Eric Decosta Quotes

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='truthistold2u' timestamp='1335665277' post='1066558']
1. One of the biggest weaknesses last year was picking up the tough yard and moving a pile. Rice is great but he's not going to pound it in. Also yes Ravens do have a contract dispute with Rice that's hopefully over before Season

2. 3 carries for 8 yards and he's the guy? Still in the running for back up power back but the role is crucial and needed more options. 2nd RB will Impact the game next year more than a 3rd WR
[/quote]
That 8 yards a carry was for one possession in St.Louis when we were up by 21 in the 4th. To say the box was stacked was I think an understatement.

[Purple Nurple]

<p>[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1335672716' post='1066809']<br />
I&#39;m just saying, if we could fleece a team the way the Rams did the Redskins, with the way our front office wheels and deals and finds steals in the draft, we could build a monster team.<br />
[/quote]<br />
<br />
</p>we can also clone a dragon but unfortunately we have to live in the real world, lol

[truthistold2u]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1335672742' post='1066810']
That 8 yards a carry was for one possession in St.Louis when we were up by 21 in the 4th. To say the box was stacked was I think an understatement.
[/quote]

8 yards in 3 carries. The point was he was hardly proven or impressive to take on a big role with no competition

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1335671503' post='1066767']
Well let's not go that far but it would be nice to miss the playoffs and land a top prospect for once.
[/quote]
No just no, I dont care what prospect is coming out. It is never okay to miss the playoffs for any reason. Especially in this division. As a fan you should be ashamed for even thinking that.

Let me give you an idea of how good this year could be for us despite this sub par draft

Our D line is beyond sick. Mcphee was sick as a rookie and is only going to get better. Cody is an impregnable mountain. And Ngata will be Ngata.

Our LB core will be sicker in pass rushing than it has ever been. Kruger came on late of last year and showed he can rush the passer. Upshaw can play everywhere and with him and kruger rotating in tandem with Mr. BSHU we should get to the qb no problem. Lewis and Mclain return to lock down the middle. Our secondary is stronger than it has ever been.

On the offensive side- We basically retain everyone but Grubbs and set ourselves up for the future at every position we are aging in. Kelechi will be able to play guard well. We also got two new red zone toys to play with. Most importantly, Flacco got Caldwell to help develop him. I see Flacco having the best year of his career stat wise.

On special teams the mistakes that cost us two wins wont be there now thanks to our improvements.

The Ravens have improved. The draft wasnt great for us compared to other teams, but we were much further ahead of other teams to begin with. They just caught up a little. Our season wont be a cake walk thats for sure, but we do have a great shot and winning.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='truthistold2u' timestamp='1335673272' post='1066831']
8 yards in 3 carries. The point was he was hardly proven or impressive to take on a big role with no competition
[/quote]

I was genuinely impressed in preseason. And I'm not a guy who jumps over rookies, but I liked him as a number 2. Wouldn't pick him as the primary back but like him for 5-10 carries.

[truthistold2u]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1335673873' post='1066850']
I was genuinely impressed in preseason. And I'm not a guy who jumps over rookies, but I liked him as a number 2. Wouldn't pick him as the primary back but like him for 5-10 carries.
[/quote]

It was just pre-season though

If he's the best guy he can win the spot but for a huge need and 7-11 touches a game lets make sure Ravens are covered. Especially if Rice contract takes awhile

[blitzking33]

Geeze you guys act like every one of the Steelers and Bengals draft picks will come in and be great from day 1.
Did you guys really expect every pick rounds 2-7 will come in and play right away for us?
We have a solid team coming into the draft with plenty of young players stepping up for a bigger role this year.
This draft was simply for depth except for Upshaw and Osemele, who will most likely step in for J.J and Grubb's role last year.
Other than that, we still have the same team that made it to the AFC Championship game last year, and more experienced promising players such as Jimmy, Torrey, Pernell, Paul and Cary.

As far as depth goes, I really like the Bernard Pierce pick. Kid is determined to make a name for himself to support his new family. He's hungry!

[Grapple Raven]

[i]I totally agree with your assessment Scrock. I kinda got a funny feeling after that press conference with Ozzie when he was talking about Belicheck and the Jones/Hightower picks that something had gone a little amiss. I definately think that got to Ozzie a little bit, you could just tell. Belicheck has only moved up once or twice in the last nine years or so, and his moves came in a one, two punch. Then everybody started trading,moving and picking all over the place like the Cowboys and the Seahawks. I definately think we felt the sting. Something just didn't seem to be going right...the way we jumped on most of our picks so quickly...idk... it was just strange. The fact that several of our picks were "miffed' as Harbs put it they didn't get picked higher...strange yet again.[/i]

[i]As for this drafts' effectiveness only time will tell, but it definately left me feeling slightly discombobulated![/i]

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='truthistold2u' timestamp='1335673272' post='1066831']
8 yards in 3 carries. The point was he was hardly proven or impressive to take on a big role with no competition
[/quote]

Yes he had 3 touches in the regular season. However, he went 11 for 75 in the pre-season for an avg of 6.8 yds a carry, which is what I was referring to when I said I liked what I had seen of him so far. It was about potential. I know it was pre-season etc etc etc, but still, it wasn't about us picking an RB but trading up for one.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

No offense, but some of you are nuts.

We shouldn't have landed Upshaw at all, but we got him after trading back, a total steal.

Osemele is a big, physical lineman with some versatility which you know the Ravens appreciate a lot. I expect him to be an upgrade over Grubbs in the running game.

It sounds like the coaches were excited about Pierce and having seen some clips of him it's not hard to see why. I like Allen and Berry but them being here (and having a total of three career carries between them) is not an excuse for not drafting a good RB when you can.

Gradkowski is a guy who was apparently rated a lot higher by teams than he was "experts" and guys like ourselves. Plus he's a hard worker and I bet he's happy to learn from Birk and replace him.

I like the Thompson pick because he can contribute on ST and Ed Reed must have seen some things from him when he worked out with him (no, I'm not saying he's the next Ed Reed). Not to mention we really needed extra safety depth.

Asa Jackson is a lot more talented than being a late fifth round selection would give him credit for. Plus he's another name to throw into the mix for returning punts and kicks.

Streeter in the sixth is an excellent value pick. I'm not saying he'll be a world beater but we didn't have a mixture of size and athleticism that he now brings to the WR corp.

Tyson's another name to throw into the DL mix which was left short handed after the departures of McKinney and Redding.


Yeah so the Steelers and Bengals both had good drafts. It's not like the sky is falling.

[edsopafan]

[color=#222222][font=Arial][size=2]To me it is obvious several things caused what appears to be an upset plan.[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#222222][font=Arial][size=2]1. There are major numbers of personnel throughout the NFL now that are aware of the tactics and preferences Ozzie and company have and use in deciding on draft board.[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#222222][font=Arial][size=2]2. The new CBA caused a change in the money commitments for draftees. This then resulted in the ability to for more teams to go for higher talented players. Trading therefore resulted in the order of the day. .[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#222222][font=Arial][size=2]3. More teams have taken the Patriots posture in dealing not just with the current year but building the volume of draft choices in future years.[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#222222][font=Arial][size=2]I think when you look at this and some other minor issues it is going to dictate a material change in Ozzie posture and planning for the future drafts. He needs to be less Predictable a much more willing to trade while losing a draft pick in the current year for the benefit of the future and building choice inventory for those trades. [/size][/font][/color]

[color=#222222][font=Arial][size=2]It could be Steve Biscotti needs to step in and ask for the modification. Tough this draft is Satisfactory on paper there was too much surprise from other teams Putting The Surprise on the Ravens. [/size][/font][/color]
[color=#222222][font=Arial][size=2]The is an old rule "The only thing constant is change". This also can apply to our thought processes and planning.[/size][/font][/color]

[Blex64]

[quote name='edsopafan' timestamp='1335700987' post='1066990']
[font=Arial][size=2]To me it is obvious several things caused what appears to be an upset plan.[/size][/font]

[font=Arial][size=2]1. There are major numbers of personnel throughout the NFL now that are aware of the tactics and preferences Ozzie and company have and use in deciding on draft board.[/size][/font]

[font=Arial][size=2]2. The new CBA caused a change in the money commitments for draftees. This then resulted in the ability to for more teams to go for higher talented players. Trading therefore resulted in the order of the day. .[/size][/font]

[font=Arial][size=2]3. More teams have taken the Patriots posture in dealing not just with the current year but building the volume of draft choices in future years.[/size][/font]

[font=Arial][size=2]I think when you look at this and some other minor issues it is going to dictate a material change in Ozzie posture and planning for the future drafts. He needs to be less Predictable a much more willing to trade while losing a draft pick in the current year for the benefit of the future and building choice inventory for those trades. [/size][/font]

[font=Arial][size=2]It could be Steve Biscotti needs to step in and ask for the modification. Tough this draft is Satisfactory on paper there was too much surprise from other teams Putting The Surprise on the Ravens. [/size][/font]
[font=Arial][size=2]The is an old rule "The only thing constant is change". This also can apply to our thought processes and planning.[/size][/font]
[/quote]

Yeah. Or the draft was just thin this year so most of the teams in the NFL had similar boards and were targeting the same players.

[atlravensfan]

The fact that we moved up for a RB may suggest that RR maybe done after this year, esp since the franshise tag maybe given to Flacco in 2013. We already had a brusier behind RR in Allen.

Then again maybe they arent as high on him as I am.

[codizzle]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1335671503' post='1066767']


Well let's not go that far but it would be nice to miss the playoffs and land a top prospect for once.
[/quote]
Umm I'd rather make the playoffs sir

[codizzle]

[quote name='atlravensfan' timestamp='1335701841' post='1066995']
The fact that we moved up for a RB may suggest that RR maybe done after this year, esp since the franshise tag maybe given to Flacco in 2013. We already had a brusier behind RR in Allen.

Then again maybe they arent as high on him as I am.
[/quote]
Flacco definitely isn't gonna be playing under franchise tag.. We'll get him signed

[atlravensfan]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1335702487' post='1067000']
Flacco definitely isn't gonna be playing under franchise tag.. We'll get him signed
[/quote]

I think so too but I think the front office may have wanted a back up plan. If they didn't they wouldn't have moved up for a RB with 3 on the roster.

I guess that maybe the issue when you have two guys that feel like they are the best and should be getting paid around the same as the best guys. Problem is you can't pay them both. If we could I think they would both be locked up by now

[ArmyRavensFan]

[quote name='truthistold2u' timestamp='1335671918' post='1066779']
Offense will be better, defense is better, special teams is a lot better. Looks good to me

Just need a better kicker
[/quote]

Not to mention that our team has gotten significantly younger over the past few years. All of those young players are starting to mature and the Ravens will benefit from that. I really do not see how the draft will affect this year that much. Our previous draft picks are coming into their prime this year. It wont be for a year or two from now that this years draft will have a significant impact on the overall caliber of our team.

[ArmyRavensFan]

I also believe that our cap situation had us picking for need more so than other years. Except the Upshaw pick, that pick was definitely BPA. I really think the Ravens were satisfied with Kruger and that is why they traded out rather than pick Upshaw. But when he was still there at 35, they had to take him. I also think Streeter was a soothe the fan base pick. Hopefully he can progress and solve his route running and hands issue. We really need that tall body to go up and get the pass from Flacco, especially in the end zone.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1335704781' post='1067025']
I also believe that our cap situation had us picking for need more so than other years. Except the Upshaw pick, that pick was definitely BPA. I really think the Ravens were satisfied with Kruger and that is why they traded out rather than pick Upshaw. But when he was still there at 35, they had to take him. [b]I also think Streeter was a soothe the fan base pick. [/b]Hopefully he can progress and solve his route running and hands issue. We really need that tall body to go up and get the pass from Flacco, especially in the end zone.
[/quote]

I don't think so. Ozzie said in the press conference they were looking at 3 things - upgrading the offensive line, finding some more pass rushers, and "continuing to build at the receiver position". We found the pass rusher in Upshaw, went o-line with Osemele and Gradkowski, and found late round value in WR with Streeter - some of those receivers taken were extreme reaches given the round they were taken in - DeVier Posey, T.J. Graham, Keyshawn Martin, Danny Coale, BJ Cunningham. Streeter was a 6th round pick, and I think he has much more upside than any of those guys I named. I was actually still shocked he was there given who was taken.

[GrimCoconut]

I can't believe some of you would want us to be a losing team. I am floored. I'd rather trade our first round pick for a first round pick next year to a losing team to get that high pick than ever be a losing team.

[Blex64]

I don't think Ozzie would ever make a pick to "soothe the fan base." He doesn't give a rat's behind about the opinion of the twitter nation, nor should he.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1335711168' post='1067105']
I can't believe some of you would want us to be a losing team. I am floored. I'd rather trade our first round pick for a first round pick next year to a losing team to get that high pick than ever be a losing team.
[/quote]

I'm not saying I want to be a losing team. I'm saying if it were to happen i.e. a bunch of guys get injured and we have a miserable season (it's the NFL, it happens), and we end up with a high draft pick, we will get great players and reload on talent, and the next year be right back to elite status. And if we were to ever come up with the number 1 pick and a talent like Luck is there again, I think the front office would find a trade partner and get a bunch of first round picks, and find a ridiculous amount of talent.

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1335717161' post='1067199']
I'm not saying I want to be a losing team. I'm saying if it were to happen i.e. a bunch of guys get injured and we have a miserable season (it's the NFL, it happens), and we end up with a high draft pick, we will get great players and reload on talent, and the next year be right back to elite status. And if we were to ever come up with the number 1 pick and a talent like Luck is there again, I think the front office would find a trade partner and get a bunch of first round picks, and find a ridiculous amount of talent.
[/quote]

I know what you're saying as far as the temptation to have a high pick in the draft and add our next Ngata or Sizzle. But we're in it to win it, and we have a great roster now to do that.

[tigerave]

Upshaw was an excellent addition.Keeping the Bama pipeline flowing.