2010 Baltimore Ravens

[Alexir]

First of all, I love the Baltimore Ravens and truly like all the players on our team (minus Chris Carr). But I do believe the key to our success is to let some of these guys go and bring it some talent or give our 2nd stringers a shot. This is how I think both sides of the ball should look in 2010.

[b]Defense 3-4[/b]
[i]Build a team around Ngata[/i]
[i]
[/i]
[b]DT: Justin Bannan/[/b][b]Dwan Edwards[/b] (split time)
[b]NT: Haloti Ngata[/b]
[b]DE: Jarrett Johnson[/b]
[b]
[/b]
ROLB: Terrell Suggs
JACK: Dannell Ellerbe/Tavares Gooden (split time)
MIKE: Ray Lewis
[b]LOLB: Paul Kruger/Antwaan Barnes (split time)[/b]
[b]
[/b]
[b]LCB: Lardarius Webb[/b]
[b]SS: Haruki Nakamura/Draft[/b]
FS: Ed Reed
[b]RCB: Dominique Foxworth/Draft[/b]
[b]
[/b]
[b]Front 3:[/b] Haloti Ngata is a beast. Period. Lets put him up on NT and cut ties with the aging Kelly Gregg. Justin Bannan is getting up there in age but I think he and Edwards would fit in well as a DT. Jarrett Johnson is an amazing athlete. I love the guy. That's why I see him doing amazing things as a DE instead of an OLB.

[b]LBs: [/b]Only thing really changing here is that LOLB spot opposite of Suggs. We drafted Kruger and we have Barnes. I Think these guys can get the job done with pass rushing, not sure about Kruger on run stopping though. We could even through in Jameel McClain to make it a trio at the position.

[b]DBs: [/b]Fabian's contract is up after this season. Thanks for the 2008 season, Fabe. Webb showed a lot of promise vs the Bengals. He deserves to start for this team. I have him taking Foxs spot and moving Fox over to the otherside splitting time with a draft pick. Dawan, you were the man in 2006 and 2007. But you are a liability on pass coverage. I like Nakamura to fill the void at SS, unless we see someone amazing available in the draft.

[i]So by moving some guys around we only need to really address 2 positions. I feel our linebackers are very versatile and are our strength. Lets get them on the field as much as possible.[/i]
[b]
[/b]
[b]Offense[/b]
[i]Quarterback? Check. Targets? Ah Crap[/i]
[i]
[/i]
LT: Jared Gaither
LG: Ben Grubbs
[b]C:[/b] Matt Birk[b]/Draft[/b]
[b]RG: Marshall Yanda[/b]
RT: Michael Oher

TE: Todd Heap
[b]TE2: Draft/FA[/b]
[b]
[/b]
[b]WR1:[/b] [b]Draft/FA ([/b][i]Tall!)[/i]
[b]WR2: Kelley Washington[/b]
[b]WR3[/b]: [b]Draft/FA ([/b][i]Shifty)[/i]
WR4: Marcus Smith/Justin Harper

QB: Joe Flacco

[b]FB: Draft/FA[/b]
RB1: Ray Rice
RB2: LeRon McClain
[b]RB3: Draft/FA[/b]
[b]
[/b]
[b]OLine:[/b] Matt Birk is getting older and I'm not challenging his will but your body ages on you and doesnt react like it used too. That being said he still starts next year but we should focus on bringing in a replacement to anchor our amazing line. Only other thing I have changing is give Yanda his job back. Chester you are amazing and I personally would like you as the Center but dont think it will happen. You are talented though but Marshall is...WOW.

[b]TEs:[/b] Heeappppp has it! Yeah he still has it, a little banged up but there is definitely some rubber left on those tires. But its never too early to pick up a young TE through the draft. This years draft class is deep too!

[b]WRs:[/b] Our favorite topic! Mason, Clayton and Williams are all free agents next year which translates to: Mason retiring again, Williams goes bye bye, and Not sure about Mark. Anyways we need a number 1 receiver for Joe Cool. He Needs to be taller than 6 feet....also I like Kelley as a number 2. He is very consistent. WR3 I listed shifty. You know the type. The playmakers in the slot, Wes Welker, Desean Jackson, or Miles Austin. Mark Clayton comes to mind.

[b]QB: [/b]We need to start Troy Smith! Just making sure you are still paying attention. All joking aside, Troy will hit FA. John Beck is a good back up to Joe Cool. No changes here but like any year we will bring some QBs to camp and probably sign 1 to be the No. 3 guy.

[b]RBs:[/b] Not a big fan of LeRon McClain as a Fullback. I think we could get a better, bigger run blocker. However, I am a huge fan of LeRon McClain as running back. Willis will be no longer with the team and there is no use in wasting a high round draft pick on a RB when we have a pro bowler in line! RB3, I like Cedric Peerman but any RB will do behind the Bowling Ball and Wrecking Ball.

[i]Receivers are the weakness. We need to draft some guys next year. That doesn't necessarily mean first round either. All these additions might not be addressed during one draft or one free agency. They are merely to show what we need on the offensive side of the ball.[/i]
[i]
[/i]
[b]Special Teams[/b]
[b]
[/b]
P: Sam Kock
[b]K: FA/Draft[/b]
[b]K/PR: Leroy Vann[/b]
[b]
[/b]
[b]ST:[/b] Didn't want to do Special Teams but let's face it a kicker should be the least of our worries. We tried out 2 proven kickers yet we still have a college soccer player converted kicker on our roster. Peace Hauhscka. Leroy Vann is amazing. Just had to put his name out there in hope of you guys googling him. Plus we don't want Webb getting hurt now that he's a starter.

I am not going to do a coaching section but I will say the obvious. [s]Cut ties with Mattison. That is all on that.[/s]

Well, Thanks for spending your time reading this. I can not wait to discuss this with you guys.

Later,

Alex

[b]
[/b]
[b]P.S. Positions and names in Bold are either new personnel or same players at different position.[/b]
[b]
[/b]
[b]EDIT: I think Mattison turned it up towards the end and think he deserves to come back this season.[/b]

[BMOREHAWAII]

I like the way you thought everything out. Id even try Kruger as DE for pure pass rush with his high motor, and keep JJ on the outside because of his underrated ability to drop into zone and tackle. And on WR i didnt know we still had Marcus Smith, hopefully by next year Justin Harper and Eron Riley can step it up because its obvious that next year D-Will is gone because if Harbs liked him he'd be playing more. I hope we can get what the fans wanted in our 1st round draft pick like WR, something we have been asking for, for YEARS. That or CB, because i have faith L. Webb will progress into an excellent corner.

[Purple Punishment]

Very well thought out! Kudos to you. I believe we cut ties with D. Will, but I think it will be a big mistake. He has had injury problems in the past but why not use him now that hes healthy??? Just an excuse to get rid of him.

I think we draft a Wideout in the 2nd Rd. I really see us jumping on the best CB in the draft, and if we continue our poor play (god forbid) then we will have a great chance to get him. Webb has shown that he has the ability to make things happen when he is around the ball. I think he needs to start this week in CLE to give us an opportunity to play CB for an entire 4qtrs before I can say he is a legitimate starter...I mean, he does have to start one game to make that assumption safely.

I cannot argue with your chart man.

[ih8unc]

[b]QB: [/b]We need to start Troy Smith! Just making sure you are still paying attention. All joking aside, Troy will hit FA. John Beck is a good back up to Joe Cool. No changes here but like any year we will bring some QBs to camp and probably sign 1 to be the No. 3 guy.

GOOD ONE

[Alexir]

I really believe we can have players like Kruger and Johnson switching back and forth. We have a lot of versatile guys on our squad and our under utilizing them. Jarrett Johnson is doing great at OLB but I really believe him at DE would be amazing.

[Ed_Reed20]

Good stuff Alexir. You brought up some intreuging names and came up with some good solutions. Here my thoughts on a few of them:

I really believe the coaches are going to keep Matt Lawrence as the RB#2 next year and continue to develop McClain as a true FB. Few teams in the league carry multiple FBs and I don't see why the Ravens would bring in or draft another one with all the holes they need to fill.

I could be wrong but I really believe Clayton will be back. The team won't have to pay him very much to keep him here and I doubt any team would bring him in to be more than anything but a slot receiver. Here, he would be able to compete for the #2 spot for at least one more season.

I liked the LeRoy Vann suggestion and I could see him becoming both the kick and punt returner wherever he goes. But again, with so many holes, I don't know if the Ravens will draft a player who's contribution will likely be limited to just the return-game. They made that mistake two years ago.

[SSN]

Great topic. After looking at your plan, it makes me feel better about the future. While this season has been very disappointing so far, there really isn't a lot that needs to be done to get back to a higher level.

Some improvement will automatically occur as younger guys develop. Guys like Flacco, Rice, Oher, Yanda, Kruger, McClain, Webb, Nakamura.

There may also be some quality free agents out there that can fill some spots without breaking the bank.

Great job.

[Raveman]

Is there any updates on Ed Reed and his retirement plans? I'm just wondering because Espn has a insiders topic titled "Ed Reed's retirement timetable".

[Alexir]

Thanks for the feed back, guys.

I do think Clayton will be back next year but will not be our Number 1. I think Kelley showed that he will fight for any ball. As much as I hate to say it, I hope we go offense again (5 out of last 6 years to be exact) with our first round pick. As much as our defense has played like doo doo , I just think its the scheme and that the depth we have will really step up.

LeRon McClain is a beast. I guess I'm just spoiled by watching Lorenzo Neal last year playing linebacker at the fullback spot. Man he is sick. But yeah I agree, he will probably remain a Fullback.

LeRoy Vann is also a beast but you are right we have some holes to fill but if he is available in the 4th round, I would say jump all over that!

Getting a CB 1st round is most likely not going to happen due to the fact that most mock draft's only have 1 CB going in the first round. But I think within our top 3 picks we will have a WR, CB and probably a TE/C/WR.

As for Ed's retirement timetable goes, the mere though of losing number 20 makes me want to vomit. But he is 30 years old and in my eyes, still playing with the speed and passion necessary for the twilight years he will enter now that hes "over the hill" in football years. I see him playing for at least 3 to 4 more seasons unless his neck/shoulder gets really, really bad.

[Ravnet]

This is a post that deserves positive rep; although I don't agree with quite a few of the additions/subtractions, the post was well-thought out, and is deserving of credit more than one-liner, simply agreeable posts.

[Runnin Raven]

Never too early to plan ahead I guess ! Seriosuly nice work. I haven't given up on this year yet but hope is fading pretty quickly. I like how you went thru everythiong in detail and I largely agree with your assessment. Kinda hopin Eron Riley or Justin Harper "get it" next year and become beastly.

[The Raven]

I liked what you wrote, but JJ and Kruger are slightly undersized for a DE in a
3-4. I moved Ngata back to end, and moving Mckinney to nose. Mckinney gets a lot of penetration if you've noticed. The problem we have is we have too many talents and we cant get em all on the field. If JJ or Kruger bulk up to play end then move Ngata back to nose. I do like the idea of having Krugers motor at end, but JJ's experience at line in college makes me want him at end.


DE: Ngata
NT: Mckinney
DE: Edwards/Bannan

ROLB: Terrell Suggs/Barnes (split time)
JACK: Dannell Ellerbe/Tavares Gooden (split time)
MIKE: Ray Lewis
LOLB: JJ/Kruger (split time)


LCB: Lardarius Webb
SS: Haruki Nakamura/Draft
FS: Ed Reed
RCB: Dominique Foxworth/Draft

[theFRANCHISE]

The fact that we're even able to have a good idea of next year's possible starters, and the fact that we're able to sub in current backups as starters next year, speaks to the depth that this team has now at most positions. Plenty to look forward to in 2010, regardless of how the rest of 2009 goes.

That said, the front office can't betray the formula of building through the draft. The youth movement is still in effect, and this is how the team is still able to compete -- and [i]will[/i] compete for years to come.

[tctony]

I would keep Fabian Washington. I want us to go and find a physical young cornerback to be our future #1. Then have Fox/Fabe fight it out for the 2/3 spots.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Ravens1990' date='12 November 2009 - 04:43 PM' timestamp='1258062200' post='280806']
I would keep Fabian Washington. I want us to go and find a physical young cornerback to be our future #1. Then have Fox/Fabe fight it out for the 2/3 spots.
[/quote]

Well Fabe's contract is up after this season so if we sign him back it wouldn't be starter money, thats for sure.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Alexir' date='12 November 2009 - 05:05 PM' timestamp='1258063516' post='280829']
Well Fabe's contract is up after this season so if we sign him back it wouldn't be starter money, thats for sure.
[/quote]
Yeah but Walker is a free agent and with the way Carr has played, I dont see a situation where he stays at his current salary. That would only leave us with two corners, Webb and Foxworth.

Fabian will be here. Maybe not on a long term deal but under the uncapped year Washington, Clayton, and some of the others guys you've got us getting rid of are RFA. Which means if we tender them high enough, which would still be inexpensive, we most likely wont lose them.

[WinnipegRaven]

I'd say some big time help is going to be needed in the secondary if we are to compete at a high level next year. I know you mentioned it, but I don't think you are putting enough emphasis on this need.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='12 November 2009 - 01:13 PM' timestamp='1258053237' post='280716']
I really believe we can have players like Kruger and Johnson switching back and forth. We have a lot of versatile guys on our squad and our under utilizing them. Jarrett Johnson is doing great at OLB but I really believe him at DE would be amazing.
[/quote]
Especially with JJs prior experience on the Dline at Alabama, and initially with us. He might even give us some pocket collapsing if he went back up to 280-290.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

A well-constructed and very rational post. It certainly gives me confidence to know we have depth going forward!

[FlaccoFlicker]

anything that involves playing Kryger I am all for. Good post Alexir.

[YYZ66]

Isn't Vincent Jackson a free agent after this season? He would be a great pick up. Although he will probably demand a huge contract.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='YYZ66' date='13 November 2009 - 12:57 PM' timestamp='1258073865' post='280917']
Isn't Vincent Jackson a free agent after this season? He would be a great pick up. Although he will probably demand a huge contract.
[/quote]
He's an elite WR, expect San Diego to pay him big time.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='12 November 2009 - 09:00 PM' timestamp='1258074003' post='280920']
He's an elite WR, expect San Diego to pay him big time.
[/quote]

Hopefully they'll make the mistake of signing Merriman, and let Jackson go.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='12 November 2009 - 07:00 PM' timestamp='1258074003' post='280920']
He's an elite WR, expect San Diego to pay him big time.
[/quote]
Which offers the question, who pays Merriman. No way SD can keep Merriman, Sproles, and Jackson this off season.

[TSizzle00]

everything is good but one thing. Isnt JJ too small to play DE in a 3-4?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='12 November 2009 - 07:55 PM' timestamp='1258077314' post='280997']
everything is good but one thing. Isnt JJ too small to play DE in a 3-4?
[/quote]
right now hes about 15-20 pounds off ideal weight for 3-4 DE. He was a 300 pound DT at Alabama though.

[Alexir]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='12 November 2009 - 08:55 PM' timestamp='1258077314' post='280997']
everything is good but one thing. Isnt JJ too small to play DE in a 3-4?
[/quote]
15 to 25 pounds too light but that's what offseason is for. Like Someone mentioned he used to be a DT.

[ravensfolife]

Barnes is also a free agent...he might not wanna stay if hes not sure of playing time

[Valentin]

Dez Bryant as a pick up in the draft?

being ineligible for the rest of the season will hurt his draft stock, hopefully the ravens pick him up, with webb emerging as a star maybe we could hold off our corner problem for a bit, or at least pick one up 2nd round, unless Bryant goes in the 2nd round

[Chi_Town_Raven]

[quote name='ravensfolife' date='12 November 2009 - 09:53 PM' timestamp='1258080797' post='281036']
Barnes is also a free agent...he might not wanna stay if hes not sure of playing time
[/quote]
Actually, with the way that Gooden is playing, and considering Ray is going to retire in a bit, the only other 2 MLBs are McClain and Ellerbe. I think one of them could convert.