[News] Eisenberg: League Drafts Offense, Ravens Draft Defense

[Ngataninch]

Maybe our offensive line issue has already been addressed by signing Zuttah and not resigning Oher. Anyone that thinks we needed a receiver is looking at the wrong team. Flacco does not need receivers. The Ravens have a lot of nationally known players on offense-Flacco-Rice-Pitta-S. Smith-Daniels, they have none on defense. The defense was rag-tag last year, it might be fearsome this year.

[RavenManiac#7]

Disheartening is the word Bruce. The Mosely pick yesterday drained the joy right out of me and today was didn't lift my spirits any. Brooks and Jernigan are good players but I'm not sure how Jernigan fits and taking Crockett Gilmore ridiculously early after missing out on Moncrief wnd West just tore me up. For some reason we're just never going to have a great offense in Baltimore, despite having the QB to pull that off.

The reason is fairly obvious. Ozzie won't draft impact offensive players anymore, even when he has the chance. He insists on concentrating on the defense exclusively.

[Ravens07]

Glad some of you aren't running the team.

[Bruce_Almty]

Tiny Tim Jernigan better be a star for us: 2TEs, 3RBs, 4WRs were draft right after him and already our own site reports "he's fleshy in the mid section," and failed a drug test because he was over-hydrating after crash dieting to make weight for the Combine. Don't know about the rest of you but I'm pumped about this guy (he says with tongue-in-cheek). Go Ravens

[BEACHBOY]

Anybody who watched the BCS National Championship last January remembers Auburn driving the length of the field late in the 4th quarter for a go ahead touchdown and FSU is desperately trying to make a stop. So when the going gets tough the tough get going and where is Timmy Jernigan you ask? Why he's taking a knee on the sidelines sucking oxygen, because he is gased! God help us if he turns out to be another Terrance Cody. I see this draft as a great opportunity squandered. I look at teams who have filled needs - the Rams on the offensive and defensive line, a versatile CB/SS and a tough RB; the Jags with a starting QB and 2 stud receivers to throw to for the next 5 years - and I think what could have been.

[EdBallhawkReed20]

For all those Ravens fans who thinks the front office does whats best. Not Even Close!!! This was a horrible draft by The Baltimore Ravens... That C J Mosley pick was horrible because as a team you have to make up your mind to bring in someone new, or to work with what you have and the Baltimore Ravens are not doing it! Arthur Brown second year guy. Projected to be a starter last year, should be ready to play. If not you got Josh Bynes who is very good in my opinion... If we could not get Darryl Smith back then draft Mosley but this is a waste at a position with depth. A position that needed depth was CB because I'm not sold on Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson (great potential) has not played enough for me to believe he is ready to be a starter (Plus off the field issues). Overall bad pick for first round. Baltimore had an opportunity to solidify their O-Line which has had multiple problems... You typically don't get good lineman late in the draft. I'm sure everyone knows that. Wide Receiver would have been nice 1st round as well considering they are instant impact players in this pass happy league. I'm tired of past their prime players being picked up no matter how good they are at the moment. I'm ready to have the young Wide Receiver that will make the big play and will be here for years to come. Second pick means that the Ravens are going to have to adjust their D-line like their O-line. Also wasn't a good pick Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams, enough said on that... Third round at Safety wasn't a bad pick. I think he is better than Jeromy Miles because I have no faith in that guy. Jeromy Miles has no track record or endorsements like some other Ravens safeties I know (Omar Brown). It will be a good competition between him and Omar Brown (Prediction one of those will be our starter). Everyone else will take up special teams. He can be converted into CB if Omar beats him in competition (hopefully). That is the only pick I like out the whole draft. The Tight-end pick in the fourth is up in the air. He can develop in practice.

[Ngataninch]

Sometimes I wish we had a more offensively biased regime.We finally found a QB after years of wishing and waiting and he's never going to reach his full potential that he flashed a year ago because he's with an organization that doesn't care enough about offense.Idk what to say about it.Lets just hope that T Smith,some late round pick wrs,an undrafted wr and a 35 year old slot receiver actually works out this year because that same formula crashed and burned last year.

 

Our offensive line crashed and burned last year not our receivers.  One player solves this problem.  KO played tackle in 2012.  He is probably an upgrade over Oher at the position.  The offensive line has to get better with him playing.  

[RRRRRavens]

It is interesting to see how contributers in this forum seem to divide into fans for offense or defense. Well, defense or offense, we're all Raven's fans. At least most of us are!?!?

[Halshayeji]

Thank you Ozzie and staff!

For all those who were yelling offense in the first. I'm glad the cowboys took the troublesome OT right before us as it set us up for a great situation! This D is 2 FA (cb3 and safety competition) and chemistry away from ELITE! Yes I said it.

There are still a few recievers out there that are not polished yet but have great upsides! Let's snatch one up and as many said earlier. It seems like Winston will come and compete with the plethora of young linemen that we have. May the better player win the job!

[thecommish]

might actually be a strong vote of confidence for Wagner.... The Ravens got see this guy daily in practice, etc. The fact that we didnt go after a high rated OL may mean that either: 1. The Ravens have strong confidence in Wagner or 2. The Ravens will seek out a veteran Ol before season starts. I thought that Wagner looked solid as the season wore on...

[bioLarzen]

At the end of the day.. While other teams got their 1 impact offensive player then staked up on second and third tier players on offense.. we continued to stack on top-notch defensive players. You can't really get mad at that because you got to have people who can stop these offensive minded teams. I'd rather have a decent offense with a powerhouse D.. And don't forget Ozzie already stacked up on O before the draft even began.

 

So... you're saying we shouldn't burn Ozzie and banish him from Baltimore for ever?

 

Good luck with this veiw on these forums on draft-day

[picke]

Two linemen from each school, Tennessee and Stanford, remain in the top 100; and a few wide receivers. Hang in there! Our history is rife with late round and undrafted successes. We have some real steals in Mosley and Jernigan; convinced of that! They were leaders on championship teams. Again, Ozzie deserves our confidence and support.

[Raven in ATL]

BPA.... that is the BPA that the Ravens as an organization have ranked, not what Kiper, McShay, Mayock, Jim, Joe, and Moe. no one other than those in the Ravens draft war room know how they have the players ranked. for people to complain and whine that they picked someone other than the person they liked, even tho they were "ranked" higher is ridiculous! YOU DONT KNOW HOW THE RAVENS DRAFT BOARD LOOKS!!!

[GangofRavens]

I can't blame Ozzie for not drafting a WO or offensive player this year. Ravens added a solid center, LT, is getting KO back, retained JJ, acquired Smith and Daniels.

[2TimeSBChamps]

So agree with you Ravens07!! Do the Patriots need another D lineman or another QB? No they pick the best player available, if that fits their needs all the better, if not, they supplement through FA or cuts that will happen over the next few months. This is exactly what Ozzie does and is doing. The Ravens front office is widely recognized by their peers as one of the best! I trust that THEY know what they are doing and its quite obvious many on here would fail as GM's.

[thecommish]

We are two deep across the DL- Two deep across the LB corp and looking two deep with out safties... would love to see us grab Chris Brown -CB-Auburn (very physical) or Antone Exum (big bodied) out of VTech or Caryinton Bydom out of Texas (This kid can fly and has great upside)

[Oh This Ravens Fan]

Ozzie is solidifying a championship defense for years to come. I love it. Did you guys see what the Bronco's "best ever" offense did against the Seahawks number 1 defense? They got lit up like a christmas tree. Totally manhandled. That's what ozzie is getting here. And Do you guys realize how young AND talented we are on defense right now? Our middle is stacked. Not to mention Webb and Smith on the outside is lockdown potential. Only concern i see is how much Elam can step up and can whoever opposite of him fill the gap effectiviely. We'll see. Offense will surely be better then last year, not great though, i think we passed that oppurtunity to really make this offense dangerous by drafting almost all defense, but surely better.

[The Greek]

Ozzie is solidifying a championship defense for years to come. I love it. Did you guys see what the Bronco's "best ever" offense did against the Seahawks number 1 defense? They got lit up like a christmas tree. Totally manhandled. That's what ozzie is getting here. And Do you guys realize how young AND talented we are on defense right now? Our middle is stacked. Not to mention Webb and Smith on the outside is lockdown potential. Only concern i see is how much Elam can step up and can whoever opposite of him fill the gap effectiviely. We'll see. Offense will surely be better then last year, not great though, i think we passed that oppurtunity to really make this offense dangerous by drafting almost all defense, but surely better.

one of the few fans on here that understands and gets it.  defense defense defense!!

[thecommish]

I see our biggest weakness right now being... (a need for depth on the OL) and a need for depth (at CB). IF we can bolster those two positions then I think we have the personal for not just another run but for several other runs!

[fusuymada]

I am disappointed in this draft because players we desperately needed were on the board when we picked and we grabbed an Alabama guy. There was a reason he dropped to us and that's because at a position that takes a lot of beating he was routinely injured. Not just once, but routinely. Good thing we have Arthur Brown because we will need him. Jernigan, same thing, dropped because of work ethic and then a failed drug test at the combine. I don't care the reason. Jernigan had months to get ready, why is he crash dieting the week right before the combine. Because he wasn't dedicated enough to stay in shape. I understand best available, but I think Ozzie has slipped in his old age or DeCosta has more say and is not as good as Ozzie used to be but the confusion runs through most analysts as well. You can't undo what has been done but my faith in our draft skills has diminished in the last three years. Another thing, Furstenburg, why draft him to throw him away without giving him a chance by drafting another tight end. If he wasn't it then why waste the pick last year, if he is it, why draft another when we have so many other needs. I think we totally screwed up this draft.

[Bruce_Almty]

Zero help for an offense ....

I dislike disagreeing with Ozzie's picks but my expectations for this draft have been soundly crushed. Star quality players here, there, & everywhere and we are re-drafting 2013. We draft Crockett at 99 and I find him on Drafttek's board at 291. I'm thinking we could have gotten him next Tuesday.

Oh well (deep sigh); agreed with your post that we're not exactly killing it this year.

[thecommish]

dont forget that we get KLM this season also... almost like having an extra 1st or 2nd round pick. That means this season We add KLM at DE, Timmy Jerrigan at DL, CJ Mosley at LB and Terrence Brooks at FS... that is to an already very good defense! WOW

[thecommish]

still a lot of help out there on Offense... Donte Moncrief WR-OleMiss would be a steal at this point and fit us nicely. (Baby Boldin) Martavius Bryant is still out there (giant upside) Bruce Ellington-WR-SC (playmaker) LaDamian Washington-WR- Mizzou (6'4 197 pounds 4.39 he is freakish and if he can overcome drops he can be a steal- Torrey overcame it here). That is the WR ... there are still some very good RB's Jerome Smith -Syracuse (zone guy -powerful short yardage back) Storm Johnson -Alfred Blue... There is some legit talent out there still... OL there is a lot who can still help us, Cameron Flemming T-Stanf, Russell Bodine G/C UNC etc and atleast a half a dozen more! Still a lot of picks left!

[b93333]

Jernigan seems like a strong pick... especially with Nagta's steady decline and 16M cap hit. It looks like they have his replacement when the time comes be that next year or the year after. I'm still trying to figure out the Mosley pick. I for one put some credence in the theory that the many busts coming out of Alabama are the result of Saban's excellent coaching techniques and system making his players appear much stronger than they actually are when they reach the NFL.

[BEACHBOY]

Some posters want to argue the Ravens don't need a WR, TE, or RT. Really? Two days ago Ozzie listed all three positions as needs. If you think you're going to develop a Pro Bowl candidate from the list of Reid, Jensen and Wagner you need a reality check. Why doesn't your argument fit at LB? We just signed Smith to a 4 year deal and we have a 2 time Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 who we drafted last year already in the locker room, so we add Mosley, a talented player, but who is it that's not going to get on the field every down next year? You don't need to be a homer to be a fan of this team and you don't need to neg every fan with a different opinion. We've drafted some talent, I just don't think its the "right" talent. There were playmakers available on both sides of the ball and its too late now, 'cause they're gone, party over. Brooks btw is not considered a playmaker at FS. He even lost his job his senior year to Joyner and moved back to SS. Jernigan isn't built like Nagata, or Williams; he's overweight at 302. He is going to get shoved around and worn down in the NFL. And the rap sheet on Gilmore reads slow, can't shed coverage and has an under developed lower half, so he's got work to do in the weight room just to be an adequate blocking TE. Not a single Pro Bowler drafted in the past five years and it looks like Mosely might be our only hope in this one. As a footnote: what do we do if Rice gets suspended and Pierce reaggrevates his shoulder injury?

[balfan23]

Doesn't it seem that, if so many teams are drafting offense, that some of those teams ahead of us are reaching? When there is a "run" on a position, inevitably those late to the party are drafting someone based on their position and not their relative skill.

 

The Ravens don't do that - it is called discipline. In any market type scenario (which the draft is a super high stakes market) the importance of discipline is paramount. We are staying true to our process. That's a good thing.

[b93333]

It appears that the FO has decided that the big problem last year with the OL was at center and they have fixed that. I'm also guessing that they feel Wagner is good to go. With KO coming back they will get another boost. If all that is correct we still have an appalling lack of depth on the OL and are one injury away from disaster. I hope Ozzy has this figured out... because it's unclear to me at this point that the OL is anything close to fixed.

[EdBallhawkReed20]

One thing I hate is when fan post these rationalities that the from office (Ozzie and company) can not make a mistake. If you played football, understand football, and watch football you can spot great players sometimes better than your front office. The best players don't always play and they don't always get drafted even when you would like them to be on your team. They must see something special in Rick Wagner not to draft another OT, or maybe the Ravens are doing what everyone knows the Ravens do in the draft. Which is draft the best player available... If anything draft a high OT for two reasons. 1. Your current one you have you drafted in the 4th or 5th round. 2. You need depth at this position CLEARLY (I didn't break the caps rules used it sparingly)! You got Ravens fans who believe that we made a good decision to put Bobby Rainey on practice squad for all those years, and that Bernard Pierce is a better player than he is... Give me a break! All I'm saying is they make mistakes no different from you playing your franchise on Madden. lol. You can scout but it does not mean you will get a high quality player. That is all...

[balfan23]

If you think you're going to develop a Pro Bowl candidate from the list of Reid, Jensen and Wagner you need a reality check. 

If the FO thinks that ... then I would be concerned. That seems like a pretty high risk bet. I just don't think we're going to stand pat after the draft. Once the dust settles, we'll know where the remaining holes are and we've left ourselves enough dry gunpowder (cap space) to go get some help. Will it be pro-bowl level help? Of course not ... that's not available at this point. But quality help at the O line should be available. As the article states, I expect we go after Winston ... who I do think will be a solid stop gap to future additions or potentially the development of Wagner. 

[Ravens3]

I dislike disagreeing with Ozzie's picks but my expectations for this draft have been soundly crushed. Star quality players here, there, & everywhere and we are re-drafting 2013. We draft Crockett at 99 and I find him on Drafttek's board at 291. I'm thinking we could have gotten him next Tuesday.

Oh well (deep sigh); agreed with your post that we're not exactly killing it this year.

 

I think I trust the Ravens' board a little more than Drafttek's.