Justin Bannan

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I know that the news isn't exactly breaking, but I didn't see a topic much like this (sorry mods if there has been one). He was quoted at some point this week as saying he'd love to return to the Ravens. Quite simply, do you want him to return to the Ravens?

Personally, I don't because he'd be an obstacle in pushing through the talent we have at DE. I'd also quite like us to draft a DE early on in the draft, which would just increase the logjam.

[BabydollFlacco5]

I really dont want us to bring him back. Like you said, we have some depth at that position and I think we need to aim to get/stay younger on defense. I also want us to draft a DE early in the draft. I mean .. If we do sign him, I wont be mad about it. But I dont see where we would need it. Also , I would hope it would affect us drafting a DE.

[berad]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1299361017' post='649525']
I know that the news isn't exactly breaking, but I didn't see a topic much like this (sorry mods if there has been one). He was quoted at some point this week as saying he'd love to return to the Ravens. Quite simply, do you want him to return to the Ravens?

[b]Personally, I don't because he'd be an obstacle in pushing through the talent we have at DE. I'd also quite like us to draft a DE early on in the draft, which would just increase the logjam.[/b]
[/quote]

This. We have a bunch of young talent at the DE/DT positions in Jones, Cody, McKinney, Talavou, Divens, etc that have been held back by veteran players. Bannan would just be another vet.

Plus, I don't know how much he has left... He was a good player while he was with us, but he's almost 32.

[ravensdfan]

We have the veteran talent and leadership on our team now. What we need is to infuse some youth into our starters. Not only defensively but offensively as well. While these guys are still playing at a high level, it won't last forever. We have to see what some of the young guys can do.

[churchy]

Youth is the way we should go. We need to get younger in order for this defense to preserve its dominance.

[Bltravens]

More youth, more athleticism, and more fresh legs. Bannan was arguably the best backup NT in the league for a couple years, but he's another ex raven player that was over paid in FA, especially considering his age.

Although Preston hypes Bannan up pretty good like he's the second coming.

[BloodRaven]

Probably not, he was a good player but we need to get the young guys some reps.

[AwakenTheDemon]

The logjam on the defensive line is big enough already. We'll already have three or four tackles (depending on what happens with Gregg) and around five ends. That's before the draft too, where I'm hoping we land a left end of the future. So while Bannan was great to us while he wore black and purple, he's in the same boat with us as Gregg is: He's a older player when the team's looking to get younger.

[baltravens]

I think Banaan burned his bridge when he left the Ravens. If signed, make it rather less than he is getting now.

[ed.s52]

If we experience injury at the NT position I'd like it, but definitely not now

[Free Agent]

Cory Redding did a solid job last season and he should do a better job this upcoming season. And Kelly Gregg and Terrence Cody have the nose tackle position taken care off. I don't even need to mention Haloti on the other end. I think our d-line is set.

If we are going to add a pass rusher, he should be a linebacker/defensive end hybrid, so he can rush the passer or drop into coverage.

Let's instead focus on the secondary and the linebacking core, particularly next to #52 and across from T-Sizzle.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1299427322' post='649677']
I think Banaan burned his bridge when he left the Ravens. If signed, make it rather less than he is getting now.
[/quote]
I dont recall him going Adalius Thomas on us, in fact if I recall correctly he said this was his one chance for a big payday and as much as he hated leaving the Ravens he had to take it for his family's sake.

[ed.s52]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1299454351' post='649797']
Cory Redding did a solid job last season and he should do a better job this upcoming season. And Kelly Gregg and Terrence Cody have the nose tackle position taken care off. I don't even need to mention Haloti on the other end. I think our d-line is set.

If we are going to add a pass rusher, he should be a linebacker/defensive end hybrid, so he can rush the passer or drop into coverage.

Let's instead focus on the secondary and the linebacking core, particularly next to #52 and across from T-Sizzle.
[/quote]


I completely disagree. For one, Redding did a mediocre job but didn't give us the pass rush we were looking for. I think he will definitely improve this season based on the fact that he was transitioning to the 3-4, but either way he is still old. If we get a solid, young player who can rush the passer from the DE spot we are set for years.

I don't think we should add a big time pass rush LB because whoever that is will take the spot away from Kindle. Even if he isn't completely back to form this offseason, he should eventually be 100%. When that time comes I don't want him to be benched the whole season because of our new rookie.

And if he does come back 100%, we don't even need a new rookie, so whatever.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='ed.s52' timestamp='1299460096' post='649818']
I completely disagree. For one, Redding did a mediocre job but didn't give us the pass rush we were looking for. I think he will definitely improve this season based on the fact that he was transitioning to the 3-4, but either way he is still old. If we get a solid, young player who can rush the passer from the DE spot we are set for years.

I don't think we should add a big time pass rush LB because whoever that is will take the spot away from Kindle. Even if he isn't completely back to form this offseason, he should eventually be 100%. When that time comes I don't want him to be benched the whole season because of our new rookie.

And if he does come back 100%, we don't even need a new rookie, so whatever.
[/quote]

Redding didn't start off the season that well, but he did come on towards the end of the season. Redding actually had the third most sacks of anyone on the Ravens in 2010. Next season, he will only be better because now he has a year under his belt in the Ravens 3-4 defense.

As for Kindle, we don't even know if he will be medically cleared to play. If he is cleared to play, we won't now how good he is until AFTER training camp, which is AFTER the draft and free agency. The Ravens are going to have to add someone to aid in the pass rush regardless.

[ed.s52]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1299461267' post='649823']
Redding didn't start off the season that well, but he did come on towards the end of the season. Redding actually had the third most sacks of anyone on the Ravens in 2010. Next season, he will only be better because now he has a year under his belt in the Ravens 3-4 defense.

As for Kindle, we don't even know if he will be medically cleared to play. If he is cleared to play, we won't now how good he is until AFTER training camp, which is AFTER the draft and free agency. The Ravens are going to have to add someone to aid in the pass rush regardless.
[/quote]



I basically agreed with you on the first point. He did mediocre over all, and I said he will be better next year because of the adjustment BUT he is still getting older and we will need an replacement eventually. And if the end of last year was his roof, or if he begins to decline like JJ last season, a replacement will definitely be necessary.


Like I've been saying, I know that he might not be cleared right away, but if we draft a first or second round pass rusher and then he is cleared and is at 100% than what, he sits on the bench the whole season and he is of no use to us. I know it may be risky, but I'd rather fill other needs first than adress the rush LB situation, because of the chances of his return.

I would love to adress it in later rounds (3rd or below) or adress it somewhat in FA, but to draft a first rounder and than having Kindle return would be a waste of a pick, unless we get an amazing steal.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ed.s52' timestamp='1299462337' post='649830']
I basically agreed with you on the first point. He did mediocre over all, and I said he will be better next year because of the adjustment BUT he is still getting older and we will need an replacement eventually. And if the end of last year was his roof, or if he begins to decline like JJ last season, a replacement will definitely be necessary.

[b]Like I've been saying, I know that he might not be cleared right away, but if we draft a first or second round pass rusher and then he is cleared and is at 100% than what, he sits on the bench the whole season and he is of no use to us. I know it may be risky, but I'd rather fill other needs first than adress the rush LB situation, because of the chances of his return.

I would love to adress it in later rounds (3rd or below) or adress it somewhat in FA, but to draft a first rounder and than having Kindle return would be a waste of a pick, unless we get an amazing steal.[/b]
[/quote]

Kindle wouldn't sit on the bench all season if the team drafted a bona fide pass rusher this year. Both would likely cut into J.J.'s snaps and even if they didn't play the majority of snaps, they'd improve the pass rush. Also, with this year likely being J.J.'s last, it makes even more sense to draft a rush LB(if one is worth taking) early, regardless of Kindle's status.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='ed.s52' timestamp='1299462337' post='649830']
Like I've been saying, I know that he might not be cleared right away, but if we draft a first or second round pass rusher and then he is cleared and is at 100% than what, he sits on the bench the whole season and he is of no use to us. I know it may be risky, but I'd rather fill other needs first than adress the rush LB situation, because of the chances of his return.

I would love to adress it in later rounds (3rd or below) or adress it somewhat in FA, but to draft a first rounder and than having Kindle return would be a waste of a pick, unless we get an amazing steal.
[/quote]

It's not like a pass rushing linebacker would go to waste even with Kindle's hypothetical return. Who's behind Suggs on the depth chart? Ayanbadejo, he's a good special teamer, but not exactly what's needed at linebacker. Who's behind Johnson? Burgess, who was not tendered. So if Kindle came back, we could still use an upgrade at the outside linebacker position. Maybe not in a starting capacity right now.

[ed.s52]

Like I said, I'd be fine with it, but I wouldn't want to spend a 1st or 2nd on someone who will play as our 3rd LB behind Suggs and Kindle unless we get a really good deal on one (like Akeem Ayers per say). I'd rather fill a different need.


If Kindle does come back, and Gaither doesn't, than would you rather have had our first round be a tackle or WR, or a pass rusher. I'm going with the tackle/WR, possibly a DE if neither are available. I'd rather take a starter than a 3rd LB. A second rounder wouldn't be as bad, but I am just not interested in Acho whatsoever. If we were to get anyone I would hope it would be Brooks Reed.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ed.s52' timestamp='1299465135' post='649841']
Like I said, I'd be fine with it, but I wouldn't want to spend a 1st or 2nd on someone who will play as our 3rd LB behind Suggs and Kindle unless we get a really good deal on one (like Akeem Ayers per say). I'd rather fill a different need.

[b]If Kindle does come back, and Gaither doesn't, than would you rather have had our first round be a tackle or WR, or a pass rusher. I'm going with the tackle/WR, possibly a DE if neither are available. I'd rather take a starter than a 3rd LB. A second rounder wouldn't be as bad, but I am just not interested in Acho whatsoever. If we were to get anyone I would hope it would be Brooks Reed[/b].
[/quote]

If Gaither isn't re-signed, tackle would take precedence over the pass rush and WR in my opinion.

[ed.s52]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1299465743' post='649846']
If Gaither isn't re-signed, tackle would take precedence over the pass rush and WR in my opinion.
[/quote]


And even if he isn't resigned, him being extremely injury prone might make one put OT ahead of pass rusher depending on the status of Kindle.

[Clutch Ravens]

We definitely don't need Bannan back.

We recorded a franchise low total for sacks last year and could use a slew of pass rushers. We definitely don't need an old run-stuffer brought back to impede the development of the young players on our roster and those that we draft.