Worst offseason ever

[hawkprey]

If we had re-signed all our players, no one would be here calling it a "good offseason". They'd be all "how come we didn't bring anyone in?". Ask someone how many of our own free agents we signed this offseason and I guarantee you they say 0 - forgetting the most important player on the team. Everyone looks at things negatively.

We lose Kruger in FA and get what? Chris Canty and a 4th round comp pick next year? Would you trade Ellerbe for Marcus Spears and a 4th? Boldin for a 6th and Elvis Dumerville? Or John Abraham? I'm fine with that.

[dhstandard]

Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Boldin were my favorites. Even in Madden I always threw to Boldin regardless. I liked Pollard's physicality.

The weird thing that about football is that in 10 years this team will be completely different. We have always had Ray Lewis. I knew that eventually the team I grew up watching would lose all the players whether it be free agency or retirement. These moves make the team better. But I always wished Ray and Ed would play forever.

It sucks now that it's happening.

[Bazooka Joe]

Every year we lose key players.
Every year fans vent and say this is horrible and we'll stink.
Every year another player steps up.
Every year we win.

We lost a great leader inRay. Another in Reed but that was due to happen.

The 49ers lost key players. The Steelers did.

Come on. These vent threads are getting old. Football is a game not life.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1364061428' post='1412170']
Every year we lose key players.
Every year fans vent and say this is horrible and we'll stink.
Every year another player steps up.
Every year we win.

We lost a great leader inRay. Another in Reed but that was due to happen.

The 49ers lost key players. The Steelers did.

Come on. These vent threads are getting old. Football is a game not life.
[/quote]

This is different. It's not about winning or losing. It's about losing players who have been so involved in the organization. This was expected, but to lose guys like Boldin Reed and Ray in the same year still sucks. The majority of jerseys you see are Ray and Ed. Nobody wants to see their favorite players leave.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Would you guys just stop whining all the time?

Its getting ridiculous. It's seriously annoying as [profanity deleted]

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1364063930' post='1412202']
Would you guys just stop whining all the time?

Its getting ridiculous. It's seriously annoying as [profanity deleted]
[/quote]

Profanity deleted is annoying. I wanted to read what you actually said. Lol

[Corvus_corax]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1364061428' post='1412170']
Every year we lose key players.
[b]Every year fans vent and say this is horrible and we'll stink.[/b]
Every year another player steps up.
Every year we win.

We lost a great leader inRay. Another in Reed but that was due to happen.

The 49ers lost key players. The Steelers did.

Come on. These vent threads are getting old. Football is a game not life.
[/quote]

I never made any comment about whether we would stink next year or not. I am simply saying that I feel really sad about seeing my 3 favourite players all leave the team at the same time.

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1364063808' post='1412199']
This is different. It's not about winning or losing. It's about losing players who have been so involved in the organization. This was expected, but to lose guys like Boldin Reed and Ray in the same year still sucks. The majority of jerseys you see are Ray and Ed. Nobody wants to see their favorite players leave.
[/quote]

Exactly. It does have nothing to do with winning and losing.

Sometimes players come along who you just strike up a bond with and get attached to. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed were, for me, two of those guys. Whenever I thought about the Ravens I immediately thought of Ray and Ed. Players do come and go, it's the nature of the game and I'm old enough to understand that. Ray and Ed weren't any two players though. It might be a long time before we see another Ed Reed and I don't think we'll ever see another Ray Lewis. He was a complete one off.

It is without doubt the end of an era. I guess I'm just feeling a bit reflective about it all.

[jimmypowder]

Stop crying Corvus, Elvis is in the house !

Elvis is significantly better then all the players we have lost , including the current Ed Reed .

[Purple Nurple]

Thank you fax machine snafu!!!!!!

[elliot]

[quote name='jimmypowder' timestamp='1364159700' post='1413297']
Stop crying Corvus, Elvis is in the house !

Elvis is significantly better then all the players we have lost , including the current Ed Reed .
[/quote]Definitely makes for a better "close season".

[Ragin'Raven]

It still stinks to lose some of the players we did (and hopefully won't have to lose more), but bringing in Dumervil surely makes it better. On paper, the guy's a beast. I can't wait to see what he does on the field this off-season, pre-season, regular season, and hopefully post-season!

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='Corvus_corax' timestamp='1364013106' post='1411726']
This is the worst close season ever.

When I heard the news today about Ed signing for the Texans it just felt like the last straw for me. It was like that punch in the guts that just knocks the wind out of you and leaves you slouched in the corner.

If someone had asked me 3 months ago who my 3 favourite Ravens players were, my answer would have been as follows................

1. Ray Lewis
2. Ed Reed




3. Bernard Pollard


BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! They're all gone. And it hurts. Yeah yeah I get all the "It's just a business" "Ed's 35 and wasn't worth the money anymore" "In Ozzie we trust" and "We have to cut players to stay under the cap" stuff. That's all fine and dandy. But frankly I just don't care about any of that right now. All I care about is that the players I got the most joy out of watching have all left the building and they ain't coming back.

I knew Ray was going and that was never going to be easy for me. The man is a legend and one of the reasons I became a Ravens fan. I tried to prepare myself mentally for it but somehow it is still hard to believe that I'll never see him in a Ravens jersey again.

Seeing Ed in a Texans cap is just tough to watch too. There was never going to be a good time to see him go but to see him leave only a few weeks after Ray retiring just makes that much harder to take.

The departure of Bernard Pollard was something I just didn't see coming and it has blindsided me a bit. Pollard epitomised the slogan 'Play like a Raven' and I will miss watching him. Although his departure doesn't bother me as much as seeing Ray and Ed go.

I feel like someone has hollowed me out inside. The bright lights and the glory of the Superbowl seem 100 years ago. The events of the last few weeks have really taken some of the shine off of it for me. I know there is still the draft to look forward to, I know we might get Dumervil, yadda yadda yadda but boy this really does suck.

No doubt as we get closer to the new season I will start to feel more upbeat again and begin looking towards the future but right now I feel pretty darn fed up. Sorry for the[b] doom[/b] and gloom guys but seeing all 3 of my favourite players leave the team in quick succession has just really thrown me for a loop and I needed to vent.


Cc
[/quote]

You recently chose one of the greatest teams in modern sports history to be your "favorite" team.... be happy.

People get old, people get greedy (especially after a "win") and people are stupid - not much you or I or we can collectively do to resolve that.

It's like seperation anxiety, I get that.... but realize this organization is a freaking methodical MACHINE that will both befuddle and amaze... rookies are befuddled, vets are humbled and amazed.

It's hard to argue that we don't have one of the 5 best managed/organized teams in the league.

If we can win a Super Bowl with Dilfer and suffer through Boller, then I'd say it's safe to assume we are one of the most, if not the most, resilient teams to grace a playing field in the past 1000 years.

P.S - no need to appologize for any "Doom".... we have all the "Doom" we need

[ravinHawaii]

I feel like with the structure of all the deals are aimed at getting bak to superbowl next season.... but I wouldn't doubt we r back this year after another strong draft

[funky141]

[quote name='jimmypowder' timestamp='1364159700' post='1413297']
Stop crying Corvus, Elvis is in the house !

Elvis is significantly better then all the players we have lost , including the current Ed Reed .
[/quote]

I wouldn't go that far. Dummervil is a good sign but not the savior.

[EricH]

Personally I feel this is one of the best off-seasons in a long time.
Now granted in the past we had hoped for our team (on the defensive side) to go mostly unchanged.
I have been preaching for a couple seasons now about how sooner or later we are going to need to rebuild and go younger.
Start over again essentially.
Well, now we are and people are complaining that we are not holding onto our veteran leadership.

You can't have it both ways.

[edsopafan]

[quote name='Corvus_corax' timestamp='1364013106' post='1411726']
This is the worst close season ever.

When I heard the news today about Ed signing for the Texans it just felt like the last straw for me. It was like that punch in the guts that just knocks the wind out of you and leaves you slouched in the corner.

If someone had asked me 3 months ago who my 3 favourite Ravens players were, my answer would have been as follows................

1. Ray Lewis
2. Ed Reed




3. Bernard Pollard


BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! They're all gone. And it hurts. Yeah yeah I get all the "It's just a business" "Ed's 35 and wasn't worth the money anymore" "In Ozzie we trust" and "We have to cut players to stay under the cap" stuff. That's all fine and dandy. But frankly I just don't care about any of that right now. All I care about is that the players I got the most joy out of watching have all left the building and they ain't coming back.

I knew Ray was going and that was never going to be easy for me. The man is a legend and one of the reasons I became a Ravens fan. I tried to prepare myself mentally for it but somehow it is still hard to believe that I'll never see him in a Ravens jersey again.

Seeing Ed in a Texans cap is just tough to watch too. There was never going to be a good time to see him go but to see him leave only a few weeks after Ray retiring just makes that much harder to take.

The departure of Bernard Pollard was something I just didn't see coming and it has blindsided me a bit. Pollard epitomised the slogan 'Play like a Raven' and I will miss watching him. Although his departure doesn't bother me as much as seeing Ray and Ed go.

I feel like someone has hollowed me out inside. The bright lights and the glory of the Superbowl seem 100 years ago. The events of the last few weeks have really taken some of the shine off of it for me. I know there is still the draft to look forward to, I know we might get Dumervil, yadda yadda yadda but boy this really does suck.

No doubt as we get closer to the new season I will start to feel more upbeat again and begin looking towards the future but right now I feel pretty darn fed up. Sorry for the doom and gloom guys but seeing all 3 of my favourite players leave the team in quick succession has just really thrown me for a loop and I needed to vent.


Cc
[/quote]

TRUST IN OZ. Patience there is a plan. Yes this is a difficult road to fill the holes. But the Ravens had been getting long in the tooth and needed more speed and athleticism.
Look for the draft to concentrate on Safety and Linebackers. A wide receiver may be thrown in but defense is the key. My question is how to solve Left Offensive Tackle. But Ozzie has his plan. Sit back and watch the Wizard work.

[Bobby]

I think this has been a tough off-season from an emotional level - seeing so many favorite Ravens either retire or leave. It always hurts to lose "family." But from performance level, we had an average D last year and we needed to get better - and I believe we will be better. The only move I still think was wrong was letting Boldin go....but hey, Ozzie is Ozzie and I trust his football knowledge a lot better than my own! GO RAVENS!

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Bobby' timestamp='1364213352' post='1414575']
I think this has been a tough off-season from an emotional level - seeing so many favorite Ravens either retire or leave. It always hurts to lose "family." But from performance level, we had an average D last year and we needed to get better - and I believe we will be better. The only move I still think was wrong was letting Boldin go....but hey, Ozzie is Ozzie and I trust his football knowledge a lot better than my own! GO RAVENS!
[/quote]


This.....

[RedFire]

[quote name='EricH' timestamp='1364212275' post='1414569']
Personally I feel this is one of the best off-seasons in a long time.
Now granted in the past we had hoped for our team (on the defensive side) to go mostly unchanged.
I have been preaching for a couple seasons now about how sooner or later we are going to need to rebuild and go younger.
Start over again essentially.
Well, now we are and people are complaining that we are not holding onto our veteran leadership.

You can't have it both ways.
[/quote]


Success is from a combination of older leadership and high motor athletic youth. Never seen an all old guy team win a championship since the 98 Chicago bulls. And I haven't seen an all young guy team win. Hopefully Suggs and nagata can fill the defensive leadership role.

[Bazooka Joe]

If we don't sign another FA, this is a great offseason. This is why you don't make silly declarations after one week of FA.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1364211542' post='1414563']


I wouldn't go that far. Dummervil is a good sign but not the savior.
[/quote]

Who said he is our "savior"? You amuse me!

[arnie_uk]

Well this is embarrassing

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1364217541' post='1414610']


Who said he is our "savior"? You amuse me!
[/quote]why do we even need a saviour? We are superbowl champs and haven't lost any think worth overpaying to keep

[1/28/01]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1364217648' post='1414613']
why do we even need a saviour? We are superbowl champs and haven't lost any think worth overpaying to keep
[/quote]

Look at the source...he's hilarious with incessant negativity. He amuses me! Go COLTS!

[BloodRaven]

One of the mods needs to change the title to something more appropriate and in line with the spirit of the OP's rant, something along the lines of:

"This offseason hit me hard "

or

"This is the first offseason I've ever seen"

[PuRock]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1364221776' post='1414687']
One of the mods needs to change the title to something more appropriate and in line with the spirit of the OP's rant, something along the lines of:

"This offseason hit me hard "

or

"This is the first offseason I've ever seen"
[/quote]

I got one. How about:

"I love the offseason so much, I should have picked being a Falcons/Jets/Cowboys/Redskins fan instead"

"Show me the names, forget the trophies!"

[Dudeman]

Actually I kind of have found this off-season to be refreshing in a odd sort of way. I would say the amount of turn-over on our roster is a little bit jarring. Major players are gone along with home grown talent with good upside. But the moves make sense for the long term, AND we can still be competitive in the short term if they had to play a game tomorrow.

The good news is we dont have to play tomrrow, and the draft is always, always good to us. The fact that we lead the league in comp picks has to mean that what we have in our war room is special.

Worst off-season ever? No, I'd say last years was and this is why.

Last year we lost to the Patriots (of all teams) and we BARELY lost. Sure the players had a quiet confidence, and Ray said he'd be back to finish the job. But seeing the low-lights over and over (Evans drop and Cundiffs miss) was something the national media seemed to relish. Furthermore, all the pundits were forecasting that our window was closing, that our defense was getting old (and it was), and the splash in free agency was nearly non-existent.

But hindsight my friends is the only thing that is 20/20. Turns out last years free agency provided critical pieces to get us over the hump (and to the hump as well.) The draft class did their fair share and we uncovered some gems in Bernard Pierce which no-one here can say they saw coming. Lastly, we were able to come together at the right time to send Ray and Ed out on top.

On a side note, is no-one else excited about our offense? We had the best offense in the play-offs, and they played very well on the road. Caldwell seemed to do the trick, we are returning most of the players on offense, and Flacco seems to have turned the page on mediocrity.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1364211542' post='1414563']
I wouldn't go that far. Dummervil is a good sign but not the savior.
[/quote]
lol.....,Colts need a savior....

The world champ, 2013 Baltimore Ravens are the real savior......

[dirtybird10]

Gotta say this front 7 has potential to be one of the best front 7's we have seen here in Baltimore. IF Suggs and Ngata have a relatively healthy year, and Jones continues his play, we could be devastating. Here's to health!!!!

[Corvus_corax]

[quote name='Bobby' timestamp='1364213352' post='1414575']
[b]I think this has been a tough off-season from an emotional level - seeing so many favorite Ravens either retire or leave. It always hurts to lose "family." [/b] But from performance level, we had an average D last year and we needed to get better - and I believe we will be better. The only move I still think was wrong was letting Boldin go....but hey, Ozzie is Ozzie and I trust his football knowledge a lot better than my own! GO RAVENS!
[/quote]

Yeah that is probably quite a good way of putting it.

Reading some of the replies to my OP, I feel I should just clarify something. My OP was not a forecast of oblivion for the Ravens in 2013. I still think we have enough talent on our roster to be competitive next season. I've said as much in other threads. The OP was really just conveying my deep sadness at seeing guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed leave the team. I know players get old and everyone has their time but these two guys weren't your run of the mill players or run of the mill guys. They are both legends and watching them leave has been tougher than I thought it would be.

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1364221776' post='1414687']
One of the mods needs to change the title to something more appropriate and in line with the spirit of the OP's rant, something along the lines of:

"This is the first offseason I've ever seen"
[/quote]

It's certainly not my first offseason. I have been watching the NFL since 1986.