2 niche roles that no one else fills. So I like his chances.

I think Marlon, Aiken and Butler are very similar. Decent route running, good size, good hands and can play outside or inside. Aiken is a great special teamer and has shown the ability to make big catches in limited chances. I think he's a lock.

Marlon has the 2nd most experience and though it wasn't consistent, at times he made ridiculous catches while absorbing huge hits. That one game against I think cinci where he got the concussion he was playing unreal. He needs to show more but I think his experience will be valued. So unless Butler just completely blows him away I think Marlon makes it over him.

So if it comes down to only taking 6 receivers, imo it's between Waller and Butler. And to me, it's going to come down to if they offer something the group doesn't already have. Butler flashed amazing hands and a knack to get open, but he's very similar to Aiken and Brown and unlikely to steal snaps from them.

Waller, besides being a draft pick from this year is a great run blocker coming from the triple option in college. May already be our best run blocking receiver. Plus his size gives him the versatility to possibly be used as a TE. With pitta out that has value. Keeping him gives you a 6th WR and 4th TE.

So if it's 6, I think Waller takes the last spot and unfortunately Butler finds himself on the PS again, ready to be called up if there's an injury or if one of the young WR's flames out.

I agree with you about SSS, Perriman and Camp probably being safe. However I think Ozzie may be hoping all these guys play lights out in the preseason to get a late round pick out of one of them. I see a scenario where one of them gets traded for a conditional 5th or 6th and Waller makes it as the 6th guy. 

I hope so, but Will Hill was there last year.

 

Jernigan will have huge shoes to fill too.

 

I think we have a chance. The Cheatriots are our main rival in the AFC and they will have the ball monitored for proper inflation for likely the first time in 10 years.  They will fumble more and Br*dy will be absent and likely less effective when he gets back.

I am truthfully very excited for this defense. I think it is going to surprise a lot of people how good they are going to be. I don't think its really fair to put it all on Jernigan however. I think someone needs to come up and outplay Canty to help offset the Ngata loss. I think that is something that needs to happen. I like Canty, but his play is really just average so hopefully Urban, Davis, KLM or a combination of the few produces better play I think we will be set. I personally like the idea of Davis playing on rushing downs and hopefully KLM or Urban can produce a decent pass rush.

Have never liked Elam and don't think him coming to camp in shape was going to change his "fish out of water" play.  The NFL is not the NCAA, where he could get away with lesser skills.

 

However, its sad that he goes out without a chance to fire his last shot.

 

As far as Pollard goes, Pollard is the Pollard they should have kept when they drafted Elam to be the Pollard he never was.  It would be great to get the real Pollard back, but the coaching staff has thin skin and won't take him back even if there was a need. Pollard is good, but he's also proud and doubt he would entertain the Ravens after that ridiculous slight.

 

We'll have to go at Safety with what we have and if we don't get to the big game, play at Safety will likely be one of the reasons.

I disagree with you about the play at Safety. I think our safety play will be solid. I think Will Hill could be one of the best corners in the league this year. He played very well last year not having had as much time with the team and playing out of his natural position so with all of the play time and the offseason I think we will see very good play out of him. I think he will be the best Safety we have had since ed. I think Lewis will be a solid player as well. The depth at safety will be a concern for sure until brooks gets back.

Well hopefully we can get brooks back sooner rather than later. Sad to hear about Elam, I had high hopes that this would be the year he'd turn it around.

Yes..and how much has he actually contributed to our team..zero.

I've been pretty adamant about canning Gino & REID after both failing to show ANYTHING in the 1st preseason.

If you got potential, you have to show us something. I don't believe in 'grooming the guy for the next year'. BC next year always has new guys from draft/fa ready to fill in the spot, and 'projects' always mess up the teams roster.

So by your logic we should have cut Brandon Williams b.c he was a project and hardly played his first year and we coulve found someone just as ready. We should've cut jimmy b.c he was a long term project not worth it. As well as Todd heap, Rick wagner, ryan Jensen, dennis pitta, jarret Johnson and so on and so on. By your logic the packers should've cut aaron Rodgers. im glad youre not our GM.

Both resigning would be nice, but Yanda first. He is already second best Olineman in Ravens history behind J.O. and no signs of slowing down on a HOF Track with atleast 3 more dominant years as best Lineman in NFL. Ravens usually keep HOF Players only Ngata was let go and that hurt

There is a fair argument for keeping either over the other. I don't think there is necessarily a wrong choice here. I think it is really just going to come down to who is cheaper.

take it down now

that wasn't ray Lewis's final season. just sayin

I like Jernigan and Williams on our defense, but I am not comfortable with them as the anchors on our starting D-line smh. If you look at the tape and not just those 4 games we played without Ngata, you will see the difference between them and Ngata. The 4 games we played without Ngata were arguably against mediocre teams (Dolphins, Jaguars, Texans, browns). Im not buying the whole "remember those 4 games without Ngata" crap. I believe that we will need more work done to our interior D-line to let our LB's run free.

I somewhat agree. Jernigan and Williams are not enough to replace Ngata, but I think they will be eventually. I think what will make up for Ngata is one of these young DE's stepping up and playing some good football. I think a Davis(1st and 2nd down) and Urban/Lewis Moore (pass rushing situations) could be that difference maker. That is yet to be seen though. If we can get better play out of the young guys than we have out of Canty I think that will be what makes up for ngata leaving.

I just want joe to hit 4k. that is all

_{Frank Walker has to contend for #1. He got burned more than anyone and was notorious for PI's to put the team in the redzone.}

when did terrence cody ever look good or receive reports of the same magnitude as doss, demetrius williams, or elam?

I never said it was to the same magnitude just saying they hyped him up. when he came into camp weighing like 330 and they got all excited about his hard work and improved figure and he was the same player maybe even worse.

way to boost my ego. I do that same amount! although he makes it look easier and my guns don't look as nice as his

yeah for some reason I was under the impression that the list was done following the 2014 season, should have been obvious I just wasn't thoroughly paying attention . makes you think that all the optimism for Elam this year is b.s

yeah really. I mean I hope elam turns out to be worth the draft pick, but he's looking like a miss. I find it funny how guys always get hyped up and then poof nothing comes of them. for example Doss, Demetrius Williams was constantly teased as looking really good during training camp, Tavares gooden, terrance cody, the list goes on. point is I don't get my hopes up until preseason which is why I left unprovens such as rookies off my list.

What do you mean...?

Hopefully he just doesn't get hurt again., but also I know first hand how coming back from multiple injuries can affect you mentally on how you may do things in fear of getting hurt again. you aren't consciously thinking about it, but you definitely react differently after injuries. I'm not saying that Jimmy will be affected by it, but its just something that concerns me.

 think Jimmy Smith should be higher on your list.  He's one of the best CB in the league or was one of the top CB's before he went down with an injury.

The only reason he's not higher is b.c of the injuries and not feeling completely comfortable with him. if he can avoid the injury bug I think he will be able to prove himself one of the top 3 guys on the team.

So They are doing the top 20 again. I thought it might be cool to see what different people think?

http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/20548/will-joe-flacco-remain-atop-ravens-top-20-list-in-2015

My list is:1. Marshall Yanda

2. Joe Flacco

3. Terrell Suggs

4. Justin Forsett

5. Steve Smith

6. CJ Mosely

7. Jimmy Smith

8. Kelechi Osemele

9. Elvis Dumervil

10. Brandon Williams

11. Daryl Smith

12. Eugene Monroe

13. Justin Tucker

14. Will Hill

15. Rick Wagner

16. Jeremy Zuttah

17. Cortney Upshaw

18. Ladarius Webb

19. Sam Koch

20. John Urschel