Where we can find that playmaking #1 Receiver

[redrum52]

I agree we're not that good at it. Though they really don't try that hard, especially lately. Sure we've taken a few mid and late rounders, but we rarely draft them early. Only one WR in the first 3 rds since selecting Flacco and not one higher than the 6th and the last three drafts. It's unrealistic to expect a lot out of that. I get that drafting WR's hasn't worked out great for us, but there's only one way to change that.

To this day I'm mad about not moving up for Dez, but besides that we haven't really been in position to take anyone else but Hakeem Nicks in 09 and some wrs last year. I'm not mad about the Mosley pick though.

[kassaiscool]

I've seen Blackmon's name come up on several discussions and several threads.  I'm curious as to how we think a headcase like him will fit in around here.  He's done done nothing but be a distraction since getting into the league, he squandered his 2014 season and there are other players with better attributes.  

 

I would prefer he stay in Jacksonville.

 

I don't think hes a headcase, I think he has consistently made poor decisions and possibly had an addiction to alcohol. As far him in the locker room I don't think anyone had a problem with him. If you go look up interviews about him he is mild mannered, and not that type of guy you maybe perceived. He probably would be easier to get than other players of his skill set. I would take him in a heartbeat.

[kassaiscool]

I wouldn't mind Blackmon but I wouldn't rely on him. I think we rely too heavily on veterans or other teams' castaways. We need to just scout someone who will be that guy for us. I don't know what the issue has been, whether it's QB, scouting, development, etc but have Joe tag be there on a workout and throw the prospect the ball if it's allowed during the scouting process.

 

If Blackmon comes to the Ravens we would automatically rely on him, because he would be our best receiver. He isn't a vet or castaway at all. He is only 24 years old and made a lot of plays as a rookie, and considering his cast of players in jax he would be great with us. I think he would come cheaper than a lot of other players also.

[GrimCoconut]

If Blackmon comes to the Ravens we would automatically rely on him, because he would be our best receiver. He isn't a vet or castaway at all. He is only 24 years old and made a lot of plays as a rookie, and considering his cast of players in jax he would be great with us. I think he would come cheaper than a lot of other players also.

He is an alcoholic and that's not very easy to beat. I'm not trying to label him a problem because he has talent, no doubt. I am saying to rely totally on him to produce for you would be a bit of a mistake, just as I see Hill as a bit of a risk for a long-term deal. With his suspensions and history of abuse, you have to wonder if he will do it again. As with Hill, if he does it again it's yet another suspension and that means he doesn't help your team at all. 

[Dfence4champs2052]

I agree we're not that good at it. Though they really don't try that hard, especially lately. Sure we've taken a few mid and late rounders, but we rarely draft them early. Only one WR in the first 3 rds since selecting Flacco and not one higher than the 6th and the last three drafts. It's unrealistic to expect a lot out of that. I get that drafting WR's hasn't worked out great for us, but there's only one way to change that. 

You're absolutely right....it's been self inflicted. They've really drafted receivers as afterthoughts. I get that the best player approach works and all, but we've clearly missed out on some good to great WRs. It doesn't necessarily have to be a 1st rounder, but they've missed out on a ton of them even after the 1st.

[Dfence4champs2052]

I don't think hes a headcase, I think he has consistently made poor decisions and possibly had an addiction to alcohol. As far him in the locker room I don't think anyone had a problem with him. If you go look up interviews about him he is mild mannered, and not that type of guy you maybe perceived. He probably would be easier to get than other players of his skill set. I would take him in a heartbeat.

I think I actually agree with you. Maybe our reliance on him in the offense would also help him shape up a bit. The only real risk is if he'll have another off-field issue, but as you said before if it's low risk in terms of a draft pick or his rookie contract why not? I'd do it if it were there.

[AsianRice]

prima donna Dez Bryant is going to be FA soon....

 

I don't know what is going to be like if we had drafted Bryant before the Cowboys jump 2 spot to grab him....

[TDubbs]

He is an alcoholic and that's not very easy to beat. I'm not trying to label him a problem because he has talent, no doubt. I am saying to rely totally on him to produce for you would be a bit of a mistake, just as I see Hill as a bit of a risk for a long-term deal. With his suspensions and history of abuse, you have to wonder if he will do it again. As with Hill, if he does it again it's yet another suspension and that means he doesn't help your team at all. 

 

Yeah I 100% agree. The only difference I would say, is to this point Blackmon has clearly thrown his career away for the off field nonsense. He made zero effort and ignored all offers of help from the Jags and the NFL. He's young and talented and could follow the steps of a Cris Carter, but that remains to be seen. At least Will Hill (although no saint) has shown he wants to move past the nonsense and actually play the game, he answered his wakeup call and has stayed on path so far. 

[Alexir]

Yeah I 100% agree. The only difference I would say, is to this point Blackmon has clearly thrown his career away for the off field nonsense. He made zero effort and ignored all offers of help from the Jags and the NFL. He's young and talented and could follow the steps of a Cris Carter, but that remains to be seen. At least Will Hill (although no saint) has shown he wants to move past the nonsense and actually play the game, he answered his wakeup call and has stayed on path so far. 

 

Blackmon is in rehab, I think that shows he wants to change. Any receiver who can put up 400 yards in 2 games is worth the risk if the compensation isn't terrible. Will Hill got cut because he never got a wake up call. That WAS his wake up call. Change of scenery can be everything

[TDubbs]

Blackmon is in rehab, I think that shows he wants to change. Any receiver who can put up 400 yards in 2 games is worth the risk if the compensation isn't terrible. Will Hill got cut because he never got a wake up call. That WAS his wake up call. Change of scenery can be everything

 

Didn't know Blackmon was in rehab, thats really good to hear. I just hate to see a guy as naturally gifted as Blackmon treading down the path he was on, lets hope he can get it turned around. He's definitely worth the risk, he'd become a Superstar here if he kept on track. I think the Jags are going to stick it out with him though ... 

 

Thats what I meant with Hill, getting cut was the wake up call that talent alone wasn't going to cut it. Since he's been in Baltimore  its obviously been a positive change for him. 

[PoeDinkum]

My concern on this roster of WR/TEs is the following:

 

I just watched an interview with Gronk and he told Rodney Harrison that as the Pats were sitting at 2-2 going into the Cincy game that he told his friends and family that he was disappointed in his play, his team's execution, and the fact that so many people in the media were doubting Tom and the Pats that he was gonna, quote:

"make 12 look like 12 again cause everyone was doubting him. Like if I came out and came hard that that would fire the whole rest of the team up and Tom would be puttin passes everywhere and we were all gonna make plays."

 

Here's a question...who loves some Joe Cool so much in his receiving corps besides his BFF Pitta as to show some personal pride and spark up the offense?

 

And if it is no one, is that somehow on Joe, or the front office?

 

Thoughts?

[JetLife94]

As long as Kubiak stays with the Ravens for long time, we will have elite WRs in the draft, even gem in lower tier.

We seriously need a top #1 WR in the next year draft; our O-line is fine right now......may be drafting a center....

We signed zuttah for 5 years plus he's playing pretty darn well

[The Raven]

We signed zuttah for 5 years plus he's playing pretty darn well

 

Zuttah has not been playing pretty darn well. He is better by Gino, but he's still on the lower tier of centers. Zuttah needs to get mean.

[Tank 92]

Zuttah has not been playing pretty darn well. He is better by Gino, but he's still on the lower tier of centers. Zuttah needs to get mean.

 

 

I'm with ya, but it seems he may have been nicked for the past couple of games.

 

Maybe Smitty could hold some nasty classes for the WRs and whomever else that may need them.  

[JoeyFlex5]

we havent had high enough draft picks and many other teams have gotten extremely lucky getting ridiculous production out of 2nd-mid round pplayers who had lots of question marks,drafting wide receivers is about as "hjindsight 20/20" as it gets and FA's are gonna take alot of money we dont have. i say instead of lobbying to be like every other team, we should brag about how we are contenders every year without a #1 WR

[BmoreBird22]

we havent had high enough draft picks and many other teams have gotten extremely lucky getting ridiculous production out of 2nd-mid round pplayers who had lots of question marks,drafting wide receivers is about as "hjindsight 20/20" as it gets and FA's are gonna take alot of money we dont have. i say instead of lobbying to be like every other team, we should brag about how we are contenders every year without a #1 WR

So, what you're saying is that the Ravens can't be like these other teams that get lucky? They can't get a good player in the later rounds? To get that good receiver, they have to tank it hard and get a really high pick? 

[JoeyFlex5]

So, what you're saying is that the Ravens can't be like these other teams that get lucky? They can't get a good player in the later rounds? To get that good receiver, they have to tank it hard and get a really high pick? 

well we could draft mid rounds receivers and get lucky, but i think it has became pretty apparent that ozzie isnt about testing his luck, he is taking what he thinks is the sure thing, i dont think he takes a shot on a 2nd round WR just because he is big and fast and tall, unless he truly thinks he is the BPA. i see what youre saying and i wish to hell we would take some more shots on WRs too because im lobbying for one every year, but i could see why ozzie passes on some of those guys, you just cant predict that a project WR will almost immediately springboard into NFL success, such a rare thing up until very recently has that happened. 

 

i think a few years down the road, maybe 2016 ozzie starts eyeing up WR's, i just think thats one area that he isnt comfortable with and his approach is just too old school, he'll get wise to it and catch up i think.

[TDubbs]

i think a few years down the road, maybe 2016 ozzie starts eyeing up WR's, i just think thats one area that he isnt comfortable with and his approach is just too old school, he'll get wise to it and catch up i think.

 

I hope you're wrong lol. We have 2 more years of Steve Smith IF we're lucky and if we take a chance on a WR high in the draft, wouldn't mind him getting a year in with Smitty. 

[JoeyFlex5]

I hope you're wrong lol. We have 2 more years of Steve Smith IF we're lucky and if we take a chance on a WR high in the draft, wouldn't mind him getting a year in with Smitty. 

i hope so too, im sick of seeing joe light it up one week, and then taking 3-4 coverage sacks the next because NOBODY can get open. 

 

although i am worried if we get one of those aj green/julio jones type guys, that joe wont trust him enough with the jumpballs, he likes throwing to open receivers, hell you saw how many years it took joe to get comfortable to just lob it up there for boldin. although if we get one of those big boy types of receivers thats fast enough to just take off downfield, you know hes gonna throw some jumpballs 60 yards deep, he does it with torrey 2-3 times a game and he cant snag a contested catch to save his life.

[TDubbs]

i hope so too, im sick of seeing joe light it up one week, and then taking 3-4 coverage sacks the next because NOBODY can get open. 

 

although i am worried if we get one of those aj green/julio jones type guys, that joe wont trust him enough with the jumpballs, he likes throwing to open receivers, hell you saw how many years it took joe to get comfortable to just lob it up there for boldin. although if we get one of those big boy types of receivers thats fast enough to just take off downfield, you know hes gonna throw some jumpballs 60 yards deep, he does it with torrey 2-3 times a game and he cant snag a contested catch to save his life.

 

The thing with Boldin is during that run we finally saw Joe actually throw him open, rather than waiting for clear separation. Thats the distinction between great QB/WR chemistry and just average. It took time to build that though, thats why I feel we need that blue chip, 1st round WR prospect to grow with Flacco as he hits year 8 and beyond. 

 

A QB has to have 100% confidence in his WR to throw him open like that. You see it with Rodgers/Nelson, half the time the ball is in the air before Nelson has even looked back for it. Its the QB knowing his WR is taking that comeback 17-18 yards deep and coming back to 15, as opposed to taking it 15 and turning around. And of course, knowing that WR is going to fight for those contested catches. 

[BSHU_Miami]

The thing with Boldin is during that run we finally saw Joe actually throw him open, rather than waiting for clear separation. Thats the distinction between great QB/WR chemistry and just average. It took time to build that though, thats why I feel we need that blue chip, 1st round WR prospect to grow with Flacco as he hits year 8 and beyond.

A QB has to have 100% confidence in his WR to throw him open like that. You see it with Rodgers/Nelson, half the time the ball is in the air before Nelson has even looked back for it. Its the QB knowing his WR is taking that comeback 17-18 yards deep and coming back to 15, as opposed to taking it 15 and turning around. And of course, knowing that WR is going to fight for those contested catches.

the thing about that is nobody on our team can do that. Joe still tries to make those passes. But our WR's give up too damn easily or flat our drop it.

[radicals]

Wouldn't be surprised at all to have us use a high draft pick on a receiver. However I think we let Torrey walk this season and get some steals in free agency. I love the dude but he isn't a number 1 guy...

There are a lot of decent receivers available at the end of this year, along with many TEs and CBs... with a very exciting draft sure to come next year with a loaded free agency I think there's no way our offense will not improve next year.  I don't know if I would consider many of the 2015 WR Free Agents to be #1 receivers and our money could go to a better CB, RB, or TE. Will we find out number one receiver? It's really hard to say. We could hit the jackpot and get a star in the first few rounds in the draft, or even an underrated receiver in free agency that explodes for us. 

[jazz1988]

Wouldn't be surprised at all to have us use a high draft pick on a receiver. However I think we let Torrey walk this season and get some steals in free agency. I love the dude but he isn't a number 1 guy...

There are a lot of decent receivers available at the end of this year, along with many TEs and CBs... with a very exciting draft sure to come next year with a loaded free agency I think there's no way our offense will not improve next year.  I don't know if I would consider many of the 2015 WR Free Agents to be #1 receivers and our money could go to a better CB, RB, or TE. Will we find out number one receiver? It's really hard to say. We could hit the jackpot and get a star in the first few rounds in the draft, or even an underrated receiver in free agency that explodes for us. 

 

Torrey Smith may not be number 1 receiver but he still pretty good receiver nonetheless .I personally would love to see Torrey Smith next year in Gary Kubiak offense along with  drafting a receiver that could eventually be Steve Smith replacement.

[GrimCoconut]

I still stand by my brief that we keep Torrey on a one year prove it deal.

[RaineV1]

I don't think we'll keep Torrey. I don't see them reaching a deal before free agency and there's bound to be a couple teams that see his speed and raw ability and think they can get the most out of him.

[rmcjacket23]

Wouldn't be surprised at all to have us use a high draft pick on a receiver. However I think we let Torrey walk this season and get some steals in free agency. I love the dude but he isn't a number 1 guy...

There are a lot of decent receivers available at the end of this year, along with many TEs and CBs... with a very exciting draft sure to come next year with a loaded free agency I think there's no way our offense will not improve next year.  I don't know if I would consider many of the 2015 WR Free Agents to be #1 receivers and our money could go to a better CB, RB, or TE. Will we find out number one receiver? It's really hard to say. We could hit the jackpot and get a star in the first few rounds in the draft, or even an underrated receiver in free agency that explodes for us. 

Can you specifically name some of the WRs you think will be FAs? And I'm talking about the realistic ones... naming Dez Bryant as an option isn't realistic.

[radicals]

Can you specifically name some of the WRs you think will be FAs? And I'm talking about the realistic ones... naming Dez Bryant as an option isn't realistic.

Yeah I wouldn't imagine we'd even try with Dez. I was thinking guys like Cecil Shorts, Jeremy Maclin, even Randall Cobb.

I also wouldn't be shocked to see guys like Larry Fitzgerald be cap casualties...we love those. There are a lot of options for us next year.

[jazz1988]

Yeah I wouldn't imagine we'd even try with Dez. I was thinking guys like Cecil Shorts, Jeremy Maclin, even Randall Cobb.

I also wouldn't be shocked to see guys like Larry Fitzgerald be cap casualties...we love those. There are a lot of options for us next year.

 

Both Shorts and Maclin are injury prone. This may be the season where Maclin would be able to play all 16 games  since  2010 but i kinda don't expect The Eagles to let him walk. Shorts is a guy The Ravens really liked in the 2011 draft  and he's real a talented receiver but he has had trouble staying healthy. He's not  a guy you want to really count on especially if you don't have a back up plan.

 

Randall Cobb is cool but im willing to see what Micheal Campanaro will be able to provide for us before I even consider Cobb.

[AsianRice]

Seriously, I thought Marlon Brown will be our #1 wideout but it seems like he got stuck somewhere in his head.  The dude has all the tools to be #1.....

[redrum52]

Seriously, I thought Marlon Brown will be our #1 wideout but it seems like he got stuck somewhere in his head. The dude has all the tools to be #1.....

Not that strong, not that fast, doesn't have the greatest hops, doesn't run routes that well and I haven't seen enough passes his way to say his hands are that reliable. I don't know if I can cosign this.