budkretz

Confused on compensatory picks formula as noted in this article. As I understand the 3 picks the Ravens got for this draft (April 28th) was determined by any UFA lost versus those signed (I think by June 1st). The Ravens lost: T Smith, McPhee, Daniels, Stewart and Taylor and we brought in Lewis. This meant we could get up to 4 picks. The NFL only rewards 30 some comp picks total and no more than 4 to any one team. Balt only got 3 because Tyrod's contract wasn't high enough. So using that formula thus far thr Ravens have signed Weddle and Watson (2) and lost Osemele, Givens and Schaub (3). We are therefore entitled to one pick and Osemele will be one of the top salaries for FAs and will bring the Ravens a 3rd or at the very least a 4th round comp pick next year. We still have two other UFAs in Clausen and Upshaw. And assuming these two go elsewhere that give the Ravens a potential of 3 picks (lose 5 and add two). We'd get picks for Osemele and Upshaw (expect him to sign for $15 to $20 million with someone. The other three Schaub, Givens and Clausen salaries won't lead to actual comp picks.

Thanks to those that provided the info on draft picks. Even though we can't trade comp picks this year, having the 5th through 8th pick in each round and also a late 4th from Denver, Ozzie has the room to maneuver. I see the first two days of the draft and the 4th round is where the Ravens will build the team. Need to get two solid /potential pro bowl players from this draft. If we can get anything out of 5th and 6th round pick it will be a bonus. Just a hunch, but I also see the Ravens signing at least one free agent that comes in and plays soundly (like SSS or Dumervil). If so next year at this time we'll be looking forward to the next Ravens game. Also Kudos on the hiring of Leslie Frazier.

Does anyone know the back end of the upcoming draft. I think the Ravens have all their original choices in rounds 1-5. Not sure about about last two rounds. The trading of Gino Gradkowski involved a change of draft picks at the end and there may been others. I'm guessing we'll get two 4th round picks and a 5th as compensatory. Can comps picks be traded this year or does that go into effect next year? Assuming the Ravens have 9 to 10 picks overall and definitely 4 in the first 104 picks of the draft. The Ravens can address their needs straight up through the draft or Ozzie using trades to move us up and down as needed. I still go back to 2008 when we got Flacco and Rice in first and second rounds (instead of trading up to get Matt Ryan - which Ozzie tried to do but Atl said no thank goodness!). It was quite a factor that set us up for the next three years afterwards. Definitely want to see lightning strike once again.

Do we really need another article on whether or not Tucker will be a Raven next year? His singing on Royal Farms commercials instead of Haloti Ngata (who is a Det Lion) is worth keeping him here in and of itself. (LOL) Now in all seriousness as noted above Gostowski has a 4 year deal for $4 million a year and has set the bar for kickers. The franchise tag for kickers is about $4.5 million. Tucker has made it so we don't worry about extra points, kickoofs and most times a FG attempt. When is the last time an opposing team started past the 20? Yes, he was off on kicks 50 this year, but remember the 62 yard kick that won us a game in Det or 3 games winning kicks against Pitt over the past couple years, etc, etc. There is no way Ozzie lets him walk and although we'll never know, I bet this won't be a major topic finalized in Florida next week when the brain trust meets since it's a no brainer. Even if we have to use the franchise tag by March it does not choke the salary cap and I think he signs a long term deal in the $4-5 million range for 4-5 years by training camp. Enough Tucker stories. How about the fact that we have 4 picks in the top 100-105 of the draft. We pick 6th and 38th. The last time we had picks in that vicinity we got Joe Flacco and Ray Rice. All-in-all a pretty good 1 and 2 pick. Come on, if the Redskins can go from worst to first, we can move up from third to first. This offseason will be one to keep close tabs on! Go Ravens!!

Tucker will be a Raven next year and the years to come. Along with Morgan Cox and Sam Koch, Tucker gives the Ravens the best special teams squad in the league. Period!!! Ozzie may have missed on a couple draft picks lately but he won't let Tucker get even near the door. The franchise tag will be used if we can't get him to do a five year deal at about $4 mil per season. How many games has he won for us and when hasn't the other team started anywhere other than the 20. If we can find a real good return man we'd be set at special teams for the next few years (Clay is okay but not elite. best of all he doesn't fumble)

It's great the Ravens won and Upshaw can take the high road about the penalty; however, I have a big problem with the call. It's not like Upshaw was overtly offside and as you looked down the line on the camera angle MAYBE his toes are in the neutral zone and he might be leaning a SMIDGE. The zebra is making the call from 40 yards away himself. That's a tough call to make when it's that close. Realistically the flag could/should have stayed in the pocket. It could have been a game changing call and when it's not clearly apparent a good referee should refrain from making a call unless it's clear cut. There's too many NFL refs that want there 15 seconds of fame and this ref was going for it. Watch the replay the see this zebra throw the flag 50 feet in the air to draw attention to himself. Just more of the lousy referee calls we have seen all year .

If the Ravens wore "gold" pants the look might have been good. The color they wore was a mustard like color that did not look good. You would think Nike and the NFL could design better colors

Our special teams trio are the best in the league and any true Ravens fan knows that. I'd take Morgan Cox, Sam Koch and Justin Tucker over any of the other teams. Koch's punting has been unbelievable this year. He's only had a couple bad punts and certainly no shanks. Trust that the Coaches and players will give Koch the votes to be at the Pro Bowl as a first teamer. Tucker has struggled past the 50, but inside of it he's money! The unsung of the group is Morgan. His snaps are so good, the only time I heard his name mentioned was when he got caught for holding. Yeah! the refs got that one, but haven't seen the other team hold (not once in the past 11 games!) Makes you wonder?!

The only referee crew that was any good was the ones in the Monday night game at Cleveland two weeks back. That's the only time this year there haven't been ongoing discussions about refereeing throughout the week. Not just because the Ravens won but the fact that the fouls that were called seemed legitimate and the referees let the teams play and decide it on the field. My biggest gripe on the blown call by the ref on D Brown yesterday is that no other ref on the field went to him and say "you blew it" pick up the flag. There should have been at least two other refs that were in position to assist on that call. For what it's worth in the CFL the coaches could have challenged the call. With officiating this lousy, the NFL needs to adjust what can and can't be challenged. As long as the team has a time out they should be able to challenge anything!!! Obviously the Ravens would have challenged that call and won (the review would have taken 10 seconds) and also the next play when our RB was facemasked big time. These two calls took away a TD and a 15 yard penalty that would have put the Ravens in FG position (under 50 so Tuck would have made it!)and thus having the Rvens taking the lead early. As far as the placement of the ball near the goal line I think we were shafted on both 3rd and 4th downs but that's judgment you put into the zebras hands by not bootlegging at least one of those plays. The point is we should have had anywhere from a 10 to 14 point lead before Schaub throws the interceptions and you would think with a 14 point lead that Trestman would be running the ball and the game is totally different. Bottom line is the Ravens have been shafted out of 3 to 4 games with pathetic officiating. This is the NFL. It needs to be better!

The only two thoughts you can have on the official blowing the call on the D Brown TD is that the referee is incompetent or he had money on the game. What's worse is that none of the other officials got together with this jerk to let him know he missed the call. Not that the Ravens would go far in the playoffs but the referees have had a major impact in 3 of the losses. So our record could/should be 7-5. But this way we can get a better draft choice.

Just curious, who is the Ravens emergency quarterback. Guess when you're losing your mind will wander.

How many weeks will it be before these players see field time. For whatever reason it seems a new Raven is brought along very slowwwwly. Our playbook can't be that difficult. Maybe Clay can put some life in our return game. Ford will have a special teams. Vaughn can add to the back end. Won't miss Jackson or Ross. Have faith in the Ravens trainers and doctors and hopefully we see the Breshad Perriman that was drafted as a 1st rounder. As the Cubs say , "Wait till next year"

It will be mentioned (and was in this article) but because of the win it will be overlooked. How was that a penalty on Will Hill for unnecessary roughness when it was a simple textbook tackle. Are the referees that clueless on what's allowed and what isn't. The incompetence of that call is mind boggling. Until they change the replay system and hold the referees accountable you'll continue to have STUPID calls made. You only hope it isn't a game changing call Anyone remember the pass interference call on will Hill in the Raider game!) I know the refs are human but some of the calls are beyond any reasonable explanation other than they are incompetent. Why does the NFL put up with this! By the way, that was a great win Ravens! Sign Tucker to whatever he wants!

There is a very simple way for the NFL to fix the officiating gaffs. Everything is reviewable. Each team gets three per game (as long as they have a time out to lose) and if they get it right they keep that challenge. So if they challenge 10 times and are right 10 times so be it. At least that call is correct. We have the technology. use it! For example if the Ravens would have been able to challenge whether Urshel did signal (which he did). The Ravens play would have stood and maybe we get a TD rather than a field goal. To Blandino, yes that call made a difference! It gave momentum to the Cards and took it away from the Ravens. That crew needs to be fined or demoted for at least one game.

Flacco another interception(2), SSS a great game but had two dropped potential TD's that became FGs, Harbs another wasted challenge that cost the Ravens a needed TO for the final drive, Jimmy Smith a missed interception, the refs a ticky- tack penalty to extend a drive when the game is on the line (yes there was contact , but it was within 5 yds and Boldin was pushing/holding just as much as Smith - it's time the refs let the players play and decide the game on the field instead of the yellow flag!!!), the defense who can't stop a long drive for a TD in the fourth qtr making it a two score game. a defense that can't tackle, a defense that doesn't ball hawk anymore, no one but Forsett able to gain yardage as a RB, why we continue to have Marlon Brown on the field (one catch for 10 yards). It's a good thing Aikens caught the ball in the end zone, Brown would have miffed. Do we wonder why the Ravens lose.

The Ravens defense has no identity, looks lost and has no leader. It's been that way since Pees took over as DC. We don't win the Super Bowl without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. In the past during the last drive by Cleveland the Ravens would have been clawing for the ball forcing a turnover. Again the Ravens D plays too soft - trying not to lose rather than take control! We need a jolt, something to rally for. Pees will not do it! If he stays for the remainder of the year the Ravens will be lucky to be 8-8. If Jim Schwartz is available bring him in now!!! He's been with the Ravens, lives/was from Arbutus, knows defense and within a couple weeks you'll see the team playing like they care. It sometimes seems the players are just happy to be on a pro squad earning at least 1/2 million. The offense has put 30 points on the bard twice and we've lost both games. Not acceptable and someone has to pay.

We still have to be looking for another wide receiver to compliment SSS (and take his place the next 1 to 2 games. If we could trade salary for salary we wouldn't hit the cap so hard. Is anyone crazy enough to take Eugene Monroe? I think Givens will be a help and give us what Campanaro did. He seems to have good hands. I'd get Butler from the PS and dump Marlon Brown. What is up with Justin Babin?. He's suppose to be a rushing specialist and we 've had him 3 weeks. I can see not playing him the first week (only here 4 days) but in weeks 2 and 3 with the team he's been on the field for 6 plays. Is this more of Pees not knowing what to call or who to play on defense. Put him in on passing downs and let him rush the passer. he should get his shares of pressures and sacks; otherwise, dump him and pick someone else up. Thus far if we're paying him $1 that's too much for what he's doing. I like our TEs and the upside is very encouraging, but if there's a vet out there we may want to get some experience at the position. Chris Davis looks like a god pick up. Ravens get healthy and continue the momentum by beating the Browns next Sunday.

Yes, it seems no matter what game you watch every play or every other play one of the zebras is throwing a flag. The NFL needs to take a long look at how the calls are taking away good hard nose football. It's a contact sport. Take some lessons from real "football" (most people call it soccer). If a fouls occurs that doesn't impact the play the teams play on. How many times is there a penalty called on the left side of the field when the play has gone to the right. Just pick up the flag. Another thing the refs need to do it to set a standard and call it the same way throughout the game. We want to watch football, not the flight of the yellow hankie w/golf ball.

It's time for the Ravens to take some personnel action. Get rid of Aiken and Brown and bring up Butler and Ross form the practice squad (they can't do any worse and they seem to be able to catch balls thrown their way). Harbs if you don't want your job on the line get rid of Dean Pees today. I don't care what Def coach takes over just be flexible and able to make changes throughout the game. The spread offense is working 33 points last week , 24 points today in one half. Use it until it doesn't work. If (and it's a mighty big if) the Ravens make it to the playoffs they have to go 10-3 from here on out. Not looking good this year.

Yes a game should not to come down to a call, but the referees are getting paid quite well to do a professional job. The play is real simple. Who initiated the contact (raiders) who had position (Hill). was there contact after the tangle yes (but think back to the Super Bowl and the contact with J Smith and Crsbtree in the endzone). That ref got it right with no call and let the play run. If this is done as it should have been No matter how bad the Ravens played all Flacco does is kneel on the ball twice and we come home victorious. Does this call coat us a chance for the playoffs? We will never know but that ref will get marked down for that call.

The game came down to the Ravens last drive and a stupid assinine call on 2nd down by Trestman on a pass play that stopped the clock and for a 2nd week a pass to SSS is all so close but incomplete on 3rd down. If nothing else you run 2nd and 3rd down and then if you go for the FG there's only one minute or less left. But with 2 minutes left we put the game into the hands of our Guru DC Dean Pees. As per usual the Ravens play oh so soft and let Oakland come up the field. Jernigan's late hit hurt, but the last call on Hill for holding was bull#$@&. Re run the play, the receiver goes into Hill and initiated the contact. Hill had position on him. It should have been a no call and the interception should have stood. Yes the Raiders got more penalties called but it's where and when. The Ravens had 5 calls against our DBs and the Raiders but 1. Those 5 calls kept drives alive and gave the Raiders a lay up for their last score. But that call alone didn't cost us the game Pees did!!!!!! He has no imagination, he cannot make adjustments in games, he still uses a 3 man rush 3 to 5 times a game and the Ravens have little or no luck stooping the opposing team in those situations, on 3rd and short are CBs line up 8 to 10 yards off. Yes they were using a 3 and 5 step drop but a well timed safety or corner blitz where our player gets through can be very disruptive. Hit the qb hard and drop him on his butt and throws start going awry. I don't remember the last time I've seen us try it. All Pees does is sit up in the pressbox and lose us games. Pees do us a favor RETIRE! Ozzie needs to find a playmaker on offense. We'll be lucky to see Perriman by October and he'll need a month or so to get up to speed (if by then) I don't know who's out there, but I'm willing to give up a high draft choice to bring someone in that can give us a spark. SSS can't do it all by himself!

My biggest problem with Pees is two times he had a three man rush and both times Denver had big gains and a first down. The only time a 3 man rush works is when the other team is inside their 30 and have to hail Mary it. Even then why not rush at least 4 and pout a little pressure on the QB. Ravens need to sign a veteran rusher - Freeney or Abraham . Even if they only go about 20 plays a game they have the rushing pedigree that will give our other defenders a chance on 2nd or 3rd and long to zone cover and also rush from the other side.

Yes, Allen has to secure the football. But the refs have to do a better job when making a call that has room for doubt. If Allen had the ball when he broke the plane of the goal line it's a TD fumble notwithstanding. I know the game was not filmed by the NFL cameras and maybe the angles weren't that good, but the play wasn't reviewed. It was in the last two minutes of the half. If it was a score the Ravens lead at halftime and maybe Harbs doesn't get on B Harris.

Have to echo all the comments on poor officiating. Calls that make no sense. Not measuring for a first down when asked then giving a delay of game penalty, taking away Gillmore's TD on a hold or off int on a player a million miles away. The two worst things were not penalizing (hopefully the league will fine) Robinson for an illegal slam to the ground and on Allen's fumble had he crossed the plane before the fumble and why was that not reviewed. When is the league going to get full time referees that are young and fit enough to keep up with the game. The NFL makes too much money. Spend some of it to make the game better. Yes, the Ravens played poorly but with so many trifling penalties called any momentum is taken away. Ozzie has to be looking for a kick returner (yes Jackson had a great return on a kick-off but he scares me on punts and you don't just want to fair catch everything) and he has to be looking for a solid #2 receiver.

Leave it to Mike Preston to complain the Ravens did not draft a CB in the draft that can step into the nickel package. I fully expect Ozzie to sign a CB between now and preseason camp to fill that void (if not 2). Essentially from here on out any veteran player that is signed won't affect compensatory picks next year. And as always the Ravens will have 3 to 4 comp picks in the 2016 draft as it is.