A Coming To Terms

[BmoreInBmore]

The second Billy missed that field goal in NE, I knew the Ravens had missed a huge oppertunity. Last seasons team was in my opinion the second deepest and most talented this franchise has ever had. It was a team consisting of a perfect mix of vetern leadership, youth and talent; the likes of which we may not see for some time. This offseason we have already lost a plethora of players - starters, special team contributers, and depth guys. And now the fact is we just don't have the money to replace them.

This Team still has to sign its rookies, and undrafted free agents rookies, and with only 4.6 mil in cap I cannot forsee us making any splash in free agency, other than perhasp a vetern willing to take the minimum or close to it. That being said, I have come to terms with the fact [b]that most likely next years Ravens will be worse then last years. [/b]

That being said, I still think this team has tremendous upside; however replacing potentially three defensive starters and a Pro Bowl calibur guard, while also acquiring quality depth especially at the safety postion, for Reed will be extremely difficult. I believe a lot of our solutions will come from within, with players such as Kruger, Mcphee, and those we choose to draft. Even so I am concerned with depth, these players previously mentioned had last season provided excellent depth, and im not as confident we will be able to secure the type of quality off the bench that they supplied us with last season.

In addition, the offensive line looked shaky at times last season, and now you remove a probowler from it and bring back two players whose age and physical health could prove difficult to deal with in the comming season. That is where I am most concerned, Birk and Mckinnie are not getting any better.

Depsite this somewhat depressing reality, I am very exicted to see which players step up for us now, this has always been a next man up team, can't wait to see who surprises us.

[izvoodoo]

That's not necessarily true. Players grow and develop. Think of the difference between Webb year 2 and 3. Now if that happens with Dickson, Pitta, Cody and Jones than the team will be better. Besides I think Kruger starting at OLB might actually be a boon.

[Romo Ravens]

I've come to terms that as long as Cam Cameron will run this offense, we will never win a championship.

[Alexir]

Honestly, our defense only gets better. We lost 2 oldies and are replacing them with young, fiery guys who are chomping at the bit.... And that's before signing free agents or the draft. Offense is a huge worry thou, we lost Grubbs and it hurt

[POE]

One thing that could help our cap situation is getting Rice under contract long-term. Or even Flacco for that matter. I disagree with most of what you have said Bmore because most of the guys we have lost were a part of our team, but neither, with the exception of Grubbs, was a key contributor. Don't get me wrong here because JJ and Redding helped make our D what it was, but in my opinion they will be replaced with younger talent that won't give up much, if any, ground from what these guys contributed. Grubbs was good but not great and more youth on the o-line is warranted but I'm confident that Ozzie will get it done. The safeties we losst we great depth for the Ravens but contributed very little to the overall defense and will be replaced with very little seams. I like the direction we are headed in and honestly don't really have many worries.

[bpytnjr58]

From one who has seen many a "Dream Team" come and go in all sports and yes some have won titles egos always get in the way and disrupt the goal of winning a title. I feel the 2012 Ravens have the pieces in place to become a Super Bowl team for a few years and yes they have lost some players to FA but there was a lot of talent standing on the sideline last year and now they will get their shot to prove themselves...I feel this will be a very good team.

[Alexir]

@romo, I thought it was funny when people were saying Grubbs is an idiot for going to saints in the turmoil when No Sean Payton is still better than having a cam Cameron lol

[jaege]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1332438322' post='1031120']
Honestly, our defense only gets better. We lost 2 oldies and are replacing them with young, fiery guys who are biting at the nip.... And that's before signing free agents or the draft. Offense is a huge worry thou, we lost Grubbs and it hurt
[/quote]



I agree with you. Youngs guys will be helpful, and Grubbs will be missed.

[Gtown Purple]

Many had similar pessimism last year when we had to let Heap, Mase, and others go. Look where we ended up.....

[Ravenslifer]

Well I happen to think that nothing could have been worse than last season - lockout shortened offseason, rookie starting wide receivers, 2 second year tight ends that had never started a game, picking up a LT that got cut from his team, the number 1 corner on the team injured again and going in with a rookie corner and a guy in Webb who still looked like he was coming off an injury in 2010. And we still got to an AFCCG.

[FerrariFan87]

Every year people have said the Ravens are going to fall flat, yet every year we continue to exceed expectations. Let's give Coach Harbaugh and his coaching staff some credit...

[PurpleReign92]

This might end up being the Sergio Kindle break out year... If he starts along side Terrell Suggs defensive Player of the Year just maybe we might be unstoppable...

[raybaby]

Why don't we wait to everything plays out before we make these gloomy threads.

[hawkprey]

Why are all the threads now about how optimistic/pessimistic one person is because of one week of free agency?

[sman555555]

the truth is we dont have much cap space and if any team wants to take players from us, they will be able to simply because they have the money to.

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='BmoreInBmore' timestamp='1332437516' post='1031110']
The second Billy missed that field goal in NE, I knew the Ravens had missed a huge oppertunity. Last seasons team was in my opinion the second deepest and most talented this franchise has ever had. It was a team consisting of a perfect mix of vetern leadership, youth and talent; the likes of which we may not see for some time. This offseason we have already lost a plethora of players - starters, special team contributers, and depth guys. And now the fact is we just don't have the money to replace them.

This Team still has to sign its rookies, and undrafted free agents rookies, and with only 4.6 mil in cap I cannot forsee us making any splash in free agency, other than perhasp a vetern willing to take the minimum or close to it. That being said, I have come to terms with the fact [b]that most likely next years Ravens will be worse then last years. [/b]

That being said, I still think this team has tremendous upside; however replacing potentially three defensive starters and a Pro Bowl calibur guard, while also acquiring quality depth especially at the safety postion, for Reed will be extremely difficult. I believe a lot of our solutions will come from within, with players such as Kruger, Mcphee, and those we choose to draft. Even so I am concerned with depth, these players previously mentioned had last season provided excellent depth, and im not as confident we will be able to secure the type of quality off the bench that they supplied us with last season.

In addition, the offensive line looked shaky at times last season, and now you remove a probowler from it and bring back two players whose age and physical health could prove difficult to deal with in the comming season. That is where I am most concerned, Birk and Mckinnie are not getting any better.

Depsite this somewhat depressing reality, I am very exicted to see which players step up for us now, this has always been a next man up team, can't wait to see who surprises us.
[/quote]
smh what a downer. What you forget to realize is that signing Joe and Rice to long term contracts, by June it should happen, we free up cap space, which will allow us to lock up other players and make those signings we normally make. We didnt lose too much in FA. The only real loss that cant be replaced with an easy signing or the draft is Grubbs, but we will find a replacement for him. I think we will be better than last year. Have some faith in Oz. We panic every year and think we will be worse and worse, but we always end up getting a bit better each time.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

I was pessimistic in the begining but not anymore I have this strange feeling about the draft Ihave a feeling Ozzie might hit Gold or Platinum whats better if he hits platinum with a diamond on the side . I like the answer I got from torrey yesterday , I think Doss and Williams are going to tear it up with him and boldin , the move for reid over to guard might be hard but I think it might work .

[Gordo52]

With young players in their prime like..... Flacco,Rice,Smith,Pitta/Dickson,Yanda,*yaaaaaawwnnnnn* Ngata,Webb,Smith,Cody,Mcphee, & Kruger are on our team, the future looks bright to me my friend.

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1332446571' post='1031317']
With young players in their prime like..... Flacco,Rice,Smith,Pitta/Dickson,Yanda,*yaaaaaawwnnnnn* Ngata,Webb,Smith,Cody,Mcphee, & Kruger are on our team, the future looks bright to me my friend.
[/quote]
How bout Sizzle lol

[Gordo52]

[quote name='Sizzlebshu' timestamp='1332446714' post='1031320']
How bout Sizzle lol
[/quote]
And Sizzle! lol. Even though he is getting up there

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1332447203' post='1031333']
And Sizzle! lol. Even though he is getting up there
[/quote]
eh harrison is like 33 34 and is still one of the best in the league. Sizzle is only like 28 29. He's just hittin his stride lol.

[Ravensfan23]

Why is it that every year from the start of FA to the beginning of the season people panic about the State of the Ravens. If I could steal the words from DMase's tweet, "don't worry Bmore we have the best GM in the business".

Anybody that thinks the Ravens couldn't afford to keep any of the guys we lost is foolish imo. Grubbs was the only guy we really wanted to keep and even he wasn't a guy the Ravens felt they couldn't do without. Ozzie anx the Ravens have a plan every year and they stick to it. Does it always happen to a T, no i.e Mathis.

However if people don't think that Ozzie planned on losing the guys we have, then you haven't been paying attention over the years.

We lost a 30 year role player who much like Buddy Lee was a fan favorite, but was limited in production. Its a passing league and JJ is a run stuffer. So he either comes back at our price or he walks. Hell even JJ knew that young guys were pushing him off this team.

Redding was a veteran addition a few years ago. No big splash, nothing news worthy, just a quality veteran looking to join a winning franchise, just like Pryce. That same type of player is available every year and after the draft, we'll probably grab another one. Hell some people were ready to cut Redding last year in favor of Mcphee, now we panic cause he's gone? No.

Zibby and Ruki were good role players, but BP was clearly the better option at SS then Zibby and Danny Gorrer proved able to cover just as strong in Dime packages as Ruki. So I don't see the need to panic. And if we are bugging out over losing 2 ST guys, we sucked in that area last season so change probably isn't bad.

Grubbs was the biggest blow, but he also was apart of the reason we couldn't get much push in short yardage. He had a terrible playoff run, getting destroyed at times by both the Texans and Pats interior defense. I don't wanna make it seem like Grubbs is bad now that he's gone, but our interior issues weren't just all on Birk's shoulders. The Ravens need to improve the Oline with or without Grubbs.

Now people say that last year was our best team, why? Because we got so close to the dance? The only true starter we are losing is Grubbs and if his playoff performance is what we'd have to look forward to, we didn't lose much.

The Ravens will sign the guys they want, draft the guys they want and continue to develop young talent.

If we go into 2012 with an below average Oline, then guess what it will look fairly similar to what we've been seeing the last few years.

So what exactly has us looking worse now then last season?

As for the cap space, we're in the same position as last year. We cut the players we needed to cut and once Rice/Flacco's deals are done we'll be able to shop in the bargin parts of the FA market.

Last year, BP wasn't a top level FA, but was a great addition. Leach while the best FB in the NFL wasn't seen as marquee, but was a great addition. Evans joined the team 3 weeks before the season while Big Mac and Groude joined 1 week before. Yet people still panic over Ozzie's approach.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1332447709' post='1031345']
Why is it that every year from the start of FA to the beginning of the season people panic about the State of the Ravens. If I could steal the words from DMase's tweet, "don't worry Bmore we have the best GM in the business".

Anybody that thinks the Ravens couldn't afford to keep any of the guys we lost is foolish imo. Grubbs was the only guy we really wanted to keep and even he wasn't a guy the Ravens felt they couldn't do without. Ozzie anx the Ravens have a plan every year and they stick to it. Does it always happen to a T, no i.e Mathis.

However if people don't think that Ozzie planned on losing the guys we have, then you haven't been paying attention over the years.

We lost a 30 year role player who much like Buddy Lee was a fan favorite, but was limited in production. Its a passing league and JJ is a run stuffer. So he either comes back at our price or he walks. Hell even JJ knew that young guys were pushing him off this team.

Redding was a veteran addition a few years ago. No big splash, nothing news worthy, just a quality veteran looking to join a winning franchise, just like Pryce. That same type of player is available every year and after the draft, we'll probably grab another one. Hell some people were ready to cut Redding last year in favor of Mcphee, now we panic cause he's gone? No.

Zibby and Ruki were good role players, but BP was clearly the better option at SS then Zibby and Danny Gorrer proved able to cover just as strong in Dime packages as Ruki. So I don't see the need to panic. And if we are bugging out over losing 2 ST guys, we sucked in that area last season so change probably isn't bad.

Grubbs was the biggest blow, but he also was apart of the reason we couldn't get much push in short yardage. He had a terrible playoff run, getting destroyed at times by both the Texans and Pats interior defense. I don't wanna make it seem like Grubbs is bad now that he's gone, but our interior issues weren't just all on Birk's shoulders. The Ravens need to improve the Oline with or without Grubbs.

Now people say that last year was our best team, why? Because we got so close to the dance? The only true starter we are losing is Grubbs and if his playoff performance is what we'd have to look forward to, we didn't lose much.

The Ravens will sign the guys they want, draft the guys they want and continue to develop young talent.

If we go into 2012 with an below average Oline, then guess what it will look fairly similar to what we've been seeing the last few years.

So what exactly has us looking worse now then last season?

As for the cap space, we're in the same position as last year. We cut the players we needed to cut and once Rice/Flacco's deals are done we'll be able to shop in the bargin parts of the FA market.

Last year, BP wasn't a top level FA, but was a great addition. Leach while the best FB in the NFL wasn't seen as marquee, but was a great addition. Evans joined the team 3 weeks before the season while Big Mac and Groude joined 1 week before. [b]Yet people still panic over Ozzie's approach.[/b]
[/quote]
Ozzie's profile will kill any doubt about his ability to run a football team; other 31 team dream to have Ozzie......

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='sman555555' timestamp='1332446127' post='1031307']the truth is we dont have much cap space and if any team wants to take players from us, they will be able to simply because they have the money to.[/quote]

How is that different this year then any other year? The Ravens could be 40 million under the and if the Pats offered a Webb a contract that was too rich, Ozzie would just take the pick and continue to build. Not because he couldn't match the offer, but because Ozzie builds his teams through the draft and low level FAs.

You don't think the Ravens could have keep Landry last year? You don't think we could have afforded LeRon last year? If we felt we needed JJ and Redding this year, we would have pushed to keep them, instead we let them walk.

If we felt our defense wouldn't be the same without McClain, we could overpay him right now and he'd sign. McClain has publicly said we wants to remain here and the 2 sides are said to be in talks, so why hasn't he signed like Birk? Because the Ravens are gonna pay him what they feel he's worth and not a penny more.

That's just the way it is and because of it the Ravens lose good players from time to time. But they never love a guy they feel they can't replace.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1332438512' post='1031126']
@romo, I thought it was funny when people were saying Grubbs is an idiot for going to saints in the turmoil when No Sean Payton is still better than having a cam Cameron lol
[/quote]
Grubbs is going at a great time with all the negative focus on the 'ain'ts for the thugbounties.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='AsianRice' timestamp='1332449420' post='1031394']
Ozzie's profile will kill any doubt about his ability to run a football team; other 31 team dream to have Ozzie......[/quote]

Obviously there are some Ravens fans who would rather have 31 other GMs. I will never forget how a lot of people said that Phil Savage was the brains behind all our success and we let the better GM go to Cleveland.

Then comes the 06' draft and Ozzie trades with Phil. A 6th round pick to move up 1 spot to select Ngata. Ozzie got had and Phil was still able to get his man in Wimbley. Oh the bashing Ozzie took.

Now 6 full seasons later, Ngata is one of the best defenders in the NFL, Wimbley just signed with his 3rd team, Savage has been run out of Cleveland and Ozzie still gets doubted by his fanbase.

Talk about not knowing a good thing when you've got it.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='PurpleReign92' timestamp='1332442838' post='1031240']
This might end up being the Sergio Kindle break out year... If he starts along side Terrell Suggs defensive Player of the Year just maybe we might be unstoppable...
[/quote]
I'd love to see Smith continue to progress, Doss catch a few more passes, Jones and McPhee step up to replace Redding and JJ, and Joe to continue to become an elite QB to shut up his critics. Let's sign a decent, tall and speedy receiver to help take the pressure off of Boldin and Smith. Other than that, I'm sure that we will be fine.

[cobrajet]

We will be fine. Trust in Ozzie, we have great players on this team and we will get better!!!!!!!

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='PurpleReign92' timestamp='1332442838' post='1031240']
This might end up being the Sergio Kindle break out year... If he starts along side Terrell Suggs defensive Player of the Year just maybe we might be unstoppable...
[/quote]

Along side suggs or on the other side of suggs? Anal I know but some fans throw out some crazy ideals. I loved the kindle pick & do hope he turns into what we all thought he could be.

[RayRicefan2720]

Why does everyone say it hurts losing grubbs? How do we know for sure it will hurt us, the season hasnt started yet. Sure hes one of the best in the league, but how do we know reid or oher wont take his place and play really well and plug in for him? We have a great history of plugging in players and they ending up play well, how do we know this wont be any different? I say we just wait and see what happens before just throwing up out hands and saying our oline will be crappy....