Dorota

I agree with you. Two things - 1. I hope our OL will hold better against Oakland. Sorry, dunno how their front seven is. 2. I know Crockett Gilmore can catch, but so can Maxx Williams and one thing Crockett is consistently better at is blocking. Look at him, he's a monster. There are plays where a TE and a FB can help the line hold. Our guards, KO and Yanda are solid so all we need is help on the outside. Why not let Crockett and Juice help get the job done and let the receivers + Maxx and Boyle go catch?

Both of Oakland's starting safeties are out, so if we don't start throwing deep and exploiting that, shame on us. Doesn't matter there is no Breshad Perriman, the rest we have ain't crippled, they can get deep. Marlon Brown is not only big, he's also an athlete. I saw the dude jump and to get that high I'd have to walk up two flights of stairs. He doesn't need as much separation as a lesser WR would. Also, he fights for the ball and is subject to SSS mentoring. Give the guy the opportunity and I think we can get were we need to be.

It's natural to cling onto what you know and love and that's what plenty people are doing with the iconic Ravens defense. It's sentimental, it's a heartbreak, it's a change coming faster than people can handle and Sizzle came as a shock. However, Ozzie builds through the draft. He made sure that the guys to take up the work are already there. We aren't yet as familiar with the faces and the stories that go behind them, the guys don't have a history of victories, because they haven't been here long enough to build it, but if anything, this year will be movie material How a group of young guys came together to bring back the glory days I trust in our new cornerstones. C. J. Mosley, Brandon Williams, Jimmy Smith... we still look good.

It's good to have an insurance blanket like this. I think though, that Upshaw will step up bigtime.

I agree with you on both instances. Not every down of course, but if our tackles cannot protect Flacco, additional blocks from Gilmore and Juice will be appreciated. Maxx Williams is athletic enough to be a playmaker. It might just take him a little longer to become an all-around TE with the necessary blocking included. And Upshaw - you're on point on that one. Except, I think, if he proves to become significant not only as an every-down player, but also as a defensive leader in the locker room, Wizard of Oz might make the budget work. We have to chose who we keep because of the salary cap, Upshaw just needs to prove his a primary need and that he can take up Suggs' role when Sizzle retires, which unfortunately might not be too long.

No disrespect to a Baltimore great, but Ray Lewis was a superb player, great locker room leader and is fantastic in creating the emotional hype a team needs to gel together and perform, but though his speeches create emotion, they sometimes don't come together perfectly from a verbal and logical perspective so please forgive me if I don't take him too seriously about Ravens being eclipsed by another AFC team. Football is not a one man sport. One man can make a team, but one man can't break a team!

The one positive thing is, that management will have time to evaluate whether Upshaw is a player that we need to keep or whether to get started early on the OLB scouting. That's better than if Upshaw becomes too expensive, but we don't know how important he is to us, or on the other hand, if we invest in him, only to find out that he cannot take up Suggs position on the same level.

I'm an Upshaw fan so I think we'll be fine. Maybe the sack numbers won't stack up exactly as last year, but the ones he has will count. If someone can put a hit on Roeslithberger the way he did last year (although it turned out to be a penalty and doesn't count) you don't need as many to make a QB cringe. His stats nevertheless will go up. McClellan and Za'Darius Smith both are solid. Plus, it's a chance for Upshaw to make a case for himself why he should get a payday HERE. No one but Za'Darius is a rookie, so they won't have to be learning the ropes anew and Upshaw is a smart player. He knows what he's doing.

Unfortunately, I cannot talk about the game due to internet connectivity issues yesterday. Let's talk about the emotional aspect and the bright side to look forward to. I wouldn't hang my head up about an emotional leader. Undoubtedly, Suggs has a gift when it comes to inspiring a team and raising the stakes. It is a huge loss that he will not be on the field again this year. However, just because you can't imagine someone replacing him, it doesn't mean he isn't there yet. You cannot have two cockerels in one pen, therefore, one man (Sizzle) stepped up and the others let him take the stage and joined the ride he directed. Now we will get to know someone else we have on the roster much better. I have absolutely no doubt, that there are men who can take up this role, step up big-time and hand out man-feels in doses that inspire. It could be Buck (Daryl Smith) or it could be one of the DBs like Kendrick Lewis or it could be the quietest man on the defense roster. Now, I know we have hurdles to overcome, but it'll get done.

I feel for Sizzle, injuries a pain. We'll get to see what an end of an era looks sooner than we wanted to, though I think he'll make a come back. If not this season, then next. However, everybody was complaining about Ravens being ranked so high, going on about how Ravens work best as an underdog. If that's it, then we are in a prime position now. No deep WRs, no Ngata, no Sizzle, a lot of questions. If it's true that Ravens best thrive in adversity, well then the fertilizer is in, earth is watered, seed is planted, time to grow! We have a bunch of young guys, who now have opportunity to capitalize on.

To be honest, in Czech Republic, it pays off for me better to go watch the game in Hooters or someplace like that, including the meal and drinks for almost every game, rather than an NFL game pass. That's for the early game at 1pm your time. Or crashing with someone who has a NFL game pass.

Can you guys just quit about the wasted #1 pick just yet, please! Perriman hasn't played yet, there is nothing to indicate he'll miss a large chunk of the season and getting injured once hasn't made anyone a failure yet. If he gets on the field and is useless, then you can start with doom and gloom, but we haven't played a game yet this season, so just quit it!

Not a good way for Pats to start the year if they want to leave behind cheating controversies. But I guess they don't care what people think. If they can get away with it, it works. Team with integrity over Patriots any day. Seriously, they make me so sick I'd almost cheer for Steelers. To be honest, I'm a little apprehensive of Sunday's game too, but then there is no one better than Ravens to surprise everybody. All the analysts rooting against Bmore make me suddenly feel more optimistic

I'd love to have Timmy Jernigan on the field Sunday, but if he's not 100% he shouldn't dress-up. Better miss him for a game or two than for the rest of the season. He's someone we're relying on this year to step up and he will be important to us.

I'll hope for "It was stealth all the way!"

I'm worried about Perriman missing too much time just like the next guy. However, we can still work it. Marlon Brown isn't a speedster as such, but he can get in the red zone and he can make plays. Campanaro got deep for the catch in pre-season. And we'll still be moving the chains with Steve Smith Sr. Maybe he won't catch the balls as deep, but he'll carry them there on foot.

You'll be right. Not sure why they cut him. Probably depth at WR and more returner experience elsewhere? Asa is not all bad and has an upside, but at this point, he doesn't deserve a spot on the 53-man roster. However, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now - a lot of insecurity and changes in a matter of days.

It's a tough call. It's in Ravens best interest for Steelers to lose. On the other hand, I don't think I have it in me to root for Pats in anything. Comes down to, never wish either well, but Patriots I despise, Steelers I respect as the rival you always want to beat.

He has this wonderful expression of a naughty child that knows the parents know, but also knows he's getting away with it I love the guy. For how he plays, for how he stands up for his team mates and for how he manages to make each game entertaining and provides us with highlights we like to watch over and over (except for the incident after the dirty tackle on Aiken, because all reruns show the tackle and it makes me cringe every time).

I first heard of him after he tweeted joining Ravens, but I can see why he is a fan favorite and will gladly join the bandwagon. PS: He can join the "So you think I'm too short?!" team we have going on here with Steve Smith Sr and Justin Forsett and see what they have to say about that. It's not about the size

I think that Steelers will still perform well on offence, even with the suspensions, especially against teams with lackluster defenses, however, it's possible they will be victims to playing catch-up to the points they lose on defense. We will see. I wouldn't underestimate them. As for TEs, not sure what was up with Maxx Williams, but I think getting poked in the eye doesn't count as an "injury-prone" worry. Depends what he was out with the second time. I'd expect that maybe up to November, there will be some frustration, where everyone will keep saying they expected more, pierced with bright flashy moments in between. After then, he'll get the hang of it and he'll be fine. And I trust Crockett Gilmore. One thing I am really curious about is how we will be scoring points in September, as in who will be the most go-to guy, apart from Steve Smith Sr.

I liked Camp as a WR, where he's solid. However, why not add Magee to the depth chart? He's on the 53-man roster now and at this point is more disposable, either now or when Taliaferro returns, therefore why not make use of him? That's only considering guys we have on our 53. If further shuffles coming up, we have some guys on the PS.

Good call, Charles! Welcome to Ravens Nation! PS: I love your socks!

Ah, feels good to be right I think he's a good choice and am looking forward to seeing him show what he can do.