Ravens Future In New Decade

[cursona pirate]

what do you ppls think since it is a new decade.
super power like the colts and patriots?
a weak team like the lions and bucs?
an average team like we are now?

please choose above...
no ones answer is wrong...

[ROH522155]

I definitely believe that we are building something special here in Baltimore. I dont know that we will become the next dynasty but I do think we will be one of the better teams this decade. I think we're gonna win a lot of games with maybe a couple Super Bowls too.

[Jamal]

I think this off season will be one of the most important in franchise history. We have a franchise QB and RB. Our defense is still great, but its aging, and we need some young blood who can replace Lewis and Reed when they retire. I don't mean in those exact positions, but leaders like them on defense.
Many might say that Lewis still has 2-3 good years, but the sooner we can find someone who will take the leadership role after Lewis, the better.

Also, Flacco needs a young WR who he can grow with. This can create a great duo for the decade. But that isn't the only type of receiver he needs. If Mason decides to retire, which he most likely will, we would also need an experienced reviver who can help our young WR(s).

We have been looking for a QB ever since this team came to town, and now that we have finally have found one, we need to help him out.

This off season really will decide what kind of team we can become this decade in my opinion.

[AlaskanRavensFan]

I think that we will definitely be a power in the next ten years because we have a franchise QB. two young talented tackles to protect him and a versatile and explosive offensive player in Ray Rice.

What also makes me optimistic is our young defensive players. Ngata is proving to be a dominant tackle. Suggs, although somewhat dissappointing this year, will continue to play at a high level. Webb, Foxworth, Zbikowski, Landry and Nakamura seem to have developed chemistry and were playing well together prior to injuries.

I hope that I don't have to hear about, "mighty men" for the next ten years though.

[cursona pirate]

every couple years teams have there bad years and there good years (Look at the bills)
I agree with it coming down to the off season of who will rise.

[theFRANCHISE]

This team has been on-and-off the cusp for too long to not eventually become a superpower. Though such inconsistency is often a sign of mediocrity, it's far better to have experienced a significant measure of success than to never taste it at all -- and that's the reason why I believe that this team is better than average and can be a force like the Colts and Patriots were this past decade.

As Ric Flair famously said, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man." For the Ravens to hang with the Pats and Colts as they did this season, and to continually give the Steelers a run for their money, that speaks to the ability of the team. Average and bad teams get beaten soundly by great teams; that's part of what makes a great team, great. But for a good or above-average team like the Ravens to have lost games by as small of a margin as they have this season, that's an indication of the next step to greatness being within reach.

That next step, obviously, entails finishing and learning to beat the great teams. But for now, sheer competitiveness is enough to get by, as there are so few good or great teams in the NFL on each team's schedule. You beat the bad teams to get to the playoffs, you beat the good and great teams to advance into each round.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='01 January 2010 - 02:36 PM' timestamp='1262374571' post='327499']
This team has been on-and-off the cusp for too long to not eventually become a superpower. Though such inconsistency is often a sign of mediocrity, it's far better to have experienced a significant measure of success than to never taste it at all -- and that's the reason why I believe that this team is better than average and can be a force like the Colts and Patriots were this past decade.

As Ric Flair famously said, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man." For the Ravens to hang with the Pats and Colts as they did this season, and to continually give the Steelers a run for their money, that speaks to the ability of the team. Average and bad teams get beaten soundly by great teams; that's part of what makes a great team, great. But for a good or above-average team like the Ravens to have lost games by as small of a margin as they have this season, that's an indication of the next step to greatness being within reach.

That next step, obviously, entails finishing and learning to beat the great teams. But for now, sheer competitiveness is enough to get by, as there are so few good or great teams in the NFL on each team's schedule. You beat the bad teams to get to the playoffs, you beat the good and great teams to advance into each round.
[/quote]

Well said Franchise.

The pieces are slowly being put in place for this team to join teams like Indy, the Patriots and Philly as yearly contenders.

[SaVaGe]

Unless there is a total collapse only two things will happen.

1) We will become the Chargers, exceptionally good each season but failing to produce SB wins.

2) We will become the Steelers, do ok each season then dominate the post season

As much as I want to believe it we just don't have the personnel to build a dynasty anymore. Even though the defense is good it just doesn't feel the same when they line up. You use to think, this offense is done for now its hopefully they don't exploit us with fast HB's and physical WR's. If only Joe Flacco was a couple years older and we picked him earlier then maybe we could of got that second SB ring in 06.

[Alexir]

We are going to be average at best cuz harbaugh is going to keep going for high character players instead of highly talented players. Well that and Ray, Ed and Mason will be retired....damn this decade is gonna suck lol

[Wacko4Zacko]

The Ravens future is another superbowl win!

[JEEPercreepermd]

In the new decade I think the Ravens are going to be a force in the league. We will say goodbye to some heroes(ray,ed,mason) while new ones will emerge to lead this team. The Ravens will have to continue to infuse young talent on defense during the coming transition years, while keeping the Oline stocked, and finding a key WR and TE.
I think that the Ravens are going to contend for if not win a few superbowls within the next 10 years. The future is bright.

I say this because in years past, the Ravens would consistantly get blown out by elite teams. This year even with all of the injuries, problems in the secondary, offensive inconsistancy,and missed opportunities, they have been in contention to win every game this year. I think the Gap between the Ravens and the leagues best is closing quickly.

[edreedfromtheu]

I think they'll contend every year for the division. I see the Steelers about to drop off significantly. And I don't believe the Bengals are as good as they played the first half of this season, just like the Broncos.

But I think a lot will depend on this offseason. The playoffs haven't even started, but I'm very excited to see what happens with player movement and the draft. Schedule release should be fun, too!

[ROH522155]

[quote name='Alexir' date='01 January 2010 - 03:08 PM' timestamp='1262376506' post='327521']
We are going to be average at best cuz harbaugh is going to keep going for high character players instead of highly talented players. Well that and Ray, Ed and Mason will be retired....damn this decade is gonna suck lol
[/quote]

I need to start using my negative ratings more wisely. Im all out again!

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='Alexir' date='01 January 2010 - 03:08 PM' timestamp='1262376506' post='327521']
We are going to be average at best cuz harbaugh is going to keep going for high character players instead of highly talented players. Well that and Ray, Ed and Mason will be retired....damn this decade is gonna suck lol
[/quote]
Have some faith. Ray,Ed,and Mason will be gone, but there is young talent in the pipeline. Flacco is continuing to improve, uncapped season may afford the Ravens a top WR, Oher is a beast, Rice is becoming a monster, Webb is going to be a playmaker in the secondary, and year in and year out we draft players that have almost immediate success on the field. We'll be ok.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Alexir' date='01 January 2010 - 03:08 PM' timestamp='1262376506' post='327521']
We are going to be average at best cuz harbaugh is going to keep going for high character players instead of highly talented players. Well that and Ray, Ed and Mason will be retired....this decade is gonna suck lol
[/quote]
In Harbaugh's first two seasons, we've seen the addition of players like Flaco, Rice, Webb, Zibby, and Oher. How is that average at best? Obviously, we aren't there yet, but it's a good start.

[ravenz_fan]

I strongly feel that we are building the right team,, alot of young talent as the older greats are leaving,,,we still have a way to go but i have 100% confidence in ozzie to lead us in the right direction

[H8R]

[quote name='Alexir' date='01 January 2010 - 03:08 PM' timestamp='1262376506' post='327521']
We are going to be average at best cuz harbaugh is going to keep going for high character players instead of highly talented players. Well that and Ray, Ed and Mason will be retired....damn this decade is gonna suck lol
[/quote]


Says the constant negative. Maybe anti-depresants are needed?

[J-man]

Let's see. A coach that is on the brink of making the playoffs for twice in two season with a quarterback who has only been in the league for two seasons, with a running back who is untackleable who is in his second year. We need to toughen and beef up our defense more, give Flacco more weapons, and we can look at making the playoffs on a consistent basis. Fingers crossed.

[ROH522155]

This past decade we won 2 division titles, made 5 going on 6 playoff appearances, won 7 playoff games and a Super Bowl. I think in the new decade we will win 5 Division titles, make 7 playoff appearances with double digit playoff wins and 2 super bowls.

[Alexir]

Sorry, Sarcasm is hard to implement on a message board lol

[Alexir]

and it's hard to have hope for the future when we are going to lose our 3 best players and we are spending 11 mil a year on an AVERAGE at best pass rusher. Suggs needs to step up physically and from a leadership point of view. I think a lot of his contract was in hope of him taking this defense over after ray and being the relentless leader.

[catty112]

well we got a solid foundation on offense. A young dominant o-line, young franchise QB, and a great young RB. We need to load up on weapons at the receiver position to give Flacco more options when he drops back. Hopefully some of our young guns can establish themselves and we can pick up another solid veteran and another out of the draft.

On defense we defiantly need to reload as we got a couple of aging vets at key positions and obviously our secondary (frank walker mostly) as been the target of much criticism this season. I would like to see us get a D-lineman that can get to the passer as well as pick up another corner. Good news is we got a lot of young talent that we will be able to build our future defense around.

I can see this offseason being critical to the Ravens success in the next decade. We make the right moves and avoid stupid FA acquisitions we can very well become a superpower for years to come.

-Drama in Denver again with Marshall, key the trade for Brandon Marshall threads - boy would I love to have him here.

[Militant X 1]

the Ravens will be a powerhouse this decade! all they have to do is solidify their defense (bring in new and "younger" players at the various positions) and add quality players on that offense (i.e. 1-2 deep threat play-making receivers)that can grow with Flacco. i will miss my boys Ray Lewis and Ed Reed though....THAT IS FOR SURE!

[Shawn`]

I'm going to say above average team, no powerhouse or anything. Then again who knows, we may draft some special players in these upcoming years.

A powerhouse team is a team that contends the superbowl almost every year, so for the 00's that team was the Patriots. I don't see the Ravens contending on that kind of level but I do see a superbowl appearance and consistently being in the playoffs.

[K-Dog]

I dont think quite a super team, but not avarage either.
Somewhere in the middle.
Right now we have fairly good balalnce between young and old talent. Lewis, Reed, Mason, are a few that wont make the full decade. Losses that WILL hurt to one degree or another. Weather we miss a step as a result or not is the differance between a super team and an average or above average team.

[MagicianCamille]

I voted a new super power for one reason alone. Ray Rice.

[Alexir]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' date='01 January 2010 - 06:56 PM' timestamp='1262390183' post='327647']
I voted a new super power for one reason alone. Ray Rice.
[/quote]

Ray Rice was amazing this year. I just hope he doesnt pull a matt forte next year and suck.

[cityboy02]

[quote name='Alexir' date='02 January 2010 - 12:01 AM' timestamp='1262408489' post='327761']
Ray Rice was amazing this year. I just hope he doesnt pull a matt forte next year and suck.
[/quote]
I think he's goin to better than he was this year

[Alexir]

[quote name='cityboy02' date='02 January 2010 - 12:19 AM' timestamp='1262409591' post='327770']
I think he's goin to better than he was this year
[/quote]

Fantasy wise he is going to be a top 3 pick next year. consistent points minus like one game.

[BlackSunday]

[quote name='Alexir' date='02 January 2010 - 12:21 AM' timestamp='1262409671' post='327771']
Fantasy wise he is going to be a top 3 pick next year. consistent points minus like one game.
[/quote]

No one is mentioning Ray Rice yet in the same sentence as Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson. However, that will change next year. The Rice will continue to sizzle and will only get hotter. Mark my words.