BigUgly

5 hours ago, crazyboutravens said:

Typical of the Ravens they do not seem in any hurry to address any of the free
agents. Need to remind Ozzie the season will be here soon.

Let's think about this.  We fans are apparently wringing our hands in grief at losing an OG (Osemele), a the prospect of losing a RT, a NG and  a FB in free agency.  None of those positions is worth overpaying for, regardless of the cap situation.  Let them all go with fond wishes for success, let other teams overpay for their services, and invest the difference in their replacements and perhaps a playmaker or two.  

1 hour ago, GENE2407 said:

Biggest myth going. These "junk" round picks we seem to be obsessed with are totally useless to our team. Start hitting on 1st and 2nd rounders like we did for 20 years and screw the 4th 5th and 6th junk round picks who amount to nothing.

Here is some of the "junk" Ozzie has collected in those rounds that have been key contributors:  Lewis, Dixon, Young, Juice, Wagner, McPhee, Tyrod Taylor, and Pitta.  Jury is still out on guys like Judon and Zadarius Smith.  

In fact, Ozzie & co seem to have done relatively better in the later rounds than they have in the 2nd and 3rd recently.  Maybe they should just trade back for monster 4th round opportunities (half kidding)

Really looking forward to John's book. Sounds like he will have some very interesting insights from multigenerational owners who have seen this game evolve from an almost XFL-like afterthought to the college game into the juggernaut it is today.

Agree with all of John's premises to improve the game. One area contributing to injuries, I believe, is actually the reduction in preparation time and practice time (including contact drills) hammered out by the collective bargaining agreement. Yes, players are getting bigger and faster, but they are less prepared for full-speed game situations now than ever before. The result is sloppy play, poor technique, and a lack of preparedness for the violence that is inherent in the game.

Have the draft in March, and get the players in with their teams for training and practice more frequently prior to the season. The result will be a higher quality product and fewer injuries.

13 minutes ago, Adreme said:

They are not going to put Lewis at RT.  If it were even something they were considering they would have done it when the opportunity was there to do it in the season.  Instead they did not and kept him at guard because they view him as a guard and since they see him practice I am more likely to believe them.  Also it is not a "slight" downgrade, you are going from top 5 at their position to likely bottom 5 at their position which is a massive dropoff.  

The Ravens entire offensive line woes stem from weakness in the interior, specifically that none of them were really healthy and couldnt really get any push in the run game.  However the outsides were great especially as the season drew to a close and Stanley starting looking less like a rookie and more like a top LT in his prime.

Stanley was hurt early and it took him a couple of games to get healthy and adjust for the pro game.  Ditto for Lewis.  He didn't get an opportunity at RT because there was no reason for him to move out of the spot he was learning.  The kid was a LT at Nebraska...hardly a chump.  I would be fine with him at RT.  It's easier to find a guard or center in the draft you can slot in right away, or pick up a more affordable veteran than Wagner at RT if need be.  Besides, with Castillo gone, I expect the entire line to play better.

We just need to survive 2017 and hopefully position for a wildcard.  That means shoring up our defensive secondary, shoring up the O-Line, restructuring Wallace, maybe maneuvering for Marshall, and committing to the run.  

The "Flacco effect" on the cap and the bulk of our dead money begins to come off the books in 2018 ($60+M in cap space), and more so in 2019 ($106M+).  

23 minutes ago, The Greek said:

need to use some of those 4-7th rd picks to move up and get better players

Ideally, yeah, but we have so many holes to fill.  Can probably find developmental OL, DL, ILB and maybe a KR in those rounds.  Wish we had Pittsburgh's skill in finding starting-caliber WRs that late.

4 hours ago, Adreme said:

Whatever RT you sign will be worse and probably far worse considering the free agent class than Wagner.  Also any edge rusher at Dooms level will cost more than what you will pay him so be ready for that cap hit.

Not necessarily.  Lewis is an unknown at RT, but is of the same mold as Wagner.  Hurst, too, in a pinch could play there.  I think Wesley or Nembot may have a shot as well.  Regardless, even a slight downgrade over Wagner is acceptable if we can deploy the additional $6-7M/yr he is likely to command elsewhere on the team.  Also, if the RT has Gillmore or Boyle blocking next to him instead of Pitta, that will be an improvement.

As for the edge rusher, I'd rather take a flier on Sheard than hope that Doom gets back to his old form.  You are right though, in that a productive Doom would be harder to replace than Wagner or Williams.

Cut Pitta and Watson and resign one of the two on a cheaper 1-year deal closer to camp.  Cut Doom, Wright and the rest of the flotsam and jetsam secondary pieces.

Let Wagner, Williams and Juice walk, and restructure Wallace to add a year and spread out the cap hit (2018 and 19 are more cap friendly).

Sign steady FA options at OL, ILB, FS/CB, backup QB and FB.

Draft BPA, getting playmakers (WR, CB, Edge Rusher) in rounds 1-2, and solidify the OL and pick up a 3rd down back/KR in rounds 3-4.

17 minutes ago, MdPride1 said:

Jamal Adams will not fall to us. Mike Williams will not fall to us. Fournette will not fall to us. Hell, Cook might not even fall to us. At some point, I'm talking to you Ozzie, you have to trade up and grab these guys that are going to be stars.

Let's not forget he chose to keep a third round pick( 3rd string d lineman who missed entire season) instead of trading it to grab Jalen Ramsey( top 10 corner PFF) Passed on stefon diggs (5th round) from MARYLAND.

Our SECONDARY would already be solidified if Ozzie grew a pair and gave up that 3rd rounder for Ramsey.

Perhaps, but then Joe's other knee could've been shattered by whatever stopgap they threw in at LT.  Ozzie made the smart move with the 1st pick last year (though Stanley will always be compared with Tunsil going forward - too early to judge).

I think we can nab Pocic or Elfein in the 2nd or Orlovsky in the third and be set at C for years.  Let Wagner walk, slide Lewis out, and backfill inside with a 4th-rounder, Hurst, Urschel, Jensen, or one of the talented dudes Ozzie stashed on the IR (Wesley and Nembot).  I'm really not that worried about the line, so long as they are coached up and the scheme fits.

#16 is so average, just like our 8-8 season.  Perfect opportunity for Ozzie to move up or down.  With a draft this deep at CB (and some nice WRs available outside the top 3), I could see trading back a few spots.  

There's so much variance in the reviews of Dalvin Cook, Peppers, Corey Davis, Taco Charlton, Tabor and Wilson, and nearly every 'Bama defender that I'm not sure what to think.  In Ozzie I trust....?

27 minutes ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

That could explain it...however the Vikings haven't had recent, or great success with WR's either. So maybe there is more to the story.

So long as we are considering cherrypicking another Viking, might as well add Adrian Peterson to the shopping cart and call it an offseason.

What's the over/under on the number of 'Bama players selected? I think 2.

Unless Banner can lose about 30 pounds and keep his weight down, I think he will be a disappointment at tackle in the NFL. He got beat several times in the senior bowl, and he looked slow-footed at times. If we switched out of a zone blocking scheme, he could be a dominant mauler at Guard but may still have issues in pass protection (kinda like Ducasse)

  20 hours ago, zachcch said:

I think that we'll get a corner, hopefully Quincy Wilson, in the first round and Desmond King(CB/S) in the 2nd round.

That sounds absolutely ideal. 2 of my favorite players in the draft by far

Would be a good move to completely shore up the defensive backfield for several years in one draft. Nabbing a safety might increase pressure on Webb to take a pay cut.

Williams, Wagner and Zuttah should go. We can draft a C/G, and pick up another in FA, and move Lewis to RT. Keep Hurst, Urschel and Jensen as backups. Ducasse was OK in run blocking, but a real liability against the pass.

Williams is a great guy and a nice player for his role.  The Ravens have too many holes on the roster to be able to afford even a true "competitive offer".  They will offer market, regretfully wave goodbye as he takes an above-market offer elsewhere, and hope he results in a 3rd round comp that they can use to draft another Williams-like player (he was a 3rd-rounder, btw).

Besides, we already have his replacement on the roster.  Pierce is a space eater, which is the minimum you want from a 3-4 NT, and he has a better burst up the middle than Williams and can actually rush the passer.  

We need to replace the guy BEHIND the NT first.  We need another ILB that can hope to come close to matching Orr's 132 tackles and coverage skills.

10 hours ago, Chuckx999 said:

Remember, the new coach doesn't play on the field. Fourth and one at the other teams one yard line with our O line and running backs??? We all know what happens. We had better draft another Jim Brown real soon or Mornhinweg with just continue to call one bad play or another.

Inability to get a yard when you really need it is a hallmark of the West Coast Offense and the Zone Blocking Scheme.  The former doesn't typically commit to the run, and will more likely rely on a quick pass - it has been a hallmark of the Andy Reid offenses, which Harbs is most familiar with.  I'm generally a fan of zone blocking in the right scheme, but it is a very reactive, east-west approach:  O-lineman steps in a direction, and doesn't really know who he is going to block until the defense slants, bulls, or stunts.  

Our offense is a hybrid of West Coast and Zone Blocking.  That yard will continue to be hard to come by.  That's why we need a bigger center.  When in doubt, QB sneak and pray.

Z'adarius Smith is not will never be a very effective edge rusher, but with some work could be an edge setter in the mold of Courtney Upshaw. His 5.5 sacks his rookie year did not come within 2-3 seconds of the snap, where he immediately beat an OT. They were the result of continuing to hustle as the QB scrambled in the pocket looking for his 2nd or 3rd progression. Good, player, nice motor, but not an elite pass rusher or someone the offense has to game plan for. At best, he's a complementary player who lines up on the right side of the offense who can on occasion bring some pressure.

We are not going to utilize his talent w/ Flacco. What is the point?

Sure we can. Have him put on 60 pounds and play right tackle to replace Wagner, and occasionally run a tackle eligible just to keep opposing defenses on edge.

  23 hours ago, BigUgly said:

Great enhancements to the stadium, which was already the best gamed experience in the NFL. A nice commitment to the fans and the on-field product.

Now, can we get some TVs in the Men's bathrooms? Those lines are kinda long, and I hate missing a big play.

If I am in front of you please look down NOT UP

Wow, Swifty, you're a confident one. You know that breaks the men's room protocol.

Great enhancements to the stadium, which was already the best gamed experience in the NFL. A nice commitment to the fans and the on-field product.

Now, can we get some TVs in the Men's bathrooms? Those lines are kinda long, and I hate missing a big play.

20 hours ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

Then Id def take Feeney in a trade back in a heart beat. I think Orlosky would be a really big steal at center if we could land him in the third. Pocic looks impressive but he will just go too early for me. 

Not worth trading back in the first for an interior O-Lineman.  I agree with you that Orlovsky could be the target in the third, though we may have to move up a couple of spots to get him.  I think Pocic projects better at OG than C, due to his height, and I think he goes before the 3rd.  None of the OTs in the senior bowl looked good, Banner being the prime example.  

13 hours ago, Saxxin said:

O-line is a bigger need. We have two good backs. Use them more.

It is relatively easier to acquire quality O-Line talent later in the draft or via free agency than trying the same approach to nab a quality CB, edge rusher or other "playmaker".  The only exception is left tackle, which we wisely addressed last season

Case in point:  Yanda, 3rd rounder; Wagner, 5th, Jah Reid, 3rd (hey, he starts for KC), Jason Brown, 4th.

What's really killed us is the over-investment in failed defensive players, especially at LB and safety.  I know that many of these guys are also targeted as special teams players, but the likes of Elam, Brooks, Arthur Brown and John Simon haven't helped us (though Simon has helped the Texans)

If somehow Malik Hooker fell to us, we could solidify the backend of our D, and then add corner depth in the 2nd, even trading up to do so if need be. Of course, that strategy would require that edge rushers on the roster develop, an d possibly mean fitting in Doom for another year.

Regardless, if we don't grab a corner in the first 2 rounds, we'll be in trouble.