28 replies to this topic

[Defence_Is_Salvation]

Well?

Our depth has proven its not starting calibre and that's with the recent improvements we seen in McPhee, Jones and Kruger, when rushing the passer.

We have two injured corners returning, hopefully healthy, for 2013 but if Smith keeps going through growing pains and is out for the odd Sunday....what are we to do.

Now, while I believe OL and DL is vital early in the draft...is cornerback a need and who are some players that are worth taking as high as the second thst could be there?

I personally like Trufant (2+), Slay (5+) and Okoro (5+).

[Dubs]

With the way the league is I think it is. I think we all expect to see Cary Williams go, he will get a generous payday somewhere, whether you agree with it or not. Corey Graham has really been amazing this year and we have him locked up for one more year - I would like to see us extend him in the offseason or in training camp as he is versatile and proven his worth. So on that point we should have a healthy Webb and Smith back along with Graham. Chykie Brown has been nothing special, but he is an aggressive and confident player, Asa Jackson has yet to pop but I honestly cannot wait to see him on the field more (looks unlikely w/ the suspension). After all that yes I do think we need a corner at some point, I dont think it needs to be a Day 1 or 2 pick (unless the value is there) but size and depth will be needed.

Terry Hawthorne in the third would be great, I love the way he plays, ala Webb. He had a bad concussion this year so it may be something to watch. Sanders Cummings out of Georgia has been solid this year and could be in the mold of the Seahawks CBs. Robert Alford is a small school sleeper who looks to have really good ball recognition. Travis Howard out of Ohio St. has had a good season and has a skillset similar to Cary Williams so he may be a perfect mid to late round replacement

[black blood purple passion]

this smelled like a brandon_22 thread for a second to me lol.

It is a need for sure, can never have too many talented defensive backs in this passing league.

[BMORElegacy]

Johnthan Banks from Mississippi State. Just won the Thorpe Trophy. He's a 6 foot 2 man corner with impressive ball skills. He is projected in the 1st to early 2nd round.

It might be because I'm a homer but I want more MSU products on this team.

[Miami Hurricane]

this smelled like a brandon_22 thread for a second to me lol.

It is a need for sure, can never have too many talented defensive backs in this passing league.

lol and completely agree on both points

Edited by Miami Hurricane, 12 December 2012 - 05:10 PM.

[T3hRaven]

Cornerback is something to look at if it's the right player at the right spot, but if Webb comes back we might need to live with what we have in the secondary. We're still in a desperate cap situation, and the best way to address our two glaring needs based on preliminary FA data, which are OL and DL players, is through the draft. We gotta keep Joe off his back and we need something more than Kemoeatu/Cody at that third DL spot. If the lines are solidified the team will be better.

[CosmicRedPanda]

We've got plenty of talent in that corp, keeping them healthy seems impossible these days. Tight ends and receivers are getting bigger. The passing game seems to be slowing down in exchange for size. So, I don't know. If we can keep our starters healthy, I see no reason to. I would rather work on an offensive line that is ready for another 'makeover'. But yeah, it wouldn't hurt if Reed or Webb go down next year (assuming Reed returns). Williams, is hit or miss, but he always seems to come up with a great play or two to save himself from being lambasted. Smith will be a stellar corner in the next year or two, just need to get some experience under his belt and quit giving up the long ball.

~ Cosmic

[T3hRaven]

Williams, is hit or miss, but he always seems to come up with a great play or two to save himself from being lambasted. Smith will be a stellar corner in the next year or two, just need to get some experience under his belt and quit giving up the long ball.

Williams will not be here next season. My faith in Smith has been shaken, but maybe a change schematically into that press man could turn things around. I don't think that's really the player Cary is, so losing him is beneficial. I also think Jimmy's issues have a lot to do with Reed being constantly out of position and cheating the coverage.

[GrimCoconut]

CB is a need, but it's not a high need. We can wait for it until the 3rd day. I like Slay a lot on the 3rd day, honestly. I think he has a lot of talent and is underrated.

[Bravens292]

it depends on some things. will jimmy develop? is graham in our long term plans? how does the knee surgeries affect webb? if none of those things are going the right way, then yes its a need. i still blame the pass rush and scheme for most of this.

[ravefan52]

Corner should be a need for most teams with the way the NFL is played today. I say we target one on the 3rd day. I like Slay too, but I think BW Webb could be a great pick. A small school prospect(William and Mary) who is fast and athletic. He has good ball skills and could be a good nickel guy. He is raw, but I do like him in the 6th or 7th.

[dirtybird10]

Well?

Our depth has proven its not starting calibre and that's with the recent improvements we seen in McPhee, Jones and Kruger, when rushing the passer.

We have two injured corners returning, hopefully healthy, for 2013 but if Smith keeps going through growing pains and is out for the odd Sunday....what are we to do.

Now, while I believe OL and DL is vital early in the draft...is cornerback a need and who are some players that are worth taking as high as the second thst could be there?

I personally like Trufant (2+), Slay (5+) and Okoro (5+).

I would say the definition of depth (especially as deep as we have had to reach this year) is that it is not exactly starting quality. No I don't think that CB is a need, although its always an option especially with the passing league we are in today and the probability of Cary leaving. I think that if the right player is there within the first two rounds, and he happens to be a cb, we take him. Although, I think we would pass if another position of need is there when we draft.

[Defence_Is_Salvation]

Williams will not be here next season. My faith in Smith has been shaken, but maybe a change schematically into that press man could turn things around. I don't think that's really the player Cary is, so losing him is beneficial. I also think Jimmy's issues have a lot to do with Reed being constantly out of position and cheating the coverage.

Carey has allowed 785 yards and when QBs throw at him have an overall rating of 95.1.

CB is a need, but it's not a high need. We can wait for it until the 3rd day. I like Slay a lot on the 3rd day, honestly. I think he has a lot of talent and is underrated.

I like what I've seen and I value man-cover for our back up corners since they'll mainly be on the field in passing situation.

it depends on some things. will jimmy develop? is graham in our long term plans? how does the knee surgeries affect webb? if none of those things are going the right way, then yes its a need. i still blame the pass rush and scheme for most of this.

If Jimmy's health concerns are going to hold him back we are in serious trouble with him. He's shown flashes of being a quality corner however, so we can only hope. Graham has also been hit and miss in coverage. I'll be posting something after this regarding how pass rush has impacted pass coverage.

Corner should be a need for most teams with the way the NFL is played today. I say we target one on the 3rd day. I like Slay too, but I think BW Webb could be a great pick. A small school prospect(William and Mary) who is fast and athletic. He has good ball skills and could be a good nickel guy. He is raw, but I do like him in the 6th or 7th.

Maybe both ^.^. I'll suss this Webb kid out.

[Defence_Is_Salvation]

Baltimore's pass rush has disrupted QBs [sacks + hits + hurries] but it hasn't necessarily produced into better coverage.

[Rank, Team, Total QB Disruptions, Yards Per Game]

1. Pittsburgh 155 169.2
2. San Fransisco 192 184.7
3. New York Jets 170 196.0
4. Seattle 196 196.3
5. Arizona 192 197.1
6. Chicago 224 205.5
7. Denver 232 215.7
19. Houston 207 239.2
23. Baltimore 215 246.3

As you can see while we have a pretty high totals in terms of QB disruption, FAR more than Pittsburgh (our 215 vs their 155) and yet our corners can't capitalize. Perhaps it could be our DC. Pitt does boast the 4th (Ike Taylor) and 8th (Keenan Lewis) best cover corners in the league with 44.1% and 50.5% completion rate respectively. Whilst our top corner (outside of Webb) is Carey who is ranked 54th with 67%. To put that number in perspective only Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan have higher %s, both are in the top tiers of their conferences.

I'm not denying that our front seven needs work, NT or DL, ILB and OLB, but outside of Webb impact corners are very much lacking on our roster. I'm open to see how they would perform in a more attacking defense and if their health wasn't holding them back it might work. But in this league and considering our situation, 1-2 new corners is a need.

Edited by Defence_Is_Salvation, 15 December 2012 - 08:15 PM.

[Bruce_Almty]

So many quality players coming online year after year and so many team needs... CB, SS, FS would be nice but so would a DT, DE, OLB, ILB, throw in a couple O-linemen and we're beginning to shore-up our needs. Guessing who the Ravens FO will select is a fun but useless exercise.

http://eatdrinkandsl...tabase/nfl.html ... Incase anyone is interested.

I enjoy the read; thanks to all for your passion.
Go Ravens.

Edited by Bruce_Almty, 15 December 2012 - 10:37 PM.

[indianstick]

Although we have a lot of young corners who have shown they can cover (asa is still an unknown in that aspect), we need to draft at least one corner this year. Cary is most probably not on our squad next year, webby might not be 100% and its hard to count on jimmy staying healthy at this point.

[Defence_Is_Salvation]

Although we have a lot of young corners who have shown they can cover (asa is still an unknown in that aspect), we need to draft at least one corner this year. Cary is most probably not on our squad next year, webby might not be 100% and its hard to count on jimmy staying healthy at this point.

I was very impressed by Brown yesterday. If that's his rookie play I'd love to see what he does in time. I agree, aim for one. I'd take one as high as the second.

[Inqui]

I'd rather see the first two-three rounds spent on the following:
*An o-liner or two. Barrett Jones is one of my favourites, but there should be other players available. A lot of the best teams have their weaknesses in the o-line, but ours seriously needs to improve.
*A quality run-stuffer on the d-line (from what I've read, they fall off a fair bit after Lotuleilei, Jenkins and Hankins so one of those three would be ideal). This team has been pretty average against the run, so a bit of extra pressure up front would be wonderful. I was in awe of what the Tuxans did to us in the playoffs up front last year, and I'd love to see us get some more internal pressure going.
*A good FS. (Eric Reid ) I think Ed has covered a lot of weaknesses on the secondary, but his downside is getting more and more pronounced (especially for his price) and a ball-hawking FS would be a nice addition to either slot straight in or get put on IR for some obscure toenail injury for a year while they compete with guys like Omar Brown for Reed's starting mantle.
*A play-making ILB. I'd sell the naming rights of my first child to pick up Manti Te'o, but someone like Kansas's Arthur Brown should be available in the second or third rounds.

I know that's 4-5 players, but I think it's more important to add starters in those positions than it is to add depth at CB. A lot depends on things like what everyone else does in the draft or how the compensatory picks are dished out (apparently at least one of ours should be as high as a third rounder), but I think it'd be better to wait until the later rounds to see what we can get.

[BloodRaven]

It will always be a need, but cornerbacks are easier to find and develop than pass rushers or wide receivers.

[Defence_Is_Salvation]

I'd rather see the first two-three rounds spent on the following:
*An o-liner or two. Barrett Jones is one of my favourites, but there should be other players available. A lot of the best teams have their weaknesses in the o-line, but ours seriously needs to improve.
*A quality run-stuffer on the d-line (from what I've read, they fall off a fair bit after Lotuleilei, Jenkins and Hankins so one of those three would be ideal). This team has been pretty average against the run, so a bit of extra pressure up front would be wonderful. I was in awe of what the Tuxans did to us in the playoffs up front last year, and I'd love to see us get some more internal pressure going.
*A good FS. (Eric Reid ) I think Ed has covered a lot of weaknesses on the secondary, but his downside is getting more and more pronounced (especially for his price) and a ball-hawking FS would be a nice addition to either slot straight in or get put on IR for some obscure toenail injury for a year while they compete with guys like Omar Brown for Reed's starting mantle.
*A play-making ILB. I'd sell the naming rights of my first child to pick up Manti Te'o, but someone like Kansas's Arthur Brown should be available in the second or third rounds.

I know that's 4-5 players, but I think it's more important to add starters in those positions than it is to add depth at CB. A lot depends on things like what everyone else does in the draft or how the compensatory picks are dished out (apparently at least one of ours should be as high as a third rounder), but I think it'd be better to wait until the later rounds to see what we can get.

Jenkins NT, Brown or Jackson ILB, Rambo FS.

I think we should use in house guys for the interior of the OL.
LG: Osmele
C: Gradkowski
RG: Yanda

Figure out the tackle situation though FA and the draft. Either sign Clady, Long or Albert to a big deal ... or draft Wagner or Aboushi.

It will always be a need, but cornerbacks are easier to find and develop than pass rushers or wide receivers.

Mid rounds...get someone like Sherman (ha).