Welcome to Baltimore: Za'Darius Smith, Javorius Allen and Tray Walker

[sflegend89]

People over exaggerate Jimmy's struggles his rookie year. His first series in the NFL (pres-season) he was mauling Dwayne Bowe at the LOS, that was coming off his 15 TD season, in his prime Bowe. You could see Jimmy had the ability to be a special player, he had some mental mistakes and blew a few coverages where he thought he had safety help over the top and got chewed out by Ed Reed for allowing his man to release into nothing but green grass. Then of course he got injured and that stalled out his progress for a bit.

 

Melvin was similar in a way, maybe didn't flash quite as much as Jimmy did with his physicality but his only real shortcomings were mental mistakes like in the Patriots game and he was also playing through a shoulder injury. I think the future is bright for Melvin, should end up being a slightly above average starter and that's a great get for an UDFA.

 

As for Walker.. I have no idea what to make of him yet. I think it's silly to proclaim him a stud or a bust so soon. If I had to compare him to someone it would be Cary Williams who was also really raw when he arrived in Baltimore. We had to groom him for a few seasons before he was ready, I see the same type of situation with Walker. Now if he's as talented as Cary... that's still up in the air. Arrington was such a solid signing, now the pressure is off Walker to step into a big role right away so he can spend a lot of time just learning the nuances of the position and has 3 high football IQ corners to help groom him.

Edited May 25, 2015 by sflegend89

[BSHU_Miami]

As long as Flacco doesn't over abuse him like he did with Rice, I remember back when 5 out of 10 of Joes throws were 3 yard dump offs to Rice. Cringe worthy.

dat cam effect

[sflegend89]

Just heard Harbs say that he now knows for a fact that Walker would've been taken early 5th if we didn't select him where we did. Really glad to hear that, he was the only pick we made that I thought we maybe reached on but apparently that wasn't the case. Walker didn't get much hype before the draft so he wasn't really on my radar but like every year there are players that are heralded in scouting circles that the media/fans don't really know about.

 

I don't think Walker has a big impact this year but I'm very excited about his potential long term.

[GrimCoconut]

Just heard Harbs say that he now knows for a fact that Walker would've been taken early 5th if we didn't select him where we did. Really glad to hear that, he was the only pick we made that I thought we maybe reached on but apparently that wasn't the case. Walker didn't get much hype before the draft so he wasn't really on my radar but like every year there are players that are heralded in scouting circles that the media/fans don't really know about.

I don't think Walker has a big impact this year but I'm very excited about his potential long term.

Yeah that's how I see it too. If I had to compare my opinion when we drafted him, I'd compare him to Gillmore. I liked Gillmore but felt he was too early but he looked like he could be something great last year so I'm not complaining

[stampedehero]

I looked up a picture of Tray Walker on Google and this is what I got. Hopefully this changes.He's got potential.

Could be the image   of a injured secondary

[stampedehero]

Allen and the Zman are on my watch list.  With four vets in front of Walker he 'll need an open roster spot and a position need criteria to stay here.

[stampedehero]

As long as Flacco doesn't over abuse him like he did with Rice, I remember back when 5 out of 10 of Joes throws were 3 yard dump offs to Rice. Cringe worthy.

We  should see a lot more play option and screens this year under Trestman.

[GrimCoconut]

Allen and the Zman are on my watch list. With four vets in front of Walker he 'll need an open roster spot and a position need criteria to stay here.

You're certainly spot on as far as I'm concerned regarding Walker this year. I think he has a really good chance to start next year though. He needs work and he's a bit of a project but he could be doing some work this year at the end of the year as well.

Let's hope Walker doesn't see the field much this year. Lol that'll be good for our secondary. Won't go into why to not jinx things.

[Orange_Peanut]

 

I looked up a picture of Tray Walker on Google and this is what I got. Hopefully this changes.He's got potential.

Could be the image   of a injured secondary

 

The foreshadowing game is too strong lol

[stampedehero]

You're certainly spot on as far as I'm concerned regarding Walker this year. I think he has a really good chance to start next year though. He needs work and he's a bit of a project but he could be doing some work this year at the end of the year as well.

Let's hope Walker doesn't see the field much this year. Lol that'll be good for our secondary. Won't go into why to not jinx things.

With our luck he will be placed on PS picked up by NE where he will star in Arringtons place.

[ludy51]

Trey walker is definitely still a project, but not nearly as much as was originally thought.

[rmw10]

Trey walker is definitely still a project, but not nearly as much as was originally thought.

 

I've mentioned it a few times in other threads, but I've been pleasantly surprised by how well he's done.  It's not perfect by any stretch, but his has a much larger understanding of the mental aspects of the position that you usually don't see out of those small school guys.  He's played smart and with confidence in his limited action so far.  Hopefully that continues, because I like what I've seen so far.

[GrimCoconut]

I've mentioned it a few times in other threads, but I've been pleasantly surprised by how well he's done. It's not perfect by any stretch, but his has a much larger understanding of the mental aspects of the position that you usually don't see out of those small school guys. He's played smart and with confidence in his limited action so far. Hopefully that continues, because I like what I've seen so far.

Yeah, he reminds me some of Webb coming out in terms of his skill impressing more than expected. Hopefully he plays as well as Webb did when he was healthy.

[Static]

Z. Smith is a solid pass rusher who is gaurnteed to be in the backfield with time and Tray Walker has silently played well in his snaps.

[Cillmatic]

havent seen anything from Walker, how's he done?

[JoeyFlex5]

I've mentioned it a few times in other threads, but I've been pleasantly surprised by how well he's done.  It's not perfect by any stretch, but his has a much larger understanding of the mental aspects of the position that you usually don't see out of those small school guys.  He's played smart and with confidence in his limited action so far.  Hopefully that continues, because I like what I've seen so far.

i feel like the ravens only draft a small school guy if they are 99.9% sure he will pan out. they just nail small school picks so often

[Cillmatic]

Well apparently Walker's so bad they would rather play Terrence Brooks at corner instead of him.

[jazz1988]

Well apparently Walker's so bad they would rather play Terrence Brooks at corner instead of him.

 

Brooks was playing nickel corner. Walkers not your typical nickel cornerback but more of a outside cornerback than anything. He  played against The Browns when Arrington got hurt. If Webb and Arrington can't play Walker has a good shot at starting sunday but we shall see.

[GrimCoconut]

Well apparently Walker's so bad they would rather play Terrence Brooks at corner instead of him.

He's also a very raw rookie. Edited October 16, 2015 by GrimCoconut

[MTRavensFan]

Welcome to Baltimore, rookies.

Looks like two, if not all three of you will be starting tomorrow.

 

Filling in for Forsett, Suggs and Doom - some pretty big shoes to fill. Not like there's any pressure there or nothin'.

 

Serously, really pulling for these young guys to do well, and to play with some passion and excitement. Hope they're ready to sink or swim.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

ZDS has impressed me with his motor and pass rushing ability. He has a ways to go with setting the edge or what not but damn. He keeps it up and we hit a double

[ravensnick]

Well apparently Walker's so bad they would rather play Terrence Brooks at corner instead of him.

Brooks played some CB at FSU. Also, its playing a 2nd year 3rd rounder over a first year 5th rounder. 

[GrimCoconut]

Brooks played some CB at FSU. Also, its playing a 2nd year 3rd rounder over a first year 5th rounder.

Walker went in the fourth round, but I agree. He's also from a small school and not FSU. These are very different situations and aren't comparable.

[PurpleCity5]

ZDS has impressed me with his motor and pass rushing ability. He has a ways to go with setting the edge or what not but damn. He keeps it up and we hit a double

I with you there. I think Z is coming along nicely. He's still developing as an stand up pass rusher but I like what I've seen from him. He'll be going up again Joe Staley which is no tough task though.

[CalvinSmoke]

Z didn't look that great to me as a pass rusher. Didn't see anything Upshaw isn't doing honestly lol but he's got learning to do, and we knew that already

[Cillmatic]

Webb's questionable and the guy we signed is awful. If Walker doesn't play a lot against the cardinals is it ok to call him a bust?

[rmw10]

Webb's questionable and the guy we signed is awful. If Walker doesn't play a lot against the cardinals is it ok to call him a bust?

 

No.  He's a 4th round rookie CB, which is conveniently one of the hardest transitions to make from college to pro, from tiny Texas Southern.  Those expecting him to be anything but a project in his first year are mistaken.  I can guarantee we drafted him knowing that he was going to be a work in progress.

[Cillmatic]

No. He's a 4th round rookie CB, which is conveniently one of the hardest transitions to make from college to pro, from tiny Texas Southern. Those expecting him to be anything but a project in his first year are mistaken. I can guarantee we drafted him knowing that he was going to be a work in progress.

I agree, we knew he'd be a work in progress but when we litterally have NO CB worth starting besides Jimmy I think we need to already give him a chance.

If you're worse than shareece wright you have reason to be concerned.

Edited October 25, 2015 by Cillmatic

[GrimCoconut]

No.  He's a 4th round rookie CB, which is conveniently one of the hardest transitions to make from college to pro, from tiny Texas Southern.  Those expecting him to be anything but a project in his first year are mistaken.  I can guarantee we drafted him knowing that he was going to be a work in progress.

I still don't understand why people keep suggesting this. He's from Texas Southern. I'm not sure I recall many guys coming from that school. I also didn't even expect him to do much this year. People even said that he needed work and was a project. I'm not sure why people want to throw the bust label around. Yeah, throw a rookie CB out there who isn't ready and let him possibly lose confidence on the field when he will invariably make a mistake. 

[rmw10]

I agree, we knew he'd be a work in progress but when we litterally have NO CB worth starting besides Jimmy I think we need to already give him a chance.

 

I'm sure we will at some point, but the team has been operating the past couple of weeks as if the season isn't over, and rightfully so.  If we string together a couple more losses, I think that's when we'll start seeing some of the young guys getting their reps.