What The Ravens Should Do?

[ravenbeast]

Resign gaither and haloti we cut mcgahee let kelly greg go and let cody take over who did fantastic against the chiefs.move jj to ilb because he has very poor pass rush skills and is great against the run.also let landry walk cause we will need to save that money for other players.i also believe josh wilson is a fit at ss we got the top blown off our d to many times. brandon lloyd did it twice in one game it happened in the playoffs vs the steelers.wilsonis faster and would help stop that i believe. i think our corner problem isnt as serious as the pass rush and wr problem. i would resign wilson and carr. the only free agent i would go after is mathias kiwinuka a de/olb hybrid who is a great player that just has 2 probowlers ahead of him. the draft i would draft jimmy smith 1st round then in the second i would get johnathan baldwin which will prolly involve trading up.starting lineups-qb-joe hb-ray rice fb-leron lt-gaither lg-grubbs c-birk rg-yanda rt-oher wrs-boldin-mason-baldwin defense re-haloti nt-cody le-redding olbs-kiwinuka and suggs mlbs-ray and jj safetys-ed and wilson cbs-fox and smith wth carr coming in on nickel dime and quarter downs.thoughts?

[ed.s52]

Kiwinuka is really more suited to be a 4-3 DE, but certainly not a bad acquistion.


And I really doubt Josh Wilson can play SS. I mean at the end of the Falcons game he got manhandled (in an obvious OPI) by Roddy White. Wouldn't be even close to strong enough against the run imo.

I'd prefer to keep JJ inside and use him primarily for passing downs. I'd really like to see Ellerbee continue to progress as our ILB of the future and McClain is still at least servicable.

[Bltravens]

Wilson is like 5'8 190 pounds he'd get light up at SS by the HBs in the AFC North. JJ might be slower than Ray Ray right now, we'd have the slowest ILBs in the entire league.

[darklight1216]

Are periods out of style now?

Your ideas are interesting, but I don't think they're going to happen.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1303353826' post='668037']
Are periods out of style now?
[/quote]


I was gonna say that, but there's actually periods. Just no spacing and capitals after. I couldn't read it, it got blurry, lol.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I like the idea of drafting Jimmy Smith and Jon Baldwin, I would be very happy if our first two rounds went like that, although I would be more in favor of using the first round to improve the pass rush.

However, the front 7 doesn't look too good to me. Kiwanuka, as has already been said, is much better suited to the 4-3. I'd rather see JJ stay as an OLB, maybe kicked inside on passing downs or off the field completely on third and long situations, I don't want to see him as the starter next to Ray because I think that McClain and Ellerbe could do a better job overall.

And as much as Landry's tackling is criticized, I do not want Wilson to try and tackle Hillis one-on-one when he's at full steam. Not to mention he did a very good job at CB and makes plays on the outside.

[Ravens Lover]

[quote name='ravenbeast' timestamp='1303351298' post='668019']
Resign gaither and haloti we cut mcgahee let kelly greg go and let cody take over who did fantastic against the chiefs.move jj to ilb because he has very poor pass rush skills and is great against the run.also let landry walk cause we will need to save that money for other players.i also believe josh wilson is a fit at ss we got the top blown off our d to many times. brandon lloyd did it twice in one game it happened in the playoffs vs the steelers.wilsonis faster and would help stop that i believe. i think our corner problem isnt as serious as the pass rush and wr problem. i would resign wilson and carr. the only free agent i would go after is mathias kiwinuka a de/olb hybrid who is a great player that just has 2 probowlers ahead of him. the draft i would draft jimmy smith 1st round then in the second i would get johnathan baldwin which will prolly involve trading up.starting lineups-qb-joe hb-ray rice fb-leron lt-gaither lg-grubbs c-birk rg-yanda rt-oher wrs-boldin-mason-baldwin defense re-haloti nt-cody le-redding olbs-kiwinuka and suggs mlbs-ray and jj safetys-ed and wilson cbs-fox and smith wth carr coming in on nickel dime and quarter downs.thoughts?
[/quote]

I agree with who you want to let go, but I would keep Wilson at CB, and he is good but Smith I have hurd has attitude and off the field issues and the last thing we need is a possible TO on this team

[Corvus]

So, according to Ravenbeast, pass rush and wide receiver are bigger needs than cornerback, but we should draft Jimmy Smith first overall with NO foreseeable free agency in the future....rigggghhhtt. everyone gets their opinions I suppose.

[RL52TheGreatest]

There's a lot of things the Ravens "should" do, but putting Wilson at SS is NOT one of them. I shudder at the thought of him trying to hit a powerful running back like Hillis with a full head of steam...

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='ravenbeast' timestamp='1303351298' post='668019']
Resign gaither and haloti we cut mcgahee let kelly greg go and let cody take over who did fantastic against the chiefs.move jj to ilb because he has very poor pass rush skills and is great against the run.also let landry walk cause we will need to save that money for other players.i also believe josh wilson is a fit at ss we got the top blown off our d to many times. brandon lloyd did it twice in one game it happened in the playoffs vs the steelers.wilsonis faster and would help stop that i believe. i think our corner problem isnt as serious as the pass rush and wr problem. i would resign wilson and carr. the only free agent i would go after is mathias kiwinuka a de/olb hybrid who is a great player that just has 2 probowlers ahead of him. the draft i would draft jimmy smith 1st round then in the second i would get johnathan baldwin which will prolly involve trading up.starting lineups-qb-joe hb-ray rice fb-leron lt-gaither lg-grubbs c-birk rg-yanda rt-oher wrs-boldin-mason-baldwin defense re-haloti nt-cody le-redding olbs-kiwinuka and suggs mlbs-ray and jj safetys-ed and wilson cbs-fox and smith wth carr coming in on nickel dime and quarter downs.thoughts?
[/quote]
Where is Webb in all of this? Probably the corner I'm most interested in seeing progress.

[neoi78]

how about drafting a RB at latter rounds? since we'll cut mcgahee we need a stout back

[pittman2052]

I think that keeping Mcgahee would be better than letting him walk. He produces as much as Rice with way less carries. We also need to keep Mcclain to keep our running game strong. Hopefully, Kindle will be able to return and play at a very high level this year to take over for Jarret Johnson. Maybe, moving Johnson to ILB will be a good move. I am not really a fan of having Jimmy Smith as a corner for the Ravens. He may be big, but he isn't the Ravens type of player. I would rather have Brandon Harris or Ras I Dowling who are more physical players who play the run as physical as they play the pass. I also feel that letting Landry walk isn't a good idea unless we can get another safety in the draft or free agency. Landry played very well this year. I like John Baldwin. If we didn't get him, I would hope for Leonard Hankerson or Titus Young.

[bravensfan52]

here's a good question. Seems like Aqib Talib has run his course in Tampa and will be let go if there is a season. should we pick him up on the cheap? Gives up the Big physical number on corner we haven't had since c-mac and is only 24 years old

[pittman2052]

[quote name='bravensfan52' timestamp='1303658858' post='669571']
here's a good question. Seems like Aqib Talib has run his course in Tampa and will be let go if there is a season. should we pick him up on the cheap? Gives up the Big physical number on corner we haven't had since c-mac and is only 24 years old
[/quote]

Although he is a really good corner, he would bring too much drama and may even be suspended for a while. His off the field problems keep coming up and that lifestyle may never leave him. We don't need a trouble maker.

[edreedfromtheu]

WHY does everyone keep saying the Ravens should sign Gaither? What indication have you been given that the guy will ever be able to play football again? He has back problems, along with whatever other "undetermined" issues that has kept him off the field. I was happy when the Raven got him, and very hopeful after his rookie season... but the guy is big and has injuries that just don't go away. At his position, where there is contact on every single play, that's a problem.

As far as I know, he hasn't been back on the field even to practice or workout. I haven't heard anything to suggest he's in shape, or will be ready to go should the season start on time.

I mean, as big of a deal as people made about Suggs supposedly being out of shape... it's a guarantee that Gaither is DEFINITELY out of shape. Suggs didn't miss an entire season of football, Gaither has.

And honestly, the offensive line is so far down on the worry list right now. This team needs... linebackers, defensive ends, corners, and of course... receivers.

Then factor in what MAY happen: McGahee and LeRon McClain are no guarantee to be on the Ravens this year. There's back-up QB. The team still has to decide what they're going to do with the receivers. Are they bringing back Stallworth and Housh?

Really, offensive line is just not a priority at this point.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1303661890' post='669606']
WHY does everyone keep saying the Ravens should sign Gaither? What indication have you been given that the guy will ever be able to play football again? He has back problems, along with whatever other "undetermined" issues that has kept him off the field. I was happy when the Raven got him, and very hopeful after his rookie season... but the guy is big and has injuries that just don't go away. At his position, where there is contact on every single play, that's a problem.

As far as I know, he hasn't been back on the field even to practice or workout. I haven't heard anything to suggest he's in shape, or will be ready to go should the season start on time.

I mean, as big of a deal as people made about Suggs supposedly being out of shape... it's a guarantee that Gaither is DEFINITELY out of shape. Suggs didn't miss an entire season of football, Gaither has.

And honestly, the offensive line is so far down on the worry list right now. This team needs... linebackers, defensive ends, corners, and of course... receivers.

Then factor in what MAY happen: McGahee and LeRon McClain are no guarantee to be on the Ravens this year. There's back-up QB. The team still has to decide what they're going to do with the receivers. Are they bringing back Stallworth and Housh?

Really, offensive line is just not a priority at this point.
[/quote]
Gaither would obviously have to pass a medical before he was resigned. Even then, I can't see the team giving him a ridiculous contract. It would probably be very incentive laden, and if he doesn't like it then he can find employment elsewhere.

If he is not signed, then OT does become a need. Last year the O-line was not up to par. This is going to have to be addressed either through the draft or free agency.

I agree with you that we have other needs as well. OLB/DE and WR in particular are more important in my estimation. I think we can get some mid to late round players to address OT, CB, SS, ILB, C. Free agency can than fill in whatever gaps are left.

[wayne]

Wilson at SS would be a good idea if he had a little more weight but he would be injured all the time ( see Bob Sanders ). Moving JJ to the inside would be terrible, lateral movement isn't that good.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='pittman2052' timestamp='1303656359' post='669559']
I think that keeping Mcgahee would be better than letting him walk. He produces as much as Rice with way less carries.
[/quote]

He doesn't. I think Willis should have gotten more carries last season but he wasn't more efficient than Rice with the carries he got.

[SpeedKills]

So many problems with moving Wilson to SS. He'd be run - no, BULLDOZED - over by powerful RBs like Hillis and Mendenhall.

[neoi78]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1303677028' post='669737']
He doesn't. I think Willis should have gotten more carries last season but he wasn't more efficient than Rice with the carries he got.
[/quote]

Your right. Like I said earlier, we need a RB or FB because Willis is slated to make.. dont quote me.. but i think 6mil next year alone? Thats wayyy too much money, the ravens will cut him, or reduce his salary if he agrees to it. Personally, if i was on the verge of winning the SB, i'd take a paycut. But thats his decision, and the decision, thats to be seen.

[pittman2052]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1303677028' post='669737']
He doesn't. I think Willis should have gotten more carries last season but he wasn't more efficient than Rice with the carries he got.
[/quote]


Ray Rice had an average of 3.9 ypc and 5 touchdowns
Willis Mcgahee had an average of 3.8 ypc and 5 touchdowns

Give Mcgahee more carries and the offense will be a lot better.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='pittman2052' timestamp='1303698328' post='669937']
Ray Rice had an average of 3.9 ypc and 5 touchdowns
Willis Mcgahee had an average of 3.8 ypc and 5 touchdowns

Give Mcgahee more carries and the offense will be a lot better.
[/quote]

Every site has Rice's average rounded up to 4.0. That may seem like a negligible but Rice was still averaged more yards per rush.

As for TDs, the majority of McGahee's TDs came on short-yardage plunges. I'd guess he got more carries within the 10-yard line than Rice.

With all the issues the offense had last season, specifically running between the tackles, I doubt it would have been "a lot" better had Willis got more carries.

[mhead66]

[quote name='pittman2052' timestamp='1303698328' post='669937']
Ray Rice had an average of 3.9 ypc and 5 touchdowns
Willis Mcgahee had an average of 3.8 ypc and 5 touchdowns

Give Mcgahee more carries and the offense will be a lot better.
[/quote]
McGahee [b]should[/b] give Rice a breather (if resigned to a lower contract), to save Ray from being worn down too much.

But you can't compare the game-breaking potential of Ray Rice with McGahee. Last year, everyone had a down year, in terms of YPC.

In 2009, the Ravens' RBs averaged 4.7 YPC - 4th in the NFL. In '10, it was 25th - at 3.8 YPC.

To infer that Rice should receive less touches, and McGahee more, because their equally talented... I don't agree. For example, Rice has 141 receptions the last 2 years; Willis has 29. Ray has 3,817 total yards, Willis 1,064.

Taking the ball out of Rice's hands weakens the offense, IMO.

[pittman2052]

Look at what McGahee has done in the last few years. Before this year when he hardly ever touched the ball, Rice and Mcgahee both were having wonderful years. McGahee was coming in and pounding the ball while Rice was more of the elusive type back. Along with McClain, Baltimore in my opinion has the running backs we need to continue our success. Let other backs besides Rice get the ball. Also, the reason McGahee has less receiving yards is because he isn't really a receiving back and wasn't used that way.