RavenManiac#7

SO well said, jacket! DITTO! I'm in total agreement with you on this one. Fans, we Must develop this mindset if we are to be strong and effective supporters of our QB and our team as well.

Thanks for the update, trevor, and I hope you're right about his roster spot still being safe, at least for the time being. Despite Camp's injuries last season and now, I would still be Very surprised if he would clear waivers in an attempt to get him onto our PS. Perhaps, Carter, unless he impresses Big time in preseason, would, indeed, have a better chance of making it through the waiver process. Nevertheless, Camp is just going to Have to find a way to get tougher if he wants to have a career in the NFL. No team, Ravens included, are going to waste a roster spot on a guy that just can't stay on the field. I like Camp a lot, an Awful lot, but even his biggest fan has to realize that the NFL isn't the place for an injury prone player. I sincerely hope time will help him figure out a way to avoid more injuries, because if he doesn't I don't think the NFL is the place for him. I'm still rooting for him, but I'm really beginning to become concerned for his NFL prospects.

I agree with you, Popeye, that the Cheatriots will Always be cheaters and, no doubt, will still be looking for some way to "skirt" the rules to get themselves some kind of advantage. I'm SO glad our organization has way too much class to operate like that. I was a little surprised that Joe gave a serious answer to the question of how he prefers the footballs. Knowing Joe, it wouldn't have surprised me to read that he had answered the question with a one word answer; "Oblong", or even "Egg-Shaped."" LOL!

Does anybody know why Camp is sidelined? That's the Last thing I wanted to read about.

For Pete's Sake! I've been one of Campanaro's biggest supporters and rooting for him just SO much, and now I read that he's sidelined again. I can't put into words how much that disappoints me. I haven't heard what the injury is, but I certainly hope it's not serious. I thought that the Only thing he had to prove this year was durability. His talent level speaks for itself. But, this is NOT good. Camp has a real and legitimate threat for his roster spot this year with Carter being such a similar receiver. Of course, Carter has to show what he can do and avoid injury himself, but this news that Camp is sidelined is just the worst news his supporters could have heard. Gosh, I hope it's just a super minor little thing. It was so easy for me to envision a Wes Welker Type receiver with him, but man, you gotta be able to stay on the field. I'm really disappointed. C'mon, Camp, toughen up, willya? You may not have too many chances left, if any at all depending on what has happened.

How can we possibly know that Carter is just as good in the slot as Campanaro? He hasn't taken even One snap in an NFL game. And how can we know that Carter gives us the ability (that we haven't even seen yet) without the injuries (plural, despite the fact that Camp suffered One injury, singular, in his first season)? Why are so many people so ready to dump Camp for a totally unknown Carter already? And as far as putting Camp on the PS, you Do realize for that to happen he would have to clear waivers, which I think would be HIGHLY unlikely to happen. Look, time may very well show us that maybe, just maybe, Camp Is injury prone. But I, for one, am not ready to label him as such after One injury. And I am Absolutely not ready to move an unproven rookie over him on the depth chart, let alone give the guy Camp's roster spot. I think you may be jumping the gun a bit. Like I said, maybe time will show us that you're right about Camp, and maybe even Carter as well. But, to me, it's WAY too early to come to that conclusion. Why don't we just wait to see what happens in camp and the preseason games? Time, alone, will answer our wr questions, not hunches or speculation. I think we should give Camp the opportunity to show us that his injury last just might have been bad luck, not necessarily the blue print of his NFL career. The ability he showed us that he possesses when he Was able to be on the field at the very least, I believe, earned him that much. It's just too soon to write him off and give his job to a rookie we haven't even had the chance to evaluate. Give Camp a chance. How about it?

Spot on, brother! I find it somewhat surprising that so many of our fellow fans seem ready to move on from Camp after One season and One injury. Camp may have been limited last year because of that "hammy", but you're absolutely right. He showed us a LOT of ability when he Was able to be on the field. Much too much ability to not give him Every opportunity to show the team that one injury does Not prove that he is injury prone. Nothing but time has the ability to show us that. We just all have to wait and see what happens from this point on. He could very well become a Great slot receiver in this league. And, once again, based off of what he showed us last year, he absolutely deserves the opportunity to show us if that will become a reality.

I couldn't agree more, Grapple! I have Always felt humbled, and considered it an Honor just to thank Every veteran, and ask for their permission to shake their hand Every time I see one wearing a hat or shirt, or anything else, identifying themselves as a veteran of our armed forces. We are All very blessed every time we find ourselves in the presence of these HEROES. May God greatly bless each and every one of them. With me, I Never miss the opportunity to express my sincere and genuine gratitude and respect to them all, and that goes for EVERY day of the year, not just on the Memorial Day weekend. I salute you right now Veterans!

You could be spot on about Campanaro. I readily admit that I did not follow him at all during his college playing days. If he was, in fact, injured as many times as you're saying that's definitely not in his favor. I have to wonder, though, if he was injured as often as you're claiming why in the heck would Ozzie have thought that he was worth trading a draft pick away in order to get back into the draft to take him? We all know how much Ozzie values his draft picks. All I Do know is that what little we were able to see from him when he Was able to be on the field was quite impressive. I have been hoping, Big time hoping, that his hamstring problem last year was not a harbinger of things to come. Hamstring injuries are one of the kind that can take a lot of time to fully recover from and during the recovering process seems to put the player in a vulnerable position as far as reinjuring it is concerned. With an entire off-season now behind him, I think his injury from last season is now a non-factor. I, just like you, want players who are Not injury prone and I really hope that Camp can prove himself to be someone who just had the misfortune of suffering that"hammy" in his very first season. Again, I'm hoping that it was just a freak example of bad luck rather than an indicator that he is, in fact, an injury prone player. Of course, his size could be a mixed blessing. There are a number of very good receivers in the NFL of similar size that have thrived, been very successful, and have been able to avoid the "injury bug." But, of course, the opposite can be said of some other smaller statured receivers. Only time will tell what the future has in store for Camp. His ability, I think, is impressive enough to give him every opportunity to prove that he can, indeed, put together a highly effective career as a slot receiver. As far as ability is concerned, I think he really has a Lot going for him. My hope remains that he will turn out to be our slot receiver for years to come. Only time will tell but ,as of now, I am solidly in his corner and am wishing him both great luck in the injury situation and great luck in regards to success on the playing field. I mean, who wouldn't want a "Wes Welker type" receiver on their team? Good luck, Camp. Be tough, young man.

You could be right about Camp, but I sure hope not. There's no question that he has to prove that he is not going to be injury prone, but at this point, after only one season I think he should, and will, definitely get the opportunity to prove himself. I don't think there's any question about his ability. He has a lot of it and a lot of things going for him. His toughness really Is the only question with him. I'm really rooting for him because he showed me a lot when he Was able to be on the field. If, and right now I realize it's a big if, he can stay healthy I truly believe he will be a Great slot receiver in this league. I'm really hoping that he just had the bad luck of having an injury in his very first year. I would really hate to see us give up on him too soon and wind up in a similar situation as the Dolphins when they cut Wes Welker only to see him go on to have a Great career elsewhere. Give him a chance and lets hope he pans out right here as a Raven. That's my hope.

I see the wr competition for roster spots as one of the more interesting things to watch leading up to the final cuts getting us to our 53 man roster. A spot or two on the PS will be helpful, but not in every case. Some guys will either not be eligible, like a Kamar Aiken, and some, I think, would not make it because they wouldn't clear waivers, like a Campanaro or a Waller. If it is, indeed, 6 spots we're talking about I agree with this writer's guess as to who would claim them. This, of course, is barring any injuries to those particular 6 guys. That could be a significant issue with Campanaro. I think he has to avoid an injury and prove that he is tough enough to play at this level. His skill level as a potential slot receiver, I think, is not in question. I really believe he can be a very good one. His ability to stay healthy, in my opinion, is the only thing he has to prove. I do believe that we will utilize the IR on someone, maybe even two, if necessary. There always seems to be a "freak" injury that occurs in the process of finalizing that final 53. Hey, you do what you have to do. Our red zone offense was not good last year, but I think it has the potential to be much more effective with 6' 5" Marlon, 6' 6" Waller, Maxx Williams, and Pitta, if he can play. I'm still not sold on his ability to return and because he's always been one of my favorite Ravens, I will be holding my breath any time he would be on the field. I'd hate to see him jeopardize his future with yet another injury to that hip. Now, as far as Yanda is concerned, I kind of have my doubts that we will be able to extend him. I have a feeling we might be seeing a replay of Ben Grubbs. I sure hope not, but the longer we go without him signing an extension the more I think that's what we're going to see happen.

Amen, brother! We all like to talk about our favorites on the field in the game of football, but the men and women we're talking about, and honoring, here are really True HEROES. All year long, not just during the Memorial Day weekend, I Never miss the opportunity to thank Every person I see either in uniform or wearing a hat or shirt identifying themselves as a veteran. I stop what I'm doing and walk over to them, thank them for their service, and ask if I can have the honor of shaking their hand. It's always easy to recognize the fact that they appreciate that. I've always had the greatest respect and gratitude for our current and former service men and women. I'm not sure what prompted you to bring this up here on a football forum, but I'm glad that you did. May God bless All our military service members. Every one of them are really heroes and we all owe them so, so much. Thank you for your post.

Well, there's no question that his thighs are Massive. But what really counts is if they contribute to him being a superior offensive lineman. With him being a guard, I really, really hope he can develop into a beast of one, because as we all know we are trying very hard to get Yanda extended and have KO signed only through next season. It might very well be doubtful, although I hope not, that we will not be able to keep both of our starting guards, so it could be very important for him to wind up being a great replacement for one of those guys should one move on. I don't like to think that way, but sometimes reality has a way of smacking you in the face. Time will tell, but it certainly looks like those thighs can generate a Lot of power. Be the answer, Robert. Heck, I wouldn't mind at all seeing him pushing Yanda and KO to bring out the best in both of them. Bring it, big guy!

You're definitely right, but then you have a guy like Jerry Jones who gets in the way of getting that message across. I believe for things to change, there has to be a league wide policy that All teams must follow so that these players see that it's not going to be a random, selective process. I can't see Any justification for the difference in the way Ray Rice has been treated compared to the way repeat offenders like Hardy, and even Peterson, have. Where's the justice in that? And what do the players learn?

You are absolutely right about why and how so many of these young players come into the NFL with such arrogant attitudes because of all the adoration they received in college. They found themselves being treated like heroes, catered to in every way, and quite often having their "incidents" covered up so many times without having consequences severe enough for their offenses. Then, they start making money, big money like most of them have never seen, and their attitudes that had resulted from all that special treatment make them feel entitled and that they don't have to obey the rules because they believe they are untouchable and that those rules don't apply to them. I know the NFL Does have counseling sessions for them to try to influence them but, unfortunately, too many of them don't take the attempt to help them to heart. You mention Ray, and his situation. Well, time has shown us that the Lord made Ray Lewis a very gifted man. He gifts us all but in Ray's case, he was able to figure things out. To me, it wasn't surprising. Ray is a born leader, and it didn't take him long, just one incident, for him to figure out that he was associating with the wrong crowd and that he had to make a change. And because of who Ray is, we saw a man who was genuinely sorry and quickly decided to cooperate with the investigation in an effort to get the truth out. Hum, it's pretty telling to compare the way he acted to the way Brady stubbornly refused to cooperate in the investigation of His team's situation. It's quite easy, in my opinion, to see who the better man is. Ray Lewis is truly special.

I spent the better part of 30 years coaching both baseball and basketball. Baseball, from Little League up through the High School level, and Basketball from Middle School, again through the High School level. I was very blessed to have been quite successful pretty much throughout the entire time frame, winning more than my share of championships. By far, to me, the thing I found most difficult about coaching was having to make cuts to form my teams. The Lord has given me a heart for children, and having to cut so many of them was something I found to be very painful. It seemed like it was most difficult at the Middle School level. I think that was because of the level of maturity the children had reached, or was it really not reached, at that point of their lives. But, it's kind of tough when you have 56 boys come out to try to make a team that carried, at most, 14 to 15 players. To be honest, it was probably the biggest motivating factor for me to accept the High School position when it was offered to me. By that age, the guys had developed a little more self control and, more importantly, a more realistic idea of what their talent level really was. Nowhere near as many cuts were required at the High School level. At least the Middle School players did have the opportunity to play Church League basketball if they didn't make the school team. But, even knowing that, it was still Very tough to kind of break a kid's heart. I found it extremely distasteful. So much so, that I got to the point where I didn't want to do it any more.

I just think this was a bad idea, period. Stop messing with the most popular game there is. The "powers to be" have already changed the game So much by handcuffing DBs in successful attempts to increase scoring. The rules they "adjusted" that make the secondaries have to try to cover receivers with their hands almost tied behind their backs have truly changed the game. Of course, defenses are still important, but a year like we had in 2000 when we basically won the SB on the strength of our defense, I believe, is gone. I can't see something like that happening again. There are still some "purists" out here that have always loved the game just the way it was and don't think all the changes that have, without doubt, altered it is necessarily a good thing. Sometimes, when it ain't broken, it doesn't need fixed.

Well said, brother!

I really like, and always have, our black uniforms. Very intimidating look. And as for the Squealers bumble bee uniforms, absolutely hideous looking. Worst look in the league.

If he has the speed for that it might be a very good idea. Wouldn't it be awesome if he shows the ability to be a good pass rusher? We can definitely use another one. We want somebody to replace McPhee's 7.5 sacks from last year.

I just hope that the pair of them can go injury free this time around so that we can see what we really have with these two guys. Are they going to be able to compete at this level or are they a couple of those unfortunate guys that just won't see their health hold up? I don't want either of them to wind up being like Sergio Kindle. I really wish for better luck than that for them. Good luck to both of you.

jacket, you know how much I respect you and I haven't hid the fact that I think you are one of the most well informed and logical posters on here. All that remains just as much as it ever has. I'm not saying that this post of yours is any less logical than pretty much all your others, but I can't deny that this one struck a nerve with me. I readily admit that it is a personal one that really says more about who I am as a person rather than your analysis of Kraft's situation. What you said Is right. I am just So disgusted with Kraft, Belicheater, Crybaby Brady, and the whole Cheatriot organization that I fear I have lost the ability to see things as clearly as you are still able to do. I respect and admire you for that. I guess I have a character flaw that allows me to get so upset about this situation that I let my feelings affect my judgement and thoughts. Personally, I will admit that I'd like to see the whole bunch of them gone. Kraft forced to sell, Belicheater banned from the league, and Brady set out for a year. I know how silly that sounds, but I TRULY hate cheaters. But, honestly, you made sense and should not have been negged for doing so. I'm supposed to be able to forgive, but I'd like to see some repentance first. Don't expect to see any of that, so I guess I'll have to work on my end of that equation.

Kraft "reluctantly" will "go along" with the league's punishment on the under-inflated footballs because he is a "league man." How about because he knows his team is guilty of the offense and that he knows it has been caught cheating before? Don't forget that he had the audacity to call for an apology from the league. He is not only the owner of a cheating organization, he is arrogant of it. How dare Anyone catch his team in their cheating endeavors! What a "low-life!" In my opinion, he should have been forced to sell his franchise to someone who has no problem playing by the rules. If he had any honesty and integrity within him he would want to rid his organization of Any people who would resort to cheating. It tarnishes His name as well as the actual offenders, but he, apparently, has No problem with that. I certainly would. If I owned a team, or any other organization or company, I would care Greatly about its reputation as a fair, honest, and respectful entity. To me, he is an embarrassment to the NFL, and to continue to employ people would purposely break or skirt the rules shows that he really doesn't care at all about his own or his team's reputation. If I were in his position as the owner of the Cheatriots, people would have been fired after the First time it was caught cheating. But not with Kraft. He just stares into the camera claiming total innocence, gives No cooperation to the investigation, arrogantly calls for an apology from the league, then moans and groans about the penalties levied, but because he is a "league man" decides to just "go along" with the penalty. And then, business goes on as usual with his cheating coach and the rest of his team. Does anybody really think that this will change anything with the Cheatriots? I, for one, do not. I haven't seen even one tiny iota of an indication of remorse or ownership of the atmosphere of "anything for a win" attitude that his organization, including cheating, stands for and operates with. He, and others in the Cheatriot organization, most notably his coach, are a stain on the entire NFL. It would be refreshing to see the league do all it can legally to rid itself of people like them.

All I want to hear about Yanda is that his contract has been extended. We already know everything else we need to know about him.

I think the total amount of talent we have with our current receiving corps is Far superior to any we have Ever had. That's going to make our final cuts Very interesting and Very difficult. I Will say that as much as I'm expecting from them, I Don't think we'll see the best from them this upcoming season. More production than we've grown accustomed to, absolutely, but so many of our receivers are young and still learning makes me think that it will take some more time for them to reach their full potential. That, combined with the cohesiveness with Joe that will come only with more time, reps, and knowledge and timing with each of them makes me think that our passing game will continue to improve in the next few years to come. I'm pretty excited about that.