Still A Talented Base Left

[Bazooka Joe]

Let's look at what's left instead of what we're losing.

QB
Flacco

RB
Rice, Pierce

TE
Pitta, Dickson

WR
Torrey, Jacoby, Doss, Streeter, Deonte

OL
Oher, KO, Gino, Yanda

DL
Ngata, Scanty, Jones, McPhee, Tyson

LB
Suggs, Upshaw, McClellan, McClain, Hamilton, McAdoo

CB
Webb, Smith, Graham, Jackson, Chykie Brown

S
Thompson, Omar Brown, Idgehigbo

STs
Tucker, Koch, Cox

That's still a very talented base to add draft picks and FAs too.

[ravens533]

Well said. Ozzie will streghten the defense and we will be back in the playoffs next year.

[Tiz]

Without a doubt we lost a wr, as and a lt on offense but had back up plans in place for over a year
So not worried there. Just more curious to see what secondary we are going with next year. The front 7 will be fine considering Suggs healthy, upshaw more experienced and ngata healthy they'll make any ilb job easier

[Yatagarasu]

Even with Ellerbe, Kruger, Pollard, Williams, and Reed, our defense was middle of the road, but the injuries really sunk our defense. We still have tough veterans like Canty, Suggs, Ngata, and Webb along with young talents like Jones, Smith, Graham, McPhee, and Upshaw. Also we have a lot of unproven talents like Thompson, Jackson, Brown, and a bunch of undrafted ILBs.

[wademan2636]

after the draft, i guarantee we'll end up with a younger, faster, and more energetic defense than last year. we looked slow and overmatched in a bunch of games last year. if ozzie is smart (which he is), he'll focus most of the draft on improving the defense. and we'll end up being even better than we were last year.

[Yatagarasu]

I assume Ozzie will invest a bunch of draft picks to find any talents and fill the void with UDFAs and late FAs.

Undrafted Free Agency have been a gold mine to us lately that we found hidden gems like Jameel McClain, Bart Scott, Dannelle Ellerbe, Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes, Omar Brown, Jim Leonhard, and Others. It seems our team is a linebacker factory, but that might have to do with the HoF LB being around.

[redrum52]

Yea the core is good. I hope we finally get some speed in the middle. Ellerbe was quick but he's gone. I'm sick of seeing teams just out run us over the middle. I think it's pretty safe to say most of the picks will probably be on the defensive side of the ball in the draft.

[The Raven]

I'm more excited about the young talent than I am worried about the loss of the old talent. Aside from the WR position, I guarantee we'll be A-okay next season. WR is ehh. I'm not worried about ILB. McClain can play at a high level when his dline is playing at a high level, so we'll be good to go there.

Left tackle is still the problem more than anything.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1363294695' post='1396630']
Let's look at what's left instead of what we're losing.

QB
Flacco

RB
Rice, Pierce

TE
Pitta, Dickson

WR
Torrey, Jacoby, Doss, Streeter, Deonte

OL
Oher, KO, Gino, Yanda

DL
Ngata, Scanty, Jones, McPhee, Tyson

LB
Suggs, Upshaw, McClellan, McClain, Hamilton, McAdoo

CB
Webb, Smith, Graham, Jackson, Chykie Brown

S
Thompson, Omar Brown, Idgehigbo

STs
Tucker, Koch, Cox

That's still a very talented base to add draft picks and FAs too.
[/quote]
Flacco, Rice, Pitta, Torrey Smith, Yanda, Ngata, Suggs, Webb

Those are the players with talent. Wouldn't call the rest of them bright spots

[RavensPunkXVX]

I'm glad we have anchors and gaps to fill rather than looking for anchors while we have gaps.

Webb in the secondary. Suggs at LB. Ngata on front line.

KO, Oher on the O line. Torrey, Pitta with hands. Vonta, Rice, and Flacco. That's a solid group of guys. Just gotta fill some gaps.

Some young people will have to step up and we'll get some solid guys in the draft! I'm pumped!

[dkelley1959]

I think Flacco got too big of a contract! I think he deserved a good contract for what he has done here in B-more but NOT the highest paid 120 mill deal that he got! I think he could have been had for 100 mill and they could have kept Q! Q wanted to stay here and he deserved to stay here! Flacco would not have won the SB without him , i remember one third down catch in particular that was thrown to high and if it had not been for Q's amazing abilty to save the day GAME OVER!

[Alexir]

People fall in love with players and think that everyone behind them on depth chart are crappy. It's not the case. These guys just need a chance. Hell didn't Omar get a sack in his first game in Week 16?

[berad]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1363316712' post='1397615']
People fall in love with players and think that everyone behind them on depth chart are crappy. It's not the case. These guys just need a chance. Hell didn't Omar get a sack in his first game in Week 16?
[/quote]

Yup. And it's not like the players who haven't had a chance will automatically stink. Who was Art Jones before mid-way through 2012? Players like Christian Thompson, Adrian Hamilton, McAdoo, and any of the tons of young WRs have been improving since the last time we've seen them.

[melvinmelon123]

I'm excited to see youth on this team after watching our defense look slow and outmatched many times this year (specifically in the run game).

One large regret I have from last season is that we didn't give Burfict a chance after the draft. Our future would be even brighter and we would have one less position to worry about.

[DUGxRavenBR]

No one is realizing that the Ofensive Line will be a Key problem for us this season. Have any of you start to think about it? Bryant McKinnie probably won't stay with us anymore, he had weight problem and could not stay in shape this season. Yes, he did have a great playoff comeback, still, pay tons of money to a veteran lineman, that did not played well on the season, just based in a post-season is suicidal.

Then, take a look at the free-agency. What are the great names for LT? We have Jake Long over there, asking tons and tons of cash, so we can't afford him. What's the next big name? Vollmer? Just like Michael Oher he's a monster at RT, but can't play LT. Now we only have left Andre Smith, he's so young and athletic, but a lot of teams are pursuing him.

Probably if we see a new FS,SS or ILB arriving the team by free agency, a new LT could be coming up in the draft high picks.

[DUGxRavenBR]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]No one is realizing that the Ofensive Line will be a Key problem for us this season. Have any of you start to think about it? Bryant McKinnie probably won't stay with us anymore, he had weight problem and could not stay in shape this season. Yes, he did have a great playoff comeback, still, pay tons of money to a veteran lineman, that did not played well on the season, just based in a post-season is suicidal. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Then, take a look at the free-agency. What are the great names for LT? We have Jake Long over there, asking tons and tons of cash, so we can't afford him. What's the next big name? Vollmer? Just like Michael Oher he's a monster at RT, but can't play LT. Now we only have left Andre Smith, he's so young and athletic, but a lot of teams are pursuing him. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Probably if we see a new FS,SS or ILB arriving the team by free agency, a new LT could be coming up in the draft high picks. Now let's take a look at our actual offensive line:[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]McKinnie - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]That sounds like a freakish offensive line for me, now without a offensive line, look how this would work out, since Oher probably would switch back to LT, and Osemele for RT (and this is extremely a waste of talent from KO.. yes he really shined at RT, but he's a G, not a T)[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Oher - Reid (since we released Williams) / Draft Pick or Free Agent - Gradkowski - Yanda - Osemele[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Even if we stick with KO at LG, Reid can't pass protect, he had a nice run blocking at G some games this season, but he's bad a protection, so we can't afford him at RT either. [/font][/color]

[DUGxRavenBR]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]No one is realizing that the Ofensive Line will be a Key problem for us this season. Have any of you start to think about it? Bryant McKinnie probably won't stay with us anymore, he had weight problem and could not stay in shape this season. Yes, he did have a great playoff comeback, still, pay tons of money to a veteran lineman, that did not played well on the season, just based in a post-season is suicidal. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Then, take a look at the free-agency. What are the great names for LT? We have Jake Long over there, asking tons and tons of cash, so we can't afford him. What's the next big name? Vollmer? Just like Michael Oher he's a monster at RT, but can't play LT. Now we only have left Andre Smith, he's so young and athletic, but a lot of teams are pursuing him. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Probably if we see a new FS,SS or ILB arriving the team by free agency, a new LT could be coming up in the draft high picks. Now let's take a look at our actual offensive line:[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]McKinnie - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]That sounds like a freakish offensive line for me, now without a left tackle, look how this would work out, since Oher probably would switch back to LT, and Osemele for RT (and this is extremely a waste of talent from KO.. yes he really shined at RT, but he's a G, not a T)[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Oher - Reid (since we released Williams) / Draft Pick or Free Agent - Gradkowski - Yanda - Osemele[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Now that's a terrible OL. Oher can't play LT, he commits too many penalties and allow key sack + turnovers...Even if we stick with KO at LG, Reid can't pass protect, he had a nice run blocking at G some games this season, but he's bad at protection, so we can't afford him at RT either.[/font][/color]

[mgridda]

I'm not worried about the WRs. We have depth there. I'm not worried about the defense: we still have very quality players who will bounce back from injury plagued 2012 and young guys who will get even better. Basically, we have strong depth on defense too. Also, the draft will most likely bring in a lot of defensive talent since it's such a deep and not-top-heavy draft.


I am worried about the left tackle position. Bryant McKinnie better come back and in shape, or we get someone like Saffold or Long or Lane Johnson or hell even Armstead if the scouts think he can start day 1.

[melvinmelon123]

[quote name='DUGxRavenBR' timestamp='1363318199' post='1397684']
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]No one is realizing that the Ofensive Line will be a Key problem for us this season. Have any of you start to think about it? Bryant McKinnie probably won't stay with us anymore, he had weight problem and could not stay in shape this season. Yes, he did have a great playoff comeback, still, pay tons of money to a veteran lineman, that did not played well on the season, just based in a post-season is suicidal. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Then, take a look at the free-agency. What are the great names for LT? We have Jake Long over there, asking tons and tons of cash, so we can't afford him. What's the next big name? Vollmer? Just like Michael Oher he's a monster at RT, but can't play LT. Now we only have left Andre Smith, he's so young and athletic, but a lot of teams are pursuing him. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Probably if we see a new FS,SS or ILB arriving the team by free agency, a new LT could be coming up in the draft high picks. Now let's take a look at our actual offensive line:[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]McKinnie - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]That sounds like a freakish offensive line for me, now without a left tackle, look how this would work out, since Oher probably would switch back to LT, and Osemele for RT (and this is extremely a waste of talent from KO.. yes he really shined at RT, but he's a G, not a T)[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Oher - Reid (since we released Williams) / Draft Pick or Free Agent - Gradkowski - Yanda - Osemele[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Now that's a terrible OL. Oher can't play LT, he commits too many penalties and allow key sack + turnovers...Even if we stick with KO at LG, Reid can't pass protect, he had a nice run blocking at G some games this season, but he's bad at protection, so we can't afford him at RT either.[/font][/color]
[/quote]

We don't need a great LT, we simply need a passable one. I'm sure Ozzie will make some type of signing after the camp cuts that will wow us.

[DUGxRavenBR]

Saffold has being a bust so far.. I really like this kid still... He could be a great franchise LT with a properly work at him.

[DUGxRavenBR]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1363318640' post='1397704']
I'm not worried about the WRs. We have depth there. I'm not worried about the defense: we still have very quality players who will bounce back from injury plagued 2012 and young guys who will get even better. Basically, we have strong depth on defense too. Also, the draft will most likely bring in a lot of defensive talent since it's such a deep and not-top-heavy draft.


I am worried about the left tackle position. Bryant McKinnie better come back and in shape, or we get someone like Saffold or Long or Lane Johnson or hell even Armstead if the scouts think he can start day 1.
[/quote]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Saffold has being a bust so far.. I really like this kid though... He could be a great franchise LT with a properly work at him.[/font][/color]

[CptJesus]

You can't count Suggs or Webb right now. We have absolutely no guarantee that Webb will play at his old level after his second ACL tear, and Suggs was hardly lighting things up this season.

Gradkowski will be playing his first full season.

Streeter hasn't played a regular season game yet AFAIK. Deonte Thompson has played in 3 games, and had 0 receptions in two of them.

Half the people you listed at LB aren't exactly heavy talent. The fact of the matter is, our best talent remaining is on our offense.

You're listing practically everyone left on the team and saying we're OK. As it stands right now, we're severely depleted in our defense, and missing a couple key elements of the offense (LT and another WR).

[theFRANCHISE]

Everyone focuses so much on who we've lost and forget who we're bringing back.

Thanks for that.

[Alexir]

Who did we really lose that was GREAT? I love all of our guys but some were a little past their prime and were wanting too much money. Boldin is a beast. 8 million dollars is a lotttttt to pay a guy who struggles with separation and isn't exactly deserving of number 1 money. Bernard Pollard was not making a lot, still don't understand everything behind it but I think they wanted to get some youth in the secondary both he and Reed were playing injured at times. Pollard is not old at all but I think if you are going to let Reed walk and Pollard didn't play well in the passing game, why not just reset the duo and see who the next man up is. Cary Williams. I thank him for shutting down Thomas but we will be just fine with out him. Paul Kruger. He has always been the most frustrating member of our 53 man roster since we got him. He was a project that took a long time, now someone is overpaying him for having one great season. Ellerbe was in the dog house, injuries got him on the field. We lost a back up who took over for Ray and Jameel (when Ray got back). He couldn't win the job in soooo many years to stay next to Ray as a starter, we will be fine in not overpaying him. Good luck to all of the guys, I'm just not losing any sleep over the departures. I just feel we only saved a million with Pollard's release, we might of been able to move him for a 5th or 6th. I think cutting him was dumb, we could of gotten something in return.

So we look good on the outside and if Ngata is in fact anchoring Nose tackle, we really just have 3 areas of need on defense if McClain is ahead of schedule like reports are saying. With Bynes and McClellan and 11 draft picks, we will be fine. With Omar Brown and Christian Thompson, a long with a slew of picks, we will be fine.

Anquan is going to be hard to replace but I think it means Pitta will be lining up more in the slot and we actually need Dickson (not necessarily Doss or Reed like most are saying) to step it up as a tight end so we can have Pitta be a mini Boldin.

We will be fine. Not worried about. Actually excited about it. This time around didn't affect me as bad as cutting Mason did. That guy was our only receiver really during Joe's early years.

Let's countdown til the draft!

[Guest RBates]

Just looking at the safeties is scary!

[bpytnjr58]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1363368833' post='1398573']
Everyone focuses so much on who we've lost and forget who we're bringing back.

Thanks for that.
[/quote] Hopefully for we as fans it will be much easier to handle rebuilding with a new Lombardi in the Castle's trophy case.