Breakout Player: Ravens 2010 Team

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Fred Sanford' date='06 June 2010 - 01:10 AM' timestamp='1275808254' post='418429']
I actually like Marshal Yanda here. He's got a good chance to make his first Pro Bowl, though Chris Kemoeatu has a good chance to revisit just because of Pittsburgh's influence, as does Ben Grubbs with his first round status.

I think Marshal's nastier and more consistent than either of them, though. He pulls as well as Chester and is one of the strongest guys on the team, though you wouldn't necessarily know it looking at him. The success of our running game gives him a chance for recognition beyond this team, at least much as "boring" offensive linemen can muster.

Michael Oher would be in consideration, [b]but everyone and their mother already knows about him.[/b]
[/quote]

Haha that was good, if it wasn't oooo soooo true.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Is it fair to classify rookies as 'breakout' candidates?

To me, breakout would imply significant improvement at the NFL level. Rookies have never played at the level!

The best player to breakout really would be Flacco, if he starts becoming elite then the sky is the limit.

[grape drank]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='05 June 2010 - 10:19 AM' timestamp='1275751155' post='418264']
Utah is a no name college? Plenty of NFL players have come from there. Anyway, I have to go with Reed too. Even with that big hit he pops right up he is incredibly tough for his size (6'1 190) and isn't afraid to go over the middle or conversely, fly down the sideline. I could compare him to Anquan Boldin's physicality with Donte Stallworth's speed. That's an outstanding combination. If given a chance, this guy could really take off.
[/quote]
I was going to say; was Utah not the university that the infamous Steve Smith (carolina panthers version) came from. I also think (correct me if I'm wrong) Reed put up similar numbers to Smith at Utah. If that is any kind of allusion to how productive Reed will be in the NFL then I think we may have found our reciever of the future lol.

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='grape drank' date='06 June 2010 - 10:21 AM' timestamp='1275834119' post='418455']
I was going to say; was Utah not the university that the infamous Steve Smith (carolina panthers version) came from. I also think (correct me if I'm wrong) Reed put up similar numbers to Smith at Utah. If that is any kind of allusion to how productive Reed will be in the NFL then I think we may have found our reciever of the future lol.
[/quote]

He didn't put up similar numbers...he beat Smith's receiving records!

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='07 June 2010 - 03:25 AM' timestamp='1275834339' post='418457']
He didn't put up similar numbers...he beat Smith's receiving records!
[/quote]
I like the sound of that!!! Now, just do that in the NFL

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='06 June 2010 - 02:55 AM' timestamp='1275810938' post='418436']
Is it fair to classify rookies as 'breakout' candidates?

To me, breakout would imply significant improvement at the NFL level. Rookies have never played at the level!

The best player to breakout really would be Flacco, if he starts becoming elite then the sky is the limit.
[/quote]


i defined breakout as a couple different things, one being rookies far surpassing expectations. no they dont have previous stats to trump... but they do have all of our expectations to go way beyond.

if you disagree thats fine, as long as you supply your own definition, which you did... but i at least do believe rookies can have breakout years, by going from rookie expectations to immediate starter and/or star

[KBoum]

I think Cody will be very important to the team, but one player that I like is Pitta. This guy could be great for us I think he can become a threat in the middle with him and Stallworth stretching the defense I think that will open the field for Rice, Boldin and Mason.

[grape drank]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='06 June 2010 - 09:25 AM' timestamp='1275834339' post='418457']
He didn't put up similar numbers...he beat Smith's receiving records!
[/quote]
wow haha again if thats any kind of allusion to his possible success in the NFL i have no problem with picking up all our players from "no name colleges" also look at Lardarius Webb he didnt come from a very big university but hes proven more than a lot of other big name corners drafted recently.

[ed.s52]

QB Alex Smith also came from Utah, the apperantly "no name" college.

In my opinion it will be Stallworth on offense and defensively I'm saying Travis Fisher, he will step in and absolutely beast it up at corner and stay the number 2 for most of the season, or maybe the whole season, so Webb can regain his health.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='06 June 2010 - 02:35 PM' timestamp='1275852938' post='418525']
QB Alex Smith also came from Utah, the apperantly "no name" college.

In my opinion it will be Stallworth on offense and defensively [b]I'm saying Travis Fisher, he will step in and absolutely beast it up at corner and stay the number 2 for most of the season, or maybe the whole season, so Webb can regain his health.[/b]
[/quote]

I cannot honestly see Fisher being the number two corner the entire season... nor do I see him being a beast of a corner. He's getting older, he hasn't had a great season since '07, and he's purely depth. Let's not forget that Washington is coming back soon, and it sounds like the coaching staff is starting to take a good like at Cary Williams. Carr is a wildcard, simply because who knows which Carr will show up this year: First half of the season Carr, or Second half and playoff Carr. If he plays like he did at the end of the year, Fisher is going to have to play [u]hard[/u] to be the number 2. And if Webb comes back healthy, and able to play, Fisher can kiss the number two spot goodbye (if he even had it to begin with).


[quote name='omar586' date='05 June 2010 - 11:06 PM' timestamp='1275797213' post='418409']
breakout player could be slot WR either stalworth or [b]clayton[/b], mason and boldin will open the doors for other players to make plays
[/quote]

Clayton isn't going to breakout this year. He had his "breakout" season his sophomore year where he put up 939 Yards and 5 touchdowns. Sadly, he hasn't done much of anything since then, aside being absolutely average, and far below the expectations of a first round selection.

If you want to talk about breakout players, there's only one real choice that comes to my mind: Joe Flacco. How can you not expect him to breakout this year? He put up good numbers when all he had was Mason and Rice to throw to, and now the guy's got a handful of weapons to distribute the ball to. Let's not forget, he expects reaching 4,000 yards to be no problem (mentioned in a previous LFW). All signs are pointing to Joe having a fantastic year.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='06 June 2010 - 03:49 PM' timestamp='1275857381' post='418541']
I cannot honestly see Fisher being the number two corner the entire season... nor do I see him being a beast of a corner. He's getting older, he hasn't had a great season since '07, and he's purely depth. Let's not forget that Washington is coming back soon, and it sounds like the coaching staff is starting to take a good like at Cary Williams. Carr is a wildcard, simply because who knows which Carr will show up this year: First half of the season Carr, or Second half and playoff Carr. If he plays like he did at the end of the year, Fisher is going to have to play [u]hard[/u] to be the number 2. And if Webb comes back healthy, and able to play, Fisher can kiss the number two spot goodbye (if he even had it to begin with).


Clayton isn't going to breakout this year. He had his "breakout" season his sophomore year where he put up 939 Yards and 5 touchdowns. Sadly, he hasn't done much of anything since then, aside being absolutely average, and far below the expectations of a first round selection.

If you want to talk about breakout players, there's only one real choice that comes to my mind: Joe Flacco. How can you not expect him to breakout this year? He put up good numbers when all he had was Mason and Rice to throw to, and now the guy's got a handful of weapons to distribute the ball to. Let's not forget, he expects reaching 4,000 yards to be no problem (mentioned in a previous LFW). All signs are pointing to Joe having a fantastic year.
[/quote]


i do agree with flacco being a guy who has a breakout season... but i think its the expectation that he will in fact break out.

for that reason i dont know that he falls in the line with the criteria of the thread. i posed the question to see who will be the "under the radar" player to break out. Flacco is on everyones radar, and i dont think it takes much to come to that conclusion. hes been a great leader, game manager, and has even put up pretty good numbers for having limited weapons. this being his 3rd year in the system, and having the best weapons this team has ever had, he should definitely have a break out year and become among the best in the league.

like i said though, i was asking who will be the next ellerbe or scot... or even ray rice. someone who came out of no where, or far surpassed most everyones expectations. since flacco has the expectation to break out, it somewhat disqualifies him from this thread, though i (and i think the entire NFL) do agree with you that he will have a coming out party in 2010.

i want to see people taking a leap with this thread, putting their skills at accessing talent on the line, and choose a player that not many would expect to break out, or if picking a player that is expected to be good... expressing your belief that they will go FAR beyond that expectation. if you pick flacco, id like to see a bold prediciton as to how good he'll be. top 5 in qb rating, or a 32/10 TD to interception ratio. go beyond the safe bet here

[AwakenTheDemon]

Regardless, you want "under the radar" players, or undrafted rookies? It's incredibly difficult to say which undrafted rookie will have a great season, and which live up to their undrafted status. The same basic idea can be placed upon drafted rookies as well, sure, but it's easier to judge them. That is if you're going by which round they are drafted in, even though we all know superstars can be drafted extremely low and busts can be drafted high.

"Under the radar" players are under the radar for a reason. I'm not saying they lack talent, they just don't have the expectations and recognition. Alot of it could stem from such a player just not standing out from the rest of the pack. Whatever the reason is players of both "camps" (undrafted rookies and players flying below the radar) are hard to judge, especially before preseason starts, let alone camps.

When Bart Scott joined Baltimore as an undrafted rookie, I'm sure no one expected him to play to the level he did. The same goes for Ellerbe, I doubt many thought he'd see the amount of time he did and play like he did. Rice could loosely fit this billing too, aside from the undrafted part. Sure, people expected good things from him, but how many thought he'd be as pivotal to the offense as he was (in both the running and passing game)?

Anyways to answer the question in a manner that will appease you. First off, I do not truly think you can throw our rookies in for having a breakout season. Harbaugh doesn't usually start rookies right away (Flacco was the exception and, frankly, was the last man standing at the position during the quarterback battle his rookie year). So it'll be hard for Kindle, Pitta, Dickson, Cody, and Reed to really make a huge impact this year. If an injury occurs than that could change. But unless one of those guys really stands out and impresses the coaching staff, they'll be rotational and situational players for this year. Reed and Kindle can still stand out even given their limited play time. Kindle should see time during third downs and obvious passing situations, so he could still end up with a good amount of sacks for a player who might only see the field in limited quantities. Reed could stand out in special teams, even if he doesn't see alot of time as a receiver (although I've heard great things about him so far).

If you want someone to "stretch" for a pick, I'll go out on a limb and say Cary Williams. It vastly depends upon Washington and Webb, along with how Carr and Fisher perform in camp. However, from what I've heard he's improved and made an impression on the coaches. If that's true, and he plays at the nickel while Webb (and Washington unless he's truly ready by the start of the season) is out, he could be someone no one expected to have an impact on the team and made a name for himself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he'll have a probowl performance, or usurp the starting position from Webb or Foxy, but he could make more of an impact than some could be expecting.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

thats a good pick demon... i think you got it head on that it will depend on webb and washington being ready to go; but given the opportunity he could make a great impact on our D.

i hope i didnt offend you with my earlier response, i just wanted to remind everyone in general that the thread was intended to pick out possible players who could break out that not many people are expecting. we know who our key guys are for the most part, and i think with one or two unexpected guys playing a big part this season, it will be tough to knock us off. it is very difficult to pick those players out like you said, especially with limited chances to see most of them play. but that is the job of people like OZ and his staff. evaluate talent with limited information or knowledge as to how they will turn out. like you guys with great game tape and combine numbers fail. and guys that didnt look impressive come to the nfl and make big names for themselves. and that is the essence of such a discussion and i think it will be fun once the season is under way to look back and see who you, and others picked as a breakout player. maybe someone discovers they have qutie a knack at seeing potential in players most overlook?

that way if (more like when with the ravens history) someone does break out, the proof will be here as to who was able to call it! for bragging rights if nothing else...

[ed.s52]

I still think Travis Fisher will beast it up. I haven't seen the training camp so I dont know how he is doing, but I think he will be a monster. Only time will tell.

[Malkavian Raven]

Now that you've cleared up your request, I'm going to go with Suggs.

Our new additions & our ramped up offense will allow us to play tighter up front, give Suggs every opportunity in the world to sack QBs & with him cutting weight this season I think he'll hold good on his promise.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' date='06 June 2010 - 08:55 PM' timestamp='1275875715' post='418616']
thats a good pick demon... i think you got it head on that it will depend on webb and washington being ready to go; but given the opportunity he could make a great impact on our D.

[b]i hope i didnt offend you with my earlier response[/b], i just wanted to remind everyone in general that the thread was intended to pick out possible players who could break out that not many people are expecting. we know who our key guys are for the most part, and i think with one or two unexpected guys playing a big part this season, it will be tough to knock us off. it is very difficult to pick those players out like you said, especially with limited chances to see most of them play. but that is the job of people like OZ and his staff. evaluate talent with limited information or knowledge as to how they will turn out. like you guys with great game tape and combine numbers fail. and guys that didnt look impressive come to the nfl and make big names for themselves. and that is the essence of such a discussion and i think it will be fun once the season is under way to look back and see who you, and others picked as a breakout player. maybe someone discovers they have qutie a knack at seeing potential in players most overlook?

that way if (more like when with the ravens history) someone does break out, the proof will be here as to who was able to call it! for bragging rights if nothing else...
[/quote]

Nah man, I wasn't offended at all.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='06 June 2010 - 09:44 PM' timestamp='1275878642' post='418626']
Nah man, I wasn't offended at all.
[/quote]


alright cool... just wanted to make clear that i agree with you that flacco is going to be breakout player by far surpassing his level of play in previous years, but i think hes has some expectation to do so, and wanted to give you the opportunity to flex your talent evaluating muscles so to speak, and be the first to call a 2010 breakout performance by an under-the-radar player.

its definitely very difficult to do, like you said... most "experts" struggle to do it. so its something that if call correctly, you definitely deserve some props. plus its fun with our team, bc it seems pretty much every year there is one or two players that come out of the shadows and blow away everyones expectations whether its an UDFA, drafted player, or a vet. that has been previously average and all-the-sudden becomes a serious play-maker.

before i stated that i think webb, if he can get healthy, will be a pro-bowl caliber cb this year. im still sticking by that, but im going to add ellerbe to my "breakout" watch list. though he was somewhat of a breakout player last year, being an UDFA and becoming a very serviceable starter. i think this year he retains his job, and becomes widely recognized as one of the top ILB's in the league. i see him becoming the "replacement" for ray lewis, or at least as close to a replacement as you can get without being named patrick willis. not a replacement as far as leadership and being the QB of the defense, but he will help extend lewis' career by picking up much of the physical burden for him and allowing ray to be more of a spy to make the big necessary tackles. ellerbe will become a tackle machine, striking more fear into the hearts of RB's in the league.

WARNING TO NFL TEAMS (esp. those with "power backs" who prefer to run up the middle): dont try it on us. with cody, ngata, lewis, ellerbe, reed, and landry up the middle of our D you might as well call us IHOP, cuz it doesnt matter where youre from, if you send your runners up the middle youre leaving with a bunch of pancakes.

[runcontrol]

I think people already expect big things out of cody. and have kindle and the two tight ends play important roles in this team

but personally, like a lot of other people said, david reed(if we keep him on the roster) should have a big year, he has the size and skills to do a lot for this team, in returns and possibily as the fourth/fifth wr.

with his athletic ability i would like to see harewood, but with his limited time on the football field he might be more of a project that we will see breakout next year.

but there are two guys that we signed last year that i think can help this defense in the next couple of years, kruger and ellerbe. ellerbe has speed, talent and is playing next to ray lewis. those two could cause some serious problems, now so far this year you we haven't heard much about kruger except he is trying to put on more weight. personally i liked what is saw out of the guy last year, he was still young and i feel like the line was holding back a little bit last season. but from what we have heard this season this defense is ready to rip some heads off.


@AwakenTheDemon, i don't think anyone thought rice was going to have a huge year like he did, but in 08 i felt like the guy needed to get the ball more, it seemed like everytime he touched the ball he was getting the first down.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Rice was definitely a surprise to make an impact as soon as he did. I won't lie, when we drafted Rice I was on the fence about it. Mostly because I'm a big McGahee fan, and I couldn't see why we'd take a smaller back when we have the big, powerful McGahee on the roster. Granted, that was before Willis really worked on his work ethic, and we had McClain have his huge season. When I read last offseason that Rice had bulked up and taken the starting spot from Willis, I was annoyed. But man... once I saw Rice show his stuff at the start of the season (and how well McGahee was taking it and performing as the second string) I felt silly for ever doubting Ray.

If I remember correctly, Ellerbe is going to have to show he's the best man for the second middle linebacker position this offseason. If he comes out and shows that he's the best man for the job, then he might just have an extremely solid season. I'm still hoping Gooden can make an impact in some capacity. I was stoked to see us draft him, since I'm a big 'Canes fan. Ellerbe still took me by surprise last year, so I'd be happy with either man.

As for David Reed, from what I've read, he's really impressed at the rookie camp. With that in mind, I cannot see us letting him go. Even should he not see the field much this year, I have a feeling that he could turn out to be a huge steal for us in the future. With some work on his route running, Reed could really develop into a nice target for Joe (not to mention, I like receivers who are 6'0 and over).

[Radinho84]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='05 June 2010 - 09:36 AM' timestamp='1275744991' post='418243']
Having faith in our boys is fine but I just don't see Kruger doing anything significant this season. He was a basically a healthy scratch last year and is now struggling with his new weight, he's also sitting behind Redding and Pryce in the rotation.
[/quote]
that´s exact the same what i thought about the kruger situation. never the less i think that this guy could be an option in the future. i just don´t think it will be so soon. it is very hard to handle 20 pounds more on your body and be effective as well. but the FO didn´t add any elite player for the LE position so i think they have something in mind with kruger...

[Purple Punishment]

alright guys here is a name that I have not seen yet. Terrell Suggs. He had a very poor 2009 season. I think Sizzle bounces back in a big way posting 13 to 15 sacks. His return to dominance is imminant

[Radinho84]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='07 June 2010 - 01:09 AM' timestamp='1275887345' post='418664']
Rice was definitely a surprise to make an impact as soon as he did. I won't lie, when we drafted Rice I was on the fence about it. Mostly because I'm a big McGahee fan, and I couldn't see why we'd take a smaller back when we have the big, powerful McGahee on the roster. Granted, that was before Willis really worked on his work ethic, and we had McClain have his huge season. When I read last offseason that Rice had bulked up and taken the starting spot from Willis, I was annoyed. But man... once I saw Rice show his stuff at the start of the season (and how well McGahee was taking it and performing as the second string) I felt silly for ever doubting Ray.

If I remember correctly, Ellerbe is going to have to show he's the best man for the second middle linebacker position this offseason. If he comes out and shows that he's the best man for the job, then he might just have an extremely solid season. I'm still hoping Gooden can make an impact in some capacity. I was stoked to see us draft him, since I'm a big 'Canes fan. Ellerbe still took me by surprise last year, so I'd be happy with either man.

As for David Reed, from what I've read, he's really impressed at the rookie camp. With that in mind, I cannot see us letting him go. Even should he not see the field much this year, I have a feeling that he could turn out to be a huge steal for us in the future. With some work on his route running, Reed could really develop into a nice target for Joe (not to mention, I like receivers who are 6'0 and over).
[/quote]
after reading the whole discussion in this threat i have to say that i agree with you 100%. you hit the nail right on his head with your lines about flacco.
ellerbe should be great too, but there are a lot of other young guns at lb that i would love to see getting a chance to play for that team.

all i heard about reed was that he was turning a lot of heads in camp so let´s hope he still will be able to perform with his pads on and playing against the starting D or starting special team defense.

i have no doubt that we found a few diamands again this year and only can repeat that i am very proud to be a ravens fan in these days. when i look at all the other teams i truely have to say that we did everything right this offseason till today.

so let´s hope everything will plan out just like we all have in mind allready.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' date='07 June 2010 - 01:04 PM' timestamp='1275926679' post='418791']
alright guys here is a name that I have not seen yet. Terrell Suggs. He had a very poor 2009 season. I think Sizzle bounces back in a big way posting 13 to 15 sacks. His return to dominance is imminant
[/quote]

Ahem... post #45... ...but I'll give you just 'cause we're on the same wave length.

[Guest RBates]

Im telling yall Ellerbe is that guy. The Ravens have stole from the league with this guy. He is a monster in the making ill bet any amount of money this guys coming out party is right around the corner.