Worst offseason ever

[luvrayrice27]

this off-season stings with all the players we lost but then i thought, wasn't our defense still kinda bad with all the familiar/veteren players we had last season? Even the media was saying our d was too old and slow and blah blah blah. Now, this off season we lose those familiar players (ray, ed, birk, ellerbie, kruger, etc) and we're somewhat younger and now the media is basically saying we're worse off without them...and all the teams that our players signed with are all of of sudden so much more improved and are contenders. Even signing Dumerville, we're not getting much love. Denver is getting more love then us. Skip basically thinks we're a joke and will be last in our division next season (but then again...whats new with his views towards us)...What will it take for us to be taken seriously? The only thing i wish we could take is trading bodin

[EricH]

Yeah, Reed was long in the tooth as a Raven. Yet is now the missing piece for the Texans. lmao

[cursona pirate]

Don't worry about it. There still "Ravens" They ALL have rings from the Ravens. It happens suck it up.

[justifythegame]

[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]
I agree with your sentiment. Im a bmore fan, but the players are what attracted me to the team, namely Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Over the years you see great players on other teams and think man that guy would make the perfect Raven, somehow ozzie manages to get those very guys on the team. Elvis Dumervil was one of my fav OLBs his 17 sack year, I loved Bernard Polllard when he was on the Chiefs...and look those guys ended up Ravens. Anquan Boldin was my fav NFL WR by his 2nd year in the league, i was so in love with his style of play I argued with every1 how he was better than Fitzgerald lol... and i couldn't believe it, i thought I was dreaming when he ended up a Raven. Steve McNair was my favorite QB back in the years he was winning co-MVP.... no surprise i guess - he ended up a Raven. The way ozzie goes out and gets players, i dunno, somehow I feel like he will go get more of these Raven type players.

I still disagree with letting Ed Reed go, but at the same time, somehow I know ozzie will draft and sign some Raven type replacements based on his history of targeting the same players i thought would make perfect ravens. Theres a pick machine safety in this years draft that reminds me of Ed Reed, and theres a LB who reminds of Ray, i won't mention their names so i don't jinx it but its such a deep draft i wouldn't be surprised if we got them anywhere from rounds 1-4.

[Bump N Run]

Jesus, get a grip.

[i]YOU CAN ACT LIKE A MAN![/i]

[flynismo]

Worst thread ever!

[K-Dog]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1364527386' post='1419042']
Worst thread ever!
[/quote]
????
Flacco sucks threads 1-through 2,736?

[VCsam]

It's sad to see our guys go but remember that we had to make adjustments late in the season last year to become SB champs.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1364528118' post='1419047']

????
Flacco sucks threads 1-through 2,736?
[/quote]
Speaking of which
I Want Tyrod Taylor

The Ravens Warriors thread was good tho

[jaege]

It was the worst of offseasons it was the best of offseasons.

The OP is right, it was a tough offseason, seeing all our old favorites leave, get traded or retire. But it had to be done, and now we have rebuilt the defense into what could potentially be much better than last year. Still more building to do via the draft.

[Raven Hammer]

Been thinking about this for a couple of days. Maybe i'm off base. What do you think?

Does anyone think that Ozzie's plan for this off season has changed with the unexpected signing of doom. In my opinion there was no way that Ozzie could have planned on signing Doom or someone of his equivalent value at the start of the off season. When he fell into our lap it changed the off season from one of re-tooling to one of making a run. Not that he will start to over pay for players but maybe change the players that he is looking at. (ie. maybe Dansby or the Huff signing)

If the primise is true, then maybe the chance of him moving up in the draft for a Left Tackle seems more likely. I think that the LT need is the most important need left to address. I think this because of how much more effective the Offence was after Joe was given more time. To my way of thinking the top three LT's in the draft are interchangable. All having strenghts and weaknesses, but all just as ready to step in and start from the get. As always starting a rookie comes with a risk. Weighting the cost of a Vet LT as opposed to a good rookie IMO makes a drafted LT the best choice.

IMO If we nail down the LT then we are set to make a run for back to back. With 12 draft picks we have the amunition to make the move. Just wondering if it makes/seams reasonable to anybody else.

[ravens88]

other than Boldin im okay with everything else if anything i have enjoyed this off-season dummervil made it a good off-season in my opinion.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='Raven Hammer' timestamp='1364649113' post='1420126']
Been thinking about this for a couple of days. Maybe i'm off base. What do you think?

Does anyone think that Ozzie's plan for this off season has changed with the unexpected signing of doom. In my opinion there was no way that Ozzie could have planned on signing Doom or someone of his equivalent value at the start of the off season. When he fell into our lap it changed the off season from one of re-tooling to one of making a run. Not that he will start to over pay for players but maybe change the players that he is looking at. (ie. maybe Dansby or the Huff signing)

If the primise is true, then maybe the chance of him moving up in the draft for a Left Tackle seems more likely. I think that the LT need is the most important need left to address. I think this because of how much more effective the Offence was after Joe was given more time. To my way of thinking the top three LT's in the draft are interchangable. All having strenghts and weaknesses, but all just as ready to step in and start from the get. As always starting a rookie comes with a risk. Weighting the cost of a Vet LT as opposed to a good rookie IMO makes a drafted LT the best choice.

IMO If we nail down the LT then we are set to make a run for back to back. With 12 draft picks we have the amunition to make the move. Just wondering if it makes/seams reasonable to anybody else.
[/quote]
I totally agree trade up and get Joeckel, Fisher, or Johnson and make a run at another Super Bowl!

[cobrajet]

[quote name='ravens88' timestamp='1364650556' post='1420132']
other than Boldin im okay with everything else if anything i have enjoyed this off-season dummervil made it a good off-season in my opinion.
[/quote]
Agreed, Boldin was the only one that really crushed me.

[Tiz]

[quote name='Raven Hammer' timestamp='1364649113' post='1420126']
Been thinking about this for a couple of days. Maybe i'm off base. What do you think?

Does anyone think that Ozzie's plan for this off season has changed with the unexpected signing of doom. In my opinion there was no way that Ozzie could have planned on signing Doom or someone of his equivalent value at the start of the off season. When he fell into our lap it changed the off season from one of re-tooling to one of making a run. Not that he will start to over pay for players but maybe change the players that he is looking at. (ie. maybe Dansby or the Huff signing)

If the primise is true, then maybe the chance of him moving up in the draft for a Left Tackle seems more likely. I think that the LT need is the most important need left to address. I think this because of how much more effective the Offence was after Joe was given more time. To my way of thinking the top three LT's in the draft are interchangable. All having strenghts and weaknesses, but all just as ready to step in and start from the get. As always starting a rookie comes with a risk. Weighting the cost of a Vet LT as opposed to a good rookie IMO makes a drafted LT the best choice.

IMO If we nail down the LT then we are set to make a run for back to back. With 12 draft picks we have the amunition to make the move. Just wondering if it makes/seams reasonable to anybody else.
[/quote]

Plan never changed just the person who filled in the position changed
Discussed James Harrison to replace Kruger ended up,with dumerville. Simply a name change but a position that was always targeted in free agency

[Raven Hammer]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1364653155' post='1420155']
I totally agree trade up and get Joeckel, Fisher, or Johnson and make a run at another Super Bowl!
[/quote]
I tend to agree. The chance of getting players like Doom don't come along everyday, so why not take advantage of it. Make the run while you can.

[Raven Hammer]

[quote name='Tiz' timestamp='1364653652' post='1420158']
Plan never changed just the person who filled in the position changed
Discussed James Harrison to replace Kruger ended up,with dumerville. Simply a name change but a position that was always targeted in free agency
[/quote]
I thought that we would sign a pass rusher also. However the quality of the player signed changed and with that IMO the expectations/focus for this coming year changed.

[Tiz]

[quote name='Raven Hammer' timestamp='1364654589' post='1420164']

I thought that we would sign a pass rusher also. However the quality of the player signed changed and with that IMO the expectations/focus for this coming year changed.
[/quote]

Its hard for me to say the expectations changed.
Think we always expect the defense to play well
And I do think ozzie is crazy methodical so even getting an unexpected name the plan and focus doesn't change
Just the timing of e addition.
To me I think we as fans are impatient and that makes it hard with a front office that does things in a tortoise like pace
Since the change in the draft so the first round is on its own night the ravens haven't made a pick that night
So while everyone is all anxious to see who their team takes first we all get to wait an extra day.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1364653213' post='1420156']

Agreed, Boldin was the only one that really crushed me.
[/quote]

Ugh. Just watched the SB run bluray again last night. That guy was just CLUTCH in needed situations. Tough to let him go.

[Raven Hammer]

[quote name='Tiz' timestamp='1364655624' post='1420172']
Its hard for me to say the expectations changed.
Think we always expect the defense to play well
And I do think ozzie is crazy methodical so even getting an unexpected name the plan and focus doesn't change
Just the timing of e addition.
To me I think we as fans are impatient and that makes it hard with a front office that does things in a tortoise like pace
Since the change in the draft so the first round is on its own night the ravens haven't made a pick that night
So while everyone is all anxious to see who their team takes first we all get to wait an extra day.
[/quote]
Can't argue with what are "Fan Expectations". I was just saying that with Ozzie's signing of Dumervil, his time table could have been moved ahead. That he might sign other players ( not so cap friendly in future years) that he might not have signed this year to take advantage of the luck coming our way with the Dumervil Signing. It has not been Ozzie's track record in the past, but it's a thought.

Do you agree that we are a good LT away from making a run at back to back SB's. If you agree then do you agree that the best way to aquire one is moving up in the draft.

[ThePurplePack]

i think its a nice offseason we werent so good last year and this year i think top 10 defence

[reediddy]

I understand your pain as a fan but whew am I glad you don't run the front office.

[reediddy]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1364653155' post='1420155']
I totally agree trade up and get Joeckel, Fisher, or Johnson and make a run at another Super Bowl!
[/quote]

Can you imagine how much a team like Arizona/San Diego is going to ask to move up to 7/11 respectively? That's their main need. I live in San Diego and all the talk on sports radio is that SD is strictly addressing LT. Arizona could go Barkley/Geno Smith but I think Arians is a smart enough coach to understand the need for an elite LT and will realize quickly that they don't have one there

[SecretAgentMan]

Btw, the worst offseason ever wouldve been if we lost Flacco.

[1/28/01]

Maybe the one where we drafted Boller. No?

[YYZ66]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1364661828' post='1420226']
Maybe the one where we drafted Boller. No?
[/quote]

Still too early......

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1364661828' post='1420226']
Maybe the one where we drafted Boller. No?
[/quote]
No. We also got Suggs in that....
Oh dead god
Sign Flacco to huge deal. Sign dumervil
Draft Boller. Suggs before that.

We. Are. Screwed.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='reediddy' timestamp='1364660020' post='1420206']
Can you imagine how much a team like Arizona/San Diego is going to ask to move up to 7/11 respectively? That's their main need. I live in San Diego and all the talk on sports radio is that SD is strictly addressing LT. Arizona could go Barkley/Geno Smith but I think Arians is a smart enough coach to understand the need for an elite LT and will realize quickly that they don't have one there
[/quote]
With them cutting Gaither, I understand it would take a lot, but we seriously need a LT. I know we have other needs for depth like ILB, but we have guys like Bynes that could step up and draft there later for depth..........however:
1. Joeckel, Fisher and Lane are the only immediate starters I see at LT the others IMHO are works in progress. I am getting sick of waiting for works in progress at LT
2. We are too good of a team each year to ever be high enough to get a good LTearly in the draft. We are going to have to make the plunge sometime.
3. We do not have a decent LT on the team now (Oher Harewood and Reid just don't do it for me)
4. K.O. is a good LG, lets not mess with that
5. We just made Joe the highest paid player in the NFL, lets keep him protected
6. We have speedsters in Torrey and Jacoby, lets take advantage of that and give Joe some time to get some good throws to them.

[Tiz]

[quote name='Raven Hammer' timestamp='1364657929' post='1420194']

Can't argue with what are "Fan Expectations". I was just saying that with Ozzie's signing of Dumervil, his time table could have been moved ahead. That he might sign other players ( not so cap friendly in future years) that he might not have signed this year to take advantage of the luck coming our way with the Dumervil Signing. It has not been Ozzie's track record in the past, but it's a thought.

Do you agree that we are a good LT away from making a run at back to back SB's. If you agree then do you agree that the best way to aquire one is moving up in the draft.
[/quote]

Yeah I agree but I can't say if he is in the roster or not
I go back to last year and how we lost Grubbs, sought Evans and that didnt work out but we still produced as an offense

[Raven Hammer]

@ Tiz Thats true I don't think we're done with out a LT. But with a real good one i think we would be hard to beat.