What Are You Looking Forward Too?

[arnie_uk]

What are you looking forward to in this upcoming season. Now i know we all want a superbowl, but thats not the answer im searching for. Be more specific.

For me im looking forward to three things in particular.

1. Joe Flacco and his WR core (with Oline and Play Calling help) taking the next step.

While his stats regressed last year, i think he improved in a lot of areas. Footwork and pocket awareness improved in the later part of the season, clutchness, decision making (exception being some dreadfull over the middle throws) ball placement etc improved imo. I think with another season under his belt with Torrey and the TEs, and a possible huge RZ threat, his "stats may take a huge leap, but his played Im hoping, regardless of what the stats are take our offense and teams to the next level. Hes a big time player, and i think them big time preformances may become more consistently this time around.

2. What Bernard Pierce has to offer and how this affects RR.

We all know the rumours, RR has turned down Arian Foster type money and is looking for an AP deal. I want to see in preseaon, Camp, and what chances Pierce gets either as a back up or primary back if RR misses some of the season, how Pierce preforms. If he preforms admirally, showing he can be a primary RB in this league and for us, provided RR plays out on the Tag this year, I'd be inclined to let him walk and us the money saved elsewhere, maybe of a LT, or on a WR that may hit FA next year, or making sure our defense is re loaded, being resigning FAs Cary, Ed, and Bernard.

Im not sure RR is a top runner, like AP, or Chris Johnson on his day, and even Arian, and his pass catching ability could be replicated by a RB as long as they can catch the ball. But this is all provided Pierce can actaully make that step into the Pros and show what he has.

3. Upshaw proving me wrong

Before the draft, and even after we drafted him, i havent seen Upshaw as more than a JJ type player, at least for a few years. I hope he can come in, win the starting spot, shut down the run, and seal the edge as well as we all know he can, which will be pretty much on par with JJ imo. But can he get that added pass rush, or will he get bottled up by big strong, long armed tackles. I would love for him to come in and be that help across from suggs and deliver anywere between 8-12 sacks. Im not sure it will happen, but im looking forward to be proven wrong.

So, what are you looking forward to this season?

[CalvinSmoke]

I look forward to seeing what Dean Pees does with this defense. I always get excited when we get new coordinators

[First_Impression]

In short,
-Youth injected into our old deteriorating line
-Progression of passing game with our young WR's and TE's
-Ray Rice signed to a reasonable deal
-Our draft players proving all the fans that are disagreeing with our picks wrong. I believe only Upshaw, K.O, and Pierce will get this chance... maybe Asa as a specialist.

[usmccharles]

1) Joe Flacco- This has to be the year that he breaks out. Ive said it before, if he wants any credit for being a top qb, he needs to have 30td's to 10int's with 4,000yards at the least. He needs to hold on the ball better, cut down those fumbles and keep it together when the pocket collapses...id like to see him take off and run a bit more, we know he can. And the sad thing is...this doesnt really fall on joe, Cam has to open the play book more and give joe more control.

2) The secondary- With webb showing that hes a potential shutdown corner, revis style, and with jimmy smith getting more time and cary williams back there, it looks like this could be a very dangerous pass defense wich will open up the qb pressure.

3) the defense- i was extremely upset when i heard that Pagano got the job for the colts, i loved his attitude and agressiveness, im worried that we will lack some of that organized chaos, i dont know much about our new DC, maybe someone can fill me in.

4) Playoffs- I know its early to say that word but the reason im putting this here is that im nervous that our streak will die down soon. right now we have the longest consecutive streak in the nfl making the playoffs since joe got here, hard to imagine we keep it up especially with the tough schedule we have.

5) special teams- we need to improve our return game and we need to do that without webb back there, hes to important to the defense now to take that chance of returning kicks, i dont know how we can have david reed back there still, we need to start off with better field positioning.

6) Ray Lewis- is this the year that we see a drast drop off in production? or is it yet another year of...how is he still playing at this high of a level?

7) Lastly, Our division- We know what the steelers are, we have an idea of the bengals, but now there is the browns. Adding in a great talent at RB, a new qb should make things interesting. they still need to get some WR weapons, but this division could end up being like the NFC north soon. All teams play good defens to an extent, browns have a good secondary led by haden, and we know the rest of the division. Life could get even harder in the AFC North


sorry so man...bored at work

[Crabcakes&Football]

Right now, I'm most looking forward to seeing this team take the field, the rematch with the Pats in particular. I think the area of the team I'm most interested in is Joe Flacco and the passing game. This could be the year we see him transition into a top passer in the league. The question is, outside of Q and Torrey, who steps up? Also the O-line, how will Osemele or whoever is our LG next year fill Grubbs shoes, will we get the same Oher who dominated in his rookie season? And I like the Bernard Pierce pick, RR is a complete back but Pierce might eventually become the better pure runner in our zone blocking scheme.

On the defensive side I want to see a more consistent pass rush. Even though we were among the league leaders in sacks, it seemed like towards the end of the year teams were able to focus on stopping Suggs and that was it for the pass rush. We'd have a game where we tie the franchise record in sacks then go through stretches where it wasn't there. If we can get 12+ sacks across from Suggs with Upshaw/Kruger that will go a long way.

[757RavensFan]

I'm looking forward to the competition between Upshaw, Kruger, and Kindle. It's unfortunate that training camp is no longer at McDaniel College. I would have definitely gone to watch those 3 battle it out!

[jdynamite]

1) I'm looking forward to seeing this entire secondary play again after all of the guys were truly broken in last year in terms of starts or first year playing with the Team. Now with the young corners hard hitting pollard and Reed back there I'm hoping it's a game of pick your poison throw underneath get laid out by pollard, over top and Reed, Webb, Smith INT, ( Cary Williams has butterfingers but he is always in the play lol).

2) Defense Co-Ordinator - I was so happy that Mattison left and went to Michigan. Pagano gave the defense a face-lift last year and put Baltimore aggression and pass pressure back on the map. Now with Pagano getting stolen after 1 season, Smh, we once again have a new DC, every co-Ordinator has their own style I'm just hoping Pees style is closer to Pagano's rather than Mattison's style.

3) The Battle For 3rd WR.... It would seem La.Williams should be lead man since he played in most games last year while lee Evans was hurt... Tandon Doss rarely suited up and I never knew why... Streeter has to develop his route running further... Reed doesn't count he is injured doesn't have a catch in 2 seasons ...

4) number 3 doesn't matter if we don't see more creative play calling from Cameron. I want to see Boldin moved to slot more often such as in the playoff games this year to create mismatches, use motion different personnel packages.....

5) the Double TE - will the consistent Pitta takeover as the starter this year?? Does it even matter perhaps Cam will begin to use more TE packages to create matchups

[Tiz]

Offensively looking fwd to more connections deep between flac and torry.

Looking fwd to ant allen getting goalline carries.

Defensively
Looking for upshaw to be droy
Webb dpoy
Reed sb mvp

[Tank 92]

1. Sweeping our AFC North opponents.

1A. Kicking some patsie butts! Especially brady's.

[Pino]

KRUGER! MCPHEE! SERGIO!

I want those guys to explode. our new players can wait.

also, i want laquan to get in the game more

[bmorefan444]

I can't wait to see what tricks Cam Cameron has up his sleeve to make this developing offense more explosive.

Wait...

[GrimCoconut]

Unlike my normally verbose posts, I will post bullet points.

1. Flacco getting his extension early, before the season.
2. Ed Reed getting an extension.
3. The progression of the raw talents in McAdoo, Kindle, Doss, LaQ Williams, Harewood, Reid, Brown, Gorrer, McClellan.
4. Our offensive line and its performance.
5. The impact of our rookies Upshaw, Osemele, Pierce, Gradkowski, Jackson, Thompson, Streeter and Tyson.
6. Billy Cundiff and his competition.
7. How Flacco, The Smiths, Webb, McPhee, Cody, Pitta, Dickson have progressed.
8. The impact Caldwell has on Flacco and Tyrod.
9. The new defensive scheme and how it will impact us.
10. Our new and revamped special teams
11. Who wins the KR and PR job.

That's all that comes off the top of my head. Could be more. They are in no particular order except that's how I thought of them.

[CapoRocky]

The first exhibition game against the Falcolns. We will have a pretty good idea of where we stand by then.

[bpytnjr58]

I am looking forward to them playing the Steelers twice in three weeks!

[CorvusCorax]

I'm looking forward to our profilic defense, an improved special teams, and an offense that should rank much higher than 19th.

[Yatagarasu]

Project Offensive Output:

QB:
Joe Flacco reaches around 4000 yards

WR:
Torrey Smith emerges as #1 WR with 70-80 catches, over the 1000 yard, and double digit TDs
Tandon Doss finally breaks out and probably gets 60-70 catches, 800 yards and will be used as the 3rd Down WR to move the Chain like Kelley Washington back in 2009
Anquan Boldin gets about 50-60 catches and around 700 yards - Mainly used as blocking WR and more slot work duty
Ray Rice Receptions and Reception Yards goes down to 30-40 and 300 yards as we use Tandon Doss more in passing plays

TE:
Ed Dickson - 30-40 catches - 500 yards - He will be used a seam route vertical TE
Dennis Pitta - 40-50 catches - 500 yards - Will be used for 3rd down and goalline situations

RB:
Ray Rice will average 15 touches a game (Including receptions) and get about 1400 total yards with 1100 yard rushing
Bernard Pierce will reach 800 yards and breakout as a strong RB #2

[Yatagarasu]

Here's an achieveable goal for the Ravens.

No Return TDs Allowed for the 2012 Season due to the improved strength of the kickoff and punt return team.

Gunners:
Corey Graham
LaQuan Williams

ST Back-ups
Albert McClellan
Brendon Ayanbadejo
Emanuel Cook
Sean Considine

[Token]

I'm looking forward to seeing how fast Torrey really is now that he is fully healthy.

[SecretAgentMan]

Look at my signature, you will figure out the first one.
Leach Killing Harrison again.
Upshaw breaking out, but Sergio does as well!
Pitta breaking out

[ravensfan160]

I'm looking forward to seeing what our defense will be like with a legitimate pass rusher opposite Suggs.

[hawkprey]

I have this glimmer of hope that the offense won't be run as poorly as it was last year, but you never know.

Also the potential of having two shutdown corners, a ballhawk safety, and a ton of pass rushers all working at once.

[BMORElegacy]

I'm excited to see the development of the young receiving targets. I've been a Doss supporter and am looking forward to seeing him getting on the field. He was hand-picked by Joe and I think they'll blossom together.

[Cville-Raven]

Torrey smith microwaving every corner in this divison

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1335985117' post='1070053']
[b]I have this glimmer of hope that the offense won't be run as poorly as it was last year, but you never know.[/b]

Also the potential of having two shutdown corners, a ballhawk safety, and a ton of pass rushers all working at once.
[/quote]

I feel like we're a fanbase in denial on this one. We've said this every year hoping for a change, but only getting more of the same....

*sigh*

[ravens rule]

I wanna see the o-line to be much better than last year, Torrey Smith making plays, and see if Jimmy Smith can be that "shutdown corner" opposite L Webb.

[big hits and ball hawks]

Right now, I'm looking forward to the more immediate future things. Updates on how OTA's are going, Training Camp to start, all the great competition that'll be happening in TC and during the preseason, going to watch a practice at M&T, and preseason games. I suppose I'd like to hear that some deals have been done, but I'm way more pumped for football than business.

Competition I'm most looking forward to would be WR, OLB/DE, RB, OG/OT, KR/PR, and K.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to the regular season and beyond, I'm really excited for the team this year. This is just an "as of right now". I'll comment more in depth when this thread gets revamped, or just remade, closer to the regular season.

[BmoreRavens732]

Im looking forward to there being no serious injuries in camp or preseason....i get nervous every year on that

[IMissMattStover]

I look forward to two things. The first is people using proper grammar in their thread titles. The other is this August. I cant wait to see how this team is going to pull together next season. Should be quite a show.

[Raven07]

for me , im looking forward to seeing the development of the young Recievers in Tandon Doss, Reed exc....... seeing as how the ravens have stated they arent interested in bringing in another WR, they feel comfortable with our current guys, im interested in seeing how the guys have come along and develop chemistry with the rest of the guys.

if things are reportedly as good as the ravens believe...im looking for the Ravens to get a big Jolt of Youth, talent, upside, and potential.

Big things are to come, and looking forward to watching it all unfold.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Cville-Raven' timestamp='1335985420' post='1070057']
Torrey smith microwaving every corner in this divison
[/quote]
Especially the Bengal's first rounder Kirkpatrick. He's pretty slow.