Brandon Flowers

[rmw10]

That applies to every team out there...

 

 

How does that make sense what you just said? Our best corner is built for press coverage and yet you say we're not built for press coverage at all? You have any numbers to back up those claims? % Wise how do we stack up against the rest in the NFL? And don't you think it had anything to do with us not having a decent safety back there to cover deep? That we were forced to play off a lot because of that and not because Jimmy is so great at it? Our safeties were horrible covering deep, we got beat like a drum with deep balls, that's why we played off, not because Jimmy excels in off coverage. He doesn't. If he did and if we played it so often he'd have around 10 interceptions by now. He's the furthest thing from a good off corner. Guys like that need tremendous instincts & awareness, a lot of experience and a natural feel for routes and being able to read QB's. That's not what Jimmy does.

 

And you just basically pointed out the obvious. Jimmy is a press specialist. What exactly is the point of not playing press with a guy like that? Yes, we play off here and there like everybody else in the NFL (mainly because we had to, in my opinion), we don't just play ONE coverage 100% of the time. But that's our bread & butter. Jimmy is not an off corner, he's built to play press with his size, his long arms, how strong he is and his lack of experience/instincts to excel in zone or in off coverage. You sprinkle in some off coverages to balance it out a little here and there to help your safeties a little maybe, but anything more than that is a waste of talent and skill. Look, if we had Earl Thomas back there or a prime Ed Reed we definitely would have rarely played off coverage, and even then it would have not been played because our corners excel in off coverage but because we have to balance things out and keep offenses on their toes.

 

I probably should have expanded a bit more and maybe "at all" wasn't the best choice of words.  I'll expand here though.

 

My point is that because Jimmy was heralded as a press CB coming out of college, people think that we run him in press man all the time.  It's a popular misconception.  I do not have numbers to back that up.  I honestly don't even know where to find such statistics.  It's not hard to watch the games though and realize that most of our defense is in off man coverage.

 

I understand that Jimmy is best as a press guy.  I'm not denying that.  That doesn't mean that we run it though.  He's improved by leaps and bounds as on off coverage guy.  Whether you believe it or not, go watch the games.  Jimmy lines up in off man a large majority of the time.  Even then, 1 CB that excels in press man does not mean that the team should.  Webb is best playing off man because of his speed and ability to turn his hips and react.  That's what he does best.  I'd be more than alright if I never had to see Chykie in press again.  He's often way too slow when engaging, and when he does get a jab in, there's no power to knock the WR off his route.

 

As you said, our lack of deep safety is the biggest reason that we don't run more press.  Guess what?  The same still applies.  We don't currently have a guy that can run as the single high safety.  Will Brooks be that guy?  Maybe.  We haven't even seen him in action yet so we can't count on him being that savior.  If Stewart or Miles start at FS, we certainly won't be running much Cover 1.

 

I understand the want and belief for press man.  I'd like to see us play more press as well.  The reality is that Jimmy is the only adequate press CB we have.  I understand the need to mix in different coverages.  We do that, but we play a large majority of our snaps in off coverage and we do just fine.  Pees runs an off man scheme.  It's what we do here.

[berad]

I probably should have expanded a bit more and maybe "at all" wasn't the best choice of words.  I'll expand here though.

 

My point is that because Jimmy was heralded as a press CB coming out of college, people think that we run him in press man all the time.  It's a popular misconception.  I do not have numbers to back that up.  I honestly don't even know where to find such statistics.  It's not hard to watch the games though and realize that most of our defense is in off man coverage.

 

I understand that Jimmy is best as a press guy.  I'm not denying that.  That doesn't mean that we run it though.  He's improved by leaps and bounds as on off coverage guy.  Whether you believe it or not, go watch the games.  Jimmy lines up in off man a large majority of the time.  Even then, 1 CB that excels in press man does not mean that the team should.  Webb is best playing off man because of his speed and ability to turn his hips and react.  That's what he does best.  I'd be more than alright if I never had to see Chykie in press again.  He's often way too slow when engaging, and when he does get a jab in, there's no power to knock the WR off his route.

 

As you said, our lack of deep safety is the biggest reason that we don't run more press.  Guess what?  The same still applies.  We don't currently have a guy that can run as the single high safety.  Will Brooks be that guy?  Maybe.  We haven't even seen him in action yet so we can't count on him being that savior.  If Stewart or Miles start at FS, we certainly won't be running much Cover 1.

 

I understand the want and belief for press man.  I'd like to see us play more press as well.  The reality is that Jimmy is the only adequate press CB we have.  I understand the need to mix in different coverages.  We do that, but we play a large majority of our snaps in off coverage and we do just fine.  Pees runs an off man scheme.  It's what we do here.

 

I think Pees allows flexibility for guys to play where they'll be most effective. Maybe I'm misguided here but this quote has resonated with me since last pre-season:

 

Although Smith has frequently drawn praise from the coaching staff, this wasn't the kind of game they had envisioned. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound 2011 first-round draft pick didn't get physical with [Julio] Jones, playing off instead of employing press coverage techniques.

 

“I think he's done a great job, I don't think he played particularly good the other night,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “He's got a technique he's got to use and he didn't use it the other night. He's got a distinct advantage in a way that he can play, and he didn't necessarily play that way last week. I think he'll learn from that.”

 

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-20/sports/bal-ravens-cornerback-jimmy-smith-finds-lessons-in-sluggish-performance-vs-falcons-20130819_1_dean-pees-jimmy-smith-julio-jones

 

I think Pees LOVES to have Jimmy play press and would prefer it.

[rmw10]

I think Pees allows flexibility for guys to play where they'll be most effective. Maybe I'm misguided here but this quote has resonated with me since last pre-season:

 

 

 

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-20/sports/bal-ravens-cornerback-jimmy-smith-finds-lessons-in-sluggish-performance-vs-falcons-20130819_1_dean-pees-jimmy-smith-julio-jones

 

I think Pees LOVES to have Jimmy play press and would prefer it.

 

I definitely believe they want him to play more and more press.  I think his technique was always his biggest obstacle and he looked greatly improved in that area last year.

 

Regardless, I think this has gone a little off tangent from my original point lol.  That's probably my fault as I could have expanded a bit.  My point was that Jimmy is our only real press CB and even he lines up in off man coverage a large majority of the time.  Flowers does fit if we can make it work financially.

[rmw10]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider

Ten NFL teams, including Ravens, Vikings, Falcons, Lions, reached out to Brandon Flowers so far. In preliminary stage, according to a source

[Ravenskid52752]

• Jamison Hensley ‏@jamisonhensley 3h

  Former #Giants CB Aaron Ross says on Twitter that he's headed to #Ravens minicamp. He worked out for Lions back in April.

[rmw10]

More CB news...

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 

Ravens among teams who've contacted Brandon Flowers, veteran Drayton Florence also under consideration: http://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-monitoring-cb-market-ravens-make-contact-with-brandon-flowers-source-says-20140616,0,4254148.story …

[acranfor]

Brandon Flowers would be a great pickup for the Ravens. As many have suggested, he is not a press-man corner as he lacks the size. He is best in Off-man or zone coverages, which the Ravens do play a large chunk of the time. However I would like to see the split - I am sure it is hard to find whether we play press or off man coverage more (I am sure it is off-man more), but I am sure PFF has zone vs man % breakdown...anyone have a subscription?

 

The problem with this situation is that the Ravens will not entertain bidding wars. Flowers has all the leverage here as I am sure many teams are interested (rumored to be 10+). The Ravens will not mortgage anything to get him. I would say max is something like 3 year, $10M-$12M - and that is a very high estimate. I am not sure Flowers would take that when he was used to $5M / year range.

 

If we do in fact get him, our secondary would be upgraded from a week ago. When all is said and done though, the staff has confidence in our young guys. They do need time to play and develop and fail at times.

[BSHU_Miami]

I'm glad that ozzie is at least pursuing him and not settling. I hope we get him. Floence and Ross are 2nd tier signings if Flowers doesn't come. I wouldn't be to disappointed with those too either

[rmw10]

I'm glad that ozzie is at least pursuing him and not settling. I hope we get him. Floence and Ross are 2nd tier signings if Flowers doesn't come. I wouldn't be to disappointed with those too either

 

Exactly.  Obviously I'd love to have him, but I'm not counting on it.  I'm happy that we're at least kicking the tires though.

[Bullrush]

I'm glad that ozzie is at least pursuing him and not settling. I hope we get him. Floence and Ross are 2nd tier signings if Flowers doesn't come. I wouldn't be to disappointed with those too either

 

I rather stick with Asa & Brown as our 3rd & 4th corner instead of picking up washed up players like Florence or Ross.

[Ravenskid52752]

Aaron Wilson @RavensInsider  ·  2m

Drayton Florence: 'I can help them win. I really want to be a part of their team.'

[acranfor]

I rather stick with Asa & Brown as our 3rd & 4th corner instead of picking up washed up players like Florence or Ross.

Picking up Florence or Ross would not mean Asa or Brown would leave...

 

Competition and depth is needed in the secondary. The best players will play. If Asa and Brown are not the best available they will sit, if they are, they will play. As simple as that.

[rmw10]

I rather stick with Asa & Brown as our 3rd & 4th corner instead of picking up washed up players like Florence or Ross.

 

Guys like that would be insurance more than guaranteed #3 CBs.  It provides other options and allows us to give Chykie and Asa some more time over the summer.

[hawkprey]

I'd put money on us signing one of those two players (Florence or Flowers). We have a spot for them, unlike Denver and New England, and we present a chance to win a Super Bowl over some other teams with a CB need. Plus this is our kind of move.

[Bullrush]

Picking up Florence or Ross would not mean Asa or Brown would leave...

 

Competition and depth is needed in the secondary. The best players will play. If Asa and Brown are not the best available they will sit, if they are, they will play. As simple as that.

 

Who said anything about them leaving? I said I would rather stick with Asa & Brown as our 3rd & 4th corner. Instead of picking up one of those 2 washed up players. At some point we need to see what we have with those two and whether they can be future starters.

[Bullrush]

Guys like that would be insurance more than guaranteed #3 CBs.  It provides other options and allows us to give Chykie and Asa some more time over the summer.

 

I don't mind adding Florence or Ross as depth behind Asa and possibly Brown.

[rmw10]

I don't mind adding Florence or Ross as depth behind Asa and possibly Brown.

 

I'd view it more as competition than depth behind them.  If either of them could come in a beat our Chykie and/or Asa, so be it.  If they don't, we have one of them on the minimum contract that could serve as depth or not make the team.  It's really no risk to bring one of them in if we don't want to invest what it would take into Flowers.

[BloodRaven]

I definitely believe they want him to play more and more press.  I think his technique was always his biggest obstacle and he looked greatly improved in that area last year.

 

Regardless, I think this has gone a little off tangent from my original point lol.  That's probably my fault as I could have expanded a bit.  My point was that Jimmy is our only real press CB and even he lines up in off man coverage a large majority of the time.  Flowers does fit if we can make it work financially.

 

Chykie Brown is a press corner, he has 34 inch arms and literally said that press coverage is his biggest strength along with recovery speed. He's currently the frontrunner as our nickel corner (outside).

[jazz1988]

Chykie Brown is a press corner, he has 34 inch arms and literally said that press coverage is his biggest strength along with recovery speed. He's currently the frontrunner as our nickel corner (outside).

 

Even if thats true we have all seen his press coverage skills being pretty sloppy at times or non effective.  I think Chykie Brown has the potentials to be a solid cornerback tho

[rmw10]

Chykie Brown is a press corner, he has 34 inch arms and literally said that press coverage is his biggest strength along with recovery speed. He's currently the frontrunner as our nickel corner (outside).

 

Have you seen him in press?  It's not pretty.

 

Either way, I think this is getting a little off topic.  The point still remains that Flowers can fit scheme wise, but maybe not money wise.

[Ravenskid52752]

 

_{Aaron Wilson @RavensInsider  ·  now}

_{Ravens are bringing in veteran cornerback Dominique Franks for a tryout at their minicamp, according to a source}

[rmw10]

Add another one on:

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  2m

Ravens are bringing in veteran cornerback Dominique Franks for a tryout at their minicamp, according to a source

[jazz1988]

 

 

_{Aaron Wilson @RavensInsider  ·  now}

_{Ravens are bringing in veteran cornerback Dominique Franks for a tryout at their minicamp, according to a source}

 

 

Awesome 

[rmw10]

So far, we've shown interest in Flowers, but there won't be any need for a tryout with him if we want him.

 

Drayton Florence, Aaron Ross, Dominique Franks, and Marquice Cole have all been confirmed for tryouts next week.

 

No tryouts confirmed, but apparently we've shown interest in Asante Samuel, Dunta Robinson, Terrell Thomas, Jabari Greer, and Quentin Jammer (so, pretty much every available CB) as well.

[SecretAgentMan]

I'd rather have Flowers.... But I'd also want Florence

[rmw10]

And another one...

 

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet

Along with CB Drayton Florence, #Ravens are also bringing in Marquice Cole, former #Patriot & #Jet, to try out for #Ravens during minicamp

[SecretAgentMan]

And another one...

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet

Along with CB Drayton Florence, #Ravens are also bringing in Marquice Cole, former #Patriot & #Jet, to try out for #Ravens during minicamp

Sign. ALL OF THEM.

You get a CB! You get a CB! EVERYONE GETS A CB!

[rmw10]

Sign. ALL OF THEM.

You get a CB! You get a CB! EVERYONE GETS A CB!

 

At this point, we might as well just try out every single FA CB out there.

[SecretAgentMan]

At this point, we might as well just try out every single FA CB out there.

I'd still rather have flowers over all of them with Florence as a second choice

[GrimCoconut]

I think the league knows we want a third CB and we're a very attractive option for many CB trying to make a roster. Little competition behind them if they're worth their salt.