Things Aren't Looking Thatttt Bad

[20ReedsAll]

So a lot of people were pretty upset at the Raven's lack of interest in free agency, especially me. And once again, as the dust is settling, things really aren't looking that bad. We're doing everything that we need to be doing to be successful for not only this year, but for years ahead.

So with Chris Carr coming back, in essence, we swap out Fabian Washington and Josh Wilson for Jimmy Smith and Dominique Foxworth; not to bad huh? I'd take that any time. Kelly Gregg was a hometown favorite, but Terrance Cody seems more than poised to take over at NT, probably even an upgrade with his size and youth. Dawan Landry leaving really leaves me upset, but we've shown time and time again that we can insert anyone next to Ed Reed and still find great success, so its probably time for Zbi to make a name for himself. Now add the extra pass rush we get from Kindle, and we sound set!

Offensively, clearly, we are moving towards youth. I still foresee us adding some sort of veteran wideout to help Joe Flacco out, as well as to mentor the young WRs in Reed, Smith, and Doss. Ray Rice should be Ray Rice, and that offensive line looks promising. Joe Flacco should be even better, and add in the criticism he's more likely than not hungry to prove the naysayers wrong.

The Ravens aren't looking bad at all, and if you ask me, we may even be that "sleeper" team poised for a Superbowl (finally). What do you guys think? Who do you think starts? Heres what I think:

QB: Joe Flacco
RB: Ray Rice
FB: free agent addition, Vontae Leach?
WR: Anquan Boldin, (possibly free agent veteran), Torrey Smith over James Hardy
TE: Ed Dickson
OT: Oher, Reid
OG: Grubbs, Yanda
C: Birk

DE: Cory Redding (possibly some free agent addition/trade)
NT: Terrance Cody
DT: Haloti Ngata
ILB: Ray Lewis, Jameel Mcclain
OLB: Jarret Johnson, Terrell Suggs (Kindle as a pass rush specialist)
CB: Foxworth, Carr, Webb, Smith
FS: Ed Reed
SS: Tommy Z

Seems like a strong line up to me

[baltravens]

A lot of young players have to STEP-UP this season. Hopefully, we re-sign Mason and possibly Heap. At least Mason can mentor our young receiving corps.

[SuRihtanil]

They have Boldin to mentor them he is all they need. They will be fine, they gotta learn sometime. Gotta think without on field experience they will never grow, never learn. I have never learned a job, a game or anything else by just sitting back and watching someone else do it. I only became good at things when I did it myself hands on, over and over until I got it right.

[Jabara]

I'd like Heap and Mason back.
The things that concern me is Birk and our LBs.
Birk seems too old and banged up to play anymore, I hope we have a good back up.
Our LBs really don't impress me, with the exception of the obvious.
Also, JJ doesn't seem to have much left.
I like JJ and Birk a lot, but I think we need to make sure we have depth in these two positions in order to have a strong defense.
Also, I'd hate to say it, but we could possible lose Kindle at anytime, unless he is completely healed, apparently he lost most if not all of his hearing in his left ear. Im no doctor though.
I like Zibby, but I think he really needs to prove himself.

I'm liking the direction of the team, Im excited about this rookie class, I'd like to see some FAs in certain positions as well.

[Owenny]

Would be very happy if we managed to grab Vontae Leach, he'd make a great addition to our squad.

I know the young guys are looking like good promising players at TE but I'd love to see Heap back, he's an awesome player for us.

Would consider Randy Moss or Malcolm Floyd if we could get one relatively cheap for 1/2 years whilst Smith and Doss develop as our #3 WR. I think I'd prefer Moss or Floyd over a Mason return if I'm honest; although I do fully appreciate what he has done for us as he was an incredible Raven for so many seasons.

Still talks of Osi not appearing at the Giants camp yet so maybe he's still seeking a trade.

[Jabara]

[quote name='Owenny' timestamp='1312053171' post='727340']
[b]Would be very happy if we managed to grab Vontae Leach, he'd make a great addition to our squad.[/b]



Would consider Randy Moss or Malcolm Floyd if we could get one relatively cheap for 1/2 years whilst Smith and Doss develop as our #3 WR. I think I'd prefer Moss or Floyd over a Mason return if I'm honest; although I do fully appreciate what he has done for us as he was an incredible Raven for so many seasons.

Still talks of Osi not appearing at the Giants camp yet so maybe he's still seeking a trade.
[/quote]
I agree about Leach, I've heard good things about him.
I disagree with Moss and Floyd over Mason.
Mason is very comfortable here, meaning Joe would have to learn to throw to yet another WR.
I think Moss is done and a joke at this point, and Floyd isn't that good and I don't think would help us more than Mason already could.
I think Osi might remain a Giant.

[Gordo52]

Vonte would make our whole offense so much better. I really hope we grab him.

[Owenny]

Hopefully if McClain definitely doesn't resign we could end up with Leach. Noticed that John Kuhn has still not resigned at GB, if we can't get Leach or McClain I'd love Kuhn but I'd imagine he'd want a lot of money.

Fair point regarding Mason actually, think I'd prefer someone Joe is comfortable throwing to rather than Moss. I stil think it could be worth keeping an eye on Floyd though.

Yeah I also think he will stay in NY, he's still holding out for an improved offer at the moment though.

[Windsorbob]

[size="4"][font="Comic Sans MS"][/font][/size] Since we are now a little thin at Running Back, how about Jason Snelling? He is pretty darn good!

[20ReedsAll]

[quote name='Windsorbob' timestamp='1312054232' post='727374']
[size="4"][font="Comic Sans MS"][/font][/size] Since we are now a little thin at Running Back, how about Jason Snelling? He is pretty darn good!
[/quote]

Definitely don't think we need a running back, we're more than set there in my opinion. We drafted Anthony Allen, who should be a great short yardage bruiser, and we still have Paremele.

[20ReedsAll]

As far as WR goes, I feel like we really don't need an addition, but I'd be more than open to bringing Mason back just because Flacco is comfortable throwing to him. I think now that we've let Todd go, we should just take this as the opportunity to move on...theres a reason we drafted two capable tightends last year. Our young wideouts are looking good, and I'm sure they'll do just fine. As Pitt showed last season, a young, speedy core of WRs can do more than just the bare minimum.

This kind of news makes me feel good about our youngsters too: https://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/97389841255378945 lol

Edit:
I'd also like to add this to my reasons to not like James Hardy, right next to the point that hes not done anything in this league: https://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/97390319712210944

[Jabara]

[quote name='20ReedsAll' timestamp='1312054536' post='727380']
Definitely don't think we need a running back, we're more than set there in my opinion. We drafted Anthony Allen, who should be a great short yardage bruiser, and we still have Paremele.
[/quote]
Allen nor Parmele are proven though, but yeah, it's not that big of a deal, there are bigger holes to fill.

[jdynamite]

I want Leach or Vickers at FB

Then back up RB one of the following : Michael Bush, Ronnie Brown or Marion Barber

Cullen Jenkins at DE

Mason back....
Heap has real chance of signing with the Cardinals in next 2 days.... And I believe that both Dickson and Pitta will improve their blocking since they got a taste of what is expected last season....

[jdynamite]

I want Leach or Vickers at FB

Then back up RB one of the following : Michael Bush, Ronnie Brown or Marion Barber

Cullen Jenkins at DE

Mason back....
Heap has real chance of signing with the Cardinals in next 2 days.... And I believe that both Dickson and Pitta will improve their blocking since they got a taste of what is expected last season....

[wayne]

[quote name='20ReedsAll' timestamp='1312050595' post='727224']
So a lot of people were pretty upset at the Raven's lack of interest in free agency, especially me. And once again, as the dust is settling, things really aren't looking that bad. We're doing everything that we need to be doing to be successful for not only this year, but for years ahead.

So with Chris Carr coming back, in essence, we swap out Fabian Washington and Josh Wilson for Jimmy Smith and Dominique Foxworth; not to bad huh? I'd take that any time. Kelly Gregg was a hometown favorite, but Terrance Cody seems more than poised to take over at NT, probably even an upgrade with his size and youth. Dawan Landry leaving really leaves me upset, but we've shown time and time again that we can insert anyone next to Ed Reed and still find great success, so its probably time for Zbi to make a name for himself. Now add the extra pass rush we get from Kindle, and we sound set!

Offensively, clearly, we are moving towards youth. I still foresee us adding some sort of veteran wideout to help Joe Flacco out, as well as to mentor the young WRs in Reed, Smith, and Doss. Ray Rice should be Ray Rice, and that offensive line looks promising. Joe Flacco should be even better, and add in the criticism he's more likely than not hungry to prove the naysayers wrong.

The Ravens aren't looking bad at all, and if you ask me, we may even be that "sleeper" team poised for a Superbowl (finally). What do you guys think? Who do you think starts? Heres what I think:

QB: Joe Flacco
RB: Ray Rice
FB: free agent addition, Vontae Leach?
WR: Anquan Boldin, (possibly free agent veteran), Torrey Smith over James Hardy
TE: Ed Dickson
OT: Oher, Reid
OG: Grubbs, Yanda
C: Birk

DE: Cory Redding (possibly some free agent addition/trade)
NT: Terrance Cody
DT: Haloti Ngata
ILB: Ray Lewis, Jameel Mcclain
OLB: Jarret Johnson, Terrell Suggs (Kindle as a pass rush specialist)
CB: Foxworth, Carr, Webb, Smith
FS: Ed Reed
SS: Tommy Z

Seems like a strong line up to me
[/quote]
I agree with everything you said except the part about being a sleeper to win the SB. There is no way we are looked at as the sleepers even if we were to not pick up any outside FA's at all, we are one of the favorites to win it all along with Pitts, GB, Eagles, Jets, Saints, Pats, and the Colts ( might be missing a few ).

I hope we resign McClain to a small contract, I would feel a lot more comfortable depending on him to share the load of carries with Rice than the rookies we have but then again, RB is the easiest transition for a rookie so...... I'm the minority, sign McClain and let him be a backup to Rice and we still can sign Leach but that would mean demoting one or two of our young RBs to practice squad.

[Owenny]

I'd very much enjoy Leach and Barber with Heap and Mason back but the cap room would probably prove a stumbling block.

Hadn't considered Jenkins, he's a good shout for DE!

[20ReedsAll]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1312055177' post='727399']
I agree with everything you said except the part about being a sleeper to win the SB. There is no way we are looked at as the sleepers even if we were to not pick up any outside FA's at all, we are one of the favorites to win it all along with Pitts, GB, Eagles, Jets, Saints, Pats, and the Colts ( might be missing a few ).

I hope we resign McClain to a small contract, I would feel a lot more comfortable depending on him to share the load of carries with Rice than the rookies we have but then again, RB is the easiest transition for a rookie so...... I'm the minority, sign McClain and let him be a backup to Rice and we still can sign Leach but that would mean demoting one or two of our young RBs to practice squad.
[/quote]

The point I meant to make by calling us a "sleeper" is that we're definitely not the "flashy" ones automatically favored to win it all. Take Philly, NE, and even the Packers for example; they're already being named "favorites". I'm just referring to us as the "sleeper" good team to make it to the bowl, kinda like the Steelers weren't expected to be the team to represent the AFC in the bowl last year.

[jdynamite]

I don't want Osi with us... I mean he wants a new contract and for me he doesn't fit the lunch-pale mode... I mean if we did get him I would accept him, perhaps he could thrive, because he would be playing along side players that often face double teams (SUGGS AND NGATA) and for his whole career he has played along side another dominate DL (Strahan and Tuck)

Now if Tuck were the person in question I would be head over heels happy he is the versatile, tough DL that would fit the Raven mold

[20ReedsAll]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1312055789' post='727417']
I don't want Osi with us... I mean he wants a new contract and for me he doesn't fit the lunch-pale mode... I mean if we did get him I would accept him, perhaps he could thrive, because he would be playing along side players that often face double teams (SUGGS AND NGATA) and for his whole career he has played along side another dominate DL (Strahan and Tuck)

Now if Tuck were the person in question I would be head over heels happy he is the versatile, tough DL that would fit the Raven mold
[/quote]

Not sure what this means, but I take it that he's content with being a Giant? https://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter/status/97394292695375872

[Jabara]

I posted this rotoworld quote in another thread, big signing coming...

I'm not sure what to make of this, but since we did mention Osi before in this thread, here goes:

"Facing a $30,000 a day fine for each day he didn't report, Umenyiora has apparently realized he has almost no leverage in his pursuit of a new contract with the Giants' defensive line being amongst the deepest in the NFL. He is not dropping his demand for a new contract or trade, however, and says he won't speak with GM Jerry Reese "ever again." Source: Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter"

Sounds like he doesn't have much of a choice, but also has a bad taste in his mouth.

[Windsorbob]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1312055008' post='727393']
I want Leach or Vickers at FB

Then back up RB one of the following : Michael Bush, Ronnie Brown or Marion Barber

Cullen Jenkins at DE

Mason back....
Heap has real chance of signing with the Cardinals in next 2 days.... And I believe that both Dickson and Pitta will improve their blocking since they got a taste of what is expected last season....
[/quote]
Oft injured Bush,Brown, and Barber over Jason Snelling? Really?

[Corvus]

I like how the team is looking, especially since we've got Carr back now, but I still think we need another vet OLB who can bring something to our pass rush (still thinking Manny Lawson if the price is ok) and a true FB like Leach or Vickers. Ideally we bring in a blocking TE until Dickson and Pitta can improve that aspect of their game and maybe one veteran "insurance" receiver like Mason or Floyd, but I don't think those are as neccesary as a FB and an OLB.

[berad]

[quote name='Windsorbob' timestamp='1312056464' post='727429']
Oft injured Bush,Brown, and Barber over Jason Snelling? Really?
[/quote]

The past two years, Snelling has missed just as many games as Barber and more than Bush. I'm not a fan of bringing any of them in, they'll want to be paid.

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='20ReedsAll' timestamp='1312050595' post='727224']
So a lot of people were pretty upset at the Raven's lack of interest in free agency, especially me. And once again, as the dust is settling, things really aren't looking that bad. We're doing everything that we need to be doing to be successful for not only this year, but for years ahead.

So with Chris Carr coming back, in essence, we swap out Fabian Washington and Josh Wilson for Jimmy Smith and Dominique Foxworth; not to bad huh? I'd take that any time. Kelly Gregg was a hometown favorite, but Terrance Cody seems more than poised to take over at NT, probably even an upgrade with his size and youth. Dawan Landry leaving really leaves me upset, but we've shown time and time again that we can insert anyone next to Ed Reed and still find great success, so its probably time for Zbi to make a name for himself. Now add the extra pass rush we get from Kindle, and we sound set!

Offensively, clearly, we are moving towards youth. I still foresee us adding some sort of veteran wideout to help Joe Flacco out, as well as to mentor the young WRs in Reed, Smith, and Doss. Ray Rice should be Ray Rice, and that offensive line looks promising. Joe Flacco should be even better, and add in the criticism he's more likely than not hungry to prove the naysayers wrong.

The Ravens aren't looking bad at all, and if you ask me, we may even be that "sleeper" team poised for a Superbowl (finally). What do you guys think? Who do you think starts? Heres what I think:

QB: Joe Flacco
RB: Ray Rice
FB: free agent addition, Vontae Leach?
WR: Anquan Boldin, (possibly free agent veteran), Torrey Smith over James Hardy
TE: Ed Dickson
OT: Oher, Reid
OG: Grubbs, Yanda
C: Birk

DE: Cory Redding (possibly some free agent addition/trade)
NT: Terrance Cody
DT: Haloti Ngata
ILB: Ray Lewis, Jameel Mcclain
OLB: Jarret Johnson, Terrell Suggs (Kindle as a pass rush specialist)
CB: Foxworth, Carr, Webb, Smith
FS: Ed Reed
SS: Tommy Z

Seems like a strong line up to me
[/quote]

And people keep talking about how 'old' we are.

[Raven43hike]

[quote name='20ReedsAll' timestamp='1312050595' post='727224']
So a lot of people were pretty upset at the Raven's lack of interest in free agency, especially me. And once again, as the dust is settling, things really aren't looking that bad. We're doing everything that we need to be doing to be successful for not only this year, but for years ahead.

So with Chris Carr coming back, in essence, we swap out Fabian Washington and Josh Wilson for Jimmy Smith and Dominique Foxworth; not to bad huh? I'd take that any time. Kelly Gregg was a hometown favorite, but Terrance Cody seems more than poised to take over at NT, probably even an upgrade with his size and youth. Dawan Landry leaving really leaves me upset, but we've shown time and time again that we can insert anyone next to Ed Reed and still find great success, so its probably time for Zbi to make a name for himself. Now add the extra pass rush we get from Kindle, and we sound set!

Offensively, clearly, we are moving towards youth. I still foresee us adding some sort of veteran wideout to help Joe Flacco out, as well as to mentor the young WRs in Reed, Smith, and Doss. Ray Rice should be Ray Rice, and that offensive line looks promising. Joe Flacco should be even better, and add in the criticism he's more likely than not hungry to prove the naysayers wrong.

The Ravens aren't looking bad at all, and if you ask me, we may even be that "sleeper" team poised for a Superbowl (finally). What do you guys think? Who do you think starts? Heres what I think:

QB: Joe Flacco
RB: Ray Rice
FB: free agent addition, Vontae Leach?
WR: Anquan Boldin, (possibly free agent veteran), Torrey Smith over James Hardy
TE: Ed Dickson
OT: Oher, Reid
OG: Grubbs, Yanda
C: Birk

DE: Cory Redding (possibly some free agent addition/trade)
NT: Terrance Cody
DT: Haloti Ngata
ILB: Ray Lewis, Jameel Mcclain
OLB: Jarret Johnson, Terrell Suggs (Kindle as a pass rush specialist)
CB: Foxworth, Carr, Webb, Smith
FS: Ed Reed
SS: Tommy Z

Seems like a strong line up to me
[/quote]
Couldn't agree more

[20ReedsAll]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1312057773' post='727461']
And people keep talking about how 'old' we are.
[/quote]

Well in all honesty, we really were old before this previous week. Letting go of Heap, Mason, etc. has put our younger players in the spotlight. We're definitely a much younger team. The good thing about this is if we do find success this season, it'll be a great sign for the future. Shows that the players we have are good enough to win, and since they'll be around for a while due to their age, we'll continue to win in the future. This season is huge for us in that aspect.

[Ravens Lover]

not that bad the only two things I would do would be resign Mason and trade for Umaniora if possible

[berad]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1312057773' post='727461']
And people keep talking about how 'old' we are.
[/quote]

Lazy analysts who don't look past Ray and Ed.

[20ReedsAll]

[quote name='Ravens Lover' timestamp='1312057970' post='727467']
not that bad the only two things I would do would be resign Mason and trade for Umaniora if possible
[/quote]

I agree, that's pretty much my to-do list...I'd also throw a FB in there as well, I don't see LeRon coming back.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1312053027' post='727333']
I'd like Heap and Mason back.
The things that concern me is Birk and our LBs.
Birk seems too old and banged up to play anymore, I hope we have a good back up.

[/quote]

I was pretty certain we had picked up a Center out of the undrafted rookies. I figure it will be Birk grooming this season.

I still say we need a FB. I'd like it to be McClain but that seems unlikely. So we need a good blocking FB from FA.

And we need to re-sign Heap and Mason.