Tenacious Faulker

As a former athlete who suffered an ACL tear and had several arthroscopic surgeries I can safely say that as bad as those injuries are, they make dedicated athletes smarter about their training and gam play. They might not play with wreckless abandon, but they learn to temper their activities and economize their movements to be more efficient and effective players. Innuries mught shorten their careers, but the candle that burns fastest usually burns brighteset. Hope that are at full strength this entire season.

RE: Uniwatch.com. They must be watching uni-corns, because their judgement of uniforms is something I'd report to the fashion police for saying that the "Bumble Bee" uni is a favorite around their office (must be in Pittsburgh). The Steelers have a classic design, but those glorified prison-stripes need to go back to 1938 where Pittsburgh long ago abandoned it. Bringing it back one year alone should've drop them out of the top 10 let alone for go on 3 years running now. You don;t have to hate the Steelers to hate that uni.

I don;t know exactly what stats PFF put into those rankings, but I'll take issue with the fact that Tom Brady is one of the bestwhen under pressure. Firstly, define pressure for me. Stats have shown that if he's hit 5 times in a game his completion rate dips just below 50%. If 7 times, if drops down to the 30's. The Pats have a spread offense and he Brady rarely has to air it out. Its safer and the scheme factors enough time for the OL to protect him from hits, haries and sacks. It helps that he has a quick release, but much of achievement has been to get rid of the ball fast enough to make the short pass and let his receiver make up yardage when possible.

He gets open and then is a YAC monster. My guess is he has a good football IQ and vision to more than compensate for the elite athleticism. He's not a burner, he's not a great leaper, but he can just get open. I hope it translates to the NFL because I think we're going to need to start immediately. I didn't have a great opinion of him before the draft and thought for sure that the Saints would draft him at the end of the first. Now that here,,,,well....let's say that I thinnk knows about tight ends.

Soory, gang. I can;t get the the Maxx Williams viseo won't show for some reason. Just follow the link.

This is a non-issue. Kickers don't have enough repetions in a game to wear themselves out. They'd have the same amount of kicks regardless and the 1pt kicks are often drilled with authority anyways. Remember: These are professional athletes and not some former-soccer player-turned-couch potato. Secondly, if they needed to rest poor ol' Tucker's leg Sam Koch is an all-around athlete and can kick those pesky "extra effert" field goals. Manton was brought in for next season when Tucker's extension from his tender expires and if he holds out for too much money.

After careful consideration, I had to choose Upshaw. I was down to him and Jernigan, but the pattern I'm seeing in the front seven is that the more senior player rises (if he's able) to the level of his predecessors. Jernigan might have more potential than Upshaw (might), but he's the next man up and the Ravens tend to stick with that as long as he pulls his weight. Last year there were reports that Upshaw was the quiet leader of the defense and diagnosed offenses and directed formation adjustments before the snap. If that's true he could be the next breakout player. If we counted rookies I'd have changed my vote. But as I see it the impact rookies we have on offense muddle the field a bit. Perriman, Waller and Williams will diminishe Brown, Aiken and Gillmire's snaps and targets. In the secondary, its last year's players that will muddle their overall contributions. It will be the Jimmy and Lardarius show and the rest will be supporting cast members. One possibility is Lorenzo Taliaferro taking a big step forward. Given his contract, Forsett will likely end up the feature back for a while. Buck Allen will also be their cannibalizing the snaps and Juice is pegged as a specialist. If LT proves early on to be a durable, reliable ball carrier he could garner at least 50% of the carries. If not he'll be our short yardage specialist.

Yep. From overthecap.com.... http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/baltimore-ravens/

Great job by the Ravens for jumping on him. I wanted him since he hit the market. He's the "final" piece of the puzzle for the secondary.

He was going to cost the Pats $3M - not a bad starting point for a solid role-playing vet with a SB ring. The Ravens have $10.8M left and we've signed all our rookie draft picks. We're good.

In a word - yes.

I wanted Swearinger in the draft and now that the Texans released him one would think he could be another former-Texan in a long line of former-Texans to be resurrected by the Ravens. But after seeing him commit 10 penalties over two seasons - most of which went for 15 yards and 1st downs - I'll stick with Will Hill and see if Matt Elam can show us something (FYI - I've been disappointed with Elam so far too). Can't just cut bait a first rounder like that. With all the safeties we have currently deserving of a shot, I just don;t see room for adding a penalty machine.

Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington Kyle Arrington...please!

Swearinger is a safety tho. They're looking for a corner. I forgot about the waiver thing, but I think a solid player like that is something that Ozzie may sacrifice a little for.

The Pats continue to shed conerbacks - Alfonzo Dennard last week and Kyle Arrington today to save $3M in cap space. We all know that the Ravens can use corners. 28y/o 5-10/190 4.44 40 2011 Interception co-leader - could be again on the right defense. Anyone interested? What's he worth to Bmore?

Re: Cornerbacks - Kyle Arrington of the Patriots was released today. Wonder if Ravens have any interest?

Welcome to the Ravens, Tray. We're looking for big things from you. Never stay satisfied with your performance and keep that chip fueling you 'til others call you great. By then, it will all be 2nd nature.

I agree that this draft was a heavily weighted to the offense. But, I'm not so sure that Joe has never had a massive array of weapons. 2010 he had Boldin, Mason, Housmanzadeh, Todd Heap, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta and a speedster in Donte Stallworth at 6'1"/220 with a 4.22 40 time (perhaps 4.40 by 2010). It's what they do with it. But they certainly have a good start on the future of the offense. I love the Perriman pick and mocked him faling to the Ravens myself. My biggest worry is the bust label - PFF rated him the biggest risk. I think "bust" is unlikely, but 70% of 1st rounders never live up to the draft position. I'd hate for Ozzie to see this as another reason to stay away from 1st round receivers for another 12 years. I wasn't a huge fan of Williams as a 1st rounder and didn't want the Ravens to reach for him. However, considering his draft position, I suppose he was a steal considering that Ozzie knows TEs and how to pick for best value. But just moving up to steal him from the Steelers (if that was true) was worth it by itself. Waller was a mystery pick for me in terms of recognition, but his measureables can't be overlooked. He wasn't used much in Georgia's run-first offense but his game tape resembles DGB's. Not to mention hes a tad quicker and has one minor infraction his is past as opposed to a junior thug wrapsheet. Gil Brandt thinks he could end up the "steal of the draft". My concern is what this means for Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken. I probably shouldn;t be concerned about it, but I want to see those guys get their shot.

Ever hear the phrase: In Ozzie We Trust? Maybe you guys are the expection? We ALL wear Purple shades to some degree. If you didn't you're a pretty pathetic fan and, trust me, I have been critical of the team on many issues. But it STILL astounds me that anyone on these boards or else where thinks they know more than the guys living it 24/7/365. All this makes you is a critic: Sacrificing nothing yet questioning everything tho' not even remotely qualified. It's a cowardly stance. Anyone can be a doubter. No experience is required. Not that I think it will change a pessimistic mind, but it bears saying that the front office has insider knowledge and info and a plan. All fans can do is pretend. You can look at Perriman's pick as vindication if you like, but knowing that Ozzie perennially chooses BPA in the 1st & 2nd rounds every year you can rest assured that Perriman is an enhancement, not a pick of desparation.

yeah, because you know more than Flacco and the coaches, hmmmmmm??

Whoa there! All one has to do is look at Matt Forte's output when Trestman got to Chicago. He has his best seasons in 2013-14 and even had his 2nd Pro Bowl nod. Also I wouldn't go as far as to say that we have zilch at WR either. First, there's Steve Smith Sr. Second, in the limited sample size we've seen from Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken and Crockett Gillmore they showed tremendous potential. in 2014 they had a combined 3 drops in 58 receptions (had 0,1,2 drops respectively). In comparison, Smith Sr, Torrey and Daniels had 19 in 176 (Smith Sr. had 10). That's 0.5% from the "zilches" vs 10.8% from the old guard. Add in Joe's stated confidence in them and I think there is nothing to fear in 2015 with or without drafting an elite rookie in the 1st round.

The Bears were not going to cut bait on Cutler at that point even if Trestman, the "QB Whisperer" himself, new he was a lost cause. Cutler is petulant and displays poor character under adversity. A coach needs a willing player that buys into his offense. Kubiak/Trestman's offense is predicated on run-first between the 20's sprinkled i with short yardage passes and pass-second near the red zone. By most accounts Cutler wanted to hold onto that "gun-slinger" rep and not follow the game plan.

It's very doubtful for many reasons. Likely expressed here already - he's too small unless we move to a 4-3 front and make him a SAM or WILL MLB. Also, the middle might be vacated earlier than you think. Daryl Smith will be 34 when the season starts. He may not last until the end of his contract when he'll be 36. Chances are he'll be more prone to injury the next few years and Brown will become even more relied upon. I was once of the mind last year that we should trade him. However, he's our 3rd ILB and a 2nd rd pick. After him is Albert McClellan and Zack Orr and that's it. I can see them targeting an ILB somewhere in the draf this year for depth, but, depending on how the draft shakes out, I wouldn't be upset with a 2nd round pick spent on one of the top ILBs - Kendrincks, Dawson, McKinney.

The Ravens will of course try to eat their cake and have it too. How that happens depends on Yanda and K.O. and the front office. If the question is who would they choose if they couldn't keep both, then that's a tough one. Yanda is proven and still a top OG in the league and a beast. However he's over 30 so how long will that last? K.O. is also a top OG, also a beast and is 25 with a bright career ahead of him. However, he had back surgery so how long will THAT last? I think Yanda can play at a high level for the next 4-5 years. Don't know what his retirement plans are tho'. K.O. could also as well unless they know that he's on barrowed time after back surgery. That's something that'll likely catch up to him in his 30's when his second deal expires and other teams have interest in him as a FA at 29. If they have to choose betwen the two, it'll come down to who be more cap friendly for the next 4 years.

While I wish that Kubiak was still here, I'm thrilled that they had the opportunity to land Trestman. Make no mistake his version of the run-first, zone-blocking spread offense is virtually identical to Kubiak's. Even though Trestman said he ISN'T going to be a Kubiak-clone when he was hired, he will run Kubiak's offense pretty closely to last season. It's like when Caldwell took over and ran Cameron's offense in 2013 - only far, far better. The Ravens offense had great success in '14 and they are not going to throw it out now that they have some momentum. The players responded very well to it and it confused/out-maneuvered enough of our opponents to carry a spuddering defense most of the way. They re-upped Forsett and the receivers they've kept are the ones that execute it very well moving forward. Trestman has some minor differences to be sure and he'll certainly has a couple different tricks, which will keep opponents guessing. Just don't expect any wholesale changes - maybe just the slightest.