A Look At Our Team

[T-ray]

I will look at each position and give a very brief rundown on why I think we have improved/regressed at each spot. Please feel free to share your thoughts; they are needed lol.

Qb) Stayed the same. Sure, we don't have a proven backup; however, I think Flacco is ready to turn elite, and has shown good decision making so far in the preseason (granted, it was just one preseason game and only a couple of series, but still, he looked better) and also a knack for leading the team by his comments AND play instead of just play.

Rb) Improved slightly. Leach is an upgrade over McClain hands down, especially since McClain didn't want to play true fullback so his focus wasn't on blocking most of the time. Williams looks like a slight improvement over McGahee to be honest with you, even if its just through the amount of money being paid. And we have a ton of youth who can step up and make the running department a monster once they get experience (Allen, Berry, Parmele)

Wr) Much improved. Vastly, without a doubt. We now have complementing recievers, instead of recievers who do the same exact things. And we have recievers who won't cry if the ball doesn't get thrown their way very often.

Te) Too early to say, but I think we actually stayed the same here. Heap was a fan fixture and a very good player when he played, but thats the key word: when he played. He was oft injured, and so we always had people fill in once he went down, and they did admirably. We now have 2 TE's who can step it up in Dickson/Pitta, and Pitta looked very good in the first preseason game. And if we keep three, my vote would be Kris Wilson, who is a very underrated talent IMO

O-Line) Slightly worse. I think we need a much needed improvement here, or our offensive skill positions won't matter much, if at all. Our starters are fine (except our tackle positions), but our depth is horrendous. Cousins is never going to be a starter, even a fill in, and we lost our best depth O-Line player by losing Chester.

D-Line) Much improved. We improved here, and we didn't even make any blockbuster moves. We just let players come to their own here. McPhee looks like a possible gem, Jones looks great (like he did before his injury his Senior year at Syracuse), and Ngata should be more explosive as well as Cody with their weight loss.

Linebackers) Slightly better. We have Kindle back, who looked like a beast in the making. We have Kruger playing like he knows its his last chance, and he looked pretty good in the Eagles preseason game.

CB's) Improved, but its too early to say how much. We lost Wilson, who I think could've become a ball hawk opposite the lockdown Smith (of course, all this is based on potential and thinking our DB coach is as good as advertised). Williams looks great, and I hope we use him as at least a nickel corner by the end of the season. I'd love to see him do well opposite Smith, as he looks like a physical press corner who we needed badly last year.

Safeties) Much improved. Pollard is an instant upgrade to Landry, and we have a ton of depth here. Not to mention Reed had a full offseason being healthy and rested. Silva looks like a potential gem also. Ruki and Zibby are very good players, and excellent depth who can step in and spell Reed/compete with Pollard for SS

This is how I see our team. Only improvements I see us needing to do is upgrading our Tackle spot on our O-Line, possibly bringing in an experienced Qb, and firing Cam.... LOL.

[sup?]

[quote name='T-ray' timestamp='1313347768' post='750835']
I will look at each position and give a very brief rundown on why I think we have improved/regressed at each spot. Please feel free to share your thoughts; they are needed lol.

Qb) Stayed the same. Sure, we don't have a proven backup; however, I think Flacco is ready to turn elite, and has shown good decision making so far in the preseason (granted, it was just one preseason game and only a couple of series, but still, he looked better) and also a knack for leading the team by his comments AND play instead of just play.

Rb) Improved slightly. Leach is an upgrade over McClain hands down, especially since McClain didn't want to play true fullback so his focus wasn't on blocking most of the time. Williams looks like a slight improvement over McGahee to be honest with you, even if its just through the amount of money being paid. And we have a ton of youth who can step up and make the running department a monster once they get experience (Allen, Berry, Parmele)

Wr) Much improved. Vastly, without a doubt. We now have complementing recievers, instead of recievers who do the same exact things. And we have recievers who won't cry if the ball doesn't get thrown their way very often.

Te) Too early to say, but I think we actually stayed the same here. Heap was a fan fixture and a very good player when he played, but thats the key word: when he played. He was oft injured, and so we always had people fill in once he went down, and they did admirably. We now have 2 TE's who can step it up in Dickson/Pitta, and Pitta looked very good in the first preseason game. And if we keep three, my vote would be Kris Wilson, who is a very underrated talent IMO

O-Line) Slightly worse. I think we need a much needed improvement here, or our offensive skill positions won't matter much, if at all. Our starters are fine (except our tackle positions), but our depth is horrendous. Cousins is never going to be a starter, even a fill in, and we lost our best depth O-Line player by losing Chester.

D-Line) Much improved. We improved here, and we didn't even make any blockbuster moves. We just let players come to their own here. McPhee looks like a possible gem, Jones looks great (like he did before his injury his Senior year at Syracuse), and Ngata should be more explosive as well as Cody with their weight loss.

Linebackers) Slightly better. We have Kindle back, who looked like a beast in the making. We have Kruger playing like he knows its his last chance, and he looked pretty good in the Eagles preseason game.

CB's) Improved, but its too early to say how much. We lost Wilson, who I think could've become a ball hawk opposite the lockdown Smith (of course, all this is based on potential and thinking our DB coach is as good as advertised). Williams looks great, and I hope we use him as at least a nickel corner by the end of the season. I'd love to see him do well opposite Smith, as he looks like a physical press corner who we needed badly last year.

Safeties) Much improved. Pollard is an instant upgrade to Landry, and we have a ton of depth here. Not to mention Reed had a full offseason being healthy and rested. Silva looks like a potential gem also. Ruki and Zibby are very good players, and excellent depth who can step in and spell Reed/compete with Pollard for SS

This is how I see our team. Only improvements I see us needing to do is upgrading our Tackle spot on our O-Line, possibly bringing in an experienced Qb, and firing Cam.... LOL.
[/quote]
Thats a long one, and I concur.

[1/28/01]

I think the RB/FB portion should be improved immensely. I don't know if people (not you specifically) have a true understanding the difference the addition of a TRUE blocking FB will make....a la Lorenzo Neal for us in 2008!

[BMORElegacy]

A good analysis. I agree on most of your points. The two I feel like I need to comment on are OL and CB. Obviously the offensive line needs improvement, but you forgot to mention the disparity at center with Birk being day to day, and he could possibly be the victim of re injuring whats already wrong when we're in the thick of a playoff push. We have young guys but they are still learning but nobody I'd feel comfortable with filling in. I'm extremely worried about tackle and center.

As for corner. I think we are worse than last year. I know it is too early to start throwing people under the bus but Carr didn't impress, he got burned by a 2-3rd string WR in the Eagles game and he's being paid like a starter? We let our best corner from last year walk and head down the road to D.C.

And an awful lot is riding on Foxworth magically improving out of nowhere. He's a great person but not that impressive on the field. I just don't see how a average to above average corner before a season ending injury is going to come back and line up against number ones. He's been "rusty" this training camp and was getting burned badly at the open to the public practice, and then he doesn't play in the first preseason game as a result of an injury he sustained exactly a year ago? Things aren't adding up for me.

The only real bright spots are the enormous upside of Jimmy, Cary's knack of showing up at game time, and Webb's hustle to get to the ball.

I'm trying to be constructive, but there is a lot of work to do on the offensive line and at corner back.

Overall however, I feel that we are a much more balanced and improved team than last year. We have a great mix of youth and veteran leadership, and have become considerably faster at the WR and TE positions. Like they say, speed kills.

[sup?]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1313349018' post='750855']
I think the RB/FB portion should be improved immensely. I don't know if people (not you specifically) have a true understanding the difference the addition of a TRUE blocking FB will make....a la Lorenzo Neal for us in 2008!
[/quote]
Agreed. But as of now the RB/FB upgrade is hindered by a busted o-line. Even Leach and his massive tree trunk of a neck cant help Ray if the entire D-line is on our side of the line of scrimmage at the snap. Hopefully the next few weeks we see some improved play by the line and possibly some upgrades brought in if Ozzie can find it.

[beasy2487]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1313349079' post='750859']
A good analysis. I agree on most of your points. The two I feel like I need to comment on are OL and CB. Obviously the offensive line needs improvement, but you forgot to mention the disparity at center with Birk being day to day, and he could possibly be the victim of re injuring whats already wrong when we're in the thick of a playoff push. We have young guys but they are still learning but nobody I'd feel comfortable with filling in. I'm extremely worried about tackle and center.

As for corner. I think we are worse than last year. I know it is too early to start throwing people under the bus but Carr didn't impress, he got burned by a 2-3rd string WR in the Eagles game and he's being paid like a starter? We let our best corner from last year walk and head down the road to D.C.

[b]And an awful lot is riding on Foxworth magically improving out of nowhere. He's a great person but not that impressive on the field. I just don't see how a average to above average corner before a season ending injury is going to come back and line up against number ones. He's been "rusty" this training camp and was getting burned badly at the open to the public practice, and then he doesn't play in the first preseason game as a result of an injury he sustained exactly a year ago? Things aren't adding up for me.[/b]

The only real bright spots are the enormous upside of Jimmy, Cary's knack of showing up at game time, and Webb's hustle to get to the ball.

I'm trying to be constructive, but there is a lot of work to do on the offensive line and at corner back.

Overall however, I feel that we are a much more balanced and improved team than last year. We have a great mix of youth and veteran leadership, and have become considerably faster at the WR and TE positions. Like they say, speed kills.
[/quote]

I think a great number of fans have a selective memory regarding Foxworth's play '09. He struggled for the first 8 games but played great for the last 8. His performance was just overshadowed by the dismal play of Washington and later Walker on the other side. We also played some great passing teams that year. If he can get back to the level of play he was at then, combined with our improved line, I think we'll be in great shape as Jimmy develops.

Regarding Carr, we know what he's capable of, I wouldn't read too much into the game. All that said I totally get that you're being constructive and your concerns are legitimate, but I think we'll be fine at corner.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='beasy2487' timestamp='1313350635' post='750886']
I think a great number of fans have a selective memory regarding Foxworth's play '09. He struggled for the first 8 games but played great for the last 8. His performance was just overshadowed by the dismal play of Washington and later Walker on the other side. We also played some great passing teams that year. If he can get back to the level of play he was at then, combined with our improved line, I think we'll be in great shape as Jimmy develops.

Regarding Carr, we know what he's capable of, I wouldn't read too much into the game. All that said I totally get that you're being constructive and your concerns are legitimate, but I think we'll be fine at corner.
[/quote]
I hope you're right. Just looking at the schedule, we are slated to face some pretty high octane passing attacks again this year so our secondary needs to show up.

I just don't see how Foxworth is going to play "great" coming off a serious injury when he has a history of playing poorly when healthy. I can't see how this secondary can be described as anything other than a weak spot on this squad. There are far too many question marks regarding the players that we are relying on to play. The success of the secondary is going to rely on Foxworth and Carr earning their starting money paychecks...

[TrueRaven1327]

Most wouldn't say this but i say we improved more at TE. dickson and pitta are very athletic and todd even how great he was couldnt stretch the field like he once could.i think dickson has a breakout season once comfortable

[scrock]

the only flaw on our team is the O-line...I hope moving Yanda to RT and Redi/Cousins/whoever to RG helps. And Oher needs to be better at LT...and Birk needs to stay healthy when he returns, I hope the knee surgery helps

[funky141]

The biggest issue I saw was O-line. (And that can be all NFL teams concern) If the O-line can make holes for Rice and give Flacco time it should be good season but if not than it will be frustrating at times to watch.

[BMORE HIGH]

I hope that Kindle plays well we need someone else to get sacks. CB's let us down at times as well. Hopefully this will be Flacco breakout year, Ray Lewis isn't getting any younger. The O-line brings some concern, I hope they get that together quickly.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1313353572' post='750933']
The biggest issue I saw was O-line. (And that can be all NFL teams concern) If the O-line can make holes for Rice and give Flacco time it should be good season but if not than it will be frustrating at times to watch.
[/quote]

Offensive line play was atrocious throughout the league.

[The_Raven]

I'm very nervous about the offensive line recognizing the blitz pick-ups. We didnt look good the other night. I understand its early but I hate the bend but dont break approach and I feel like that will be the echo all year.

WR was a bit sketchy until we got Evans. Hopefully he brings back the burner of old because we got little to no seperation vs. that Eagles secondary.

As a guy that saw Kindle play in college multiple times I can tell u 2 things... He's very explosive and very immature on/off the field at times. A very high ceiling with the potential to be a pro bowler but needs to stop acting like he's still at UT.

[wayne]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1313352038' post='750909']
I hope you're right. Just looking at the schedule, we are slated to face some pretty high octane passing attacks again this year so our secondary needs to show up.

I just don't see how Foxworth is going to play "great" coming off a serious injury when he has a history of playing poorly when healthy. I can't see how this secondary can be described as anything other than a weak spot on this squad. There are far too many question marks regarding the players that we are relying on to play. The success of the secondary is going to rely on Foxworth and Carr earning their starting money paychecks...
[/quote]
.....and I would sort of agree with ya but the reason I won't is b/c we will get a lot more pressure on the QB and sacks than we did last year with a franchise low 27 sacks. That will be the difference maker.

[reediddy]

[quote name='beasy2487' timestamp='1313350635' post='750886']
I think a great number of fans have a selective memory regarding Foxworth's play '09. He struggled for the first 8 games but played great for the last 8. His performance was just overshadowed by the dismal play of Washington and later Walker on the other side. We also played some great passing teams that year. If he can get back to the level of play he was at then, combined with our improved line, I think we'll be in great shape as Jimmy develops.

Regarding Carr, we know what he's capable of, I wouldn't read too much into the game. All that said I totally get that you're being constructive and your concerns are legitimate, but I think we'll be fine at corner.
[/quote]

Normally I'd be anti-Foxy but this is too true. Our CB situation is improved since that atrocious time and I expect Foxy to be better. Having Pollard at SS (I expect him to win the starting job) will also help as Landry was a bum in coverage. I really think Cary Williams is going to take a hold of this opportunity he has at a starting job, and maybe allow Foxy to go to the nickel. That'd be something