FlocksGottaFeed

My only hope right now is that other organizations (particularly youth organizations) don't take the Patriots approach to the game. I can only imagine what kind of game that future would hold. Football would probably go the way that boxing and baseball went. They were both 'America's Game' in the past like football has been in recent years.

They lost their fan interest when they couldn't be trusted and revelvant anymore. They loss their way.

I hope that never happens to the game I love.

Like almost every other team in the league with a franchise QB, we just have to go with what we have and go into crisis management if our franchise QB goes down. We would have to survive a few games. Meanwhile, shop the market for recently retire, cut, unsigned, possible even trade 2nd-3rd string vets, journeymen QB's and/or coach-up our replacement QB to manage games.

With the way contracts and budgets work today you don't have many alternatives when you have a franchise QB. It is what it is. Hopefully Joe continues to stay healthy and whoever the back-up may be has a lot of professional pride and prepares as if he will be a starter someday. 

http://www.pressboxonline.com/2015/01/19/brandon-stokley-adam-gase-would-be-a-great-fit-for-ravens

Interesting words from Brandon Stokley

Good stuff. Thanks for posting. We should fire Stokes a job, too.

Just an add-on in agreement, mostly.

 

A lot of people want us to keep the system and hire somebody who can run it. I disagree with that logic.

Got it. I'd agree with that. Thanks.

The absolute worst case scenario that comes from this is that the Ravens become so committed to the Kubiak system that they hire a guy who they think can run that offense but can't, and we spend multiple years trying to realize this.

 

Just hire whoever you think the best OC would be... its that simple for me. I don't care about scheme or anything else... good coaches tend to not have problems making their scheme work or adapting their scheme to the personnel we have.

 

If we're spending our search chasing the next Kubiak, we are going to come up short every time...

Some interesting points, but I'm not sure what exactly you're saying in reference to my statement. Help me out.

I'd rather have a top notch OC every year who leaves than a subpar one who nobody wants. We can't hire conservatively based on fear that the person will leave. Continuity is important yes, but so long as the overall philosophy remains the same - I don't see a problem.

I agree with most of what you said. Continuity is important as long as the scheme stays consistant. However just because a candidate is not in the 'vetted' coaching carosal doesn't mean they are sub-par and/or unable to be successful. They just haven't been found. Football's a simple game.

There have been very few innovators so why get caught-up and limit our thinking to only a re-cycled selective few, because they coached with 'this' guy, is so-and-so's son, they use to back-up that other dude and/or they're in the 'good ole boys club'.

Bold thinking gets bold results. I hope we find the perfect OC match, but continuity for Joe should take priority above so called 'top-notch'. Top-Notch in this league is sometimes just another word for 'hacks'.

I hope he proves all of us wrong and works his tail off this offseason and crushes it next year. That would be awesome. He has got a lot of work to do.

However to your point above, first round picks should not have to be coached rudimentary fundamentals of the game especially when that pick does not have the size or speed to compensate for their limitations. That is the whole point of a first round pick. either they are an instant plug and play or they possess some inherit physical trait that could make them a beast if they are coached properly.

Elam I am sorry to say has neither speed ( he faster than any of us) size or football IQ to make up for his poor fundamentals. That is why he is a bust at present time.

Once again, I agree he's under-performed. However, I'm sure this will be addressed in the offseason. If there's still no improvement  before the season or after the season begins then there will be no reason to 2nd guess. He'll officially be a 'Bust'. But if he makes the adjustments with veteran leadership, coaching and a stable group around him, the rewards could me priceless. One thing you can't teach is 'big play' ability. He had it in college and that's why we picked him up. He could end-up being an impact player, again. At this point we have nothing to lose with him and everything to gain for one more off-season. Relax.

If he's a bust the Ravens organization will determine that. Who am I to say? Until that, have some trust.

In Oz I still trust. Why not? The best GM in the game.

Most "too small" player don't even see the NFL or the field. The one that do often have elite physical skills such as Barry Sanders or are fundamentally some of the best. Elam is league average with his physical skills and one of the worst at fundamentals. I don't want to throw him in the garbage, but his future is pretty dim. 

Definitely see your point, but you have to consider HOF DBs like Darryl Green and Troy Polamalu (future HOF) who are very similar in size. They didn't start-out 'lights-out'. They we're surrounded with defensive backfield vet-talent, leadership and continuity 1st. This allowed them to become the best that they could be.

I'm not saying that Elam will ever achieve these 'heights' but size won't be his biggest challenge. Some of us just need to be honest and admit that the guy hasn't had any of the 3 'most haves' before any real assessment can take place. Bust? It's a little too early. The upside to this would be that I think next season we'll see his true development/adjustment. Until then - In Oz I trust.

Important Edit - added: defensive backfield vet-talent, leadership and continuity

He had big play abilities in college but he is too small and lacks fundamentals to make those big plays in nfl. Sorry he is not that good. I will give him 1 more season before I call him a complete bust, but he has not showed any flashes that indicate that he has learned much over 2 years to say he will change. So I anticipate we stash him on the bench until his contract is up and then we will let him go to FA and watch nobody pick him up.

He had big play abilities in college but he is too small and lacks fundamentals to make those big plays in nfl. Sorry he is not that good. I will give him 1 more season before I call him a complete bust, but he has not showed any flashes that indicate that he has learned much over 2 years to say he will change. So I anticipate we stash him on the bench until his contract is up and then we will let him go to FA and watch nobody pick him up.

Good points, but never count a player out because of size. Many "too small" players are in the HOF and they had to go through similar NFL adjustment periods. Fundamentals can be and have been taught at the NFL level and it always takes a few seasons for some. That's why we have NFL coaches (unless you have no faith in our coaches). I'm sure many of the college transitional areas can and will be addressed.

If there isn't any improvement next season with a healthy and stable defensive backfield, I believe this will be his last with us and you could officially call it a bust. That said - Until then trust in our coaches and organization to do what we know they can. Remember - Many said Jimmy Smith was a bust before he became Probowler-like Jimmy Smith. It took a few years.

In Oz we trust.

I know hindsight is agonizing for a fan/ exec but our 2013 1st and 2nd round picks were poor and really not in line with our defense scheme. Have not given up on brown but I am not at all impressed with Matt Elam.

Just think, here is what some fans were suggesting in the 2013 draft

Trade out of first

2-Keenan Allen wr ( was the closest wr coming out of college similar to bolden who got us the SB)

2-TJ McDonald SS ( big safety to cover big TE who give us tough mismatches)

Get extra 3rd

Elam hasn't had the season I expected but I'm not convinced that he's a bust. He has a quality that can't be taught 'big play' capabilities; however, needs to adjust his mechanics for this level (tackling, positioning).

Being dump into a Defensive backfield injury riddled with no continuity didn't help his cause. The good thing is the tackling and positioning can be addressed so there's still a chance he'll be able to up his game if he's surrounded with better talent for a full season.

He had 11 tackles because they had no problem going right at him...

True, but scheme had more to do with it. They didn't want to test our front 7 and preoccupied any support. He's still has shown a lot of potential and should be interesting doing training camp. He reminds me of a few of Seattle's DBs. He might just prove everybody wrong. He may make the cut and contribute during the season. That said: Our first draft should be the most intimidating/enforcer with high football iq coming out. We need a physical presence in the DB. Really missing that for a while.

Ras led all of the team with 11 tackles in freezing weather. A good job if you asked me. Lots of potential there.

Glad Elam is starting to get some love! Hope he keeps up the good play

Elam has never been a bust. Once Jimmy is back, along with newly seasoned DB - OMG. Just hold the faith. He's talented and big game legit. If the last game didn't silence the doubters - nothing will. Sometimes I think the banter is just an unappreciated back-hand to Oz, really (One of winning-est GMs in NFL History).That's hard to swallow for some.

No problem. In Oz we still Trust.

GO Ravens! Beat the all!!! 

Lived in Charlotte for 5 years and got to watch Steve up-close. Was thinking then, "This dude makes me miss my Ravens home games." He truly played like a Raven. I couldn't be happier that he is now a Raven. He belongs here. My prediction: 1000+ receiving yds. & 75+ receptions. If he can do that with Delhomme - he can better that with us. Watch this space...

One possibility I see is the Ravens trading back and picking defensively with the first pick. I don't believe they'll target right tackle, they like Wagner and may bring in a veteran to compete with him, or move Osemele over to RT. It would be more likely that the Ravens pick a versatile guy that's can play guard while moving KO to tackle. Could easily see a pick being a guard like Su'a-Filo in the second round.

I don't think we may see many defensive free agents signed because whatever the need is, we could draft it early. Hence the interest to guys like Jimmie Ward and Ra'shede Hageman. I am beginning to think we may not bring in a guy like Clemons or Decoud for safety. I would love for the Ravens to go out and pick at the market and find some great guys, but it probably won't happen, for a while at least. They also might be waiting for future cuts and cap causalities. We might wait for a veteran corner or another safety to get cut and then the Ravens swoop in and take him.  

Agreed. Great assessment. The only thing I'd add is because of us being the 17th pick - all the remaining talent will be crystal clear.We will most likely take the 'best' offensive (OL) player available. There's way too much pressure on the FO not to. That being said, there are so many promising CBs and FSs that will be available in the later rounds that we shouldn't lose-out on talent. As you said, we will also most likely secure that veteran FS and/or CB before training camp begins. My wishlist: TJ Ward and/or Champ Bailey.

Naw...... they both play with passion and fire so I wouldn't say one has more heart than the other.

Agreed. They are both to be respected - true ballers'.

Anybody who's still on the fence about Smith by the 3rd game just remember this - "Ice up son".

I'm excited by this signing. Been waiting on pins & needles all day.

 

Smith might have lost some speed but he has great hands, is physical, knows how to block & is a good route runner.

 

It will be good for guys like Marlon & Mellete (and even Torrey) to be around a guy like Smith. Hopefully, they'll pick up how to run some crisp routes.

Agreed! I've been wanting this guy to be a Raven for over 10 years now. Everything about him has always been Raven-like. The best thing about his game to add to what you've already mentioned is he is the NFL equivalent of a "gym rat". He is a true student of the game, football 24-7 and one of the most cerebral players in the league. Gotta' love it!

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  36m

Steve Smith arrived in Baltimore tonight to begin the first part of his visit, according to sources. One source said it's going well so far

 

OUTSTANDING! We need this dude.

Wow! 4 for 4 this off-season so far. I predicted Suggs, Pitta, Monroe and Jacoby would work-out deals and BAM! Feeling real good about this upcoming season!

I'm feeling really good about right now. Not bragging or anything, but I'm 'taking names' and picking winners right now. Spot on predictions on Suggs and Pitta deals have got me so psyched I'm going for the trifecta!

Monroe's resigning is an overrated fan/media-based self-inflicted crisis. Monroe performed well as the season progressed and has potential, but he's no Jonathan Ogden-type dominating HOF destined LT. As far as the FO is concerned they've got to be thinking "Haven't we been here before?". Remember McKinnie? That being said, if Monroe doesn't realizes that 'fast-money' is not everything and shows some sign of humble commitment and loyalty to build his potential legacy with the Ravens; contrary to popular belief, the Ravens FO will not commit to him. They will most likely test the market for available FA's like him that have similar potential, salary numbers and a little more humble commitment to the organization.

Final prediction: Monroe works-out a lesser immediate payday with bonuses agreement with the thought of a potential big money payday agreement for the future. imo - Monroe stays a Raven.

Kubiak? Didn't see it coming. Won't even suggest that I saw it coming. still finding it hard to believe that it came.

That being said, I believe that this could be one of the most significant moves towards adding to the Ravens offensive culture, ever. Can't be sure. I just have a feeling.

I hope that someone like a John "Doc" Holliday from Marshall gets a look before the decision is made.  I have very little faith in the current pool of NFL regulars to give our team the continuity and offensive balance that it needs. In addition, I think those current  politically league vetted types are not independent thinkers enough to be 'real' leaders in building new cultures or evolving a successful scheme into the future.

Myth: When looking for an Offensive or Defensive Coordinator and/or Coach for a NFL franchise you must look within the pool of currently vetted NFL coaches and coordinators to achieve success and implement 'new' directions.

Fact: Some of the most revolutionary schemes, cultures and dynasties came from hiring college coaches who were not vetted in the league. Notable NFL Revolutionaries: Vince Lombardi and Bill Walsh

These interviews for OC will most likely extend past the SB. There are some notable, vetted assistants still available for interviews (Brian Callahan, Brian Daboll, Ejiro Evero, Tom Cable, etc.). I don't have any opinions on any of these or those already interviewed.

I just hope that we don't follow the normal, dogmatic, drone-like, 'Pedigree, Pedigree, Pedigree!" mantra or 'you must follow what everybody has done in the past' nonsense when we make our choice. I hope that we break the mold and hire fresh ideas and new faces that many have never considered. Let's give them something to talk about! An OC that takes all the pressure off Joe, Rice, Castillo and the Oline to allow them to 'Shock and Amaze' the league next year. OCs - Are still out there.