bigcatfrank1

Ravens need to look for support in the Running Game, maybe J. Charles, D Williams, J Starks for some veteran help to begin the year...who wants a ring? Then feel out where this running game is going when Dixon comes back.

So Wallace at /over 1000 yds, Perriman potentially at/over 1000 yrds, then Moore, Waller, Campinaro and Co total at conservatively 600, that is about as good as any WR crew the Ravens have had= 2600 WR yards. Add the TE position at least 800 yds ( Pitta had that many on his own) Add the RB position at at least 800 yds - considering Woodhead easily hits 350 alone, West and Dixon can make up a measly 450- This describes a 4200 yrd passing offense. It is pretty much an easy sum looking at the past and abilities. Probably the only one that is suspect to future doubt is Perriman however his quiet 500 yards last year would be considered a huge step being he was 3rd on the depth chart. I just do not see him going backwards, up , up and away! So I just do not see your prognostication. You may be ham hunting and if so, that is your prerogative, however put some numbers behind the sour apples please. If anything I'd pick on the running game. But that is a horse of a different color.

It could be that they just have not been shown it by the young Ravens, specifically the Sophomore class. I agree, there is an element of the unknown that exists or to be "proven otherwise" Perriman, Dixon, Moore are on the hot seat, maybe not so obvious Alex Lewis, Nembot, and even Keenan Renolds. All of them have seen limited playing time (exception of Dixon). This year that is going to change, could it be in the making? Though not seen last year, the TE position could very well emerge as a sleeping giant. Woodhead in the backfield could be the X-Factor that allows the deception needed for a talented TE core to show its effectiveness. Some one has to cover the crafty RB, here presents the TE already deeper than 5-8 yards into the defensive backfield and missed in coverage, Boom! or the Slot receiver that is just one more player than is coverable in Waller/Woodhead/Moore. Though coaching is very important, absolutely hunger for excellence within each player is critical in pushing them above the crop. Thus , the possible "fear" element as a team. As far as a QB casting fear, as posted by some, I think that needs response by defenses around the league. I'm not sure they agree to what critical method one would describe fear. However I can tell you that from what I have read, most players and teams have tremendous respect for Joe Flacco's deep ball and passing game in general.

The Ravens have signed the back up QB, dont think they will not sign a no.3. its a waste of time and effort. let alone that Kaepernick cant push his wifes cart around the Safeway. I think Charles is a fine idea, the question is how affordable? At this point I think the Ravens are pretty certain that they wont add a TE, why pass on the best TE of the year if the team felt there was a need at all?

You are absolutely correct- The cry for CB help was loud and clear from early December on. The Ravens have been weak at this position for years and it showed big time when Smith went down for too long, too may times last year. It pretty much lost the playoffs for the team, not that I blame on player, what was to blame was the depth ability at the position. Humphrey was the leading CB throughout the entire pre-draft process. No one corner pushed him down or moved clearly above him. The Ravens called his name out early as a prospect, in fact so early many forgot about him and the importance of a young, fast, big, strong, first ranked "starting corner" draft choice. And lastly the big "what if" still looms over M&T. Healthy players are critical to the Ravens success, especially one particular CB. I like the kid, I like the Pick and I hope we like the on -field play for years to come. Congrats to Marlon Humphrey.

They could have taken any one of them instead, I think Bower is clearly BPA vs Ju Ju however JJ may have been the receiver that could help this team the most. Its just the way the board fell. Ju Ju doesnt make it to 3rd round so the Ravens don't get him. OJ Howard sure looks like the real deal, He too could have made a huge impact. That is the move I am surprised with, I think Howard was the BPA at that time. We will see, does Humphrey start? or does he just play options and substitutions which is more of what the Ravens do with first year corners. OJ looks to start so we should get a look right away at his play by play full game ability. The others all look to be very good moves, so far. yep we will see in a couple of years.

2017 Draft = B- On position and need based only troubled positions; No clear #1 Center No clear third WR No clear #1 RB games 1-4 (and even further) No clear third ILB Obviously Ranking the Draft is really not fair until mid-season. Last years draft was clearly an A.

I still think Oz adds a veteran RB and WR he will be watching cap casualties very closely. For now the Ravens have much to work with and evaluate. O-line might just be ok without adding outside NFL experience. Dixon can practice all the way up to game 1, I believe - which obviously he will do. The Running schemes will be much more important now with Woodhead on the team. He is a position specialist who will demand better play execution. WR im not sure that the Ravens enter the season with a weak Running Game for the first 4 games. Certainly not just because of draft. So therefore I cannot see them entering the season without another seasoned NFL WR, even with all of the young talent. Looks like to some decent young prospects, often UFA get a short look at camp in the first year, will they keep developing both in camp and on their own?

He sounds like a guard

He sounds like a Guard, hope he can support the tackle situation. Center may be a stretch. Not all lineman can play center thats for sure. I am not real high on moving Alex, but if he can transition to Tackle without costing the level of play he brings at Guard then hopefully its worth it. Some feel its the way to go, but weakening his positions is not a good approach. Certainly Yanda can move to tackle he has done it before, Again i am not high on that move either. I like Yanda and Lewis as our Guards.

Yes, I really like it too. And I am the one that is still saying we need to consider Running Game, RB, as an issue. However looking player against player there is no doubt the Ravens picked great bargains at every pick. The players were all rated higher on the board than when available, not counting 16 just because Marlon was definitely a top 20 pick. I believe he will surprise many when he hits the field, we can only hope and look forward to it. Its about building a Championship not which player will set records. This is the Ravens philosophy, they stick to it most times and as a fan I think its a great system. Some may disagree, however look at NE, they traded even further down. Why, because they know its about building Championships not about chasing drafts. One thing is probably most interesting is that the Ravens didn't trade down, considering how the first 15 went off the board. That just tells you OZ was not going to make a deal unless it was absolutely a "must make" and well in the Ravens favor. Ps, O-line will help the running game. I would expect the Ravens will take a look at options at RB at least for the first 4 games. Maybe just pick up a journeyman style back from the FA pool. With that said I sure hope our running game can perform to Ravens championship level.

At $25m a year, Flacco needs to do more, period (see other $20+ QBs such as Brady & Rodgers). Maybe he could be like Romo? NOT Though Joe is much more like Brees, E. Manning and Palmer. They make just about the same with bonuses, contract sides, endorsements and such. Why are we discussing Joe? He is the quarterback it isn't going to change, he has earned it, he is playing and yes we should all expect him to "do more".

Yes, I really like it too. And I am the one that is still saying we need to consider Running Game, RB, as an issue. However looking player against player there is no doubt the Ravens picked great bargains at every pick. The players were all rated higher on the board than when available, not counting 16 just because Marlon was definitely a top 20 pick. I believe he will surprise many when he hits the field, we can only hope and look forward to it. Its about building a Championship not which player will set records. This is the Ravens philosophy, they stick to it most times and as a fan I think its a great system. Some may disagree, however look at NE, they traded even further down. Why, because they know its about building Championships not about chasing drafts. One thing is probably most interesting is that the Ravens didn't trade down, considering how the first 15 went off the board. That just tells you OZ was not going to make a deal unless it was absolutely a "must make" and well in the Ravens favor.

Wow, already thinking whoof cutting players? There are so many things that can happen from now until start of the season. Its a long Camp and Pre-season. Sure the current roster is a factor ( a very small one usually except for the QB position and maybe Kicker), however the Ravens do not have "irreplacable" or Super bowl experienced players at every Defensive position. No way, in my opinion, at this point should draft choices be decided by the current roster. Players have to be chosen by who is on the board and which player can become Champions for the Ravens. Sure its tough, and of course to look back and change scenarios, we could do that all day and night. My question to you is, if you are right there in the pick do you move over top 5- 10 or even 3 players (especially if rounds) on your selection board to take a player just because you are afraid that other "current roster" players may not make the team ?

Yes it kind of did, but every player has to prove himself on the field. Ju Ju may have been on our (the ravens) board, of course he was, however just like Ty he will have to prove that he was the best player that the "team" could select at 48 no matter who they were up against. The Ravens may have solidified a record breaking defense from this draft, may have not, only time will tell. However, 4 solid picks at positions where each depth line is barely 1 player deep ( again at pro bowl level, ie Suggs) and has retirement, injury prone or contract issue as starters is an imminent need to build a championship. Ozzie knows that, here again is why the Ravens are faced with tremendous 3 year decisions with practically most of their starters. We have a tendency to look at who we missed or why players are leaving or getting huge contracts from the "what we are losing" side of things instead of the -what teams are gaining side. So yes, It can sting, the only way to combat that is to get (our) the selected player no matter what draft # he maybe to become a phenom and "play like a Raven"!