Nobody mentions two years ago when talking loss of Dennis Pitta and Anquan Boldin

[ravensfan160]

Two years ago we cut our top 2 receivers, one our top WR (Derrick Mason) and the other our top TE (Todd Heap) without any proven options on the roster besides Boldin. We were counting on inexperienced TE's and a rookie WR who struggled in camp. Sound familiar anyone? All we did two years ago was get a dropped Lee Evans pass away from the Super Bowl.

 

The losses of Boldin & Pitta will hurt, but they are far from a death sentence. I just wish some "expert" would mention what happened two years ago. Even local guys I've heard interviewed never bring it up as a reason not to worry.

[dirtybird10]

Yup and we made alot of changes besides them as well. Mcgahee, Gregg, Heap, Mason, and I think a few others all gone, yet we had a hell of a season and almost made it to the Superbowl. The only difference I can draw up is that Boldin and Mason were kind of similar receivers at that point in their career. They both were possession type guys, where now we really don't have that go to guy. That will be the only wild card in this equation in my opinion. Not that someone wont become that guy, but we don't know exactly who that will be at this moment.

[AsianRice]

as long as we have Caldwell/Joe, our offense will be fine; beside, we have the best RB duo in the league.

 

 

PS: I suspect Caldwell won't be here next year if things turn out to be too good to be true thing this year......

[poescrows]

as long as we have Caldwell/Joe, our offense will be fine; beside, we have the best RB duo in the league.

 

 

PS: I suspect Caldwell won't be here next year if things turn out to be too good to be true thing this year......

Yea, I for one am getting tired of losing our coordinators. I understand that a HC job is what they all strive for, but it seams that everytime our O or D gets in a rythum, the coordinator takes a job elsewhere. I feel a bit more confident about Caldwell hanging around though, he seams to be the type that enjoys NOT being the lead dog.

[harfordravenfan]

Yea, I for one am getting tired of losing our coordinators. I understand that a HC job is what they all strive for, but it seams that everytime our O or D gets in a rythum, the coordinator takes a job elsewhere. I feel a bit more confident about Caldwell hanging around though, he seams to be the type that enjoys NOT being the lead dog.

Also helps that its usually defensive coordinators that get taken from us. Nice change actually having an offensive coordinator that shows potential as a head coach

[easternshore97]

Is this good enough for you? Baldinger, Maycock, and Jeremiah telling it proper

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000227158/article/joe-flacco-baltimore-ravens-move-on-despite-injuries

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Well I think there is one notable difference here.... At that point Mason and Heap were both aging and declining.

 

This time around its a guy who has declined some but was steady during his time here and a TE who was seemingly going to break out for a career year. Slightly different situation.

 

However, we do have a better QB this time around, better coordinator who will make better use of the weapons available, better run game, ect... BUT just because it worked 2 years ago and things seem similar on paper, doesn't mean it necessarily will work now.

 

There is reason to be concerned just as there was 2 years ago. There is also reason to be optimistic. This really could go either way, but I like many other tend to lean towards it not being as big an issue as many are making it out to be. Young guys will step up - there will be bumps along the road but im banking that come the end of the season and rolling into playoff time we'll be firing on all cylinders and a tough team to knock out of the tournament.

[TonyTone1192]

as long as we have Caldwell/Joe, our offense will be fine; beside, we have the best RB duo in the league.

 

 

PS: I suspect Caldwell won't be here next year if things turn out to be too good to be true thing this year......

 

We are primed to have the best RB duo in the game. On paper, it surely looks like it, but the duo hasn't proven it yet. Let's not put the cart before the horse. 

[TonyTone1192]

These are the same people who were calling for Tyrod by week 13 last year. Lol

 

It sucks that we've lost Pitta due to injury but the positive in this scenario is that Pitta went out EARLY in training camp. We pretty much have all of the time in the world to adjust our offense to life w/o Pitta. I solely believe that we are one of the best, if not the best, preparation team in the league and it starts w/ our FO.

 

Also we ALL will miss Boldin because he defined what it meant to "play like a Raven" but in Oz we trust. We have young receivers who are ready to step up and produce. Some people don't expect much of any of of them b/c none of them have yet to prove themselves worthy of a role player, but they all just lack a little bit of faith.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

and im guessing your name is shawn cousins? haha identical post on the nfl.com article.

[CARavensFan]

Excellent point!! Its always the next man up with the Ravens, even the guys that are backups have some ability or Ozzie wouldn't have kept them. For the young guys its their chance to shine!!

[Blackbirds Rule]

and im guessing your name is shawn cousins? haha identical post on the nfl.com article.

lol I noticed that too.

[ravensfan160]

and im guessing your name is shawn cousins? haha identical post on the nfl.com article.

Haha. Yeah. It hit me reading that article and thought I'd post it here too.

[SeaHawk]

and im guessing your name is shawn cousins? haha identical post on the nfl.com article.

 

Same exact city of residence as well, Felton PA, according to Shawn William's facebook page.

[izvoodoo]

Mason and heap were let go specifically because we had people to replace them.

[ravensfan160]

Mason and heap were let go specifically because we had people to replace them.

No they were let go because they were aging and for cap reasons. We hoped the young TE's could replace Heap. We hoped Smith could replace Mason. When it looked in training camp that Smith would be unable to Ozzie traded for Lee Evans. The whole point of my post was we had no PROVEN replacements for those guys when we cut them. We were counting on young guys to step up which is not unlike this year.

[billick]

Mason and heap were let go specifically because we had people to replace them.

 

Yeah, but we embelish a lot. Leave the facts out, yaknow ?

[cobrajet]

Joe knows how to get receivers the ball and if he has confidence in Thompson and Doss, then I have confidence in Thompson and Doss. I think we will be just fine. Who knows maybe Joe will have a banner year with Thompson and Doss and the ESPN pundits will be forced to say something nice about him.

[funky141]

Mason and heap were let go specifically because we had people to replace them.

Agree, I look for Rice and Pierce to be more involved in 2013.

[Sami84]

We will have the best running game in the NFL if indeed things take time to pan out elsewhere. OUr defense is sick though. I firmly believe this is the best D line since 2006. Adalius thomas was such a monster for us then.

[jimmypowder]

as long as we have Caldwell/Joe, our offense will be fine; beside, we have the best RB duo in the league.

 

 

PS: I suspect Caldwell won't be here next year if things turn out to be too good to be true thing this year......

I think Caldwell will get a head coaching job somewhere. He is just too good of a coach not to.

 

I don't think he has the Rex Ryan syndrome,who will never be a good head coach but was a fabulous

defensive coordinator.

[RavensAllTheWay]

This occurred to me when Pitta went down, but I feel like it's a little different this time.  We don't have the same depth at TE or WR now that we had back then.  Two years ago, we still had Boldin and Smith behind Mason, now we have Smith and some combo of Jones/Doss/Thompson or someone else.  We were very high on Dickson and Pitta even back then even after losing Heap.  I don't think the organization feels the same about Juice/Bajema/Silvestro/33 year old Shiancoe.

[Gordo52]

Atleast our receiving core isn't as bad as the patriots... We'll be fine. OL is what scares me.

[izvoodoo]

No they were let go because they were aging and for cap reasons. We hoped the young TE's could replace Heap. We hoped Smith could replace Mason. When it looked in training camp that Smith would be unable to Ozzie traded for Lee Evans. The whole point of my post was we had no PROVEN replacements for those guys when we cut them. We were counting on young guys to step up which is not unlike this year.

I think the people who brought in knowing heap and Mason were on their last legs.

[JoeyFlex5]

Well I think there is one notable difference here.... At that point Mason and Heap were both aging and declining.

 

This time around its a guy who has declined some but was steady during his time here and a TE who was seemingly going to break out for a career year. Slightly different situation.

 

However, we do have a better QB this time around, better coordinator who will make better use of the weapons available, better run game, ect... BUT just because it worked 2 years ago and things seem similar on paper, doesn't mean it necessarily will work now.

 

There is reason to be concerned just as there was 2 years ago. There is also reason to be optimistic. This really could go either way, but I like many other tend to lean towards it not being as big an issue as many are making it out to be. Young guys will step up - there will be bumps along the road but im banking that come the end of the season and rolling into playoff time we'll be firing on all cylinders and a tough team to knock out of the tournament.

i wouldnt exactly say mason was on the decline, he was playing as good as ever in his last year here and showed no signs of slowing, he had 200 yards less, but thats just because we finally had a 2nd option in boldin. i see ur point though, especially about heap, he was on a steeeeep slippery slope with injuries, and pitta was looking to be one of the top TE's this year

[JoeyFlex5]

Atleast our receiving core isn't as bad as the patriots... We'll be fine. OL is what scares me.

why does the OL scare you?...

[5aiah]

This occurred to me when Pitta went down, but I feel like it's a little different this time.  We don't have the same depth at TE or WR now that we had back then.  Two years ago, we still had Boldin and Smith behind Mason, now we have Smith and some combo of Jones/Doss/Thompson or someone else.  We were very high on Dickson and Pitta even back then even after losing Heap.  I don't think the organization feels the same about Juice/Bajema/Silvestro/33 year old Shiancoe.

This pretty much sums it up. It is actually quite different in terms of who we are looking to replace these guys with. Boldin was pro bowler and record breaker. Then like you said the TE situation is different as well. That being said its not time to panic but to rethink expectations so people don't fly off the handle(and say crap like bring in tyrod) when things don't go all spectacular.

[rlh445]

Am I missing something?  Heap and Mason were both widely known to both be on the serious decline and at the end of their time not just here, but on the football field.  Both went on to do....what exactly?  Boldin's gonna be catching passes from Kap and Pitta WOULD have been catching a ton of passes from Joe had he not gone down.  I don't see the similarities here at all aside from the positions.

 

I'm all for optimism and everything but let's not go overboard.  I'm sure the team will be fine and utilize other options to the best of their ability.

[RavensAllTheWay]

This pretty much sums it up. It is actually quite different in terms of who we are looking to replace these guys with. Boldin was pro bowler and record breaker. Then like you said the TE situation is different as well. That being said its not time to panic but to rethink expectations so people don't fly off the handle(and say crap like bring in tyrod) when things don't go all spectacular.

 

I like what someone earlier said.  We may struggle early on, but once the new receivers are settled in, our offense could get hot at the right time.  I'm not totally in the dumps about our passing game, but I'm not really seeing a 4,000 yard, 30+ TD season from Joe either, not with the inexperience around him.

 

What we need is for a few guys to step in and give us some production piece by piece.  It's asking too much for one wide receiver other than Torrey to duplicate Boldins production by himself.  Dickson might duplicate or come close to Pitta's production, but we then need a second TE to catch maybe 20-30 passes.

 

If Joe can give us another 20+ TD season with about 3,700 or so yards with an improved defense and continued emphasis on the running game, we'll be just fine.  And I think he can and will.

[5aiah]

Am I missing something?  Heap and Mason were both widely known to both be on the serious decline and at the end of their time not just here, but on the football field.  Both went on to do....what exactly?  Boldin's gonna be catching passes from Kap and Pitta WOULD have been catching a ton of passes from Joe had he not gone down.  I don't see the similarities here at all aside from the positions.

 

I'm all for optimism and everything but let's not go overboard.  I'm sure the team will be fine and utilize other options to the best of their ability.

Exactly. But it seems like if you aren't overly optimistic, your a pessimist here.