Could Aiken and/or Brown fill in for Torrey?

[RavensFanMania]

Wiki has him running 4.35 at the 2011 combine.

He's on the PS becuse we didn't sign him until Dec. of last year, when the 53 was already overcrowded at WR.

He actually started a few games for the Redskins when Garcon was hurt, and returns punts.

I had totally forgotten we signed this kid. I'm really interested to see what he can do.

Aldrick Robinson has had issues of not running great rights or running them to fast. He does not return punts. He may have in college but not by choice in the skins. He's a decent depth player and may be ok with a Flacco. Could be interesting.

One big problem with him is he always gets taken out of the play when he gets jammed at the Los.

[gtalk12]

This is my first off season on the forums, this place lights up like Christmas lmao

[RaineV1]

For everyone clamoring for Marlon Brown...

He can't produce if he's not on the field.  And last time I checked, Harbaugh has him in the doghouse for god knows what reason!  Harbaugh is pretty stubborn, so I don't anticipate Marlon even getting a chance.

Marlon was losing snaps last year to rookie receivers, tight ends, and running backs.  On crucial downs.  It was pretty pathetic.

With that said... I think Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken definitely could win the Ravens games if used correctly by the coaches and QB.

Also, I'm actually happy Owen Daniels left because I think Crockett Gilmore can be a really good TE in the league.

Drafting or signing receivers before they fix the secondary would be a really bad move.

So, Marlon is the latest guy some people think is in Harbaugh's doghouse huh? Ever think that maybe the reason he wasn't on the field as often is because Aiken and Camp simply out performed him during practice and Kubiak liked them more than Brown?

[Ravenseconbeast]

No Aiken/Brown will get a chance to be #3.   

 

Ozzie and the FO will find a way to fill in that #1 role.   We got 1,2,3,4,4,5,5,6,6 for draft.   Im sure we will find a way to fill our need to keep getting younger and find talents  in FA that has value.   Mix of both especially late in FA and solid value draft will get us back in course....i hope.

[Tru11]

No Aiken/Brown will get a chance to be #3.   

 

Ozzie and the FO will find a way to fill in that #1 role.   We got 1,2,3,4,4,5,5,6,6 for draft.   Im sure we will find a way to fill our need to keep getting younger and find talents  in FA that has value.   Mix of both especially late in FA and solid value draft will get us back in course....i hope.

 

yup add in the compensatory picks as well.

you cant trade those but it could give the FO a lil bit more leanway into trading up for a certain player if possible.

[Pirate88]

Absolutely comp picks gives oppurtuity to trade up. The popular ideas around here is to instantly promote Marlon Brown or Kamar and or draft Strong. First things in front of the line to address is Marlon and Kamar promoted to starters.LOL Maybe one of them could realistically stepstep up. Just keep one thing in mind about those particular WRs. HAVING A NEED AT WR OR ANY POSITION DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF THAT TEAMS WRs SUCCEEDING AND BECOMING STARTING A STARTING #1 ANDAND OR ELITE LEVEL #2!! Its not pull the names out of the hat and the undrafted WRs left are going to be our starters. As for Strong his highlights are fun to watch and stunning at times. But he isn't as complete of a prospect as the elite 3 WRs of the draft his highlights are being compared to. And there's aspects of his game that are very sub par u won't find in his highlights. He makes catches in his highlights like White Cooper and Parker but why isn't he rated as great a prospect as they are. Everybody watches similar catches in his highlight reels but then see he is not rated as high and will be drafted after them guys. Watch his actual games to see why he will be drafted after the other WRs his highlights resemble!! Its cuz he doesn't have flexibility and fluidness in his hips and ankles and the lightning feet to run sharp sudden routes to get separation from cornerbacks. The players covering him that are not NFL starting caliber jam him and have zero respect for him to burn them after he gets through the jam. They turn and run with him effortlessly it seems. After the catch he shows very little creativity and speed in his moves. Yes he fights for extra yards with his size and power but the NFL has better stronger tacklers. I have heard co workers talking about him saying stuff like to much is being made about his route running and moves and separation skills but he can learn all that. That's funny cuz u can't teach more suddenness in routes and flexibility and explosion in hips and ankles for better feet in route running and after a catch. That's like saying you can coach a RB that's not elusiveelusive or explosive to be more like Tomlinson or Faulk. Not saying Strong will be a bust but he is not a #1 WR of the same caliber of Cooper White or Parker or in the same league. He has great hands and ball skills and he will make his share of catches and even big plays. However is far from the complete skill set to be a #1 WR that could win in many different ways or that can win against any defense in many different ways. He does resemble the older version of Colston after countless injuries took away his suddenness flexibility and explosion. However Colston continues to produce with his size power ball skills and hands while Brees has complete confidence in him to make contested catches when Brees places the throw exactly where he can go get it and box out the cover guy. However u have to consider Bree's is probably the most consistently accurate QB in the NFL. However cuz of Colstons limitation even the saints acknowledge he is not a true #1 right now and has made a lot of effort to draft and upgrade the WR position of late.

As for Brown and Kamar they haven't shown nearly enoughenough consistentness or talent to hand them a starting job. Ravens will have to explore the open market and draft cuz there isn't a WR on the team that has could be labeled anything over a #3 WR!! And Strings combine probably did jump him into Round1 although so far not a #1 WR.

[PurpleCity5]

Absolutely comp picks gives oppurtuity to trade up. The popular ideas around here is to instantly promote Marlon Brown or Kamar and or draft Strong. First things in front of the line to address is Marlon and Kamar promoted to starters.LOL Maybe one of them could realistically stepstep up. Just keep one thing in mind about those particular WRs. HAVING A NEED AT WR OR ANY POSITION DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF THAT TEAMS WRs SUCCEEDING AND BECOMING STARTING A STARTING #1 ANDAND OR ELITE LEVEL #2!! Its not pull the names out of the hat and the undrafted WRs left are going to be our starters. As for Strong his highlights are fun to watch and stunning at times. But he isn't as complete of a prospect as the elite 3 WRs of the draft his highlights are being compared to. And there's aspects of his game that are very sub par u won't find in his highlights. He makes catches in his highlights like White Cooper and Parker but why isn't he rated as great a prospect as they are. Everybody watches similar catches in his highlight reels but then see he is not rated as high and will be drafted after them guys. Watch his actual games to see why he will be drafted after the other WRs his highlights resemble!! Its cuz he doesn't have flexibility and fluidness in his hips and ankles and the lightning feet to run sharp sudden routes to get separation from cornerbacks. The players covering him that are not NFL starting caliber jam him and have zero respect for him to burn them after he gets through the jam. They turn and run with him effortlessly it seems. After the catch he shows very little creativity and speed in his moves. Yes he fights for extra yards with his size and power but the NFL has better stronger tacklers. I have heard co workers talking about him saying stuff like to much is being made about his route running and moves and separation skills but he can learn all that. That's funny cuz u can't teach more suddenness in routes and flexibility and explosion in hips and ankles for better feet in route running and after a catch. That's like saying you can coach a RB that's not elusiveelusive or explosive to be more like Tomlinson or Faulk. Not saying Strong will be a bust but he is not a #1 WR of the same caliber of Cooper White or Parker or in the same league. He has great hands and ball skills and he will make his share of catches and even big plays. However is far from the complete skill set to be a #1 WR that could win in many different ways or that can win against any defense in many different ways. He does resemble the older version of Colston after countless injuries took away his suddenness flexibility and explosion. However Colston continues to produce with his size power ball skills and hands while Brees has complete confidence in him to make contested catches when Brees places the throw exactly where he can go get it and box out the cover guy. However u have to consider Bree's is probably the most consistently accurate QB in the NFL. However cuz of Colstons limitation even the saints acknowledge he is not a true #1 right now and has made a lot of effort to draft and upgrade the WR position of late.

As for Brown and Kamar they haven't shown nearly enoughenough consistentness or talent to hand them a starting job. Ravens will have to explore the open market and draft cuz there isn't a WR on the team that has could be labeled anything over a #3 WR!! And Strings combine probably did jump him into Round1 although so far not a #1 WR.

I think Strong's route running deserves a bit more credit, it's not bad and it's improved significantly. He was pretty raw coming into college and was a guy with natural hands with size, now he's gotten better at the fundamentles. I think he's the most likely possibility for us and why not? He's going to have a good grade from us, great film, backed up his athleticism at the combine and his pro day, I like him for us in Round one if we're staying put at 26. 

 

As far as Brown and Aiken go, there's a reason for OTAs, Preseason, and Mini-Camp, you win those starting jobs, Brown didn't and as good as Aiken has been for us, I don't feel that he's the long term answer, but I could be wrong, he has great hands.

[Pirate88]

I think Strong's route running deserves a bit more credit, it's not bad and it's improved significantly. He was pretty raw coming into college and was a guy with natural hands with size, now he's gotten better at the fundamentles. I think he's the most likely possibility for us and why not? He's going to have a good grade from us, great film, backed up his athleticism at the combine and his pro day, I like him for us in Round one if we're staying put at 26.

As far as Brown and Aiken go, there's a reason for OTAs, Preseason, and Mini-Camp, you win those starting jobs, Brown didn't and as good as Aiken has been for us, I don't feel that he's the long term answer, but I could be wrong, he has great hands.

Of course he can work on the details of his route running and run better overall routes but he doesn't have the hips and sharpness or suddenness to be explosive and one of those route runners that gets consistent separation. That aspect can't be taught.

One of my favorite players Isaac Bruce was not a good route runner as a rookie. However he was drafted early round2 which was several rounds Before expected. The reason he was coveted more than thought is cuz he showed the tools, explosion flexibility sharpness and acceleration out of breaks to eventually run great routes and create instant separation. Great route running is similar to an elusive shifty and explosive RB. A WR can work on the details but its a lot of raw skills as well that can't be taught. Jaelen Strong shows very little natural shiftyness and skills to run routes like the better route runners that consistently get open. The only great thing bout his film are the nice catches and hands he shows with some acrobatic catches he makes. Other than that if u watch his games and not just highlights is tape is terrible. Cornerbacks that aren't NFL caliber jam him with zero respect of him burning them with his speed and routes once he gets off the jam. And they have no reason to respect him cuz they turn and run with him effortlessly after the press as he gets no separation from a single defensive back. He does make nice catches attacks it and has reliable hands and will be a very effective WR if he has an accurate QB cuz he will go get the throw if its placed where he can make a play on it.

[FlackAttack]

I think we played better when Torrey was on the sidelines. Prime example, we went down to Miami with playoff implications for both teams last year. Smoked the Dolphins 28-13 (who were playing decent football at the time), with NO Torrey the whole game! Aiken had a TD and some good yards, SSS had a great game. Marlon had some catches. I think if we find a solid TE, we can definitely use our current WR depth. We still have the same run game and O-line. We'll obviously draft another WR, but not a necessity in the 1st round. We still have huge holes on defense that I'm more worried about.

[FlackAttack]

... and just because a player like Aldrick Robinson can burn a 4.35 40, doesn't mean he should be an automatic Torrey replacement, and thrown on the field to be that deep burner. You also have to break off the defender, run the route, then make a play on the ball. Which is what Torrey did not do. Id rather have a guy with good hands, runs a great route and attacks the ball then some speedster that just runs 4.35 40's down the sideline.

[jazz1988]

I think we played better when Torrey was on the sidelines. Prime example, we went down to Miami with playoff implications for both teams last year. Smoked the Dolphins 28-13 (who were playing decent football at the time), with NO Torrey the whole game! Aiken had a TD and some good yards, SSS had a great game. Marlon had some catches. I think if we find a solid TE, we can definitely use our current WR depth. We still have the same run game and O-line. We'll obviously draft another WR, but not a necessity in the 1st round. We still have huge holes on defense that I'm more worried about.

 

It's not like The Dolphins had the greatest secondary in the world in that game. They only had one good corner  by the name of Brent Grimes playing in that game. The Dolphins defense has been pretty inconsistent as well . Geno Smith had the best game of the season against The Dolphins in their last game in which I believe he had 300+ passing yards.

[FlackAttack]

It's not like The Dolphins had the greatest secondary in the world in that game. They only had one good corner  by the name of Brent Grimes playing in that game. The Dolphins defense has been pretty inconsistent as well . Geno Smith had the best game of the season against The Dolphins in their last game in which I believe he had 300+ passing yards.

Never said they had a great secondary, but they were fighting for a playoff spot, so they went in playing hard. First half we were down. Then our offense started clicking second half, and our defense shut them out. Kamar Aiken made some great plays, not just in this game but many games, even in the playoffs. Theres no denying the talent is there.

[Sami84]

Strong really does remind me a lot of Boldin. 

 

He is a safe bet. He's going to be a good player.

[stampedehero]

Strong really does remind me a lot of Boldin. 

 

He is a safe bet. He's going to be a good player.

I feel the same way. I only hope the MGMT really wants him as much as we do.

[sflegend89]

2013 called it wants it's thread back. "Could Doss and/or Thompson fill in for Boldin".

 

The short answer in 2015 is: Maybe, but don't bet your season on it. We invested big in Joe, stop playing bargain bin shopper at WR, stop ignoring WR early in the draft, stop letting go of guys Joe has good chemistry with like Boldin and Daniels, don't repeat the same mistake as 2013 and put the weight of an entire season on young WR's stepping into big roles.

 

Our last crop of young wr's from a few years ago flunked out and amounted to nothing besides Torrey who was the only one who was  a high draft pick (hmm.. what a coincidence). Doss, Thompson, Streeter.. the plan was for them to step into bigger roles remember? I think we have better young WR's now but please don't try this again. 

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I just think that every snap Aiken and Brown get they will get better. No one has ever got to see either one of them start for a full 16 game year and until that happens no one will ever know just what they are cappable of doing.  Does that mean I dont want Ozzie to go out and get another WR?  No... I hope he adds one or two through either the draft or free agency. I just want to see what these guys can do with more playing time. I think each one of them earned that with what we have seen them do with the chances they already got. Right now as the roster stands who is our #2 guy? Open competition to see who earns the #2 spot is my guess....

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

2013 called it wants it's thread back. "Could Doss and/or Thompson fill in for Boldin".

 

The short answer in 2015 is: Maybe, but don't bet your season on it. We invested big in Joe, stop playing bargain bin shopper at WR, stop ignoring WR early in the draft, stop letting go of guys Joe has good chemistry with like Boldin and Daniels, don't repeat the same mistake as 2013 and put the weight of an entire season on young WR's stepping into big roles.

 

Our last crop of young wr's from a few years ago flunked out and amounted to nothing besides Torrey who was the only one who was  a high draft pick (hmm.. what a coincidence). Doss, Thompson, Streeter.. the plan was for them to step into bigger roles remember? I think we have better young WR's now but please don't try this again. 

I see your point and somewhat agree with you but lets be honest Doss and Thompson did not have hands period...... I would however love for Ozzie to find a true #1 WR...

[Militant X 1]

alrdick robinson had the same rating as J Jones in madden 15 and was faster... if that means anything lol 

 

He is a burner on the game!

[SeaHawk]

LOL anyone calling Aiken a number 1 receiver should really learn how to evaluate talent... sure he looked decent against third string corners, but up against top corners? No way lmao

[FlackAttack]

I didnt see one person in this thread call Kamar Aiken a number 1, and if they did lol. SSS was our number 1 last year, and will most likely be the #1 next year unless we trade for a #1 caliber receiver because there simply is not any #1 talent left available. And saying we can draft a #1 is just silly.

 

Also, lol at comparing the loss of Boldin with the loss of Torrey. Boldin was irreplaceable, Torrey is replaceable.

[jazz1988]

I didnt see one person in this thread call Kamar Aiken a number 1, and if they did lol. SSS was our number 1 last year, and will most likely be the #1 next year, unless we trade for a #1 caliber receiver because there simply is not any #1 talent left available. And saying we can draft a #1 is just silly.

 

Also, lol at comparing the loss of Boldin with the loss of Torrey. Boldin was irreplaceable, Torrey is replaceable.

 

It's not easiest thing in the world to find a legit deep threat atleast a  consistent one.I don't think replacing Torrey should be considered easy honestly.

[FlackAttack]

Sure, Torrey was a deep threat, but a consistent one? not too sure about that. Not saying it will be easy, but MUCH easier than replacing Boldin. Anybody will tell you that.

[ratedr]

Aiken/Brown are not the same type of player as Smith. Also, it seems like it's become a habit in Baltimore to overrate our WR depth. As it stands now we have a bottom 5 WR core, period. Aiken/Brown are #3 receivers at BEST. SSS was our number 1 last year but with the way he faded towards the end of the year we cannot rely on that again. Our #1 WR is somewhere in the draft. I think this might be the year that we actually take a WR in the first round. I wanted Benjamin last year, though I'm obviously not crying about picking Mosley. 

 

The Ravens have taken a receiver higher than the 4th round just three times in the past ten years (T. Smith, Clayton, Figurs). And we wonder why we never have any talent at that position. I understood why they didn't focus on that with Boller, but we have Flacco now. They need to address it and I'm confident they will.

[ratedr]

Sure, Torrey was a deep threat, but a consistent one? not too sure about that. Not saying it will be easy, but MUCH easier than replacing Boldin. Anybody will tell you that.

All I know is that against Miami, our struggling offense suddenly woke up the second Torrey left the game. He's not a good fit for the system anyway. I like him as a person but I'm actually sort of glad to see him go, I did not want to be wedded to him too long because it would have made the FO complacent about not investing in more WR talent.

[FlackAttack]

Torrey just doesnt have raw talent, he never progressed, never fought for the ball. He doesnt have ball skills, only caught to his chest. In order to be a deep threat, you have to attack the ball. Don't know how many times I saw a catch-able deep ball to torrey but it was just off his hands or he just couldnt get up to the ball. Im glad hes gone, we need to bring in some new talent.

 

But stating we can draft a #1 is lol. Knowing our history, the chances of that happening is slim, especially putting up #1 numbers during his rookie year lol. Future? maybe.

[FlackAttack]

All I know is that against Miami, our struggling offense suddenly woke up the second Torrey left the game. He's not a good fit for the system anyway. I like him as a person but I'm actually sort of glad to see him go, I did not want to be wedded to him too long because it would have made the FO complacent about not investing in more WR talent.

Torrey played the first half? Thank you for proving my point even more lol.

[ratedr]

But stating we can draft a #1 is lol. Knowing our history, the chances of that happening is slim, especially putting up #1 numbers during his rookie year lol. Future? maybe.

Well it's hard to judge the WRs we've drafted when we've only drafted 3 higher than the 4th round in a decade, and just 1 in the Flacco era.

 

Campanaro is a 7th round pick and has shown great promise in limited time. I'd like to see what Joe can do with higher-tier talent. No more Tandon Doss's, Deonte Thompsons and Tommy Streeters.

[PurpleCity5]

Aiken is a guy that I think will have a bigger role. I think having him as our #3 WR would be very reasonable for what he's shown during the season, I like him. 

 

Anyone who believes that the contract that San Fran gave for Torrey is what we should' have matched and spent $8M per year on, then I got some ocean front property in Arizona you might be interested in. 

[FlackAttack]

Well it's hard to judge the WRs we've drafted when we've only drafted 3 higher than the 4th round in a decade, and just 1 in the Flacco era.

 

Campanaro is a 7th round pick and has shown great promise in limited time. I'd like to see what Joe can do with higher-tier talent. No more Tandon Doss's, Deonte Thompsons and Tommy Streeters.

Im right there with you, drafting a WR in 1st or 2nd round would be great. But I think we have bigger holes to fill those early rounds like TE, CB, DE, even ILB, daryl smith is gettin up there.

[jazz1988]

Sure, Torrey was a deep threat, but a consistent one? not too sure about that. Not saying it will be easy, but MUCH easier than replacing Boldin. Anybody will tell you that.

 

I think Torrey  establish himself as one of the better deep threats in the league and was quite productive while doing it that's why I say consistent. When you have a receiver that can consistently take the top of the defense it benefits the awhole offense even the Boldin type receivers.  I love Boldin when he was here but majority of the time he wasn't the one getting number one corners attention it was actually Torrey even with all his issues.

 

I would love for The Ravens to get themselves another Boldin type receiver and we may already have that receiver in Brown, Aiken or The Ravens dark horse James Butler(who knows) but when it comes to getting the most dangerous receiver then that usually a receiver with speed. The chances for the Ravens get a Boldin and Torrey like receiver is good in the draft but we shall see.