Maryland

We're 1 game out of first in our division with 5 divisional games left on the schedule. With how weak our division is this year, we are still very much in this thing. This bye week couldn't come at a better time; with Stanley, Yanda, and SS89 hopefully healthy for week 9, our OL and offense as a whole should be much improved. Our defense probably won't improve a whole lot post-Bye, since we still have no pass rush, but there are some injuries in the secondary, along with Mosley, obviously. Not counting on Suggs or Dumervil to save this defense, tbh. Nevertheless, with Roethlisberger out 4-6 weeks, we're still very much in the race for the AFCN.

And players and coaches don't tank, at least not in the NFL. A FO can assemble a non-competitive roster that will lose despite the coaches and players' efforts, but the coaches and players themselves do not lose on purpose. 

12 minutes ago, reed20 said:

The biggest thing we need to do this offseason is getting Brandon Williams a long term deal. He's only 27 and arguably the best NT in the league. At the very least tag him..

Unfortunately, because the NFL isn't very specific with their franchise tag values by position, B.Williams would fall into the DT position, which would cost over 13 million. Needless to say, the franchise tag ain't happening. 

5 minutes ago, AppStRavenfan said:

I don't think Aiken is definitely going to leave, with Smith retiring - and if Wallace is gone like you think - then there's plenty of reason to keep him around as he'd be unquestionably the starter.

Levine will probably be re-signed, provides solid ST play and is a tool on defense.

I don't think there's any way we let Juice go, great blocker and receiver and FBs don't demand much money.

Mallett is tough, but I'm sure he'll be re-signed as he would be cheap and is a solid backup

I wouldn't say Doom is 100% cut, we're still incredibly thin at pass rusher and now Suggs' future is in jeopardy.

I doubt Zuttah is going anywhere, we currently have no clear backup at center - we have guys like Urschel who can step in in a pinch but Zuttah has regained his form the past couple weeks and he's our best option there until we draft and develop someone to take over. I'm still skeptical if Urschel is our long term solution there, I think he's our long term guy at LG when Lewis is moved to RT.

With Aiken, it sounded like he was frustrated with his role on this team. Can't remember the comment specifically, but it was something along the lines of "Am I disappointed with my role on the team? It is what it is. I have to try harder, etc." If Aiken is frustrated with his role on the team, especially in a contract year, he could leave simply out of spite and go to a team like the Rams who have even less depth at WR. That was my main reasoning. Can't argue that the need at WR on this roster isn't there with SSS leaving. He could be back, I wouldn't rule it out.

With Juszczyk, my reasoning is that not all OCs use a FB. Now, granted, Juice is a dynamic kind of FB compared to your throwback run-blocking FBs, which makes him much more useful overall, but fact is not every team even carries a FB (some just use an additional O-lineman or a TE), so Juszczyk may not be considered useful to our next OC. Alternatively, if our next OC really values a run-blocking FB, then they may want to move on from Juice, since he isn't the best from a pure run-blocking perspective. That's why I think it might depend on who our OC is in 2017.

I think the only way Doom isn't cut is if he accepts a paycut, which is actually equally likely now that I think about it. However, with a base salary of 6 mil, there is zero chance he stays here with that cap hit, and his foot injury makes him too risky to extend, so he's either taking a pay cut or getting cut. Yes, we need rush-LBs, but right player, right price.

I think Zuttah is probably here if he continues his improvement from a dreadful first 3 games of the season, but if we draft a C high, or if Zuttah goes back to struggling, then it becomes a question. 

11 minutes ago, Jonah DeVito said:

Wow we have Ozzie over here. I can name several of these that are very likely to be wrong. 

I invite you to start the discussion then, friend  

Ricky Wagner Definite Comp. pick with Lewis the future RT

Brandon Williams Possible comp. pick, depends if he's seeking Damon Harrison money

Steve Smith Retired

Kamar Aiken Might not even be a comp. pick after this season, but probably leaving because we barely use him

Matt Elam Re-signs on a short-term prove-it deal 

Lawrence Guy Seems like a solid player we re-sign for cheap, considering the lack of depth at DE. Otherwise, provides a late comp. pick

Anthony Levine Unsure

Will Davis Unsure, definitely won't fetch a comp. pick

Kyle Juszczyk Probably depends on our OC for 2017

Jerraud Powers Cut

Devin Hester Cut or retires

Ryan Mallett Unsure, but if he does leave, late-round comp. pick.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elvis Dumervil 100% cut, but may re-resign on a 1-year prove-it deal

Lardarius Webb 100% cut, but may re-sign on a 1-year prove-it deal

Benjamin Watson 100% cut, but may re-sign on a 1-year prove-it deal

Sharecee Wright Unsure, coaching staff seems to love him regardless of performance

Jeremy Zuttah Unsure, too early to tell

Kyle Arrington 100% cut

Kendrick Lewis 100% cut

--also, fans aren't going to want to hear it, but Mike Wallace could also be cut, since they would save over $5 mil against the cap, though I think an extension is worked out instead. This was basically a 1-year deal from the start with a chance for an extension. Pitta could also be a cut candidate, depending on how he finishes the season.

3 hours ago, kjbmore said:

Late round gems are nice but we're seriously looking at what 1 in 5 being meaningful contributors. 

They need to be complimentary not core.

What are we looking at to move up from our position close to the top of the 2nd round to back into the first - we were receiving fourth round picks to move back. I'm looking at draft value chart and I think u could do it by packaging 4th n 5th or something close

if all it takes is packaging up my 4 - 7th round picks to move up and get who I want - make it happen

if I have to throw in my 3rd I think about it a bit more but let's start doing it - we need elite talent, we need pro bowlers, difference makers 

it's generally found in rounds 1 and 2

yeah we like having more picks but we're just getting more average, time to start turning quantity into quality 

ozzie good and picking up scraps and late round players but again they need to be complimentary not core - looking at you shareece wright

agree a bit in regards to judon n Moore we'll see what type of careers they have but I thought right now we needed young stud pass rushers and corners and they were there for the taking 

we could have had Kevin Dodd out there paired up with Suggs, ZDS, kept somebody like Ochi around -  could have just put Doom on IR come back fresh second half of the season 

we possibly still could have picked up judon

well see what we got with our 2 for 1 when KC n Judon get playing time

im against constantly using picks on RBs too, we're starting a guy we picked up off the scrap heap, prior to that Forsett 

just go all out n get a stud or just use those 4th rounders to move up or draft some corners or pass rushers - we can pick up a RB every day of the week 

You can't trade up too high or too frequently because it'll kill your depth and overall roster strength--see the Falcons after the Julio Jones trade. However, if there is a future perennial pro-bowl talent just a few picks above where they're at and they think they won't get them by staying still, then just give up a mid-round pick and go get him. That's what they did with Ngata. 

Unfortunately we don't have the cushion to play it cautious and sit our starting QB for a game. Even if the Jets happen to be one of the worst teams in the league, we can't leave anything to chance and sit Flacco, opting instead to take a gamble that Mallett might win. 

1 hour ago, kjbmore said:

Given what we've been putting in the field last few years - thinking its time for a change but I'd prefer we change head coach and philosophy ie stop being scared of a little bit of nasty or character concerns when drafting or looking at free agents

stop hoarding and valuing picks so highly

we are the most average team at the moment just like our record - no pro bowlers, no young studs just average across the board  

something has to change regarding the talent the front office is assembling 

There is something to be said here, imo. 

You look at the players we were high on in the past who got sniped in round 1--Dez Bryant, Marcus Peters, Khalil Mack (granted, that was a huge trade-up), Joe Staley--and think: hey, if you've got a good feeling on somebody, don't leave it to chance, since those feelings about good first round players seem to be spot on. If you really believe in someone like Marcus Peters, don't leave anything up to chance, just go out and get him. 

And, on the other hand, look at what you're giving up: likely a 2nd or 3rd round pick--areas where we have struggled mightily in resent history (Arthur Brown, Maxx Williams, Carl Davis, Terrence Brooks, Courtney Upshaw, Jah Reid, Terrance Cody, Sergio Kindle). Since we seem to get poor value from those 2nd and 3rd round picks quite often, maybe just trade up and get who you really want in the first round, since those feelings about first-round prospects seem to be more accurate than feelings about 2nd and 3rd round prospects. 

On the other hand, they could also consider amassing even more picks in the late rounds by trading down, since that's where they seem to find their best value. There's something to be said for getting as many picks as possible: even if you end up cutting some of your rookies because you have too many draft picks, having a lot of picks gives you greater chance of finding a nice late-round gem--basically more darts to throw at your dart board and hopefully get a bulls-eye. An example of this just happened: by trading down twice in the 2nd round and ultimately drafting Correa, we also got picks that led directly to the drafting of Matt Judon and Chris Moore. Even if Correa never pans out, Moore and definitely Judon look like they could be impact players in a few years. By getting more picks, they gave themselves a greater chance of finding talent. 

This thread just goes to show that even the best players on this team relative to their position aren't above criticism from fans lol.

10 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

lewis' debut at LT was wayyyy better than wagners horrible debut at RT lol. i was ready to write wagner off after he stepped in for oher in week 1 2013. and wagner was at his natural position. 

wagners definitely a solid starting RT though, no need to swap em out, especially if lewis is the best option at LG, because i think hes safer than jensen at this point who has been incredibly streaky

I remember Wagner playing very well in his first season as a starter. He was PFF's highest-rated RT halfway through the season. I have to wonder if that lisfranc injury ruined his career, or if it was just an aberrational start to his career. I remember him holding up well vs Watt of all people, and then he got injured in the 2nd quarter and his backup got manhandled. 

4 hours ago, K-Dog said:

I guess we should go with

" It would be in your best interest to win"

( doesn't exactly flow off the tongue though)

Haha, so true. 

3 hours ago, jazz1988 said:

So Kendrick Lewis is now on i.r. I'm guess for sure Matt Elam will definitely be playing this season once week 9 comes around. 

I think having Elam return off of IR was the plan all along. The only factor that might change this is if we sustain several major injuries at NT or 3-tech and suddenly need Carl Davis.

3 hours ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

...and Webb. (finished it for you)

Might actually be true. For the first time in a long time, I can honestly say I look forward to seeing what Elam does at safety. If he can tackle effectively (big 'if'), he could be an improvement over Webb. Webb will have some OK games and then follow it up with some stinkers where he seems late on multiple plays. 

Did not see the Taliaferro move coming at all. Thought for sure they were just going to keep him on PUP as long as possible and then hope he makes the PS. I wonder if they'll actually use him at RB. 

I don't know anything about the CB we activated, but Kendrick Lewis is absolutely terrible (very late on every play), so I'm perfectly fine with giving anyone else a chance at any position. Levine seems to be the 3rd best safety on the team anyway.

8 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

id really love to see lewis starting at RT and what that could do for our run game. 

personally, i think lewis is the future RT and he may be better than wagner already, he just hasnt had a chance because hes been at LT and LG

I also wonder if Lewis might already be a better RT than Wagner, at least in the run-game. He struggled with pass protection as a LT, so I'm skeptical to think he'd be a better overall player.

I also wonder if someone like Jensen might not be better at LG than Lewis. Like you and others have noted, Lewis doesn't get good leverage against shorter interior linemen because he's too tall. Jensen struggled a bit early on, but seemed to improve last week, perhaps because the offense was a little more balanced. (of course subbing Jensen for Lewis at LG isn't even an option until Yanda returns)

Though this does nothing to answer the OP's question, I've thought about what the NFL could do to make trading more viable. 

If the NFL could somehow improve the trading system, it would create a better product. It would allow teams pushing for a SB to actually build a better team and consequently present viewers with a better product. In addition, it would help rebuilding teams to rebuild faster by acquiring more draft picks for next year. Finally, it would make the usually boring NFL trade deadline at least somewhat interesting, which would create more press for the NFL among news networks. 

One idea I've had would be allowing teams to defer some or all of a traded player's cap hit to the following season (similar to a restructure, I guess). One of the biggest obstacles to trades happening in the NFL is players' base salaries, coupled with the usually tight cap for teams who are actually competing for a SB. Of course, this rule change might allow teams to easily bypass the cap with preseason trades, thereby bilking the system, so maybe they should allow a deferment of cap hit only for trades after week 6 or something. 

However, I'm not sure if this idea would even work, since teams can kind of already defer cap hits for traded players by restructuring. Plus, there is the issue of compensatory picks--why would a team slated to receive a 3rd or 4th round compensatory pick for an impending FA trade said player for anything less than what they'd receive in compensation? Most teams don't trade valuable picks, so it'd have to exceed the projected comp. pick they'd receive, which is unlikely in most cases. Of course, for players with multiple years remaining on their contract, the issue of comp. picks is less of a factor, especially for veterans. Plus, veterans usually have bloated base salaries--teams may not want to incur a cap hit for next season just because they went full win-now mode for one season.

12 hours ago, BmoreBird22 said:

For anyone who would prefer Coates, he has a drop percentage of 21% this year.

Absurd.

Hah! Wow, that's approaching Limas Sweed territory. 

11 hours ago, Steve0x said:

Leave Harbaugh alone. He has won more playoff games than any other Ravens coach. Its Dean Pees who should be on the hot seat. Defense isn't playing very well and they're making mistakes 

Pees could have put extra coverage on OBJ for sure, but the failed defense vs Oakland and Giants seemed like mostly just poor execution. Pees can't make Tavon Young and Weddle not collide into each other en route to a go-ahead TD. 

2 hours ago, usmccharles said:

I will never say this the entire year. Ever. 

History says there are no easy wins with the Ravens, since 20 of their last 22 games were decided by 1 possession. (pretty sure that's the stat I heard from Hensley)

Too late in the season to IR him with the plan to have him return (plus they probably wanted to use that option on Elam anyway). It's a real shame he came back for that final week of TC, otherwise he would have been eligible for PUP and could have just rested up at his leisure without tying up a roster spot and aggravating his injury.

Count me among those who would rather see Geno than Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick at least has the passing skills to potentially get some large gains on our secondary. I really don't respect Geno's decision-making at all as a passer (which is ironic because Fitz himself has been pretty careless with the ball, though some of those were bad drops/deflections off the WRs' hands).

Jets also might have some considerable injuries to monitor. All of the following DNP in practice on Wed (granted, it was a shorter week for them): 

OL Ryan Clady (shoulder)
LB Darron Lee (ankle)
OL Nick Mangold (knee)
OL Brent Qvale (neck)
CB Buster Skrine (NIR)
DL Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle)

I really like the prospect of our interior pass-rush possibly going up against a backup C.

13 hours ago, usmccharles said:

With all these injuries, makes me wonder if Victor Ochi would offer anything to us

The way our coaching staff & FO showed seemingly no interest in bringing him onto our PS leads me to believe he'll never be a Raven again. 

That said, I loved him as a prospect, and as a pure pass-rusher, he showed definite talent. With Suggs permanently injured for the season, Dumervil a complete unknown for the remainder of this season (and honestly, the remainder of his career), and Z-Smith showing very poor production, we need all the pass-rushers we can get. They'd be planning for the future if they signed him to the active roster too, since odds are Doom won't be here next year (not under his current contract, anyway), so they'll need a replacement anyway--why not a 1st year DPR in the same mold as Doom? Surely we can spare a roster spot by cutting someone like Marqueston Huff or Daniel Brown, for example. 

15 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

LOL, no, not even close.

1. In this example, its a tied game at the 2 minute warning. Electing the FG gives the team the lead. If that happened on Sunday, where the FG would have given the Ravens the lead, John kicks it.

2. There's a GIGANTIC difference between needing 1 yard and needing 2 yards. Its 4th and goal at the 2, not the 1, in this example.

I think you missed the "similar game situation" aspect. 

 

I just wanted to post a bad example. I got a kick out of watching that game. 

After the first 3 weeks, I don't think anyone expected West to be playing as well as he is right now. With West being pretty reliable getting ~25 touches per game, I'm fine with Dixon as just a change-of-pace back for now. 

I have to say, Dixon was getting super unlucky with the snaps he got vs Washington, since the OL seemed to completely fail him on every touch lol. And then when he was used at NY it seemed to be on failed screens half the time lol, though he did look good when he finally got some consecutive touches on that one drive. 

16 hours ago, Bruce_Almty said:

The Ravens have sunk to EVEN by the oddsmakers for the Jets game. They may have started the season 3-0 but they're viewed as a bottom-rung team. How the mighty have fallen. smh

Considering they have home-field advantage (which is worth 3 points), the fact that this is a pick-em spread says the oddsmakers believe that we're better than the Jets, all things being even. If this game was at Baltimore, it'd be a 6 point spread, just to put things in perspective. 

1 hour ago, reed20 said:

Im sure Jimmy will play. Concussions don't normally require an extensive length of time. It's not like he got shot in the back of the head.

Alex Lewis just missed a game because of a concussion, and it's not like he had a concussion history. Other players will get IR'd by concussions (see: Sam Shields, who was IR'd just yesterday). Seems like sustaining a concussion puts you out a minimum of 1 game these days. -Plus, given the Bye week coming up, it might just make sense to sit him out for a week, since that'd give his brain just under 3 weeks to "heal."

I wonder where Danny Gorrer is these days. I thought he played better than Asa Jackson when we brought him back a second time. Maybe that knee injury ended his career.

14 hours ago, DomMcRaven said:

I'd love to see some play-action bootleg like we did when Kubiak was here.

They actually did run one naked bootleg vs Giants (pretty sure it was the first half, and Joe just threw it short to someone on the left sideline). It got me pretty excited seeing them actually do it lol.

3 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

But flacco is mediocre and Marty is no better than trestman! 

/sarcasm