Just A Thought

[PurpleChaos]

No doubt we our building a potent offense for years to come and I am excited but does anyone else feel that eventually we are destined to be a dominant O team with a mediocre defense? With Ray and Reed getting up there in age amongst a few other guys and it being very difficult to be solid on both sides of the ball in todays NFL I wonder how we pan out down the road? I recall a few teams over the years that scored with ease but sucked defensively. Hopefully that won't be our future identity.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='10 March 2010 - 08:44 PM' timestamp='1268271895' post='374350']
No doubt we our building a potent offense for years to come and I am excited but does anyone else feel that eventually we are destined to be a dominant O team with a mediocre defense? With Ray and Reed getting up there in age amongst a few other guys and it being very difficult to be solid on both sides of the ball in todays NFL I wonder how we pan out down the road? I recall a few teams over the years that scored with ease but sucked defensively. Hopefully that won't be our future identity.
[/quote]

This is what the league has driven teams to. The rules are SO pro-offense. This is what you have to do in order to win anymore. Look at the Super Bowl: Colts and Saints. Two very offensive teams, which focus on the passing game especially.

When you give the NFL what they want, it's amazing how the officials seem to side with you more often than not.

This is a good thing. It might not be the kind of football that real football fans like to watch... but the wins sure will be fun to watch!

[MsMarvel73]

The D has always been our identity and I don't think that's going to change, even as we revamp and pump up our offense.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[AZravensfan]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='10 March 2010 - 06:44 PM' timestamp='1268271895' post='374350']
No doubt we our building a potent offense for years to come and I am excited but does anyone else feel that eventually we are destined to be a dominant O team with a mediocre defense? With Ray and Reed getting up there in age amongst a few other guys and it being very difficult to be solid on both sides of the ball in todays NFL I wonder how we pan out down the road? I recall a few teams over the years that scored with ease but sucked defensively. Hopefully that won't be our future identity.
[/quote]

I don't think we will ever have a "terrible" defense (well I hope not). We have some really good young talent in a few positions on D. With Oz at the wheel for the draft I am sure we will continue to be an impressive D. This is all just opinion of course as I have no idea what will happen. I just know that I live in Arizona now so I see most of the cardinals games and i can't stand watching games with no D .

In other news I am completely pumped about the way the offense is going. I love Boldin! Plus we have some really good talent on the offensive side of the ball. Rice in my opinion is the second best RB in the league right now(may be the best).

[Ravenite]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='10 March 2010 - 08:44 PM' timestamp='1268271895' post='374350']
No doubt we our building a potent offense for years to come and I am excited but does anyone else feel that eventually we are destined to be a dominant O team with a mediocre defense? With Ray and Reed getting up there in age amongst a few other guys and it being very difficult to be solid on both sides of the ball in todays NFL I wonder how we pan out down the road? I recall a few teams over the years that scored with ease but sucked defensively. Hopefully that won't be our future identity.
[/quote]

I wouldn't necessarily say we'll have a mediocore defense. Our team is pretty young when you look at certain positions. We need to add more depth and get younger at the defensive line to me.

Plus when you look at the success that this team has had these past two seasons, get to the divisional and conference championship, that's valuable learning experience for these young guys. They understand what a playoff environment is and its just fine tuning everything to make sure everything is pretty much good to go.

[zurui]

imo, future D will step up. they have legends to live up to, after all.

i believe they won't disappoint.

[Nobi]

I don't see us losing that identity completely, I know our FO will try as hard as they possibly can to keep our defense in the top 10 of the league, however that's easier said than done. I don't think any of these offensive powerhouse teams make a decision to have a mediocre defense, it's just the way the players that they manage to aquire and hold on to are coached, how well they can draft defensive talent, and how well they scheme, gameplan and execute. The Raven's have always been good at plugging players in that can do a specific job effectively, like the way they rotated their linebackers last year.

However, I do think we are going to be in trouble when Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are gone, they are some pretty big shoes to fill. The chances of striking gold like that are rare but if any team in the league is good at scouting defensive talent it is the Ravens. We have won games the last two seasons with an great defense and an averagage offense... so it's not much of a stretch to say we will be able to win some games with an average defense and an atleast good offense.

[AZravensfan]

[quote name='Nobi' date='10 March 2010 - 06:59 PM' timestamp='1268272751' post='374399']
I don't see us losing that identity completely, I know our FO will try as hard as they possibly can to keep our defense in the top 10 of the league, however that's easier said than done. I don't think any of these offensive powerhouse teams make a decision to have a mediocre defense, it's just the way the players that they manage to aquire and hold on to are coached, how well they can draft defensive talent, and how well they scheme, gameplan and execute. The Raven's have always been good at plugging players in that can do a specific job effectively, like the way they rotated their linebackers last year.

However, I do think we are going to be in trouble when Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are gone, they are some pretty big shoes to fill. The chances of striking gold like that are rare but if any team in the league is good at scouting defensive talent it is the Ravens. We have won games the last two seasons with an great defense and an averagage offense... so it's not much of a stretch to say we will be able to win some games with an average defense and an atleast good offense.
[/quote]

Good point about Ray and Ed, of course "replacing" them will be almost impossible. We do have The Oz! i believe he can find us a MLB kinda like Patrick Willis (not as good as ray in his prime, maybe not even now), but would be a decent replacement. We have some young talent at Safety and I am sure we will find some more gems to plug in there for when the leaders are gone. That will be a sad day though indeed .

[T-Sizz]

I think our defense [i]might[/i] start to fall apart when lewis leaves, because he is one of the main reasons you can't run the ball on us.

[Bltravens]

The draft is gonna be charged with replenishing the Dline/rush LB and another CB. The future looks good in Ravenland ma man.

[Yatagarasu]

Replacing Ray Lewis?

There's only one Ray Lewis.

He build his legacy as one of the best LB in the game as he consistently perform day in and day out.

Also, his teachings will still be with this team.

Now after Ray Lewis retires, I hope we find another defensive player who will pick up the slack and make his presence.

I believe that Ozzie will find someone who will lead this defense after Ray Lewis.

[AZravensfan]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' date='10 March 2010 - 07:49 PM' timestamp='1268275775' post='374500']
Replacing Ray Lewis?

There's only one Ray Lewis.

He build his legacy as one of the best LB in the game as he consistently perform day in and day out.

Also, his teachings will still be with this team.

Now after Ray Lewis retires, I hope we find another defensive player who will pick up the slack and make his presence.

I believe that Ozzie will find someone who will lead this defense after Ray Lewis.
[/quote]


His influence will always be here! I agree with everything you said. This man is a monster!