BigUgly

It's tough to say that a defense that is elite 3/4 of the time is in rare company, unless there is some stat for late season, late game meltdowns.  This is beyond personnel, since the same guys who dominated for 3 quarters don't suddenly turn into chumps in the final 5-10 minutes of a game.  The issue has to be with how they are deployed by the coaches, and reflects a signature pattern of the Dean Pees era here.  I hope he does some more significant self-scouting and figures out how to adjust his approach, because I doubt a talent infusion alone will fix it.

Seems like a great opportunity to do something for charity. Something that would be really good for the Ravens and Steelers to promote together. Ryan, if you think that is doable, send the idea up the line and keep us posted. ;)

I agree. I think this would be a really cool, positive event for the players, the teams, and their communities.

The reality is Flacco looked bad in 2013, was helped by a great run game and OC in 2014, and played poorly before the injury in 2015. I think the first 5 games, it was evident that he was hesitant in the pocket and was throwing off the back foot more than he usually does.

However, coming into this season, all of the articles on this site mentioned he has more weapons than ever. To be at the bottom 3rd of QB rating while being at the top in attempts passing says a lot.

I do think the injury was an issue. He relatively less efficient and effective in the first half of the season, against the "easiest" teams on the schedule, and was much better the second half. Of course, "better" is in the context of this horrendous offense.

One of the bottom lines is the Ravens just can't figure out how to coach offense. The Kubiack year was a small exception. Really good coaching can make players and a team better than they should be. That hasn't happened in Baltimore in a long time. That's what I think. thoughts?

It's obvious that coaching can trump talent, to a point. Aside from Tom Brady (and Randy Moss for a brief moment), the Pats have had no real star talent yet still win. They'd likely still get to 10-12 wins without Brady (Cassell had 11 wins, Garrapolo went 3-1).

A Kubiak-led offense would have taken this team to at least 10 wins, but our defense would have still lost us the big one (likely in the wildcard round vice regular season).

In the absence of offensive coaching competence, the next best thing for the Ravens to do is build an "elite" O-Line (like Dallas or Oakland), and hope that improves the running game and gives Joe time to throw.

This is a deep defensive draft, with many 1st-round grades for corners and edge rushers. That's why Ozzie could very well draft a receiver, believing that drafting counter to the trend results in a relatively higher value player at our draft position. Remember the 2014 draft, lauded as being the best offensive draft (especially for WRs) in a decade? That's when we nabbed Mosley. Not saying thats what he should do, but it is what he might do.

I do love M&T and the game-day experience - tailgating, ravens walk, everything. I've had the opportunity to be in the suites at M&T and several other stadiums, and I can honestly say the experience there was superior (hope my company keeps the box!).

Only thing I can think of to improve the experience would be TVs in the restroom, as those lines can get long!

2 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

9 hours ago, whobilly said:

Good news. Wallace wants to take more of a leadership role. Bad news. He's the only legitimate WR on the roster.

right? 2nd or 3rd round I'm thinkin. Doubt we'll add Jefferey, but I just hope we don't add a scrub. As Ozzie alluded to adding a vet. Kendall Wright would be kinda interesting I think though

Might be interesting to try and trade for Brandon Marshall. The Jets ought to realize they are in rebuilding mode (same as it ever was), and have no viable prospect at QB anyway.  They should draft Fournette and do their best to  mimic the Titans.

Otherwise, Ozzie might be tempted to nab Davis (the WR from Western Michigan) in the first round if he falls to us. Ha, who am I kidding. Ozzie is defense all the way in the first round this year, even if the second coming of Jerry Rice were available.

Sizzlingdoom, I think Lewis will be fine at RT. He started 26 consecutive games at the much more difficult LT position for Nebraska, earned second-team Big10 marks. That offense was among the top in the conference in scoring, rushing yards and passing yards, and ranked ninth in the nation in fewest sacks allowed.

No point in overpaying (or even paying market for) Wagner when we have so many other glaring needs in a cap-constrained offseason (WR, C, OG, CB, FS, OLB, FB).

We have to resign Wagner. I don't see how we can consider letting him go

If Wagner commands anything near the $10M a year than some have suggested, he'll be gone. Alex Lewis can slot in at right, which leaves a somewhat easier hole to fill at LG. Juice may also be gone, but is easily replaced - hard to replace his athleticism as a pass catcher but very easy to find an equal or better run-blocker.

We need maulers along the interior of the line, so say goodby to Zuttah. Ducasse is a decent run blocker, but a liability in pass protection. Hurst remains as a swing Guard/Tackle.

The loss of Castillo should be good for an additional 20 yards rushing per game right off the bat. Adding Roman, Harbs tap dancing on Marty to call run plays, and a more seasoned Dixon ought to be good for another 20 per game.

i see lots of fingers being pointed around in the article, but they are skipping a big Juan if you ask me....

I see what you did there.

...unless the Raiders and their fans are visiting, of course.

34 minutes ago, good_n_purple said:

Wow. I was thinking the same thing. Seems like holding not being called is a conscious effort. I see a lot O-linemen with their hands on the outside of defensive player pads, but no calls. Reminds me of how they used to conveniently not see the Colts O-line do it constantly when Peyton was the "It Boy", but now it is everywhere.

Well, you had two "it" boys in that game.  In the nightcap, a crucial 2-point conversion by "non-it" boy Alex Lewis was (correctly) called back for holding.  There is holding on every play.  Really depends on the Ref's judgment.  If it were a challenge-able offense, the game would last 5 hours.

18 minutes ago, JamesA119 said:

I think they are afraid of taking players with any issues. I also think that Harbaugh has significant input in it. Will Hill is the last player we know that had significant personal issues, but he was on the roster before the Ray Rice incident that started the whole thing. Waller is the only player on our roster now as far as I can tell whom issue might have been known prior to being drafted. Boyle's issue appear to have beeen as much a surprise to us as it was to them.

Why do I think Hatbaugh has significant input? Because he is all about choir boys. There were several reports that as soon the Ray Rice case broke he suggested releasing Ray Rice even before the investigation was complete, and way before the elevator images came to light.
Torrey Smith was the ultimate choir boy, and Harbaugh spoke of shedding tears just reading reading about Torrey. Bernard Pierce was released after one incident of DUI within 24 hrs. Not to mention the release of Bernard Pollard for no apparent reason.

As I was watching the Atlanta game I couldn't help but notice how many studs they have on that team. They seemed so much faster and more physical than us. SMH! We used to be the most physical team on this planet. Ray Lewis was unanimously considered the most feared NFL player.

I agree.  A great coach like Belichick may have the luxury of drafting higher-character guys who are maybe not as athletic but fit his well-constructed scheme on both sides of the ball.  He actually gets a return on their relatively higher football IQ and "team-first" demeanor.  

When I look at the Ravens drafts since the Super Bowl, I see a lot of great guys, former team captains, and the occasional super genius (Urschel).  That hasn't translated into on-field success.  Heck, you'd expect the quantity of penalties to be far lower on the Ravens than just about any other squad, but the opposite has been true.  I hope Ozzie has more of a free hand this year - if it has been checked in any way by Harbs - to truly draft the best player available.  Great players make great Ravens.

4 hours ago, Crusader said:

Last one out turn off the lights. Ever notice how fast people get out of Maryland.

I love it here.  Moved back after years away.  Don't know that I'll be able to afford to stay in retirement, but I'll always call it home.  Most athletes aren't from here, and have the means to live somewhere warmer (and with far lower taxes).

39 minutes ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

The Ravens let another WR slip through their hands only to land with their biggest foe, The NE Patriots. They could have moved quickly and picked up Micheal Floyd who could end up to be a huge gem covered in coal, if he can work on it and the coal can be chipped off. I don't understand knowing that SS Sr. was leaving why they didn't make a move on Floyd.

The Ravens did move quickly to keep SSSr away from the Pats.  Bad for Steve, maybe, but good for us, and all that is right in the world.

2 hours ago, sami said:

Mike Williams is like a slower version of Perriman

Agreed.  We need a WR that is already a polished route runner.  Davis or Ross are better bets.  Have a shot at Davis at 16, and could trade back for Ross.  Williams would be gone by 16 in any event, and I see no reason to trade up for him.

A complementary receiver? I don't care about his manners. Can he run a route and catch the ball?

Thank you for everything you brought to Baltimore, both on the field and off. You will be missed. God Bless.

  59 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

The question one must really ask regarding Dennison is this: Will Harbaugh's ego allow him to call Dennison. Remember the dynamic. Loyalty to Kubiak to the point that he didn't stay back as OC when Kubiak left for Denver but instead followed him there. I think that ruffled John's feathers and understandably so. Now, while what Dennison did hurt the Ravens progress with Kubiak's offense in 2015, I think John should still tap into his availability and give him a call and get him here. Because the team is bigger than John Harbaugh.

I don't think that ruffled his feathers at all. Harbaugh has been around long enough to know that when a Head Coach is hired he usually takes "his guys" with him. Was he disappointed ? sure but nothing about his ego will stop him from calling Dennison IF that is the direction that he wants to go. He knows that he needs to get it right whatever he decides for next season because his seat is getting warmer.

It may make a lot of sense to try and lure Dennison in as a QB coach or even O-Line coach. That way, if the Ravens make the playoffs but the offense is still out of synch, Harbs can keep his job and swap Marty for Dennison and we can hope for a 2014 renaissance.

Nose Tackle an Right Tackle are two positions that Ozzie always seems to be able to fill with under-the-radar draft picks or free agents. If Williams and Wagner walk in return for 3rd or 4th round comp picks and we can effectively backfill them with cheaper talent (Pierce & Lewis), that may be a good thing strategically speaking.

Now, if we somehow accidentally had drafted and developed a stud #1 WR who was about to become a free agent, we would have to hold on to him like grim death and back up the Brinks truck.

23 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

Steve, you should have been a Raven much sooner. It felt like you belonged here. Many of us are truly sad that we didn't get to share more than we did of your wonderful career.

God Bless you and your family. You'll surely be missed.

Well said! Not many left like him in the league. He almost seems to be among the last of a great generation of players that played with such fire, attitude, conviction and courage.

24 minutes ago, Derrel said:

Perriman, Aiken and Smith...???

Perriman as a "rookie" first round pick should be better than Torrey Smith, our best-ever deep threat (so far).  SSSr is at least as good as Boldin and Mason as the safety blanket, and Pitta was back to his old form.  Add to that the best receiving FB the Ravens have ever had, and I'd say yes, this is the best receiving corps Joe has ever had.  Now add Wallace (almost as fast as Perriman/Torrey, but can run more than 1 route) and Aiken (underrated possession receiver).

Were they effective this year?  No.  And I don't think it was due to a relative lack of receiving talent.

7 minutes ago, ibleedpurpleandblack said:

Bye Felicia!!! With the exception of obviously Yanda and knowing that Stanley is a rookie as well as A. Lewis - our OL was atrocious this season!!!! Run blocking only seemed to work when they were holding which negated several large runs by West that killed drives and obviously their pass blocking was horrible as well. The entire right side of the line needs to be replaced!!!

PFF said the O-Line graded out as 9th best in the league.  Don't know what film they were watching.  When all are healthy, Yanda moves back to RG, Lewis in at LG (or RT if Wagner departs), which really means we need a bigger, beastlier Center plus a higher quality swing OL as a backup, and we'll be all set talent-wise.

  15 hours ago, Utah_Raven said:

Yeah it was time for a change at that position. I'm excited to for the future of the O line. Now if the team would get a new WR coach.

They actually NEED WR's first.

That's been the case since the Ravens got here. This past season, Joe had arguably the best receiving talent he's ever had, yet the offense failed to take advantage. That's either the play structure, play calling, route-running, lack of protection, or Joe not feeling comfortable with his primary downfield read and defaulting to a dump-off. I think it was a combination of all of the above.

Leslie did a great job with the secondary this year, considering what he had to work with. If he's going to Buffalo, does that mean we pick up Buffalo's asst. secondary coach, Ed Reed?