barring an incredible homerun in the draft..

[Sami84]

I don't see us being a good team next year. 

Our pass rush WILL take a hit with the departures of Mcphee and the age of doom and sizzle

Our offense will take a big hit without Kubiak and the guys mentioned that are available are going to set us back

Steve smith won't be the same

We have no reliable all-round tight end ( gilmore just isn't a receiving threat)

torrey is torrey …he's still useful but don't think we should keep him

We haven't got the capspace to have a difference maker to overcome these things…I'm sorry but cecil shorts is a joke and if thats what we are going into next year( like some of you are recommending) then you aren't serious.

 

The positives?

 

Our secondary should be better

Our O line should be steady.

 

 

thats about it.

 

unless ozzie hits a home run in the draft and i MEAN a home run. Not just a couple of good players but a superstar in the making thats already an elite talent ( e.g. ODB)

[rmcjacket23]

Overreaction...

 

And the competition we face in our division are certainly not in any better position than we are...

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Overreaction...

 

And the competition we face in our division are certainly not in any better position than we are...

Pretty much this.. We're fine if we get a semi decent OC.. 

You don't need a superstar at every position to succeed. And we haven't even fit free agency. We never go to get amazing players, but we get people who contribute. 

[The Raven]

You don't see us being a good team next year? Really? You of all people? 

 

You didn't see us as a good team this year, last year, or the year before that. Have you ever had a positive thought?

[baltimorefan328]

Pretty much this.. We're fine if we get a semi decent OC.. 

You don't need a superstar at every position to succeed. And we haven't even fit free agency. We never go to get amazing players, but we get people who contribute. 

Definitely agree with this. As evidenced by Dallas this year, if you have an outstanding O line you can have success even with a mediocre defense. The Ravens have 3 outstanding linemen, 2 above average ones, and then the depth with Hurst and Urschel is just incredible.

 

Our defense should be far above mediocre as even if Ngata is gone I dont see our run defense dramatically getting worse so I see the Ravens next year still being able to run and stop the run. Our secondary should improve with health and hopefully an addition or two, and I have confidence in our young corp of WRs if we can add a big time draft pick or above average free agent. The browns have questions all over, how will the bengals recover from another playoff loss, and the Steelers are always tough but will be going through their own transitions in the secondary and I dont believe they are as stoudt as the Ravens are at linebacker. I'd say the Ravens have just as good of a shot to get back to the playoffs next year as this year, however it definitely all depends on the quality of the OC.

[balfan23]

Wow .. and people tell me I'm a pessimist! 

 

On Suggs/Doom .. players that get into their 30s can sometimes have their productivity drop. However, to say that they WILL for not 1, but 2 players is a very grim prediction. Losing McPhee will be a hit, but how about the flip side of aging players ... how about the emergence of young ones? Who knows what Jernigan will bring in year 2. As long as he isn't a permanent injury case, what if Urban steps in and plays well? I just don't see our front 7 being diminished. 

 

Offense - I'm hoping that Kubiak just set a tone for the type of offense we want to be and someone will come in and carry that mantle. I would have loved to have seen his stay, but I don't think the success of the entire offense rests on his being on the sidelines. 

 

As long as we don't suffer any major injuries (particularly #5) I still see us as a contender for a playoff spot and - once we get in, all bets are off. 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Listen Sami. We have a strong front seven even without Ngata and McPhee and a good oline. We have good dlinemen and good linebackers. A successor is probably needed for the near future for Suggs(I think Dumervil has a few decent years left since he'll move into a situational pass rusher roll imo). Good trench play accounts for a lot. You build a team by having good trench play. We need skill position players. We don't necessarily need a star. 

[rmcjacket23]

We are, at a minimum, six months too early to even have this conversation.

 

More unknown information than known information, thus impossible to formulate even an educated opinion...

[Purple_City39]

With this front 7 and this o-line, no way do we have a bad season next year.  The foundation is too strong in both trenches.  Losing Daniels and McPhee isn't enough to ruin those units, especially when we'll get Lewis-Moore, Urban, and potentially Pitta back along with free agency and the draft.

[redrum52]

You don't see us being a good team next year? Really? You of all people?

You didn't see us as a good team this year, last year, or the year before that. Have you ever had a positive thought?

Didn't he predict something like 6-10 in presseason?

[PeRK82]

I don't see us being a good team next year. 

Our pass rush WILL take a hit with the departures of Mcphee and the age of doom and sizzle

Our offense will take a big hit without Kubiak and the guys mentioned that are available are going to set us back

Steve smith won't be the same

We have no reliable all-round tight end ( gilmore just isn't a receiving threat)

torrey is torrey …he's still useful but don't think we should keep him

We haven't got the capspace to have a difference maker to overcome these things…I'm sorry but cecil shorts is a joke and if thats what we are going into next year( like some of you are recommending) then you aren't serious.

 

The positives?

 

Our secondary should be better

Our O line should be steady.

 

 

thats about it.

 

unless ozzie hits a home run in the draft and i MEAN a home run. Not just a couple of good players but a superstar in the making thats already an elite talent ( e.g. ODB)

Well atleast we wont have to worry about losing our coaches for another season. lol. man that isnt even funny.

I have to disagree with you on Gilmore. I really like the guy. He really stands out to me.

[Static]

Did you forget the incredible draft we just had?

C.J Mosley - Looks to be a perennial all-pro, hardly an overstatement.

Timmy Jernigan - Quick , strong , fierce , amazing 2nd round talent.

Terrence Brooks - Fast , rangy , not scared of the big hit. Center fielder in the making.

Crockett Gilmore - Big , tough , loves to block, underrated hands.

Brent Urban - Great prospect. More to be seen.

Lorenzo Taliffero - Big , fast for his size , perfect zone back. More to be seen. Lead the preseason in rushing.

John Urchel - This guy is going to be VERY GOOD , heck his run blocking is already top knotch. Played RG after Wagner went down and can't remember a single fault of his. Was always upfield with Yanda.

Keith Wenning - Not sure.

Michael Campanaro - Slot reciever in the making. Can't remember a single drop , caught passes he shouldn't have . Injury problems.

Not to mention the emergence of Wagner , Jimmy , Will Hill , Forsett , Ngata had a strong year , KO and Yanda were the best guards in early season. Flacco is getting better , Zuttah is an underrated player , Webb finished the season strong , Melvin is close to starter quality , Mcphee emerged , Owen Daniels held it down , Forsett was a top 5 back , AND WE STILL GOT OUR #1 FRONT OFFICE.

Were 2 years out of a Superbowl and most teams would still be rebuidling after losing Reed and Lewis.

Barring 20 IR players again there's no way we don't improve. Remember we weren't even supposed to be in the playoffs and we were 1 secondary play from beating the unfortunately current AFC Champs.

[BirdWatcher]

Maybe we should merge this with The Future is Bright thread????

[rmcjacket23]

Again, at least six months too early, and probably really about 8-9 months too early.

 

If Joe Flacco tears his ACL, then we can make these statements.

 

Short of that, too many unknowns.

[bMore Heathen]

Again, at least six months too early, and probably really about 8-9 months too early.

If Joe Flacco tears his ACL, then we can make these statements.

Short of that, too many unknowns.

That's not something to joke about. We don't need any bad juju.

[52520Andrew]

Way too early to say that

[A Fish Called Yanda]

Maybe we should merge this with The Future is Bright thread????

 

That would create a vortex that opened a portal to hell.  So lets go ahead and not do that.

 

[Alexir]

You are forgetting that we have Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore who will be joining that front 7. I don't see Elvis or Suggs slowing down with that kind of help on the line...

[Purple Punishment]

I don't see us being a good team next year.

Our pass rush WILL take a hit with the departures of Mcphee and the age of doom and sizzle

Our offense will take a big hit without Kubiak and the guys mentioned that are available are going to set us back

Steve smith won't be the same

We have no reliable all-round tight end ( gilmore just isn't a receiving threat)

torrey is torrey …he's still useful but don't think we should keep him

We haven't got the capspace to have a difference maker to overcome these things…I'm sorry but cecil shorts is a joke and if thats what we are going into next year( like some of you are recommending) then you aren't serious.

The positives?

Our secondary should be better

Our O line should be steady.

thats about it.

unless ozzie hits a home run in the draft and i MEAN a home run. Not just a couple of good players but a superstar in the making thats already an elite talent ( e.g. ODB)

Cecil Shorts is actually a good player.... Did we pick him up or something?

Other than that, I Rx you a chill pill.

[1/28/01]

You don't see us being a good team next year? Really? You of all people?

You didn't see us as a good team this year, last year, or the year before that. Have you ever had a positive thought?

This 3 times.

[Torreysmithforthewin]

John Harbaugh always finds a way, I mean we did go to the playoffs and win at Pitt with 19 on the injury reserve

[jazz1988]

I'm not surprised you would say this...

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!!

 

 

[ravensfan160]

Let's not forget that although we went further in the playoffs than the Steelers and Bengals we finished 3rd in the division again which means an easier schedule.

[rmcjacket23]

Let's not forget that although we went further in the playoffs than the Steelers and Bengals we finished 3rd in the division again which means an easier schedule.

Theoretically, but that's based on last seasons records.

[ravensfan160]

Theoretically, but that's based on last seasons records.

It means no Patriots, Broncos, or Colts. It will be easier.

[rmcjacket23]

It means no Patriots, Broncos, or Colts. It will be easier.

We play the Broncos as part of the entire AFC West.

 

Compared to a first place schedule, sure its theoretically easier. Compared to a second place schedule, who knows.

 

There's plenty of good teams that turn bad and bad teams that turn good on an annual basis in this league, and next season will be no different.

[airconteka1]

Is it too early to tank?

[3-4ravdef509]

This 3 times.

 

 

You don't see us being a good team next year? Really? You of all people? 

 

You didn't see us as a good team this year, last year, or the year before that. Have you ever had a positive thought?

 

You don't see us being a good team next year? Really? You of all people? 

 

You didn't see us as a good team this year, last year, or the year before that. Have you ever had a positive thought?

 

You don't see us being a good team next year? Really? You of all people? 

 

You didn't see us as a good team this year, last year, or the year before that. Have you ever had a positive thought?

 

There you go

[rmcjacket23]

Is it too early to tank?

Yes, several years too early.

 

Come back around 2020...