54 replies to this topic

[Ragin'Raven]

Only four people on the team now pre-Harbaugh. Every coach leaves a mark on a team, whether good or bad, and the team should reflect the coach. There's no more "this is Lewis' team", Ed Reed is no longer one of the bigger than life stars on it. This is John Harbaugh's blueprint now, and I'm actually all for it. This team will be just as hungry for a championship as the ones with Ed or Ray on it were, and change can sometimes work itself out for good. Who knows what will happen next year. But I do believe that Harbaugh and Co. are taking the bull by the horns and making a statement by moving this roster into a different direction. It's different for fans, but it's still Ravens football.

[runamuk]

I don't agree with what is happening we have no leaders on defense left . I'm not thrilled never was with bend don't break what happened to punch them in the mouth. Ngata you never ever hear a peep out of suggs never stops bashing people and other teams . Upshaw and jones are still learning smith is injured to often to lead anyone. young teams make mistakes and this fanbase is not used to that . a coach can't do everything .

Edited by runamuk, 20 March 2013 - 07:58 PM.

[Ragin'Raven]

I don't agree with what is happening we have no leaders on defense left . I'm not thrilled never was with bend don't break what happened to punch them in the mouth. Ngata you never ever hear a peep out of suggs never stops bashing people and other teams . Upshaw and jones are still learning smith is injured to often to lead anyone. young teams make mistakes and this fanbase is not used to that . a coach can't do everything .

True. I'm just willing to give the uppers the opportunity to prove the fan base wrong.

[runamuk]

True. I'm just willing to give the uppers the opportunity to prove the fan base wrong.

Ya know I think it will be fun to watch allot of rookies play, even the mistakes etc. I loved watching the colts offense last year watching them learn and grow seahawks too. this fanbase gets livid if we lose one game lol this is going to be interesting to say the least .

[mgridda]

Suggs has been around since 2003. This makes him our longest tenured Raven.

This team is not scarce of Veterans, either. Ngata, Spears and canty have all been playing in the NFL longer than most of us have been at our jobs/careers. Lardarius Webb now becomes the veteran Raven of the secondary. It's not like we haven't seen him act like a leader.

Webb, Suggs and Ngata are all leaders. Different types of leaders, but still leaders.

[PolishRifle]

People get older. Ed Reed did. Ray Lewis did. People should get over themselves and stop blowing things out of proportions in light over those sweeping roster changes we see this off-season. Teams change. They have to, so they can adapt to how the game changes. And most importantly, IT ALWAYS WAS HARBAUGH'S TEAM. If it ain't the coaches team, whose team is it? Ray Lewis' team? The defense's team? Didn't the Ravens fire Brian Billick, because the inmates were running the asylum?
Harbaugh brought big changes to the team by giving the Ravens a dynamic offense, thus finally making the Ravens a legitimate candidate for the SB, rather than a team that was living off it's past defensive glory from the 2000 season, that the organization was never able to recapture.
We should be thankful to John, that he made the Ravens his team. The Ray Lewis Ravens tried to get to the SB for almost a decade and failed. Harbaugh needed 5 seasons, 4 if he would've gotten lucky last year. Now that is what happens, when everything works according to plan. I couldn't be more excited for next season.

[runamuk]

Suggs has been around since 2003. This makes him our longest tenured Raven.

This team is not scarce of Veterans, either. Ngata, Spears and canty have all been playing in the NFL longer than most of us have been at our jobs/careers. Lardarius Webb now becomes the veteran Raven of the secondary. It's not like we haven't seen him act like a leader.

Webb, Suggs and Ngata are all leaders. Different types of leaders, but still leaders.

I don't see any of them as leaders veterans yes . Spears and Canty don't even know the teammates . The buzz word is they are getting younger this is a good thing , I think if anyone looks at it that's not true .I'm all for getting younger , and I am prepared for all that goes along with that . I support the ravens regardless but I think Harbs is making a huge mistake . just my opinion you need leadership on both sides of the ball .

[DMH_in_WA]

I don't agree with what is happening we have no leaders on defense left . I'm not thrilled never was with bend don't break what happened to punch them in the mouth. Ngata you never ever hear a peep out of suggs never stops bashing people and other teams . Upshaw and jones are still learning smith is injured to often to lead anyone. young teams make mistakes and this fanbase is not used to that . a coach can't do everything .

I don't see how agreeing or disagreeing with what is happening even applies. what exactly were the options here? Lewis retired; no option. Ellerbe, Kruger and Reed (if that 2yr/$6mil is correct) are way overpaid and outside our salary cap; no options. Cary Williams, no offence but I didn't care for him to begin with and he was overpaid ... he was probably 4th or 5th best CB on the team. Pollard I don't fully understand, but I can see how a safety who allows 75% of the passes thrown to his receivers to be completed is a major concern (especially if you have the feeling that Ed is going for the money that you don't have).

So, exactly which of these guys were we supposed to overpay and because of that, which other guys are you willing to give up to keep them? Pitta? Leach? Jones?

[mgridda]

Billick probably tells his daughters that had they kept him around for one more year and drafted Joe Flacco the Ravens would already have 3 championships.

[mgridda]

I don't see any of them as leaders veterans yes . Spears and Canty don't even know the teammates . The buzz word is they are getting younger this is a good thing , I think if anyone looks at it that's not true .I'm all for getting younger , and I am prepared for all that goes along with that . I support the ravens regardless but I think Harbs is making a huge mistake . just my opinion you need leadership on both sides of the ball .

"You're talking about some great sack artists that have been here," said Harbaugh. "This has been a high pressure type of deal. Terrell Suggs is a premiere player. He's one of the best players in the National Football League. He's one of the premier defensive players that everybody game plans around. He gets blocked every different kind of way a guy can get blocked, from one game to the next, when you watch it. He still finds a way to make plays."

"Plus, he's one of the best leaders I've been around," said Harbaugh. "This guy is one of the hardest working guys I've ever been around. He's part of the heart and soul of our team and our defense."



Yeah, we'll be okay with Suggs leading the defense. He's been the heir apparent since Bart Scott followed Rex to New York. How do you not know this?

Edited by mgridda, 20 March 2013 - 08:25 PM.

[rmw10]

I don't see how agreeing or disagreeing with what is happening even applies. what exactly were the options here? Lewis retired; no option. Ellerbe, Kruger and Reed (if that 2yr/$6mil is correct) are way overpaid and outside our salary cap; no options. Cary Williams, no offence but I didn't care for him to begin with and he was overpaid ... he was probably 4th or 5th best CB on the team. Pollard I don't fully understand, but I can see how a safety who allows 75% of the passes thrown to his receivers to be completed is a major concern (especially if you have the feeling that Ed is going for the money that you don't have).

So, exactly which of these guys were we supposed to overpay and because of that, which other guys are you willing to give up to keep them? Pitta? Leach? Jones?

This is it exactly. I'm sure the Ravens would have loved to have all of these guys back, but with the cap, it's not reality.

Birk and Lewis retired.
Ellerbe, Kruger, Reed, and Williams all got overpaid.
Pollard may have been a product of Reed, still questions here.
Boldin had 1 more year, might as well let him go if we're making this many changes.

It's how the NFL, and good teams, work. The Ravens draft well. We can make up for this. We don't have to pay every single player that's ever a FA. Next man up.

[runamuk]

People get older. Ed Reed did. Ray Lewis did. People should get over themselves and stop blowing things out of proportions in light over those sweeping roster changes we see this off-season. Teams change. They have to, so they can adapt to how the game changes. And most importantly, IT ALWAYS WAS HARBAUGH'S TEAM. If it ain't the coaches team, whose team is it? Ray Lewis' team? The defense's team? Didn't the Ravens fire Brian Billick, because the inmates were running the asylum?
Harbaugh brought big changes to the team by giving the Ravens a dynamic offense, thus finally making the Ravens a legitimate candidate for the SB, rather than a team that was living off it's past defensive glory from the 2000 season, that the organization was never able to recapture.
We should be thankful to John, that he made the Ravens his team. The Ray Lewis Ravens tried to get to the SB for almost a decade and failed. Harbaugh needed 5 seasons, 4 if he would've gotten lucky last year. Now that is what happens, when everything works according to plan. I couldn't be more excited for next season.

I actually agree with allot of what your saying . it has always been harbs team . I don't agree with all the recent losses we need good veteran leadership in the locker rooms and that's what I have a problem with . I am waiting for the let's get urlacher thread while I am typing this i'm all for a team of young and rookie players playing .

[runamuk]

I don't see how agreeing or disagreeing with what is happening even applies. what exactly were the options here? Lewis retired; no option. Ellerbe, Kruger and Reed (if that 2yr/$6mil is correct) are way overpaid and outside our salary cap; no options. Cary Williams, no offence but I didn't care for him to begin with and he was overpaid ... he was probably 4th or 5th best CB on the team. Pollard I don't fully understand, but I can see how a safety who allows 75% of the passes thrown to his receivers to be completed is a major concern (especially if you have the feeling that Ed is going for the money that you don't have).

So, exactly which of these guys were we supposed to overpay and because of that, which other guys are you willing to give up to keep them? Pitta? Leach? Jones?

pollard we are paying more then we save,,,,,Reed should not have been let go and Boldin shouldn't have been traded. the rest good riddance .

[Ravenseconbeast]

It's always been Harbaugh's team.

Don't read into that mutineer bs to 'cleanse' our locker room.

We had a small window to fit key position to retain our players. It didn't pan out. Move on and stop speculating folks!

Edited by Ravenseconbeast, 20 March 2013 - 08:35 PM.

[Ragin'Raven]

I think Harbaugh's going to walk away from the game in the next few years, just because he seems like he has other obligations and desires outside of the game (ala Dungy), and why not surround yourself with your guys; completely your guys, while you can.

[mgridda]

For it being "Harbaugh's team" it's funny because Joe Flacco will still run the no-huddle, do the play-selection and tempo. Pees will still select the defensive plays with Suggs out there leading the troops.

Harbaugh is a manager. He does a very good job at keeping everyone performing at a high level and listening to people. Just you watch. Harbaugh is the kind of leader who lets everyone specialize at what they do and just asks: "How can I help?"

He's basically Steve Bisciotti in coach form.

[DMH_in_WA]

pollard we are paying more then we save,,,,,Reed should not have been let go and Boldin shouldn't have been traded. the rest good riddance .

Got you .. so, with Reed and Boldin (again, if Reed's salary is correct), who are you going to cut to pay for $13.5million against the cap. We have less than $10mil available now and almost $5mil will be needed for the draft.

Simple to say "they shouldn't be gone" now explain how you fit them in at those prices without getting rid of a bunch of other pieces that helped just as much to get us the championship.

[GrimCoconut]

I don't agree with what is happening we have no leaders on defense left . I'm not thrilled never was with bend don't break what happened to punch them in the mouth. Ngata you never ever hear a peep out of suggs never stops bashing people and other teams . Upshaw and jones are still learning smith is injured to often to lead anyone. young teams make mistakes and this fanbase is not used to that . a coach can't do everything .

Yes, we do.

Suggs, Canty, Webb are definitely leaders on our defense. Suggs will lead this defense, or if we draft a LB with the swagger & belief they may come here day 1 like Ray and claim themselves the leader, walk like a king & be seen as a king, as another LB did 18 seasons ago.

[runamuk]

Got you .. so, with Reed and Boldin (again, if Reed's salary is correct), who are you going to cut to pay for $13.5million against the cap. We have less than $10mil available now and almost $5mil will be needed for the draft.

Simple to say "they shouldn't be gone" now explain how you fit them in at those prices without getting rid of a bunch of other pieces that helped just as much to get us the championship.

I would but I played this game once before , we have players who are bust we still pay, we have wide receivers who can't catch run a route or do anything but sit on ir . Leach in my opinion is expendable and I bet before it is all said and done will be next . my personal opinion Reed was never offered anything from the ravens. he challeneged harbs he's gone. and yeah not a popular opinion but I believe it . I agree there's a plan but I think that plan has nothing to do with getting younger and more about getting quieter. now the plan is to replace boldin with doss ,,,,,,,,,ok. and maybe huff over reed look at the stats plus he's thirty. Harrison wow,and next it will be urlacher. contrary to the opinion i'm giving I like Harbs I think he's an awesome coach .

[GrimCoconut]

I think Harbaugh's going to walk away from the game in the next few years, just because he seems like he has other obligations and desires outside of the game (ala Dungy), and why not surround yourself with your guys; completely your guys, while you can.

Uhhhh...huh? What makes you say this? This makes zero sense to me. Please elaborate. I'm not condescending--I am genuinely bewildered by your comment.