[Blogs] 10 Questions Heading Into Offseason

[BR News]

With the Ravens’ 2010 campaign coming to a halt via a 31-24 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, here are 10 questions to consider heading into the offseason.

1. Who (among the free agents) will be back?

The Ravens went into the playoffs with a sense of urgency.  One-third of their roster was over 30 years old. And nearly half of their 53-man roster is due to hit free agency.  That includes eight starters – cornerback Chris Carr, guard Chris Chester, safety Dawan Landry, linebacker Jameel McClain, fullback Le’Ron McClain, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, cornerback Josh Wilson and offensive tackle Marshal Yanda.  Billy Cundiff and Sam Koch also have expiring deals. So, if a new collective bargaining agreement can be reached between owners and the NFL Players’ Association, the Ravens have a lot of personnel decisions to make before a 2011 kickoff.

2. Who will retire?

After Saturday’s game, wideout Derrick Mason would not take the bait regarding his future.  The 14-year veteran – and oldest Ravens player at 36 – said “this team will be back [to the playoffs],” not “I’ll be back.”  Mason has hinted at retirement in each of the last two seasons, and while he is still an elite player, Baltimore’s eldest statesman will be mulling his career path over the next few weeks.  Linebacker Ray Lewis is 35, but he hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down.  In addition to Mason and Lewis, safety Ed Reed is still cognizant of a nerve impingement in his neck and shoulder.  The “R-word” had been in his vocabulary in the past, as well.

3. What changes are on the coaching front?

First of all, Head Coach John Harbaugh’s contract is up for an extension and there were reports that the Ravens were working on one with him last month. But there could be some change underneath Harbaugh, as the coaching carousel rotates for all 32 NFL teams at this time of year.  Harbaugh has some tough decisions to make.  Fans and pundits have pointed the finger at the coordinators, but there are also position coaches to consider. While it would be nice to enter 2011 with everything copacetic on the coaching front, the reality is that coaches change on a yearly basis when a team doesn’t meet its own championship expectations.

4. Will there even be a season in 2011?

The owners and NFLPA have a lot of work to do in order to ensure that there are games next year.  On March 4, the current CBA expires, and we could be seeing several months without football. There are several sticky issues that need to be discussed, such as an 18-game season, rookie wage scale, retired player benefits, and so on.  Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti and President Dick Cass will be busy to say the least.

5. How much is Haloti valued?

Having finished the final year of his rookie contract with 65 tackles and 5 ½ sacks, Ngata is a priority to re-sign for the Ravens. A starting point could be 2010 rookie Ndamukong Suh, the second-overall pick who signed a five-year deal reportedly worth $68 million, including $40 million guaranteed.  Ngata is one of the NFL’s top defensive players, not just linemen.

6. What do the Ravens go after in the draft?

Offensive tackle? Cornerback? Wide receiver? Pass rusher? Even if professional football is an uncertainty for 2011, the draft is still happening.  The Ravens could address a few positions in the early rounds, even though General Manager Ozzie Newsome will always take the best player available.  With Jared Gaither’s future in question, the Ravens could select another tackle to let Marshal Yanda move back to guard.  They could add depth at cornerback, where free agency could leave them thin. Mason, Anquan Boldin, Donte’ Stallworth and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are all 30-plus.  And what about pass rusher?   Paul Kruger has made his contributions as he made the tough switch from linebacker to defensive tackle, but Sergio Kindle might not play football again. The Ravens might do well to amplify their pressure with a draft pick.

7. What to do with Sergio?

Kindle lost his rookie season after he tumbled down two flights of stairs back in July, suffering a serious head injury, then further damaged his reputation with the Ravens when he was busted for driving under the influence in December.  Taking any character questions out of the scenario, it is uncertain if Kindle will be able to play football again from a medical standpoint.  The Ravens used their top draft pick on the Texas product, and he hasn’t been able to return anything on the field. Should Kindle return to the field, he could help any club’s pass rush. Whether that’s in Baltimore remains to be seen.

8. What will the receiving corps look like?

With Mason, Boldin, Houshmandzadeh and Stallworth getting up there in years, the Ravens need another infusion of speed and youth in their receiving corps. Rookie David Reed provided a few flashes this season, but he’s just one player.  The Ravens improved their weapons cache around quarterback Joe Flacco in 2010, but the talent did not yield a deep playoff run.  Flacco will need more weapons down the road, and at this point, only Boldin and Reed are certainties to be on the 2011 roster.

9. Where does Flacco go from here?

Flacco is coming off a career season, setting personal bests in yards (3,622), touchdowns (25) and passer rating (93.6).  But, he has yet to reach the elite status of NFL signal-callers, as evidenced by the bad interception in Pittsburgh or the two overthrows on the Ravens’ final drive.  The Ravens put a lot of resources behind Flacco this past year, and he got a lot out of them.  Flacco still has another step to take, but his dedication and demeanor leave little doubt that he will.

10. How do you beat the Steelers?

Two of the past three years, the Ravens were ousted from the playoffs by their AFC North rival.  Ben Roethlisberger has won the past seven games against Baltimore.  And Hines Ward just keeps smiling.  The Ravens can’t do anything about their division, so they are going to have to figure out a way to defeat the Steelers with Roethlisberger under center.  Both teams are built similarly, with stout defenses and solid rushing attacks, but the Ravens will certainly spend some time this offseason to pinpoint what can tip the scales in their favor.

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/01/16/10-questions-heading-into-offseason/]View the full article[/url]

[OrganizedChaos2052]

Did I really just read an entire article about offseason changes and Cam Cameron's name appeared 0 times?

I sure hope I'm not the only who thinks there's something wrong with that..

[HardKnocks]

I would bring mojarity of them back, but Landry is questionable he never seem to be in position for over the top help when the ball is thrown to his side.

[James K]

Seriously, our D needs a better secondary. We really need to make a push for Nnadmdi Asomugha.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Nnamdi-Asomugha-to-the-Baltimore-Ravens/180455001986661

[chizrocker88]

I personally think that all of the aforementioned free agents need to be brought back, ESPECIALLY Ngata, Wilson, Landry, Yanda and Le'Ron.

I'm hoping Mason decides to stay since he's the only one of the two (the other being Lewis) potentially retiring. I think they'll both want to give it one more go before retiring.

Cameron needs to go. Period.

I still don't understand why we didn't implement Stallworth more than we did, especially yesterday. When we played in December he beat the Steelers deep and has that speed our WRs seemed to lack for the majority of the season. I hope we get him back and utilize him more next season.

As for Flacco, I think his biggest problem is that Zorn and Cameron won't take the training wheels off and let the man calls his own plays/audible. If they'd let him do that and let him make his own mistakes rather than forcing him to make mistakes by calling mediocre plays, I think he would be substantially better than he is. That's why QBs like Brady and Manning are so good - they're able to do what they deem necessary. Flacco needs to be given that opportunity.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

it all starts with a blank piece of paper on what OZ to put as title... "Road to SB XLVI"

[whitecurrency20]

This team is old and removing or making drastic changes could set us back. We are very close to being a real super bowl contender, we're just a few pieces away.

But does anyone else feel like this is going to be one of our most important off-seasons in recent memory? We absolutely need to have a good draft, and im completely confident in Ozzie to do so. And we need to think long and hard about what veterans we are going to bring back and let go. Like i said, this team is verrrryyyyy close. But with that said, we only have a year or so left until our some very key players retire which scares me to think how we'll move on from that. Bring back Housh, get younger on defense, upgrade the offensive line, get us to the Super Bowl

[Richmond_Raven]

We really need to draft some wr's so we can take the top off of defenses the steelers drafted to 3rd round guys and made them contribute. why cant we do the same and then lets go after nnamdi

[FitzaFlaccoFan]

#1 question: Steve B., why hasn't Cameron been fired yet?

[ravens1game at a time]

i wanna see camreon rather be fired or bring some explosiveness to our offence we can beat any team with the talent we have lets not be to conservitive

[stixfix69]

On Defense we are fine, we just have to look at signing a FA OLBer/DE who can compliment Suggs..... We will keep Landry, because we don't know if Zibby can stay injury free. Naka is blitzing DB, but his coverage skills are suspect.....There should be some decent FA speed WR's.......I also think we signed Hardy a 6-5 220 WR, thats a nice target to have in the redzone....On offense, i think we need to bring Gaither back, and let him win a job, so we can move Oher back to RT......Need a Center, so maybe we look Pouncey's twin brother, or we keep Chester, and move him to Center....Birk has been decent, but not great, he runs out of gas late in the game, and the entire middle of the OL caves in on pass rushes..

[bioLarzen]

"The Ravens can%u2019t do anything about their division, so they are going to have to figure out a way to defeat the Steelers with Roethlisberger under center."

Does my memory trick me, or did we really finish higher than them last season? Only it was the Bengals that time...

The Steelers seem to have a good season every even year followed by a less so great one every odd year... So, next year I expect a les stellar Pittsburgh side - the question is how strong we are gonna be then...

I'd say we should definitely make hard steps to keep basically everyone from the unrestricted contingent - but Wilson, Ngata, McClain, Cindiff and Koch are absolute must. I'm not really concerned about some of our key players being over 30 - Mason was 36 this year and he looked everything but old... Ed Reed - when he's healthy, he's anything but old... Heap's on the "old" list - did he look anything like worn this season? No. So, I guess they'd be just fine.
I assume Houshmanzadeh will go to a lesser team where he'll still be a key player, not a third target like here. I'd like him to stay though - despite his drop at the end last night...

As for the drafts... All depends on what draft pick we end up having and what players are then gonna be available, of course - but I a pass rusher would be a badly needed addition to the roster. Who knows, Kindle could have been the solution - but then... you never know. I hope he can come back. I'm not worried about the DUI issue - look at Vick, he committed something much more sinister, yet today he is one of the most celebrated players in the NFL... What's a DUI for a career? Really nothing. He just should concentrate on trying to come back.

bio

[Irish Girl]

Let's be positive even though we have chances of losing a lot of great players. The 2011 draft will give us young, energetic players and the coaching staff should at least change a little. Come back as a new team ready to win the AFC title this time.

[bioLarzen]

[quote name='whitecurrency20' timestamp='1295217459' post='610557']We absolutely need to have a good draft, and im completely confident in Ozzie to do so.
[/quote]

Hi,
the only problem is that you can never be sure about a draft, no matter how good the front office does its job. Just think of last ear - who would have thought that Ed Reed is going to be our best rookie? Or, the famous names that grew stellar despite being later round picks - like Ray Rice... Or, the other end - prime picks that proved to be a bust, like JaMarcus Russell - or Ryan Leaf back then

So, with drafts there is always an element of luck involved...

bio

[EvanN]

The #1 priority is signing Ngata. This is arguably the best player on the Ravens and is the reason our run defense is always one of the best. Pay the man his money. Secondly, we need a nasty DE who puts pressure on QB's in pass situations. QB's had too much time this year to make plays down field. The reason why the Ravens have always led the league in turnovers was because of pressure. Third, you have to sure up that O-Line. Flacco was pressured way too much and our running game was nowhere near as good as it needs to be if they are going to continue to truly rely on the run. Overall, every effort should be made to beat Pittsburgh. The Ravens, in order to win a SB, must be able to secure a home game and bye in the playoffs and in order to do that we must win the AFC North. Lastly, I think its too easy to blame Cameron. Do I think he was conservative when we should have been attacking and attacking when we should be conservative? Yes. But yesterday's loss specifically had nothing to do with Cam Cameron. 3 back to back turnovers are what killed us, not play calling. Ask any player on that team and they will tell you that. In general, we all need to keep things in perspective here. We have been in the playoffs for the last three years, winning at least one game in each year. So we are in the top 25% of the league every year, since the Harbaugh/Flacco era. Is Flacco going to be Manning or Brady? Of course not. But over 20 teams in the league would kill to have that guy as their starter. There are 32 teams in the league and 31 go home unhappy "to the couch". All you can ask for is a fun, competitive team who puts their best efforts out there and you can't say the Ravens don't do just that.

[fistfullwales]

My Wishlist:

Dawan Landry, Le’Ron McClain, Haloti Ngata, Josh Wilson, Billy Cundiff and Sam Koch we MUST resign.

I think Mason may retire, with Reed being second most likely to retire, and Ray being doubtful to retire.

I think Housh can go unless Mason retires, and keep Stallworth.

WR Depth 2011
Boldin
Mason/Housh
Stallworth
Reed
Hardy

Get an LT, Oher is a RT NOT a LT (he stunk at LT)
Get a C

TE and RB is good

Sign ASO

Get a pass rushing OLB
Get a FS in draft to replace Reed when he goes, even though Reed is irreplaceable.

[gbolling]

If you want a ring, fire Cam Cameron. Our defense is solid.

[bioLarzen]

(Hmmm... The Jets are up 14 to 3 at half time in Foxboro... Just imagine how bitter everyone here will be if the Jets beat the Pats... We could have had the Championship game at home... Well, we'll see...)

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Top Question: Why do we want Cam back? Oh yeah, so he can create another 2nd half game plan....joy

[Purple nd Black]

Cam should already be gone in my eyes! if we find an OC! that knows how to use stallworth to stretch the field, boldin over the middle, heap out in the flat, and over the middle,lets not forget bout HOUSH. Our offense would be one of the leagues top if not the best in the league!!!

[scraaw]

dump housh and stallworth - they're cast offs from other teams. house isn't going to get any better and stallworth is a fragile journeyman. we need good, young speed.

[cuervodoro]

How many persons need to get into Joe's ear, create confusion and clatter.

We have an OC, a QB Coach is superfluous, an appendage, we have a head coach that should be in tune, intuitively with the QB, tempo and decision-making.

Let Harbi orchestrate/second oppinion only when if necessary from an OC.

Was not Zorn with the Skins?

Way too much hierarchy planners, time to reengineer, to streamline.

[Purple nd Black]

agreed but i dont see us getting rid of them. there too good to loose!

[BmoreRavens201044]

Draft Ras-I-Dowling CB 1st round, Robert Sands SS 2nd round to replace landry who's coverage skills leave a lot to be desired, Quan Sturdivant MLB to lineup and next to ray and eventually replace him, and then 4th -7th we need a center, tackle (offensive), and speedy receiver to stretch the field.

[XxSizzleXx]

Hell lets just break the bank re-sign Ngata and bring in Nnamdi.

[rgreen7]

Let all the CBs go and get ones that can cover the young and fast wide receivers that's been killing the Ravens all season. A bigger,stronger and fast running back who can punch threw the gaps. A new Left Tackle who is disciplined on the line. Replacements for Reed and Lewis who are getting older and slowing down. New Offensive line coach, special teams coach and offensive coordinator, key positions that were the down fall of the Ravens this year. Last, young and fast receivers who can get open and won't drop perfect passes.
And someone who can motivate the Ravens to beat the Steelers and not be afraid to play them. The Ravens pysc themselves out ever time they go up against Pittsburgh and crumble, they are afraid to face BIG BEN.

[tsizzlefan55]

heres my answers to ur ?'s:

1. i think u no wats free agents who r coming back they r the stand outs
2.no one
3.the whole staff cuz harbs is gone
4. YES( we HOPE)
5. nears suggs pay cuz we kno hes better than sizzle
6. i think G/CENTER OR WR
7. PICK SERGIO UP AND WAIVE OR TRADE DOUBLE J
8. most should b back but a small tweek wont hurt
9. HE NEEDS 2 b better not gettin sacked and better judgement running
10. ? 3 wood solve this issue

[Black&Purple#1]

I agree, we need a new OC coordinator, He is costing us games !! Flacco just need a little bit of study he will be good, defense we need a pass rusher, young linebackers, work on our offensive line more, We need to get some young, fast and smart recievers that can run and catch, also resign Ngata, Carr, and Wilson they were good .

[BmoreRavens201044]

@tsizzlefan55

Your answers to 3 and 7 seem to be coming way out of left field. Harbaugh is definitely staying put, I can definitely see cameron being relieved of his duties, mattison not so much (think he may be back but I think Mike Nolan is out there wouldn't mind seeing him come back). There is no way you waive or trade Jarret Johnson regardless of if Sergio is ok or not, Johnson is one of the most consistent and hardest working players on the team plus he's a leader. And as far as your ideas for the draft, I believe the 1st couple of rounds will be more focused around defense don't know why you want to draft a guard as we got some of the best in the league in grubbs and yanda.

[Blazin Ravens]

Resign Ngata, L. McClain, Koch, Cundif, Wilson, Gaither if money permits, and Landry. Maybe J. McClain. Do our best to get Asumough. I hope Sergio is able to play. Draft 1st round, Middle Linebacker, 2nd Strong Safety, 3rd Wide Receiver, 4th Corner, 5th Center project, 6th Corner or Wide, 7th what ever one we didn't pick in the 6th, or someone with a freakish drop or with "perceived character issue" player that belongs higher in like the 2nd or 3rd round.