RavenManiac#7

I'm really a greedy guy. I want Tucker and KO back. I feel real good about Tucker; after all we can franchise him if necessary, but I hope it isn't. I don't feel too confident about KO, though. I'm afraid he just might be gone to somebody with bigger bucks than we've got to give. What a bummer! And on top of it, we might be stuck with Monroe, the made out of china guy.

I can't see how it could happen financially, but I would love to see Monroe gone and KO signed as our LT. Can't see it happening, though. Ozzie, it's time to pull off one of your miracles. Time to earn your Own big bucks, Oz. If we could just, somehow find a team that's desperate for a LT (and ain't too smart), trade him to get rid of his salary, and use that money, and then some, to sign KO, life would be sweet. I really, Really hate to see KO go.

Bryden Trawick ran into Ravens punt returner and kick off returner TWICE. Get some smart players Ozzie.

If my memory is right, he's the one who ran into Jacoby Jones and had him out for four games too. 

THIS^^^^

 

For those fans that want a high draft pick over a win, even a divisional one:  We have a good chance of beating the Bengals now too with McCarron injuring his throwing wrist and Keith Wenning at the helm.  That means that Cincy has to beat us, a top 5 rush defense, on the ground with a rookie QB that our team is very familiar with.

 

Yes the Bengals can still beat us with their defense.  But if not then the Ravens could drop out of the top 10 altogether.  Personally, I want the division win.  Ozzie will picj a great player at #3 or #13.

 

Wanting your team to lose for an untested product is loser speak.

I'm sure I read that McCarron's wrist injury was in his left, non throwing, hand. Just wish I could remember where I read it to provide the source. But, you know, if the Bengals Would have to go with Wenning, it sure would put an interesting factor into the game. I read So many peoples' posts on here, when we signed Mallett, that we should have stuck with Wenning and given him his chance that it would be very interesting to see which QB faired better. Of course, the quality of each team's receivers would obviously be a factor, as well as the play of each team's defense. But, it still might be fun to see it happen.

#10, and he only slid that far because he ran a terribly slow 40

You're right. But, really, if you're looking for a pure pass rusher, just how important is their 40 time? I have never seen a QB line up 40 yards away from the line of scrimmage. I would think quickness, which IS different than speed, would be more important. Just a thought to ponder.

Man, I'd love to see Fitzmagic and B.Marshall in the SB, They're doing a tremendous job! Hope the Jets and Cardinals go Big!

I can't forget what happened to us in the Super Bowl against the Jets to want to see them get back there. But, I can pretend to forget it just long enough to see them knock the Squealers out of the playoffs. So, my ideal scenario is that the Jets beat the Bills and then go one and done in the playoffs. Best I can do.

I don't think anyone realizes how major foot surgery really is. I've had foot and ankle surgery before, and I couldn't stand for 6 months. For someone who's job is to be an athlete, I applaud Jimmy being able to come back as fast as he did, and give our thin secondary even a chance to compete. I look forward to seeing him become our shut down CB in 2016!

I know, from first hand experience, that you are spot on, Ravenmastro. I have had two knee surgeries on each knee, one shoulder surgery, and three surgeries on one of my ankles, and that's not counting the non-orthopedic surgeries, which are numerous, and by Far the most painful and difficult ones to recover from were the ankle surgeries. My ankle is totally fused and the only motion I have left in that foot is the ability to wiggle my toes. I, too, applaud what Jimmy has done and have to believe that he was not 100% this season. My ankle's condition is what has relegated me to golf, only, as a sports participant and it has even affected that game to some degree. I doubt that people who have not experienced these things can fully grasp just what these incredible athletes have been able to do in the way of rehabilitation. Kudos to all you guys who have overcome such adversities. I have nothing but respect for their pain tolerance, dedication, determination, and desire. I Know how much they love the game to do what they do, because that's all the motivation I had to rehab so that I could play again. Although, I guess in their case money could be a factor as well.

I won't deny, or even disagree with, Any of the reasons given about how important, and satisfying, that win and one against the Bengals was/will be. I'm glad the first one happened and hope the second one will as well. But, I'm not going to lie. I would have absolutely Loved having the 3rd pick in the upcoming draft, and I Do believe that not having it will force us to miss out on at least one player that I really think we could have used, and probably will make us miss a few more that could have really made a difference. So, the win, or two, will definitely be costly. Big price tag. The thing is, though, I wouldn't have been at all surprised that if we Would have had that 3rd pick, Ozzie would have traded out of it. In fact, I think it would have been likely. Ramsey would have been really nice though. I can't see Ozzie trying to jump up, even though he's got a ton of picks, but it IS possible. Just how badly does he want a shut down corner, or the best pass rusher? We shall see. Too bad we can't trade comp picks until the draft after this one. Had we been able to trade them this year it would have been helpful and, I think, more tempting for Ozzie.

I've liked Mallett even before he left the Cheatriots. Of course, I was definitely disappointed in his immature actions in Texas. But, I have always believed that everyone deserves a second chance. I mean, come on, Jesus gives ALL of us second chances. So, I was glad that we signed him and said right then that he was better than Shaub Or Clausen. He played a great game against the Squealers and I was not at all surprised about that. I feel great about starting next season as our backup QB. But, I just cannot join so many people on here that are ready to anoint him as our next starter Over Joe. How soon people forget all that Joe has done for us. He's a SB MVP and winner. He has set a Bunch of other records. How can so many people want to give up on him so quickly? Joe, personally, from me to you, I hope this isn't goodbye already.

Gonna be hard to keep this guy on the bench next year....

That depends on a few things. One, did he learn a lesson from his immature actions in Texas. Two, does he continue to look as good as he did in ONE game. And three, Joe's restructure, his healing time, And his play on the field. Lots of questions. I said, as soon as we signed him, that he was better than Shaub and Clausen. Only one game but it looks like he's out to prove that.

I say we trade joe(no there is no heart in football its ALL business) yes i'm glad he got us a superbowl and for all the memories but for a 20million savings he's gotta go or trade for some players we need.... we could definitely get by with Mallett at QB...joe is not worth 20 mil a year period!....Its football folks and time for some Real cost cutting moves!!

Crazy idea. How in the world do we know we can"definitely get by" with Mallett at QB after we've seen him play exactly One game for us? And do you have Any idea how finances, contracts, and the salary cap work in this league? A trade, as you suggest, would probably be Extremely difficult to do. People just have to settle down and be happy that we very well might have found a good option as our backup QB for next season. It's Incredibly too early to even Think about a QB controversy, let alone entertain one.

Wasn't it Joe who took control of the game against the P*triots that got us to the Super Bowl?

And wasn't it Joe who, according to Trestman, surprised Everybody, including Trestman himself, with his bootleg TD run earlier this season? Just because his coaches don't talk about it that doesn't mean that Joe hasn't audibled, changed plays, or done anything else they might have mentioned that Mallett did. Maybe they just mentioned it in Mallett's case because they were a bit surprised that he was so quick to catch on to when it was necessary in a system that was pretty unfamiliar to him. As long as Joe's been our QB, I'm quite sure that he's done it much more than Moderator 3, and I, have pointed out.

Several "fans" mention what Flacco has done for the Ravens and how grateful we should be but fail to realize that his performance has actually been sub-par his entire career. With the exception of the torrid 2012 playoff run Flacco hasn't been a consistent and reliable quarterback. Ryan possesses the same strong arm and size but better instincts and anticipation. The throws he was able to make showed Ravens fans something they have rarely seen from Flacco. If he is unwilling to negotiate a restructured deal then it just may be time to put him on the trade block and hear offers.

After ONE game, you are ready to suggest we move on from Joe Flacco, a Super Bowl MVP and winner, and All the rest of the records he has achieved since the first day he came into this league! Amazing! Shocking! Count me as someone who was happy the day we signed Ryan Mallett to be Joe's Backup, and is happier yet after seeing his First performance as a Raven. Please do Not count me as someone who is ready to give Joe an ultimatum and put him on the trade block just because I liked what I saw from another QB in ONE game. Unbelievable!

Ryan Mallet beat the hottest team in football so they say with backups on Offense! Why couldn't the Ravens play like this when Joe was behind center with starters?! This is how much power the QB position has over the whole team, "EVERYBODY" played better, I mean "EVERYBODY"! Beat the bungles and Ryan can run for President and starting QB!

So, after only Two games, IF Ryan plays well enough to beat the Bengals, you're ready to start the QB controversy, huh? You know something, Dawg, if Anybody else had written your post I would have been extremely surprised, if not down right shocked. It has been so painfully obvious that you have been a Flacco hater for such a long time, though, it doesn't surprise me, in the least, that you would be the one to first get on that band wagon. I'll just say that a agree with balfan, and others, that the play of the defense has been the biggest reason for our better play of late, Not the QB.

After we got jobbed against JAX, I felt like we had nothing to gain this season except a draft pick, but it actually has been encouraging to see the defense play so much better recently. I'm not sure if we'll keep KO, but the o-line has been great with him at LT. If we can keep that going into next year, and get our offense healthy, this team will be right back in contention.

I feel the same way and, as difficult as it will be, and as much money as it will probably take, I sincerely hope that we can keep KO here where he belongs. He is a serious upgrade over Monroe at LT, and our OL has been playing better since he was slid outside. Come on, Joe, help Ozzie with the money to secure your blindside more effectively by providing him with the resources to re-sign KO with your contract extension. And come on, Ozzie, find a way to keep KO as our LT moving forward. As the talking heads say, "C'mon, guys!"

Thank you for this excelllent article Kevin. I have thought many times about how amazingly unselfish Schaub and Claussen were to put the needs of the team above their own disappointment in finding out they would not be starting. I have tremendous respect for our other 2 backups, especially for Schaub and I am sure that they played a part in Mallet getting the offense down enough to get the victory against the Steelers. What a lesson for Mallet in being a team player, to contrast his recent wrong reactions in Texas with what happened right in Baltimore. Two selfless, equally disappointed teammates dedicated their efforts to helping Mallet for the betterment of the team, as opposed to pouting or acting out. Mallet has seemed genuinely surprised and grateful in each of his interviews, mentioning the help he got from the other QBs. I am really proud of Matt Schaub for his selfless contributions to the team from day 1 of the season, always involved, excited and helping where he can on the sidelines. This may be exactly the perfect way to help Mallet learn what it means to be a pro and how to conduct himself. Mallet seems humbled by the graciousness of his teammates and I hope his growth and maturity continue as he sharpens his mastery of the offense and to help him accept his backup QB role with the Ravens. Sincere thanks and respect to Matt and Jimmy.

Extremely well said, salamander, and spot on. I've said since the signing of Mallet that I think he has more talent than either Shaub or Clausen. The Only question was whether or not he had learned his lesson about his Extremely immature and selfish reactions to what happened to him in Texas. So far, he has acted and said everything right, and Shaub's and Clausen's actions should do nothing but give him excellent models of what true professionals are. If Mallet really Has learned and matured I believe that we will have one of the best backup QBs in the entire league going forward. Not since Mark Bulger have I felt as good about our chances to win in the event we have to go without Joe. Yes, I Do recognize what Tyrod has done this year in Buffalo, but for us to have been successful with him at QB I think we would have had to modify our offense a bit. With Mallet's skill sets being so similar to Joe's, I don't think that would be necessary. I just hope that Mallet's head stays right, because I have confidence in his abilities. Thanks to Shaub, Clausen, and All the coaches who helped prepare him for the game against the Squealers, and good luck to you, Ryan, this week against the Bengals. 

I'm kinda torn here between a better draft position and getting back in the groove of killing the beagles..........Just no more injuries to our team but i reserve the right to wish that we would crush(out for the year)any beagle player......and lets see how Ryan does this weekend huh?....20 mil is an awful lot to pay to keep any player......

Sorry, but I have to disagree vehemently with this post. I NEVER want to find myself wishing Any player will get hurt. I want to win as much as anybody, but not so badly that I would wish injury on anyone. I realize that we have more players (I think) on IR than any other team in the league, but that still doesn't make me want other players to suffer the same fate. I just can't bring myself to feel that way, and I hope that I never do.

We play to win, and having watched a lot of these bowl games, trust me when i tell you, a heck of a player will be available for us when we pick....Seeing lots of solid players, who are sticking out in these Bowl games....

My mouth is watering too. You know you've had a bad season when you become almost just as interested in what happens in the off-season as you are in what happens in your last game of the current season. I don't know about anybody else, but I'm Really anxious to see what moves are made this off-season. As usual, I fear our cap situation will play much more of a role than I would like, but what else is new? I just hope that Ozzie has not lost his touch for pulling off a miracle or two. We need the Ozzie of old, the Ozzie in his prime, the Wizard of Oz this time, I think, more than ever.

Who ever thought that the prospect of the Baltimore Ravens beating the Cincinnati Bungles would ever be deemed playing a 'spoiler'? Alas, what has happened to the Ravens mystique? I am just saddened that the Bungles are even considered competition for us. I refuse to believe we'll ever lose to the Bungles again for the next 5 yrs! Not to the Bungles ever. That is a demeaning proposition.

As a fellow Raven "Maniac", I think I can understand what you're saying. But, realistically, the Bengals truly Have been improving greatly the last several years, so "our" attitude you're expressing isn't really accurate anymore. The Bengals really Have become one of the strongest teams in the league. The only reason I think we actually have a decent chance to knock them off is the fact that Dalton's out and their backup isn't 100% by any stretch of the imagination. And that would leave them with Wenning, and despite all the talk on here not too long ago that seemed to be ready to crown him as the next coming of John Unitas, if the Bengals had to go with Wenning, I think it would help our cause greatly.

This is really hard to say because I enjoyed sweeping the hated Squealers as much as anybody. But, being honest, the price for that win was very steep indeed. It cost us the 3rd choice in the draft as things stood/stand after the game. Do we really gain all that much by beating the Bengals and further worsening our draft slot? I don't know at this point after the season we've all had to endure. Of course, we all hate to lose. But, the higher our draft choice the more I like it, so I'm truly torn on this one. All I know is that once Every game starts, I find myself rooting for all I'm worth for our guys to come out on top. Doesn't make sense sometimes when you can't even figure out your own mind. LOL!

A home run in the first round would be absolutely awesome. You know, as enjoyable as it was to beat our arch rivals, the hated Sqealers, and sweep them at that, saying goodbye to the 3rd pick in the draft hurt nonetheless. The 3rd pick! Just how awesome would that have been? Like I said, I loved sweeping them, but it came at a very steep price. It's Very interesting, at least to me, just what pick we do finally wind up with and how the draft goes, because it'll be a little bit of fun to kind of see how things might have gone had we drafted that soon. Nevertheless, Ozzie should have access to a difference maker I would assume. I think this off-season is going to be more interesting than most. Lots and lots of decisions to be made. Really sorry that Pags said he was done if he loses his HC job in Indy. I would have absolutely Loved to see him come back as our DC.

Yep Keep Osemele. This is where Joe needs to be smart and renegotiate his contract to allow him team to be better equipped going into next season. The fact K.O. can play LG or LT is great for negotiations. Monroe could stay around or potentially be traded. No sense cutting him due to dead money on the contract. Flacco adjusts his contract so they can sign K.O. to a solid contract offer of a LG with added bonuses in the event he becomes the LT. Jensen has shown to be a solid fit a LG. The whole scenario plays off Flacco being a team player and I don't see that being a problem. I mean the guy goes to McDonald's after the SubperBowl and I'm sure he likes not being a pinata.

Joe is a Very rich man. Restructuring does Not have to mean less money for him; just paid to him in a more favorable way, cap-wise, for the team. After just suffering the first injury serious enough to cause him to miss games in his Whole career, that should provide even more incentive to him to want to help the team provide the best protection to him that it possibly can. If that's how we do it, fine but, Somehow, re-signing KO should be a Huge priority for Ozzie this off-season. It could, possibly, be the #1 priority. I think he is definitely showing that he can be our LT moving forward; a Serious upgrade over the almost useless Monroe.

I totally agree that SSS's decision to return for another season should Not be the most significant news, or move, regarding our receiving corps. As happy as I am that he will be back, and as much as I like him, I think it would Not be good if he would be counted on as our #1 receiver. We still need to make an upgrade for a #1. And, KO. If we're Real lucky, we could find a LT desperate team willing to trade for him. I don't care What we'd get for him. I'd just like to avoid having to cut him and take on even more dead money. But, if we can't find a suitor, I still prefer cutting him and somehow being the team that gives KO his money to keep him as our LT. Just one fan's opinion.

The season record has Everything to do with this. Our own fans were probably not as active with their voting as in past years, and other fans, I believe, are highly influenced by a team's record. No question, though, Brandon Williams, Marshall Yanda, and Sam Koch deserve the honor to go. As much as I like Tucker, sorry, he just hasn't earned it this year. Too many misses, even if most were from 50 or beyond. Just not a typical Tucker year. I think it might hurt him in contract negotiations, and increase the possibility of the franchise tag even though the team does not like to resort to that, and for good reason.

What's the difference? Tyrod isn't a long-term starter here, so we would just be a better, non-playoff team. 

 

So you pay Tyrod and we get a worse draft pick with no playoff appearance. Where's the upside?

You're right, as usual, jacket. And, besides, I doubt very seriously that Tyrod would have stayed for the guaranteed 1 million the poster stated. Tyrod was way more interested in the chance to win a starting job, which he had No chance to win here. So, what happened? He left, and Did win that starting job, and just recently voided the last year of the contract he got from Buffalo, which just happens to be next year. So, once again, he will be a FA after this season, and in a position to improve on the contract he received from them that he "outplayed".