Pirate88

Yeah, if the shirtless wonder had ANY credibility left, he certainly lost it here.

Advice - When you hear some Ravens news, take 5 minutes relax and soak it up. Don't instantly blast the move and pretend you know more than the PROFESSIONALS. And of course, certainly don't retract your opinion in a matter of a few hours. Hilarious!!!

You have no idea

A lot of fans don't realize when a QB wants to play, how much of an insult they take it when asked to mentor. Yeah Kubiak, I get how he got into coaching. But Kubiak wasn't a pro bowl starter. I'm very happy Schaub will embrace mentoring.

Yeah, if the shirtless wonder had ANY credibility left, he certainly lost it here.

Advice - When you hear some Ravens news, take 5 minutes relax and soak it up. Don't instantly blast the move and pretend you know more than the PROFESSIONALS. And of course, certainly don't retract your opinion in a matter of a few hours. Hilarious!!!

At least I'm comfortable and confident enough to say I'm wrong. Your right I should have taken a minute. But what else was I to think he made it very clear just last year he wanted to start. When a QB wants to start they aren't usually keen on mentoring!! He must have decided he liked it working with Carr. BTW Houslers agent has broken off talks with other teams. If he helps get Rob Housler up to speed he double earned that $$.

Um....okay. smh

A lot of vet QBs are not on board with that kinna stuff. They think its beneath them. But Schaub isn't only on board with it but is interested in coaching after retirement. Of course when I found that out it changes the signing. Doesn't change that Wenning could actually outperform him in preseason. However Schaub is going to earn his $$ in practices and the classroom. He will practically be an extra coordinator/QB in practices. Nobody knew he would help with all that. Many vets wanna play and will help minimally and take it as an insult.

Actually I heard some things bout Scaub and IM TOTALLY IN FAVOR OF SIGNING HIM!! I heard Schaub is very smart in the class and film room. And he is a future offensive coordinator and maybe even head coach. He isn't just the backup QB. THIS IS HIS COACHING APPRENTICESHIP!! He will be working with the players like WRs RBs and TEs. He will help introduce Rob Housler to the system and work with him on timing like he once did Owen. He knows the system as well as Kubiak and has always been instrumental with innovating and coordinating plays. Houston first traded for him cuz of how smart he was coordinating plays with the offensive players in practice and in the film room. He was very helpful to Kubiak even with the run game. He never had great arm talent but was successful due to how well he coordinated and executed plays. He was very instrumental designing and coordinating the offense with Kubiak and is said to be overall more innovative than Kubiak. He knows the system and how to detail it as well as Kubiak. Not to mention other teams were aware of his offensive smarts and other teams were interested in signing him cuz of his knowledge and command of the system. He isn't just a backup QB this is beginning of his coaching. He is a backup QB but will be working with players coordinating and detailing plays. He helped Carr a lot and it could hurt Derek's progress. He could end up ravens offensive coordinator eventually. The offense will not miss Kubiak with Schaub around and will make a smoother shift to Trestman. Its the reason he is getting the extra $$. He has agreed to help with the offense. He only will get an extra $mil for actually playing cuz much of his work will be in practice switching up with Joe working with different players. This was a great signing actually. I never heard b4 his immense savvy helping Kubiak and whomever is coordinating and designing the offense

Pitta and Daniels do 1 thing better then housler and its what separates the better tight ends to the average ones

 

Route running

He worked very hard on his route running with Fitzgerald last off season. Arizona just went with mostly 3-4 WRs sets and 2 RBs and he never got his shot. But your right its separates TEs and Housler has the raw skills to be an extraordinary route runner with very fluid hips and can accelerate in and out of breaks. SS and Schaub can help further his development. Raves structure will bring out his best toughness and blocking in practice with suggs and Dumervil. He is already a hard worker in practice and weight room.

I'm a little iffy on the cap hit, but I'll gladly take you up on that bet.

Really?? Have you seen pick6 throw lately?? I haven't except his picks on sports center just b4 he gets benched. I hear WRs could have a latte b4 his throw gets there. Likely how he throws so many picks. His velocity was suspect even in his prime but he had Andre Johnson and Owen in their prime with a great run game. He is older now with and his throws most likely lost some heat.

Yeah, also just helping wide receivers know what a QB wants.  It really helps players to be around other quality players.

That's very true. However they could have got him for a $mil. Schaub was likely not going to get signed unless somebody is injured. I like Wenning so don't get the wrong point. Last yr was incredibly deep for QBs and in my opinion will produce at least 3 franchise QBs. It was deepest draft ever for QBs. If ravens aren't confident in Wenning going into year2 then they should have drafted a QB in the place of Taliaferro or Urban who won't amount to anything more than back ups. There were some solid options at QB like Mettenberger,Murray,Savage that could become franchise QBs or at least effective QBs in the right system. Drafting a successful QB pays for itself as a team pays far better draft picks than used to draft theQB. If Mettenberger doesn't get injured consistently he is a pro bowl QB that would bring the ravens some really nice picks. Also watch Tom Savage as he could be a franchise QB with some work. Murray could be prolific if surrounded by talent. I dunno how anybody could call last yrs QB class mediocre just cuz it didn't have Andrew Luck. I like Bridgewater better than Winston.

We have to realize that improving the 2nd string QB position is not about getting a guy that will allow us to win a Super Bowl if Flacco goes down for the season. It is about giving us a chance to win if we have a stretch where Flacco goes out for a handful of games.

With a guy like Schaub, if Flacco is out for a few games, we can still get a couple wins and not fall out of the division/WC race. If we have Wenning, any game Flacco is out is virtually a guaranteed loss and all it would take is Joe being out for 3 or 4 games and we'll drop out of post-season contention.

Schaub has been benched for being terrible the last couple teams he played for. How is he getting us any wins?? Wenning will outplay him just like every other young QB he has competed with of late!!

Another brilliant move by Ozzie. $3mil more on a useless player. He has been terrible and benched by everybody who signed this scrub thinking he had some good play. His arm is the weakest. Is this what they meant by proactive in free agency?? I would bet $$ that Wenning outplays him in preseason!! Wasted $$ like this is why the team could not sign anybody in free agency to help this team!! Yeah Ozzie really had something up his sleeve. If they don't bank this draft the Superbowl is very unlikely. I actually thought they would sign a player or 2 that would actually help the team. But Ozzie's at it again. More useless cap $$ If this team struggles Biscotti is going to lose more of his patience. The great Ozzie can't find anything better to do with cap $$. Can't wait to see this loser play in preseason and get beat out by Wenning. Then everybody will see it is another terrible decision!!

Why compare to the AFC North?? Who thinks beating them is an accomplishment?? Anything less than a superbowl is failure!! So we need to compete with every other front office in the NFL. Not just AFC north. Had the ravens handled free agency better to allow resigning Corey Graham and drafted better with the Elam, Arthur Brown, and Upshaw picks we would have won the Superbowl. Fans are really doing cartwheels over resigning Canty. Many fans had Canty below average so why resign him??

Please explain this to me, I've always wondered about this. It is beyond me how a 6'5 250 lbs man is unable to block. Is it that his technique is rubbish, is his heart not there, is he soft?

I imagine being labeled "unable to block" as a big TE, would be emasculating and a blow to the ego. So why doesn't he fix his blocking?

He has fixed his blocking. Just was underitilized this year. He isn't a great blocker just like most receiving TEs but he he is effective. Even Gronks blocking is overrated. His big blocks are all blindsides. I dunno how that coward gets away with it and he doesnt get called out 4 it. He backs off when he has to go man up with a nasty edge rusher. I like Housler and Gresham. Both could be really good with a QB. Housler has WR speed and routes while Gresham should look faster after getting his back fixed. He was the best TE in that draft. He actually can block big time with 4.6 speed at 260 lbs. Bad QB has held him back. Consider this, AJ Green who is the most talented WR considering his routes speed size but has been viewed a notch below the elite now like Dez and Julio. Sanu borders a #1 but has underperformed. Are all these very talented players underperforming or is it the QB.

He runs wrong routes. But then again it's the raiders. Give him credit for even knowing what a route is.

And he will probably be out of their price range anways and with mosley smith and brown there isent a need for him anyways

That's correct he did plead guilty. Had him confused with hardy 4 a sec. In Washington's case he wants to prove he has changed. I would sign him in .0000003 seconds!! If he messes up u cut'em. Otherwise u have an all pro player. I think LB is going to be a need. I think Daryl Smith is going to really show his age next year. Its football not the boys choir. And in my opinion its bout winning. Do patsie fans care they were charged with cheating?? Nope they are flashing the trophy saying count'em and calling everybody sore losers. Did Seattle care bout all their suspensions?? Did anybody care bout the names that Ray was called coming from jail to lead a superbowl trophy?? Nope just cared that the ravens were champs. All the complainers saying they should have cut Ray were just brushed off as sore losers. The super bowl champs nor their media or fans care bout allegations from the losers or their media and fans. Having a wholesome team of choir boys that go 8-8 I don't think other teams or their media or fans will respect or allow not having any players with character issues as an excuse for not winning the Superbowl. All I'm really saying is if the patsies flash the trophies and brush everybody off as sore losers which proves its really bout winning, then y shouldn't the ravens try to fix players with character problems to get the player at a bargain and steal. I don't think any Superbowl winner really cares how many players they have with drama issues.

Blackmon quite obviously hasn't. Not mention, I know plenty of guys who still do nothing but sit around and smoke all day. Mute point with Washington, as he is still a Cardinal. Hard to sign a guy signed with another team.

They said they are cutting or trading him for sure.

I see Ozzie is freeing up all of this cap space. I think we'll see some deals done with guys who are free agents next season. I think Oz is trying to get some stability built into the team and by locking in Yanda, Smith, KO, etc we can get some stability for the next 4-6 years. Also we all know Joe's contract skyrockets next season. I'd also imagine Ozzie is planning on getting some extra rollover money so we don't have restructure Joe until 2017, and so by that point we can avoid the restructure and get him to sign a new contract in 2017 making him a Raven for life. 

 

Though PFT had an interesting article on Hakeem Nicks, Michael Crabtree, Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker receiving zero interest so far in FA. As I said before, one of these receivers will end up with us, and signing them in the later stages of free agency would be just another typical Ozzie move.

If that was the case he wouldn't have an average of $14mil a year going out to an injured TE that can't even run yet and was injured at time of signing. And a wildly inconsistent left tackle throughout his career.

Most potheads I knew eventually grew up quit or got bored with it or whatever. Isn't it legal in most states now anyways??

And Justin Blackmons agent has already reached out to Goodell bout terms for reinstatement and will comply to the strict testing routine he layer out for Justin Blackmon. He has stayed in terrific shape as well. That part is well documented.

As for Daryl Washington this domestic violence stuff has been taken to far!! Just cuz Ray Rice got caught punching his wife on tape they are going to suspend every player that gets charged??!! That's Ridiculous!! ANY woman could make a trumped up allegation or outright lie!! Then the player gets suspended or cut b4 anything is even decided by justice system?? In that case a girl could go home with a playerplayer pick an argument and ask 4 $$ or threaten to make allegations she was hit or threatened. Players union needs to do something about that. Just cuz Ray Rice is caught on tape they suspend or deactivate every player charged b4 he is even convicted. So the ravens would prefer Daryl Smith playing til he is 36 or starting Arthur Brown b4 signing a beast like Daryl Washington cuz of unproven charges?? All cuz one guy is caught on tape. So much for another Superbowl if they are going to water down the talent like that.

I can tell you right now that Daryl Washington chances of being a Raven isn't going to happen especially not this year considering how he's been in trouble with the law for Domestic violence. Justin Blackmon is interesting but he has yet to be cleared of his suspension and  no body knows how in shape he is in.

marijuana use doesnt warrant rehab.. 9 times outta 10 it warrants maturity and nothing else.

Thank dude, I was bout to say they were using marijuana. They are not crack heads the way the NFL makes it seem. Especially Justin Blackmon he was just a Lil immature. He is an intelligent dude and as respectful , polite, respectful and hard working as there is in the NFL. WOW!! What a steal he would be if the ravens can help him steer a straighter route!! He is a slightly smaller version o Dez Bryant but a far craftier route runner. The best WR prospect I ever watched in my opinion. Now of course there are bigger WRs but overall the best WR prospect. He plays like he is 6'5 and runs routes like he is 5'10. Dude is awesome. Ozzie would be nuts not to at least look into acquiring him to see if he has matured.

Some may not be happy with the Ravens' offseason, but on the bright side, we're not the 49ers. Good lord are they having a rough one over there.

The fact your comparing it to the team with the worst off season shows how bad free agency has been for the ravens. The only way the ravens add any game changing talent now is through a trade or giving an opportunity to Justin Blackmon and Colt Lyera. The Arizona is shopping Daryl Washington who is as good as any physical 3Down LB in the NFL. He and Mosley would really help out the secondary with their speed,range and striking skills over the middle. Not many more salary cap cuts are expected this year. Justin Blackmon would be an all time steal if they could get him focused and playing. As could Colt Lyera. When he is in shape many players like Josh Huff and Kyle Long have said he is the best player they ever played with or against. Players like Rob Housler,Gresham and Denarius Moore are more talented than their production indicates as a result of terrible play at their teams QB position. However they have shown no interest. It looks as if somebody is holding the position open for Pitta as if his hip would hold up. He must be somebody's friend on the ravens like Harbaugh Ozzie or Decosta to not try replacing him when he clearly can't play on that hip. Any TE in the draft would be a reach cuz its the weakest draft in years at the TE position. In most other drafts Max Williams would never be in Round1 discussion. Some drafts he wouldn't be considered til Round3-4.

Yeah, thanks Kyle!!!! So glad we made that trade in 03!!!! Lol

Why are u blaming Kyle Boller?? Y is it when a player works out Ozzie is a genius but when the player doesn't its the players fault. Who was his #1 WR when he was drafted?? Who was his #2WR?? Ozzie drafted a QB that had probs completing his throws and threw him behind that OLine with those WRs. Tom Brady likely would have been a bust in that situation. Not that I'm saying Boller would have been a franchise QB on any other team but he didn't exactly have pro bowl teammates on offense. Heap was often injured and not that great to replace a #1 WR like some other TEs like Gates Gronk and Graham.

People calling for us to trade Elam are probably the same people that asked for us to trade Jimmy back before the 2013 season.

Jimmy often flashed the talent to be great. Elam is just terrible.

Please don't mention Ellerbe with those guys. Just watch him in Miami. He looks god awful and they had an amazing d-line and some solid CBs. That being said you have a good point. We do need a coverage LB for the future with Brown's apparent bust and Smith's age.

Yeah I know he looked bad in Miami this season but he was awesome in 2012!! Don't forget the dolphins cut a pro bowl LB to sign Ellerbe cuz how fast and intense he played in that run. With that said I wouldn't want him back cuz he played bad and is turning 30. That's why I wanna go Weatherspoon or Washington. One of them was TE signing I want to see most. Especially the bargain Weatherspoon signed for. Washington could be had at a similar bargain.

I always knew LBs that are smart physical and with speed and cover skills are valuable but that spanking they gave them in foxboro really showed what physical 3 down hard hitting LBs could do for a defense. Having 2 Mosley's or Bowmans or Washingtons is like having 2 Justin Houston's!! SERIOUSLY?! Here's why we spanked the patsies. Ellerbe and Pillar were waiting and crashing down any receiver over the middle while Ray handled the shorter throws. All the raven Cornerbacks had to do was take away the sideline throws and deep. They funneled receivers to Pollard as well as Ellerbe cuz he had the speed to cover the intermediate part of the field like another Pollard. The cornerbacks took the other throws away and allowed them to run free inside where the safety's and Ellerbe were waiting to nail them if they tried making a catch. Ed Reed took away deep middle and occasionally crashed the sidelines and intermediate throws. The patsie receivers were not ready for timing throws cuz they needed extra time to try to shake Pollard and Ellerbe and make a safe catch. It threw Bradys timing off and their offense couldn't do anything. The xtra time the receivers were asking allowed Kruger to hit Brady all day. By end of quarter3 the patsies were so confused and scared they knew they couldn't win that game. The fans were yelling verbal assaults at the receivers and even Brady some. Then when the fans knew they were going to lose to the ravens they turned their verbal assaults at the ravens players calling them thugs. But they kept slandering their offense as well LOL. Gronk in that game wouldn't have made a difference!! The taller ravens cornerbacks would have doubled him and funneled him towards Pollard and Ellerbe as well. Pollard did just what u want your strong safety to do. Ellerbe having the speed to help take away the intermediate throws and striking fear in the patsie receivers like he was an hard hitting strong safety was huge in that game and playing like an extra hard hitting strong safety was what gave TE patsies more than they could handle. They were so terrified of pollard and Ellerbe on intermediate throws and Ray on shorter throws they were scared stupid and confused. Ellerbe was a huge help to the cornerbacks and safetys. The patsies had no answer for that LB playing like an xtra SS

Having another physical 3 down LB the caliber of Mosley would be soooo valuable to helping cornerbacks and safety's defending throws. It would have an equal impact of adding an edge rusher like Justin Houston.

If Ihedigbo was all that why didn't we retain him?  Are you saying the Front Office thought Hill, Elam, Stewart, Miles and Trawick made a better Safety Squad?  You can't be saying that right? You're not saying that are you? 

 

Especially since Ihedigbo was actually cheaper than Bernard Pierce. Have to give you credit for that part because I looked it up. He was dirt cheap. Still is, even on IR for the Lions.  Though  being cheaper than BP is not really surprising to me and I don't think it surprised the Raven Front Office either.

 

There's a lot to being an effective Safety in the NFL.  It's a very complex position. There's huge responsibility. There's intelligence and instinct.  There's physicality and there's effective understanding of all that and more.  In my opinion, other than Quarterback it is the most demanding position in the game and maybe even more so. It is a complex position made doubly difficult by the change in League Rules regarding "Defenseless Players".  It's also clear to me that fans both do not really understand it and undervalue Safety Play and that some Front Offices do the same, the Raven's among them.  

 

Bernard Pollard knew the inherent math. He was part of the Order that knew.  Did you know that Pollard was only flagged for one penalty in 2012 that lead to a touchdown by the other team?  Did you know that was the only game the Raven's lost in regard to Pollard penalties?  FYI that game we were smoked by the Houston Texans, Pollard's play had little to do with that loss.  He was putting the rear leg into it and laying down the law, another part of a Safeties job that is not going to disappear entirely and if it does the team will be softer.  Did you know that the Ravens lost more games in which Ihedgibo committed penalites in 2013 than in Pollard's penalized games in 2012?  (Browns and Bengals).  Do you know what Pollard did to the Cheating Patriots in the 2012 AFC Championship, with broken ribs?

 

The following may sound arrogant, but it's not offered other than as an illustration in organizational understanding.  As they greet in the Masonic Orders, to those within their circle "Do you know?"

I was at that game and the patsie WRs RBs and TEs were terrified of Pollard. BTW they were also scared of Ellerbe who had the athleticism to drop and cover like a strong safety and layed viscous hits like the LB he was. That's why Sean Weatherspoon was my #1 free agent priority for the $$. Dayrl Smith is beginning to look like a LB that will be bout 35 by playoff time. Coverage took a big hit losing Ellerbe. A LB like Him Mosley Willis Bowman Weatherspoon Daryl Washington and Kuechly are tremendousy valuable to helping safety's and even cornerbacks in coverage for the targets they take from the QB and the fear they strike. Pollard hit like a LB and terrorized Bradys receivers. Most fans don't realize though that Ellerbe played a big role terrorizing the Patsies short to intermediate throws where Brady thrives. My opinion, To beat them we will need either an enforcer at safety or LB that can cover like a safety and strike fear in receivers over the middle where Bradys and other elite rythym QBs thrive.We can't let Gronk control the middle like he did or those little slots Edelman and Amendola running free unchallenged. Lewis I don't think is a game changing move. For the $$ I wanted Weatherspoon.

Cordarrelle Patterson is an electric returner with zero receiving skills. I like Britt Crabtree and Denarius Moore. Brandon Browner could be TE best strong safety in the NFL in my opinion. He was labeled a safety with the Patsies but played String Safety roles. He gave the patsies attitude when he returned after suspension and all by himself injected some fear into opposing teams. He coated bout the same as Forsett. RBs are easily found last I checked. While Strong Safetys that can hit and cover are like gold and Microsoft stocks in early 90s.My opinion there is no comparison in their value and how rare they are. Elite Safety-Running Back is there any question??

Players that I would most like in order SO FAR, since I haven't evaluated everybody, especially cornerbacks I haven't even got my blue rays on yetyet would be in this order

1. Daryl Washington (once he is cut from Arizona) or Sean Weatherspoon!! Daryl Smith will be 35 by next years Superbowl and already lost a step. Anybody that wants to dispute this I will give you games and the quarters and times in those games to show how much speed he lost!! And how far to many of his tackles weren't exactly difference making. Not to mention he is likely to lose another half step by next Superbowl. Ask any former backup QB to the great Qbs who is willing to talk and they will tell you what bugs an elite rythym Qab like Brees Brady or Manning is 2 instinctful physical run stuffing LBs with safety speed and cover skills who play like having extra strong safety's on the field. Its what bugs them most outside of 2 elite speed edge rushers. But the thing is they cost a fraction of what elite edge rushers cost!! Not to mention when a defense has 2 ilbs with cover skills like having 2 xtra Strong Safetys it allows for more blitzing cuz the help in coverage. Both rush OLBs can chase the QB and once the ILBs coverage effectiveness is established the playcaller can start blitzing either one on any given play and totally disrupt QBs as much as great rythym QBs like to disrupt and keep defenses guessing and off balanced. Especially when the defense has a disruptive and powerful 3 player DLine that the QBs OLine already has trouble blocking. When you have a 3 player defensive line rotation of NT Williams/Docket and defensive end penetrators of Jernigan and dockett rotating with penetrating Michael Bennett or Grady Jarett. All powerful and explosive disruptive players. Not to mention they create gaps that makes QBs think are the physical lightning fast ILBs covering down field to blast his receivers trying to pull in a catch or is a ilb with safety speed going to come on a blitz through a gap that the DLine constructed up the middle. Just so many advantages to having another instinctful physical explosive ilb with safety cover skills and range the caliber of Mosley Willis Bowman Weatherspoon Lavante David or Daryl Washington.

2. WR/TE) So much talent out there that was held back by sub par or even terrible QB play that has far more talent they just need a QB and good team/system to display.

TEs such as Gresham Clay and Housler. Then cap cuts or trade candidates Cook or Vernon Davis. At WR there is Brandon Marshall a likely cut who likely takes a slight discount to win and play with a top10 QB. the biggest bargain is Kenny Britt whom had his best production so far yet with a terrible QB!! Working with Steve Smith on route running and savvy could have him all pro by playoff time. He has speed and is sudden in his routes and physical. Then there is Crabtree who may end up getting less $$ than Torrey. Yet put him next to a burner like Denarius Moore who is as fast as Torrey yet runs far sharper more sudden routes. He could be a huge bargain with a really good QB and coaching. As well as an all around great offense and well coached and disciplined system including one of the best OLines in the NFL.

At safety I like Ron Parker who the FO first has to see how much $$ he wants. Then there is Antrel Rolle who probably has to workout and show he still has the speed and athleticism to play as expected

Proven corners will be extremely pricey. To sign a cornerback in fre agency the ravens need to do their homework and find a talent that has potential but has underachieved yet can be coached up and tweaked to succeed in a harder working better and more disciplined system that inspires more motivation than that cornerback ever had. Cornerbacks that are above average are really getting somehenerous $$ next year.