Tenacious Faulker

With stats pretty close to last years Pro Bowl "worthy" stats given that the defense was one of the worst in franchise history means his struggles where due to the replacement level talent around him. Too many injuries, too much expected of young players and the loss of 2 HOF'ers (Suggs and Ngata) from last year mean a lot. If Ray Lewis didn;t make the Pro Bowl every season then we shouldn't expect Mosely to either. Stuff happens.

Most other teams with a top QB have to manage this too. There isn't anyone else they could field that has Joe's ability and if we're talking Mallet, he had one good game fir us and one bad one. That's not enough to consider cutting Joe for the money even if it was feasible. There's simply no one out there unless you want to start again with a rookie QB in 2016.

Re: Can they build a defense with less Suggs? - Its not IF, but the MUST. If Suggs can return to form, it'll be in 2017. He wasn't the same after his last Achillies but returned to for the season after. That's reasonable for a man of his age and this injury history. Re: Ravens need players with attitude and restraint - That would nice, but I think they understand that. Those players are costly in free agency and they can't spend that much of a single player. The current cap situation allows them only so much, so if they do get Joe to take a restructure, it will be for that reason. Joe will need to weigh whether he can win with what he has or if he needs help. Even Brady, Brees, Peyton and Ben have restructured because the want to win more than maximize their already considerable salary in one year. I could see Joe doing this too. It will be the only way they can afford a top player now that the $24M in 2016 dead money is nearly gone.

Re: Free agent targets - Alshon Jeffery is a pipe dream unless he's looking to sign specifically with Baltimore. Ngata could return at an affordable price IF his poor 2015 campaign did enough to make him more affordable. I think the fans would love having him back and his veteran presences will be needed to guide the younger DL players. Boldin is a fantasy. I love the guy, but unless SSS recants his un-retirement statement then he's not necessary.

Re: Picking ahead of San Fran - Ozzie could use this draft as a chance to actually move UP. Bosa has got to be highest on their list next to perhaps Tunsil (who'll go #1). The Chargers would likely take Bosa so it will cost the equivalent of a 2nd and a 3rd minimum to get to ask them to step back and a 3rd to get to #4 to ask Dallas to do the same. That is if his bowl suspension doesn't cause him to drop. If they can;t get a shot at him, then yes, I see a trade back if a top CB is still available in that space.

Canty, Will & Carl Davis, Jernigan, Jimmy, Webb, Lewis, Dume and Urban (won't count bumazz Elam) all missed time and helped (the team in the last 8 games to be the #2 defense in that span. Suggs was the first domino to fall and you know how dominos go... Credit Pees with cutting off the domino effect around week 8.

RE: Monachino and Pees - It makes sense that Pagano would get a good Ravens coach to become his DC and he knows and worked with Monachino. I'd have like to see the DB coach go but he sucks, but that's a separate issue. If we had to loss a defensive position coach LB coach is probably best because Pees was a damn good LB coach himself regardless of what anyone thinks of him now. With all the injury derailing his defenses recently I don't see all the Pees hate as rational. It's frustrating, yes, but I don;t believe that Rex or Pagano would've been able to overcome the same problems Pees has faced. As far as the defensive player talent level, that's on Ozzie and DeCosta. Overall this is a successful team since Harbs took the helm from Billick. Harbs has one losing season an missed out on 2 other SBs because of garbage Patriots cheating ans Lee stinking Evans. Pees was a part of every SB contending/winning team rebuilding three defenses by mid-season to end up one of the best defense in the second half of each of those seasons. Imagine what he can do with a healthy defensive unit? I think Bisciotti, Harbs and Ozzie understand that.

RE: Joe's Contract - I can't see a rebuild without a contract extension for Joe. Even at the upper end of the projected cap scale for 2016 ($155M) Joe's salary eats up 19%. I love me some Flacco, but he didn't necessarily show that he could elevate up and coming talent (i.e. "cheaper" players) as Aiken didn't really start to improve until after Joe's trip to IR. Joe seemed to rely on SSS too heavily and struggled after he went on IR. Now, if Trestman can get Mallet (and QBs like McCown) to elevate their game, why not Joe (or Cutler)? While Joe has the elite physical tools he seems to possess average pocket awareness that the elites do have. Until he proves that he does have "it" they will need to acquire talent to make HIM better. That will likely require a restructure.

The fact that Pees hasn't been fired immediately after the season ended means one of two things to me: 1) either they WILL keep him 2) they're waiting on Indy's decision on Pagano. I've said it a hundred times now - the Ravens are no longer interested in fielding a Rex Ryan style offense. It's too costly with Joe's contract and status and the league as moved on from defensive football. Harbs took the Billichick approach where Pees came from ansd was successful. Even the Steelers defense is not trying to be the Steel Curtain anymore. So let's stop with "I want a dominant defense like we used to have". Pees is doing exactly what Harbs wants him to do AND I'm sure that he recognizes that circumstance hasn't allowed for success this year witht he Ravens leading the league in players on the IR. Theyt had a similar issue last year and miraculously had a nice play off run that could've been a SB run if not for some Billichick/Brady conniving and cheating. If they do move on from Pees (big IF) it will be for Pagano who is as of yet unavailable. If Indy is considering firing him the players are still rallying behind him there, another big IF, BUT it's hard to deny that he hasn;t been as successful since Bruce Arians left. However, Pagano had a great defensive system that is similar to Pees' sporting a fierce pass rush and using zone coverage with average CBs to take advantage of mistakes from pressured QBs. The only difference now is that he won't have an Ed Reed-type which I think he can still compensate for. Pagano is the only possible candidate I care to see coaching back there. Pettine is another possibility, but he's a Rex clone and I'm not sure that he'll be able to manage what we have here. His teams never featured a franchise QB and were able invested more in great defensive players instead. Furthermore, both Buffalo and Cleveland's rush defense was lacking under his watches - not something anyone is interested in here. Lastly, we'd have heard by now if they were bringing him in for an interview so I'm guess it's not going to happen. I'd keep Pees. Pagano is the only one I'd consider over him. And even if Pagano or Pettine had managed our defense this year they'd have had the same issues with injuries and it's impossible to know if they'd have fared better or worse.

That's the same chick that got him in trouble with CPS for the bleach allegations. She accused him of domestic assault saying that he tried to cover her and their child with a gallon of bleach over some domestic dispute. I had a friend from the CPS office that new the case well and managed the case worker who visited their house that night. The bleach thing was an accident after they scuffled over their daughter. Suggs' GF was not hurt but the bleach was determined to be accidental. His GF was reportedly yelling and screaming at him about how much she was going to get paid in child support every month throwing out crazy sums of $15k/mo. All Terrell apparently did was plead with the caseworker to leave their daughter with them. CPS and the cops left the house without any determination of abuse or wrongdoing. Then he ended up marrying her a few years back. Crazy, but maybe he channeled that anger on the field. As to his play lately, he had that first Achillies that he recovered from in record time but still slowed him for the last 8 games of 2012 (we still won the SB). In 2013 he was still techincally recovering but notched 10 sacks despite Dume on the other side and taking on doubles. In 2014 had 12 sacks with the same dynamic. Losing Ngata makes no sense, since Jernigan and Williams have proven to be as good a Ngata was at the end. He didn't play enough in 2015 make any determination on his "diminishing skills". Injuries aside, he should be fairly ready to go in 2016, but I'd expect a little drop off being nearly 34 and a year removed from surgery. He's likewise too costly to cut in 2016, but like Ray Lewis I don't think that the he and Ravens plan to see him retire a Raven.

They can clear a lot of cap space this year clearing out the dead wood as well as extend Joe's contract. Also the team will start out with just $220k worth of dead money as opposed to the $24M it ended up with in 2015 so there will be more room to work with to perhaps offer K.O. franchise LT money. Monroe's dead money is just $2.2M if cut after June 1st and frees up $6.5M in cap space. Otherwise, as a Guard, with Monroe still on the payroll KO becomes impossible to resign with Yanda's new deal too.

I'll say he looked a bit Brady-like in the pocket. Not so polished, but he was confident, chucked the ball like a pebble and made some nice tight throws. I wouldn;t go so far as to say he's been the most confident Ravens QB in the pocket ever since Flacco and McNair (2006) really proved that and Mallet's had just one game.

With this being a home game, Dalton out, McCarron less than 100% and former Raven Wenning at 3rd string it would seem that the Ravens have a better chance than the 10 point underdogs Vegas slapped on them. Ravens Trap Game v2.0 is booted and ready to go. I'm not sure how many places a win this week drops us down in the draft but I think diisional wins are more important to this lost season. It would be nice to show the league that the Ravens are no joke, even if they're cobbling together a bunch of back ups and replacements this year.

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 think: 1) he was a traded for a 7th round pick when he was a selected by the Rams in the 4th. So, good value and totally appropriate production for a 7th rounder especially when considering.... 2) there has been no consitent pass attack since Flacco went down and even then it wasn;t exactly Joe's finest season. Givens, if given a proper outside role with a health capable QB would be a 600-700yd 4 TD receiver here. Question is what do they do with all the journeymen WRs next year and do they draft anymore?

Jimmy just doesn't seem like a team guy which is what we've come to expect of our first round picks. He seems like he has the ability, but is oft hurt and getting burnt. He plays good only when the rest of the team is doing well around him. If he ends up elsewhere in the future I won't regret it. Put him in the same box as Michael Oher - decent guy, underachiever.

RE: Aiken, Butler and Gold uni pants - Can we just dispense with the face-saving and just report the facts? I think that anyone coming to this site to read the latest from the insiders already don;t need any convincing that the Ravens are their favorite team. Most are just venting and are in no danger of jumping ship or off a bridge. The Aiken facts were interesting, BUT, no, he is not as of yet a #1 WR consideration. He's doing an admirable job, and has shown improvement and while he occupies the #1 spot now it it indeed by default. It's up to him whether he can be that special player or not, I'll be monitoring his development, but won't anoint him a number one receiver until he earns it at the start of the season and starts beating #1 DBs. Butler too. He might be a talent, but anyone can see he's raw. He has a lot of competition next year just to make the team and, again, will look forward to watching his progress. Lastly, one does not need to be a fashionist to know that those Gold pants made the team look like someone found old, L.A> Rams unis at a thrift store and re-purposed them with Ravens logos. They were not as bad as the Steelers convict throwback jerseys, but still the worst combo the Ravens have ever fielded. Let's just keep with the facts and minimize the editorials. There's too much of that on ESPN and FOX News anyway.

That could be the Ravens play of the year.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000604812/article/ravens-steve-smith-sr-eyes-return-for-2016-season It appears that SSS is eyeing a return for 2016...qassuming he gets healthy. He'll have ample time to recover imo. If Suggs could do it in roughly 6 months, the 10 months or so to preseason should be enough for someone like him.

I guess then that makes YOU the expert then? YOU get to say he goes, yet the the team thinks he should stay. Yeah, I pretty much disagree with OUTSIDERS runnignaround saying "the sky is falliing" thinking they know more than the professionals. I don;t like as much as you, but I know that Pees is doing what he was hired to do. Trestman - not so much - Ozzie usually doesn;t fire first year staff. IN OZZIE WE TRUST!!! Dollars to donuts you're on the losing end of that statement. More reactionary garbage.

I think he's played well too, but I think he's ready to be #2 WR...AND he's getting better all the time with this experience. Steve Smith just said he he would come back in 2016. With him in the slot and Aiken on the outside with Perriman/Givens they could be formidable once again.

This is just "joe six-pack" blame game finger pointing. No understanding of the game or the management of the team.

You were of course correct about Sunday, but you missed my point. Seattle is a great defense and between the lousy run schemes Trestman is calling up, the poor OL play and these tweo backs genral inexpereinces I didn;t expect muc against Seattle. What I'm talking about is their future here and I still think one or both can be great.

No mention of Schaub returning. Mallet signed, Renner jettisoned, praise for Clausen. Is it safe to say that management has moved on from Schaub now.

Hopefully it was his left leg that was holding him back from being elite For Brees it was his throwing shoulder and he's played better ever since. For Brady it was the surgical removal of air from his balls. Hope it all went great. I can say that having been through an ACL recon myself I was a better athlete afterward and I think that MOST athletes learn how to take better care of themselves through this process. Maybe we'll see a Joe 2.0 in 2016?