Dorota

If anyone ever wanted to punch Flacco, they wouldn't get past Yanda before he wheelchaired them.

Glad to hear Ray Rice being talked about again in relation to football. I really do wish him a second chance in the NFL. It's highly improbable that it will happen with the Browns, both West and Crowell showed promise and I think the statement is just for motivation. I would also not wish the Browns organization on Ray. Texans are a better team for a second chance and in actual need of an every down back so I'd rather see him there. Not sure that's realistic though.

Steve Smith Sr's quotes are the best and finest. “Put the women and children to bed. It's not going to be a good night" - this will become a classic! I saw the 13 unforgettable things about SSS on NFL.com and have endless admiration for the guy. Although (and don't take this as putting him down, I'm not) with his southern accent, he does sound like the NFL Bad Lip Reading and made me giggle.

Courtney is a beast and I love him for what he does. He doesn't get the flashy plays and the stats, but he gets his job done and helps others do their. Stats aren't everything and in Baltimore, he's acknowledged for that. Obviously, he deserves a pay day, but it just makes next year scarier with him, Yanda, Osmele and Tucker all in need of a new contract. Still hope he gets some sacks, especially against Steelers. Though the last one didn't count for stats, the hit on Roethlisberger was extremely satisfying. I'd watch it over and over. In fact, I did just that.

If they keep Yanda around I think he will be a silent leader on offense and I agree that some of these guys getting the long term extensions like Webb or Smith will need to step up. Right now the Ravens have a lot of youth on the field if you take away the few veterans they have. They also have a lot of first or second year Ravens..guys that have played for other teams but have just come here as a free agent. Lewis is stepping up, but I think that is a rare thing for a rather unestablished veteran to do. Flacco is already a silent leader. He won't fire up too much but I recall Mason getting on his case about something and Flacco was firing right back at him. This is an interesting point though. Suggs will probably only be around for another couple of years, same with Dumervil and D. Smith. Who will be the leaders on the field when these guys move on?

I really do hope they keep Yanda, he's my man-crush on account of skills. I think though, that he wants to test the market and that's why no deal has been done. Same with KO and Tucker. If it was up to Ozzie, they'd all be under contract for the next couple of years already. Mosley will have to step-up also, once D. Smith retires. Though I hope that's not for another 2-3 years. As an inside linebacker, being a leader is his job as it's the one position that should be the quarterback of the defense. K. Lewis has the qualities. You can have a vet that's new from another team step up that way. Ihedigbo did and I really miss him still. But otherwise, we will have to wait and see.

The one thing that has always stood out to me about Steve Smith was his competitiveness, just someone who wanted to go out and prove every play how much better he is than anyone who lined up across from him. Really wish we could've signed him a few years back when there was speculation of him leaving the Panthers. I could only fathom how intense our team could've been with him being the "pit bull" on offense and Ray Lewis being general of our defense, talk about intimidation. Still I'm more than grateful to have had him on our team last year and watch him tear apart the competition, looking forward to seeing him do damage this year again. I am concerned however on the future of the offense, not to say we will completely crumble but when u lose a leader who works as hard as he does and is undoubtedly respected by everyone who sees the work he puts in on every play. I just don't know if that can be replaced. Steve Smith is truly one of a kind.

One of a kind - yes. I am not concerned though. It helped having him here, there will be shoes to fill and just having those inspires players to want to be that.

Don't forget Dumervil is getting up there in age and his contract is running out, same thing with Daryl Smith. So who will be "the guy" or guys? Some of the guys on the team right now. I am sure Ozzie will be looking for some veteran pressence to help out as well just like he did with Smith. Somewhere some team has a quality veteran that they don't feel like paying because they have a new hot shot rookie. Ozzie will swoop in and sign the guy and we'll get the last 2-3 seasons of good football out of them. But I hear you, time for some young leaders to emerge for this team.

Interesting though about who the veteran leaders will be in a year or two... It's always scary, but generally you have someone pop up. The number one on offense will be Joe Flacco. He doesn't have that fiery thing going on, but he'll be someone who you an turn to as a player. Some of our year 1 and 2 players will be older, more experienced and more confident, so you might hear someone mouthing it that hasn't yet on account of not having earned it. You can have Jimmy step up, there is still Lardarius and who was it? - I think Kendrick Lewis is already getting vocal in the secondary. On offense, though you don't hear him all that often, I think maybe Crockett Gilmore will be more of the attitude guy. He's already shown he can be a cheeky bugger and that he has a quiet confidence.

It makes me both happy and sad for Steve at the same time. It's always sad to leave behind you something that you have done for so long. On the other hand, he decided to leave while he's still formidable, not by slowly falling into oblivion and finishing as a free agent. My only wish is that he gets his ring and he gets it in purple. Not many deserve it as much as he does.

That was a lovely dance by the defense I see Sizzle is back to his good old self! Pitta and the R-word in one sentence are scary, but not all that surprising. It's hard to imagine him being in form to play a contact sport with an injury which tends to be recurrent after the first time...

I like Canty and happy to see he's fresh. I hope he stays fresh at lest up to half the season and injuries don't take a toll. However, I trust our D-line will perform well.

you can put as many players as you want on IR.

 

only problem is that they still count against the cap.

 

there is however only 1 IR player you can designate for return.

Right, thanks for the explanation. In that case, still my guess is Elam to be designated for return.

Elam has a chance of coming back faster plus he has proven more than Urban. Urban has been consistently hurt. Even though I really want to see what Urban has to show he won't be able to play until likely week 13 or 14 and by then its near the end of the season and he has no room to grow. We know at least a little of what Elam can do and I have been hearing more positives from Elam this offseason. They may wait and try to get both on IR because I think the Ravens really want Dennis Pitta on that PUP list. 

I am in agreement with you. If they have to choose, they will go with Elam, because what you said is correct. That's the plan with Pitta if I remember. Except, as much as I wish his quick recovery, even if he does come back, I don't think it's going to be a long career for him. A hip dislocation is not like other injuries, the socket for his joint is damaged. Is there any other football player that has made a successful recovery after 2 hip dislocations?

I don't bet but if I did, I'd be Pitta is back around week 10. He is working hard to get back,

I sincerely hope you are right and that he gets to stay there. Unfortunately, a hip dislocation is not like many of other injuries. In order to dislocate a hip the first time, you have to break a part of the bone, because the hip joint is built that way. That's why it tends to be recurrent there. After the first injury, you are missing a fundamental part of the support for the joint to stay in place and it's so much easier to dislocate again. That's why second time he didn't even have to have contact.

I wish Urban didn't go down for the rest of the season (most likely scenario)... The Ravens will be putting him on the IR and probably going to try to find someone within the next week. I wish we knew how well Kapron Lewis-Moore has been playing. I'm good with our starters but I am afraid of how well the depth will perform.

Except, they can only put one guy on IR to start the season... so either him or Elam.

Harbs can be a bit of a psycho on the practice field - premeditated mental torture. He creates adversity where there is none, so that when it happens in a game, it's no stress, that's just routine. I think as a player, I'd hate him on the practice field and love him in the locker room and during a game and any other time. What I mean is not dissing him, but highest possible praise. Just sad that Brent Urban won't face anything this year, apart from recovering asap.

Ouch, that sucks! For the Ravens and more so for the kid. My bet is, if only either Elam or Urban can get the IR tag, Ravens will go with Elam, despite the horrible year in 2014. Elo was a starter in year 1, although part of that credit goes to the horrible performance by Michael Huff. Everyone saw him get better in OTAs and start of camp. He has some experience. And he was a first round pick. Teams don't like to accept a bust so soon.

Urban has a 2nd season-ending injury in as many years and I hear he had something serious last year out of college. He might be talented, but if he's not durable, then he's simply not made for the NFL.

Someone mentioned deer antler spray, but is it really kosher under NFL rules as of now?

Cheers to Kamar Aiken who hustled so hard he got in a good spot. I liked to see him play last year and be solid and it's good to see him appreciated. Hope he keeps it up. Steve Smith Sr is a lock, that's for sure. However, I find Marlon Brown and Jeremy Butler quite intriguing and would like to see them play. Marlon had a solid year 1. Obviously, with SSS joining last year, he took a step back, but I would like to see more of him. Camp is keeping a roster spot. No idea how he is as a receiver, but if he's fielding punts and possibly kick-off returns, he's staying.

I'm still concerned about the overall health situation of our secondary, but I trust that if Webb is fine right now and doesn't get injured, he'll be solid. When he got back on the field last year, first off he was sloppy, but as the season progressed, he got better and better, more confident and tackled harder so if he can keep it up, I'm not worried.

Harbaugh, love you man but as a first week med student, stick to coaching cuz you are the king of missdiagnosis and missleading the family members (us fans). If you were a medical doctor you would live in a court room because of all the lawsuits you would have against you! Lmao

When Harbs informs on players' injuries he's not being a doctor or a diagnostician, he's being a coach. If media didn't ask about the injuries, he wouldn't bring it up at all. Being a coach in this means treading carefully and not tipping off opponents on what's actually going on and who they will face.

The statement from Jimmy sounds mature. The young guy will want to be flashy and catch all the interceptions. The wise one knows that shutting down a WR and not allowing any yards counts for more than an interception but also two touchdowns his way.

I like Shaub as backup. He can be an influence during games in helping Joe with technical info in difficult situations as well. He has a level of experience in qb that few teams have in a backup qb.

Agreed.

Also, I will leave judging Schaub until and if I see him in a live game. With a QB this experienced, with Pro Bowl under belt, you can't say he doesn't have the abilities and for some, the pressure of responsibility makes them worse, others step up on the other hand. We won't know until we do know.

That's one helluva speech by Brian Billick and I really appreciate Harbs from giving him the opportunity to share it with the team. Recognizing the sacrifice of others around you makes you really appreciate what you have and gives you the extra teem feels. Also, it allows those who do the trenchwork to be recognized for it, without turning bitter and demotivated. I have played offensive line for a while and it makes a world of a difference if you're overlooked when things are good and called out only when you mess up or when your offense makes a terrific play and the QB goes to you and tells you "Girls, that was awesome, thanks for having my back!" This goes for every position, every role on the team. Feeling appreciated goes a long way. Make sure your teammates feel that.

I'm sure Perriman is just a scare, but better to keep him off the field while he heals now, rather than pushing it and having him injured during the season.

Preseason games can't come quick enough! Too much time without football. One thing I'm most interested to see is who will be the returner for punts and kick offs.

I doubt there will be a trade at this point in time. My guess Ravens will test who they have at safety and only address it if necessary, or will wait for roster cuts to fit the 53-man.

Am repeating myself, but don't get how teams aren't worried about being tainted by a RB who hits his kids till they're bloody and shows no remorse, but Ray Rice is taboo. The guy messed up bigtime, but it's a shame to see him fall out of favor and into oblivion so easily.

He was frustrating to see last year, but this is still disappointing. I hoped to see the new and improved.

The note to players made me laugh I'm a girl, so I wouldn't want to fight anyone, including Justin Tucker But the #1 scariest Raven is Marshall Yanda.

If he's got a good average on kick returns, give him a try of that and leave the punts up to somebody else, if they're on the same level. I'd start the season with somebody else and figure out whether our young receivers can make plays and when it's safe to say we're good, Smith Sr can take all returns if that's what works. But he's a little too valuable to get injured unless our WRs/TEs can step up.