[Blogs] Kiper Agrees With Ravens’ Pass On Corners

[BR News]

When the Ravens opted to not draft a cornerback with a third-day pick, many were left scratching their heads.

But, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. understands why Baltimore refrained from addressing an area of need in the latter rounds.  A lack of consensus on the later cornerbacks allowed the Ravens to select the best player available.

“There were a lot of mixed opinions with the corners,” Kiper said Tuesday during a conference call with national media.  “There was mixed opinion even on Joe Haden, who went seventh-overall to Cleveland.  Javier Arenas, I liked him, but I thought the second round was a little high.  I wasn’t big on Chris Cook, who went to Minnesota, but [ESPN draftnik] Todd McShay was high on Cook.  Some thought Perrish Cox from Oklahoma State was a late-rounder at best.”

Kiper went on to describe multiple other cornerbacks that had wildly skewed evaluations, depending on which draft analyst is speaking.

The Ravens were looking at corners in the fourth round, where Alterraun Verner (Titans), Trevard Lindley (Eagles), Walter Thurmond (Seahawks) and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (Cowboys) were taken. 

Instead, Baltimore opted to pick tight end Dennis Pitta in that round, 114th overall, while declining to revisit the position later.  Receiver David Reed, defensive lineman Art Jones and tackle Ramon Harewood were the Ravens’ final three selections. 

“All those [cornerbacks] had tremendous mixed opinion, where some liked them, and some thought they were late-rounders at best,” Kiper continued.  “I concur with [the Ravens].  That’s the way it was at corner, and you can’t force it because of need.  You can’t just take a player you don’t have strong convictions about.”

The Ravens are expected to add a veteran cornerback via free agency at some point this offseason.

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/?p=5290]View the full article[/url]

[edreedfromtheu]

It doesn't matter if the opinions and evaluations of these cornerbacks were "widely skewed." The fact is, Chris Carr is horrible and doesn't belong on the football field at all. Dominique Foxworth is mediocre at best. He doesn't have the size to battle with bigger receivers in the air, and he can't tackle.

Webb and Washington are no guarantee to be ready for the start of the season, or even play this season at all. The Ravens need corners, and because they didn't draft any... they still need corners.

[coreyadams]

Just hope that the secondary gel alot earlier than last year. We didn't start looking good in the secondary until week #8. Remember the Chargers game? Also the Vikings and the Green Bay game? Just need to come together alot earlier this season and we will be great.

[prestigous]

get darren sharper!!

[JayDaRavensFan]

I thought we were gonna draft at least corner but if Ozzie wasn't sold on any of them I wont argue it. Our secondary did improve late last season even with Carr starting. I was pleasantly surprised how he played down the stretch. It was the 1st year in a new system for everyone and I expect the players to be more comfortable in it this season and play better early on. Foxworth did play much better later in the season. Most of the horrible games by the secondary were before the bye except the Packers game. Hopefully an increased pass rush will make it easier on the secondary early on at leat until we get Fabe and Webb back.

[scraaw]

i thought carr got his act together - same with foxworth. where were we ranked in pass defense at the end of the year - pretty high as i remember. the underlying problem was the lack of an effective pass rush.

[I V1PERR I]

Nnamdi!

[Rice is COOKIN']

I agree with Getting Nnamdi.. Our pass Defense was getting better, but our foxworth, washington, and webb are all hurt, with the almost garuntee of Webb hitting the PUP. So ask yourself "do we really need a veteran?"

I say we do!

[RavensRule007]

Hey everyone!!! With an improved pass rush our secondary will look alot better!! But we still need to sign two corners just for camp...there are a couple decent ones out there and we should grabem before someone else does...they dont need to be shutdown just good enough to help until were healthy.

[ohhyoulie]

How can you say Chris Carr doesn't belong on the football field? What games were you watching last year? He came through strong at the end of the year for someone who was only in on Nickel and Dime packages. I want to know where all this Nnamdi talk came from, as well. Yeah, he's a beast at corner but there's no way we're getting him without breaking the bank. Oakland would be dumb to even entertain any offers for him...but then again, it is Al Davis.

[Steve H]

The game of football can be compared to building a house. The first thing you do is lay the concrete and build the foundation. In this case shoring the defensive line and creating pressure on the QB is the foundation. Allowing any NFL QB the opportunity to go down field will make any secondary look bad. Once the foundation is laid then you build up the rest of the house. Carr, Landry, and even Foxworth needed to adjust a lot of their reads as the 09 season progressed. There were many passes that were blocked and defended especially towards the end of the season. The Raven secondary is now in their second season and they already know where to begin from last year. It is also important to understand the Ravens management. They do not spend $100 Million on one player like the Redskins. One player will not get you into the post season. It takes 22 players and special team players to get into the playoffs.

[indianstick]

dre' bly?..i wouldn't mind seeing him in purple and black

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

The Cornerback talk is getting rediculous. I mean I would have liked to see a corner for the future taken but let's be serious, no corner taken after the first & second rounds was guaranteed to do better than our starting corners (or even Carr in the intermediary time wating for Washington and Webb to recover). I DON'T believe in breaking the bank for one player even for someone like Nnamdi because 1. It didn't help the Raiders win & 2. Last I checked Peyton, Rivers, and Brady STILL threw for 300 yards against the Jets and their "Revis Island". Hell even Henne threw for 240 against them. We finished great last year and building a pass rush to disrupt QB's is far more important then taking unproven corners who once in a blue moon end up being shut down. We'll get our help but for now its not really that big of a deal.

[ravensfan2001]

I think we have the best all around team right now think about it. Foxworth is still learning and he barely started before coming to Baltimore and he did good toward the end of the season. Fabian is young and he also is just learning. Webb is learning to but he showed great signs of talentwhen he started. If we add a veteran like Dre Bly or someone like that to mentor those three than we would have a complete team.

[xRavens4Lifex]

To (ravensfanthick&thin) You wouldnt want Nnamdi in the ravens? Hes the best corner in the NFL, and one player cant shut down every reciever!!! Get it through your thick skull. Our corners are not that good and if it wasnt for Ed Reed the pass defense would be much worse, Reed always has to babysit our Corners. And for everyone getting wet about our pass rush, They are rookies! So they are not going to make a big diffrence on day one, I still think we should of gotten Kyle Wilson, a rookie that is better than Carr,walker and Washington already, the ravens biggest problem on defense were the corners Remember DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS

[ravensfan2001]

hopefully next year we can keep a few guys healthy like Webb, Gooden, Reed (Ed), Washington, and we can also use Barnes as a passrusher to help Sergio and Suggs out and Cody to help Ngata stop the run. And if we get a good pass rush are secondary will play better because of the fact the QB wont have enough time which means less time for our corners to cover and the QB will make more mistakes which leads to more turnovers. BUT PLEASE dont read into the media saying we have the best team because thats what they said last year and we didn't do to well

[ravensfan2001]

xravens4life are you kidding reed only had like three picks thats good for anyone but reed granted he played hurt but he also fumbled the football in the playoffs that would have caused a huge momentum swing and also rookies are starting to become more and more effective through the years

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

Thank you ravensfan2001. PASS RUSH makes the secondary that much better. And I guess for certain fans on here finishing TOP EIGHT in pass rush with a new system and NEW players doesn't mean JACK right? We should just trade away our entire draft and gaither for Nnamdi right? AND pay him 10-15 mil a year right? So in the emd after getting rid of Gaither for him and paying that much we won't have the money to pay for people like Ngata, Ray Rice, Flacco, McClain, etc when their contracts expire...Why not get Revis to, let's knock on Rex's door and give him whatever he wants too JUST because he is the OTHER BEST corner...Last time I checked the last couple of teams that won the Super bowl didn't have ONE great corner. We have a GREAT all around team and we can keep it that way by spreading the wealth on multiple players...And I also guess Kyle Wilson would have been much better than Sergio + Dickson + Pitta right? because one player makes that much of a difference...

[gixxerhoff750]

As much as i would of liked them to grab a great corner NO rookie corner is better then any of are corners except Walker. As weak as Carr looked in the first half of the year he definatley was improving in the later part of the year when he wasn't getting flagged. If you don't believe me watch the Indy playoff game. He did very well against Clark and Who ever else he was covering and they are they are aguably the elite of the elite. One veteran corner to complament the pretty good YOUNG corners we have is a smart move. Will Alen has my vote! He was Miami's #1 corner past few years and did pretty well. Don't believe me watch the tape. I'm sure Ozzie probably has.

[Jabara]

RavensFanThick&Thin, I agree with you and seeing the BIG PICTURE. CB is an important position, obviously the Raven's front office knows that. It's not like they are sleeping on the idea of what is best for the team. Really it didn't seem like the CB depth was there in the draft. Most people that are freaking out about the Ravens needing a CB don't seem to understand that Washington and Webb are still alive. Yeah, it sucks they are hurt and won't see much of the beginning of the season (maybe they will, who knows) but we can't bring in "extra" people to fill a need for a game or two, then what? Let them go? I have a lot of faith in Webb, and just as I was gaining faith in Washington, he went down. The front office will work it out, and this season will be great to watch the new talent on the field, as well as watch our young talent (Flacco,Rice, etc.) have break out years backed up by our veterans, who are some of the best in the league if not THE best.

[jravens727]

I will say this again. Whether it is Joe Haden, Kyle Wilson, or Chris Cook. Either of those guys as a ROOKIE! Playing against pro-bowl wr in their first year in the NFL. Will not make a difference. I will take Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason against any of them any game this year. We will play against two of them, then you will see that it wasn't necessary to take a corner. We will be fine. Fabian will have an outstanding year this year. Thanks to Sizzle and Sergio.

[ravens10LetsGO]

All we needed was a revived pass rush...trust ozzie guys he knows the game...Quarterbacks had too much time in 2009..we'll be fine..we'll get a ring in 2010!!!

[baltimore-U already know]

Excellent draft. Completely brilliant how our offseason and draft was structured through the organization. I'm so excited for this season it's unreal. I'm going to as many games as possible this year. Start the savings now. Lol!

[yakraven]

There's still the opportunity to get CB's thru the UDFA route and according to the Sun, the Ravens have already signed John/Josh Morris, from Weber State, 6-0, 190 lbs. Also in the draft, the 15th best CB wasn't drafted, Donovsn Warren, 6-0, 193. And of the listed Veteran CBs, I think Ken Lucas, 6-0, 205 from the Seahawks is the best. I also don't think our secondary is as bad as a lot of the bloggers indicate; a better pass rush and better offensive weapons for Flacco should be able to provide the winning difference.

[young jay]

We're going to need more than just one free agent cb this offseason our guys are hurt to often and in some cases it shows especially in big games, but if that's the case hopefully we can stay healthy going into the postseason.

[young jay]

We're going to need more than just one free agent cb this offseason our guys are hurt to often and in some cases it shows especially in big games, but if that's the case hopefully we can stay healthy going into the postseason.

[Ravenslifer]

There's a lot of things on the field that can affect cornerback play. The natural abilities of the players are first and foremost, but they aren't the only factors. A consistent pass rush or lack thereof affects how the opposing quarterback throws, and this can help or hurt the corner. The offense also helps the corners. Scoring more and earlier, making the opponent play from behind, means they'll have to pass more and take more risks when passing, giving DBs more opportunities to make plays. Also remember ED Reed wasn't healthy last year, and certainly not having his presence on the firld affected how opposing quarterback approached our secondary. We seemed to have added guys at least as far as depth is concerned, which was my main worry, that if anybody else got injured, we just wouldn't have the bodies to fill the voids. Remember also that at some point next season Webb and Washington will be back, which will definitely help, since I think one or both will be the starters by the end of the season. I'm all for adding a veteran, but I don't think passing on one in the draft at the expense of a great pass rusher, a supreme run-stuffing D-tackle, two stud tight ends (our position of least depth last year, since it was just Heap) a good young WR/punt returner (maybe Mason's eventual replacement?), an OT in case we lose Gaither, and a talented D-tackle that adds needed depth to our D-Line as vets are now gone will be worth it in the end. If the best player on the board is not a CB, there's no need to force the issue. I'm positive Mark Clayton was a reach in 2005 since we absolutely HAD to have a WR (we passed on Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell, Roddy White, Heath Miller, and Logan Mankins in the 1st round alone), and we've seen the results of that. Besides, even the worst street free agents can't be as detrimental to us as Frank "PI" Walker was to us last season.

[Rav'n Maniac]

Here's my take on the CB situation. As with many of you, I was frustrated the CB position wasn't addressed during the draft. Especially with the Ravens not tendering offers to Carr, Walker & Ivy. These guys are gone unless they are resigned out of desperation. After thinking on it, I realized they must have something else cooking. If any of the 30+ FA's were not past their prime, they would have been signed already.
This is when I began tossing the Asomugha rumor around. The best corner in the league is in the final year of his contract in a no-cap year. Although the Raiders have an option for 2011, if they don't use it they will lose him without compensation. Plus, he has made it known that he's had enough & wants out from what I read.
The 6ft.9 / 340 lb. Gaither is in the same situation with us. We will lose him at the end of the year without compensation. We have competent back-ups as well as drafting the 6ft.6 / 340 lb. Harewood.
Confirmation on a deal of this magnitude won't happen until Gaither signs his tender. Also, I haven't heard anyone from the organization deny the rumor officially. Maybe I'm just thinking too hard on it. What do you guys think?

[BLOCKHEAD27]

alright well i was a little disapointed that we didnt take kyle wilson in the first round............but its ok cause lardarious webb is coming back and after a great rookie season im sure he will be a starter but i dont know who would start foxworth or washington?

[CT-Raven Fan]

If it was at all possible to trade Gaither for Asomugha, I say go for it as that would be a huge improvement to our secondary. But I don't think that the front office of the Ravens is even remotely considering this. As far as any of the available free agents go, I just don't see the point to signing a 31+ yr old veteran past their prime. If they need to pick up someone they will need to trade for him (not too many URF worth trading for though).
There is one possible free agent who would be worth getting (and this will draw some SEVERE criticism from some of you out there) and that is Adam (Pacman) Jones. Yes he's been a problem to other teams but think about it. They give him a one year veteran minimum contract with various incentives. He is only 26 (much younger than any other free agent) and has talent. If he plays to his ability, our secondary is vastly improved. If he doesn't, then it would be no big deal cutting him during the season when Washington and/or Webb (he is likely going to be on the PUP list for the first 6 weeks) are healthy and can play. I think Ray Lewis and the rest of the defense can keep him in line.