budkretz

  1 hour ago, eze17 said:

  1 hour ago, budkretz said:

Don't understand why we did not trade back in 1st round to get an extra pick in 3rd round. If Humphrey is a starter right off that means J Smith or B Carr are injured. To start the year the DBs are Smith, Carr, Weddle and Jefferson, T Young is nickel and L Webb is dime - this means Humphrey your #1 pick is special teams and he is not a return man. With an extra pick we could get one of the better running backs or second wave of WR to at least bolster what we have on offense. And by picking in the 20s we would have secured one of the 3 bog O-linemen and only have one position to worry about. We'd still be in a position to get Bowser, Wormley and T Williams (at least 2 out of 3) As of today we have 2 spots on o-line we are unsure of. We have 3 WRs that have experience and defenses don't have to focus on Wallace or Perriman and they can be covered man-to-man. Defenses will allow Pitta to catch 200 passes since he only nets about 5 yards and had worst percentage of moving the chains. The other TEs are old, injured, suspended or on IR Dixon is out 4 games . Does West keep DC's up at nights planning their defense against the Ravens? All you need is a vanilla defense on 1st & 2nd downs and on 3rd you blitz past a line with 3 /5 proven players. Unless Ozzie can find a trade to bring in a playmaker our offense is going to struggle. No matter how good the Ravens defense is we will give up 15-20 points a game. Unless Marty M comes up with brilliant game plans I don't see the offense having big numbers. Yes the defense should be much improved and we will stay in most games because of that. But to expect a ball hawking team like we had in 2000 under Pees is probably wishful thinking. I hope I am wrong and I will root until the end , but I can't see a record above 8-8.

Why would we have Webb playing dime CB? I can't fathom how you would consider us not playing Humphery in that position. More than likely, we'll have Canady as a 5th CB, and he was doing a fine job playing ST until he was injured. Humphery will more than likely be given every opportunity to compete for Carr's spot, but likely will be in nickle/dime packages. In any case, if you haven't been watching Raven's games the last few years, we have had so many problems fielding a competitive secondary late in the season, it will be a relief to have capable guys who can come in and play at a high level. Webb may see some time at CB, but my prediction is that would be very limited and only if the injury bug hits us during a game. He's going to be the main back up safety,(and wouldn't be surprised if he does some return work also) not a full time CB.

In my ideal world, we play a lot more dime packages (something we literally played none of last season) and Webb is part of that package, as a coverage guy either at CB or Safety (in Dime I'm not sure it really matters).

Lack of depth/quality player at ILB to me means we should put more secondary players out there, especially on passing downs. Finding a way to get Weddle/Jefferson/Webb on the field at the same time seems like a good idea to me.

You didn't pay Carr to sit on the bench. The dime might play 1 down out of three and as of yet Humphrey isn't proven. As you mentioned we have Canady and Sheldon Price from last year that when they played they were good and showed much potential. We have oodles of safety's. Was Humphrey that great a pick in that we ignored other needs - specifically o-line. With a trade back you get that o-lineman , you get an extra pick and the dbs are still strong and you have improved the o-line. IMO this was a miss. Now that the pick has been made I want Humphrey to be all-pro but that means Carr or Smith sit and they are getting paid big bucks.

Don't understand why we did not trade back in 1st round to get an extra pick in 3rd round. If Humphrey is a starter right off that means J Smith or B Carr are injured. To start the year the DBs are Smith, Carr, Weddle and Jefferson, T Young is nickel and L Webb is dime - this means Humphrey your #1 pick is special teams and he is not a return man. With an extra pick we could get one of the better running backs or second wave of WR to at least bolster what we have on offense. And by picking in the 20s we would have secured one of the 3 bog O-linemen and only have one position to worry about. We'd still be in a position to get Bowser, Wormley and T Williams (at least 2 out of 3) As of today we have 2 spots on o-line we are unsure of. We have 3 WRs that have experience and defenses don't have to focus on Wallace or Perriman and they can be covered man-to-man. Defenses will allow Pitta to catch 200 passes since he only nets about 5 yards and had worst percentage of moving the chains. The other TEs are old, injured, suspended or on IR Dixon is out 4 games . Does West keep DC's up at nights planning their defense against the Ravens? All you need is a vanilla defense on 1st & 2nd downs and on 3rd you blitz past a line with 3 /5 proven players. Unless Ozzie can find a trade to bring in a playmaker our offense is going to struggle. No matter how good the Ravens defense is we will give up 15-20 points a game. Unless Marty M comes up with brilliant game plans I don't see the offense having big numbers. Yes the defense should be much improved and we will stay in most games because of that. But to expect a ball hawking team like we had in 2000 under Pees is probably wishful thinking. I hope I am wrong and I will root until the end , but I can't see a record above 8-8.

Don't sleep on Stephane Nembot. I think he will make a serious push for RT. If we don't pick up Mangold C will be Jensen Siragusa or The Brain

Don't forget Matt Skura a UDFA and practice squad player from last year as our center. He's been around for a year, hopefully has gained bulk and knowledge. He was considered one of the better UDFA signings from last year's group. I see the Ravens picking up a veteran Tackle since most of our players vying to be a starter seem more inclined to be a G or C. I think Lewis can switch to right tackle, but he looked good at LG and worked well with Stanley

As always, it's too soon to actually assign a grade to a draft class, but based on value and projections, I'd give this class a B+.  

My only gripe about the whole thing was that I thought we could have been a little more aggressive in securing Dan Feeney or Pat Elflein in the third, but other than that, not a bad class for the amount of picks we had.  

Realistically what has been holding us back? A bad secondary and an abysmal pass rush that cannot get home to close out games. Even dating back to 14' when we faced the Patriots, it wasn't Flacco's ineptitude to score points that sunk out ship, it was our atrocious secondary. We have given up the most go ahead TDs over the past two years and I think the FO wanted to make sure we limited that moving forward. 

Humphrey is getting a lot of flack, but realistically, he was a top 3 corner in this draft after Sidney went down. His ball tracking skills can be coached as he goes and honestly, that's his only real problem. He checks every other box. He will in time anchor the secondary. 

Williams and Bowser will give us explosive pass rushers and will allow Suggs more rest so that he will be more effective when he is on the field. 

Siragusa will likely be our LG and I really like the gesture that we will be moving back to a power scheme. 

Not to disrespect Danny Woodhead but who have the Ravens added to the offense in order to give Joe Flacco more options and playmakers? Check down city did not work!

Like the defensive picks in first 3 rounds and hope Bowser is as good as the Ravens rated him. much potential. The defense should be much improved but it may have to pitch a lot of shutouts. Yes, the WRs went quickly with Williams , Davis and Ross went in top 10 which precluded any trade talk. Schuster-Smith went to Steelers late in round 2 and Godwin went in 3rd round. They were second tier WRs but have good potential. Ravens could have picked either one. Hope this does not come back to bite us. After the draft and FA we still need playmakers on offense. Running backs are okay and the best - Dixon is suspended first four games so he won't be a factor until the 6th or 7th game by the time he gets into football playing shape.. Wide receivers it's Wallace and Perriman. They are okay and will give us a good game here and there, but they lack that constant threat. The TE's are okay. The problem is an okay offense does not win games. The only playmaker we have is Tucker and he can only kick 4 FGs a game. The defense will need to hold teams to the low teens to give the Ravens a chance. I know some veterans will be released, but unless we stumble into another Dumervil situation can we honestly get a playmaker in the UDFA or free- agent, released veterans market. Don't want to be pessimistic, but how much better are we now than the team from last year that went 8-8. At this point that record seems reasonable for the upcoming season..

My top 5 at #16 of those likely to be on the board are: Barnett, Davis, Reddick, Howard, Williams . Many if not all of these players could already be off the board depending on how many QBs are taken. If these players are gone try to trade back and get an extra 3rd. The picks from 18 plus into the middle of the 2nd round are pretty interchangeable. If no trade partner is there and we are stuck at #16 then my next group is Foster, Robinson or Cook. I feel that all of these players should be starters from day one and have all-pro potential.

My gut says we trade back instead of picking at #16

Assuming the big names go and a couple QBs are picked in the first 15 selections my pick at #16 in order are: Derek Barnett (Edge), Davis (WR), Williams (WR) and Foster (ILB). If all 4 are already taken then I would try my best to trade back to the low 20's and get at least another 3rd round pick or add in a 5th to get another 2nd. In the 20's we can still get a good Edge (Charles Harris, Taco Charlton, Takk McKinney. The "good" edge rushes will be gone by our pick in round #2 at #47. We've reached the last two years with Z Smith and Judon. They both have promise but as of now are they every down players with upside or are they rotational? To replace Dumervil and Suggs (soon) we need to get someone with upside. There are enough WRs in round two should we not get Williams or Davis. please pass on ross we already have Wallace and Perriman.

Assuming the big names go my two picks if the Ravens stay at #16 are Derek Barnett (Edge) and Williams (WR). I'd take Barnett over Williams if both are there mainly because there are better WRs in the 2nd round over edge rushers. If both are off the board and we stay at #16 go Dalvin Cook (RB) or Corey Davis (WR). Ideally if Barnett and Williams are gone it makes sense to trade back are far as the low 20's. There are good options at o-line, CB, LB and Edge worthy of a pick in the 20's. With the extra 3rd the Ravens may be able and willing to move up 2 to 4 slots to get Barnett or Williams or if somehow a Lattimore or Solomon drop into the teens (not likely). Despite not having a ton of picks the Ravens are sitting in a good spot at #16

I still say there's no way Boldin comes back to Baltimore. We'd probably see him reunite with Torrey Smith in Philadelphia before re-signing with the Ravens.

Boldin wants a ring (and he is a competitor); otherwise, there's no reason for him to play another year. He has money and his health He won't sign until June and if he can get a team closer to Florida he will, but if he believes the Ravens have a shot at playoffs and more it makes sense. Boldin knows the Coaches, the system, the town. Q no longer has to be the every down player and his leadership in the clubhouse and classroom would be invaluable. I say our chances are 60-40.

Love the Re-signing of Webb.... I think we needed to move forward with Jefferson as the starter but Webb has been great in the community and does provide quality depth at both S and CB... that is a big deal.

Jimmy Smith
TreDavious White (or another rookie CB)
Brandon Carr
Tavon Young
M Cannaday

Weddle
Jefferson
Webb
Levine

That is a pretty stacked Defensive backfield. Diverse and deep with a good mixture of youth and experience.

My only wish to add onto this would be if we could somehow steal Sid Jones and stash him away for next year!

Throw Sheldon Price into the CBs. He looked good in the couple games before IR and he has good size

Barnett and Corey Davis at 16 would be Beautiful

Definitely agree if all the big names come off the board in the first 15 picks I take Barnett and then Davis. I think Mike Williams (WR) is gone by 12th pick. If these two are off the board try to drop back 3-6 spots and get an extra 2nd or 3rd pick. If we have to stay at #16 My next two would be Dalvin Cook (RB) and the best rated CB left.

The top 10 likliest players we take: 

1. John Ross 

2. Tim Williams

3. Marlon Humphrey

4. Corey Davis 

5.  Taco Charlton 

6. Cam Robinson

7.  Charles Harris 

8. Mike Williams 

9. Derek Barnett 

10. Reuben Foster

All-in-all good players but:
1. Ross - already have two speed receivers don't need a 3rd one
2. Williams - can get in round #2
3. Humphrey - is in the running but likely available in the 20's
WR Davis & Williams - have to be at top of their board
Edge Rushers Barnett, McKinley, Charlton and Harris would be my order of preference
OT is only taken if the Rvens trade back into the 20's in order to get more picks in rounds 2 and 3.

My top 3 are:: Williams, Barnett, Davis if we stay at #16. if they are gone, trade back and get one of the others noted because at least 4-5 of them will be drafted/available in the 20's,

The ravens have to get an edge rusher with out 1st or 2nd pick and there should be very good ones available at #16 or #47. At #16 if we go offense think Dalvin Cook or Mike Williams as playmakers. Hoping Cook is Zeke Elliott like -on the field and not off - or Williams is that good so we don't miss on a WR. An edge rusher is the other big need yet addressed. There are some very strong draftees that can be picked in first two rounds: Derek Barnett, Takk McKinley, Zach Cunningham, Taco Charlton, Charles Harris should be in play. If playmakers are drafted before we pick I see Ozzie trading back to get 1 to 2 more picks in rounds 2 &3. We'll know in a month.

  1 hour ago, budkretz said:

With Sidney Jones out of the picture, I see the Ravens looking at 3 main possibilities at pick #16: Mike Williams (WR), Dalvin Cook (RB) and Derek Barnett (Edge). If these 3 are gone don't be surprised to see us trade back in the draft -maybe early 20's and get extra picks in round 2 and 3. If this occurs we should be able to get an Edge rusher in round #1 (McKinley, Charlton, Harris) and with the 2nd round pick get a good CB (Conley, Humphrey, Moreau), with the next picks in 2nd & 3rd you get o-line and a ILB and fill other needs. I can see Anquan Boldin come back on a one year deal and what he'll do in the locker room and team rooms is worth his pay alone. If Sidney Jones is available in the 4th round, I would draft him knowing he's a red-shirt but potential is worth it. I also think Ozzie will make a move or two before the draft which will continue to alter the needs as the draft approaches.

Mike Williams and cook will probably be gone by 16th. I'm still not sold in Barnett at 16. 

Looking at the Second round. I'm in love with the talent on the board. The two CBs you mentioned and a few other good guys that may need some developing but their feeling is so high! Ryan Anderson (Alabama) looks like Suggs 2.0 and he may be there when we pick in the second.

Iv seen a few mocks here and there, there's a great chance one of the top 2 Tackles falls to us.  I wouldn't be dissapointed at all if we take one either one at 16

last but not least. If Sidney jones is there in the third then I'd love to see Ozzie pull the trigger. Not often do you get a top 15 talent in the third round. All you gotta do is wait a year. 

Agree. It seems after the top 10 picks and any teams grabbing QBs that picks in the 10-32 first round and those in top half of second round that there's not a big difference in ability/potential. And the 3rd round has sound players. Anderson has moved up the board and you can add Charles Harris (Mizzou) and Carl Lawson (Auburn) as Edge rushers. An extra pick in that grouping could help the Ravens fill out their roster needs. There are a couple veteran tackles that have been released along with Mangold, Boldin and Zach Brown that are out there. As vets they want to play and if they may be past A+ days but even at B range they can bridge and train the new draftees as they adjust to pro ball. The Ravens are still considered playoff bound and most seem to enjoy their time in Baltimore, so I see a couple veterans coming in. I think with our Coaches knowing it's playoff or they are out we will see some new strategies this year. Of course I want the playoffs and then some, but let's at least have some exciting games on both offense and defense. With Tucker, Koch and Cox we have the best kicking team. The optimism is coming back!

With Sidney Jones out of the picture, I see the Ravens looking at 3 main possibilities at pick #16: Mike Williams (WR), Dalvin Cook (RB) and Derek Barnett (Edge). If these 3 are gone don't be surprised to see us trade back in the draft -maybe early 20's and get extra picks in round 2 and 3. If this occurs we should be able to get an Edge rusher in round #1 (McKinley, Charlton, Harris) and with the 2nd round pick get a good CB (Conley, Humphrey, Moreau), with the next picks in 2nd & 3rd you get o-line and a ILB and fill other needs. I can see Anquan Boldin come back on a one year deal and what he'll do in the locker room and team rooms is worth his pay alone. If Sidney Jones is available in the 4th round, I would draft him knowing he's a red-shirt but potential is worth it. I also think Ozzie will make a move or two before the draft which will continue to alter the needs as the draft approaches.

Little confused why so many negative comments. If Ozzie is freeing up $5.8 MM over the next 2 years he's going to use the money. With all the bad weather it may take a day to get whomever into town to talk to and get a physical. Zuttah was a goner and we at least got something in return other than a bag of footballs. It could be the last part in a trade if we need to move up in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. Just the trade alone gives the Ravens 12 additional slots to get a: Jermaine Lewis, Adelius Thomas, Tyrod Taylor, Derek Anderson. We still have Darrin Waller, Ryan Jensen and Keenan Reynold on the team. Waller could be a late bloomer, Jensen provides bench strength and can plug in as needed and in Reynolds there is still a future (if nothing else he's your emergency QB) All of these players were/are 6th round Ravens picks. Yes, there have been duds too, but the draft is a chance for the team and that player. As far as a center, Mangold if healthy seems to be a good fit. He's in no hurry and can take his time to pick a team he wants. Maybe the On the PS this past year was Matt Skura who is a C-G and another of the many UFAs the Ravens find. Hopefully he's benefitted from a year of bulking up and learning the pro game. Ozzie will bring in at least one veteran LM and draft one maybe in the 5th round. And by the way, didn't we draft Ricky Wagner in the 5th round. At least the Ravens are in the news still and with the Coaches (and Ozzie) on the hot seat we should see more activity. We don't want another 8-8 year.

With the pick at #16 it seems that the Ravens will go CB or Edge rusher and there seems to be 2-3 at each position that cold warrant the pick there. The one wild card is RB - Dalvin Cook. Is he the playmaker, the Ravens need to add to the offense? It seems that if we don't go CB in 1st there should be a very good one in 2nd round. Even if we sign Claiborne, I can't see the Rravens not getting a CB in either the 1st or 2nd or 3rd round. Also since we only have 8 picks , I can see Ozzie trading back a few spots 17-22 range in order to get another pick or 2. With 4 picks in first 99 drafted the Ravens need to get 3 solid starters out of those picks. Hopefully one becomes All-pro. Though it may take a few weeks I see the Ravens adding a veteran OL and ILB to fill out those twos positions. Not sure who we add to our WR group. Anyone have any thoughts?

It's now 12 Noon so FAs can start talking to other teams. I expect we will here who the ravens release sometime today and at the latest tomorrow. I can only think that maybe the Ravens have been talking to Pitta, Webb and Wallace among others to see if they'll take less or restructure. I see Wagner long gone. Hope Brandon Williams and Juice give us an opportunity to match if they get a good offer elsewhere. With the 16th pick it seems that a top rated CB or DE/OLB rusher should be available and in the 2nd round we can get whichever position we don't do in round 1. I think we'll fill the WR needs in free agency. Of the 2 running backs if Fournette is there at 16 and top CBs like Lattimore or Jones are gone you have to consider drafting him at that point. I like the idea of signing Nick Mangold for C replacing Zuttah. On the practice squad we had M Skura a C/G learning the ropes and bulking up his body mass. He has good potential. With Wagner gone, move Lewis to RT and try Skura at LG. An OL of Stanley, Skura, Mangold, Yanda, Lewis seems solid. We can also get an experienced inside lineman later in free agency for depth.

The next couple days will be anxious for ravens and Raven fans alike!

The Ravens have become mediocre under Harbaugh. He has had his run and by announcing that he wants MM back gives me nothing to really look forward to next season. I'm a little mystified that Bishotti is not making big time changes (maybe he will after learning of Harbs decision to retain MM)The players said it all in how they responded in the Cincy game. That game showed a lot of no heart, nothing inspiring in plays or schemes and they didn't look at players to see if they could help next year (Keenan Reynolds, Chris Moore among others). As of now I see a lot of frustrating and boring games to watch (thank goodness for Red Zone) and unless Biscotti dumps them all and start anew does anyone really expect us to be better than .500 next year

I think the players made a statement about the coaching and leadership. It is time to change out the whole regime. Harbs had his run, let's get someone new!

Why do you put a player on the roster and then make him inactive in a game that doesn't matter. We had a chance to see what Keenan Reynolds can do, but of course we have to wait until next year. Another reason why Harbs and company must go.

Jimmy Smith was not going to play so why not put K Reynolds on the active roster. NOW USE HIM!! Don't just suit him up. I want to see him on every kickoff as the main returner and the same for punts, also be a gunner on punt returns. Special teams for now is his niche. A good offensive coordinator (don't let Harbs pick him) can work on him into the offense next year.

the key to pit game is our secondary, if they contain all those WRs/TE, we can win, if not, get ready for the draft. we have to win out basically, if we lose 1 game we're out b/c dolphins/kc will pick the WCs

We all know if we win both games we're in. Ravens just do it, so we don't have to play the what if game. However, the what if game is: If we go 1-1 and it doesn't matter who we lose to and end 9-7 we can get the #6 wild card If: Miami must lose both games (they are at Buf and then home against Pats) they win one game they have the #6 spot by record. Tenn and Den must lose at least one of their last two games to have the Ravens tie or better them and we have the tiebreaker on both. At best the Colts and Buf can tie and we have tiebreaker over Indy and beat Buf head-to-head. The first wild card slot #5 will go to either Oak or KC whoever doesn't win their division.

Merry Christmas to all and on Christmas night around 7:30 we hope to be cheering a Ravens victory to cap a great day of family celebration.

Why does everyone assume Pitt is going to beat Cincy this weekend. I understand Pitt being favored by a couple points; however, the game is at Cincy, they are rivals, Cincy still can win the division (with a lot of help) and they must start by beating Pitt this weekend, A J Green may play. Marvin Lewis is still a good coach and the Bengals have many reasons to play hard in addition to just for professional pride. I'm not counting on it but I won't be surprised if the Bengals pull it out. If this happens then the Ravens just need to take care of business one game at a time. Beat Philly on Sunday and then focus on Pitt for Christmas Day.

GO RAVENS!!.

Yes, when the Ravens lose it's easier to bash! Bottom line the Pats Coaches are superb and the Ravens coaches are average. Our coordinators look great when the game plan works, but we cannot and do not adjust within a game especially when a good team is playing us. Losses to the Cowboys, Raiders and Pats bear this out. The onside kick was ridiculous. Kickoff out of the end zone. Pats have ball on 25. You have 2 minute warning and two time outs. Stop them and they punt to us with well over a minute left with good field position assuming Hester catches the ball.

Why is Hester on the team? His non-catches, crappy returns and fumbling have killed us all year. Does he have more than a half-dozen "good" returns the entire year and has any of these returns made a difference. Get Campanaro on the roster NOW, he can't be any worse! Matt Elam is another player that needs to be long gone. Yes, Weddle took the blame, but Elam defending a pass equals disaster. Even Asa Jackson would be better.


I have a big problem with the blocked field goal. A defensive player cannot line up over the center (too dangerous) yet a player can run and leapfrog the center in timing the hike. How is that not dangerous? How is that not being over the center as the ball is being hiked. The center is way too vunerable especially if the player mis-jumps and lands on the center. The o-line can't move - so it's an all out advantage to the defense. The league needs to look at this play.

The losses will continue because of coaching and lack of drafting or acquiring skill players. Penalties are stopping any momentum we have - that's coaching from Harbs on down. When our offense and defensive games plans work all is well. When others teams adjust we don't!!! We cannot change mid-game. That is Pees biggest weakness. The offense lacks skill players to create anything resembling a sustained attack and our playbook is a joke. Did you see the Deadskins Sun night. The runs they called, the pass routes had players open and many big plays accomplished. They don't have great skill players - so it's better coaching. Juan Castillo has to go. Make Yanda a player coach he came up with the idea to switch sides so he can use his better arm. If Zek Elliott was available at #6 I bet the Ravens would have passed on him. Of course it would not matter we don't run the ball. I believe West /Dixon got 2 or 3 carries in 2nd half. They torched through them in the first half. Yes, we had the ball only a couple times in second half and had to catch up, but Mary M is looking like all the other OCs under Harbs - clueless! I'm ready for a new regime. Even though we may win the division (only because Pit, Cin and Cleve are as bad as us or worse) but I hope we don't. We need big time changes to get back to a winning football team.