New Era - Coach & Qb

[PuRock]

Perhaps it's time for a new era of the Baltimore Ravens.

I say hire a coach that is passionate and ready to take chances. A coach that actual makes some calls other than field goal & punt on 4th and inches. Not Cowher or Marty Shot.

Draft a QB with our first pick. That has a "real" arm. I'm sold on Matt Ryan. He makes some beatuiful passes.

The Ravens have some offensive weapons with Clayton & and the other prospects. A throwing game would make the running game more effective. And I am not just talking about throwing it long just to keep the other offensive in check. I mean actual completions!

Is anybody else ready for a new football model besides defense & running game? And catch up with the rest of the league that left us behind.

[nevermore621]

You are not going to get Matt Ryan...

He will go with the 1st pick to Miami or 3rd pick to Atlanta...

Colt Brennan got skills...he is probably attainable at the 8th pick...

did the homework

[PuRock]

Brennan will definitley be there at the 8th pick. Matt Ryan not so much.

Brian Brohm & Andre Woodson could be. But those are just as dicey as Brennan by that point. If Matt Ryan is available I say go for him, if not I'll buy into your Brennan scenario.

[nevermore621]

I say look at what you have already...

Troy Smith is a scrambler, draft the same...Brennan fits the bill, is the man for this job...we could have an enviable position here with two Heisman candidates, at QB...

How many NFL teams can boast that...

[Slick]

I say look at what you have already...

Troy Smith is a scrambler, draft the same...Brennan fits the bill, is the man for this job...we could have an enviable position here with two Heisman candidates, at QB...

How many NFL teams can boast that...

well not many nfl teams need two heisman's.... i say we stick with what we have, we havent had any time to really get a feel for a what Troy can do for this team. after all that controversy about getting him seom playing time everybodys already talking about drafting a qb in the first round. i say forget that, we do NOT need to waste our top dollar pick on another CHANCE at a qb when we have potential at the position already. What this team really needs in the first couple rounds is a quality cornerback first off, maybe another franchise LT if any are available, or maybe even linebacker or d-line, though i think Cornerback and O-line are more important at this point.

we don't need a radical overhaul for this team to become good. we ARE good. in fact i think too much change to this organiztation could only hurt us. as it is i see us going 10-6 next year regardless of who our coach is, as long as they arent a complete idiot they can take this team far without much effort. When we can stay healthy we usually have a good year. this year only proved it more, and yet it was apparently Billick's fault that CMac, Rolle, McNair, Ogden, Lewis, Pryce, Flynn, Terry, etc, etc, got injured and couldnt help us go farther.

anyways, after all that SPOTS youre already throwing in the towel on Troy? give the kid a chance i mean damn, people were mad when he didnt get to play, got excited when he did, and now that were getting a new coach we already have people wanting to replace him. patience is a virtue and i wish us fans and Biscotti were a little bit more so. I feel under Billick we wouldve taken it to the house next year but now we'll have to see how the team adjusts to the new coach, which in all actuality could go horribly wrong.

good luck to us all in that regard.

[Barr]

well not many nfl teams need two heisman's.... i say we stick with what we have, we havent had any time to really get a feel for a what Troy can do for this team. after all that controversy about getting him seom playing time everybodys already talking about drafting a qb in the first round. i say forget that, we do NOT need to waste our top dollar pick on another CHANCE at a qb when we have potential at the position already. What this team really needs in the first couple rounds is a quality cornerback first off, maybe another franchise LT if any are available, or maybe even linebacker or d-line, though i think Cornerback and O-line are more important at this point.

we don't need a radical overhaul for this team to become good. we ARE good. in fact i think too much change to this organiztation could only hurt us. as it is i see us going 10-6 next year regardless of who our coach is, as long as they arent a complete idiot they can take this team far without much effort. When we can stay healthy we usually have a good year. this year only proved it more, and yet it was apparently Billick's fault that CMac, Rolle, McNair, Ogden, Lewis, Pryce, Flynn, Terry, etc, etc, got injured and couldnt help us go farther.

anyways, after all that SPOTS youre already throwing in the towel on Troy? give the kid a chance i mean damn, people were mad when he didnt get to play, got excited when he did, and now that were getting a new coach we already have people wanting to replace him. patience is a virtue and i wish us fans and Biscotti were a little bit more so. I feel under Billick we wouldve taken it to the house next year but now we'll have to see how the team adjusts to the new coach, which in all actuality could go horribly wrong.

good luck to us all in that regard.

Smith beat the Steelers starting defense on his 2nd ever start. I think that's certainly worth a chance to compete in training camp if nothing else. Let's not overlook the obvious. Draft an O-Line, period. Let's take a page out of Belicheck's "Building Dynasties for Dummies" book and start with the O-Line.

[PIG 20]

Perhaps it's time for a new era of the Baltimore Ravens.

I say hire a coach that is passionate and ready to take chances. A coach that actual makes some calls other than field goal & punt on 4th and inches. Not Cowher or Marty Shot.

Draft a QB with our first pick. That has a "real" arm. I'm sold on Matt Ryan. He makes some beatuiful passes.

The Ravens have some offensive weapons with Clayton & and the other prospects. A throwing game would make the running game more effective. And I am not just talking about throwing it long just to keep the other offensive in check. I mean actual completions!

Is anybody else ready for a new football model besides defense & running game? And catch up with the rest of the league that left us behind.

Disagree with everything!

Great defense will always triumph over great offense!

We just need an offense that isn't ranked 30th in the NFL.

And no way would I waste our 1st round pick on a QB. Our offensive line isn't ready for a "pocket passer". They need a QB that gives them time and right now Troy Smith is that type of QB. He is mobile and has a strong arm.

We need depth in our secondary. If there is a top corner, then we need to take him. We need immediate help in certain spots and picking a QB in the first round isn't going to solve any problems.

Troy Smith just beat the Steelers at home with a rag-tag offense. I think we need to figure out what we have on our hands right now.

Why don't you compare Matt Ryan's college career to Troy Smit's. I promise you that Troy's career TRUMPS Matt Ryan's. It's just that Troy Smith wasn't on the draft radar because some dope NFL scout decided that he wouldn't make it in the NFL. Scouts are wrong "all the time". Just think about how many "failed" 1st round QB's there have been. Countless!

Don't believe everything you read in the newspaper or on ESPN.

And don't think that this team won't be based on its defense next year or in years to come. We just need to get our offense out of the toilet.

If we come back next year with a healthy defense and an offense that can somehow get ranked in the "teens", we will be a major force to be reconked with.

[PuRock]

I agree we have a very solid team. Injuries plagued us this year. But we have some talent at LT . Gaither is a big LT that has a huge upside. We also have some young talent at CB. Defensive Line is set. OL needs some help.

So there is a chance to draft a QB . Troy Smith played at Ohio State . Matt Ryan played at Boston College. There is a big difference with the help around him. Ohio state always has talented weapons. A good college career does not make a good NFL quarterback. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind giving Troy Smith a chance. I am going to leave that up to the team to view his progression. But there are a lot of heisman quarterbacks who were horrible in the league.

Eric Couch

Chris Weinke

Danny Weurffel

Jason White

Most of these guys had the talent around them.

I do not think we will have a opportunity to draft Matt Ryan. But if we do we should give him a try. A big QB with an arm. 6'6'' . I know other quarterbacks who are big with an arm (and aren't mobile). Peyton Manning 6'6'' - Carson Palmer

[minford]

Brennan will definitley be there at the 8th pick. Matt Ryan not so much.

Colt will probably be available at the 8th pick in the 3rd round. You are crazy if you think he's getting drafted in the first round.

[PuRock]

Colt Brennan won't even get drafted in the first round. He reminds me too much of Ty Detmer. A great record setting QB in college - heisman candidate/winner I believe (TY). But on the next level just a decent back-up.

[Raven07]

time will serve as the ultimate deciding factor here

[smitty]

I definitely think that our first round pick should be on a CB. I'm not giving up on Troy. We don't need another quarterback right now. I think he played pretty well against a solid defense. The kid has talent. I guess it will depend on who is going to be his new coach. Either way we still have Boller for another year so if Troy doesnt work out then we can get by on Kyle and draft a qb next year. I think we will be able to do pretty well next year. We still have good players. They just have to stay healthy.

[fdmstng99]

I definitely think that our first round pick should be on a CB. I'm not giving up on Troy. We don't need another quarterback right now. I think he played pretty well against a solid defense. The kid has talent. I guess it will depend on who is going to be his new coach. Either way we still have Boller for another year so if Troy doesnt work out then we can get by on Kyle and draft a qb next year. I think we will be able to do pretty well next year. We still have good players. They just have to stay healthy.

Either a CB or the DE Long from Virginia if he's available.

[ragnorok99]

Either a CB or the DE Long from Virginia if he's available.

Man, Long would be awesome wearing purple.

[fdmstng99]

Man, Long would be awesome wearing purple.

Agreed but I'm sure he won't be available, but crazier things have happened.

[ragnorok99]

Agreed but I'm sure he won't be available, but crazier things have happened.

Yeah, it's just cool to think about.

[PIG 20]

I agree we have a very solid team. Injuries plagued us this year. But we have some talent at LT . Gaither is a big LT that has a huge upside. We also have some young talent at CB. Defensive Line is set. OL needs some help.

So there is a chance to draft a QB . Troy Smith played at Ohio State . Matt Ryan played at Boston College. There is a big difference with the help around him. Ohio state always has talented weapons. A good college career does not make a good NFL quarterback. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind giving Troy Smith a chance. I am going to leave that up to the team to view his progression. But there are a lot of heisman quarterbacks who were horrible in the league.

Eric Couch

Chris Weinke

Danny Weurffel

Jason White

Most of these guys had the talent around them.

I do not think we will have a opportunity to draft Matt Ryan. But if we do we should give him a try. A big QB with an arm. 6'6'' . I know other quarterbacks who are big with an arm (and aren't mobile). Peyton Manning 6'6'' - Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning are "special" QB's. Peyton especially. Not to mention their college careers were above and beyond what Matt Ryan had accomplished.

And yes, the 4 guys you mentioned have been "busts" due to the fact that they were touted to be NLF prospects.

But here is another list.

Tony Romo - "undrafted"

Tom Brady - "6th round"

Steve Young - "Suplemental Draft" "Played for USFL"

Joe Montana - "3rd round"

Sometimes you can strike gold when no one is looking.

[neepo13]

Smith beat the Steelers starting defense on his 2nd ever start. I think that's certainly worth a chance to compete in training camp if nothing else. Let's not overlook the obvious. Draft an O-Line, period. Let's take a page out of Belicheck's "Building Dynasties for Dummies" book and start with the O-Line.

I agree. I am still not 100% sold on Smith but he's getting me there. I like his demeanor, when he is out there he doesnt look or carry himself like a rookie. He has the swagger of a 10 year vet. We have never had a young QB step into the leadership role. I think part of it was because Billick refused to losen the grip on them.

[neepo13]

Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning are "special" QB's. Peyton especially. Not to mention their college careers were above and beyond what Matt Ryan had accomplished.

And yes, the 4 guys you mentioned have been "busts" due to the fact that they were touted to be NLF prospects.

But here is another list.

Tony Romo - "undrafted"

Tom Brady - "6th round"

Steve Young - "Suplemental Draft" "Played for USFL"

Joe Montana - "3rd round"

Sometimes you can strike gold when no one is looking.

Add Anderson and Hasselbeck to that list as well. The trend in the NFL today is that the late round guys end up being the franchise QB's. If Troy Smith was taller he probably would have been picked in the 1st round. Infact, he looks a whole lot better then the number 1 overall pick.

[PuRock]

Maybe we should un-retire Grbac . Nothing like a losing season and a nice cry.

[neepo13]

Maybe we should un-retire Grbac . Nothing like a losing season and a nice cry.

NO!NO!NO! Grbac has been banned from putting on a Ravens uniform for some time now. I would rather cry over the young guys that give us hope for the future. Then to cry over the guys that will suck no matter what.

[Raven07]

as long as we draft a Playmaker type player for this team that can make an immediate impact for us, will be a good choice by me anyday.

[ReED jucate]

I don't think Miami needs a QB so all we got to worry about is the Falcons. I think we could get Matt Ryan on this team if we wanted to I believe in Ozzie and Steve. I do not want Colt Brennen though, we might as well start Cullen Finnerty because all Colt did all season was torch crappy D. I was rooting for Haw to win it all though. You got to give credit to a team that has to fly everywhere to play. Don't forget there is also Tebow which would be a nice grab, maybe we will get him in the 5th round too! ha. Seriously it would be cool to have 2 Heisman Qbs on a team - one of them is bound to do somthing.

[Raven07]

Troy as of right now..seems to be the main guy to go with, plus he has all what a team wants in a Quarterback and what not, so lets just wait and see what actually happens

[PuRock]

As long as we have Ozzie as GM we will always stand a chance. The guy has an eye for talent like no other. I have faith in Ozzie.

I wish we went to Troy Smith earlier in the season (like after the Patriots game). So that we could have seen a better array of games with him. He did beat a Steelers defense that did start. But Rothlisberger was not in there, if he were, our offense probably would have had less opportunities to do what they did, and their defense would have been fresher. Though Beating the Steelers is awesome no matter what. I hate that town.

All the mock drafts that were updated in the new year. Are saying Andre Woodson & Brian Brohm for us.

[Raven07]

going with Troy earlier on in the season could of been for the worse, because he didnt know quite as much as he did when he first came in a few weeks ago.....i believe they made the right choice in doing what they did

[Troy Smith IS the future..]

No, why would we waste another draft pick when we have three able qbs? If McNair comes back he's going to play better than any qb coming out of college. If McNair doesn't come back, training camp duel with Troy and Kyle. The ONLY way I can see this team getting a qb is in the later rounds, fourth or fifth, probably picking up that Brennan kid. Look at Jamarcuss Russell Troy played well overall, look at their first two games ever having come in to play:

Russell

Vs. Jaquars (13th Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

23-------------23------83------1-------3-------1----------1--------------2

Vs. Chargers (14th Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

31-------------23-----224-----1-------1-------2----------1--------------4

Smith

Vs. Seahawks (15th Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

33-------------16-----199-----1--------0------2---------2--------------2

Vs. Steelers (1st Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

27------------16------171-----1--------0-------1-----------0------------2

Here's a shocker, one is 6 INCHES TALLER...one was picked nearly five round after the other, but if I don't tell you which one, how could you tell from the stats? One of the QB's teams is 22nd, and 25th in total offense in the league...Hmmmm, it seams to me that it doesn't matter how far you can throw a football on your knees, how tall you are, how highly drafted you are, if you can't take the pressure, you get shown up by a Hiesman trophy winner who is very underrated...So let me ask the question i made this post for, why would you all want to take another 6'6'' QB when i just proved it doesn't mean sh**? JaMarcus Russell has a better arm than Matt Ryan, don't even try it.

Final College Season Stats

Russell (11-2)

342 Att. 232 Comp. %67.8 3,129 Yards 28 TDs 8 INTs

Throws INT every 43 throws

Smith (12-1)

311 Att. 203 Comp. %65.2 2,542 Yards 30 TDs 6 INTs

Throws INT every 52 throws

Ryan (11-3)

654 Att. 388 Comp. %59.3 4,507 Yards 31 TDs 19 INTs

Throws INT every 34 throws

Enough said.

[Raven07]

like i said before....the order in which a particular player is drafted, doesnt particularly have a Huge effect on how the player performs in the NFL.

[itlstl7]

No, why would we waste another draft pick when we have three able qbs? If McNair comes back he's going to play better than any qb coming out of college. If McNair doesn't come back, training camp duel with Troy and Kyle. The ONLY way I can see this team getting a qb is in the later rounds, fourth or fifth, probably picking up that Brennan kid. Look at Jamarcuss Russell Troy played well overall, look at their first two games ever having come in to play:

Russell

Vs. Jaquars (13th Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

23-------------23------83------1-------3-------1----------1--------------2

Vs. Chargers (14th Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

31-------------23-----224-----1-------1-------2----------1--------------4

Smith

Vs. Seahawks (15th Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

33-------------16-----199-----1--------0------2---------2--------------2

Vs. Steelers (1st Ranked Defense)

Pass Attpts-Cmpls---Yds----TDs----INTs--Fmbls--Fumbls Lost---Sacked

27------------16------171-----1--------0-------1-----------0------------2

Here's a shocker, one is 6 INCHES TALLER...one was picked nearly five round after the other, but if I don't tell you which one, how could you tell from the stats? One of the QB's teams is 22nd, and 25th in total offense in the league...Hmmmm, it seams to me that it doesn't matter how far you can throw a football on your knees, how tall you are, how highly drafted you are, if you can't take the pressure, you get shown up by a Hiesman trophy winner who is very underrated...So let me ask the question i made this post for, why would you all want to take another 6'6'' QB when i just proved it doesn't mean sh**? JaMarcus Russell has a better arm than Matt Ryan, don't even try it.

Final College Season Stats

Russell (11-2)

342 Att. 232 Comp. %67.8 3,129 Yards 28 TDs 8 INTs

Throws INT every 43 throws

Smith (12-1)

311 Att. 203 Comp. %65.2 2,542 Yards 30 TDs 6 INTs

Throws INT every 52 throws

Ryan (11-3)

654 Att. 388 Comp. %59.3 4,507 Yards 31 TDs 19 INTs

Throws INT every 34 throws

Enough said.

Couldn't agree more!!

Lets not forget how just about everybody bashed the playcalling and O-line all season... and then went on to say things like "Tom Brady couldnt even play on this team" or "Kyle Boller is a great qb when he has time to throw".

So obviously lets fix the O-line first before we waste a pick on a qb..

Billick got fired so that fixes the play calling problem possibly.

[Slick]

I don't think Miami needs a QB so all we got to worry about is the Falcons. I think we could get Matt Ryan on this team if we wanted to I believe in Ozzie and Steve. I do not want Colt Brennen though, we might as well start Cullen Finnerty because all Colt did all season was torch crappy D. I was rooting for Haw to win it all though. You got to give credit to a team that has to fly everywhere to play. Don't forget there is also Tebow which would be a nice grab, maybe we will get him in the 5th round too! ha. Seriously it would be cool to have 2 Heisman Qbs on a team - one of them is bound to do somthing.

not true at all. even if we did grab two heismans it wouldnt necessarily pay off. then having two heisman QBs would be more of an insult to this team rather than "oh hey they got two heisman's...they MUST be good!"

we do NOT need a new QB as of yet.

Give Troy a Year to see if he can take the next step in his progress.

If he flops THEN start worrying, because if he does, we'll have another high draft pick next year anyway.

This year should be focused on getting some quality in the backfield. That and building up the O-line.