Article: the roster is a mess, and the coaches are at fault

[Worthy]

I love reading the Baltimore Faithful before the season begins -- saying -- In Ozzie We Trust!  After one game, what's wrong with Ozzie and the roster!

 

The only off season move I disagreed with was the fact of not keeping Rainey on the roster -- only because the following day they cut LaQuan Williams -- if they knew they were going to cut him -- then Rainey should have been signed and Williams should have been cut. 

 

As hard as it was, Boldin wasn't taking a pay cut, and at $6M a year he was being paid more than -- AJ Green (97 Catches, 11 TDs), Marques Colston (83 Catches, 10 TDs), Julio Jones (79 Catches, 10 TDs), Wes Welker (118 Catches, 6 TDs), Vincent Jackson (72 Catches, 8 TDs), Dez Bryant (92 Catches, 12 TDs), Victor Cruz (86 Catches, 10 TDs) -- and all of which had over 1,000+ yards!

 

Now Boldin's 65 Catches and 4 TDs are similiar to these players: Danny Amendola (63 Catches, 3 TDs), Jordy Nelson (49 Catches, 7 TDs), Malcolm Floyd (56 Catches, 5 TDs),  and Victor Cruz.   Honestly, is Boldin's 65 catches and 4 TDs a year worth $6M?   Amedola just signed a deal with the Pats -- and his cap hit is 3.5 Million.  Jordy Nelson's Cap hit this year is 3.9 Million.  Malcolm Floyd's cap hit is $2.6 Million.  Victor Cruz's Cap Hit is 2.5 Million.

 

Let's face it, Boldin was worth about 3.5 Million - 4 Million a year if we're being generous!  He's not even close to worth the $6M his contract called for!  So those who are arguing that we should have kept Boldin, aren't looking at the Salary Cap and it's ramifications!

 

We have a bunch of young receivers -- so let's coach em up, play 'em, deal with the struggles, and hope the back-end of the defense figures out it's communication issues!

 

Let's start playing Frustenberg, Juice, Mallette, and Brown!  Let's see what we have in real game -- real time situations!

 

If you're going to run a no huddle offense -- then you can't thrown Clark, and Stokley out on every play!  Seriously, let them become 3rd down specialists at most!  Use Dickson as you're blocking TE, and don't throw to him over the middle -- strictly pass to him on outs -- at least he seems to catch those!  Let's see if Juice and Frustenberg can make those tough catches over the middle! 

 

As far as Punt Returners are concerned, do not utilize Webb catching PR except to Fair Catch!  But last week, he returned one -- WE CAN'T afford to lose Webb!  We're so thin at CB -- any injury really causes issues!  Let's hope that Deonte Thompson can come back by next game then this issue will be resolved!

 

We're also extremely thin at the OL, as Oher went down and suddenly the Wagner gives up 3 sacks and a bunch of hurries!  You gotta dress Reid next game!  You have to dress 8 OL every game!

 

Until next time...

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

i disagree with this statment we werent terrible we just had an off day beside the offense to me looked fine and everything in place to do it back to back we dont have that but what we do have is more heart and hustle than most teams but i dout we could do it back to back but we will see i would be happy if they did but its very un likely

The "Heart and Hustle" was lacking in the tackling and receiving departments

[baltravens]

It's not the Gospel, and that's not what the point is. The idea is to tackle the kinds of issues we discuss here in a way that 2 line posts can't. Even outstanding posters like Grim and the stats guy (Something Callahan. If you read this I'm really sorry I don't remember your name) don't have time to post essays about any particular topic.

 

Not a problem. My points is that it is more opinions. I get my share of them here and the opinions on this forum are equally insightful. ...Let Russel Street come to BR.com. ...Were not perfect here as far as opinions (that are supported), but we are fine.

[Stephenjr]

Thank the football gods lol.
Get me Rhodes and I'll be happy

Thank you, totally forget he was still out there!!

[Stephenjr]

Ozzie isn't on Twitter, lol.

Ozzie is on twitter,type his name in and hit search or go to @OzzieNewsome.

[Tank 92]

I love reading the Baltimore Faithful before the season begins -- saying -- In Ozzie We Trust!  After one game, what's wrong with Ozzie and the roster!

 

The only off season move I disagreed with was the fact of not keeping Rainey on the roster -- only because the following day they cut LaQuan Williams -- if they knew they were going to cut him -- then Rainey should have been signed and Williams should have been cut. 

 

As hard as it was, Boldin wasn't taking a pay cut, and at $6M a year he was being paid more than -- AJ Green (97 Catches, 11 TDs), Marques Colston (83 Catches, 10 TDs), Julio Jones (79 Catches, 10 TDs), Wes Welker (118 Catches, 6 TDs), Vincent Jackson (72 Catches, 8 TDs), Dez Bryant (92 Catches, 12 TDs), Victor Cruz (86 Catches, 10 TDs) -- and all of which had over 1,000+ yards!

 

Now Boldin's 65 Catches and 4 TDs are similiar to these players: Danny Amendola (63 Catches, 3 TDs), Jordy Nelson (49 Catches, 7 TDs), Malcolm Floyd (56 Catches, 5 TDs),  and Victor Cruz.   Honestly, is Boldin's 65 catches and 4 TDs a year worth $6M?   Amedola just signed a deal with the Pats -- and his cap hit is 3.5 Million.  Jordy Nelson's Cap hit this year is 3.9 Million.  Malcolm Floyd's cap hit is $2.6 Million.  Victor Cruz's Cap Hit is 2.5 Million.

 

Let's face it, Boldin was worth about 3.5 Million - 4 Million a year if we're being generous!  He's not even close to worth the $6M his contract called for!  So those who are arguing that we should have kept Boldin, aren't looking at the Salary Cap and it's ramifications!

 

We have a bunch of young receivers -- so let's coach em up, play 'em, deal with the struggles, and hope the back-end of the defense figures out it's communication issues!

 

Let's start playing Frustenberg, Juice, Mallette, and Brown!  Let's see what we have in real game -- real time situations!

 

If you're going to run a no huddle offense -- then you can't thrown Clark, and Stokley out on every play!  Seriously, let them become 3rd down specialists at most!  Use Dickson as you're blocking TE, and don't throw to him over the middle -- strictly pass to him on outs -- at least he seems to catch those!  Let's see if Juice and Frustenberg can make those tough catches over the middle! 

 

As far as Punt Returners are concerned, do not utilize Webb catching PR except to Fair Catch!  But last week, he returned one -- WE CAN'T afford to lose Webb!  We're so thin at CB -- any injury really causes issues!  Let's hope that Deonte Thompson can come back by next game then this issue will be resolved!

 

We're also extremely thin at the OL, as Oher went down and suddenly the Wagner gives up 3 sacks and a bunch of hurries!  You gotta dress Reid next game!  You have to dress 8 OL every game!

 

Until next time...

 

 

 

Good post. 

 

You're right about Clark and Stokley. But them getting so many targets was not in the game plan. And neither was 62 pass attempts.  Losing JJ and the inability of Clark and Dickson to catch, and falling way behind kind of forced our hand Thursday night.

[Tank 92]

 Give the players and coaches at least two more games before you scream the sky is falling.

 

 

Ya' think? 

 

Thank You.

[Ravenslifer]

Let me counter the above with things the front office did know and chose to do nothing about (for several years in fact) 

 

1. Did the Front Office know receivers were a problem?

 

Yes they did, we havent had a 1000 yard receiver in god knows how long (Mason in 07 I believe which speaks to how desperate we are). In 16 years as a franchise, you can probably count the number of 1000 yard receivers we have had on one hand. Hint its one finger

 

This article highlights something very important ie a possible reason why we don't have consistent playmakers at the position

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/26387/ravens-struggle-drafting-receivers

 

Ozzie has only invested a 1st round pick at WR once in his 16 year tenure. He has invested a second a total of two times. The rest of the time he has tried and failed to play bargain hunter at the position. Theres a saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Well this describes Ozzie with receiver. He busted with a 1st round receiver once and has been completely adverse to spending a first on one again. This severely limits his ability to find a quality talent at the position. Im not saying a wide receiver needs to go int he first to be good, but first round picks are the most nfl ready guys usually and do project to do well in the nfl. The later round, the less likely they are to pan out and Ozzie has mainly taken mid-late talent at the position. When you look at this, its no wonder we don't have consistent options at the position

 

2. The Front Office apparently did know Dickson couldn't catch in games because they have had him since 2010 and he has been dropping passes since 2011. This is documented fact. However, Ozzie never wants to give up on a draft pick and admit it didn't work which results in guys like Dickson and Doss overstaying their ability on this team. So you're point is extremely invalid here. 

 

3. The Front Office knew it had 0 receiving depth behind Pitta Rice and Torrey. They HOPED Dickson and crew could step it up, but ideally they would have liked to avoid having that scenario occur. However, once again Ozzie did not invest in quality backups (really we needed starters) at the skill positions and thus we rolled with an undrafted FA and 6th round selection as our backups and they got abused rightfully so (brown did well for a udfa, but was nothing special). We also started two players who probably shouldn't have jobs in the nfl anymore, but do out of desperation by Ozzie.

 

The roster isn't a mess because we got rid of Boldin or lost Pitta. Its a mess by design. Ozzie invests all our high quality talent and money into the defense and tries to play bargain hunter on offense. Sometimes it works, and other times it blows up in his face.  

 

Just to point out 2 things, we've taken 2 first round receivers, Taylor and Clayton (thinking about it though Clayton was taken almost a decade ago), and Mase had 2 1000 yard seasons with Joe - he had a 1000 yard season in each of 07, 08, and 09.  Of course, part of that was the lack of targets outside of Mase and Heap, resulting in a lot of forced passes - when Mase was here he averaged about 80 receptions a season - Q was averaging in the low 60s which is the big reason why I believe his numbers weren't what they were in AZ, that and him being misused.

[jaege]

Tell me what team in the playoffs doesn't have a great QB and Wr's?Look at the big picture

We have a great QB and a couple great receivers in Torrey and JJ. Okay, JJ part time. Take into account Rice, and several up and comers, well, by your definition we will be fine come the playoffs. A team does not need to go 16-0 to make the playoffs. So long as we can keep the Bengals and Sqeelers down we will be fine. That shouldn't be too tough considering the Sqeelers have their own woes and the Bengals have Dalton. After the Browns we don't play a divisional game until late October. Hopefully we gel by then.

[Stephenjr]

We have a great QB and a couple great receivers in Torrey and JJ. Okay, JJ part time. Take into account Rice, and several up and comers, well, by your definition we will be fine come the playoffs. A team does not need to go 16-0 to make the playoffs. So long as we can keep the Bengals and Sqeelers down we will be fine. That shouldn't be too tough considering the Sqeelers have their own woes and the Bengals have Dalton. After the Browns we don't play a divisional game until late October. Hopefully we gel by then.

Playoffs!!!!! Did you say Playoffs? Lol if ravens can stop dropping passes like Lee Evans all over again, and Huff either retires or moves to 4th CB, we could make the Playoffs.

[Stephenjr]

Ozzie isn't on Twitter, lol.

He hasn't tweeted in a while but he has an account,look on his profile if you get a chance.He wrote that he is the future AD at Alabama. LOL hope it's a lot later then sooner!!

[JoeyFlex5]

I've had my concerns about this throughout the preseason. Game 1 was just confirmation.

game 1 is never confirmation, because its game 1. and what are you saying its confirming anyway? its confirming that we didn't have a good preseason? we lost worse than this less than a year ago to Houston and went on to win the super bowl. we showed some excellent football in the first half, EXCELLENT. and if clark holds on to that 1st half td catch, and  harbs throws the challenge flag and we march down for a TD, or hell even a FG, then that second half probably has a very different feel to it, and with that kind of momentum on our side, I believe we would've took the W, if those 2 little things didn't go the way they did, it really changes the entire game most likely. but no,  we were on our heels right away after that first TD in the 2nd half, and it messed up the rest of the game for us. 

 

why are ravens fans so quick to claim doomsday? missed tackles can be fixed, dropped balls can be fixed, and the biggest problem we had on Thursday, was communication errors in the secondary, and what do you expect for our first game with this new secondary, in THAT environment, it had to be nearly impossible to communicate in that place.

 

we will be fine, but the one worry I really have, is Michael oher...

 

EDIT: ya know what, im an idiot, and typed before I read the article.. after going back and reading, this is pretty spot-on. my apologies

[Corvus]

I don't disagree with most of the article, I noticed some of this odd stuff when the 53 man roster was announced: two running backs, five safeties with two being solely special teams players, etc. But when in the heck were Gradkowski and Shipley guards? Gradkowski was a center at Delaware correct? And Shipley was playing center for the Colts last year and this is only his 4th year I think. Odd statement in that article as far as that goes...

[ratedr]

Ozzie is on twitter,type his name in and hit search or go to @OzzieNewsome.

The account isn't verified. Not him.

[Sizzlebshu]

Just to point out 2 things, we've taken 2 first round receivers, Taylor and Clayton (thinking about it though Clayton was taken almost a decade ago), and Mase had 2 1000 yard seasons with Joe - he had a 1000 yard season in each of 07, 08, and 09.  Of course, part of that was the lack of targets outside of Mase and Heap, resulting in a lot of forced passes - when Mase was here he averaged about 80 receptions a season - Q was averaging in the low 60s which is the big reason why I believe his numbers weren't what they were in AZ, that and him being misused.

I'm tire and I missed one receiver on the list forgive me. Doesn't really change the point though which is that Ozzie invests all of our higher quality talent ie higher picks into defense rather than offense an plays bargain hunter with the offense. 

 

While Mason did have a few 1000 yard seasons, he's still only 1 receiver that of course, Ozzie didn't draft. 

 

Q being utilized poorly makes Ozzie's decision to bring him in even worse since Ozzie brought in a player who clearly didn't fit the system that was being installed (Cameron). 

 

Note I'm not trying to bash Ozzie. I'm just trying to explain why our offense always ends up shooting ourselves in the foot. This happens to highlight Ozzie's failures as a GM. He isn't perfect, but he is still a phenomenal GM. However, make no mistake that the offense is the way it is by his design. 

[Stephenjr]

The account isn't verified. Not him.

Ah,thanks,now I feel real stupid!! Lol

[Ravenslifer]

I'm tire and I missed one receiver on the list forgive me. Doesn't really change the point though which is that Ozzie invests all of our higher quality talent ie higher picks into defense rather than offense an plays bargain hunter with the offense. 

 

While Mason did have a few 1000 yard seasons, he's still only 1 receiver that of course, Ozzie didn't draft. 

 

Q being utilized poorly makes Ozzie's decision to bring him in even worse since Ozzie brought in a player who clearly didn't fit the system that was being installed (Cameron). 

 

Note I'm not trying to bash Ozzie. I'm just trying to explain why our offense always ends up shooting ourselves in the foot. This happens to highlight Ozzie's failures as a GM. He isn't perfect, but he is still a phenomenal GM. However, make no mistake that the offense is the way it is by his design. 

 

That's my beef with Ozzie too - he missed on Taylor and Clayton, but he hit on Heap and Torrey.  Sometimes it does appear to me that they're almost afraid of drafting a receiver.  And it gets really frustrating when I think of a team like the Bengals that spent 3 first round picks on weapons for their quarterback in 3 straight drafts, or a team like Atlanta that gave up a first round pick for a receiver.  Especially considering that it was the quarterback and his receivers that really carried us through the playoffs last year.

[Sizzlebshu]

That's my beef with Ozzie too - he missed on Taylor and Clayton, but he hit on Heap and Torrey.  Sometimes it does appear to me that they're almost afraid of drafting a receiver.  And it gets really frustrating when I think of a team like the Bengals that spent 3 first round picks on weapons for their quarterback in 3 straight drafts, or a team like Atlanta that gave up a first round pick for a receiver.  Especially considering that it was the quarterback and his receivers that really carried us through the playoffs last year.

Its not a bad style of GMing, but it has its pro and cons, but the defense (no matter what we do) will not improve anymore now. It should be set for the next 2-3 seasons. During that time, Ozzie needs to make moves that will help the team win now ie moves that will bring in a lot of weapons for Flacco. Highly skilled and highly talented weapons. He needs to pull an Atlanta to maximize what he did on defense and may need to bring in a vet TE to pair with Pitta if he does not draft one. Either way, Ozzie can't let a player like Julio or AJ slip by him again and needs to come out of the next draft with Watkins or Lee (not that either of them is AJ or Juiio). 

[PuRock]

I love reading the Baltimore Faithful before the season begins -- saying -- In Ozzie We Trust!  After one game, what's wrong with Ozzie and the roster!

 

Until next time...

 

Nicely put.  You should post more, you seem to know how to look at the bigger picture w/ logic.  

[jimjim5]

Knowledge says, consider the source. I have never heard of the Russell Street Report. ...I guess it is northeast based.

 

Russell St is the street's name that  is in between Oriole Park and M&T Bank staduims in the Camden Yard complex. hence, RussellStreetReport.com

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Let me counter the above with things the front office did know and chose to do nothing about (for several years in fact) 
 
1. Did the Front Office know receivers were a problem?
 
Yes they did, we havent had a 1000 yard receiver in god knows how long (Mason in 07 I believe which speaks to how desperate we are). In 16 years as a franchise, you can probably count the number of 1000 yard receivers we have had on one hand. Hint its one finger
 
This article highlights something very important ie a possible reason why we don't have consistent playmakers at the position
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/26387/ravens-struggle-drafting-receivers
 
Ozzie has only invested a 1st round pick at WR once in his 16 year tenure. He has invested a second a total of two times. The rest of the time he has tried and failed to play bargain hunter at the position. Theres a saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Well this describes Ozzie with receiver. He busted with a 1st round receiver once and has been completely adverse to spending a first on one again. This severely limits his ability to find a quality talent at the position. Im not saying a wide receiver needs to go int he first to be good, but first round picks are the most nfl ready guys usually and do project to do well in the nfl. The later round, the less likely they are to pan out and Ozzie has mainly taken mid-late talent at the position. When you look at this, its no wonder we don't have consistent options at the position
 
2. The Front Office apparently did know Dickson couldn't catch in games because they have had him since 2010 and he has been dropping passes since 2011. This is documented fact. However, Ozzie never wants to give up on a draft pick and admit it didn't work which results in guys like Dickson and Doss overstaying their ability on this team. So you're point is extremely invalid here. 
 
3. The Front Office knew it had 0 receiving depth behind Pitta Rice and Torrey. They HOPED Dickson and crew could step it up, but ideally they would have liked to avoid having that scenario occur. However, once again Ozzie did not invest in quality backups (really we needed starters) at the skill positions and thus we rolled with an undrafted FA and 6th round selection as our backups and they got abused rightfully so (brown did well for a udfa, but was nothing special). We also started two players who probably shouldn't have jobs in the nfl anymore, but do out of desperation by Ozzie.
 
The roster isn't a mess because we got rid of Boldin or lost Pitta. Its a mess by design. Ozzie invests all our high quality talent and money into the defense and tries to play bargain hunter on offense. Sometimes it works, and other times it blows up in his face.

Can you tell me how many teams had 1000yd receivers last year and didn't win a Super Bowl?

How about over the past 10 years? We've been the most consistent winning team in football over the past 5 years. The roster is not, and has not been a mess.

The Ravens draft bpa plain and simple. It just so happens that teams value skill positions like receiver so teams drafting near the top grab those guys early and even reach for the 2nd teir prospects which means high quality players at other positions fall to the bottom of the first rd. we get those guys. Why reach for a receiver that they value as a 3rd round talent in the 1st round bc you think you need one? Makes no sense - it's not being scared of drafting a receiver, it's that much better value comes at other positions bc of the nature of how teams draft (and oh btw those teams at the top drafting the way you're advocating for are at the top for a reason... They suck)

As far as not having receiving depth, how many guys are substantial contributors as far as pass catching goes? 4-5 tops? Ok so they were confident in Torrey, Pitta, Jacoby, Rice, and Dickson. They couldn't foresee injuries to Pitta and Jacoby and Dickson getting hurt and not being able to get on the same page as Joe.

Besides our passing game was FINE until Oher and Jacoby were hurt. Idc how many 1st round receivers you draft, if you can't protect your QB it won't matter.

And just for the record, you're making the argument that our team isn't built the right way (the most winningest team over the past 5 years, whose been to 5 straight playoffs with a win in each, 3 Afccg, and just won the Super Bowl) and using teams like the Bengals and Falcons as the models of franchise strength or drafting prowess? I'll give you that the bengals have hit in the past 3 drafts but were the definition of train wreck before that. The falcons have only recently become relevant again and had to beg their 60 year old TE out of retirement for one last ride bc they know they're all in this year. They busted their nut and they need to win now or wait another 5-10 years.

And guess what - those teams are always the bridesmaid. Never the bride. The teams that actually win in the afc are the patriots and the ravens. What big names do the patriots draft at the WR position? They've been pretty good for a while.

Idk why I'm still justifying this post. Claiming the defending Super Bowl champs who are and have been the model of consistency for the past 5 years are built with a flawed foundation IS A JOKE! Sure there's been mistakes, but for every mistakes there's 2 solid picks and 1 home run.

Mellette, Marlon Brown, Deonte, Torrey, Pitta - all look to be solid-to-great NFL pass catchers and all drafted with GREAT VALUE by Ozzie.

It was 1 game - and a game we were on track to win until injuries killed us.

[jimjim5]

Can you tell me how many teams had 1000yd receivers last year and didn't win a Super Bowl?

How about over the past 10 years? We've been the most consistent winning team in football over the past 5 years. The roster is not, and has not been a mess.

The Ravens draft bpa plain and simple. It just so happens that teams value skill positions like receiver so teams drafting near the top grab those guys early and even reach for the 2nd teir prospects which means high quality players at other positions fall to the bottom of the first rd. we get those guys. Why reach for a receiver that they value as a 3rd round talent in the 1st round bc you think you need one? Makes no sense - it's not being scared of drafting a receiver, it's that much better value comes at other positions bc of the nature of how teams draft (and oh btw those teams at the top drafting the way you're advocating for are at the top for a reason... They suck)

 

 

This is true, however this year I think they drafted for need based on anticipated contracts, retirements, and need

 

Look at this year's draft picks and who these picks replaced. This draft was a straight needs draft, which could majorly backfire

 

Kruger -Simon

Cody - Williams

Ray Ray - Brown

Reed - Elam

Leach - Juice

 

I think Juice is the one that may not work.

[rmw10]

This is true, however this year I think they drafted for need.

Not at all. Brandon Williams, John Simon, Kapron Lewis-Moore were not needs at all. They were BPA at their respective picks.

[The Raven]

Can you tell me how many teams had 1000yd receivers last year and didn't win a Super Bowl?

How about over the past 10 years? We've been the most consistent winning team in football over the past 5 years. The roster is not, and has not been a mess.

The Ravens draft bpa plain and simple. It just so happens that teams value skill positions like receiver so teams drafting near the top grab those guys early and even reach for the 2nd teir prospects which means high quality players at other positions fall to the bottom of the first rd. we get those guys. Why reach for a receiver that they value as a 3rd round talent in the 1st round bc you think you need one? Makes no sense - it's not being scared of drafting a receiver, it's that much better value comes at other positions bc of the nature of how teams draft (and oh btw those teams at the top drafting the way you're advocating for are at the top for a reason... They suck)

As far as not having receiving depth, how many guys are substantial contributors as far as pass catching goes? 4-5 tops? Ok so they were confident in Torrey, Pitta, Jacoby, Rice, and Dickson. They couldn't foresee injuries to Pitta and Jacoby and Dickson getting hurt and not being able to get on the same page as Joe.

Besides our passing game was FINE until Oher and Jacoby were hurt. Idc how many 1st round receivers you draft, if you can't protect your QB it won't matter.

And just for the record, you're making the argument that our team isn't built the right way (the most winningest team over the past 5 years, whose been to 5 straight playoffs with a win in each, 3 Afccg, and just won the Super Bowl) and using teams like the Bengals and Falcons as the models of franchise strength or drafting prowess? I'll give you that the bengals have hit in the past 3 drafts but were the definition of train wreck before that. The falcons have only recently become relevant again and had to beg their 60 year old TE out of retirement for one last ride bc they know they're all in this year. They busted their nut and they need to win now or wait another 5-10 years.

And guess what - those teams are always the bridesmaid. Never the bride. The teams that actually win in the afc are the patriots and the ravens. What big names do the patriots draft at the WR position? They've been pretty good for a while.

Idk why I'm still justifying this post. Claiming the defending Super Bowl champs who are and have been the model of consistency for the past 5 years are built with a flawed foundation IS A JOKE! Sure there's been mistakes, but for every mistakes there's 2 solid picks and 1 home run.

Mellette, Marlon Brown, Deonte, Torrey, Pitta - all look to be solid-to-great NFL pass catchers and all drafted with GREAT VALUE by Ozzie.

It was 1 game - and a game we were on track to win until injuries killed us.

 

BOOOOM!!! There it is!

[jimjim5]

....Idk why I'm still justifying this post. Claiming the defending Super Bowl champs who are and have been the model of consistency for the past 5 years are built with a flawed foundation IS A JOKE! Sure there's been mistakes, but for every mistakes there's 2 solid picks and 1 home run.

Mellette, Marlon Brown, Deonte, Torrey, Pitta - all look to be solid-to-great NFL pass catchers and all drafted with GREAT VALUE by Ozzie.

It was 1 game - and a game we were on track to win until injuries killed us.

 

Thompson and Mellette -  to great huh??? Based what? Not saying they will not develop to that level, but there is no body of work to see this.

 

Thompson and Mellette were not drafted.

[mgridda]

I love reading the Baltimore Faithful before the season begins -- saying -- In Ozzie We Trust!  After one game, what's wrong with Ozzie and the roster!

 

The only off season move I disagreed with was the fact of not keeping Rainey on the roster -- only because the following day they cut LaQuan Williams -- if they knew they were going to cut him -- then Rainey should have been signed and Williams should have been cut. 

 

As hard as it was, Boldin wasn't taking a pay cut, and at $6M a year he was being paid more than -- AJ Green (97 Catches, 11 TDs), Marques Colston (83 Catches, 10 TDs), Julio Jones (79 Catches, 10 TDs), Wes Welker (118 Catches, 6 TDs), Vincent Jackson (72 Catches, 8 TDs), Dez Bryant (92 Catches, 12 TDs), Victor Cruz (86 Catches, 10 TDs) -- and all of which had over 1,000+ yards!

 

Now Boldin's 65 Catches and 4 TDs are similiar to these players: Danny Amendola (63 Catches, 3 TDs), Jordy Nelson (49 Catches, 7 TDs), Malcolm Floyd (56 Catches, 5 TDs),  and Victor Cruz.   Honestly, is Boldin's 65 catches and 4 TDs a year worth $6M?   Amedola just signed a deal with the Pats -- and his cap hit is 3.5 Million.  Jordy Nelson's Cap hit this year is 3.9 Million.  Malcolm Floyd's cap hit is $2.6 Million.  Victor Cruz's Cap Hit is 2.5 Million.

 

Let's face it, Boldin was worth about 3.5 Million - 4 Million a year if we're being generous!  He's not even close to worth the $6M his contract called for!  So those who are arguing that we should have kept Boldin, aren't looking at the Salary Cap and it's ramifications!

 

We have a bunch of young receivers -- so let's coach em up, play 'em, deal with the struggles, and hope the back-end of the defense figures out it's communication issues!

 

Let's start playing Frustenberg, Juice, Mallette, and Brown!  Let's see what we have in real game -- real time situations!

 

If you're going to run a no huddle offense -- then you can't thrown Clark, and Stokley out on every play!  Seriously, let them become 3rd down specialists at most!  Use Dickson as you're blocking TE, and don't throw to him over the middle -- strictly pass to him on outs -- at least he seems to catch those!  Let's see if Juice and Frustenberg can make those tough catches over the middle! 

 

As far as Punt Returners are concerned, do not utilize Webb catching PR except to Fair Catch!  But last week, he returned one -- WE CAN'T afford to lose Webb!  We're so thin at CB -- any injury really causes issues!  Let's hope that Deonte Thompson can come back by next game then this issue will be resolved!

 

We're also extremely thin at the OL, as Oher went down and suddenly the Wagner gives up 3 sacks and a bunch of hurries!  You gotta dress Reid next game!  You have to dress 8 OL every game!

 

Until next time...

Post of the Week.

 

+135

 

Just from this one post alone, you make my short list of Ravens fans who I'd have a pint with at the bar.

[Alexir]

"I have Calvin Johnson in my fantasy league, he only had 30 yards. Im going to cut him for that bad game."

 

Now if you wouldn't do that in fantasy football after a game, why do you think we would cut guys? Maybe they just aren't in stride yet. its fine.

[ThePurpleWall]

nope, we are good.

[T3hRaven]

He hasn't tweeted in a while but he has an account,look on his profile if you get a chance.He wrote that he is the future AD at Alabama. LOL hope it's a lot later then sooner!!

 

You mean to tell me that you honestly thought a Twitter account where it was posted, "They don't call me the Wizard of Oz for nothing. #keepthefaith," was legit?  Seriously?  He asked people who they wanted the team to draft on Twitter, like any GM would do that.  Seriously dude.

 

This is true, however this year I think they drafted for need based on anticipated contracts, retirements, and need

 

Look at this year's draft picks and who these picks replaced. This draft was a straight needs draft, which could majorly backfire

 

Kruger -Simon

Cody - Williams

Ray Ray - Brown

Reed - Elam

Leach - Juice

 

I think Juice is the one that may not work.

 

You assume Juice was drafted to play the traditional FB role a la Leach, which he wasn't.  Leach was brought on because Pitta went down and it necessitated an offensive change.  If we had the weapons we'd be a bit more 3 wide and 12 personnel, but with Pitta down the run had to become emphasized more so we brought back the bruiser.  Juice as a pass catching fullback and a guy you can move around but can also block a bit has value, albeit a bit different from Leach.  His position versatility also helps with formation variation in the no huddle that the Ravens will ultimately run under Jim Caldwell.

[jimjim5]

You mean to tell me that you honestly thought a Twitter account where it was posted, "They don't call me the Wizard of Oz for nothing. #keepthefaith," was legit?  Seriously?  He asked people who they wanted the team to draft on Twitter, like any GM would do that.  Seriously dude.

 

 

You assume Juice was drafted to play the traditional FB role a la Leach, which he wasn't.  Leach was brought on because Pitta went down and it necessitated an offensive change.  If we had the weapons we'd be a bit more 3 wide and 12 personnel, but with Pitta down the run had to become emphasized more so we brought back the bruiser.  Juice as a pass catching fullback and a guy you can move around but can also block a bit has value, albeit a bit different from Leach.  His position versatility also helps with formation variation in the no huddle that the Ravens will ultimately run under Jim Caldwell.

 

No I am not. Bottom line is that the roster make up is a mistake. The FO thought they could get a two for one, a more dynamic H-back with blocking ability. However, Juice couldn't block your mom right now. And the Ravens needed a capable lead blocker with the line and backs we have.

BTW, Leach was  brought in because Pitta went down and because Juice got blown up by Ihedigbo and other rushing defenders in practice, prompting Sizzle to shout, "Where is Vonta Leach when you need him?". see... http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-07-28/sports/bs-sp-preston-ravens-0729-20130728_1_vonta-leach-dennis-pitta-the-ravens

 

 

Yes, Caldwell's offensive influence is all over the Juice draft pick. But Juice will not see the field. I am willing to bet that Juice will never a see meaningful offensive snap this year. They got cute, and it backfired.