The Afc North Offseason According To Profootballfocus.com

[PuRock]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1311097697' post='709682']
We're going to pay Yanda, he's a critical part to the Oline. We all know how mediocre at best our Oline was last year, letting an established veteran in his prime who is arguably our most consistent Olineman walk is just stupid.
[/quote]

No Doubt. I agree, we will pay the man. I'm just being hopeful if somebody swoops in with a ridiculous offer. I always say he's a very underrated part of our team. He can play multiple positions including center. What more do you want from the guy? If we have him at RG, our run game will be better off, but if another player goes down, he can slide over and handle.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1311097697' post='709682']
We're going to pay Yanda, he's a critical part to the Oline. We all know how mediocre at best our Oline was last year, letting an established veteran in his prime who is arguably our most consistent Olineman walk is just stupid. We would actually be screwed on the right side of our line without Yanda. Chester and Reid/Cousins....
[/quote]

I shudder at the thought of Oniel Cousins starting on our OL...

[wayne]

I guess I'm the minority b/c I would love McClain back and the days of your Lorenzo Neal/Daryl Johnston type of FB's is coming to an end and the Peyton Hillis/Leron McClain/Mike Alstot type of FB's will become more of the norm in the coming season with the impact of greater versatility that they bring to the game. Leron only ask for more carries, he neva said he didn't want to play the role of a FB. Yea, he has dropped some weight but even at 240 - 250, Leron still can be a pretty decent blocker.

I would rather have a FB that can run and catch the ball with average blocking than a one demensional FB that's superb in blocking .Many will say I'm insane but I feel McClain can give us similar production to Hillis, maybe even better.

[berad]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1311109747' post='709788']
I guess I'm the minority b/c I would love McClain back and the days of your Lorenzo Neal/Daryl Johnston type of FB's is coming to an end and the Peyton Hillis/Leron McClain/Mike Alstot type of FB's will become more of the norm in the coming season with the impact of greater versatility that they bring to the game. Leron only ask for more carries, he neva said he didn't want to play the role of a FB. Yea, he has dropped some weight but even at 240 - 250, Leron still can be a pretty decent blocker.

I would rather have a FB that can run and catch the ball with average blocking than a one demensional FB that's superb in blocking .Many will say I'm insane but I feel McClain can give us similar production to Hillis, maybe even better.
[/quote]

I wholeheartedly agree with that. People forget that LeRon is still an excellent blocker, though. He's a big reason why McGahee and Rice can post 1,200 yards consistently between 2007-2010.

I'd like McClain back. He's a weapon for this team... if utilized correctly.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1311083729' post='709540']
From everything I've heard about Yanda. He is a very, very loyal type of guy. He's the type of guy that will forgo a big contact to stay with a team. With that being said, jumping to the enemy for a ton of money, is not really his cup of tea.
[/quote]

It seems that the Steelers along with many other teams (Ravens included) will be fighting the new salary cap. Just like us, I don't see them breaking the bank to sigh Aso when they have other needs to fill. They would be laughing if they steal Yanda away similar to the way fatboy Rex was about his moves in previous offseasons.

[CapoRocky]

The Steeler trolls are lined up at the door already.

[flynismo]

,[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1311090177' post='709613']<br />In all honesty, I might be in the minority but I don't see McClain as any sort of priority.  McClain wants to be a running back/fullback and be compensated likewise.  The only reason he would be a priority is because we are short in that position.  <br /><br />I would rather pay a guy like Vonta Leach to be a fulltime fullback and we might even save some money.  There are even rumors that Houston might let him walk.  Which would be a big mistake.  Leach would be like Neal 2.0 for us.  <br /><br />I want a fullback, a guy that wants to block more than carry the ball.  Guys like Neal and Leach get more pleasure out of blocking than anything else.<br />[/quote]


i'm with you on that. McClain can take a hike. Dont like his attitude, his butter fingers, or the fact that a FB wants to get paid like a star.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Ed_Reed20]

I'd like to see Le'Ron return, but it just doesn't seem feasible. Not only is he going to be demanding a relatively substantial amount of coin, someone is going to have block for him when he carries the rock, and the team would have to sign that guy as well.

It would obviously cost less, and possibly be even more effective if the team had Allen and Steele back up Rice and signed a FB.

[BloodRaven]

Heres another thing worth noting, they graded JJ the best outside linebacker against the run.

[quote]1. Jarret Johnson, Baltimore Ravens

Even though he’s top of this list, you wonder sometimes if Johnson is a little miscast in how the Ravens use him. [b]A truly elite linebacker who is unmatched in run defense[/b], Johnson has never (nor can you imagine him becoming) a player who puts the quarterback under consistent pressure. But, he’s a huge part of one of the greatest run defenses in the league, and has finished with our highest grade among 4-3 OLBs in run defense for two of the past three years.[/quote]

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1311148273' post='709967']
Heres another thing worth noting, they graded JJ the best outside linebacker against the run.
[/quote]
Ya I think most Raven fans who actually watch games on tv would have been able to tell you that. JJ when healthy (those couple weeks when he was battling the shoulder issue exempt) you never see him not able to set and hold the edge. Its just too bad he cant get after the QB in any capacity because he is a workhorse against the run.

[Ed_Reed20]

J.J.'s work against the run is a big reason why I don't see Kindle overtaking him for at least a full season. Even though Kindle has strong base of his own, he's going to have to get even stronger in the pros.

[Suggs Package]

I don't see Kindle overtaking JJ at least until his contract is up at the end of the 2012-2013 season. We need to play more 4-3 in pass situations to take advantage of his talent though. I do see Kindle/McClain, Lewis, and JJ as our 4-3 passing down LBs and Suggs, Ngata, Redding, Random FA DE Pass Rushing Specialist/Kruger/Kindle as our passing down linemen.

[BloodRaven]

The question remains, if JJ is an elite runstopper why isn't he playing inside?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1311304958' post='711124']
The question remains, if JJ is an elite runstopper why isn't he playing inside?
[/quote]
We would be extremely susceptible over the middle in the passing game. JJ usually has little shell zones or a big TE bracketed. I cant see him covering a HB out of the backfield, or having a good enough drop to cover the 15-20 range.

[BloodRaven]

You say that like McClain's "coverage" has some sort of tangible effect on our opponents passing game.

[flynismo]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1311304958' post='711124']<br />The question remains, if JJ is an elite runstopper why isn't he playing inside?<br />[/quote]


good question.
I think reliable is a better description, not elite. But whatever; I dont take anything that website says seriously.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1311203150' post='710324']
J.J.'s work against the run is a big reason why I don't see Kindle overtaking him for at least a full season. Even though Kindle has strong base of his own, he's going to have to get even stronger in the pros.
[/quote]

Kindle is just as good as JJ against the run.
JJ's experience with the team, and Kindle needing to get back to game speed will be enough to postpone Kindle's role as our starter for a few weeks; maybe even the first half of the season. But JJ's days as a starter are numbered.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1311203150' post='710324']
J.J.'s work against the run is a big reason why I don't see Kindle overtaking him for at least a full season. Even though Kindle has strong base of his own, he's going to have to get even stronger in the pros.
[/quote]

This. Not to mention that the coaches like JJ and the reliability, if not dynamism, to the position.

Kindle could have a big future as he has a lot of potential, but I just don't see him making a huge impact (eg. starting many games) next year.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1311326464' post='711208']
[b]Kindle is just as good as JJ against the run. [/b]
JJ's experience with the team, and Kindle needing to get back to game speed will be enough to postpone Kindle's role as our starter for a few weeks; maybe even the first half of the season. But JJ's days as a starter are numbered.
[/quote]

Lol for all we know Kindle might not even be as good as Stephen Hawkins against the run.

[Suggs Package]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1311304958' post='711124']
The question remains, if JJ is an elite runstopper why isn't he playing inside?
[/quote]
We didn't have any other potential OLB to replace him

From what I could remember from Jamison Hensley, the Ravens were planning to play JJ at ILB at times to get Kindle on the field. That was before he was injured. If Kindle is healthy and productive, don't be surprised to see JJ inside a lot more.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1311318665' post='711201']
You say that like McClain's "coverage" has some sort of tangible effect on our opponents passing game.
[/quote]
It doesnt, but I cant see JJs being better. We would have the slowest MLB combo in the NFL with JJ and Ray at this point. There has to be someone who can run a little bit in the middle of the field. JJ doesnt also move laterally very well.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1311326464' post='711208']
Kindle is just as good as JJ against the run.
JJ's experience with the team, and Kindle needing to get back to game speed will be enough to postpone Kindle's role as our starter for a few weeks; maybe even the first half of the season. But JJ's days as a starter are numbered.
[/quote]

I'm not saying his work against the run wasn't impressive at Texas, but Kindle hasn't played down in the NFL. I'm bullish about what he can do as a pass rusher, but I'm going to wait before I speculate on when he overtakes J.J.

[wayne]

No way we play JJ at ILB , not athletic or fast enough and its not like he can just convert to ILB with ease, would take him some time to adjust and I mean like in a season or 2 and that's too long term for JJ, no way.

[757RavensFan]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1311387993' post='711703']
I'm not saying his work against the run wasn't impressive at Texas, but Kindle hasn't played down in the NFL. I'm bullish about what he can do as a pass rusher, but I'm going to wait before I speculate on when he overtakes J.J.
[/quote]

This! I just don't understand how folks compare what rookies did in college to what current players are doing in the NFL.

[flynismo]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1311421872' post='711813']&lt;br /&gt;This! I just don't understand how folks compare what rookies did in college to what current players are doing in the NFL.&lt;br /&gt;[/quote]

it's simple. I'll give you an exaggaerated example to illustrate the point.

Who's a better CB, Patrick Peterson or Frank Walker?

or if you prefer a real life example, why would Pagano say that Jimmy Smith is going to be our starter from Day 1?

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1311354947' post='711369']
It doesnt, but I cant see JJs being better. We would have the slowest MLB combo in the NFL with JJ and Ray at this point. There has to be someone who can run a little bit in the middle of the field. JJ doesnt also move laterally very well.
[/quote]

Speed is more important to a OLB than an ILB, besides, I guarantee you a "slow" LB like ancient James Farrior will get to a ball carrier long before a 4.4 workout warrior like Gooden figures out what happened. JJ has the intelligence, mentality and power to own the middle and keep Ray clean in his last years. Maybe I'm just tired of watching McClain smash into the wrong gaps.

[CapoRocky]

A FB is nothing but a blocking back in this league. Hopefully, we can find somebody after the cuts are made down the line if McClain leaves.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1311607751' post='712688']
Speed is more important to a OLB than an ILB, besides, I guarantee you a "slow" LB like ancient James Farrior will get to a ball carrier long before a 4.4 workout warrior like Gooden figures out what happened. JJ has the intelligence, mentality and power to own the middle and keep Ray clean in his last years. Maybe I'm just tired of watching McClain smash into the wrong gaps.
[/quote]
No I agree, McClain and Gooden have no idea which gaps to hit far too often. JJ in the middle would be perfect against the run I have no doubts about that, he's tough as nails and extremely football savvy. My concerns were just in pass coverage, if he would be able to handle a straight north south drop as well as lateral movement over the middle of the field.