budkretz

Does anyone know why Stanley did not play after practicing all week? Put Urshel at center Zuttah can't block! Get rid of Castillo . He only had a good OL the year Kubiak was here and that took a while to sort out. Unless there is a big change in game planning by the coaches and execution by the players can we muster more than 2 more wins this year? Also get rid of the white jersey and black pants uniform. We look like a nothing college team and play like it! If we take pride in how we look maybe it will rub off in their play.

They play like a 3rd division college team. They look like a 3rd division football team in the white shirt and black pants - it's the ugliest uniform in the league and they are playing in the same fashion. Heads need to roll!!

Yes, Harbs finally did something right. Don't know if it was his call or it was Ozzie/Bischotti who said pull the plug on Testman. The playbook will be the same, but the game plan should drastically change and we can see the offense flourish. The next thing Harbaugh has to do is to put points on the board when there is the opportunity. Tucker is one of the top 3 kickers in the league. We took away his foot against Oakland and did the same yesterday. We kick the FG instead of the lame fake field goal play and then we kick a FG at the end of the game it's on to OT. Yes we want to score TD's instead of FGs for the most part, but the non-kicks have put us in all or nothing situations these last two games and we lost both!. But then again if we win maybe Trestman stays on, so we take a loss to the Skins (which hurts) but make a big gain in getting an OC who has plenty of experience and hopefully gets the offense to produce. The talent is there let's use it. To Marty M please make it a point to have a balanced attack, a few surprises and the ability to adjust throughout the game. Your predecessor lacked these qualities, BIG TIME!! . Doers anyone know SSS and Mosely's injury status.

You have to believe that our top guys Ozzie and Bischotti are talking about canning Trestman. Please let's do it now so we can salvage the season. I know they wouldn'tdo this, but Brian Billick is available and he'd be a major upgrade. Anyhow anyone but Trestman. How can you run the ball like crazy in the 1st quarter on a team that struggles against the run and and then only run 7 designed times the rest of the game (the 8th run was a Flacco scramble). Harbaugh's game management to be polite stinks. He takes time outs at inopportune times which negates us from using them late in the game when they are needed. He didn't take a Tucker chip shot last week and we lose by one point and then not over ruling the fake field goal taking is mind boggling. Tucker He hits that FG and instead of going 4th and 8 for a TD, Tuck would have kicked a FG and we get into OT. Yes, it's a team loss, but the burden falls on Harbaugh. The fake field goal was doomed. Tucker lined up to kick the ball left-footed. Do you think this fooled the Skins. No, they are professionals not amateurs. You have Tucker throw a pass into a 20 MPH wind. Also we had a turnover on the 15 and the three play calls were Trestmanesque. A three yard nothing pass, an incomplete and the good old handoff on 3rd and long to the back when in the shotgun. We've run this play some 20 times this year. I'll bet the net gain from this assinine call is about 1 yard per play (if that). I could go on and on but I'll end with let's get a Coach who wants to win outright and not stay close and hope we pull the game out. We should be 5-0 and grudgingly could be 4-1, but we are 3-2 and looking as a string of losses if changes aren't made!!!

I believe that when you sign a player off another team's practice squad, he must be on your 53 man roster at least two weeks. If Huff shows anything ability wise I expect K Lewis to be dropped. To say the least Lewis looks lost on the field and is beaten quite often. They are giving Waller another week to get into football shape before they activate him or get him to the practice squad. Max Williams is dealing with knee problems that surgery will ultimately have to fix. If Waller looks in practice like he did in pre-season then it will happen this week or next. I think Terrence Brooks went with the Eagles or Bills. He was signed the day after we released him, not sure of his current status.

Yes, the officials are back to their old selves. Last week the officiating seemed good, yesterday questionable. The taunting penalty was not the most flagrant , but when Pryor flipped the ball it did hit Webb's helmet. To the referee running in it looked like taunting. If it doesn't hit him or he doesn't filp the ball no call would have been made. No doubt it made the Browns last effort harder and i can understand their angst.. On Cleveland's first TD although there wasn't a great angle if you saw the replay at slow motion as his second foot came down white chalk/grass came up. Since he was the only player in that vicinity that means he had to kick it up and his foot did not slide. I don't know what the replay officials do in new York or wherever they are but how can you not see this, the chalk flying up had to tell you he was on the line; therefore, out of bounds. So that first TD should not have counted and if they don't score or settle for a FG it puts a different slant on the game. Another big gaffe came when the Ravens defense was called offside. One of our players went into the neutral zone , but did not make contact and got back on side. Their guard while staying in his stance made an arm gesture . In order to be drawn off by the defense the OL must stand up and move. This did not occur, the side referee needs to learn the rules. It did not hurt/impact the game, but it's a simple call and side referee should know and the head refer could have overruled and pulled the flag. I know it is a hard job, but these two call were fairly obvious and the NFL continues to have part time people when they have the resources to have full-time well-trained officials.

Yeah, this is a major overreaction (though I'm not surprised). 1. The punishment isn't that harsh, which is reflective of the "crime" not being that harsh. If there's one thing your parents hopefully taught you, its that "mistakes" come with consequences, particularly "mistakes" that appear to have been intentional. Actions have consequences, and so should this action, regardless of how long it lasted. Its not a sufficient punishment to just say "thats OK guys, just don't do it again". Punishment is very reasonable for the "crime" based on what I see. 2. The reason pads aren't allowed is primarily due to the fact that the NFL is being constantly sued by people claiming that they didn't know that slamming their heads into other people might not be good for their long term health (still get a good chuckle out of that one). I don't get the DeflateGate analogy at all, because the punishment levied between the two aren't even in the same stratosphere of severity. Do you really think a four game suspension, a large fine and a loss of a 1st round draft pick is even equatable as a punishment to the forfeiture of three days worth of, as you acknowledged, VOLUNTARY workouts? 3. Its not the benefits that are hurting the league. Its the people who put their rookie's in pads during OTAs when they know they shouldn't that are hurting the league. Thank you for the eloquent response. As a Raven's fan I hate to lose the practice days, but as a football fan right is right. My response which was purposely tongue in cheek!! It addresses the absurdity of today's society, worrying about minor things and everyone's right rather than doing what is for the good for the majority. My reference about Brady is that he made a mockery of the league by going to court in order to play. How many comments were made last year while those shenanigans were ongoing? The Ravens won't make a fuss (at least publicly) and will take the high road and get back to business. Now look at the consequences and who gets hurt? Not Harbaugh or the team. They can easily absorb the fine. But what about rookie, UFA or marginal vet who is trying to be the 50th to 53rd player. Could these 3 days mean the difference from him making $500,000 (or whatever the minimum is) or their being cut and being simple folk like you and me hoping to live paycheck to paycheck. Yes, to a professional ballplayer who has not made the squad yet the time in front of and with a coach can make the difference come August. This chance is now lost. Is this what the player's union wants, missed opportunities for players to become part of the league and union. I don't think so. Yes, practices need to be safe but don't restrict competition. A fine and "Bad Boy" would have sufficed.

Do the higher muck-mucks in the league have nothing better to do than to worry that the players might have had to exert themselves in practice! The NFL is so picayune and two-faced. They lie to Congress and try to manipulate studies and statistics on concussions, something that will impact a player's life and then they fine and take away time for practicing in pads. As we understand it, the practice in pads lasted for only about 5-10 minutes and once it was brought to the Coaches attention it stopped. Yes the Ravens made a mistake and yes they should have known better, but they did commit heresy or start another deflategate? A question for Commissioner Goddell and any other schmuck in the league office, have you ever made a mistake? On a side note to Mike Preston (whose article in the Sunday Sun was lame), do us all a favor and keep writing about lacrosse, we're tired of your Ravens bashing articles. So now our players lose 3 days of VOLUNTARY practice that helps the marginal veterans and rookies who are vying for a job to impress the coaches, gives players time to understand the playbook, allow players to recover from past injuries, get in shape, bond with teammates and not be elsewhere and getting in trouble. If any of these benefits are hurting the league , then by all means stop all practices! The Ravens should pull a Brady and take it to court and continue to make a mockery of the league. No!!! We have too much class! I'm just glad the games are exciting and the Ravens our team lays it on the line every time they are on the field - except for next week!

I think the Ravens are okay at CB. The 6 "good" CBs were gone by second round, They have J Smith, Will Davis (looked very strong before injury) S Wright and Arrington as vets. Also a couple from last year's bench still on the roster and Canady and Young from the draft. Think Canady may be the better of the 2 and Young may have PR/KR abilities. Won't be surprised to see them add a veteran CB before the year starts. Only miss was no ILB. Again look for them to pick up a veteran (like we did with Daryl Smith and got 3 good years out of him) and maybe Zach Orr makes the move to starter. OL seems to be in good shape with draft picks and UFAS, don't think Hurst will make squad. The roster has good potential depth. Good times are ahead!

Certainly not a glitzy draft. The first three picks are sound and should help. Day 3 we'll have to wait and see. Two big misses in not getting Joe Haeg OT and Scooby Wright ILB.

For some reason I think Buckner is higher on OPzzie's list than Bosa. Assuming the Rams and Browns take QBs then I see the next three being Tunsil, Ramsey and Jack which leaves us Bosa or Buckner. I like Buckner better, but can also see a fit with Bosa. I don't see how we lose with either one . It would be neat to see how the Ravens draft board rom is divided if it comes to these two. I'd like Ramsey to drop to us but I can't see it happening. My concern with Jack is his knee, if he was healthy picking him would be a no brainer. Tunsil also has been hit by the injury bug in college and if he's the one left at pick #6, I could see the Ravens trading back to 10-12 getting a second for sure and probably a fourth as well. The Giants at #10 are looking for a tackle. Either way I expect 3 starters in the first three rounds.

I think you mat have overlooked the work in bold below. It happens. There is not legitimate chance the Ravens can get the top tackle in the draft or an elite defender. At least two of the following will be on the board when the Ravens are on the clock: Assuming the 5 mentioned (Ramsey, Bosa, Jack, Tunsil and Buckner) are at the top of the draft and both Rams and Browns take a QB then 2 of the 4 are left. But there's no guarantee that after the Rams a QB will be taken. Cle and Dal have/may have a need and of course there could be other trades which shake things up. But mathematically assuming the Rams take a QB at #1 (and you'd get a million to 1 odds that they don't) then one of those 5 have to be left when the Ravens draft at #6. My point is all 5 have to be at the top of the Ravens board and whichever is left will be a good pick for the Ravens. Ideally I hope Cle takes a QB and Dal takes Elliott because then there would be at least 3 of those left over.

Do the math. Since the Rams are taking a QB at #1, These five are on the board and one of them has to be available. And all five can really help the Ravens and have big time starter potential (pro-bowl material). You don't seem high on Buckner, but I think he can be a better Chris Canty DE and maybe become Michael McCreary like. They don't have to be HoF material , but they need to be starters and contributors from the get go. I like the d-line rotation of Williams, Jernigan, Guy, Urban, Kapran-Moore and Buckner. That has to be very imposing to our opponents. I will gladly take any of these players at the sixth pick and know the Ravens have improved. The key will be rounds 2-4. out of those 6 choices they need to get 3-4 starters at minimum.

Alright my child, get ready for enlightenment, Tunsil obviously is the best prospect and looks to be the best LT coming out since Tyron Smith, but more highly regarded coming out. He is more than ready and he held his own in the SEC against highly touted pass rushers. He literally only gave up 2 sacks in 29 career starts and his nickname is the eraser. C'mon, pretty awesome. He also showed improvement in run blocking and I foresee with his work ethic that he will be elite in that category soon enough. Bosa is as good as advertised. His sack production dipped this year, but his impact didn't according to PFF. He is an elite defender that can set the edge and stonewall the run game. He might not have the explosiveness of a Von Miller Or Mack, but he has all of the other traits that translate to big success in the NFL, which are great hand abilities to disengage blockers, natural lean to obtain constant leverage, high motor so that he can gas out lineman, and instincts that allow him to outsmart his opponents and find ways into the back field. Jack when healthy could do it all even though he was slightly lighter than most pro teams would like, but he has since bulked up a little. He is designed to be a elite coverage ILB that can also show flashes in the run game and arrive with surprising pop and wrapping up abilities. His IQ is off the charts as well and he anticipates plays often. Very high ceiling, but worst case is he either becomes a tremendous safety or is designated as a coverage ILB that allows Mosley to play to his strengths as a run defender and blitzer. Ramsey v. Hargreaves is the most interesting as coming out VH3 is obviously a much more polished CB and has sick ball skills and anticipation to cause turnovers at the next level. He had a few bad games, such as against Alabama, but he has also held his own against other great talents, such as Treadwell. All corners have off days against elite or very good WRs, just look at Chris Harris v. AB, Sherman v. Hilton, Norman v. Julio, etc. Hargreaves high at times might cost him, but his technique and smarts will keep him from ever being a liability, especially since both of our safeties have great coverage abilities to back him up if teams wanted to go over the top often, but even still, Hargreaves has great anticipation that allows him to contest those catches. Ramsey is a converted Safety to CB, but is similar to Patrick Peterson in so many ways. His All-American athleticism keeps him in almost every play and combined with his instincts, he always finds a way to be around the ball. His versatility could present absolute nightmares for coordinators if he doesn't pan out as a strict CB, but with experience and coaching of his technique, Ramsey has the highest ceiling of almost any prospect. I think Hargreaves is deserving of #6 because he will be good, but Ramsey is worth the slight gamble as the best outcome is he joins the elite corner category and our secondary becomes our strength, or he becomes a hybrid that allows Pees to get extra creative and cause confusion at the line, especially since Ramsey is a very good tackler at the line and can also blitz the QB better than any DB in this class. Okay so hopefully you are a little bit more optimistic like the rest of us now! With the Rams taking a QB at pick #1 even if Cle doesn't take a QB we get one of the top 5 field players at #6. My preference is: 1. Ramsey 2. Buckner 3. Jack 4. Bosa 5. Tunsil. Any one of these players should be a day 1 starter and pro-bowl bound. From Ramsey to Bosa if they are on the board take them. If Tunsil is the one left at our pick , then I'd consider a trade down. The Giants at #10 might very trade with us -they need an OT. I'd ask for a 2nd and 3rd in addition to pick #10. At that point Hargreaves and the next wave of DE/OLBs are still on the board. and now we have picks #36, #44 #70 and #80. The tough call is do we pass on Tunsil, is he the next JO or will Monroe kick it in gear and give us a good year or next couple of years. The Ravens are in a good position with the #6 pick.

I see our first pick being a defense player. The only exception at #6 is L.Tunsil and if only if Ramsey, Buckner, Bosa and Jack are all off the board. If we trade back there's an outside chance depending on when we get that first choice we may consider E Elliott - RB. But that's if we fall back to #15 or so. At #36 again defense seems the choice from among a CB, ILB, OLB. If we do trade back and have a couple picks in round two, the then an OT like Decker, Conklin and Spriggs come into play with one of the picks. Since wqe don't have complete faith in Monroe and Hurst seems overmatched, the ravens need an OT in the first four rounds. One that can at least be a dependable backup, if not in line if Monroe gets hit by the injury bug again.

Too much of a gamble at #36. Our top 3 picks, if we don't trade up or down, at #6, #36 and #70 need to be starters or at least rotational players. If Smith is still around in the 4th take him there. We have 4 picks that round.

I agree. Our CBs will be much better this year even if we don't draft one real high. (But if Ramsey is on the board at six he's our!) I expect a CB to be picked anywhere from the 2nd -4th rounds. A name to remember is Artie Burns - Miami. On the team already are Smith, Wright, Will Davis and Arrington good blend of youth and veteran presence. Adding a CB in the early rounds will fortify that position. position. With the addition of Weddle our safety and the backend of our DBs looks in good hands. Most of all Leslie Frazier will be a good coach and provide strong leadership. Harbaugh made a great hire!.

Always knowing the Ravens will take the best player especially in the first round, if the first round pick is a DE/OLB then ILB and T should be 2nd round targets. If we take Elliott first round (and this is plausible) then in second target the better of DE/OLB, ILB or T. With 2 tradeable 4th round picks and our pick at #36 in 2nd round, we can use them to go higher in 2nd round or maybe to the very end of 1st round to get one of the above mentioned positions covered and get the player we want. Drafting early in the round has its advantages, but I'd rather pick last next year, if you know what i mean!!!

I like your thoughts. My only change would be to put Bosa in front of Jack which makes Elliott 6th. Would Tunsil be a better 6th choice? Either of those two would help the run game. All of these players are pro-bowl capable/probable. Combine with our FA signings - the 3 W's and the hope that SSS and Perriman can bolster the passing game. the outlook is good. I also anticipate our draft picks in rounds 2-4 (another 5 players topping out at pick #134) will add dpeth and strength to the Ravens. How do we miss getting to the playoffs [assuming we're relatively injury free] Go Ravens!! and Go Orioles!!

yeah,i'm not opposed to trade back,but we alway's get mid to late round pick's,very good,but not the BLUE CHIPPER'S we really need,the more i look at it,the more i'd like to stay at #6.i don't like BOSA and it looks like he doesnt want to play here anyway.it's just very exciting,i can't wait.even without trading back,its still like we have 3 first rounders,with,whomever we get at 6,PERRIMAN if he holds up and and the 36 pick,our front office has done a fabulous job in free agency so whateber happen's,we're set up nicely.in the word's of BART SCOTT,"CAN'T WAIT!!! the big difference is that this year our picks are in the top 7 of each round (except for comp picks) which means in round two we get PICK # 36 instead of #58. In round #3 we get 70 instead of 90. Those twenty or so slots should mean a much better player. Without any trades we get four picks in the first 104 draft picks. If 3 out of 4 are starters and one is a "star" we'll be talking deep playoffs next two years.

Sorry, that scenario will never happen and If it did, the Rams GM should be fired. Assuming the Browns take a QB at #2 and Kapernik goes to Den then the 49ers will likely take a qb at #7. So if the Rams really want a qb - Goff or Wentz they have to get ahead of the 49ers where we are at 6 and if the 4 are off the board then see what the Rams will do. You know you trades the ones. onthe point chart it's 650 points and picks 43 and 45 = 800. So maybe we give them a 4th. It's just how bad do the Rams want the 2nd best qb. Remember the trade for RGIII. If this doesn't come about we still likely pick Jack or Hargreaves. The Ravens are in a good position and we should see 2 to3 draft picks that jump in and help the Ravens this year.

I agree. My top four are 1. Ramsey 2. Buckner 3. Bosa 4. Tunsil. 9 i can't see Ramsey falling to our pick, Buckner is more likely especially if SD don't grab him. If these four are gone I'd trade back if possible. If any of these four are on the board we take the pick. If not then the pick would be either Jack or Hargreaves. Looking at a trade , we aren't taking a QB and since enough teams need one a trade back is quite possible. I'd like to trade with Rams for their pick #15 and their two 2's (43 and 45). if this happens we have picks 15, 36, 43 and 45. We could get the parts we are missing (pass rusher, CB, tackle and , ILB) and they should be immediate starters or part of a rotation . Ramsey and Buckner are stars in the making. I see Buckner as another Michael McCreary. He would sure add to an already good DL.

Only take Jack if Ramsey, Bosa, Buckner and Tunsil (in order) are gone in first 5. Other wise trade back to 10-15 range getting a 2 and 3 and pick from Hargreaves CB or Ragland ILB or Lawson DE/OLB in 2nd Artie Burns CB In 3rd Scooby Wright ILB. Also like Joe Haeg OT in 4th

It's a win-win. For the veteran minimum we can get a back who gives us more flexibility in the backfieldand a different dimension in the backfield. If he's anywhere close to what he was in college WOW!! if he's done he's cut.

The only way the Ravens draft Hargreaves is if they trade back to # 10-12. I'm guessing the Ravens are looking at Ramsey, Bosa, Buckner and Jack. With Tunsil and the possible QB picks one of those players should be available at #6. If not trade back (Giants may want to get to 6 to pick Elliott). I don't want the Ravens to go past #10 unless the Rams at #15 give us a super package (#15 , 2nd , 3rd and maybe something the following year). If we drop back to #10 -15 range: Hargreaves, Ragland (ILB), Eliott (RB), Lawson (DE) or Bullard (DE), Apple (CB) are in play. In the 2nd or 3rd round keep an eye on Artie Burns (CB) and Scooby Wright (ILB)