52liveforever

I have to laugh when the Steelers spout off about being a great defense. They have a legitimate shot at being the worst defense in the NFL this year. Here's why: 1.They lost their HOF DC in Dick LeBeau. 2.They lost 90% of their NFL proven, experienced, players...Worilds, Polamalu, Keisel, and Taylor. That would be like the Ravens losing Reed, Lewis, Suggs and Ngata all in one year. 3. They have one proven NFL player on defense...Lawrence Timmons. They don't have a single player on defense that would start for the Ravens. This lack of talent is due to poor drafting. 4.They did absolutely nothing to upgrade this defense in the offseason. There is no reason to expect this defense will be any better than last year's poor unit that Flacco and Forsett shredded in last years playoff game. To say that this is a rebuilding year for the Steeler defense is putting it mildly. They will most definitely be starting at the bottom. That is the best reason they might improve.

They are definitely going to be in the bottom half as far as defense. However I think they may have a better group of guys on their way up than you give them credit for. Timmons you mentioned, but Shazier is right there at Mosely's level. Of course I like our guy more though. Bud Dupree is a beast and will give us fits in a couple of years. Jarvis Jones shouldn't be slept on either. Cortez Allen is developing into a solid corner and Senquez Golson is another guy i'll keep my eye out for. It's going to be building years for sure. they are going to take a while to rebuild, but before you know it they'll be back. They have always made a comeback. The bengals have had a couple of good seasons, but it could all fall apart at any time(when they fire marvin lewis for not being able to win a play off game).

whats a good Ravens-Steelers rivalry if the steelers suck? Less stressful, but not as fun

Who's 6'7 270?

Absolutely loved episode 3 of the wired rookie camp. Was great to see perriman and Waller working together. I know it's a real cleshay thing to say but I honestly can't remember being this excited for an upcoming season- and I've been a fan for a long time. The only time that comes close was after the 2011 season, the way it ended just left a really bad taste in my mouth and I knew for a fact we would be back for redemption. Now I feel the same way this year - except even more excited about our new additions , and the fact that we got so much younger will have us set for years to come. I am pumped!

I agree. I am trying to hold back my excitement for Perriman and Waller though what has been seen looks great, I really don't want to be disappointed. What would be nice is if they both just burst onto the scene and blow everyone away, but that is probably far too optimistic.

I see the WR depth chart playing out like this:

1. Breshad Perriman(It sounds like this is where they expect him to be)

2. Marlon Brown/Darren Waller/Kamar Aiken(this is going to be a dog fight)

3. Steve Smith Sr.(I believe they are going to decrease his role. Even though he is #3 in all actuality he's #1 when he's on the field.

4. Marlon Brown/Darren Waller/Kamar Aiken

5. Michael Campanaro

6. Marlon Brown/Darren Waller/Kamar Aiken

It's going to be fun to watch these guys fight it out. Steve Smith is the only lock

Without LaQuan? Certainly,... If LaQuan was instrumental in us winning the SB, then Jacoby Jones was the SB MVP!

I must be misunderstanding you because I don't see LaQuan Williams as an intricate cog in our Super Bowl SEASON!  

What are you getting at? 

The forced fumble against the patriots was a pretty intricate cog

Sorry, I see LaQuan Williams redeux,...

To be fair, would we have won the superbowl without him?

This is far too harsh, though. Will he be able to play in the NFL in coverage or on the outside with what we saw in College? No. I wouldn't knock his instincts though, and I don't personally think I saw enough of a reason to knock his motor. He doesn't have great speed, but I don't think the lack of a high gear means he was giving up. 

All in all he is deserving of a go at it. The odds are against him and he'll have to improve his game significantly to stick at the NFL level. I'm happy it's with the Ravens though!

I will agree with his coverage abilities, he's just too slow for man coverage. However I think he plays just fine on the outside so long as he keeps the ball carrier in front of him. He's not chasing anyone down or tackling anyone from behind. I see him as a developmental guy like ellerbe or McClain who will take a couple of years.

have you seen any of DePriest' tape? if he's our best option to take over for Daryl then we are in trouble

Haha ok? Yes I've seen his tape, why else would I say I like him? He has good instincts and is solid against the run. Too slow for man coverage against athletic tight ends, but he plays well in the zone. He isn't flashy, but he does a lot of things well. He's a solid tackler he reminds me someway of Vontaze Burfict without the piss poor character. I like debate and open to hearing opposing views so what did you see on the tape?

I really like Magee and Depriest. The great thing about Magee is he has a lot of tread on the tires. He will need some work, but he could work out to be a great compliment. Depriest is really the best compliment to mosely. He's a real run stuffer. While smith is around Depriest has time to get polished and I think he'd be better suited to take over than brown. Brown has potential, but he's just too small and weak to play in the box.

Philip Dorsett is a WR. Just sayin

Something tells me that KLM will be a boom or bust player this year. I think this is a make or break for him. I think he'll either do well enough that he's talked about as a starter or the Ravens cut him and move on or put him on the PS.

Agreed. If it wasn't for his potential he'd probably already be gone. I've always expected big things from him, but I think he has to be really impressive this year to earn the chance to stick around.

This is a bold prediction I do admit

QB- Flacco, Shaub (2)

RB- Forsett, Allen, Lorenzo, Magee (4)

FB- Juice(1)

TE- Williams, Gilmore, Boyle/Pitta(3)

WR- SSS, Perriman, Camp, Brown, Aiken(5)

OL- Monroe, KO, Zuttah, Yanda, Wagner, Urschel, Myers, Hurst, Jensen(9)

DL-Jernigan, Williams, Urban, Davis, KLM, Tyson, Guy(7)

OLB- Suggs, Doom, Upshaw, Smith(4)

ILB- Mosely, Smith, Mcclellan, Depriest(4)

CB- Smith, webb, Jackson, Melvin, walker, Levine(6)

FS- Lewis, Brooks, Perry(3)

SS- Hill, Elam(2)

ST-Koch, Tucker, Cox(3)

Who is Tray Jackson? I wouldn't expect John to mess up one of our players names.

Pick 1

Breshard Perriman A-

I think there were better players available, but I cant hate the pick because I think he could be a really great receiver. I think he will only be better with Joe throwing balls at him. He does drop some balls, but there is a guy named Steve Smith on this team that will really be riding his hide so im not so worried about it. Torrey had issues dropping balls coming out.

Pick 2

Maxx Williams A +

The best thing about him is he is durable. I don't think he will be a Gronk, but I could see him being a bit like Shockey which iI'm cool with. This is definitely a safe pick and honestly it would've been a safe pick in the first round, but I'm glad we gambled on Periman and got him in the second.

Pick 3 

Carl Davis C+

I do like the pick, but I don't see him jumping in right away. I think he could end up like an Art Jones type of guy and kind of work his way into a groove and being a late bloomer. The grade is more or less b.c I thought there were more players available to contribute right away imo. I believe he will be a really good player it will just take some time.

Pick 4

Za,darius Smith B-

Great Value, but like Davis it is going to take a little time, but I think he has a bigger role for the first couple of years than Davis. He's a pretty violent guy he is a bull and I think he can improve as a pass rusher.

Pick 4

Joviorious Allen A+

LOVE THIS PICK!!!!! He reminds me so much of roger craig. Watch a video of Buck and one of craig and tell me you don't see it.

Pick 4

tray walker D

Not impressed, but DeCosta likes him a lot so what do I know.

Pick 5

nick Boyle B-

I like him for his toughness. H's not much of a receiver at ths point, but when he does get the ball he doesn't shy away from a hit.

Pick 5

Robert Myers  D-

I cant give him an F b.c of where he is picked, but I don't ever see him as a starter.

pick 6

Darren Wall    B

I'll give it a B just b.c of the possible upside at where he was picked. I think there were safer picks, but none with the upside he has so its a solid pick.

Overall B+

So after watching some tape on Buck Allen there's a certain HOF running back he reminded me of. Watch the first video and then the second and tell me what you think.
 

https://youtu.be/sp4z48CtCfU

The jokes on you. I've heard from very valid sources from inside that the Ravens are considering a name change just so they can sign Mathis and spite you (and sanity). I hear the plan from there is to jettison Flacco and his me-first ways/contract, install Mathis at RG and move Yanda to QB.

 

Seems legit.

Now if only Cam Cameron and Frank Walker would come back 

the O line is fine..its a v. good o line. I expect more from Monroe this year

but if it wants to be the best..getting mathis if he's cut will probably create the most dominant pass and run blocking in the league

Dude what is with you and your obsession with mathis. Just stop it's never going to happen. Just stop please stop. Sure yeah it'd be cool. actually no it wouldn't b.c Yanda is the best guard in the game and you would be wasting his talent putting him at center. Not to say center isn't an important position im just saying its not a mauling position and that's exactly what yanda and osemele are. So for the love of God stop. I want you to read this next part out loud. Evan Mathis will never be a Baltimore Raven.

I'm probably in a minority here, but I don't agree with the vast majority of projections here. I've done a lot of thinking and I see Lewis as the FS and Will Hill and Elam as the SS. I think Lewis will be the one responsible for the centerfield job and communication necessary to get players into position. I also believe that Will Hill and Elam will split time at SS, in a method to get Elam more acclimated to the SS job and to ease him into the job unlike before. This is also apparently a direct indication of our opinion on Elam as well. Elam used to be the one who got the secondary into position. I distinctly recall that being mentioned in articles on this very website. Now, he would appear to no longer have that role. 

 

I think this also bodes poorly for Will Hill. I can't imagine the team would give a player a 3-year deal for the sake of cutting him next year. We don't typically operate that way. Yes, we did this with Jacoby Jones but he was the exception and not the norm. I don't think the team is going to extend Will Hill when his contract is up and that they will allow him to walk next year (unless he walks this year) in FA and receive a comp pick in return. That would set them up with Elam as a starting safety in his final year of his rookie deal, where he will either sink or swim. By that time, Brooks will either be ready to take over the FS job or will be in a different position. 

 

Either way, I expect Lewis to be the FS on the team, with Hill and Elam both as SS. I think we're still likely to see continued 3 safety sets as well. As a SS, Will Hill will be closer to the LOS and will be even more responsible for the TE, which he does well against in coverage.

I agree. I think he is more of a free safety than will hill. I don't think this pick up is getting quite the respect it deserves. I always thought Lewis was underrated. Honestly though I didn't even know he was a free agent because no one had said anything really about him in free agency and I guess I assumed the Texans had him locked up a while

Cory redding, Jarvis Jenkins. Need depth on the line and redding coming back to be a leader on a young line would the best case scenario. Jarvis Jenkins should be affordable and provide good depth.

Chris culliver- he's a solid corner who can step in and start if there's an injury and should be affordable.

Justin Forsett- I think the consensus is he was a one year wonder. I have a feeling we won't be getting into a crazy bidding war over him.

Breaking News: Patriots disqualified from playoffs. Baltimore Ravens and colts will face each other for the AFC championship this sunday....JK I wish

Melvin is a good pick up, but I feel like he's going to see the same kind of treatment marlon brown has gotten this year after a big year last year.

Melvin's better than any old free agent we'd find. And es good enough to be our #3, which brings us to the question of whether or not we draft a CB high in the draft.

i think we still should draft high for corner in the draft, this season is enough proof of that. even if Melvin continues to impress. our top two corners are very injury prone. also depending on the year jimmy has next season we may not be able to get him back. hopefully he is a priority, but we have quite a few BIG contacts on this team already, if we cant get some of them re done or restructured jimmy could be too costly. getting a high pick in next yr to get that yr of experience inn case of injuries or jimmy smith walking i think is important.

i don't think you can give up on a defensive back after two seasons in the league. defensive back are the hardest positions to transition to in the NFL for many reasons. the receivers are just so much faster and experienced in their routes. you have veterans that really know how to play football. most receivers are pretty raw and mostly just freak athletes playing in college so defending them isn't as big of a task. elam shows me enough flashes as did jimmy smith that he will catch up to the game. he was never known for his outstanding coverage so that's something that will definitely take time.

say what you will about the draft so far, but i am in love with the way this draft is playing out. IMO mosley is the best LB in the draft and he is going to be the rock of our dfense for years. The fact we got jernigan in the 2nd round is such good value. i would have been happy picking him up in the 1st. and brooks is definitely a raven with his playing style. he misses alot of interceptions because he seems to get a little excited. with some maturity those missed opportunities will turn in to INT's and with his speed and athleticism he could be quite the playmaker with the ball in his hands.