Ravens sign WR Brandon Stokley

[jazz1988]

Doss presumably was being groomed for this exact role. He was a big bodied possession receiver but was blocked from serious playing time by Boldin. With Boldin gone I'm sure everyone hoped he would step up and take that job. You don't sign a veteran receiver if Doss did that.

 

You have a point but the compeitiion isnt over this move overall could be just away to motivate a young guy like doss.  I just dont feel like this a move where the ravens  just feel like ok doss cant do it lets get Bradon Stokley but more like hmmm we need to light some more fire under Doss lets get Bradon to do that and  if Brandon beat doss well we just have to keep brandon on the team

[edreedfromtheu]

I don't see how this helps the younger receivers get better.

All it does it take away practice reps and in-game experience.

I'd really like to know what else LaQuan Williams has to do to earn some playing time.  I mean, even a CHANCE.  Between last preseason and this preseason.... he's dont just about everything you can do.

And as to Tandon Doss... he hasn't done much, because he hasn't been thrown to much. 

At least give these guys a chance to fail. Don't just... bring in a veteran than was made to look much better than his age because he's playing with Peyton Manning.  This seems like a panic move due to the drops that happened when Tyrod Taylor was in the game.  And I don't believe Doss was one of the receivers that dropped a pass.  I remember Deonte Thompson dropping some, and Visanthe Schiancoe dropping a couple.

Hey, maybe Stokely will prove me wrong and him and Flacco will develop a chemistry and Brandon will contribute every week.  But even if that happens... how many years does he have left?  Shouldn't Flacco be developing that chemistry with a receiver that is going to be playing 5 years from now?

[1/28/01]

I don't see how this helps the younger receivers get better.

All it does it take away practice reps and in-game experience.

I'd really like to know what else LaQuan Williams has to do to earn some playing time. I mean, even a CHANCE. Between last preseason and this preseason.... he's dont just about everything you can do.

And as to Tandon Doss... he hasn't done much, because he hasn't been thrown to much.

At least give these guys a chance to fail. Don't just... bring in a veteran than was made to look much better than his age because he's playing with Peyton Manning. This seems like a panic move due to the drops that happened when Tyrod Taylor was in the game. And I don't believe Doss was one of the receivers that dropped a pass. I remember Deonte Thompson dropping some, and Visanthe Schiancoe dropping a couple.

Hey, maybe Stokely will prove me wrong and him and Flacco will develop a chemistry and Brandon will contribute every week. But even if that happens... how many years does he have left? Shouldn't Flacco be developing that chemistry with a receiver that is going to be playing 5 years from now?

Yuck...hate that I agree with pretty much all of this. Ha!

[poescrows]

Yeah. Why trust a guy that caught a bomb TD pass that put us in the AFCCG and another that helped us win the SB. And Old Man Torrey is just about washed up. We really need to get some guys with speed to stretch the field.

LOL, I could hear the sarcasm right through my monitor.

[flaccopoe]

This will be good for BAL's depth at WR.  The more options, the better!  BAL could also use a veteran at receiver, what with all the youth.

[poescrows]

"And I don't believe Doss was one of the receivers that dropped a pass".........per the "play by play", Doss was thrown to once for an incomplete. Don't know if it was a bad pass or he dropped a good pass though.

[ravens88]

we got speed guys i think he fits in fine as slot veteran underneath guy exactly what we need. if he can catch find open zones in the defense for intermediate passing with his experience i dont see the issue here? obviously the coaching staff doesnt feel to confident in what we have right now in that department.

[Neil]

I love this move.  One of my favorite old-school Ravens WRs finally coming home.  He'll definitely be a solid option in the slot.  The guy has crazy hands.

[Tank 92]

Signing Brandon is not a decision made based solely on the situation at WR. Losing Pitta, doubt surrounding Dickson, Shiancoe, etc. plays into it as well. Stokely provides a solid option in the slot that may not be there for a while at TE.

 

I have to admit I'm somewhat biased in liking this move. Brandon has always held a special place in my Ravens memory as he is the one that caught the TD pass that ended the "Great TD Drought" of 2000. You could feel the entire stadium breathe a sigh of relief on that play!

[baltravens]

Like I said, I am not God, but I thought Ozzie would pick up another pass catcher ever since the Saturday when Pitta went down. So many on the forum thought that our corps of WR's would satisfy Caldwell and Flacco, but I knew it would not.

Now, all Flacco and Stockey have to do is establish chemistry. Ozzie picked him up early enough so we have a month left before the season for this to be done.

Let's go Stockley!!!!

[ravensfan160]

what makes you think this is all doss' fault. Thompson is inured jones has only ever been average, streetcar and Mellette are young and inexperienced. Maybe it's just to add some vet savvy when you need that crucial third down to keep the game winning drive alive because boldin and pitta aren't there. I can't see this signing saying doss is out the door or that he's been poor. It's not what I get from this signing at all.

Thompson getting hurt doesn't help but he was an undrafted rookie. Doss was a 4th rounder with the exact size and skill set to replace Boldin and yet he continues to underwhelm us.

 

I continue to be amazed at how often finding a receiver that can actually catch a ball is a big deal. How do guys get to this level and yet still cannot consistently catch the football? It blows my mind.

[rlh445]

Because he knows better than Ozzie. Duh

 

Yes, yes I do!  Ozzie gets all of his knowledge and skill from me  :268213:

 

Ahahahaha fly makes me laugh.

[PolishRifle]

I give the Stokley signing this much, Brandon has been in the league for a long time and will bring much needed experience to a every young group.

[rmw10]

It's official:

 

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider6m

Ravens make it official, announcing they've signed Brandon Stokley to a one-year contract. Will start practicing today at M&T Bank Stadium

[rmw10]

And just a side note, I really hope he or the team gives/chooses the open number 80 for nostalgia purposes.

[big hits and ball hawks]

I was a little surprised by this move. I don't hate it, but I'm not overly excited about it. I just thought we'd give it another week and let other guys, like LaQuan, get more reps with the 1's. Not a bad move though. 

 

He's going to be at practice today, so I'm expecting to hear about his first practice from the people going.  

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

It's official:

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider6m

Ravens make it official, announcing they've signed Brandon Stokley to a one-year contract. Will start practicing today at M&T Bank Stadium

 

i still can't believe it that we didn't get Robinson in for a medical before looking at this option, which should've been available to us after the next preseason game too

[GrimCoconut]

I was a little surprised by this move. I don't hate it, but I'm not overly excited about it. I just thought we'd give it another week and let other guys, like LaQuan, get more reps with the 1's. Not a bad move though.

He's going to be at practice today, so I'm expecting to hear about his first practice from the people going.

LaQuan played mostly against third string players. I liked what I saw as well but let's be real here. Stokley gives us someone to compete. If they others can't beat him out then shame on them but it's open. I don't think Brandon is guaranteed a spot but it's probable based off of their performance.

[RavensFan34950]

Yeah. Why trust a guy that caught a bomb TD pass that put us in the AFCCG and another that helped us win the SB. And Old Man Torrey is just about washed up. We really need to get some guys with speed to stretch the field.

I never said Torrey was bad Skip Bayless don't put false words in my mouth. I said we need someone else who can catch the ball reliably. You can't tell me that guy is Jacoby. Yea he made 2 great catches last year. Never really a factor most of the playoffs out side of those 2 catches and returning kicks.

[xxhighriser]

Probably already posted but I feel like Flacco is gonna love Stokely.

[big hits and ball hawks]

LaQuan played mostly against third string players. I liked what I saw as well but let's be real here. Stokley gives us someone to compete. If they others can't beat him out then shame on them but it's open. I don't think Brandon is guaranteed a spot but it's probable based off of their performance.

 

I figure Stokley to be another reliable pickup for Ozzie and I think he'll contribute nicely. I was just saying I thought we would wait at least another week before picking someone up.

 

As for LaQuan, why not let him get more reps with the 1's and 2's? If we're always putting him against 3's, we'll never really know if he can compete with those guys. I also meant that for some of the other guys too, I just used Williams as an example. Also, I don't think Williams would necessarily be the answer or whatever, but I do think he could be a solid contributor. I don't see where the harm in it would be.

 

Again, I like the Stokley signing, I was just surprised it happened so soon.  

[Ravenseconbeast]

if you can't beat a 37yr old journeyman WR.   You don't deserve to be in a spot w/ Ravens...

[rmw10]

I figure Stokley to be another reliable pickup for Ozzie and I think he'll contribute nicely. I was just saying I thought we would wait at least another week before picking someone up.

 

As for LaQuan, why not let him get more reps with the 1's and 2's? If we're always putting him against 3's, we'll never really know if he can compete with those guys. I also meant that for some of the other guys too, I just used Williams as an example. Also, I don't think Williams would necessarily be the answer or whatever, but I do think he could be a solid contributor. I don't see where the harm in it would be.

 

Again, I like the Stokley signing, I was just surprised it happened so soon.  

 

I think the issue is that LaQuan was given that opportunity last preseason and absolutely faltered.  He was dreadful against the Lions.  If he makes the team, it's going to be for ST.  I don't see any real reason to give him time with the 1's that can be better used for guys that will actually play.

[GrimCoconut]

I figure Stokley to be another reliable pickup for Ozzie and I think he'll contribute nicely. I was just saying I thought we would wait at least another week before picking someone up.

As for LaQuan, why not let him get more reps with the 1's and 2's? If we're always putting him against 3's, we'll never really know if he can compete with those guys. I also meant that for some of the other guys too, I just used Williams as an example. Also, I don't think Williams would necessarily be the answer or whatever, but I do think he could be a solid contributor. I don't see where the harm in it would be.

Again, I like the Stokley signing, I was just surprised it happened so soon.

I'd like us to rest Torrey Smith, Ray Rice, and Bernard Pierce next week and make these guys earn a spot. I'm all for getting these guys reps with the starters.

[mgridda]

We couldn't do it. We couldn't go one offseason without bringing in some veteran scrub WR to take play time and opportunities from younger, in-house developmental guys.

 

2009 - Kelley Washington

2010 - TJ Houshmandzadeh

2011 - Lee Evans

2012 - Jacoby Jones (I'll be the first admit this is the only one that worked out)

2013 - Brandon Stokley

 

 

Clearly, none of these guys are going to get much of a chance anymore:

 

Tandon Doss, LaQuan Williams, David Reed, Deonte Thompson, Aaron Mellette, Tommy Streeter...say goodbye! It'll be a Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones offense.

[cursona pirate]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOEmo3hb3BU

 

Just want to throw this out there.
Sorry for the bad title but its the only video i can find. 

[GrimCoconut]

We couldn't do it. We couldn't go one offseason without bringing in some veteran scrub WR to take play time and opportunities from younger, in-house developmental guys.

2009 - Kelley Washington
2010 - TJ Houshmandzadeh
2011 - Lee Evans
2012 - Jacoby Jones (I'll be the first admit this is the only one that worked out)
2013 - Brandon Stokley


Clearly, none of these guys are going to get much of a chance anymore:

Tandon Doss, LaQuan Williams, David Reed, Deonte Thompson, Aaron Mellette, Tommy Streeter...say goodbye! It'll be a Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones offense.

I don't think it's as bad as you're making it out to be buddy. Tommy Streeter looked terrible in that game. Terrible. I'm all for letting the youth step up but if they can't beat Brandon then they can't beat CB in this league. That's the reality. It's not like Demetrius Williams, Marcus Smith, Justin Harper and others have become anything. There's no James Harrison out there. I'm not the biggest fan of Stokley due to his age but I can't say I'm upset here. I think the front office gave these guys a shot and they're not living up to it so they got someone to push them.

[cursona pirate]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgXvaRUP4l4

[big hits and ball hawks]

I think the issue is that LaQuan was given that opportunity last preseason and absolutely faltered.  He was dreadful against the Lions.  If he makes the team, it's going to be for ST.  I don't see any real reason to give him time with the 1's that can be better used for guys that will actually play.

 

Fair points made. I honestly really wasn't taking into account last preseason, I don't really remember it, but it's fair too.

 

I'd like us to rest Torrey Smith, Ray Rice, and Bernard Pierce next week and make these guys earn a spot. I'm all for getting these guys reps with the starters.

 

This is all I really meant, getting these other guys more reps before seeking vet help. It's what I thought we were going to do, not necessarily what we should do. I'll leave "what we should do" to Ozzie and Co. Brandon is clearly part of that and I'm okay with it. 

[mgridda]

I don't know. I thought we could sign someone like Dallas Clark if this was about Dennis and Ed Dickson going down. Or Todd Heap. If we need Red Zone help, how about Todd Heap? 

 

I'm going to take this as a Deonte Thompson replacement. Deonte Thompson really messed up his foot badly, or something. But if anyhting that just pushes LaQuan further down the picture. I really don't like this signing right now. If this was right after the third preseason game, and not the first...then yeah.

 

Also, I'd like to see Tandon Doss in a starting role next preseason game. Play more than a few series. Maybe LaQuan williams.

 

I really, really, really don't want to see:

 

Torrey Smith

Ray Rice

Jacoby Jones

Visanthe Shiancoe

Brandon Stokley

 

 

as Flacco's top 5 targets next year.