Off-season Timeline

[SecretAgentMan]

Alright guys, time to recap the Ravens Offseason SAM style...

 

 

SB

 

Beginning of the off-season earns us the all powerful title of defending SB champs with a QB that proved haters wrong. But the haters still hate.. So we gotta make sure he hoists the Lombardi one more time....

 

 

Start of FA: Panic Ensues.

We traded Anquan Boldin to the 69ers for a sixth rounder much to the dismay of many Ravens fans including myself for a buttload of cap space. I said earlier that we won the trade but y'all laughed at me.

 

We lose Ellerbeast to the Phins(who literally threw money at him), Reed to the Texans, Kruger to the Browns, cut Pollard, Cary Williams to the Eagles.

According to many our season was over.

 

Ozzie quietly starts working his magic

Same day, Ozzie signs proven commodity Chris Canty who is a jack of all trades, master of none Dlinemen,

 

Later on he signs Marcus Spears. A run stuffing specialist.

 

Ozzie instantly improved the run defense in two of the most underrated moves of FA. But we were still complaining. 

 

 

Doom and Gloom: The arrival of Elvis Dumervil 

All pro caliber pass rusher hit the market due to faxgate.  We sign him for less than Kruger signed for the Browns. The tandem of Suggs and Doom make for two of the best pass rusher's we've ever had. We now have two 10+ sack pass rushers to go with a potentially stout run defense. 

 

 

The arrival of fellow all Pro Micheal Huff

Micheal Huff made a all pro back in 2009. He hit the market because he cost a ton of money. He should be very good as he helps take away the deep ball, and is very solid in run support. 

Safeties are only as good as the talent around them. Oakland wasn't very talented. We have a talented unit. That's what makes this signing great.

 

We were missing something though.

 

Pre Draft Drama

Ravens Signed Rolando McClain to play MLB.

He got arrested and retired causing some to complain again.

 

 

IN OZZIE WE TRUST (2013 NFL Draft)

Ozzie had one of the better drafts in recent memory.

1. Matt Elam

2. Arthur Brown

3. Brandon Williams

All instantly fill holes, and make the defense better. He got us quality depth later on too. Elam and Brown will be starters this year, and Williams will get a lot of playing time.

 

 

Just One More Signing 

MLB was still a need. Our defense was improved, a lot actually.

 

So we sign Dayrl Smith, my favorite signing, a long time underrated player to play MLB for us.

 

A Crushing Blow
Two weeks ago, Dennis Pitta went down with an injury. Causing an emergency signing of Vonta Leach, and VS(Visanthe Shainco).

 

????????

After Preseason Game 1, we all have the same questions.

 

Who is the WR 2? 

 

Bringing Back and Old Friend

 

The Ravens bring back veteran WR Brandon Stokley to be the possession WR.

 

An old enemy becomes an ally.

Dallas Clark, formerly an elite TE, joins the Baltimore Ravens to provide a reliable target for Flacco, to help the Ravens passing game. This makes the offense relevant with two proven options

 

 

 

Conclusion so far.

 

I ask this question for y'all who complain about Boldin..

 

What scenario would you rather have?

 

1. 34 year old WR who takes up 6 million still on the team? Making it almost impossible to improve the entire defensive unit? Granted, a great WR, but would've kept our defense vulnerable?

 

2. A sixth round pick + two all pros+ a solid MLB in Smith+ Arthur Brown+ Canty and Spears?

 

 

Why did we win this trade?

All it took was cutting one overpaid guy to improve the entire unit and make several good additions, two all pros.

 

I'd rather lose a WR, and let the young guns play, to allow the defense to improve, then keep him and have a weak defense all offense team.

 

Ozzie did well. We didn't win it big time, but we added A TON of talent from the trade.

 

 

All we need is a #2 WR

 

 

EDIT

Stokley gives us a sure handed option to help out with the #2 WR. He won't be listed as the #2 WR, but will be treated like one by Flacco.
Dallas Clark will be another target Flacco will rely on big time as well.

 

If one of the younger guys breaks out, we will guaranteed have a top ten offense.

 

 

 

Will continue on until week one.

[Cville-Raven]

I would say that draft is probably the best draft since 08.

[rmw10]

I would say that draft is probably the best draft since 08.

Agreed. I think we may have gotten a steal in Rick Wagner, as well.

[SecretAgentMan]

Agreed. I think we may have gotten a steal in Rick Wagner, as well.

Haha. 

 

He crosses off a major need.

 

We might have only one need going into next year's draft.....

 

And we all know who we can get ;)

[Cville-Raven]

Haha.

He crosses off a major need.

We might have only one need going into next year's draft.....

And we all know who we can get ;)

Johnny Football?

[rmw10]

Haha.

He crosses off a major need.

We might have only one need going into next year's draft.....

And we all know who we can get ;)

Haha well I'm not ready to crown him LT of the future just yet, but I think he has a lot of promise is last night was any indication.

[T3hRaven]

Haha well I'm not ready to crown him LT of the future just yet, but I think he has a lot of promise is last night was any indication.

 

 

Come on, one game against the backups and people trying to make a team does not mean his footwork in college has magically been fixed.  I don't see him playing LT, maybe RT, but we're getting way ahead of ourselves here.

[beanfigger]

You forgot to mention the re-signing of Flacco before the start of free agency.  How could you forget to include the cause of all our problems and what will undoubtedly lead to the demise of the franchise, and to all of America?

[rmw10]

Come on, one game against the backups and people trying to make a team does not mean his footwork in college has magically been fixed. I don't see him playing LT, maybe RT, but we're getting way ahead of ourselves here.

It's promising. As you see, I did not crown him LT of the future. I liked what I saw and hope it continues. I said nothing more than that.

[Cville-Raven]

Come on, one game against the backups and people trying to make a team does not mean his footwork in college has magically been fixed. I don't see him playing LT, maybe RT, but we're getting way ahead of ourselves here.

Did he not say I wouldn't crown him LT of the future?

[Malkavian Raven]

Back from hiatus, SAM still hogging the boards; not much has changed. I will give him the kudos on a great post though.

I never lost faith in the front office, Oz is a schemer and a fine one at that.

Biggest deal for me, losing Pitta. First off, I hope he is well and is able to return. Hip injuries can be career ending. Will be interested to see how he bounces back.

All in all, great off season. I think we are primed to at least threaten a repeat, but I honestly would not be surprised if we're back in the big game.

[SecretAgentMan]

Back from hiatus, SAM still hogging the boards; not much has changed. I will give him the kudos on a great post though.

I never lost faith in the front office, Oz is a schemer and a fine one at that.

Biggest deal for me, losing Pitta. First off, I hope he is well and is able to return. Hip injuries can be career ending. Will be interested to see how he bounces back.

All in all, great off season. I think we are primed to at least threaten a repeat, but I honestly would not be surprised if we're back in the big game.

Haha......

 

 

Welcome back buddy :D

 

Johnny Football?

Facepalm. Tebow

 

Haha well I'm not ready to crown him LT of the future just yet, but I think he has a lot of promise is last night was any indication.

Neither am I, but I hope he does good. Having Juan helps a lot.

[Purple Nurple]

Define "SAM style" because it just looks like a well written post to me. :p

[SecretAgentMan]

Define "SAM style" because it just looks like a well written post to me. :p

I was originally going to buy in a bunch of pictures to go with it lol.

Guessed it worked out for the better

[SecretAgentMan]

Back from hiatus, SAM still hogging the boards; not much has changed. I will give him the kudos on a great post though.
I never lost faith in the front office, Oz is a schemer and a fine one at that.
Biggest deal for me, losing Pitta. First off, I hope he is well and is able to return. Hip injuries can be career ending. Will be interested to see how he bounces back.
All in all, great off season. I think we are primed to at least threaten a repeat, but I honestly would not be surprised if we're back in the big game.

Losing pitta stings but Shainco is a nice short term replacement.
I do think we draft a te early next year.

It was a good offseason.

A toast to Ozzie!

[jazz1988]

Anquan Boldin isnt 34 years old hes 32 years old

[SecretAgentMan]

Anquan Boldin isnt 34 years old hes 32 years old

He will be 33 mid season.
Next season he will be 34.

Myb, but he doesn't have much time left

[Sami84]

idealy id have like boldin for another season. We could have got rid of Jameel Mclain and thus kept boldin.

 

Imagine if we had Boldin and Pitta with everything we have now. Id be set.

[Alexir]

You forgot the part about Qadry Ismail being a terrible broadcaster.....

 

All kidding aside, Let's do a timeline of last year when a lot of us were not pleased with Boldin because he wasn't really doing much. He had a great post season but he is definitely not the same guy he was in Arizona. Pitta was the guy who we would replace him with, unfortunately that is not going to happen this year.

 

There is not a receiver out there right now that is better than anyone on this squad or Ozzie would of tried them out by now.

 

Is it disheartening that there were soooo many drops Thursday? Yeah, but it's the first pre-season game! People are knocking off rust, hell even Flacco had a WTH moment on that interception. That is not a throw he would of attempted in his 11-0 Post season.

 

We will get a better idea of our situation as an offense by Pre season game 3.

[PolishRifle]

You forgot the part about Qadry Ismail being a terrible broadcaster.....

 

All kidding aside, Let's do a timeline of last year when a lot of us were not pleased with Boldin because he wasn't really doing much. He had a great post season but he is definitely not the same guy he was in Arizona. Pitta was the guy who we would replace him with, unfortunately that is not going to happen this year.

 

There is not a receiver out there right now that is better than anyone on this squad or Ozzie would of tried them out by now.

 

Is it disheartening that there were soooo many drops Thursday? Yeah, but it's the first pre-season game! People are knocking off rust, hell even Flacco had a WTH moment on that interception. That is not a throw he would of attempted in his 11-0 Post season.

 

We will get a better idea of our situation as an offense by Pre season game 3.

I think the first team offense was trying out things more than anything. There was no clear sense of direction and I do agree that everyone seemed a bit lethargic.

However, I really liked how we got our Backs involved in the passing game. Joe was gaining short yardage pretty effectivelly by throwing to Pierce, Leach and Rice. I hope to see that more in the regular season, for one Joe needs to get into rythm to get really hot and those kind of easy passes would do that. Also, using our deepest group of players on offense (our RBs) as receivers might be a good way to make up for the losses of Pitta and Boldin, who usually were the go-to-guys to convert 3rd downs.

 

Btw, our defense will be awesome.

[jazz1988]

He will be 33 mid season.
Next season he will be 34.

Myb, but he doesn't have much time left

 

You have a point but right now i still thnk Boldin can be a 1,000 receiiving yards receiver especially in a offense that caters to his strength iin the west coast offense the 49ers run . I love that Doss,Reed, williams, Thompson and the young guys are giving a big opportunity to prove themselves since the departure of Boldin even Pitta but  right now knowing that our receiver situation is  a mystery also none of the top receivers (no name torrey smith) havent impress yet it can make you feel like wow i sure miss Boldin or pitta right now.

 

Im not pushing the panic button because I believe the ravens have some very talented receivers but if none of them step up it would suck for the ravens to have to sign a veteran and it probably means the wide receiver coach may be in trouble.

[xxhighriser]

We got 3 weeks to figure this wr #2 thing out, I remain confident that 1 player will step up.  Doss was open a couple times but wasn't thrown to.  Had his numbers been 2 rec 32 yds, the board would look completely different today about our concerns. Thompson although dropped one, had a good reception and I can't help but use the weather and first game as an excuse for our receivers.  Also, Reed didn't play.  I like what he brings to the table despite popular belief.  We have a lot of good to look forward to, I truthfully believe wr won't be a huge concern when the season starts.

[SecretAgentMan]

Not much of an update, but still updated

[cursona pirate]

I would say that draft is probably the best draft since 08.

I agree. The ones inbetween were alright. The Pitta draft was good too. 

[SecretAgentMan]

Updated

[SeaHawk]

08 was an elite draft for the offense when the offense needed it the most... 13 is going to be an elite one for the defense when the defense needed it the most. Gotta love what Ozzie does for us.

[flaccopoe]

Back from hiatus, SAM still hogging the boards; not much has changed. I will give him the kudos on a great post though.

I never lost faith in the front office, Oz is a schemer and a fine one at that.

Biggest deal for me, losing Pitta. First off, I hope he is well and is able to return. Hip injuries can be career ending. Will be interested to see how he bounces back.

All in all, great off season. I think we are primed to at least threaten a repeat, but I honestly would not be surprised if we're back in the big game.

 

SAM actually tried to quit the Board a little while back.  Said he "was addicted". :p

[Purple Nurple]

You should've seen the Ethernet tracks in his arms.