FlocksGottaFeed

Agreed. They are missing a combination of leadership, identity and newly established talent at the same time. We loss only 2 of those 3 after a Super Bowl and had to take time to get on course, again. Imagine 3...?

Agreed. I may take that offense in my fantasy league, but with that defense (without Revis and Browner...) it could get ugly fast in the East. Now on 2nd thought, I'm thinking with these weapons I'm all-in (fantasy pick) with Flacco! Defense creates offense. AFCN vs NFCW is my season to watch. Whoever survives from anywhere else...it won't be pretty.

Absolutely. And when you throw-in the fact that Dick LeBeau, Troy, Taylor, Worilds and company are gone - how can they be expected to 'out-perform' the previous year? edit - throw-in

Agreed with most, but the 'Cheatriots'? I'm trying to stay within our division on this one. The AFC East hasn't been considered one of the strongest divisions to win in quite sometime, but the Jets, Bills and Dolphins are making it really interesting. On the other hand, the AFCN and NFCW has been the 2 strongest. As far as the AFCN goes, I agree the Steelers M. Johnson magic was good, but comparatively, the Ravens losing Torrey, Ngata, J. Jones, etc. and picking-up multiple picks while increasing their cap space going into the draft was beyond 'magical'. After all was said and done, every 'Need' position was addressed to make us more completive than the previous year and re-positioned to match the NFCW, as well. My Take: Steelers, Bengals and Browns also had a great draft, but the Browns and Bengals (with BIG Dollars) didn't address QB play enough and the Steelers will still have to field at least 3 Elite Rookies on defense that make immediate impacts (that's a 'HIGH' bar in this league). That is extremely rare. edit - typos

I completely agree with most of your assessment. This said: I have to give extra consideration to our F.O. for how they worked the Webb and J. Smith negotiations to not only solidify our Defensive Backfield going into the draft (those 2 healthy & playing together were always a top 5 tandem in the league), but to resign key (previous season) back-up corners who with a full training camp will further up the CB position competition. I couldn't see any other team taking a better 'BPA' after Walker, so I'm fine with the pick considering. This was the much anticipated 'Flacco Draft' and at the right time for all the right reasons. The Bengals don't come close currently. Starting-off with one of the highest salary cap spaces in the AFCN and only earning a B+ in the draft (compared to the Ravens' A) - I think we'd have to give the edge to the Ravens thus far.

Maxx: Are you not entertained! http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens Let's see: We went into the draft with needs (WR speed merchant, TE, back-up CB, Pass Rusher, 2nd/3rd option RB, DT run-stopper, O-line depth). The 1st five picks recounted: Grade 'A' and then some... Fastest, strongest BPA with the potential to be a M.Erving, A.Johnson, J. Jones and D. Murray-type contributor right-out of the blocks with attitude. The absolutely top TE stolen from the Steelers with unlimited potential. The BPA per position with run stopping ability that when utilized with our current run-stoppers adds even more performance at the position than last season. A SEC standout BPA that was feared in the SEC enough that he brings attitude and purpose that can only be 'Play like a Raven-like'. A running back from 'Running-Back University' who exudes purpose and diginity. 1(26) Breshad Perriman WR UCF 2(23) Maxx Williams TE Minnesota 3(26) Carl Davis DT Iowa 4(23) Za'Darius Smith DE Kentucky 4(26) Buck Allen RB USC 4(37) Tray Walker CB Texas Southern 5(35) Nick Boyle TE Delaware 5(40) Robert Myers OG Tennessee State 6(28) Darren Waller WR Georgia Tech In Oz I still trust.

Your picks are looking more and more (exactly) like the majority of NFL insiders rankings after the draft. Outstanding.

Okay, it's after the draft and it's still nearly 50-50 (Ravens and 'Too Early'). Other AFCN teams collectively feel that their FO rules this off-season. Why is it still 50-50 with our's? Interesting.

True. We may get that elite kick returner out of this talent.

Agreed.

Would agree with the top 5. After that, who knows? The upside: we haven't looked this deep and competitive at WR in...ever. Great job for our FO. Looking forward to the battle during training camp. No matter who makes the grade - we'll be a better WR unit for it.

My humble assessment of our overall draft: Solid 'A'. Very similar to several NFL draft insiders (Mel Kiper and the rest). Grade: A http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/19800/mel-kipers-grade-for-ravens-2015-draft Great job Oz in company!!! Thank you.

I know, but what I think is more important is where teams start the offseason at and how they navigate and manage their team building from available cap space. It's very interesting how the 2 AFC North teams with the least amount of available cap (Ravens and Steelers) have been graded highest during the 2015 Draft (A). What the Ravens were able to do so far this off-season is just short of a 'MIRACLE'. To me, this is by far the best offseason ever and that's saying a lot given how great our FO has been for years. Even the UDFA signings were masterful. In Oz I still trust.

AFC North Offseason Pre-Draft Roundup Before you read just be warned: The guy is a 'Sports Humorist'. Never heard of such an animal before this. That said, I didn't find it particularly funny nor humorist, but it did attempt to address AFC North offseason progress (somewhat). It's a slow period. He says our worst problem this offseason so far was signing Schaub. Really? If that's our 'bad' I can truly live with that. http://tailgatefan.cbslocal.com/2015/04/21/asinine-football-analysis-afc-north-offseason/ Seems like the guy thinks that the only team with critical defensive needs in the division is the Steelers. I somewhat agree with at least that. I'm still feeling like they'll have to draft at least 2 elite rookie standouts to contribute immediately on defense. As drafts go, that's a tall order. That may be an honest draft or off-season concern. Update: Est. Available Cap Space: Spotrac Jimmy Smith’s extension lowers salary cap hit from $6.898 million this year to $3.6 million, freeing up much-needed money while Steelers WR Antonio Brown threatens to holdout if his contract isn't re-negiotated and in Cincinnati, WR A.J. Green confident and relaxed - knows the money will come. - Andrea Hangst OBR Analyst Ravens - $11,085,943 Steelers - $9,742,149 Bengals - $20,014,502 Browns - $27,674,081

Agreed. Leaning towards Packers, but Cards could also be in the mix too. That said, Ravens get it done. Just a feeling.

Jimmy Smith deal...HUGE!!! Currently I don't think there's a more superior defensive backfield in the division than Jimmy, Webb, Hill and company healthy and having an entire training camp before the season begins.

Bold Prediction Ravens 12-4 Superbowl 50 - Ravens 20th season - Destiny

AFCN FO Offseason Moves: What the Other Teams Think About Us. BENGALS – Ravens FO Strategy “When it comes to building for the future, the Ravens with all those draft picks definitely came out winners this offseason.” - Coley Harvey, ESPN Cincinnati Bengals reporter http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/16682/bengals-ravens-nfl-schedule-2015-afc-north-opponents-examining BROWNS – Ravens Analytics “Stats and Info determined that the best drafting teams since 2002 are...in the first round: Carolina, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.” “The conclusion really doesn’t need a metric to support it, but the metric definitely proves the point: Teams that want to win consistently need to draft well consistently.” - Pat McManamon, ESPN Cleveland Browns reporter http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/12875/using-analytics-to-assess-recent-browns-drafts STEELERS – Ravens Period Very little said about Ravens FO this season, but a few concerns addressing last season particularly related to passing-up on CJ Mosely. They expressed a need to re-evaluate talent vetting. Based on Dan Sager reporter - Behind the Steel Curtin http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-playoffs-ravens-wild-card-news/2015/1/3/7483835/steelers-ravens-mosley-shazier-2014-nfl-draft edit - Steelers resource link

Playoff Teams from AFC North: How Will They Draft 1st Round? According to Daniel Jeremiah - NFL Media Analyst No. 21: Cincinnati Bengals Pressing need: Pass rusher. Viable option at No. 21: Eli Harold, edge, Virginia. Potential trade-up target: Shane Ray, edge, Missouri. Backup plan: Trade back My Take: The 'trade back' option seems to suggest that they are talent loaded (set) and not willing to spend 1st round money on reloading when they have a surplus of cap room still available. That seems highly unlikely that they wouldn't consider spending more reload. Bengals have said throughout the offseason that they need TE, OLB (rusher) and as well, CB. No. 22: Pittsburgh Steelers Pressing needs: Secondary, edge rusher. Viable option at No. 22: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU. Potential trade-up target: Bud Dupree, edge, Kentucky. Backup plan: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut. My Take: Agreed. The Steelers need to load-up CBs. They'll need at least 2 'elite' rookie CB standouts and an edge rusher to upgrade the defense. With some many retirements, a loss of DC and very few vet leaders to teach them the ropes - that's a tall order for any NFL FO. No. 26: Baltimore Ravens Pressing needs: Cornerback, young running back. Viable option at No. 26: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin. Potential trade-up target: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia. Backup plan: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut. My Take: He never mentioned WR or TE? Does he know something that we don't? Well, he did at least mention that he doesn't possibly know what Ozzie is thinking. Cool. That's a measure of respect in my mind. Very few get it right. Although it's BPA, 'needs' are a consideration as well. When it's all said and done I think this guy gets around the average mock draft results correct (25%). Further, I can't help feeling like Ozzie will not use our 1st pick on any of the players he mentioned. If he does - that would be rare.

A BIG Shutout to the Ravens Scouts! Raven scouts seem to mirror the team culture: Play like Ravens! Through pain, opposition ad injury, the Purple and Black keeps the goals insight. Gotta' love this. http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-draft/Byrne-Identity-Quiet-Week-Publicly-One-Of-Most-Intense-For-Ravens/e91bd04b-5060-4501-8d03-29b67f13e773 I mean...really? How can this current poll be 'nearly' split between voting the 'Ravens' and voting 'Too Early to Tell...'? Almost every national poll has the Ravens FO far ahead of every other AFCN team currently simply on how it's managing this offseason. When I visit the Steelers, Browns and Bengals fan blogs (daily) all of their fans give their teams the edge regardless of what the majority of the NFL insiders are saying about the Ravens. Come-on RavensNation. Believe in something or something else, but the 'Too Early...' bandwagon is simply a reason not to evaluate and commit to where you stand. There are 1000's of opinions as to which team's FO is setting the pace, who should be drafted, what FA is needed and who is making the better moves throughout this forum, but very little commitment to those opinions. In hindsight, I shouldn't have included the “Too Early...” poll choice, but it's there and I guess it served a purpose. Too often, it's a scapegoat. Vote your commitment. It's only 'current' and changeable later if you change opinion. No harm – no foul. No guts – no glory. Also, don't just vote the poll - tell us why. It's a shared study above anything else.

AFCN FO: Defensive Needs Just to further my point about AFCN Steelers and Browns needs and the role this draft plays. There is definite urgency according to insiders.“But at this point, the defense is still in need of significant attention in the draft. “ NFL Network http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap3000000485275/article/saints-buccaneers-among-teams-with-most-riding-on-nfl-draft For teams 'draft dependent' on this seasons's draft picks the Steelers ranked #6 and Browns ranked #4. The Browns have more talent in place on their defense than others ranked, but really need help on offense and haven't drafted well there for some time.

From the cap space that we started with to the available cap we have currently after all the moves that have been made you'd have to call the Ravens FO...brilliant. http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Every-Roster-Move-Of-2015-Offseason/d73708c2-6caf-454f-b05b-6fce196761ed We're in the best position to stay on course. Though we lost Torrey, Haloti, Owen, Tyrod and Jacoby to free agency (I would have liked to have kept them all...but it is what it is.), it's very possible/probable that we can address all these roster loses with current players, a late free agency/trade and/or the draft. Other teams in the AFCN don't have a more reasonable, pragmatic, realistic pathway to address their needs. For these reasons, many NFL insiders feel the Ravens FO are hands-down leaders thus far. In Oz I still trust.

How true. That said some AFNCN defensives and offensives seem to have more urgency than others. I'm glad we're in the best position collectively.