trevorsteadman

I just don't think Campanaro can stay healthy so I say Deandre Carter wins the slot position job and returner duties.

Injuries happen it is the NFL. If you think another small receiver in Carter who is 5'8 won't get hurt then you are wrong. The depth chart at wide receiver is already crowded. Only way that Carter can make the roster is if he beats out Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken, or Michael Campanaro on the depth chart and there is little chance of that. If the Ravens think they really have a gem in this guy he will be signed to the practice squad. He is an undrafted rookie from a small school I think he can possibly be groomed into a good player but banking on it this season is a little bit of a reach.

What's with all the negs? All athletes play other sports besides the ones they do for a job, if not you get burned out and then you won't have the desire to keep playing that sport. I'm just happy that our quarteback's other sport is ping pong with a low risk of getting hurt. Better than hockey or Rugby.

If Ray Rice gets picked up by someone, does that change our "dead" money around him?

No unfortunately guaranteed money is guaranteed..

Hopefully they step up from their injuries we need them now more than ever to get depth and solid at defensive line after losing Ngata. They both looked good in college I love Urban's long arms to knock down passes and Kapron has a good motor. Will be exciting to see if Kapron can bounce back from two years straight now of injuries.

Offensive line is probably the most important position on the offense. If you don't have an offensive line you have no time to throw and no where to run. We saw that in the 2013 season when Flacco got sacked nearly 50 times and pro bowler Ray Rice only ran 3 yards a carry. This is kind of useless stats, because all of the more mobile quarterbacks of course will have a higher QBR under pressure because they can role out of pressure. Pocket passers did better when not under pressure for the most part. The only reason Flacco is so low on the good list is because of the quarterbacks in front of him all have better weapons than him. Aaron Rodgers has Cobb and Nelson, Brees HAD Graham and Cooks, Romo has Dez, Rothlesberger has Brown (and can count on Bell a little even if hes a running back), Matt Ryan has Roddy White and Julio Jones... Only quarterback on the list that has worse weapons than the Ravens that is ahead of Flacco is maybe Phillip Rivers because all he really has is Antonio Gates, Keenan Allen didn't play too well last season.

Great coach and seems like a great guy. Never met him but I wish I could. He has his head on straight and understands how to help individuals achieve their goals. Amazing speaker I hope he becomes an commentator for the NFL after his career as a head coach in Baltimore and can talk some sense into the people there who always project the Cowboys and Steelers to win every year when they both finally broke out of that 8-8 rut this last year.

So, in principal this rule eliminates the FG kicker at the 2 and encourages the goal line stand.  Fortunately, we have always been an outstanding  red zone defense against the run and have a great FG kicker especially 35 and in. I have fears regardiing our O line injuries and huge opponent recievers propelling off the shoulders of Matt Elam. Any team that has a beast mode runner like Seattle likes it (except for the last SB which was a bad option )  

Here is where that one guy that everyone hates disagrees. I think that more teams will go for 2 also, but not too much more. If an offense goes 80 yards in 5 plays and have that much success in moving the ball I bet they go for two because the momentum is on their side. What I disagree with you on is the play everyone is calling "Seahawks terrible call". Belichick even said it was a good play call. People assumed the run was coming, even did Belichick. He loaded up on the defensive line. If Marshawn didn't get in the endzone then people would have said the Seahawks were too predictable. If the Seahawks completed the pass it would have been one of the best play calls ever. You know how many times on a play like that it actually has a cornerback read that route and acts on it that fast? Malcolm Butler guessed on the call and he got it right, if the Seahawks receiver (can't remember which one), ran an out route then Malcolm Butler would have let up the winning touchdown. It's just hindsight 20/20. I hate when people call it a terrible play because in reality it wasn't until the interception happened. Lynch could have fumbled if he ran. We don' t know it is all hindsight. 

Trevorsteadman, i believe they had a 5th year option on Tannehill, i probably would have waited to see what he did this year, just a big commitment for at this time a average QB....

They could have but the Dolphins are thinking about in 2-3 years not this year. This contract extension shows that the Dolphins think that Tannehill may play his way into an even higher contract if they were to use his 5th year option. If Tannehill throws 4500 yards next season with 20 touchdowns you know how many teams will be wanting to sign him and how extreme teams will go? Look at Cutler's contract. Tannehill would have gotten almost this money anyway next offseason if he just started every game and played just as well as last season. Matt Ryan got paid more than Flacco and he has only won 1 play off game his entire career with some of the most talented receivers in the league. Quarterbacks just get paid that much today and if you don't they will walk to other teams. 

Only thing Tannehill's contract did was give Flacco a little more leverage when he will be asked to restructure his deal....Can't belief the Fins are giving this guy that kind of money for zero playoff wins...

I agree that Flacco may use it as leverage when he goes to the front office for a restrucutre this next coming offseason but I can believe the Dolphins would do this move. I don't blame them. They have been a middle tier team for how many years now? You can't just let players walk out the door or you will never have a competitive team. They overpaid Tannehill but he is a solid quarterback and if they let him go think of what free agents or rookies are out there to start for the Dolphins. They needed to start somewhere to get back into the mix in the AFC East. 

tucker just saw his value go up some more lol

At this point now Tucker is more valuable than over half the quarterbacks in the league

This comment is both a thought but also a question...If a team gets penalized for excessive celebration after they score a touchdown (which is a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty)...Does the defensive team have the option of moving the PAT kick back to the 30 yard line to make it a 48 yard attempt...Or does the penalty have to be applied to the ensuing kickoff ? (Which always results in a boring non-returnable kick that sails out of the end zone.) Does anyone know if the defensive team has an option on this penalty ? I think if the defense did have the option...it would make for a very interesting decision to be made for either of the two head coaches (both on offense and defense) if this particular 1 point PAT attempt was for a tie to send the game into overtime. Any thoughts or comments ? (I ask this question and comment on this because excessive TD celebration penalties have become a part of the game lately and called quite frequently. This would be a very interesting decision to be made by either of the 2 head coaches if  7 points scored late in the 4th quarter were needed...instead of 6 points...to send the game into overtime or 8 points scored would win the game!)

That would be hilarious if the opposing team got two penalties after the play to make it a 60 yard field goal for one point.... But I'm pretty sure they just are going to stick all penalties till the kick off haha.

Didn't they do it for 4 games last season when Ngata was suspended??

Against Miami, Jacksonville, Houston, and Cleveland. Foster is the only good running back out of all those four teams and he ran for 96 yards. I think everyone including myself is waiting for them to play against a team such as the Steelers with Le'Veon Bell or Marshawn Lynch like the Ravens get to play this coming season.

Do you really think Pitta can Block/Jump/Catch.......With his reconstructed hip?.....Get Real people!.....I love the guy personally but not wasting a roster spot.....smh

Ditto... A 100% Maxx Williams, Crockett Gillmore, or Nick Boye is better than a 70% Dennis Pitta with a high risk of injury. When you have the depth that you do you do not take chances. His NFL career is on the line, forcing him back will only force his career shorter. 

Pitta has been rehabbing (to include workouts at the Under Armour Performance Center)  from injury for some time now, and September is still a few months out. I want a healthy Pitta too, but I wouldn't count him out come September, 

They said he just started running not too long ago. They never said he was at 100% running speed. Also take into consideration that football is a contact sport. Running by itself is not violent but adding in players running even faster at you and hitting you it is very easy to reinjure yourself. He rehabbed last season and look how that turned out. I bet the Ravens put him on the PUP the first half of the season, let him continue his rehab and have him probably do a couple weeks of contact practice at a moderate pace before he comes back. 

If Pitta is cleared by medical, he will have to compete for a starting job (That's the Ravens way).  I wish Pitta a full-recovery and both him and Maxx luck. 

They won't rush Pitta that would be unwise. They can have him wait with the depth at tight end. No need to rush him. I want him at 100% so it doesn't happen again. 

Pitta will start off on the PUP list, leaving Williams an open shot to start this season. If he can produce as much as Owen Daniels did last season that would be phenominal. He has the skill set, I just hope he has the mental toughness on game day. And no surprises the Ravens are not a fantasy team.. Just like how the Patriots outside of Tom Brady is worth drafting in fantasy. The Ravens are one of the most well rounded and complete teams that they don't rely on a couple players to carry their team. Only surprise there is Justin Forsett ranked so low when he was 5th in rushing last season. Outside of him I honestly probably would ever consider drafting the Ravens defense or Maxx Williams because tight ends in the end don't put up too many points outside of Gronk and Graham. This stat is more of a compliment to the Ravens for having contributors on every level of their team.

Don't call Upshaw a bust, not yet.....

 

Lets go back a few years when Upshaw was drafted.

 

Upshaw fell to the second round because hes was too big to play DE in a 4-3 system and too small to play DE in a 3-4 scheme. He was considered a bit too big and stiff in a 4-3 scheme and too big and chunky as an OLB in a 3-4 which the ravens prefer. In other words, he needed to bulk up for real or lose weight and work on pass rush technique to become a potential pro bowler. (Good at everything but not great at anything syndrome)

 

The Ravens on the other hand, have had 3 off-seasons to work with him.

 

1- First year we had Kruger waiting for a chance to explode and that's exactly what he did. Upshaw learned quickly how important it was to set the edge and do the hard work. Upshaw still played about half the defensive snaps and had some good plays in the postseason.

 

2- Second year, Kruger leaves and guess what.... DOOM shows up. Upshaw once again got demoted to the role of freeing up space and killing the run. He also had weight problems and the Ravens tried their best to make him loose weight to play off the line. Upshaw also played more than half the snaps and played fairly well in my opinion. 

 

3- Doom didn't go anywhere and had a monstrous season. The Ravens then ordered Upshaw to start gaining weight. More muscle to play on the Line. 

 

In the meantime, Kruger, McPhee, A.Jones, D.Smith and Doom all had the best years of their lives. In my opinion, all five of those guys should thank Upshaw for working the trenches and freeing up space for them. All of these guys got the stats to get them the huge dollars. Upshaw on the other hand, played a huuuuge part on our Run Defense over those 3 years. That should not go un noticed. The Ravens were among the best against the run and in the red zone. 

 

Upshaw and B.Williams are the 2 most underrated stallions on this D. They ocuppy so much space and if you disrespect them they will push you 3 yards back. Totally messing up a play and never getting credit for breaking up the play. 

Upshaw I believe was the starter his rookie season for a good chunk. Suggs went out with his achilles so I think Upshaw started at least the first 5-6 games of that season. He played a significant number of snaps because Suggs was pretty awful that season, and he has his reasons he tore his achilles and rushed back but was a non factor the Super Bowl year. Harbaugh called Upshaw "An elite run stopper" because he is one of the best in the league at setting the edge and stopping runs for huge gains. Unfortunately the NFL is going pass happy so he isn't as valuable of a player as he would have been ten years ago. He is still a huge part of our defense because outside of Suggs who can do everything, Upshaw is the only other one who is good at run stuffing. Dumervil is a one trick pony of getting after the quarterback, but honestly if we didn't have Upshaw I could definitely see teams like Cincinnati and Pittsburgh run all over us. Luckily that isn't the case and our defense does a great job at keeping those games lower in score for the offense to do something about it.

I really believe the Ravens found great targets in Perriman and Williams. I bet Flacco gets over that 4000 yard mark that he has yet to hit. Trestman is phenominal at getting receivers open and in good situations. Forsett realized last year how good he really is. If the offensive line holds up and gives Flacco and Forsett enough time, this offense should be better than last year. I really think that if Trestman can make Josh McCown look that good that Flacco will be even better. I also love the idea of Forsett and Buck Allen catching balls in the backfield. Hopefully this offense clicks early for some early wins.

I'm still salty that the Upshaw sack on Big Ben was flagged... Especially for roughing the passer... Guy still had the ball. Upshaw didn't hit his helmet. NFL is soon going to flag any hit that looks too hard.

Ravens were the 2nd best team in the AFC when it came down to the play offs that was clear. People keep knocking them saying they didn't upgrade the secondary and pass catchers enough. I still look on NFL Network and I see the same thing over and over when they rank the AFC North. 1. Steelers, 2. Bengals, 3. Ravens, 4. Browns. and I cannot make sense of it. Bengals did NOTHING to improve the worse pass rush in the league. Pittsburgh lost Polamalu, Worilds, and Taylor. Browns still have no play makers on the offensive side of the ball. I am more confident in this season than last year. I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens went 12-4 because I do think the Ravens addressed their secondary with the upgrades, yes upgrades of Kendrick Lewis and Kyle Arrington.

We all know that Pitta and Williams are not known for blocking. So Gillmore will see the field but I see him being more of a blocker and will see few passes towards him this season. I bet the Ravens keep Pitta, Williams, Gillmore, and Boyle all on the roster because of the fact that Pitta and Williams are both catch first block second tight ends. With this I see the Ravens keeping six receivers instead of seven like last season. Smith, Perriman, Brown, Aiken, Campanaro, and Waller will make the final roster pending injuries. I see Butler as a practice squad player. Will be interesting to see if Pitta can return at a high level. If hip holds up he may have fresh legs not playing football too much the last two seasons.

trevorsteadman - Cause in Chicago he will Have Joe Hortiz job, in which basically he controls all scouts/ scouting/ scouting schedules etc etc

Oh okay thanks for the details I wasn't really sure I didn't really follow it too much. Congrats from him. I am impressed how many coaches, players, and so many more of the Ravens staff have great careers here and then go to other places with their career and make other teams better. Proves this organization knows how to make great workers out of these guys. Congrats to him keep up the good work. 

I read this earlier and I wonder why he would want to leave an organization that has been one of the best at scouting over the years... I don't know the details, I wonder if he saw certain players better than others that the Ravens have taken over the years. Good luck to him out in Chicago they need a couple great drafts to get back into play off contention.

If Flacco could turn "January Joe" to full season Joe, our offense could be a juggernaunt.

I think Joe Flacco has stayed pretty consistent except maybe 10 games of season games in his career. When I watch some of those terrible games like against Buffalo 2-3 years ago where Flacco threw 5 interceptions that none of the receivers were getting separation so you have to just throw the ball and hope that the receiver can catch it. I think Ozzie was tired of 3-4 games a season seeing the offense stall from receivers not getting open and I really think that Ozzie broke it down in this draft and that raised some offensive players on our board like Perriman and Maxx Williams. I'm happy to have them on board I hope they can be consistent in getting open because that has been a huge problem the last couple years. Only consistent receiver last season when Steve Smith was double teamed was Owen Daniels and he is in Denver now.

I hate the pats more than I hate the steelers, however, even I can't deny that NE is easily regarded as one of the top class organizations.  Cheating aside, I'm willing to state that not much separates their organization from ours in terms of how it's run to be a perennial winner. 

Agreed except I think Baltimore tries a little harder to franchise some of its players unlike New England who seem to have an entire roster turnover almost every year. Not many players stay there long.