Offseason Plan

[Ravenseconbeast]

I'll agree on the defense, but you really think the coaching has been good?

People are talking about a 'clean sweep' of our coaching staff. Thats ridiculous.

I think we have the best coaches in the league. The key area i'd do a 'sweep' in is the oline coaches(juan & moeller) and possibly a new OC.

[The Raven]

If we sweep anything, I'd sweep the offensive coaches and re-build the scheme.

[gabefergy]

Not trying to be a negative Nancy, god knows I flaunt my homerism....and why not! We love this team.

But really....

I cannot look at this team and think we just need to get a WR and a C or OG and we are set. We get dominated in nearly all aspects of the game. The worst run game in modern NFL history. An OL that is likely to give up an absurd 50 sacks. Way too many drops from WR. And I haven't even gotten to the defense yet...we have a lot to do, and not much flexibility.

I think OL and WR are addressed via the draft. We have had a lot of issues this year, but I'm not ready to write off the team because of a difficult season.

We have 2 pro bowl caliber OL and KO who has a ton of potential assuming health. Gino has gotten better. We have young WRs with upside.

We have a top 10 defense that will probably lose a couple of players, but the core is there.

[ratedr]

Won't lie Harbs answer about why he was kicking a FG when we were down 20-0 was just embarrassing.

[gabefergy]

If we sweep anything, I'd sweep the offensive coaches and re-build the scheme.

I agree 100%

[flynismo]

I think the main problem with this team is coaching. The offense shouldn't be this bad with the players we have, I don't care what people say. I think scheme wise, the coaches are lazy or aren't l preparing the team properly. Poor execution , lack of time management and just ineptness in down and distance understanding shows a lot. The defense for the most part, was a group that seemed to discipline itself cause of the pieces and leaders in place. With that gone, the "clutchness" seems to have vanished as well with both sides seem to be lacking in intensity and toughness. In game adjustments rarely seem to be made and it doesn't look like the team ever goes into a game with a plan besides test them out early and hope it starts working later. I don't think it will take as long as you think, the draft just needs to be utilized and smart moves made during FA. The offense puts up a td early intstead of a fg or the defense holds here or there and the win loss column is different.

I do put most of the blame of this season on offense though. Let me be very clear about that.

Absolutely the offense is the main issue of this team. Just like they led us to greatness last year, they are throwing this season down the toilet.
I place most of the blame on them as well. The question is, how do we fix this? We are being held hostage by certain contracts, and relying on the draft is wise, but does not often bring immediate results. The next year or two concerns me.

[The Raven]

I agree 100%

 

I think Cam's influence is still here, in a way. We just need all new blood on the offensive staff. Maybe the RB coach and TE coach can stay, but that's it. And that's a maybe.

[Jillester]

Won't lie Harbs answer about why he was kicking a FG when we were down 20-0 was just embarrassing.

Especially when he seemingly acted confused about how many scores we were down in order to catch up.  What a tool?!

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

We need a better OC. Play calling is inept

[redrum52]

People are talking about a 'clean sweep' of our coaching staff. Thats ridiculous.

I think we have the best coaches in the league. The key area i'd do a 'sweep' in is the oline coaches(juan & moeller) and possibly a new OC.

I don't think clean sweep, but wouldn't mind if every offensive coach was given the boot. Also wouldn't mind a new DC depending on who's available (Rex).

[redrum52]

Absolutely the offense is the main issue of this team. Just like they led us to greatness last year, they are throwing this season down the toilet.
I place most of the blame on them as well. The question is, how do we fix this? We are being held hostage by certain contracts, and relying on the draft is wise, but does not often bring immediate results. The next year or two concerns me.

Suggs I think has more years in him. I'd restructure to lower his hit. Ngata I think is off the books after next year and if I'm right Rice's contract drops significantly after 14. The key is just drafting impact players on offense and I think the defense will be just fine. 1 big play wr can really impact an offense, just look at Green, Calvin or Julio. You add a player who you know can attack the ball like they do and EVERYTHING opens up for the other guys. The o line can't possibly be as bad next year. Oh, I haven't said this in a while.. FIRE JUAN!

[ratedr]

Wilbert Montgomery is an excellent RB coach. This is like the first year ever we've had issues running the ball, and I blame that on Juan's genius.

[kassaiscool]

I do realize the defense has had some good performances, primarily against weak competition, but don't let stats mislead anyone into thinking it has been good enough.
But at any rate, with Ngata and Suggs nearing the end of the road, and huge contracts, it isn't looking too good long term. The sooner we can offload that money, the sooner we can put that money to better use.

 

This Defense is certainly good enough to be apart of a super bowl winning team. If you look at the only two bad games this defense had it was against the broncos and packers. The defense has so much stress on it because the offense can hardly do anything, Our O starts playing in the 4thQ of almost every game. The offense ranks high among getting 3 and outs. I feel like you are over looking this defense and how they have competed this season, and not appreciated them for fighting and staying positive no matter how bad their counterparts were.  If the D played like our offense we would be picking first in the NFL draft. As far as Ngata and Suggs, I would explore a trade possibly or just keep them for most of their remaining contracts. We can't cut them, because of the cap hit. So you either trade them or keepEM.

[runamuk]

not making excuses but if flacco didn't have that injury"that's not affecting him" we may have still lost but not this bad. if we don't fix the online and blocking schemes we are stuck. I see no plausible answer to those contracts unless they willingly take a cut which I don't see happening.

[flynismo]

People are talking about a 'clean sweep' of our coaching staff. Thats ridiculous.

I think we have the best coaches in the league. The key area i'd do a 'sweep' in is the oline coaches(juan & moeller) and possibly a new OC.

Juan has to go. No ifs ands or buts. Take And-DUI Moeller with him. And I am beginning to think I was wrong about Caldwell. Or coaching staff is a huge issue as well. This team is in flux from top to bottom.

[Ravens1991]

8-9 Wins with an all time bad run game and your QB favorite target missing most of the season is still pretty good. That's not even factoring in all the starters we lost. I don't think it is time to rebuild just yet. I think we can squeak another run for the title next year if our run game gets on track, and we get Flacco another weapon. I believe that is possible once we get KO back healthy. It looks like Yanda and Rice have been hurt all year also. If KO/Rice/Yanda get healthy we will see a big improvement in our running game especially with Gino getting more experience (Gino obviously isn't locked in as a starter). 

[The Raven]

It's obvious that there are too many voices and too many things going on with our offense. We need to build from ground up.

[BloodRaven]

If we have to choose between him and Monroe to get a decent contract, its a pretty easy decision to make. But I do not see Jones getting more than something in the $5M year range

 

Dwan Edwards landed 4.5M a year when he left and he wasn't the stud Jones is. The premium for 3-4 blue chipper linemen is huge because they're so hard to find and develop.

 

With that said I completely agree we need to blow up and rebuild around younger guys, there are going to be growing pains but thats the price you pay. If we can keep Monroe and Jones they'd be ideal anchors to build around.

[Militant X 1]

I don't know. I'd like to see what happens with some real coordinators in here for once.

 

Defense I think will be alright. They have improved over time but man, there are still a lot of miscommunication issues.

 

Offense - what good is it to draft a first round WR when we almost never plug n play? He'll wind up being used in his 4th year and then hit FA and be gone.

 

I want to see what some of our young guys can do now. Not three years from now so I can watch them walk out the door the following season.

 

Get Omar Brown in there and let's see what he's got.

Juice, Melette (sp?),

 

We'll need to draft a TE to complement Pitta.

 

I just don't know that the draft is going to help us at all because we rarely give them playing time.

That's how I view this as well!  One of the main reasons to me that the Ravens receivers are so average compared to other teams is not because they don't have the talent to be great but because this organization sniffles their potential because of archaic mindsets.  All things being equal, to me they'd rather draft some one and sit him on the bench (most times) instead of plugging him in the game.  I have seen other teams (steelers and patriots etc.) draft someone and immediately stick them in games and as a result, they seem to develop more quickly than our guys.  The best way for these young pups to develop in to the "elite" receivers is to allow them to get baptized in the fire on the field in battle.  That doesn't seem to happen much with the Ravens!

 

#Mili

[flynismo]

This Defense is certainly good enough to be apart of a super bowl winning team. If you look at the only two bad games this defense had it was against the broncos and packers. The defense has so much stress on it because the offense can hardly do anything, Our O starts playing in the 4thQ of almost every game. The offense ranks high among getting 3 and outs. I feel like you are over looking this defense and how they have competed this season, and not appreciated them for fighting and staying positive no matter how bad their counterparts were. If the D played like our offense we would be picking first in the NFL draft.

I feel you are vastly overrating the effectiveness of our defense. We do not create turnovers, or generate pressure, and it crumbles at the precise moments they need to step up.

[ratedr]

That's how I view this as well! One of the main reasons to me that the Ravens receivers are so average compared to other teams is not because they don't have the talent to be great but because this organization sniffles their potential because of archaic mindsets. All things being equal, to me they'd rather draft some one and sit him on the bench (most times) instead of plugging him in the game. I have seen other teams (steelers and patriots etc.) draft someone and immediately stick them in the game. The best way for these young pups to develop in to the "elite" receivers is to allow them to get baptized in the fire on the field in battle. That doesn't seem to happen with the Ravens!

#Mili

Hell, we even almost saw it with Cundiff vs. Tucker. Tucker had to be waaaaaaay better than Cundiff for them to go with him, and even then it was still considered a close race.

[GrimCoconut]

I don't think we need to blow up the team and start over or anything. I think we could probably let go of some dead weight but there would be repercussions. The question is whether we're willing to do it. I'm not sure if we are. Ozzie is typically very loyal to players and that's a plus.

[redrum52]

Juan has to go. No ifs ands or buts. Take And-DUI Moeller with him. And I am beginning to think I was wrong about Caldwell. Or coaching staff is a huge issue as well. This team is in flux from top to bottom.

I see what you did there...

[ratedr]

I feel you are vastly overrating the effectiveness of our defense. We do not create turnovers, or generate pressure, and it crumbles at the precise moments they need to step up.

Well put.

[The Raven]

I feel you are vastly overrating the effectiveness of our defense. We do not create turnovers, or generate pressure, and it crumbles at the precise moments they need to step up.

 

Not to mention that, while they hold teams to FGs more than not, they have a penchant for allowing time consuming drives that cost us in TOP.

[redravenfan]

I'm an optimistic Ravens fan. I can also see things realistically though. But where's the fun in that? Good vibes help the hard times go by.

I am a homer. And I couldn't be more proud to be one of the best franchise ever. ;)

realistically we have no shot of making the playoffs . time to break out our wish list for the draft

[kassaiscool]

I feel you are vastly overrating the effectiveness of our defense. We do not create turnovers, or generate pressure, and it crumbles at the precise moments they need to step up.

Do you understand how hard it is for them playing with this offense? They don't have any momentum to speak of, they just constantly go on the field time and time after again. You say they don't create turnovers, but that's even more impressive to me on how stout they have been. While the offense of side turns the ball over time and time again they are still in the game because of this D. The pressure has dipped later in the season, but they still have 40 sacks. Yea forget that the other part were the D keeps this crappy offense in each game.

[Jillester]

Special Teams has been the one  dependable squad this year after Koch ironed out a few punting wrinkles.  Who would have thought that Rosenberg could produce sound players.

[gabefergy]

Juan has to go. No ifs ands or buts. Take And-DUI Moeller with him. And I am beginning to think I was wrong about Caldwell. Or coaching staff is a huge issue as well. This team is in flux from top to bottom.

Caldwell has done some good things, but I tend to agree there have been some major blunders too. Scheme has gotten better, but play calling is still a mess.

Castillo was phased out a while back. Im fairly certain he is still on staff in name only. It doesn't look good on a resume to get fired midseason for a second time. So yeah, that is probably a favor from Harbaugh.

[ratedr]

Special Teams has been the one dependable squad this year after Koch ironed out a few punting wrinkles. Who would have thought that Rosenberg could produce sound players.

Right? People wanted Rosburg's head after the playoffs. Without special teams we might be a 4 win team.