Official Vent Thread : Cut who? who needs to walk home!

[Bruce_Almty]

Did Daryl Smith look slow last night? I'm wondering how much gas is left in the tank and how long until Art Brown and CJ are our starting ILBers.

 

Also, our front 7 just has not looked anything like impressive--can't stop the run, can't pressure the QB. They're back on their heels each play.

 

Good news is ... 3 more weeks of TC b4 they put it all on the line.

Go Ravens

[jazz1988]

Pees is just not a good DC imo. And I'm not just talking this preseason. We've looked soft ever since he took over.

 

I wouldn't say he's not a good DC because  honestly he  is good. Is he great or what not? maybe not but he definitely isn't bad either. I guess for most fans they don't like Pees because he isn't aggressive enough like a Rex Ryan and Chuck Pagano but  the guy is not a terrible  defensive coordinator at all.

[berad]

Has there been a Will Hill sighting yet in preseason? I honestly haven't seen him on the field once yet, for how much praise he got when he arrived from Pees I'm surprised he's seen so little, if any preseason action. Might have something to do with him not knowing all the calls yet but still... give him some snaps in garbage time right? He's still a heck of a ball player.

Maybe I'm too busy watching other guys late in the game and not realizing he's out there but NFL.com doesn't have him registering a single stat in either preseason game. Anyone that can confirm his snap count this preseason? Can't seem to find a website that has the player snap count for the 2014 preseason.

Kind of odd if he really hasn't gotten a single snap yet, you would think he would get a lot of 2nd half reps to see where he's at before the suspension kicks in.

He is really far down the depth chart, I saw him out there late in the game though. He's #48 and you'd almost mistake him for a LB lol

[berad]

Jimmy Smith also said that he didn't remember anything after the first series of the game.

He looked very woozy when he was getting helped by the trainers but once he got back on the sidelines in street clothes he was laughing with his teammates like normal.

Scary to see him spit blood, hopefully he just bit his tongue/cheek and it's nothing worse.

[bMore Heathen]

Has there been a Will Hill sighting yet in preseason? I honestly haven't seen him on the field once yet, for how much praise he got when he arrived from Pees I'm surprised he's seen so little, if any preseason action. Might have something to do with him not knowing all the calls yet but still... give him some snaps in garbage time right? He's still a heck of a ball player.

Maybe I'm too busy watching other guys late in the game and not realizing he's out there but NFL.com doesn't have him registering a single stat in either preseason game. Anyone that can confirm his snap count this preseason? Can't seem to find a website that has the player snap count for the 2014 preseason.

Kind of odd if he really hasn't gotten a single snap yet, you would think he would get a lot of 2nd half reps to see where he's at before the suspension kicks in.

I've given this some thought as well. We might not want to give Hill reps because of his suspension. They know he won't be there the first 6 weeks, so they want to make sure the 1st and 2nd team FS are up to speed and ready to go. Stewart and Brooks are both new to the team as well, so they get the majority of the reps.

[Tiz]

I just didn't see the energy tonight. It might just be preseason but we can't start to act like we can just turn it on when the games count (especially the defensive starters), too many guys going through the motions for my liking.. These guys need to get it going, go hit someone in the mouth and play Ravens football.

The word that keeps coming to mind is energy, we absolutely have to bring more energy into the "dress rehearsal" game. The lazy pre-season demeanor (especially out of the defense) needs to go, play like a Raven. That doesn't mean just when the games count, that means all the time. Forgive me for getting a little over critical of a pretty decent preseason game but that's what kind of football team we need to be to get back to playing championship caliber football. The standards have to be high.

The energy on offense was low early on

I know it's because of how long they took to get on the field. I hope during the season they'd be more excited with the defense and st giving 14points so they'd be excited

[jdynamite]

Offense slow start wasn't too surprising to me considering they didn't get a snap until after Dallas had 20+ snaps. 3 scores were on the board before the offense ever touched the field.

I understand we were missing our top 3 CBs but quite a few completions were to wide open guys. DB getting lost in coverage on Play-action passes etc not acceptable not even in preseason.

[jdynamite]

For me preseason games don't generally register much emotion, I usually like to keep a close eye on young players to see if anyone pops out could play downline for the team.

Arthur Brown has played the lather part of both Preseason games against 2nd,3rd teamers and future practice squad players and he hasn't even caught my attention versus them, I saw him get beat by J.Hanna for a TD. Not what I'm looking for from a 2nd Round pick that expected to make massive improvements this season.

Pierce is running strong ( Just stay healthy, by the end of the year pierce could be taking most of carries from Rice )

[PolishRifle]

I liked how Joe recovered from the slow start. It used to be, that he sometimes stayed that way for an entire game. I love the running game. No matter if it was Rice, BP or LTF, we ran well. I believe we will be really good on offense.

 

The defense really concerns me. Our secondary has no depth behind Jimmy and Ladarius (both are banged up) and I'm still not seeing the punishing pass rush, that I was hoping for. I know the Dallas OL is great, but we weren't exactly doing that much better against the 9ers either.

 

The Redskins game better be good.

[edthehead]

Pees is just not a good DC imo. And I'm not just talking this preseason. We've looked soft ever since he took over.

I have always spoke of Dan Pees,he is making our defense way to soft,our defense is predicated on organized chaos,and Harbs,will not make a change until it is too late.we do have a good defense but if it is not used correctly then it is a waste,,do we sit back another year for a change,and this offense starting slow CAN NOT happen anymore,I know it is preseason,we need to start fast and next preseason game we will start fast,that is us .UP one game down the next....   

[Cillmatic]

Let's look at our CB depth chart for a minute.

Jimmy Smith(good player but injury prone)

Lardarius Webb(good player but injury prone)

Asa Jackson(unproven player with some past issues)

After them we have no one even close to starting caliber.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm not happy with the defense so far and if that's the case then that'll be the third year in the row. It's still too early to move on imo but if this defense falters this year then I want Pees gone. He might not be the problem but he's clearly not apart of the solution if it continues to not perform up to expectations.

As for players, I think Omar Brown, Jensen, Wenning, Hopkins, Olatoye all negatively affected their standings on the team or perhaps just didn't do enough to make it. They clearly don't deserve to be on the 53 imo. Graham is awful. Hurst needs work. Hurst will probably go to the IR if I had to guess.

[GrimCoconut]

In the midst of all the negative, can we talk about how good McPhee was? The guy looks so much healthier and faster. He was my standout of the night. Great performance from him.

I think we can expect big things from him this year and another high compensatory pick as well.

[GrimCoconut]

Ray Horton. Would love to have him here as a DC. We've been soft. I hate this read and react defense. We strive when we dictate what other teams do. I didn't expect the best pass defense but the rush was terrible and the front seven just didn't seem to care. Offense was bad as well and like you said, I don't even think they scored on Dallas' 1s.

Agreed. I was calling his name when he was available. Still mad we didn't make the move.

[GrimCoconut]

Let's look at our CB depth chart for a minute.

Jimmy Smith(good player but injury prone)

Lardarius Webb(good player but injury prone)

Asa Jackson(unproven player with some past issues)

After them we have no one even close to starting caliber.

I wouldn't call Jimmy injury prone but he has a history for sure. Asa's issues stem from him having issues with his medication, of which he now has a prescription. The only concern is if he tests positive for another drug we could see a long ban but I'm not sure that's likely since he seems to only use the one.

[rmw10]

I'm not happy with the defense so far and if that's the case then that'll be the third year in the row. It's still too early to move on imo but if this defense falters this year then I want Pees gone. He might not be the problem but he's clearly not apart of the solution if it continues to not perform up to expectations.

As for players, I think Omar Brown, Jensen, Wenning, Hopkins, Olatoye all negatively affected their standings on the team or perhaps just didn't do enough to make it. They clearly don't deserve to be on the 53 imo. Graham is awful. Hurst needs work. Hurst will probably go to the IR if I had to guess.

 

The 5 you mentioned definitely hurt their chances, being that all of them had pretty terrible games.  Wenning had a few nice passes once he settled down which could be his saving grace, but I still believe he's destined for the PS.  The other 4 turned in horrible performances and put themselves in jeopardy of being cut. Jensen especially put himself from the right side of the bubble to the wrong side of the bubble.

[ratedr]

I liked how Joe recovered from the slow start. It used to be, that he sometimes stayed that way for an entire game. I love the running game. No matter if it was Rice, BP or LTF, we ran well. I believe we will be really good on offense.

 

The defense really concerns me. Our secondary has no depth behind Jimmy and Ladarius (both are banged up) and I'm still not seeing the punishing pass rush, that I was hoping for. I know the Dallas OL is great, but we weren't exactly doing that much better against the 9ers either.

 

The Redskins game better be good.

After sleeping on it I'm giving the offense more leeway considering that they didn't see the field for nearly an hour after warmups. Reminds of the Super Bowl when they were hot, then the blackout, then boom...dead. They've made appreciable progress in a new system and they're not turning the ball over.

 

The defense is a massive liability right now though. Even minus the secondary you're right, where is the pass rush?

[ratedr]

If we took a CB next year with our first pick I wouldn't be mad.

[BenMir]

I really need some explanations about our defense. Two years in a row, top 3 picks are spent on defense. For now, i'm excited only about Brandon Williams, who looks great. Elam was so hyped and everyone said he's gonna be amazing at SS, the only thing I saw this preseason that involves him is throwing himself towards a running offensive player 15 yards past the line of scrimmage. Brown can't see the field and we decided to get Mosley, who is basically the same kind of linebacker that Brown is. Williams is great and I enjoy watching him drive offendive linemen 3-4 yards into the backfield.

As for our last draft, we have Mosley, who everyone raves about (I'm not amazingly impressed, but he does look solid and promising. I'd love him to have the type of game Shazier had yesterday, but that's an other issue), Jernigan, who is supposedly the most explosive lineman we have but as far as I saw, kept being the slowest of the ball (you could see everyone already engaged with an offensive lineman while he was still in his stance) and Brooks, who just doesn't impress me.

I don't know who's to blame for the picks not working out, but I'm pretty sure that missing out on 4 out of 6 picks is not something that's usually happens, so it just might be the coaching.

[rmw10]

I really need some explanations about our defense. Two years in a row, top 3 picks are spent on defense. For now, i'm excited only about Brandon Williams, who looks great. Elam was so hyped and everyone said he's gonna be amazing at SS, the only thing I saw this preseason that involves him is throwing himself towards a running offensive player 15 yards past the line of scrimmage. Brown can't see the field and we decided to get Mosley, who is basically the same kind of linebacker that Brown is. Williams is great and I enjoy watching him drive offendive linemen 3-4 yards into the backfield.

As for our last draft, we have Mosley, who everyone raves about (I'm not amazingly impressed, but he does look solid and promising. I'd love him to have the type of game Shazier had yesterday, but that's an other issue), Jernigan, who is supposedly the most explosive lineman we have but as far as I saw, kept being the slowest of the ball (you could see everyone already engaged with an offensive lineman while he was still in his stance) and Brooks, who just doesn't impress me.

I don't know who's to blame for the picks not working out, but I'm pretty sure that missing out on 4 out of 6 picks is not something that's usually happens, so it just might be the coaching.

 

While I understand what you're saying, remember that these guys still need to develop a bit.  You can see positives out of all 6 of those guys, but there's still some work to be done.

 

It's also important to remember that the defense is regularly being gashed on the outside, not the inside.  The OLBs are having trouble holding the edge on stretch runs, and of course we know that CB is a serious issue.  The middle of the defense isn't lighting the world on fire by any means, but they seem to be generally solid.

[ratedr]

Dumervil has been a disappointment imo

[BenMir]

While I understand what you're saying, remember that these guys still need to develop a bit. You can see positives out of all 6 of those guys, but there's still some work to be done.

It's also important to remember that the defense is regularly being gashed on the outside, not the inside. The OLBs are having trouble holding the edge on stretch runs, and of course we know that CB is a serious issue. The middle of the defense isn't lighting the world on fire by any means, but they seem to be generally solid.

Which leads to another problem - we know Upshaw is a great run stopper. I read somewhere that Suggs was the #1 ranked LB against the run. Elam is supposed to be an enforcer coming from the secondary. How come we'really getting gashed? How come our back 7 can't take the correct angles or keep missing tackles?

Now, Pees can't make the tackle for the defense, but he can work on fundamentals.

[ratedr]

Which leads to another problem - we know Upshaw is a great run stopper. I read somewhere that Suggs was the #1 ranked LB against the run. Elam is supposed to be an enforcer coming from the secondary. How come we'really getting gashed? How come our back 7 can't take the correct angles or keep missing tackles?

Now, Pees can't make the tackle for the defense, but he can work on fundamentals.

Lack of discipline, which seems to be an ongoing issue. I'm not sure the issue is talent honestly.

[rmw10]

Which leads to another problem - we know Upshaw is a great run stopper. I read somewhere that Suggs was the #1 ranked LB against the run. Elam is supposed to be an enforcer coming from the secondary. How come we'really getting gashed? How come our back 7 can't take the correct angles or keep missing tackles?

Now, Pees can't make the tackle for the defense, but he can work on fundamentals.

 

 

Lack of discipline, which seems to be an ongoing issue. I'm not sure the issue is talent honestly.

 

That.  As crazy as it sounds, Suggs is getting absolutely gashed.  He's showing 0 discipline whatsoever at holding that edge.  Upshaw is doing alright.  He was dominant in week 1 at holding the edge, and took a step back this week but didn't do too terribly.  Luckily, our issues on the edge are highly correctable.

[GrimCoconut]

The 5 you mentioned definitely hurt their chances, being that all of them had pretty terrible games. Wenning had a few nice passes once he settled down which could be his saving grace, but I still believe he's destined for the PS. The other 4 turned in horrible performances and put themselves in jeopardy of being cut. Jensen especially put himself from the right side of the bubble to the wrong side of the bubble.

I think we're likely to see a setup like this after watching this game:

QB: Flacco, Taylor

RB: Pierce, Taliaferro, Forsett

FB: Juszcyzk

TE: Pitta, Daniels, Gilmore

OT: Monroe, Wagner, Reid

OG/C: Yanda, KO, Zuttah, Gradkowski, Shipley, Urschel

WR: Torrey, Steve, Marlon, Jones, Campanaro, Butler/Aiken*

I see those being the guys who make it on offense with a right race between Butler and Aiken. I don't think Jensen makes it even though I think we want him to beat out Shipley. I see him going to the PS with Wenning. I think Hurst ends up in IR.

On defense it's trickier.

DL: Ngata, Canty, Tyson, Williams, Jernigan and Cody

OLB: Suggs, Dumervil, Upshaw, McPhee, Simon

ILB: Mosley, D. Smith, Brown, Bynes, McClellan

CB: Webb, J. Smith, Jackson, Brown, Jacobs

S: Elam, Stewart, Brooks, Miles, Trawick

I think we'll sign someone at DT unless one of our unimpressive DT really step it up. LB is the easiest position to guess on the team, and while I know many think McClellan doesn't make it I think his versatility to play inside and out as well as his ST skill set secures him a spot. In the secondary, I felt those five safeties were likely and now I'm convinced. I think we'll see those five make it at CB but I'm not sure on the future of Chykie. Him, Jacobs and Franks are tight and any of them could make it. It is interesting that Franks came in for the injured Jimmy Smith, though.

[rmw10]

I think we're likely to see a setup like this after watching this game:

 

 

Just to preserve the long post...

 

I agree for the most part.  I still think Thompson is factoring into the WR battle even though he hasn't shown much at WR this year.  His saving grace is that Camp and Butler haven't elevated above the 3rd team for any significant portion in games, and that none of the WRs have shown that much.  I think he's still on the wrong side of the bubble, but he's definitely got as much of a shot as the other 3, in my opinion.

 

I'd put Franks over Cody for the time being, and that's only because Cody still has no timetable for return.  I think we'll enter the season with 5 DL and hope to wait it out until Cody is healthy enough to play.  We're running a lot more nickel which would lessen the need for another big body, as long as these 5 stay healthy.

 

Otherwise, I agree with everything else.  Levine is my only other question mark.  He could make it based on some very good play at CB yesterday combined with the fact that he's still first team on ST.  Could bump Jacobs off being that he hasn't really played with the 2nd team for any significant portion either.

[bMore Heathen]

That. As crazy as it sounds, Suggs is getting absolutely gashed. He's showing 0 discipline whatsoever at holding that edge. Upshaw is doing alright. He was dominant in week 1 at holding the edge, and took a step back this week but didn't do too terribly. Luckily, our issues on the edge are highly correctable.

Suggs issue on the edge is he keeps trying to go inside. When the outside guy doesn't stay outside, we will get gashed. Suggs knows this but it's still a reoccurring theme.

[GrimCoconut]

Just to preserve the long post...

I agree for the most part. I still think Thompson is factoring into the WR battle even though he hasn't shown much at WR this year. His saving grace is that Camp and Butler haven't elevated above the 3rd team for any significant portion in games, and that none of the WRs have shown that much. I think he's still on the wrong side of the bubble, but he's definitely got as much of a shot as the other 3, in my opinion.

I'd put Franks over Cody for the time being, and that's only because Cody still has no timetable for return. I think we'll enter the season with 5 DL and hope to wait it out until Cody is healthy enough to play. We're running a lot more nickel which would lessen the need for another big body, as long as these 5 stay healthy.

Otherwise, I agree with everything else. Levine is my only other question mark. He could make it based on some very good play at CB yesterday combined with the fact that he's still first team on ST. Could bump Jacobs off being that he hasn't really played with the 2nd team for any significant portion either.

I can definitely see Cody starting on the PUP. I can also see us start with 5 DL and use Upshaw as an interior guy. He's done it in the past.

I think Thompson, Levine, Jacobs, Franks, Aiken and Butler are all in a tight race for roster spots. Thompson could get a spot. Absolutely. I'm just not sure he will. I feel pretty good about both Franks and Jacobs making the team and I think Levine has a really good shot at it because I remember Harbaugh liking him a while back. I'm just not sure who that final WR will be. That's a tight race between three guys and same goes for CB and even safety to a lesser extent. I think Levine playing CB was like converting the DT last year to an ILB to try to get him to make the team. Obviously to a lesser extent but still same principle.

[rmw10]

I can definitely see Cody starting on the PUP. I can also see us start with 5 DL and use Upshaw as an interior guy. He's done it in the past.

I think Thompson, Levine, Jacobs, Franks, Aiken and Butler are all in a tight race for roster spots. Thompson could get a spot. Absolutely. I'm just not sure he will. I feel pretty good about both Franks and Jacobs making the team and I think Levine has a really good shot at it because I remember Harbaugh liking him a while back. I'm just not sure who that final WR will be. That's a tight race between three guys and same goes for CB and even safety to a lesser extent. I think Levine playing CB was like converting the DT last year to an ILB to try to get him to make the team. Obviously to a lesser extent but still same principle.

 

It's definitely interesting to see how this will turn out.  It's really gotten to the point where the roster is becoming more and more concrete.

 

QB, RB, TE, DL, ILB, and OLB are pretty well established provided we add no one else.

 

WR, OL, CB, and S are the only real question marks at this point, and even there, it's a battle for a total of 4-5 spots on the team.

[Cillmatic]

If we took a CB next year with our first pick I wouldn't be mad.

Looks like we're gonna have to considering Webb's contract and age.