Rookie Season Predictions

[radicals]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for this prediction  but I think our defense next year will rank somewhere from 1st - 5th in the league.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for this prediction but I think our defense next year will rank somewhere from 1st - 5th in the league.

I could definitely see that assuming our new additions fulfill expectations.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

95% was the most by a raven and that was Cary Williams. Ed played 92% and then everyone else played under 80%.

[radicals]

I could definitely see that assuming our new additions fulfill expectations.

Definitely with the guys we got in the draft and free agency, I feel our defense has improved greatly. Can't wait to see our team in a few months.

[wademan2636]

95% was the most by a raven and that was Cary Williams. Ed played 92% and then everyone else played under 80%.

ray played every snap when he wasnt injured. so did webb.  and once ellerbe won a full time ILB job, he didnt miss a snap either.

[Inqui]

I think Arthur Brown and Matt Elam will both become full-time starters from day one. Kapron Lewis-Moore will go to IR. Those are the three easiest predictions imo.

 

Brandons Williams is still a little bit raw, but I can see him getting snaps from day one and eventually beating out Terence Cody for NT. I can see him picking up a sack or two and a few tackles (particularly if he can start to disengage blockers), but he might struggle in double coverage in the pros.

 

John Simon is actually my favourite pick after watching his tape. Not so much in terms of value or projection to set the league alight, but I just really enjoy watching his tape. I love his dedication and his technique, and I have him as the next Paul Kruger. He might end up with a sack or two this year, but I'm not expecting a lot from him at this stage. Come his second year, he'll be more of a rotational pass rusher, but I think this year he'll be one of these guys used to hunt the QB for a few snaps every match.

 

Kyle Juszczyk will see a fair bit of time, but I think most of his work will be for blocks and short-ranged passes. I think 60 yards and a TD is an optimistic, yet possible guess, although most of his work won't show up on the stats sheet. What won't help is that he'll be behind Vonta, who doesn't get used a whole lot already. What will help is that he can also line up as a TE or even a RB.

 

Aaron Mellette will see the field on occasion, but I think he'll pick up about three or four receptions for 20 yards, maybe a first down to boot.

 

Marc Anthony will make a few tackles, but I still rate Chykie Brown and Corey Graham as our depth guys. Hopefully Anthony doesn't see too much of the field, as that would mean Jimmy or Lardarius are probably down again.

 

Our o-line guys will compete for depth, but I don't expect anything from this year unless we rest all our starters in week 17 again or something.

 

So, for my thoughts on who will get the most game time, I'll go with this, in order:

Matt Elam

Arthur Brown

Brandon Williams

Kyle Juszczyk

John Simon

Anthony Mellette

Marc Anthony

Ryan Jensen

Ricky Wagner

Kapron Lewis-Moore

 

Ranking Simon and Mellette was difficult, as they both depend so much on the people in front of them. I actually think Simon will be used to spell Dumervil every now and again though, while Mellette will have to work against more experienced guys for his spot.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

ray played every snap when he wasnt injured. so did webb.  and once ellerbe won a full time ILB job, he didnt miss a snap either.

That is untrue, not a single player even played 100% of snaps week 1. Regardless they all faced injuries which is a part of my argument. It is incredibly difficult to play 100% of snaps.

 

Edit: I do believe Ellerbe played 100% after taking over prior to being hurt, the untrue was meant for Ray and Webb.

[The Raven]

Are y'all really arguing over who played 100% of the snaps? Come on kids!

 

Elam will play 100% of the meaningful snaps so long as he is healthy.

 

Is that a good compromise here? 

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Are y'all really arguing over who played 100% of the snaps? Come on kids!

Elam will play 100% of the meaningful snaps so long as he is healthy.

Is that a good compromise here?

Yes.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Are y'all really arguing over who played 100% of the snaps? Come on kids!

Elam will play 100% of the meaningful snaps so long as he is healthy.

Is that a good compromise here?

Anyways would you like to weigh in here with some of your expectations?

[Ravenslifer]

I think Mallette gets the Streeter treatment - IR'ed this year, will contribute next year.

[The Raven]

Anyways would you like to weigh in here with some of your expectations?

 

Elam gets 70+ tackles and 4 picks. 4 forced fumbles.

 

Arthur Brown starts immediately. 100+ tackles. 3 picks. 4 sacks.

 

Brandon Williams starts as well. Doubles Terrence Cody's tackles in 2012 season.

 

Kyle Juzsyzyk finishes season with more catches than Ed Dickson.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Elam gets 70+ tackles and 4 picks. 4 forced fumbles.

Arthur Brown starts immediately. 100+ tackles. 3 picks. 4 sacks.

Brandon Williams starts as well. Doubles Terrence Cody's tackles in 2012 season.

Kyle Juzsyzyk finishes season with more catches than Ed Dickson.

Interesting. I think most of those are reasonable barring injuries.

[The Raven]

Interesting. I think most of those are reasonable barring injuries.

 

I think the rest of them are in stacked positions and I really can't make any predictions about them. Maybe Mellette catches 30 balls. Simon might notch a few sacks. Wagner has a chance to start at LT. I like his feet but I don't know if he's a good run blocker. Even considering his good footwork, I'm not sure if he has the agility to handle NFL rushers. 

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I think the rest of them are in stacked positions and I really can't make any predictions about them. Maybe Mellette catches 30 balls. Simon might notch a few sacks. Wagner has a chance to start at LT. I like his feet but I don't know if he's a good run blocker. Even considering his good footwork, I'm not sure if he has the agility to handle NFL rushers.

I actually think Wagner is a dark horse for the LT spot and I hope Mellette gets that involved.

[The Raven]

I actually think Wagner is a dark horse for the LT spot and I hope Mellette gets that involved.

 

I have a good bit of faith in Wagner, actually. He has the build you want in a tackle. 6'6, 320. Big in the rear. Long arms. 

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I have a good bit of faith in Wagner, actually. He has the build you want in a tackle. 6'6, 320. Big in the rear. Long arms.

As do I. Tbh I think we have our LT of the future on the team already. I think it will either be Wagner, Mims, Devey, Gaines, KO, or Cornell (not sure if he's still on the roster). I think 1 of them will show that they are up to the task in the preseason and take over the spot. Plus I like Castillo as a coach, I think he is good at developing players and maximizing production.

[GrimCoconut]

As do I. Tbh I think we have our LT of the future on the team already. I think it will either be Wagner, Mims, Devey, Gaines, KO, or Cornell (not sure if he's still on the roster). I think 1 of them will show that they are up to the task in the preseason and take over the spot. Plus I like Castillo as a coach, I think he is good at developing players and maximizing production.

Well, you named everyone but Michael Oher, so that makes sense, lol. Just kidding. I know what you mean. 

 

If Wagner can get those feet right & show it in camp, I think there's a slight possibility he could be our LT. I can't say for sure right now. I'm not really confident in that. But we could see him there if he has KO next to him. KO is a really good LG. While it's true that having KO next to him doesn't mean he will suddenly become an All-Pro LT, it does make a difference because if you look at Michael Oher with Reid or Williams next to him, he looks REALLY bad, but Oher had a good game with Harewood at LG in 2012. 

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Well, you named everyone but Michael Oher, so that makes sense, lol. Just kidding. I know what you mean.

If Wagner can get those feet right & show it in camp, I think there's a slight possibility he could be our LT. I can't say for sure right now. I'm not really confident in that. But we could see him there if he has KO next to him. KO is a really good LG. While it's true that having KO next to him doesn't mean he will suddenly become an All-Pro LT, it does make a difference because if you look at Michael Oher with Reid or Williams next to him, he looks REALLY bad, but Oher had a good game with Harewood at LG in 2012.

Tbh I think Michael Oher could've been and should've been our Franchise LT. I blame it on the organization for switching his position every year and not giving him some continuity at LT to show improvement. Just my opinion though. I definitely think having KO at guard helps whoever our LT will be. I hope Wagner works out. Out of the list I would say either Wagner or Mims has the best shot at becoming our LT. I don't think KO will be our future LT. I see him as a sort of stopgap at LT who will go back to his more natural position at LG when we do get our LT.

[The Raven]

Tbh I think Michael Oher could've been and should've been our Franchise LT. I blame it on the organization for switching his position every year and not giving him some continuity at LT to show improvement. Just my opinion though. I definitely think having KO at guard helps whoever our LT will be. I hope Wagner works out. Out of the list I would say either Wagner or Mims has the best shot at becoming our LT. I don't think KO will be our future LT. I see him as a sort of stopgap at LT who will go back to his more natural position at LG when we do get our LT.

 

 

If he was good at LT, I'm pretty sure he would have got said continuity at the position. Doubt they would move a franchise LT if he was playing like a franchise LT.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

If he was good at LT, I'm pretty sure he would have got said continuity at the position. Doubt they would move a franchise LT if he was playing like a franchise LT.

I just feel like they didn't give him the chance to show his development and went for the immediate improvement with Bryant over growth for the future with Mike. Just my thoughts.

[wademan2636]

That is untrue, not a single player even played 100% of snaps week 1. Regardless they all faced injuries which is a part of my argument. It is incredibly difficult to play 100% of snaps.

 

Edit: I do believe Ellerbe played 100% after taking over prior to being hurt, the untrue was meant for Ray and Webb.

ray missed 8 snaps in game 1 and i believe that was because we were slaughtering the bengals and there was no reason to keep him in.  every other game he played in, he played every single snap (except dallas where he got injured).

 

in the playoffs, he played every single snap as well.  

[Cville-Raven]

Elam gets 70+ tackles and 4 picks. 4 forced fumbles.

 

 

 

 

Those are pro bowl numbers for a Strong safety so I would be elated if he produces like that. I think he might even have a sack or two; he could be an assassin on blitzes.

 

[ravensdan]

Who else is going to play strong safety I mean cmon

Ihedigbo will be involved. To what extent depends on camp and preseason.