letitgosometimes

The Ravens' biggest risk in 2017: what if Joe gets hurt?

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There was a time when the Ravens' defense scored points, maybe that was draft intent?

"8 and 8" is a collar around the Ravens' neck going into this fall 2017 season. How will the Ravens break their pattern of 8-8 level of football? The answer starts at the top with wholesale changes. If you coach the same, you get the same results on the field.

PB - spot on, well stated!

The Ravens rebuild starts now, but does not end here. Expect the Ravens to be competitive this season, but short of playoff bound. Expect bigger results in 2018.

Yeah this isn't even remotely true. Average = Average; until the owner makes changes at the top, it will be the same ole same ole.

Correct logic, but not probable outcome. The owner needs to make changes at the top or simply sit back and watch mediocrity, at best.

John your point is well stated, but an "8 and 8" record is a collar around the Ravens' neck going into this fall 2017 season. How will the Ravens break their pattern of 8-8 level of football? The answer starts at the top with wholesale changes. If you coach the same, you get the same results on the field, no matter who is on the field.

The question remains unanswered.

Draft all DBs, trade for linemen. Done deal.

Not happening. Wallace will lead the team again and set the table for Perriman on the seams.

It must be a Baltimore thing: both the Orioles and Ravens look average for the next year. Hopefully I have miscalculated, but in pro sports anything can happen, right?

The Ravens need a major rethink of their strategic plan. Expect the owner to make move(s) at the top before season starts. Unfortunately, the Ravens have not recovered from the handling of the Ray Rice incident. Suggest making a list of those things the Ravens do well (keep doing them) and a list of those things the Ravens do not do well (eliminate them) and then move personnel, accordingly. Right now without radical changes in their strategy, the Ravens remain third tier.

Lower the prices of beer at the stadium - it is going to be a long season.

New players, same coaching, same story.

How about the "S" word: "Start" fast in the game. How about the "I" word: "Imagination" in play calling? How about the "M" word: "Momentum" in capturing and keeping it on both sides of the football? How about "F" word: "Fans" losing interest football?

Let me make it easier for you to understand, Ross. The "8-8" stigma is code for "Average Team". So, the concern stands: when will the Ravens break the pattern of being "average" in the NFL?

You nailed it, John!

Is it time for OZ to retire with no viable championships insight for the next 10 years? It would be wise to get out on a high note and enjoy retirement. Lots of Raven housekeeping is in order. A good place to start is at the top and work your way through the coaching staff, accordingly. Rebuild the offensive line this year and next, the defensive line the following two years, and lastly work on the defensive backs. Joe will be gone in two years either retired or traded. Between now and the next two years pick up another young strong armed quarterback. The newly formed Ravens will be about the "rush", either rushing the opponent's quarterback or rushing the football. Expect the fan base to erode as TV timeouts make watching games unbearable. The RedZone is saving what is left of NFL entertainment.

Wallace is a playmaker; he'll have a great season in 2017.

Clean house or remain the same; another .500 season is insane.

The Ravens are in desperate need of change. Five immediate changes are as follows: 1. Keep two backs in the backfield for run-blocking and pass-blocking. 2. Punt the football out of bounds! 3. Defensive sets to include 4-4 defense with continuous blitz. 4. Pass patterns to include X-and go, hook-ins at hash marks. 5. Pick-up the pace; the Ravens are affected with lethargy - get the lead out!

The Ravens players were in aggregate a little above average as depicted below: # NAME HT. WT. AGE EXP. COLLEGE Grade for 2016 Season 31 Lewis-Harris, Chris CB 10-May 185 27 4 Tennessee-Chattanooga C 26 Powers, Jerraud CB 10-May 193 29 8 Auburn D 24 Wright, Shareece CB 11-May 184 29 6 USC C 36 Young, Tavon CB 9-May 177 22 R Temple B 41 Levine Sr., Anthony DB/LB 11-May 200 29 5 Tennessee State C 21 Webb, Lardarius DB/RS 10-May 182 31 8 Nicholls State C 93 Guy, Lawrence DE 4-Jun 305 26 6 Arizona State C 96 Urban, Brent DE 7-Jun 300 25 3 Virginia C 99 Jernigan, Timmy DT 2-Jun 295 24 3 Florida State C 78 Pierce, Michael DT Jun-00 339 24 R Samford C 98 Williams, Brandon DT 1-Jun 340 27 4 Missouri Southern State C 44 Juszczyk, Kyle FB 1-Jun 240 25 4 Harvard A 62 Ducasse, Vladimir G 5-Jun 329 29 7 Massachusetts C 66 Jensen, Ryan G/C 4-Jun 310 25 3 Colorado State-Pueblo C 64 Urschel, John G/C 3-Jun 300 25 3 Penn State B 53 Zuttah, Jeremy G/C 4-Jun 300 30 9 Rutgers B 72 Lewis, Alex G/T 6-Jun 315 24 R Nebraska B 71 Wagner, Rick G/T 6-Jun 310 27 4 Wisconsin B 73 Yanda, Marshal G/T 3-Jun 305 32 10 Iowa B 59 Louis, Lamar ILB 11-May 232 23 R LSU C 50 McClellan, Albert ILB 2-Jun 250 30 6 Marshall C 57 Mosley, C.J. ILB 2-Jun 241 24 3 Alabama B 48 Onwuasor, Patrick ILB Jun-00 217 24 R Portland State C 54 Orr, Zachary ILB Jun-00 225 24 3 North Texas B 9 Tucker, Justin K 1-Jun 180 27 5 Texas A 46 Cox, Morgan LS 4-Jun 233 30 7 Tennessee B 45 Beyer, Brennen OLB 4-Jun 256 24 1 Michigan C 58 Dumervil, Elvis OLB 11-May 250 32 11 Louisville C 91 Judon, Matthew OLB 3-Jun 275 24 R Grand Valley State C 90 Smith, Za'Darius OLB 4-Jun 275 24 2 Kentucky C 55 Suggs, Terrell OLB 3-Jun 265 34 14 Arizona State B 4 Koch, Sam P 1-Jun 222 34 11 Nebraska A 5 Flacco, Joe QB 6-Jun 245 31 9 Delaware C 15 Mallett, Ryan QB 6-Jun 250 28 6 Arkansas C 37 Allen, Javorius RB Jun-00 222 25 2 USC B 30 Dixon, Kenneth RB 10-May 212 22 R Louisiana Tech A 28 West, Terrance RB 10-May 225 25 3 Towson A 33 Elam, Matt S 10-May 209 25 4 Florida C 42 Huff, Marqueston S 11-May 196 24 3 Wyoming C 32 Weddle, Eric S 11-May 195 31 10 Utah B 74 Hurst, James T 5-Jun 312 25 3 North Carolina B 79 Stanley, Ronnie T 6-Jun 320 22 R Notre Dame B 86 Boyle, Nick TE 4-Jun 260 23 2 Delaware C 80 Gillmore, Crockett TE 6-Jun 260 25 3 Colorado State C 88 Pitta, Dennis TE 4-Jun 238 31 7 Brigham Young B 84 Waller, Darren TE 6-Jun 255 24 2 Georgia Tech B 11 Aiken, Kamar WR 2-Jun 215 27 4 Central Florida B 10 Moore, Chris WR 1-Jun 200 23 R Cincinnati C 18 Perriman, Breshad WR 2-Jun 215 23 2 Central Florida C 89 Smith Sr., Steve WR 9-May 195 37 16 Utah B 17 Wallace, Mike WR Jun-00 205 30 8 Mississippi A 12 Campanaro, Michael WR/RS 9-May 191 25 3 Wake Forest B 81 Reynolds, Keenan WR/RS 10-May 190 22 R Navy C

The Ravens will be defined by the ability of their defensive backs to attack the football. The defensive coordinator's propensity to play soft coverage defense will continue to result in free gifts to opponent receivers. The Ravens are rebuilding most of their defense and parts of their offensive line. Therefore expect costly breakdowns on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Ravens have a relatively light-weight first half of season, but the second half may prove too overwhelming for the young players. The Ravens projected win-loss record in 2016 season is a not too shabby 9-7: WIN BUF WIN CLE WIN JAX LOSS OAK WIN WAS LOSS NYG WIN NYJ LOSS PIT WIN CLE WIN DAL LOSS CIN WIN MIA LOSS NE WIN PHI LOSS PIT LOSS CIN In 2016, the Ravens' offense will average over 20 points a game, while their defense will average over 18 points a game. Are playoffs in the picture? If Ravens can finish in first or second place in their division, then definitely yes. However, if they are in third place then "Next Year". Go Ravens! Letitgosometimes