Assuming There Is No Lockout, What Is Our #1 Priority In 2011?

[baltravens]

What is our #1 priority heading into the off season as we prepare for next year? We have a lot of older guys and our offensive coordinator has been questioned. So, what should the Baltimore Ravens do first?

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

I'd say it depends largely on the aforementioned areas.

It depends who we lose to free agency or in some cases, retirement. Once it's more apparent who is and isn't coming back, we will get a better idea for what to do - particularly defensively.

As for the offence, either commit to Cam early (which personally, I'm not for); or hire a new guy and get an idea of the scheme he wants to run, so we can draft players who fit the scheme.

I'd like us to address our corner depth, improve our offensive line, and possibly acquire another receiver. Mason is likely done, Houshmandzadeh will not be back, and we really need someone to stretch the field. I like Stallworth and David Reed, but I wouldn't rely on those two opposite Boldin. One thing is certain, we need more speed!

Also, how soon do we want to draft another MLB? As much as we love the great man, #52 will be a little bit slower, and his influence on a talented young linebacker could be immense for our future prospects.

I'll keep my post relatively concise given all the uncertainties, but just some earlu thoughts.

[WV RAVEN]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' timestamp='1295179216' post='608989']
I'd say it depends largely on the aforementioned areas.

It depends who we lose to free agency or in some cases, retirement. Once it's more apparent who is and isn't coming back, we will get a better idea for what to do - particularly defensively.

As for the offence, either commit to Cam early (which personally, I'm not for); or hire a new guy and get an idea of the scheme he wants to run, so we can draft players who fit the scheme.

I'd like us to address our corner depth, improve our offensive line, and possibly acquire another receiver. Mason is likely done, Houshmandzadeh will not be back, and we really need someone to stretch the field. I like Stallworth and David Reed, but I wouldn't rely on those two opposite Boldin. One thing is certain, we need more speed!

Also, how soon do we want to draft another MLB? As much as we love the great man, #52 will be a little bit slower, and his influence on a talented young linebacker could be immense for our future prospects.

I'll keep my post relatively concise given all the uncertainties, but just some earlu thoughts.
[/quote]


I agree we will need speed a wr...we need to stretch the field.
Also,we should get an Off. coord.

[baltravens]

Strictly from a player or personnel standpoint, I say we address our lines first. As one could see, our offensive line did what they could considering a few players were out of position or substituting. Yanda will be our RG and I assume Oher will be left at LT to work at that position, so RT sees a priority. Noting that Birk is aging, we cannot continue to be spread thin and early in the draft seems to be where we address that.

[Moderator 3]

I'd like to see a new (real) LT and move Oher back to RT where he's a beast. That would put Yanda back at RG where he, too, is a beast. We also need a new, younger, Center.

[krrock10]

O-line.

There was a reason why we couldnt run at all and Flacco got beat up. I dont want Flacco to start having injuries like Big Ben due to the amount of hits he takes.

[jdynamite]

#1 priority should be to get either Champ Bailey (potential free agent) or Nnamdi Asomugha an unrestricted free agent to boost our secondary.....

#2 if priority (number 1) is not addressed then we MUST add to the pass rush, to at least force quicker passes (suggs cannot due it alone)

#3 depending on Whatever happens with Gaither we will need another OT, because the constant line shifting hurt us this yr...

#4 get a deep threat WR (and use him), I don't understand why we cannot develop a young receiver for potential deep threats like so many other teams

[jdynamite]

Well I still want Mattison replaced with a more aggressive styled coached and Cameron out completely because the offense underperformed tremendously this year... constantly collapsed in the REDZONE all year, with long periods with no first downs, lack route diversity ( we rarely ran digs, drags, quick slants, underneath routes to get the middle of field... ) with our aging WRs it never made sense to constantly use down field routes that take time to develop than using them to run savvy underneath routes and create YAC....

[AussiieeRavens]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1295178825' post='608984']
What is our #1 priority heading into the off season as we prepare for next year? We have a lot of older guys and our offensive coordinator has been questioned. So, what should the Baltimore Ravens do first?
[/quote]

-the draft(Definitely need CB)
-free agent(need new CB,WR)

[cursona pirate]

get a bye week in the playoffs!
we need to get our own mike wallace too

[baltravens]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1295186080' post='609094']
Well I still want Mattison replaced with a more aggressive styled coached and Cameron out completely because the offense underperformed tremendously this year... constantly collapsed in the REDZONE all year, with long periods with no first downs, lack route diversity ( we rarely ran digs, drags, quick slants, underneath routes to get the middle of field... ) with our aging WRs it never made sense to constantly use down field routes that take time to develop than using them to run savvy underneath routes and create YAC....
[/quote]
I would not replace Mattison, at worst he held his own and improved as the season wore on. However, bye-bye Cameron. He showed why the Dolphins got rid of him after one year, and his play calling and strategy made us question our offensive personnel unjustifiably.

[edreedfromtheu]

Time to LOAD UP ON DEFENSE. If Flacco is the future, it doesn't really matter what you add to the offense. And if Cam Cameron is the coordinator on top of it, then it really doesn't matter.

If this team wants to win, it's pretty much going to have to completely shut other teams down, and have PLAYMAKERS to score on defense as well.

They will definitely need to get linebackers because once Ray leaves, that position is very suspect. This team would also benefit GREATLY from a defensive end that is FAST. All of the Ravens sacks are hard-fought sacks. We never get any of those "clear path to the QB" sacks around the edge like a lot of other teams do. So put a speed pass rusher on the opposite side of Sizzle. As for the secondary, RE-SIGN JOSH WILSON. Then... PAY NNAMDI ASOMUGHA. I wasn't really concerned with getting a top-name corner. But now that it's evident defense is the only way this team will win in the playoffs... time to spend on the big names when they are available!


OH, and one last thing... the Ravens might want to look for a back-up QB. Because it looks to me like it just might be time to start planning for the future.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='krrock10' timestamp='1295185461' post='609073']
O-line.

There was a reason why we couldnt run at all and Flacco got beat up. I dont want Flacco to start having injuries like Big Ben due to the amount of hits he takes.
[/quote]

The reason the Ravens "can't run the ball" is because they DON'T TRY! They'd rather throw 30+ times instead of using McGahee and Rice. And they REALLY hate to use McGahee, which makes no sense.

And when they DO run the ball... they insist on going right up the middle. EVERY SINGLE TIME... right up the middle. How about try the left or the right?!?! You've got Boldin, Mason, and Housh.... 3 GREAT blocking receivers. But you refuse to run outside where the receivers can block corners who are usually the worst tacklers on a defense.

This team insists on trying to prove Flacco is "the man" by letting him throw all the time, and they have yet to get back to the Super Bowl despite having a better overall team than teams they end up losing to. A team shouldn't be scared to use their talent, in this case... the running backs.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1295178825' post='608984']
What is our #1 priority heading into the off season as we prepare for next year? We have a lot of older guys and our offensive coordinator has been questioned. So, what should the Baltimore Ravens do first?
[/quote]

Build the O-LINE! This game is won/lost in the trenches. Unfortunately letting Jason Brown go, and mesing with Gaither in the Off season, killed us.

Find a Center for the future, re-sign Gaither and Grubbs, get rid of the dead weight like Moll, Mattison, Cousins.

[PuRock]

I have to agree. Fix the O-Line. Our run game suffered, Joe suffered. We had to use different ways to ensure extra block coverage.

[mhead66]

My first thought is WR, because both Stallworth and Boldin are 31, Housh is 34 and Mase will be 37 tomorrow. The Steelers spent a 3rd on Mike Wallace, a 4th on Emmanuel Sanders and a 6th on Antonio Brown, and all three are young and fast. No need to spend high picks on WRs, but you need to scout well and develop the talent. Sanders and Brown took turns starting this year, and they had 7 catches for 129 yards last night. Our four starting WRs made $18.2 million this year, and the passing game, statistically, regressed - 214 yds/game in '09, 208 yds/game this yr.

However, I think the top 2 picks need to be OLineman and DLineman. We were 23rd in sacks allowed, and our average per rush fell from 4.7 yds/rush in '09, 4th in the NFL, to 3.8 yds/rush, 25th overall.

Also, the Ravens' D was 27th in the NFL in sacks. Suggs has been simply devastating as a pass rusher. After him, Ngata's 5.5 sacks was excellent for a DT, but Redding with 3, Ray Lewis with 2, JJ with 1.5 and Kruger with 1 sack isn't getting it done.

Free agency and the looming lockout will alter this, I'm sure...

[Ed_Reed20]

Re-sign Ngata.

[FerrariFan87]

New offensive coordinator/philosophy... Ngata... O-line... We have a lot of work to do

[MMIller]

Corners. and I would say at least one shut down corner. Then O line needs some beefing up. Now if there is a shut out do we see ray Lewis in a Ravens uniform again?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='MMIller' timestamp='1295201767' post='609717']
Corners. and [b]I would say at least one shut down corner[/b]. Then O line needs some beefing up. Now if there is a shut out do we see ray Lewis in a Ravens uniform again?
[/quote]

They don't grow on trees. The one that is available in FA is going to demand a lot of money and with all the needs this team has, it wouldn't be wise to fork over the cash.

[Andrew Glass]

We need to resign some of our fa's for sure. We need a true #1 lockdown corner thats major. Also if housh/stallworth are gone we need a good #3, Maybe a draftpick in the 2nd round in this WR loaded draft that can replace mason and be a good slot guy.

[MMIller]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1295201981' post='609727']
They don't grow on trees. The one that is available in FA is going to demand a lot of money and with all the needs this team has, it wouldn't be wise to fork over the cash.
[/quote]

[MMIller]

True enough, but that is the area of deficiency that most causes us trouble. Assuming there is no lock out next year we can not make it back to the p[layoffs with out at least bolstering if not fixing this area.

[Bltravens]

Give Ray Lewis steroids so he can play forever...without him we are scaaaaaaarewed.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='MMIller' timestamp='1295203778' post='609853']
True enough, but that is the area of deficiency that most causes us trouble. Assuming there is no lock out next year [b]we can not make it back to the p[layoffs with out at least bolstering if not fixing this area.[/b]
[/quote]

We've been saying that for two seasons now but that hasn't been the case. If the pass rush was better, the CBs would look better. Look at the Bears, who are playing right now. Their CBs aren't top-notch but they get by due to immense pressure.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1295190919' post='609187']
Time to LOAD UP ON DEFENSE. If Flacco is the future, it doesn't really matter what you add to the offense. And if Cam Cameron is the coordinator on top of it, then it really doesn't matter.

If this team wants to win, it's pretty much going to have to completely shut other teams down, and have PLAYMAKERS to score on defense as well.

They will definitely need to get linebackers because once Ray leaves, that position is very suspect. This team would also benefit GREATLY from a defensive end that is FAST. All of the Ravens sacks are hard-fought sacks. We never get any of those "clear path to the QB" sacks around the edge like a lot of other teams do. So put a speed pass rusher on the opposite side of Sizzle. As for the secondary, RE-SIGN JOSH WILSON. Then... PAY NNAMDI ASOMUGHA. I wasn't really concerned with getting a top-name corner. But now that it's evident defense is the only way this team will win in the playoffs... time to spend on the big names when they are available!


OH, and one last thing... the Ravens might want to look for a back-up QB. Because it looks to me like it just might be time to start planning for the future.
[/quote]

Who would you rather have? Jake Locker? Ryan Mallett? Cam Newton? Gus Ferrotte? Of all the quarterbacks that are better than Flacco is right now, I can't think of ONE who is available in the draft or as a free agent.

[Scotty410bmore]

Its safe to say WR Stallworth, WR Houshmanzadah, RB Mcgahee, CB Fabian, C Birk, and DT Mckinney wont be back.
Ravens top free agent target is [u]DE Shawn Merriman[/u] who we tried to get off waivers before the deadline.
If T Sizzle had Merriman on the opposite side our pass rush would be top 5 in the league. The signing of Shawn Merriman is likely in the 2011 offseason. I REALLY, REALLY hope we can get WR Santonio Holmes.

Ravens WR Free Agents targets in 2011 -
WR Vincent Jackson - SD (good fit)
WR Sidney Rice - MIN (good fit)
WR Santonio Holmes - NY (personally my favorite option)
WR James Jones - GB
WR Randy Moss - TEN
WR Steve Smith - NY GIANTS & CAR

Ravens RB Free Agent targets in 2011 -
RB Leron Mcclain - BAL (will likely resign)
RB Ahmad Bradshaw - NY (personal favorite)
RB DeAngelo Williams - CAR
RB Laurence Maroney - DEN
RB Arian Foster - HOU (unlikely)

Ravens DB Free Agent targets in 2011 -
CB Chris Carr & CB Josh Wilson - BAL (both should be back)
CB Nnamdi Asomugha - OAK (personal favorite)
CB Champ Bailey - DEN
CB Antonio Cromartie - NY
CB Johnathan Joseph - CIN

[PuRock]

[quote name='Scotty410bmore' timestamp='1295205725' post='609979']
Its safe to say WR Stallworth, WR Houshmanzadah, RB Mcgahee, CB Fabian, C Birk, and DT Mckinney wont be back.
Ravens top free agent target is [u]DE Shawn Merriman[/u] who we tried to get off waivers before the deadline.
If T Sizzle had Merriman on the opposite side our pass rush would be top 5 in the league. The signing of Shawn Merriman is likely in the 2011 offseason. I REALLY, REALLY hope we can get WR Santonio Holmes.

[/quote]

Newsflash. Shawn Merriman signed an extension with the Bills. Did so a few weeks ago.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Scotty410bmore' timestamp='1295205725' post='609979']
Its safe to say WR Stallworth, WR Houshmanzadah, RB Mcgahee, CB Fabian, C Birk, and DT Mckinney wont be back.
Ravens top free agent target is [u]DE Shawn Merriman[/u] who we tried to get off waivers before the deadline.
If T Sizzle had Merriman on the opposite side our pass rush would be top 5 in the league. The signing of Shawn Merriman is likely in the 2011 offseason. I REALLY, REALLY hope we can get WR Santonio Holmes.

Ravens WR Free Agents targets in 2011 -
WR Vincent Jackson - SD (good fit)
WR Sidney Rice - MIN (good fit)
WR Santonio Holmes - NY (personally my favorite option)
WR James Jones - GB
WR Randy Moss - TEN
WR Steve Smith - NY GIANTS & CAR

Ravens RB Free Agent targets in 2011 -
RB Leron Mcclain - BAL (will likely resign)
RB Ahmad Bradshaw - NY (personal favorite)
RB DeAngelo Williams - CAR
RB Laurence Maroney - DEN
RB Arian Foster - HOU (unlikely)

Ravens DB Free Agent targets in 2011 -
CB Chris Carr & CB Josh Wilson - BAL (both should be back)
CB Nnamdi Asomugha - OAK (personal favorite)
CB Champ Bailey - DEN
CB Antonio Cromartie - NY
CB Johnathan Joseph - CIN
[/quote]

The majority of those guys aren't plausible targets.

How is Merriman the top FA target? The Bills re-signed him for a two-year deal.

[T-ray]

I hate to say it guys, and I hope I'm wrong because I don't like periods of years of rebuilding, but I think thats what we are going to have to do for a little while. Ray Ray, Reed, Gregg, Mase, Housh, and even Heap are less than 2-3 years away from leaving. I say we take a few years, bring in some young guns and top notch FA's, and rebuild for a year or two. We want to rebuild now that we still are playoff contenders rather than later when we won't otherwise have the talent to get to the playoffs for 2 years or more.. just a sad fact IMO. There are just too many holes to fill, and too many old vets to be content on just building a year's team that still may not even reach the Promised Land.