Merged: Ravens Ranked #2

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d818768f4&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]CLICK HERE for full list of preseason rankings[/url]

NFL.com's Steve Wyche has just released his 2010 preseason rankings. He has ranked the Raven's as number 2 behind only the San Diego Chargers.

How 'bout some love baby?!?!?

It's about time we get the respect we deserve. I cannot remember a time in recent history where anyone in the national media has considered the Ravens to be a top contender, but it seems this is the year. For what it's worth, we have been ranked ahead of both the Superbowl Champion Saints, and their oppenents (and the team that knocked us out) Peyton Manning's Colts.

I like that we've been ranked number 2, but I don't see the Chargers being ahead of us no matter where we are ranked... especially them being at number 1. I felt, if anything, the Chargers slipped a bit this offseason... still winning their division, but not in such dominant fashion as the past few years. I picked them as a 10-6 team; 11-5 at best. Definitely not #1.

What do you think?? Comments about us at #2, Chargers at #1, or just the list in general?

It's the year of the Raven ladies and gentlemen....

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' date='07 June 2010 - 12:27 AM' timestamp='1275884874' post='418648']
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d818768f4&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]CLICK HERE for full list of preseason rankings[/url]

NFL.com's Steve Wyche has just released his 2010 preseason rankings. He has ranked the Raven's as number 2 behind only the San Diego Chargers.

How 'bout some love baby?!?!?

It's about time we get the respect we deserve. I cannot remember a time in recent history where anyone in the national media has considered the Ravens to be a top contender, but it seems this is the year. For what it's worth, we have been ranked ahead of both the Superbowl Champion Saints, and their oppenents (and the team that knocked us out) Peyton Manning's Colts.

I like that we've been ranked number 2, but I don't see the Chargers being ahead of us no matter where we are ranked... especially them being at number 1. I felt, if anything, the Chargers slipped a bit this offseason... still winning their division, but not in such dominant fashion as the past few years. I picked them as a 10-6 team; 11-5 at best. Definitely not #1.

What do you think?? Comments about us at #2, Chargers at #1, or just the list in general?

It's the year of the Raven ladies and gentlemen....
[/quote]


Nice little rant! I agree it is nice to get some early respect. Not that it matters a whole lot but its nice. This is definately going to be an interesting year, cant wait to get it on.
As far as being behind the Chargers, I think that has to do with Joe's developement this year. If things can just fall into place all nice and neat, Chargers game wont be any where near as close as it was last year. I think we can out play them.

[ed.s52]

Well the way I see it the Chargers are a more Definite team than the Ravens.

By that I mean, if our rookies don't pan out, Joe doesn't pan out, Rice is a one season wonder, and Q gets injured, and our corners stay below average, as well as if age hurts Reed, Lewis, Mason, and Pryce, we are not that great of a team.

The Chargers in that sense are more proven. Rivers is more proven than Flacco as are their receiving corps, Sproles is still good and a big home run threat, Matthews looks like he will be at least average in the NFL, Cromartie leaving their D can make it stronger or hurt it ( I think stronger just because of the defensive scheme), And the D is seemingly solid.

I certainly dont think the Chargers are better but a case can easily be made that they are more of a sure thing than us, although I think we are going to be better, and they are a lock to win their division where we are still competing for it although we seem to be the favorites.

I would still put us above the Chargers, but I can see why someone else would put us behind them.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

i love that we are #2... and we definitely deserve to be. it just sucks that some of the list is SO terrible, that unbiased fans are going to look at it and just discount the whole things. Bengals and Falcons at #6 and 7 ahead of the saints and vikings??? maybe thats dependent upon the return of favre, but really the Bengals?? ill admit they can be a top 10 team, but the only way you can rank them 6th in the nfl is if they win the division... which they wont! They are also ahead of the jets and patriots. now i will agree that i dont think the jets will be as good as hyped, and the pats are slipping, but i dont know how i feel about putting the bengals and falcons ahead of them.

it seems that the rankings are somewhat based on placing team based on the difficulty of their division.. i.e ravens winning the afc north at #2 bc its the toughest divison, and cowboys at #3 winning the nfc east the 2nd toughest division... but then why chargers at #1? they play in arguably the easiest division in football and i feel have taken a step or two back with offseason moves and the unhappiness of jackson and merriman with their current contract disputes.

who knows with some of those picks... but hey at least he got the ravens right!

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' date='06 June 2010 - 11:50 PM' timestamp='1275886209' post='418653']
i love that we are #2... and we definitely deserve to be. it just sucks that some of the list is SO terrible, that unbiased fans are going to look at it and just discount the whole things. Bengals and Falcons at #6 and 7 ahead of the saints and vikings??? maybe thats dependent upon the return of favre, but really the Bengals?? ill admit they can be a top 10 team, but the only way you can rank them 6th in the nfl is if they win the division... which they wont! They are also ahead of the jets and patriots. now i will agree that i dont think the jets will be as good as hyped, and the pats are slipping, but i dont know how i feel about putting the bengals and falcons ahead of them.

it seems that the rankings are somewhat based on placing team based on the difficulty of their division.. i.e ravens winning the afc north at #2 bc its the toughest divison, and cowboys at #3 winning the nfc east the 2nd toughest division... but then why chargers at #1? they play in arguably the easiest division in football and i feel have taken a step or two back with offseason moves and the unhappiness of jackson and merriman with their current contract disputes.

who knows with some of those picks... but hey at least he got the ravens right!
[/quote]


allow me to retract my statement about division to ranking relationships before anyone jumps on it. the chargers playing in the easiest division helps their case bc of getting 6 easy wins. but if hes taking that into account, that really says alot about what he thinks of the ravens and the cowboys bc we play in the toughest two divisions in football

[Reddawn36]

I'm sorry, the only rankings I care about include us holstering the Lombardi Trophy

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='06 June 2010 - 11:48 PM' timestamp='1275886107' post='418652']
Well the way I see it the Chargers are a more Definite team than the Ravens.

By that I mean, if our rookies don't pan out, Joe doesn't pan out, Rice is a one season wonder, and Q gets injured, and our corners stay below average, as well as if age hurts Reed, Lewis, Mason, and Pryce, we are not that great of a team.

The Chargers in that sense are more proven. Rivers is more proven than Flacco as are their receiving corps, Sproles is still good and a big home run threat, Matthews looks like he will be at least average in the NFL, Cromartie leaving their D can make it stronger or hurt it ( I think stronger just because of the defensive scheme), And the D is seemingly solid.

I certainly dont think the Chargers are better but a case can easily be made that they are more of a sure thing than us, although I think we are going to be better, and they are a lock to win their division where we are still competing for it although we seem to be the favorites.

I would still put us above the Chargers, but I can see why someone else would put us behind them.
[/quote]


i agree with your points on someone else putting the chargers ahead of us... especially bc of the division they play in. but do you see them being number 1??

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' date='07 June 2010 - 12:52 AM' timestamp='1275886374' post='418654']
allow me to retract my statement about division to ranking relationships before anyone jumps on it. the chargers playing in the easiest division helps their case bc of getting 6 easy wins. but if hes taking that into account, that really says alot about what he thinks of the ravens and the cowboys bc we play in the toughest two divisions in football
[/quote]
Looking at it the way you said it the second time only makes the legs on the stool that much higher! We are going to be one tough team to beat provided we get and stay healthy.

[ed.s52]

I actually like the list. Given that 5-10 is a little jumbled but I always thought the Colts and Saints were a little overrated and especially the Jets. And BOLDNPURP&BLACK, you said they would have to win the division to be that high, but then how would we be number 2? I agree the Vikes are a little low but I dont see the Pats winning their division and the Falcons, although I'm not sure if they are that good, have potential to be number 7 is Ryan takes the next step, White establishes himself as a top teir receiver, Turner demolishes, and Robinson plays as expected or better.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='07 June 2010 - 12:57 AM' timestamp='1275886641' post='418659']
I actually like the list. Given that 5-10 is a little jumbled but I always thought the Colts and Saints were a little overrated and especially the Jets. And BOLDNPURP&BLACK, you said they would have to win the division to be that high, but then how would we be number 2? I agree the Vikes are a little low but I dont see the Pats winning their division and the Falcons, although I'm not sure if they are that good, have potential to be number 7 is Ryan takes the next step, [b]White establishes himself as a top teir receiver[/b], Turner demolishes, and Robinson plays as expected or better.
[/quote]

No mean to nit-pick but White has already done that.

[ed.s52]

@BOULDNPURP&BLACK

no i dont see them as #1, but I said I can see how they can be ranked above us and them at one is a little far-fetched but not really unbeleivable.

[ed.s52]

@Ed_Reed20

I would agree he is a great receiver but I classify top teir as top 7 or at least 10. Fitz, Andre, B.Marshall, Reggie Wayne, Megatron, Vincent Jackson, Wes Welker, and some possibly better receivers like Q, Sidney Rice, DeSean Jackson, Moss, etc. Maybe in the eyes of some he has, but if he doesnt perform like one this season its very unlikely the Falcons will be the #7 team in the league

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='06 June 2010 - 11:57 PM' timestamp='1275886641' post='418659']
I actually like the list. Given that 5-10 is a little jumbled but I always thought the Colts and Saints were a little overrated and especially the Jets. And BOLDNPURP&BLACK, [b]you said they would have to win the division to be that high, but then how would we be number 2[/b]? I agree the Vikes are a little low but I dont see the Pats winning their division and the Falcons, although I'm not sure if they are that good, have potential to be number 7 is Ryan takes the next step, White establishes himself as a top teir receiver, Turner demolishes, and Robinson plays as expected or better.
[/quote]

ill stick by what i said, allow me to explain what i was thinking. in my opinion, the only way i could see the bengals being #6 is by winning the division. and the only way i could see them winning the division would be with a 10-6 or 9-7 record... just barely beating out the ravens. BUT i think the ravens will win in dominating fashion with a 12-4 record. in my theory winning the toughest division the AFC north with an great overall record (amazing coming out of our division) of 12-4 makes them the #2 team. in my thinking, i could only see the bengals winning the AFC north going 10-6 at best which would put them around #6 by winning the best division but not with a great overall record.

[flynismo]

I didn't care when people constantly overlooked us, and I dont care now that we seem to be getting a little recognition as of late.

But, this list is pretty far out there. San Diego is far from the best team in the NFL. They should have a top 5 offense if their running game can get going this year, but their defense is average.
Their D is no more effective than Indy's or New Orleans, but those two teams offenses are definitely more dominant. San Diego barely cracks the top 5 IMO.

I do believe we belong in the top 3. We probably have the most complete team in the league, with a LEGITIMATE shot at having a top 5 offense AND defense.

My top 5 teams are (in no particular order) Saints, Indy, Baltimore, New England and San Diego.

If Favre returns in playing shape, or Green Bay's defense can take the next step, then they'll take a top 5 spot away from either NE or SD.

[ed.s52]

But wut if the Bengals got a great record but we got an even better one, (ie we go 13-3 and they go 12-4). Could they not be number 6? I'm not saying they will be number six but they wouldnt have to win the division to be number 6 if the division winners were number 2.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='07 June 2010 - 01:04 AM' timestamp='1275887045' post='418663']
@Ed_Reed20

I would agree he is a great receiver but I classify top teir as top 7 or at least 10. Fitz, Andre, B.Marshall, Reggie Wayne, Megatron, Vincent Jackson, Wes Welker, and some possibly better receivers like Q, Sidney Rice, DeSean Jackson, Moss, etc. Maybe in the eyes of some he has, but if he doesnt perform like one this season its very unlikely the Falcons will be the #7 team in the league
[/quote]

The only WRs I'd take over White are Dre, Fitzgerald, Megatron, Marshall and Smith.

The reason I say he's top-tier is because he's put together 3 1000-yard seasons in a row and 24 TDs despite inconsistent QB play in two of them.

[ed.s52]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='06 June 2010 - 09:31 PM' timestamp='1275888705' post='418675']
The only WRs I'd take over White are Dre, Fitzgerald, Megatron, Marshall and Smith.

The reason I say he's top-tier is because he's put together 3 1000-yard seasons in a row and 24 TDs despite inconsistent QB play in two of them.
[/quote]

Before Turner they had no running game, so I can see how he got 1,000 yards even with an inconsistent QB. The year after, Turner did beast it up but Ryan also shined resulting in a 1,000 yard season for White. The season after, Ryan wasnt as good, but still played alright and not tooo inconsistent, but with the loss of Turner and Norwood, they had to throw the ball more, resulting in the third 1,000 yard season.

Of course, they were all due to skill also, and I think you could argue his case as a top teir receiver, which you seem to be doin very well, but I still think he isnt top teir yet, but I think he has a great chance to this season with Moss declining, Welker coming from injury, DeSean Jackson with no McNabb, and the fact that he is still getting better as well as his QB getting better it looks bright for him.

And do you mean steve smith?

[Ravenmore74]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='06 June 2010 - 11:54 PM' timestamp='1275886443' post='418655']
I'm sorry, the only rankings I care about include us holstering the Lombardi Trophy
[/quote]
Thank you, very well said I think this would be the "icing on the cake."

[Bltravens]

Does anybody else feel like every year is "the year the chargers finally goto the top"?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='07 June 2010 - 12:29 AM' timestamp='1275888564' post='418674']
But wut if the Bengals got a great record but we got an even better one, (ie we go 13-3 and they go 12-4). Could they not be number 6? I'm not saying they will be number six but they wouldnt have to win the division to be number 6 if the division winners were number 2.
[/quote]

in that circumstance definitely... like if we both sweep pitt and the browns and split eachother. but what i was saying is that i dont see that happening. i cannot see them going 12-4 at all. my argument was that they would have to win to be #6, and in doing so would be maybe 10-6 slightly edging out the ravens. at 10-6 they would maybe be #6. but like i said, i dont see that happening and being second in the division at 9-7 or so i dont see how they are #6. again, that is just my opinion and how i would rank teams.

in your circumstance we could be #2 and they certainly could be #6... what i said was just my reaction to, and opinon of, the list made by the analyst. and my reply to yours was just my explanation of how i accounted for the difference in ranking if either of us won it... I.E. how we get ranked #2 by winning, and how they would only be #6 by winning, and it had to do with the overall record in doing so. with how difficult the bengals schedule is i dont see a way for them to do better than 10-6... so if they did and somehow that was good enough to win the division id put them around #6. i could see us at 12-4 and maybe better if we win a couple close games, thus us being around #2 or 3.

[BloodRaven]

I'd rather we go under the radar.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='07 June 2010 - 03:04 AM' timestamp='1275894291' post='418696']
I'd rather we go under the radar.
[/quote]

Talking about under the radar. Deja vu'.

[img]http://www.defensetech.org/images/F-35-helmet.jpg[/img]

[AwakenTheDemon]

Bengals "The defense might be the most physical in the AFC"
Baltimore and Pittsburgh say hello, Wyche.

[BuckWilds]

The one ranking that matters, and it barely does, is the ranking at the end of the year. At every level of football, besides the bowl division in college, they have playoffs for the #1 ranking.

Let the playoffs be the gauntlet and the #1 team hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Besides that, rankings are doo-doo. That's right, I said it! Doo... doo!

[Purple Nurple]

Is that a "make my point" dancing green doo-doo? Well played, sir.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Interesting set of rankings, nice to see some recognition for our Ravens.

Whilst San Diego has a prolific offense, I don't know if they have the defense to warrant the number one spot.

New Orleans and Green Bay should be higher in my opinion - I can't believe Carolina is 30th either!

[iBleedPurple__]

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d818768f4&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true&campaign=nfl_fb"]Link[/url]

Steve ranked every team in the league and ranked the Ravens SECOND

What do you guys think of these rankings?

[Ed_Reed20]

Doesn't seem like anyone has the Ravens outside of their top 5 team/power rankings. It feels good to be in the spotlight but I'm anxious to see how the team performs with expectations high. From what I've seen though, Harbaugh doesn't allow the team to get complacent.

[JO_75]

Here's my 2 cents. Chargers and Ravens 1 & 2, iffy. Saints are too low for being the defending Champs. Until the Champs have been knocked off their throne, they should be # 1 all pre-season until we know how they do in the regular season.

Too High...

- Bengals... again just like someone stated.. the Bengals defense the most physical, Ravens and Steelers says hi.

- Bucs at 22... Really? Maybe the Bucs and Panthers should switch spots.

Too Low:

- Panthers, yeah I understand the whole John Fox situation and the front office situation but just to be at 30 because of that is wrong, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathon Stewart and Jon Beason says hi.

- Titans at 14, Texans are ranked 12th ahead of them? No I would switch the Texans and Titans. Chris Johnson if this holdout continues, than it will derail the titans a bit but if VY can keep things going in passing game they will be fine. Also their defense is going to be fine, the drafting of Derrick Morgan was a great selection and will keep them in playoff contention.

Interesting though looking at those rankings.... the Championship Games look like this: AFC: Ravens @ Chargers NFC: Packers @ Cowboys

Now flip the rankings and you get this draft order for the top 10 in the 2011 Draft:

1. Buffalo Bills
2. St. Louis Rams
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Cleveland Browns
5. Detroit Lions
6. Chicago Bears
7. Kansas City Chiefs
8. Washington Redskins
9. Denver Broncos
10. Jacksonville Jaguars

Now if that was the real 2011 draft order in the top 10, John Fox, Lovie Smith and possibly Jack Del Rio would all be fired as Head Coaches.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

i also dont understand his ranking of the colts... i would put saints 1st (being the SB champs i think its only right for them to be #1 until theyve been knocked off) colts #2 and with the ravens, packers, and vikings at #3,4,5 seperated only by the slightest of margins.

the colts could have gone undefeated up to the superbowl last year. they havent lost much if anything in the offseason, and get bob sanders and gonzalez back; two great players. their defense isnt great, but having sanders back definitely makes them better. their offense probably gets better, definitely not worse. so i really dont see how they fall behind their 2009 ranking, unless wyche is that convinced the chargers, ravens, and cowboys have really gotten THAT MUCH better.

we've all definitely improved but i dont know that its enough to rank us in preseason above the champs and the runners up.