This (2012) Off Season Has Been Pretty Bad For The Ravens

[ravefan52]

We have had a lot of bad stuff happen, but we also have some players to look foward to this upcoming year:
Ladarius Webb - future shutdown corner who's one of the best in the league. He is also young and getting better

Jimmy Smith - He obviously has a lot of talent and he just needs a little experience

Torrey Smith - Great rookie season and I'm so excited so see what he can do with a full season under his belt, a full offseason, and no injuries

Joe Flacco - Hes gotten better and has won at least one playoff game each year. I think getting Caldwell will help him a lot

Terrance Cody - I think he gets to the pro bowl next season

Michael Oher - People like to bash on Oher, but the thruth is hes a young tackle who plays the left and right side well

Dickson and Pitta - I think both of them have breakout seasons next year. I expect us to use them a lot and I definitely saw more chemistry with Flacco last year than their first year

Jameel McClain - I think people have already forgot about his signing. Hes one of my favorite players and could definitely see him making the pro bowl in the next few years. Hes a young linebacker with talent and drive, not to mention hes learning from the best

Courney Upshaw - He is a rookie, but I like him a lot. I think he will be a big factor on the defense recording 10+ sacks

Marshall Yanda - Although he is a veteran he is relatively young and is at his peak. I expect him to be a leader on the line and fire people up with his play

[size="3"][size=3][size=4]Pernell McPhee - I loved watching him last year and see him embracing his new role on the defense and helping in the sack category[/size][/size][/size]

[size="3"][size=3][size=4]Paul Kruger - I don't know what to expect from him, but he'll get his chance this season and he has potential to be good[/size][/size][/size]

[jdynamite]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1341097040' post='1094559']
This John Clayton article is about the "Theory of 150" concept - that when a teams' starting OLine reaches 150 (averaging 30 yrs. old each), that team starts going downhill. It's an interesting read... and somewhat disturbing. The Ravens have the oldest OLine in the NFL - the starters are 155, collectively.

[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8112247/nfl-how-long-too-long-o-line"]http://espn.go.com/n...too-long-o-line[/url]
[/quote]

Haven't been on here in a few weeks but I did read that article when it was first posted on ESPN, Clayton does make some key points but B.Williams could be beat out in Camp by a young player then the age would drop by at least 10 years and give way to the argument somewhat..

[mhead66]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1342995666' post='1101845']
Haven't been on here in a few weeks but I did read that article when it was first posted on ESPN, Clayton does make some key points but B.Williams could be beat out in Camp by a young player then the age would drop by at least 10 years and give way to the argument somewhat..
[/quote]
Absolutely... If/when K.O. is ready to replace Williams. That is the question.

My concern is that our reserves are woefully inexperienced, with not one NFL start among them. I think this will be both McKinnie's and Birk's last season, so we'll need replacements... which means we need to give some of the youngsters some game experience this year. I'm not certain that, beyond K.O., we've got a lot of starting-quality potential waiting in the wings - like Boren, Gradkowski, etc. - that are capable of replacing our aging vets.

[Yum Chickens]

So basically our main concern for the offseason is... Suggs out for around 6 weeks, when we luckily drafted one of the best pass rush specialists in the draft right before that happened.

Does the OP want to admit he was overreacting now? =)

Edited: For my grammarz

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Yum Chickens' timestamp='1343012089' post='1101896']
So basically our main concern for the offseason is... Suggs out for around 6 weeks, when we luckily drafted one of the best pass rush specialists in the draft right before that happened.

Does the OP want to admit he was overreacting now? =)

Edited: For my grammarz
[/quote]Upshaw is not a pass rush specialist. Bruce Irvin is a pass rush specliast. Upshaw is one of the most complete OLBs to come out of the draft though, he can rush, run block, drop a bit, a bit...

Whereas Bruce Irvin rushes and rushes only. Thats a pass rush specialist.

Upshaw is probably in the number range 5-10 for OLBs drafted this year in pass rush ability. Ingram, Irvin, Perry, Mercilus etc would all be better pass rushers, with only ingram and perry competing with him as a complete player.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1343046309' post='1101942']
Upshaw is not a pass rush specialist. Bruce Irvin is a pass rush specliast. Upshaw is one of the most complete OLBs to come out of the draft though, he can rush, run block, drop a bit, a bit...

Whereas Bruce Irvin rushes and rushes only. Thats a pass rush specialist.

Upshaw is probably in the number range 5-10 for OLBs drafted this year in pass rush ability. Ingram, Irvin, Perry, Mercilus etc would all be better pass rushers, with only ingram and perry competing with him as a complete player.
[/quote]
Don't forget he was also playing at around 280-290 and was going to take off weight this offseason to make himself more explosive. He'll be getting to the QB as well as almost any rookie.

[PuRock]

I'm a little late to the conversation but I still find it very amusing. I don't see how we had a rough offseason.

Everyteam has contract issues. And the fact that we have Rice signed to a long term deal, and perhaps even Flacco before TC, we are ahead of the eight ball. Besides, we are one of the few teams that actually takes care of our own. We have nobody with a franchise tag this year. The stuff the OP Listed is the usual (besides Suggs).

Sure we lost Suggs, but we are built to plug and play (the same can't be said for the Colts). Our young guys will make household names this year.

How many arrests did we have? How many QB controversies do we have? How many fans want to oust our FO/Owner? Compare us to other teams we are having a great offseason.

[The Raven]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1343052239' post='1101960']
Don't forget he was also playing at around 280-290 and was going to take off weight this offseason to make himself more explosive. He'll be getting to the QB as well as almost any rookie.
[/quote]

Source? I've never read that he played around 290.

And Arnie's right. Upshaw is not a specialist. He's an all around good OLB. Stops the run and rushes the passer.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1343065298' post='1102074']
Source? I've never read that he played around 290.

And Arnie's right. Upshaw is not a specialist. He's an all around good OLB. Stops the run and rushes the passer.
[/quote]

The highest I've read him weighing in at is 280.

[quote]
[color=#333333][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Another key number: 279. Upshaw said he had gained six pounds since weighing in at 273 at the combine, when he had hoped to drop down to 265-268.[/size][/font][/color]

[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_/id/7752858/2012-nfl-draft-trent-richardson-impresses-alabama-pro-day"][color=#333333][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Link[/size][/font][/color][/url]
[color=#333333][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/quote][/size][/font][/color]

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1343066632' post='1102081']
The highest I've read him weighing in at is 280.

[/size][/font][/color]
[/quote]

Thats what I thought

[FlaccoFlicker]

To me it seems we here this every year. We had a bad offseason. And we turn out fine. We lost some key players but thats the business. Its up to the players and coaches to work with what they.have and find that winning formula.
I really think this season is the yr opens up the eyes of alot of people

[hawkprey]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1343065298' post='1102074']
Source? I've never read that he played around 290.

And Arnie's right. Upshaw is not a specialist. He's an all around good OLB. Stops the run and rushes the passer.
[/quote]
OK so it was 280. That's why I put a range. I wasn't sure which one it was. I can tell 3 and 4 apart but once you get up to like 7, 8, and 9 they all blend together.

[Yum Chickens]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1343046309' post='1101942']
Upshaw is not a pass rush specialist. Bruce Irvin is a pass rush specliast. Upshaw is one of the most complete OLBs to come out of the draft though, he can rush, run block, drop a bit, a bit...

Whereas Bruce Irvin rushes and rushes only. Thats a pass rush specialist.

Upshaw is probably in the number range 5-10 for OLBs drafted this year in pass rush ability. Ingram, Irvin, Perry, Mercilus etc would all be better pass rushers, with only ingram and perry competing with him as a complete player.
[/quote]

Huh, my bad.

So I'll rephrase. We drafted a first round talent OLB right before Suggs was injured.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1343054429' post='1101981']
I'm a little late to the conversation but I still find it very amusing. [u][b]I don't see how we had a rough offseason.[/b][/u]

Everyteam has contract issues. And the fact that we have Rice signed to a long term deal, and perhaps even Flacco before TC, we are ahead of the eight ball. Besides, we are one of the few teams that actually takes care of our own. We have nobody with a franchise tag this year. The stuff the OP Listed is the usual (besides Suggs).

Sure we lost Suggs, but we are built to plug and play (the same can't be said for the Colts). Our young guys will make household names this year.

How many arrests did we have? How many QB controversies do we have? How many fans want to oust our FO/Owner? Compare us to other teams we are having a great offseason.
[/quote]

me either.

~Mili

[scrock]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1340118459' post='1091298']
I'm a little worried about the Ravens and the season that's coming up. I know its early and every team has issues, but it seems more than normal for the Ravens.
20 players no show for mini camp -[b] happens every year[/b]
Suggs out -[b] injuries happen other guys step up, new stars are found[/b]
Ed Reed not sure if he is going to play - [b]He is[/b]
Ngata a little out of shape - [b]He isnt[/b]
McKinnie way out of shape -[b] also wrong[/b]
Ray Rice contract issues -[b] nope[/b]
Joe Flacco contract issues -[b] nope[/b]
and much more - [b]?? what? i dont see any[/b]
[/quote]

[ellicottraven]

I think you may now be classified as a classic 'worry wart'!

[TheRavenouseD2008]

to be consumed by worry is to lack trust that things are in better control then you know and that regardless of the outcome you still can not control it so why worry . Even if it had been a disaster there is always hope and next year .

[Gordo52]

We have so much to look foward to this year, that I feel like starting a thread about it but I'm to lazy. lol.

This offseason has been great. (Besides Suggs injury).

[TheRavenouseD2008]

the comedy coming out of the Suggs injury has been hilarious if you follow him on facebook look at the bright side he can make us laugh off the field the man is comic genius and a quarterback nightmare no wonder 55 is so valued lol

[da#1ravensfan]

Controversy seems to help the Ravens because they thrive when people think they dont have the ability to. As long as they're not many injuries we should be fine.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Yum Chickens' timestamp='1343109614' post='1102311']


Huh, my bad.

So I'll rephrase. We drafted a first round talent OLB right before Suggs was injured.
[/quote]
Lol. We like to nitpick around here.

[Alexir]

20 players no show for mini camp -> Ok, this one was interesting. But as long as they show up to TC, I'm fine.

Suggs out -> Apparently for OLB, that conditioning test is hard. Suggs gets injured, Upshaw cant finish it. Seriously though, this is the worst thing that happened this off season.

Ed Reed not sure if he is going to play -> He will report, just wanted mo money

Ngata a little out of shape -> Aaron Wilson said he slimmed down a little bit

McKinnie way out of shape -> For his size, he is not way out of shape. Probably needs to drop another 8 pounds or more.

Ray Rice contract issues -> Got paid.

Joe Flacco contract issues -> Not going to pay him what he thinks he is worth, he needs to step it up this year if he wants Great QB money

and much more -> Much more? Only thing I can think of is that out of 4 players competing at LG, not a single one of them has truly impressed the coaching staff. So we might be bringing in a 5th.


Thoughts? -> We will be fine.

[funky141]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1343224426' post='1102812']
20 players no show for mini camp -> Ok, this one was interesting. But as long as they show up to TC, I'm fine.

Suggs out -> Apparently for OLB, that conditioning test is hard. Suggs gets injured, Upshaw cant finish it. Seriously though, this is the worst thing that happened this off season.

Ed Reed not sure if he is going to play -> He will report, just wanted mo money

Ngata a little out of shape -> Aaron Wilson said he slimmed down a little bit

McKinnie way out of shape -> For his size, he is not way out of shape. Probably needs to drop another 8 pounds or more.

Ray Rice contract issues -> Got paid.

Joe Flacco contract issues -> Not going to pay him what he thinks he is worth, he needs to step it up this year if he wants Great QB money

and much more -> Much more? Only thing I can think of is that out of 4 players competing at LG, not a single one of them has truly impressed the coaching staff. So we might be bringing in a 5th.


Thoughts? -> We will be fine.
[/quote]
I agree, it seems to be getting better. Rice us signed and Reed is in camp.

[funky141]

I spoke to soon...
Just heard on the Fan, Ngata is way to heavy, thus why he failed his conditioning test (pulled a hammy)
and
McKinnie was a no show and Harbaugh quoted "not sure when he will be back"

It's early so this could all be water under the bridge, but if the Ravens want a Super Bowl win, things need to pick up.
Its good to see Ray Lewis a little lighter, it will help in pass coverage in today's game.

[PurpleCityLights]

Anybody know why we arent looking into Plaxico????

[berad]

[quote name='PurpleCityLights' timestamp='1343402736' post='1104079']
Anybody know why we arent looking into Plaxico????
[/quote]

Old, slow, and done.

Where does he fit on the team and over who?

[Runnin Raven]

[quote name='PurpleCityLights' timestamp='1343402736' post='1104079']
Anybody know why we arent looking into Plaxico????
[/quote]
For once I don't think WR is nearly as much an area of concern.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='PurpleCityLights' timestamp='1343402736' post='1104079']
Anybody know why we arent looking into Plaxico????
[/quote]

Aside from his size he doesn't offer anything we don't already have. Besides, I look at the teams that have won the last 4 superbowls - Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Green Bay, and New York, they all had great performances from guys they drafted and their quarterbacks built chemistry with. I think we have those guys in Torrey, Tandon, Ed and Dennis, Q, and hopefully Jacoby, Tommy, etc. can make an impact as they build chemistry with Joe. Look at Mase - how good he was for us in 2010 vs. 2011 when he couldn't even get on the field, and I think that had as much to do with the fact that he had something special with Joe that he didn't with Mark Sanchez or Matt Shaub as it did with his declining skills.

[The Raven]

[quote name='PurpleCityLights' timestamp='1343402736' post='1104079']
Anybody know why we arent looking into Plaxico????
[/quote]

Because Ozzie isn't stupid.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='PurpleCityLights' timestamp='1343402736' post='1104079']
Anybody know why we arent looking into Plaxico????
[/quote]
Cause we're a smart organization....