Are the Raven's struggles a blessing in disguise?

[mhead66]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1356289441' post='1274378']
Maybe the struggles and losses are a blessing in disguise...

Cam was fired, and we are this much closer to being able to [b]draft Manti Te'o[/b]...
[/quote]

An excellent idea, but we would have to trade up to get him... I would rather look for a premier LT if he was available, but[b] if not[/b]... I wouldn't rule out the idea of trading up for him.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1356293670' post='1274469']
An excellent idea, but we would have to trade up to get him... I would rather look for a premier LT if he was available, but[b] if not[/b]... I wouldn't rule out the idea of trading up for him.
[/quote]

To be honest, Id rather go after a free agent LT like Jake Long, then use that first round pick to go after Te'o. Id be willing to trade up to get him, studs like him don't come around very often. Plus its looking like MLB could be a need, sad to say.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1356294050' post='1274479']
To be honest, Id rather go after a free agent LT like Jake Long, then use that first round pick to go after Te'o. Id be willing to trade up to get him, studs like him don't come around very often. Plus its looking like MLB could be a need, sad to say.
[/quote]

Despite a bit of an injury history, Jake Long would be an [b]excellent [/b]signing - at 27, he would be the anchor for the line for years to come.

However... as this linked article says, we would be competing with 31 other teams to give him money comparable to Joe Thomas, around 7 years at $84 Million... similar money that the Flacco conversation if discussing.

[url="http://www.thephinsider.com/2012/12/13/3741302/time-to-say-happy-trails-to-jake-long"]http://www.thephinsider.com/2012/12/13/3741302/time-to-say-happy-trails-to-jake-long[/url]

We're currently $15 Million under the salary cap for next year, but that doesn't take into account Flacco's contract... or all the other free agents we have to resign (Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, Danell Ellerbe, Cary Williams, Dennis Pitta, Ed Dickson, Arthur Jones, Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes, LaQuan Williams, David Reed...)

Concerning free agents, I've always believed in gaining starters through the draft, and picking up quality depth with free agency - a player's 2nd contract is usually his career's largest, and 3rd + 4th contracts often mean overpaying for an older player... the draft, if run well, is the lifeblood.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='nyc9192' timestamp='1356174189' post='1273256']
I feel ya.I just think we should finish out the season and see what he does the next two games and the playoffs.I know it looks bad though lol.My support of Joe isn't done yet,but its on it's last legs.[u][b]Heres to hopin he balls out from here on.[/b][/u]
[/quote]

man...that's what i want for Joe. i hate that our (Ravens) QB is a joke throughout the league because of his inconsistencies and that a few "rookies" have played better than him after his 5th year in the league. imo, when Joe succeeds, he looks good and when he struggles....he looks so damn awful! i want him to come out and make a statement against the giants defense by hitting all of his open receivers, releasing the ball quickly and by avoiding his personal turnovers (fumble/INT). i need to see Joe be a stud QB today! i'm allergic to scrubs! lol! sure, the rest of the offense needs to step up and the defense as well, BUT...Joe is the QB! he's the leader! he needs to set the tone early and often and remind Eli and the giants about M&T Bank Stadium and send him the message; [u][i][b]"This is my house! And, I must protect this house!"[/b][/i][/u]

~Mili

[Free Agent]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1356295487' post='1274517']
Despite a bit of an injury history, Jake Long would be an [b]excellent [/b]signing - at 27, he would be the anchor for the line for years to come.

However... as this linked article says, we would be competing with 31 other teams to give him money comparable to Joe Thomas, around 7 years at $84 Million... similar money that the Flacco conversation if discussing.

[url="http://www.thephinsider.com/2012/12/13/3741302/time-to-say-happy-trails-to-jake-long"]http://www.thephinsi...ls-to-jake-long[/url]

We're currently $15 Million under the salary cap for next year, but that doesn't take into account Flacco's contract... or all the other free agents we have to resign (Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, Danell Ellerbe, Cary Williams, Dennis Pitta, Ed Dickson, Arthur Jones, Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes, LaQuan Williams, David Reed...)

Concerning free agents, I've always believed in gaining starters through the draft, and picking up quality depth with free agency - a player's 2nd contract is usually his career's largest, and 3rd + 4th contracts often mean overpaying for an older player... the draft, if run well, is the lifeblood.
[/quote]

Great points on Jake Long. He would indeed be an expensive signing, but my point is we wouldnt necessarily have to sign Long, just an experienced vet like him.

I agree with you on building through the draft, and finding a franchise LT through the draft would be great, but at a position like left tackle, I personally would rather go with a proven veteran than a rookie. Of course there are rookie left tackles who start and play very well right out of the gate, but it can be a risky pick.

If we could land a veteran free agent who could start for us, and then take a rookie in the second or third round who could develop for a little while, that would be an ideal scenario in my opinion.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

Struggle produces Character, Character is a blessing , to say struggle is not a blessing denotes something that is a struggle is not worth having , no football player has ever said that and no man who is successful has ever not struggled .

[Raving_Heathen]

What about the 07 Giants? They were awful, and so was Eli during the regular season. He was bad to the point where just about every Giants fan wanted him gone.

And the 06 Colts? Remember how they were supposed to have no defense? Couldn't stop anyone on the ground whatsoever. But it was their defense that helped carry them to a SB.

Weird things happen in the playoffs. I do think this Ravens team is just plain mediocre in every aspect, and pretty much expect them to lose in the divisional round, but who knows?

[mhead66]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1356296804' post='1274544']
Great points on Jake Long. He would indeed be an expensive signing, but my point is we wouldnt necessarily have to sign Long, just an experienced vet like him.

I agree with you on building through the draft, and finding a franchise LT through the draft would be great, but at a position like left tackle, I personally would rather go with a proven veteran than a rookie. Of course there are rookie left tackles who start and play very well right out of the gate, but it can be a risky pick.

If we could land a veteran free agent who could start for us, and then take a rookie in the second or third round who could develop for a little while, that would be an ideal scenario in my opinion.
[/quote]

Agreed - If we could find the right matchup, the right money for a certain level of talent - an above average LT that we can afford - that would be a [b]huge[/b] signing. The rest of the OLine needs work, but Oher is serviceable enough for RT, Osemele has proven he has starter talent, Yanda is one of the NFL's best interior linemen and I'm sure Gino will get a chance to win the C job this offseason. Jah and Harewood are competent depth, and Bobbie Williams is signed for one more year... Of course, Birk and McKinnie are gone.

Ya, getting a higher-tier LT would be a huge key to our Offense taking a step forward. It's just a difficult mission for Ozzie to accomplish.

[nyc9192]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1356296195' post='1274526']
man...that's what i want for Joe. i hate that our (Ravens) QB is a joke throughout the league because of his inconsistencies and that a few "rookies" have played better than him after his 5th year in the league. imo, when Joe succeeds, he looks good and when he struggles....he looks so damn awful! i want him to come out and make a statement against the giants defense by hitting all of his open receivers, releasing the ball quickly and by avoiding his personal turnovers (fumble/INT). i need to see Joe be a stud QB today! i'm allergic to scrubs! lol! sure, the rest of the offense needs to step up and the defense as well, BUT...Joe is the QB! he's the leader! he needs to set the tone early and often and remind Eli and the giants about M&T Bank Stadium and send him the message; [u][i][b]"This is my house! And, I must protect this house!"[/b][/i][/u]

~Mili
[/quote]
I think our prayers are being answered right now.Hes tearin New York up!

[flaccopoe]

I'd say no, because the Ravens could've gotten the #2 seed with a win over DEN. Instead, the Ravens, will have to play at least 1 road game and 3 games total.