Pirate88

I'd like Trent Cole on a 2 yr deal if the price is right.

Get a known commodity to help the pass rush while we develop a draft pick to eventually take over without having to depend on him having to contribute immediately.

Trent Cole would be a low priced player but not exactly low priced edge rusher cuz he isn't even close to the Trent Cole that struck terror in OLines and QBs!!

Stevie Johnson appears to have been released. He's 28. Thoughts?

Johnson although 28 isn't as good as he was. He never really was that good. They just threw to their only NFL quality WR. We can find far better than him in the draft or cheap in free agency. I like Britt far better. Especially since he has grown up and more focused. He outplayed Johnson this year even with the rams terrible QBs. Its an idea but we should be able to do far better at WR.

You are right about Dockett, however if the market isn't very favorable to him he could end up signing cheaper than he planned. I really like him as well. Aside from his work ethic and rigorous training/nutrition programs he plays very very intense on the field. He is a great example and tone setter for the young defenders. He can play NT or end as well. If we draft Grady Jarrett and sign Docket that is some intense DLineman when you add Jernigan into the mix. I dunno how intense Brandon Williams is but I know he is one of the most powerful DLineman. They would really wear down opposing OLines throughout the course of the game!! Jernigan was known for intensity and endurance at Fl. State and Dockett is working him so hard training conditioning and strteching he threw up. He also has Jernigans nutrition program cleaned up. Jernigan could realistically challenge Aaron Donald as the best from the draft as well as the NFL's best penetrating tackle. If Dockett put a young player say somebody like Anthony Chicillo through a muscle building and conditioning regimen he could be as good as any edge rusher in this draft!! A player like Docket setting aa hard work ethic example is an asset and resource cuz it makes players better than they ever thought they could be. Calais Campbell himself said the players in the NFL surprised him with power and athleticism and he wouldn't have become as successful as he is if not for Dockett showing him he could be far more powerful and athletic than he ever realized.

Who wouldn't prefer N'gata. However I do like the work ethic and training Dockett can set an example of to others. The ravens are making moves but is it to break the bank for N'gata??

LOL i know that,but just for a year to replace N'gata til they draft and coach up another DT. And like I said he is an example for other players to get in their best condition and can help other players add muscle and power while losing excess weight and getting more flexible. Docket has hired many many strength and conditioning coaches and learned from all of them. And he applys what he knows and outworks everybody. The other players and especially younger players can learn from him and reach their full potential. Just ask Jernigan what this dude brings to the team.

There are many players that can unlock speed power flexibility and stamina they never knew they had with intense off season training and nutrition programs. Which makes the team better while unlocking steals in the draft. Example, Randy Gregory probably fell behind Fowler Vic Beasley Bud Duprees with his combine weight and ##'s checking in at 235 when they were worried about Vic Beasley only being 235 at 6'3. Gregory is 6'5 and only 235. His stock lost value. However he is the smoothest and most flexible and natural of them all. If vet teammate helped train him up to 255-260lbs with no extra fat Gregory would easily be the best edge rusher in the draft

He has more moves skill instincts and fluidness of all the edge rushers. He just needs a vet to push him to add 20 lbs of muscle. Anthony Chicillo would be a beast if he reshaped his body. He would be a smoother slightly more explosive Paul Kruger and an absolute steal in Round 4-6. Its easy to see his natural skill as well as he doesn't realize the benefits of hard training and Strict performance nutrition to unlock his potential. He could be right there with the elite edge rushers in this draft.

Actually if the price is right Dockett could be a cheap replacement for N'gata. While he isn't the player he was in the cardinals Superbowl the dude keeps in tremendous shape and conditioning!! HE TAKES TRAINING CONDITIONING AND NUTRITION TO THE LIMITS!! That is the kind of veteran I want in the ravens clubhouse setting examples for young players!! Every player has better play in them if they are fanatical about conditioning and Nutrition to optimize flexibility, muscle/power to ideal body fat %% for that players position and play style. I thought Jernigan could be as good as Geno Atkins when Atkins is at his best if Jernigan got in slightly better shape and conditioning. And Jernigan is doing Dockets off season program with him at his home and athletic training facility. If Jernigan works on his flexibility and gets slightly more explosive as he likely will, he could challenge Aaron Donald for best tackle in their draft.

So nobody interested in giving colt Lyerla or Justin Blackmon a shot??

BTW what does everybody think bout Lyerla and or Justin Blackmon. They wouldn't cost much $$ or in Justin Blackmon case a high draft pick. Justin Blackmon is my favorite WR. He has Dez Bryant athleticism and ball skills but is a smoother slightly more sudden route runner. Come on guys let's give them both a shot, what do u say??

Yeah Mosley hesitates sometimes and still makes the play. When he starts trusting his instincts he will get better angles in pursuit and better positioning in coverage. He has the skills for 5 ints and 5 sacks. Daryl Smith is farther over his prime than I thought. We need a Weatherspoon or Washington lining up inside with Mosley. That gives us 2 tall smart physical explosive sideline to sideline ilb's that can cover and patrol a zone and close like a big hard hitting Strong safety. Its like having 2 extra Strong Safety's in coverage which helps the secondary tremendously while striking fear in WRs TEs or RBs

Lol I meant insane in a good way, if Aldon came over nobody would ever want to play us lol

Lol I know what u meant dude that its just very far off standard protocol of whats considered normal in managing personnel and assets. And if it doesn't work out the consequences you have 2 answer to will be stricter for making an unorthodox move. And it will be a lightning rod for criticism and stand out like Rosie O'Donnell with Victoria secret models if somebody traded a #1-#2 pick for a QB that just went in Rd6 or for an edge rusher that was suspended. And I never said the move wouldnt look peculiar but that the front office should trust scouting and coaches judgment and ability to lead players in the right direction. Most of the steals are from off field drama or small schools cuz the unwritten rules say Warren Sapp shouldn't go #1 overall that its to high to take a player with some drama. For the record we have nothing to lose giving Colt Lyera a shot. If conditioned and concetrated on football and working hard on the field and with the coaches off it he will be the best TE in the NFL. He is faster than Gronk more athletic and when conditioned he is functionally stronger than Gronk and tougher. He is a smart dude who had a bad upbringing and just finding his way. He is a chatacter and majors in drama off the field but he is smart and also has character and is a good teammate. The stories I hear bout that dude are like no other player ever!! In practice he lines up at safety and covers a deep threat downfield then lines up at TE or in the backfield and blocks an edge rusher like an OT. As a TE he runs by defensive backs and drags LBs. He ran a best time if 4.52 at combine/proday when he was out of shape. He can be kept in the right direction with good leadership and mentors. Kyle Long was like his big brother and Colt was awesome that year and worked as hard as any player. He was 6'4 258 lbs and in shape. That's when he impressed coaches and teammates lining up at all those positions. A WR in the NFL said he was the best player he ever player with or against and garunteed if he stayed straight will be the best TE and one of best players in the NFL at any position. Not saying he can be trusted yet but Ravens should sign him and give him a shot in my opinion. He is far more physical and talented than Eric Ebron who went #10 overall. Next to Brady Gronk is the pride of the patsies. It would just be to cool to see a ravens TE outperform Gronk!! And watch the patsie hypocrites cry about Colts former drama. If Blackmon agrees to commissioners strict testing and rules I think the ravens should at least check into it and determine if he has changed. He is a smart well mannered guy and a hard worker.

Once Mosley spends some time in the film room and trusts his instincts more at the NFL he will be far better in coverage and pursuit. He is actually more a thumper than giving credit for and can lay the wood for a LB that needs to fill out. His off season goal he said was to add quality muscle with out slowing down through off season training and nutrition program. His goal is A very lean 245. He should be a terrorizing striker next year. BTW Weather spoon is a thumper who is an explosive sideline to sideline player and great in coverage. He covets zones like a big safety and closes in a flash with authority. Washington is very similar and I think we could keep him straight. His salary isis actually a bargain considering he is as good as Lavonte David.

I think the thing that you are ignoring is that this isn't Madden... there are costs and consequences to every decision.

 

1. Aldon is a prototype 4-3 DE, which means he would either need to transition to OLB in a 3-4 or play DE in a 3-4, which has some significant differences in responsibilities.

 

2. He has a well-noted history of off-field problems, and basically another single offense would probably put him in danger of missing an entire season or most of it.

 

3. He's a FA in 2016, so I don't really understand the point of trading for him in a contract-year.

 

4. If he were to be traded and did play well, you'd be looking at spending significant amounts of cap space and cash on a new contract for him, funds that we almost certainly don't and won't have.

 

Ignoring everything else, those are all serious considerations that would have to be addressed before you even sniff a trade for him. Trades are never just as simple as "well he's better than any first rounder we would get", because that's not the whole picture of compensation being given.

 

All of this is moot, obviously, because you and I both know that the Ravens aren't trading for him anyway.

I don't play Madden but I hear there is a salary cap. Actually I played person to person b4 when I take my nephews for the weekend. But it doesn't count cuz I quit playing b4 the end of Quarter4 cuz they beat the breaks off me. But I catch the drift cuz i know you can't score over 100 points on somebody in 3 quarters.

I'm well aware of his off field trouble but that's why there are coaches. The ravens strong coaching veteran leadership, work ethic, discipline,motivated winning atmosphere and all around structure is a resource. Thee ravens can help many young players put their probs and or lack of motivation in their rearview. This is the NFL and every recent Superbowl winner has had impact players that's had some kinna off field occasion. Its football and if your team can help a young talent move in the right direction and walk the straight and narrow and work Hard and play hard and intense then that's a resource for that team more valuable than a #1 draft pick. And of course the coaching and front office has to do their homework on the player to determine if he is a candidate to move in the right direction. And who cares what other teams and fans think about our players previous choices. They just are jealous we gave that player a chance and got him to walk straight and play well. Its just jealousy cuz all teams have players with character issues. The patsies had their camera man kicked out of other teams locker room and caught recording teams practices and the evidence was destroyed but they still proudly flash their trophies and don't care. So as long as your confident you can keep a player straight why wouldn't you pick up an all pro talent. Talent wins games not singing in choirs. In the case of Aldon Smith this is a throwing leagueleague where rules are getting tougher and tougher on defenses cuz these rules allowing WRs to run free and Qbs to throw unchallenged are allowing offenses to draw up and scheme more and more plays allowing qbs to get the ball out faster and faster. They are taking advantage of these rules more and more and designing new plays and schemes as we debate this. And elite edge rushers and inside penetrators are the only sure way to ruin a QBs weekend. An elite edge rusher is to defense what a QB is to offense.

Of course you don't always trade your #1 or #2 pick just cuz its for a player you feel is better than the players at a position you want. Of course you can't do that all the time. But there are players and situations where you give up an early round draft pick for a rare talent or game changing player that you very unlikely to replicate. Especially at such a valuable position where one player can change a game. Or in the case of an elite edge rusher can make a terrible defense OK or an OK defense very good and good defenses dominant.

As for the salary cap we wouldn't have to worry giving him a contract for another year. And if we were to acquire an edge rusher another way it will still cost big$$ to sign a dominant rusher or you have to use a very early draft pick. Of all the steals in the mid to late rounds Edge rushers are the least likely. The skills it takes to get the QB off the edge are no secret and they do get pushed up so its not very likely an even a raw edge rusher that needs coaching and bulking and eventually becomes great drops deep into Round2 anymore. Jason Taylors who need work setting the edge or whatever will never drop to Round3 these days. Dion Jordan and Mingo went top 6 and they didn't even have 10 sacks between them!! They just had the raw explosion and athleticism that elite edge rushers have and if not the phins or Browns, other teams would have lined up to draft them top10. Getting to the QB is so valuable that teams are gambling on raw talents top 10 trying to find The next Demarcus Ware or Aldon Smith!! And if we can acquire a young Aldon for a #2 pick and some change and our only job is help him keep focused on football and stay straight its more than worth the gamble. Draft picks are a gamble as well. Look at Elam and Upshaw. There's always consequences when you draft or pay a player but its not like if Aldon does mess up it wouldnt destroy the team any more than paying a severely injury prone player with no outs built into the contract or paying big $$ to a RB with worn tires and visibly slowing down or an early round bust. The consequences wouldnt be any worse than those decisions as you make it sound. Nobody could say that's a bad decision. That player we take with that pick could be a bust while Aldon leads the NFL in sacks. He is a year older now and more grown up and appears more determined to learn from his mistakes than repeat them. An edge rusher that can single handedly destroy even the short passing game is very valuable and most of the time you really don't even have the option to get a player of that caliber cuz their teams don't even let them hit the market. Just like its silly to even bring up Dez or Demariyus cuz just like QBs them guys aren't hitting the open market!!

As for a longterm on a player with previous off field drama It will cost good $$ I'm sure but again cuz of the off field incidents his contract will probably be far more team friendly than the contract Justin Houston and Rob Quinn will get. Due to the off field probs and as a rotational player with Suggs and Dumervil he won't have 20 sacks his first yr in Baltimore and it could help get him cheaper than his talent warrants in reaching a longterm deal. That's the beauty of trusting your coaching, team leaders, team work ethic and motivated winning atmosphere to find the right character concern players and get them to play to their talent and take football seriously as a tool to walk a straight line off the field. You are catching a break in this salary cap era. Your getting a pro bowl player at a steal price and A game changing player you otherwise wouldn't have but instead would have a likely liability starting in his place. Could you imagine the secondary without Will Hill?? Would you draft DGB?? Truthfully I would prefer taking a player or trading for a player with off field questions as long as your he checks out than a player with questions about his talent and intensity any day!! The player with a previous nightclub brawl and speeding tickets has a shot to play well as long as your team structure can keep him on the right path. The player that lacks the skills has no chance. He will be a bust you reach to say something good about and make excuses for him.

The salary cap won't be a problem if he stays clean and plays at a pro bowl level. Teams always find room for their great players. Especially QBs WRs Edge rushers and cornerbacks. The ravens have a couple young players to sign over next couple yrs but also get cap relief when aging players retire or cut. N'gata Suggs Dumervil Daryl SS Pitta Aren't going to be on the payroll forever. Even Yanda in 2016 will be going into Season10. How much longer do you think Suggs and Dumervil will be 2 figure stat players for?? That's the idea of this trade it replaces Mcphee next year for cheaper than Mcphee will cost for next year and is actually an upgrade. And Aldon would actually be a longterm replacement for Suggs and Dumervil. Aldon Smith is a rare opportunity at a rare talent at a marquee game changing position that doesn't present itself often. Once he returns to 20 sack form and hits the market if he isnt franchised I doubt the ravens will be part of the bidding war. And for now the future edge rusher of the ravens looks like upshaw which means great QBs will have their way unless a replacement is found which is tough considering the ravens don't pay big $$ in free agency or give up mid Round picks to trade up to get a player they are confident will be great.

BTW Aldon Smith has played far more OLB in the 3-4 than he has defensive end. And while I acknowledge trading for him is not most likely but you shouldn't say out of the question!! Without being aware that a week or so after our game in foxboro, Decosta and Oz talked with a scout they respect and trust a lot. They talked about the game and he said to them something in the way of the secondary played bad in coverage and tackling and how Brady often got the throw off fast but when he didn't they could have used more help from the front 7 especially the edge rushers and at least some more pressure and hits on him could have helped them guys out . And proceeded to say they have harder times sometimes with certain kinds of Tackles and aren't getting any younger. He said however he felt Dumervil had a great year as a whole and what a great deal he turned out to be for the ravens and how lucky the the ravens were to get him like they did the Denver sleeping on the job and generally under appreciated him. And although his game isn't flawless and some blockers do give him trouble that opportunities like him hitting the market at all much less a time his value was on the low side compared to what he was actually worth doesn't come up very often. And with him and Sizzle getting older they will need a dominant edge rusher soon enough and they didn't wanna keep using draft picks on the glut of B level edge rushers entering the draft every year til they find one. He said they are going to have to get creative to find the Ravens Version of Justin Houston that wins off the snap next year and the years after. They had a long talk but I'm not sure how long or any details or what else was discussed. Just that they would have liked them to help the secondary more with getting closer to Brady with more hits on him on some of his throws and eventually wanna find their Justin Houston that can win at the snap and will get creative to find one. Aldon Smith wasn't mentioned and lime I said its not likely they trade for him cuz there are so many directions they can go but you can't say they wouldn't consider him either. Mingo is not a draft pick of Cleveland's current regime and they could very well be open to trading him. Maybe the ravens try to coach and train him up in the weight room and get him playing. Just another of many players they are probably considering.

I would say my opinion Aldon is as good an edge rusher there is. After next year he would be to expensive. Rare talents have to be seized. Especially at positions where one player can change a game and the whole team like QB or edge rusher or elite WR. A situation comes to mind where an assistant coach went from The Patsies to Cleveland after 2000 season. After one practice watching Cleveland QBs including #1 overall pick Tim Couch he said ouch this is what we have for QBs and Tom Brady went in Round6 What the ....... He saw Brady surpassing Bledsoe b4 any other coaches at foxboro did and knew Brady was going to be a pro bowl QB and had the fire and intangibles. Belicheat saw Brady as a top backup but not yet surpassing Bledsoe. So why didn't this coach tell Cleveland's head coach and front office about Brady and tell them to send a Round1 pick to foxboro if it took that much to trade for Brady?? Especially when he had no doubt Brady was leaps and bounds better than Couch or any other QBs on that team or in the draft. They didn't try to acquire Brady cuz YOU DONT TRADE EARLY DRAFT PICKS FOR A BACKUP QB THAT ANOTHER TEAM JUST DRAFTED IN ROUND 6!! Its considered "Nuts" something that's just not considered ethical or a procedure for longterm success. Its just something NFL front offices aren't supposed to do. Far to many reasons why it's considered out of ordinary and nutty cuz what if your wrong and it hurts the franchise. Same reason we shouldnt trade for Aldon Smith( however I do know its a different situation). #1-#2 picks are busts all the time anyways!! And Round2-7 steals have to be signed longterm anyways usually a year or 2 after they are coached up and actually become starters.

For the record as for QBs, I think Mettenberger is going to be great. And The titans are actually considering a high profile QB #2 overall. My opinion a team needing a QB should make their decision to draft a QB easy by offering them something for Mettenberger. I think Mettenberger is ice cold as nitrogen throwing the football.

He is expected to be dealt for a mid/late Rd pick or released

Sure, if we had the cap space.  I wouldn't expect any big name receivers to come here - more likely if we sign someone it will be a vet ala SSS last year.  I'm thinking along the lines of a Kenny Britt or Hakeem Nicks type signing, if Torrey were to leave.

Hakeem Nicks is terrible now. I heard he runs in the 4.7 range now. The injuries took his athleticism. Kenny Britt would be a great addition. He had some big games even with terrible QBs. However Crabtree and Gresham are both very realistic. Both of them are a Lil undervalued actually due to bad QB play. From the info I'm getting both are expected to make under $7mil a year. Crabtree figures to get less than Decker and Gresham is very under valued considering how much upside he has if he plays with a top10 QB. I like Crabtree slightly more than Britt cuz of a fuller route tree but its close.

However if Torrey signs else where I'm sure they will sign another WR. Regardless of which WR they sign I think the most essential player the raven need is Vernon Davis!! There's lots of scenarios and ideas but Vernon Davis would complete the offense. I like Rob Housler and Jermaine Gresham but Vernon Davis is the guy if we are serious about a Superbowl. As much as I like the tremendous upside of Housler and the bargain he represents Vernon Davis is the guy we need. I just watched some of his games last year and he still has 4.4 speed with ball skills and fast and smooth route running. He still blows by cornerbacks and is a serious speed mismatch for LBs and Safety's. If he isn't released the ravens Ned to make it a priority to trade for him.

The FA's on defense that is most essential in my opinion is Daryl Washington, Sean Weather spoon or bring Ellerbe back if he is cut. Rolando Is an idea but he is probably going to be expensive whereas the others are bargains. I know Daryl Smith made many tackles and plays smart but he has clearly list a step so far and could be a huge liability next year. I skimmed through games on the DVR and there was so many plays he left on the field cuz he was a step late. Many of his tackles were made after the ball carrier got extra yards by dragging him or due to it took him extra time to close on the ball carrier or finish the tackle cuz he doesn't have much closing speed. He plays smart have to give him that but there were far to many plays he failed to make when he was in the area. One of the plays that stands out is Bradys TD run. That was terrible burst and closing speed by Daryl!! He was as close to Brady as Brady was the goal line and he hesitated even after Brady crossed the scrimmage line then failed to close on him. Had we still had Ellerbe or Rolando or if we had Washington or Weatherspoon Brady may not have been the same the rest of that game cuz he was completely exposed and would have got lit up and rocked!! Daryl Smith 4 yrs ago would have smashed Brady right b4 the goalline. I know he made many tackles( mostly after big or moderate yards) and plays smart. And many fans look at his tackle ##'s and feel we are set at ilb. However wouldn't you prefer another CJ Mosley type player that is physical and instinctful but also explosive and athletic and can cover sideline to sideline like Mosley?? And at a bargain price. While everybody else is fighting over and vastly overpaying cornerbacks we can signsign a 3 down LB that can help in coverage and cover a zone and close like an xtra SS on the field but with LB size and physicality. I heard Cornerbacks are going for far more $$ than they should. Maxwell has several teams bids up to $10 million/yr or more. Im sure Tramon Williams is looking at a big contract to. I like Tillman a lot as a safety at his age.

That would BE INSANE

Really?? OK prove its a bad idea. I'LL actually give u multiple chances. Name 4 edge rushers you like that may turn out to be better than Aldon Smith that we can get at #26. Keep in mind we only get to actually pick one of these players. But just to show how rare a talent Aldon Smith is and how difficult it would be to get an elite edge rusher, you can take as many guesses as you want actually of who will be better than or anywhere near Aldon. Don't 4get to ## your guesses of who you like best to least likely to be better than Aldon Smith. Playoff time next year you can check the progress of your players to see if any of them even flashes Aldons Skills and production.

I agree dude. The Rice contract was inexcusable for Oz. Even Dallas wouldn't give Murray $40mil and he was near 2000 yards!! RBs aren't worth that kinna $$ in the modern NFL. Especially with all the wear on Rice's tires. There isn't much difference in good RBs and great RBs and Rice wasn't really great. RBs are more a product of their system. My opinion is use early Rd picks on dominant OLineman once you have a franchise QB of course and find a Round4 RB to run for 2000 yards!! You got RBs coming off practice squads and cut for other teams running for 158 yards or more and averaging 5.0 yards a carry or more. You don't see that from any other position. Ray Rice looked to be slowing some anyways and had a lot of carries in college as well. I don't know what Oz was thinking on that one or the Pitta contract after countless injuries or signing Jacoby like he was starter caliber. If he is going to be given credit and called Wizard for good decisions then his bad decisions need to be factored in and answered to. Like I said even Jerry Jones knows better than that.

Jimmy took a while but most good corners started showing something year one or first year starting. Some take time or make the leap once they are with a better more disciplined that caters to their skills and or put them in better situations. We have 2 veteran corners to coach up another corner or 2 behind Webb and Jimmy Smith. They can transition smoothly while covering the other teams #3-4 WRs or zone assignments. Any good cornerback in free agency that's a better option will be expensive unless we find a cornerback who is struggling on their team due to a bad defense that lacks talent, undisciplined, poorly coached and missing motivation. If there is a corner that's talented but in a bad situation like that he will come cheap. I can't see them letting a tall fast good cornerback in Corey Graham go then signing a less talented and less effective TE for far more $$

Charles Tillman! draft WR. revamp secondary via FA. draft Wr 1. pass rush 2 cb 3/4.

It would be cheaper as well as pay more immediate dividends to do that the other way around. Any good free agent corners are going to cost big time. The draft is deep with cornerbacks that would be playing well by playoff time. To get a WR via the draft that is going to make an immediate impact would require trading up into the top15 -18 picks at the least!! There's Cooper White and Parker as for explosive big body great ball skills and good route running WRs that you could count on to make an immediate impact. After that the other WRs have questions about their overall skill set or are raw and need at least a year to be coached up. Not saying no other WRs will be a difference maker/ legit starter his rookie year, but we are a team making a push for the Superbowl and if we really want a playmaker to actually expect to start for next year there are only so many of them in the draft. The rest would be more to the hope side. The offense is ready to roll and if OZ Decosta Harbaugh and Trestman add a WR they "Expect" ready to start they would have to trade up. There's no garuntee that when they pick at 26 that there will be a WR they could justify as even One of the best players available much less the best overall. I don't think they will go into the draft with the plan to draft the best WR that falls to them regardless of who it is. Unless they trade up or Funchess shows WR speed at the combine and or they like DGB they aren't likely to draft a WR in round oneone in my opinion. If DGB checks out or Funchess shows WR speed and skills they probably won't fall to 26 anyways. WRs and edge rushers get pushed up. They may draft a WR in Rd2 or later but they won't be counting on him yo start. If he can it would be a bonus.

If they draft an edge rusher in first2 Rounds not only would it have to be Mcphees replacement but it would have to be the eventual #1 edge rusher type with at least top end raw talent to be coached up. A teams best edge rusher is to the defense what the QB is to offense. A one player wrecking crew that can wreck QBs and WRs whole weekend all by himself can make a terrible defense good or below average defense very good or a good defense dominant. The rest of a defense can run off the jolt the electricity he sends. Edgevrushers get pushed up cuz of that and many never provide the shock n jolt the team is looking for. So when drafting our edge rusher its essential we don't draft A edge rusher but draft "THE" edge rusher they really trust can immediately fill Mcphees shoes and eventually be THE guy.

I like Danielle Hunter in Rd2 if he falls. Of all the talented edge rushers with raw talent to be coached up in my opinion he is one that could fall to mid-late Rd2.

In my opinion you are right on about what the ravens need to win the Superbowl. I absolutely love the Tillman idea!! His age and good tackling may be a great fit at safety. With his size and skills he could play Strong or free. However my favorite idea By leaps and bounds at edge rusher is trade for Aldon Smith. When Jim Harbaugh wasn't at odds with the front office and was in complete control of the team he had Aldon Straight and focused. And Aldon was one of the truly elite edge rushers in the NFL!! He seriously abused Nate Solder!! When he is focused and the team is playing disciplined he is as explosive and dominant an edge rusher as there is. He is in the same league as Justin Houston Von Miller and Rob Quinn. SF is reportedly open to the idea of trading him since he was Harbaughs guy and they don't trust giving him a big contractcontract without Harbaugh to coach and guide him. Just my opinion the ravens should ask SF what they want for him and make the deal. A #1 or a set of #2 picks would be a steal!! Harbaugh and the ravens coaching and leadership can keep him focused and straight like The other Harbaugh. Aldon Smith is simply a player THAT CANT BE REPLACED!! At least not by any OK or good edge rusher. HE is that edge rusher in the category of Houston and Miller that can wreck a QBs weekend celebration by himself. This is a good draft for edge rushers but in my opinion there is nobody like Aldon in this draft. The ravens can trade for him to rotate with Suggs and Dumervil as he gets back to the Aldon guided by a Harbaugh while the ravens work on a longterm contract the following year when he could take over for Suggs as longterm starter and dominant edge rusher and all around player cuz Aldon is also a good run stopper and good in coverage. There is no edge the ravens could get with any of their draft picks that's anywhere ear the level of Aldon Smith!! The raven defense with him would be fearsome again. He is an explosive speed rusher that also has size power and moves. He can explode to the QB so fast he can even wreck the short throw game cuz Aldon doesn't need long to get to the QB. Its an opportunity to get the most dominant edge rusher next to JJ Watt. When Aldon was playing for Harbaugh and focused he was better than Houston and Miller. This is an epic opportunity!! Who wouldn't like to have Justin Houston but the Chiefs would ask for far more than we could get Aldon for due to Aldons off field issues that Harbaugh and the ravens coaching, leadership and structure could smooth out. A dominant talent like Aldon can cover and compensate for holes in a defense, especially in the secondary. Aldon compares to a young Demarcus Ware and could even surpass Ware!! When Aldon Smith was focused under Harbaugh, only JJ Watt was a more dominant defender.

I know there is a thread for free agent positions so I apologize in advance if this thread needs to be merged. OK the Ravens coaching and leadership and strict discipline and tough no nonsense style and surrounding talent is an asset and natural Resource as well as having an established strong armed accurate franchise QB. So who are some of the players flying under the radar that would be much better playing for the ravens. Also how about players you feel that are solid starters but flying somewhat under the radar?? Be sure to include players that their teams may be willing to deal away that would play much better in our system. Feel free to include players with character concerns that the ravens strong coaching and veteran leadership and winning environment could give focus and stability to.

Before I list any players to consider, I have a somewhat unique take on character concerns. There are all kinds and levels of character concerns. There's isolated incidents where a good friendly person made a spur of moment mistake he likely won't repeat. Then there's just total nutjobs!! There's players that fail drug tests due to marijuana or alcohol. Habits that are more controllable. Then there's PED use. Who really knows how many players use PEDs in the NFL??!! My educated guess is at least half. So why treat the ones caught like hardened criminals ??!! And aderall a player could just get a prescription to keep from getting suspended again. Josh Gordon is facing a yrs suspension for traces of alcohol when most players have drinks after every game and off days. And you gotta love how the NFL catches just enough players to make it look like they are trying while certain players remain exempt and untouchable!! They learned that from WWE. Anyways I have zero problem with giving players another chance as long as coaching feels they are motivated to stay focused and work hard. Far to much is made of a bar fight and only is under a microscope when that player is successful and is a big reason his team is successful. Opposing teams management and fans point fingers when they are jealous of success!! They know full well they wished they could have kept those players straight and won!! HYPOCRITES!! Patsie fans angered at losses to the Ravens are the first to point and slander yet they all defended a psychopath murderer and sign players with failed drug tests and PED tests. If we sign or trade for Daryl Washington, Colt Lyera or my favorite Justin Blackmon and keep those players straight and we win the Superbowl I'm sure there will be crying and complaints. However my response would be FINE, we throw away the trophy if every team in the NFL benches every player that's ever had a character issue and every player is administered a strict drug and PED test and cut every player that fails. Watch how fast everybody shuts their mouth!!

Anyways my under radar players or somewhat under the radar that would be far better players as a raven

Derrick Morgan-

Ron Parker

Jermaine Gresham

Rob Housler

Henry Melton

Patrick Robinson

Shereece Wright

Sean Weatherspoon

Denarius Moore

Jabaal Sheard

Kenny Britt

Some trade candidates that teams may be willing to part with that have underperformed on bad teams are Barkevious Mingo,Dion Jordan and maybe Mohammed Sanu since he is unhappy with blame and slander from fans.

Character concern players I like to see ravens consider signing or trading for are Justin Blackmon,Colt Lyera, Daryl Washington, and Aldon Smith. Maybe even Greg Hardy if he is a bargain or signs a one year cheap prove himself deal, however I'm not sure he can play rush OLB. Aldon Smith is the player who at the top of his game is as fierce and explosive as ANY edge rusher in the nfl!!

Not saying we should consider or even need some of these players. I'm just throwing out names I feel are under the radar to some degree but may turn out to be difference makers on the Ravens. There are others I can't think of at the minute but I'm looking forward to hearing some ideas for under the radar or underachieving players that could be great when surrounded by Ravens coaching, discipline, leadership, work ethic and Winning Atmosphere.

Arthur brown has just barely flashed and has physicality and instinct issues. It looks as if even if he does make some strides he won't be anything worth writing about.

Mosley is a prototype of what I consider the most underrated position in all of the major sports. Ilb or any traditional LB position in a 4-3. Which is exactly why I would prefer Ellerbe back or Weatherspoon or Washington lining up beside him. Due to decreased roles of RBs the ilb position is not considered a premium position which is why we were able to draft him #17 when he was a to 10 talent or better. Its why Lavonte David went in Rd2. Most Teams are naievely content with a physical 2 down run defender who leaves the field on down#3 for a soft cover specialist LB. Problem is good and great teams with franchise QBs throw on early downs often. And the physical instinctful 2down LB may as well just be a coach on the field cuz he lacks speed and athleticism to get depth in his drops in a flash and serve as an extra big hard hitting strong safety covering a RB or pro bowl TE or patrol a zone like another SS on the field and close on the guy making the catch or trying to make the catch in a flash with a hard hit or pass breakup and put fear in the QBs targets. Pro bowl ILB has become even more of a priority instead of less cuz a 2 down LB will get torched by RBs and TEs and offer no help over intermediate part of the field cuz they lack speed and athleticism. The coverage specialist gets blocked and misses tackles or just ran over.

Daryl Smith is well over 30 and will be in his mid 30s by next yrs Superbowl. While still a good player he has clearly lost a step and will be a liability in coverage. He plays smart but when LBs or corners begin using smarts and try to make up for athletic skills its not long b4 they become a liability and the team scrambles for a replacement as they are cut or let go in FA. Any retired great Linebacker could tell the story including Urlacher Brooks Reed to name several. Besides the ravens don't wanna go into next off season with 3 LBs well on the wrong side of 30. Daryll may have an OK year next year. However the opportunity to get a physical instinctful pro bowl caliber 3 down LB for a bargain price is this year with Weatherspoon Ellerbe and Washington. Weatherspoon is the most destructive hitter of them but they all bring the wood while athletic and fast as strong safety's. Daryl's play could diminish and really hurt the Defense. He clearly lost a half step so far. Having another LB in the same league as Mosley is a huge advantage and QBs and WRs will tell you that having to worry about being lit up by those rare physical LBs with safety speed and cover skills that they don't have to worry about in most games is what disrupts them most cuz They have to look out for an extra defender or 2 while trying getting open and or trying to catch the ball. Daryl is still a good smart player but we have the opportunity to replace him with a great player. He is getting older and no matter how great a driver is he won't win races if his car loses to much speed and performance.

As for resignings Will Hill is most important in my opinion. He is our only proven safety and can do it all from safety position and that's a rare commodity around the NFL. It would be cool to bring Torrey back but not at expense of not being able to sign a TE and another WR that's more consistent.

Danell Ellerbe is a likely cap cut by the dolphins. If he is we should seriously consider bringing him back!! Some fans forget how good he is. He didn't play with same fire with dolphins whose defense shows no attitude!! But he was awesome in Baltimore. He has safety speed and athleticism and is physical and explosive and he hits like a savage when he plays for the ravens. I was at the AFC championship game January 2013 and Patsie fans were petrified of Ellerbe more than Lewis. One way or another I'm for replacing Daryl Smith. I think we could get a Round5-6 pick for him considering we are paying part of his salary and he still is a good LB. Its just he has clearly lost a half step and is way on the wrong side of 30!! I know some fans will be angry at the idea of trading a good player but if the Ravens don't replace Smith now when the opportunity is there, the Ravens will be going into the off season next year at this time with 3 aging LBsLBs all well over 30 whose play could fall off as early as next year. We could be talking bout Smiths and Suggs down year next draft season. And Dumervil as well will be 32 and he is the youngest of the bunch. I think Dumervil will have another very productive year next year but scenario is of all of the older LBs having off years and showing their age has to be taken in consideration. Finding legit replacements for Suggs and Smith would be enough of a challenge!!

If not Ellerbe then Sean Weatherspoon and Daryl Washington should be seriously considered in my opinion. They all would be bargains for various reasons but either would make a ferocious 3 down tandem with Mosley. I would lean towards Washington or Weather spoon cuz they are 26 and 27 while Ellerbe will be 29 next year. However at 29 he is still is in his prime and he has experience with the Ravens. So any of them would be a winner to pair up with Mosley. It would give the ravens 2 instinctful and physical 3 down LBs with the athleticism speed and cover skills of many hard hitting strong safety's. They can cover TEs and RBs man up and patrol zones over the middle like 2 extra hard hitting Safety's. Then if we add a Michael Bennett or Grady Jarett in the draft and that's the most ferocious and active front7 in the NFL!!

Thanks dude lol. We need to beat the patriots next year. They will be our competition to reach the superbowl for another year. I was a patriots fan b4 a ravens fan and know what it takes to beat them cowards.

This isn't backed up by facts at all. But could he play there? The middle is going to be pre occupiued for another 2-3 years, shall we let him put his speed to use while he can learn behind a smaller technician in Doom?

First issue here is the ravens will have a need at LB before another 3 yrs. Darryl Smith is 33 and already has lost a half step that's evident in his range and coverage skill!! He gets by due to his smarts and sound tackling technique. Like other LBs learned its hard to continue to excel once they start losing half steps every year. Just ask Urlacher and Lance Briggs he will be a liability in the ravens defense eventually!! When a LB or cornerback begins relying on smarts they won't be playing up to their standard much longer in the nfl. Edge rushers can actually counter losing a half step with skill and technique. But a standard LB not quite so much. I'm actually questioning if he has another pro bowl caliber year left next year. Especially when there are 2 great replacements available this off season at bargain rates!!

The first lb the ravens should consider is Sean Weatherspoon. He is explosive, plays with good instincts, hits hard and can cover TEs and RBs or patrol a zone as well as many Strong Safety's thanks to his speed,agility and instincts. He is a 3 down LB in the mold of Mosley or Navorro Bowman. And he will be a bargain cuz he is coming off an injury just as Darryl Smith was cheap after coming off an injury. He is however much younger than Daryll Smith. He would easily play even better than before in our defense cuz of our DLine is far more talented and physical than any he has ever played with in Atlanta. He would be free to run hit and cover on our defense like he never had the luxury of before. He and Mosley would form the NFL's best physical 3 down LB tandem.

The other elite physical 3 down defender we could consider is Daryl Washington. Very similar size and skill of CJ Mosley. He can run, slip blocks with a mixture physicality and athleticism, cover and hit hard. He is coming off some off field probs but has worked hard to prove he is more focused and better person. He could be had cheap and is the prototype 3 down LB like Mosley. We have the coaching and locker room to keep him straight and get rewarded with a great player.

Just my opinion but I think ilbs and 4-3 LBs are more needed than ever. The position has been devalued due to the RBs being devalued. However having LBs with safety speed/ athleticism yet still physical makes them more important than before. Slower LBs that get burned in coverage is as bad as LBs that can't tackle shed or play physical. Either way the defense gets burned. You have some coverage LBs that are to soft for a LB then you have LBs like Brandon Spikes and Hightower that can shed tackle and hit but get burned in coverage. Sad thing is most teams are happy with these 2 down run defending physical tacklers whom leave the field on third downs which is totally Rediculous!! IN TODAYS GAME TEAMS DONT WAIT TIL DOWN#3 TO THROW THE BALL!! The better offenses throw on early downs often!! If your 2 down LB is getting torched by RBs and TEs you won't have to worry bout him having to leave the field on down3 cuz The better QBs will smoke your defense and put up points b4 they see a third down!! Especially the better qbs like Brady who get rid of the ball fast to the middle of the field and make fast reads and exploit slow 2 down LBs!! My opinion that's the reason physical yet athletic ilbs that can run with RBs and TEs and patrol a zone and close on the intended WR in a flash like a safety is as important as shutdown corners, edge rushers or ball hawking FS. If Daryl Smith has to leave the field next year on third down then he is a liability especially against the better QBs!! Daryll Smith may still be good enough in coverage next year but if a longterm lb that is not expensive is available this off season to partner up with Mosley the ravens should at least consider it in my opinion.

As for Arthur Brown fans, are hoping his issues were just how well Mosley and Daryll Smith played. If he really does have physicality and tackling issues along with likely technique issues then adding 10-15lbs may not help all that much. It would likely help him but if he is to soft and weak at 230 then he won't be anything to write home about at 245. Physical LBs and hard hitters are more naturally gifted than built in the gym. Adding muscle just makes physical hard hitting LBs and safety's into feared monsters. Players like Mosley Daryll Washington Lavonte David are physical forces and hard strikers at 230 lbs but become terrors that strike literal fear in ball carriers after getting bigger and stronger. The greatest in Ray Lewis when he weighed 225 knocked bigger power RBs backward and threw TEs to the ground like rag dolls and after bulking up to 245 then 255 eventually struck fear in ball carriers to the extent they looked for places to lay down before he got there. But he was already a hard striker who knocked bigger ball carriers backward even before bulking up. Mosley and Daryl Washington at 230 lbs can rock a fullback or TE and fight through blocks. Yet explosive enough to get depth in their drops and destroy Gronkowski's and Julian Nerdelman's that catch or attempt to catch in their zones in the middle of the field cuz they can close as fast as safety's!! Ed Reed could really lay wood at only 205 lbs. Will Hill when he was unfocused with the giants and unconditioned and rarely in the weight room played very physical and took down TEs like ragdolls even though he was on the thin side. Now that he is spending his off season in the weight room and is looking to finally fill his big frame out to 215-223, he is going to really lay some wood cuz he is already a physical tackler. If Arthur Brown isn't the replacement for Daryll Smith the ravens will need his replacement very soon cuz he is 33 and has lost a half step so far.

We scored plenty in foxboro but many times the offense sputtered like Texans/jaguars. Torrey isn't nowhere near a complete WR. He does not play fast other than a straight line. He isn't sharp or sudden in routes and he gears down in breaks and cuts. He has no instincts for zones. Joe is a great deep thrower and led the league in pi calls before torrey even was drafted. The scoring in foxboro was on joe. He was consistently threading needles and making undrafted WRs play to their max as well as helped SS squeeze out another good season after his team didn't want him. Same with the TE Owen Daniels who everybody thought was no longer NFL quality. Ask patsie fans the respect they have for Joe.

The Ravens don't really need a Dez or Demaryius although it would be nice!! They just need some more complete better side #2's and a good TE that are good route runners, play fast and snatch or attack the ball. There happens to be some very good WRs in free agency this off season that's undervalued from their sub par and in some cases terrible QBs. Rob Housler came into the NFL raw but very talented. He has learned from Fitzgerald and is a great route runner who plucks and attacks the ball. While he is 6'5 1/2 258lbs He also has WR speed and is great after the catch. Jermaine Gresham is as talented as Gronk but has been held back by sub a sub par QB who holds back AJ Green as well. Vernon Davis is likely a salary cap cut as well. Any one of these guys could rival Gronk as nfls best TE if they are catching from Joe Cool 2.0 and backed up by a dominant OLine like we have. If Monroe returns to form I believe its the best in the NFL that has a top10 LT and 3 players arguably the best at their position and a very solid Center.

I dont wanna see Joes arm and a great OLine not maximized by lack of complete and consistent playmakers that run sharp routes and play fast and attack the football while having size.There are WR bargains as well from the same thing, bad QB play. I recently watched some of Crabtrees games especially vs Seattle. I came away surprised at his playspeed!! He is sharp and sudden in his breaks and elusive and physical after the catch. And he has great hands and attacks the ball the great athleticism and body control. He is also ultra competitive. He would have roasted Sherman many times if Kaepernick knew anything about timing or the cerebral side of playing QB. Kenny Britt is flat out awesome. He is mature and focused now and many coaches that play with or against him say he is very similar to Julio Jones in size and talent. He plays fast and runs sharp routes and has good hands and is very athletic and aggressive attacking the ball. He has ankle breaking moves for a big WR he also lays crushing blocks. At this point he just wants to play with a good QB and prove he is a #1WR. My opinion we sign a WR and TE and any of these players would have breakout and career years with Joe in our offense. We may even be able to add Denarius Moore as the second WR addition if he wants a One year $1mil prove himself on a real NFL team deal. Then after set on WR we could focus on a young explosive edge rusher and corners in the draft or more lineman.