The Raven's Future

[purple.n.black]

Okay leave out the dim spots or dark spots here, like possible retirees. I want to talk about the future of our players and coaches, and up and coming contributors. No particular order
1. Harbaugh. 3 straight playoff appearances. Rebounding an awful team.
2. Flacco, 1 win away from winningest road playoff QB. He has the experience and is many years from his prime. With a learning curve as high as his coming from Delaware, imagine him next year, then the next and so on.
3. Tight ends. Heap showed he is not done. he had a GREAT year. Pro Bowl Caliber year. Dickson has shown he can do something, just needs more consistent hands. Pitta will be a good one somewhat soon too.
4. Webb. If these were in order he may be #2. I like him on the nickel blitzes. He can **** down fast WRs. And will soon be able to shut down those vets. That punt return today, regardless of the penalty. AND that kick return. He showed up HUGE for a 2nd year guy. Thank him more than anyone else.
5. David Reed. Harbaugh has said how great he thinks this guy will be. We all know he is a project, but who knows what the WR situation could be like next year, so this guy could be #3 guy EASILY.
6. Offensive Coordinator. I don't think many of us expect Cam back. He tried to regain control of his job in the postseason but it was woo late. No doubt he cost us home field advantage. I'm sure we'll get a GREAT OC to replace him.
7. Special teams. Koch, Cundiff, and the returners. We dominate the field position game depending on the other team's returner. This is and has been a huge part of our success.
7.5 Kindle. Maybe.
8. Suggs. If suggs is past him prime next year but still 90% as good as he was the latter parts of his year, I'll take that. T-Sizzle was unstoppable. And him with a pass rusher opposite him. Deadly.

I'm sure I listed most of the bright spots of our future. But contribute anything else you may have and talk about these. Our guys have 8 months to correct mistakes. Don't dwell on it now. Look at the positive.

[Ed_Reed20]

Good post man. I just don't get the people saying this team's window shut tonight, even with the key contributors that could retire.

Even though they've had their struggles this season, Oher, Grubbs and Yanda are bright spots in my opinion too. The o-line certainly needs to be bolstered but the foundation is fairly in place in my opinion.

[PuRock]

Yep. Look at what we could be getting back next year.

1) Foxworth - Our best corner
2) Gaither - Our offensive line can get back to their natural positions (if we re ink him, I don't know who else is going to give him a deal now though)
3) Kindle - Hopefully the answer to our pass rush
4) New Rookies to contribute

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295148248' post='607852']
Yep. Look at what we could be getting back next year.

1) Foxworth - Our best corner
2) Gaither - Our offensive line can get back to their natural positions (if we re ink him, I don't know who else is going to give him a deal now though)
3) Kindle - Hopefully the answer to our pass rush
[b]4) New Rookies to contribute[/b]
[/quote]

And hopefully, Ozzie has a good enough draft where we see multiple rookies contribute(specifically in the pass-catching and pass rushing departments).

[purple.n.black]

Potentially having Foxworth and Wilson will be GREAT. Factor is Webb and wow. Now not one Revis or Nnamdi in there. But 3 guys that can really do a lot more than just limit receiver.
The defense finally started clicking greatly, and when our young guys like Cody, Webb, Ellerbe, Zibby, etc etc get better with those 2 good corners, it'll be THAT defense again.

And like you said ER_20, the fact that we have an entire offseason to fix that offensive line... THat along with Cam was in my opinion the biggest factor in losing today and at least 2 of our regular season losses. Now just about everyone thinks they get "better" in the offseason, but we have Ozzie. Have faith young men. To those of you in your latter years, I am sorry but at least you saw 1 Ravens SB win, and hopefully Baltimore Colts championships too. But many of us are pretty young, every year really could be THAT year. Stay positive. We thought this was THE year, but with the explosion of the Pats, and losing to the Steelers in week 13 hopes were lower. We may go back to being the underdogs, but we're the Ravens. It is what we do best. At least we aren't Redskins fans lol

[purple.n.black]

And I am not going to bother making a new thread to say this but thanks not only to the players and front office but the fans. It is true fans like I and many others of us here and not here that helps this team compete year in and year out. Outside of us, Steelers, Pats, Eagles and maybe a couple others, that just doesn't happen. And look at the fan bases of those teams. Even if one is full of arrogant bungholes, and one full of frontrunners they still have a consistent loyal fan base.

[SteelerInDuckCountry]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295148248' post='607852']
Yep. Look at what we could be getting back next year.

1) Foxworth - Our best corner
2) Gaither - Our offensive line can get back to their natural positions (if we re ink him, I don't know who else is going to give him a deal now though)
3) Kindle - Hopefully the answer to our pass rush
4) New Rookies to contribute
[/quote]


The Ravens future? It's bright.

Despite there being no love lost between our two teams and their fan bases, I can only chime-in here with the respect your team deserves. Heck of a game today. Even though I'm jacked about my team advancing, I certainly won't be smacking on your squad(or fans) after today's game. Believe me, as a die-hard Duck fan(& alum) I understand the pain over losing tough games. Frankly, I'm still sick over our loss(and how it happened) to Auburn in the BCSNG.

Your squad has tons of talent and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with(excuse the preposition). Harbaugh's a helluva coach and I'm glad his brother is no longer coaching in the PAC-10, err 12.

Heads-up Ravens.

[PuRock]

[quote name='SteelerInDuckCountry' timestamp='1295149068' post='607943']
The Ravens future? It's bright.

Despite there being no love lost between our two teams and their fan bases, I can only chime-in here with the respect your team deserves. Heck of a game today. Even though I'm jacked about my team advancing, I certainly won't be smacking on your squad(or fans) after today's game. Believe me, as a die-hard Duck fan(& alum) I understand the pain over losing tough games. Frankly, I'm still sick over our loss(and how it happened) to Auburn in the BCSNG.

Your squad has tons of talent and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with(excuse the preposition). Harbaugh's a helluva coach and I'm glad his brother is no longer coaching in the PAC-10, err 12.

Heads-up Ravens.
[/quote]

Thanks. Your the first Steelers fan that I have gained respect for in a while. Losses are always tough. The last thing that team's fanbase want is the other team rubbing it in. I wouldn't do it to Steelers fan, and I prefer the same.

[SteelerInDuckCountry]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295149355' post='607978']
Thanks. Your the first Steelers fan that I have gained respect for in a while. Losses are always tough. The last thing that team's fanbase want is the other team rubbing it in. I wouldn't do it to Steelers fan, and I prefer the same.
[/quote]


Don't mention it man.

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='SteelerInDuckCountry' timestamp='1295149068' post='607943']
The Ravens future? It's bright.

Despite there being no love lost between our two teams and their fan bases, I can only chime-in here with the respect your team deserves. Heck of a game today. Even though I'm jacked about my team advancing, I certainly won't be smacking on your squad(or fans) after today's game. Believe me, as a die-hard Duck fan(& alum) I understand the pain over losing tough games. Frankly, I'm still sick over our loss(and how it happened) to Auburn in the BCSNG.

Your squad has tons of talent and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with(excuse the preposition). Harbaugh's a helluva coach and I'm glad his brother is no longer coaching in the PAC-10, err 12.

Heads-up Ravens.
[/quote]
What! Another respectable Steelers fans! 4 I have come across in my life now! ANd two in one day. But thanks man. Both of us have bright futures. The AFCN only gets crazier! Good luck to your team getting and remaining healthy and to a fairly called game, but that is as far as I can go as a Raven's fan
And PuRock,I agree. Even my best friend who is a Steelers fan, we talk all game. Kinda respectable smack. But after we know the truth and don't hide it with lies like "your team sucks" Both teams won 13 games. THey are great, not sucky.

[purple.n.black]

1 more bright spot. Flacco isn't Matty Ice. He is about o be 0-2 in the playoffs. Flacco is what 4-3? And all on the road.

[purple.n.black]

More good things:
Sounds like all the vets will be back. I'm not sure about Birk though nor am I sure his contract ends. But he seemed to get older and older as the season went on. Made some good plays, but I think getting a new guy at center could help.

[PuRock]

[quote name='purple.n.black' timestamp='1295211815' post='610292']
More good things:
Sounds like all the vets will be back. I'm not sure about Flynn though nor am I sure his contract ends. But he seemed to get older and older as the season went on. Made some good plays, but I think getting a new guy at center could help.
[/quote]

Who's Flynn?

[1/28/01]

[quote name='purple.n.black' timestamp='1295211815' post='610292']
More good things:
Sounds like all the vets will be back. I'm not sure about Flynn though nor am I sure his contract ends. But he seemed to get older and older as the season went on. Made some good plays, but I think getting a new guy at center could help.
[/quote]
And credibility lost here....kidding, but seriously Flynn hasn't been our center for years

[jam man]

Why is it we cant beat the Steelers? That is the only team that's in our way to go to the Super Bowl! Big Ben is 7-0 against us. They made a new name for him: Raven Stealer!!! We need to know why we cant beat this team. We need to find a new formula to beat this team. We cant finish the game! The OC has to go... Such a great game by Suggs... spoiled again because of our inconsistence to close games! We have such a great team and to see this team always beat us is very frustrating!

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1295214891' post='610424']
And credibility lost here....kidding, but seriously Flynn hasn't been our center for years
[/quote]
HAHAHH, to you and PuRock, I know Birk is. Man what he's been on the team 2 years now and I don't mess it up till now haha.But in my defense, Flynn is ALSO gettin up there in age haha. Even more so than BIRK.

[purple.n.black]

It's fixed now. So other than the evidence of your quotes of mine, it is like it never happened.

[hawkprey]

I agree that we have many bright spots (more a rebuilding team than a fading team despite Ray getting closer to retirement).

But I disagree about David Reed. He's probably a good WR, but he's also probably the best kickoff returner in the league next to Devin Hester. He didn't get much of an opportunity, but he's #1 in the AFC in yards per attempt. Remember that was one of our concerns early in the year.

We also have a maturing Cody, who will hopefully make a big positive impact on the line next year and shut down the run once and for all.

[AussiieeRavens]

wish kindle wasnt injured

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1295229631' post='611247']
I agree that we have many bright spots (more a rebuilding team than a fading team despite Ray getting closer to retirement).

[b]But I disagree about David Reed. He's probably a good WR, but he's also probably the best kickoff returner in the league next to Devin Hester. He didn't get much of an opportunity, but he's #1 in the AFC in yards per attempt. Remember that was one of our concerns early in the year.[/b]

We also have a maturing Cody, who will hopefully make a big positive impact on the line next year and shut down the run once and for all.
[/quote]

Cribbs, Brad Smith, Leon Washington, Sonny Weems and Jacoby Ford are all better in my opinion. Still, zero catches and an end around for 15 yards before he went down is shameful.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1295230645' post='611320']
Cribbs, Brad Smith, Leon Washington, Sonny Weems and Jacoby Ford are all better in my opinion. Still, zero catches and an end around for 15 yards before he went down is shameful.
[/quote]

I disagree. All those guys are well-recognized as dangerous, but they still came up shorter than David Reed's averages. Once Reed becomes better-known throughout the league I think your opinion will change. (I'm also talking based on this year only. I know Cribbs had like 8 TDs last year.)

Leon Washington had 3 TDs this year, but almost three times the attempts. Smith and Tate had 2 as well, but still two times the attempts.

Maybe we have better blockers on special teams that enables Reed to appear better, but I don't know how to account for that.

For quick reference, here's the stats: [url="http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&statisticPositionCategory=KICK_RETURNER&season=2010&seasonType=REG&experience=null&tabSeq=1&qualified=true&Submit=Go"]link[/url]

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1295231091' post='611360']
I disagree. All those guys are well-recognized as dangerous, but they still came up shorter than David Reed's averages. Once Reed becomes better-known throughout the league I think your opinion will change. (I'm also talking based on this year only. I know Cribbs had like 8 TDs last year.)

Leon Washington had 3 TDs this year, but almost three times the attempts. Smith and Tate had 2 as well, but still two times the attempts.

Maybe we have better blockers on special teams that enables Reed to appear better, but I don't know how to account for that.

For quick reference, here's the stats: [url="http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&statisticPositionCategory=KICK_RETURNER&season=2010&seasonType=REG&experience=null&tabSeq=1&qualified=true&Submit=Go"]link[/url]
[/quote]

But let's be fair, the guys I compared to Reed had around 40 more returns than he did. Had he returned as many kicks as they did, we don't know if he would have been leading the league KO average. Regardless, I like him as a player and hope he makes a name for himself as return man and a WR.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1295234708' post='611539']
But let's be fair, the guys I compared to Reed had around 40 more returns than he did. Had he returned as many kicks as they did, we don't know if he would have been leading the league KO average. Regardless, I like him as a player and hope he makes a name for himself as return man and a WR.
[/quote]

Fair is fair. It's tough to make any claim after half a season.

By the way, has Webb gotten better at punt returns? Or are the Steelers just bad at blocking? (That spin move was pretty nice)

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1295235315' post='611554']
Fair is fair. It's tough to make any claim after half a season.

By the way, has Webb gotten better at punt returns? Or are the Steelers just bad at blocking? (That spin move was pretty nice)
[/quote]

The Steelers don't have a great coverage unit but Webb has been improving as a punt returner for a while. He's been close to breaking a huge return seemingly every game since the Texans game.

Just another reason the loss hurts is because Webb's effort on that return won't be properly remembered. It was a phenomenal play.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1295235828' post='611575']
Just another reason the loss hurts is because Webb's effort on that return won't be properly remembered. It was a phenomenal play.
[/quote]

I also love the initial kickoff. Webb extended the kick return because the play was never whistled dead. Too bad his elbow barely touched the ground.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295236302' post='611597']
I also love the initial kickoff. Webb extended the kick return because the play was never whistled dead. Too bad his elbow barely touched the ground.
[/quote]

Agreed. He's had his struggles in coverage this season and screwed up letting Brown run by him on 3rd and a mile last night but the guy is talented. An off-season where he can work on his technique instead of rehab will do him good.

[purple.n.black]

One thing I love about Reed returning kicks is his decision making. He doesn't get stuffed at the 15 like we see with Parmele. One thing that helps is how quick he is, when you're that quick there has to be a really good kick/or unblocked gunner to stop you short of the 20.

[Jamal]

We have many bright spots, but when your in a division with the best franchise in the NFL, you have to consistently get better.

I have all the faith in the world that Ozzie will have a great draft to help this team get better.

[poedacrow]

This post made me smile...thanks!

1. Ladarius Webb...I've seen nothing but improvement over the past two years...really
expecting even more improvement if he gets smarter as a DB. A great KR/PR option.

2. Cundiff and Koch...The importance of field position on KO and Punts cannot be over
emphasized. A definite bright spot.

3. I'd like to add Josh Wilson...think the world of this guy...love to see him and Foxworth
back there together.

4. Agree with you on Dickson too...more consistent hands and better blocking...(wasn't he
the one who missed the Polamalu blitz?)

Good stuff PnB!

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='poedacrow' timestamp='1295359084' post='614832']
4. Agree with you on Dickson too...more consistent hands and better blocking...([b]wasn't he
the one who missed the Polamalu blitz?[/b])
[/quote]

No. It was Oher.