Welcome to Baltimore: Darren Waller

[Jaydoog]

Waller has more upside than Butler. You have a better chance to put Butler on the PS than Waller.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

'cept he can't do anything in secondary and Barry Church is unstoppable receiver.

Yup. He's like a weird hybrid of Deion Sanders and JJ watt. He's amazing.

On another note, I liked Waller since I've been watching the live feed. He got open and was a good run blocker. That's impressive for a late round rookie

[Guest]

I was a little disappointed, but Rome wasn't built in a day.  We didn't need him at Pro Bowl level just yet either.

 

He was used sparingly at Georgia Tech and is still learning. He's clay in our coaches and S.Smith's hands. He's good clay though, smart clay. Wonderlic clay.

 

It's apparent that Waller is a load for our oppositions secondary.  I believe they committed 3 penalty's attempting to contain him.  I also saw him running free in their secondary a couple times and just wish he was targeted.

 

He can block. And he is big and fast and he's much quicker than folks think. Currently he can be jammed, but I believe that's a dangerous technique for a defense to take with him and can't wait for Flacco to be the one on the field in those circumstances.

 

You can't coach size and speed.

https://public.tableau.com/profile/matt.chambers#!/vizhome/bigger_faster_stronger/Bigger

 

 

A chart of the NFL's most athletic Freaks. Mainly Speed to Size Ratio.  Darren Waller is up there with Calvin Johnson, Vincent Jackson , and DGB.

 

Infact ONLY  Calvin Johnson beats Darren Waller in speed to size ratio. But the majority of other athletic freaks were picked up higher than Waller. 

 

Breshad isn't on here because his 40 wasn't offical BUT his 4.25-4.35 would put him top 10 or so.

 

Yes

so waller used some blocking skills down the sidelines? 

 

hmm.. wonder where he learned that lol. i think thats a constantly overlooked part of his game, the fact that he has the size and the pedigree of being a GT starter, to dominate db's on exterior run plays. something tells me he is gonna make guys boldin look subpar in that department by the end of the year

 

He cleared with speed on that play. But he can clear with blocks too.

I think Waller might be the guy that gets the pass interference calls this season, like Torrey did in the past. No one wants a receiver that size getting behind them.

 

Yes, absolutely

I think he drew 3 penalties in the game. Also seemed like he played a pretty big chunk of time but that's probably up due to injuries as well.

 

That's a load of penalties for a second team 6th rounder!

[allblackraven]

Yup. He's like a weird hybrid of Deion Sanders and JJ watt. He's amazing.

On another note, I liked Waller since I've been watching the live feed. He got open and was a good run blocker. That's impressive for a late round rookie

Yup, one of his noted positives pre-draft was the above average blocking ability (and willingness). I really like him as a player-character package, deserves a chance to develop while on the roster, I reckon. Even if we have to carry 7 WRs and sacrifice depth elsewhere.

[Ravensfan23]

For as much negative talk about Art Brown in the last couple of days, i think his stock may be up jeading into week 2 of the preseason. I was not impressed with McCellean at all. He looked below average at best in the run game and exteremely poor in his pass coverage responsibility. Even though it was against guy who will be joining me in the financial services industry in a few weeks, i though he still had good instinct and played alot heavier in the run game. I think Orr(very impressive) is clearly the 3rd ILB right now. But i would be surprised at all to see Brown and McClellan splitting reps this week vs the Eagles.

For as much as the hype machine surrounded Butler i wasn't impressed. He ran soft routes, poor routes and just didn't look like a guy who's having a terrific camp. Hope it was just 1 poor outting but when you have other young WRs stepping up you can't afford 1 bad game. I just wonder how many more opportunities he'll have over the next two games, especially if Perriman and Brown play.

Wasn't happy with any of the backup safeties. Wouldn't be surprised to see a move made in that area until Brooks is ready to go. Well i was impressed with Nick Perry but I'm not sure he's ready for the 53.

[usmccharles]

I hope SSS takes some time with him, imagine if SSS had a body like Waller.  Hopefully he can rub off on Waller and teach him how to use his body

[Ravensfan23]

As far as my positives. I'm sure everyone was impressed with Davis, Camp, Schuab, Z. Smith and Boyle, Maxx and of course the first units.

A couple of other guys who stood out Pointer, Beyer, Reid and Jensen which was a surprise for me.

I was impressed with Renner but more so for how the young man handled the moment. He sounded like a seasoned vet in his post game interview giving his teammates and coaches all the credit, also identifying how he can't make that costly mistake of the int. He'll be a good PS guy and going against the Ravens defense everyday in practice will only help him.

Zach Orr was very very impressive. Just envisioning him and Mosley in the middle of the defense together is a fun picture. He's playing with much more confidence this year and that allows him to read and react quicker. Really like what i saw from him.

Means wasn't as explosive off the edge as i thought he'd be but he still performed well for the most part.

Both Guy and KLM had their moments but also got blown off the ball much more then you'd like to see. They are rotational guys so you expect their flaws to show uo with more playing time.

[sflegend89]

After seeing Waller in a preseason game there's zero chance he goes to the PS, he didn't have a gaudy stat line but he's making the 53. Besides, he was open quite a few times and just wasn't targetted and also drew a few flags, I don't think the stats tell the whole story. Waller just looks the part out there, you can't say that about guys like Streeter who despite their size never looked imposing on the field. Waller moves fluently for a guy his size and on his catch he did a great job using his big frame to shield the DB from the ball. He also did a great job beating the initial press on the clear out for Camp's TD.

 

Darren is still really raw but as far as the eye test goes give him a dark visor and he looks like Calvin Johnson when he lines up. I think this kid is going to play ball for us. He's like having an extra TE when you need him to block but he can also run routes like a WR. I'm still sticking to my comparison to Martavis Bryant, very similar play styles and body types.

Edited August 17, 2015 by sflegend89

[Guest]

If we were foolish enough to sign him to the Practice Squad he'd be gone in a New York Minute. 

 

The Front Office drafted him, so they know his potential. They saw the measureables. To undervalue him at this juncture and have him reach that potential elsewhere would be a monumental poor decision. 

 

Part of the reason he was a good selection is that with the recent departures our Receiving Corps is lukewarm at best .  Waller doesn't have to develop very much to vault past guys like Brown, Aiken and Butler.  He has far more upside. He's going to get behind people. 

 

At some point Waller is going to recognize his own level and when he gets a little swag that's when this is going to get really good. Once again, he's a rookie with a spotty collegiate record but I believe by week 8 he will be starting.

 

After seeing Waller in a preseason game there's zero chance he goes to the PS, he didn't have a gaudy stat line but he's making the 53. Besides, he was open quite a few times and just wasn't targetted and also drew a few flags, I don't think the stats tell the whole story. Waller just looks the part out there, you can't say that about guys like Streeter who despite their size never looked imposing on the field. Waller moves fluently for a guy his size and on his catch he did a great job using his big frame to shield the DB from the ball. He also did a great job beating the initial press on the clear out for Camp's TD.

 

Darren is still really raw but as far as the eye test goes give him a dark visor and he looks like Calvin Johnson when he lines up. I think this kid is going to play ball for us. He's like having an extra TE when you need him to block but he can also run routes like a WR. I'm still sticking to my comparison to Martavis Bryant, very similar play styles and body types.

[JoeyFlex5]

If we were foolish enough to sign him to the Practice Squad he'd be gone in a New York Minute. 

 

The Front Office drafted him, so they know his potential. They saw the measureables. To undervalue him at this juncture and have him reach that potential elsewhere would be a monumental poor decision. 

 

Part of the reason he was a good selection is that with the recent departures our Receiving Corps is lukewarm at best .  Waller doesn't have to develop very much to vault past guys like Brown, Aiken and Butler.  He has far more upside. He's going to get behind people. 

 

At some point Waller is going to recognize his own level and when he gets a little swag that's when this is going to get really good. Once again, he's a rookie with a spotty collegiate record but I believe by week 8 he will be starting.

that. you could just see that he was a bit overwhelmed by the lights on thursday, he looked a little timid on the sideline and he certainly had some jitters to shake out. 

 

it may be a bit much to say he'll be a starter at any point in this season, but he may play a bigger role than originally anticipated. 

 

he honestly looked much, much better than i expected him to, but you also have to remember that he hasnt seen a real NFL corner yet outside of practice, im thinking he just may be a starter next year, and perriman/waller/maxx could be our potent aerial attack for the next 8 years. but to anoint him after seeing him play a decent game in which he frankly only showed his speed and toughness, which are 2 things we already knew he had, is a little excessive. i mean we have yet to even see what his ball skills really look like, and all he did was get behind practice squad level DBs and shove some guys around, i wanna see him get behind some starters or even some rotation DBs, i wanna see him make a tough catch on a guy who has a shot to make a roster this year. he frankly hasnt shown us anything that we couldnt have already established from his limited college tape.

[cushrinada1986]

I was a little disappointed, but Rome wasn't built in a day.  We didn't need him at Pro Bowl level just yet either.

 

He was used sparingly at Georgia Tech and is still learning. He's clay in our coaches and S.Smith's hands. He's good clay though, smart clay. Wonderlic clay.

 

It's apparent that Waller is a load for our oppositions secondary.  I believe they committed 3 penalty's attempting to contain him.  I also saw him running free in their secondary a couple times and just wish he was targeted.

 

He can block. And he is big and fast and he's much quicker than folks think. Currently he can be jammed, but I believe that's a dangerous technique for a defense to take with him and can't wait for Flacco to be the one on the field in those circumstances.

 

You can't coach size and speed.

 

Yes

 

He cleared with speed on that play. But he can clear with blocks too.

 

Yes, absolutely

 

That's a load of penalties for a second team 6th rounder!

If you can have a guy draw penalties just because of his size alone, then add the fact that once perrimen comes back, his speed will also draw penalties, we may be able to get out of some bad long and distance plays just by tossing it up down field. Hope Matt saw the tape and decides to target Waller more next game.

[usmccharles]

I would really like to see waller on the field with Joe. It seems like it's Unfair to Judge players when they have sub part qb play. I'm home they plan to do that this next game or so, also with camp

[Purple_City39]

that. you could just see that he was a bit overwhelmed by the lights on thursday, he looked a little timid on the sideline and he certainly had some jitters to shake out. 

 

it may be a bit much to say he'll be a starter at any point in this season, but he may play a bigger role than originally anticipated. 

 

he honestly looked much, much better than i expected him to, but you also have to remember that he hasnt seen a real NFL corner yet outside of practice, im thinking he just may be a starter next year, and perriman/waller/maxx could be our potent aerial attack for the next 8 years. but to anoint him after seeing him play a decent game in which he frankly only showed his speed and toughness, which are 2 things we already knew he had, is a little excessive. i mean we have yet to even see what his ball skills really look like, and all he did was get behind practice squad level DBs and shove some guys around, i wanna see him get behind some starters or even some rotation DBs, i wanna see him make a tough catch on a guy who has a shot to make a roster this year. he frankly hasnt shown us anything that we couldnt have already established from his limited college tape.

Practice squad?  Didn't Waller play with the 2s?  He came in during the 1st quarter.  The Saints still had starters on offense out there during the second quarter (Cooks) so I seriously doubt they had practice squad DBs out there during the first.

 

Waller simply played well against DBs that WILL make the team.  I would love to see him against starters also though.  I wonder if Harbs would pull a 2013 and let Waller/Butler/Campanaro start in game 3 like he did with Brown and Melette

[JoeyFlex5]

Practice squad?  Didn't Waller play with the 2s?  He came in during the 1st quarter.  The Saints still had starters on offense out there during the second quarter (Cooks) so I seriously doubt they had practice squad DBs out there during the first.

 

Waller simply played well against DBs that WILL make the team.  I would love to see him against starters also though.  I wonder if Harbs would pull a 2013 and let Waller/Butler/Campanaro start in game 3 like he did with Brown and Melette

well pardon me, he got behind backups on a already horrible secondary, backups that were almost as bad ours. 

 

he still didnt show ball skills, hands, or much of a route game. everything i said still stands, all he showed us on thursday was stuff we already knew about him, hes big, fast, and can block. he still hasnt shown us if he can catch a difficult pass, if he can be depended on to catch the routine passes, if he can separate consistently on all levels of the field rather than just running in a straight line, etc. 

 

TLDR; i like waller, but lets be realistic, we know about as much about waller now as we knew a month ago.

[beasy2487]

that. you could just see that he was a bit overwhelmed by the lights on thursday, he looked a little timid on the sideline and he certainly had some jitters to shake out.

it may be a bit much to say he'll be a starter at any point in this season, but he may play a bigger role than originally anticipated.

he honestly looked much, much better than i expected him to, but you also have to remember that he hasnt seen a real NFL corner yet outside of practice, im thinking he just may be a starter next year, and perriman/waller/maxx could be our potent aerial attack for the next 8 years. but to anoint him after seeing him play a decent game in which he frankly only showed his speed and toughness, which are 2 things we already knew he had, is a little excessive. i mean we have yet to even see what his ball skills really look like, and all he did was get behind practice squad level DBs and shove some guys around, i wanna see him get behind some starters or even some rotation DBs, i wanna see him make a tough catch on a guy who has a shot to make a roster this year. he frankly hasnt shown us anything that we couldnt have already established from his limited college tape.

agree. I expect him to start slow but by the end of the year I think we'll see solid swag per catch numbers.

[Purple_City39]

well pardon me, he got behind backups on a already horrible secondary, backups that were almost as bad ours. 

 

he still didnt show ball skills, hands, or much of a route game. everything i said still stands, all he showed us on thursday was stuff we already knew about him, hes big, fast, and can block. he still hasnt shown us if he can catch a difficult pass, if he can be depended on to catch the routine passes, if he can separate consistently on all levels of the field rather than just running in a straight line, etc. 

 

TLDR; i like waller, but lets be realistic, we know about as much about waller now as we knew a month ago.

Well, by that measurement, we really can't be happy about the performance of the first stringers since they were playing a horrible secondary.  If fact, Maxx Williams' great 20+ yard conversion isn't worth noting since it was against the backups, to the backups of the players backing up an already horrible secondary. 

 

And I don't know about you but I know a little more about him.  I know he's not just the typical big late round pick we've had because unlike all the rest, he's already shown/showing that he can use his size effectively, like when he boxed out the defender for the catch.  Unlike with Tommy Streeter, I learned that Waller can actually get open fairly well against #2s and did it so well they had to commit multiple penalties to stop him.

 

Now, if we can't praise a player many didn't expect much out of because he played against backups, then what do we say about Aiken and Butler who couldn't get open against the same horrible secondary or the backups of the horrible seconday?

 

EDIT: For the record, I'm not saying he's the next HoF inductee or even that he'll be a top 20 WR this season or next.  I'm saying we should be able to praise a player for playing well without looking for reasons to say diminish his performance

Edited August 17, 2015 by Purple_City39

[JoeyFlex5]

Well, by that measurement, we really can't be happy about the performance of the first stringers since they were playing a horrible secondary.  If fact, Maxx Williams' great 20+ yard conversion isn't worth noting since it was against the backups, to the backups of the players backing up an already horrible secondary. 

 

And I don't know about you but I know a little more about him.  I know he's not just the typical big late round pick we've had because unlike all the rest, he's already shown/showing that he can use his size effectively, like when he boxed out the defender for the catch.  Unlike with Tommy Streeter, I learned that Waller can actually get open fairly well against #2s and did it so well they had to commit multiple penalties to stop him.

 

Now, if we can't praise a player many didn't expect much out of because he played against backups, then what do we say about Aiken and Butler who couldn't get open against the same horrible secondary or the backups of the horrible seconday?

 

EDIT: For the record, I'm not saying he's the next HoF inductee or even that he'll be a top 20 WR this season or next.  I'm saying we should be able to praise a player for playing well without looking for reasons to say diminish his performance

except we actually saw maxx make a play, rather than just run downfield or draw a penalty, we actually saw him catch a ball on 4th and 20 and hurdle over one defender and violently bowl over a second defender all in one motion for a courageous first down. youre comparing apples and oranges here, seeing a player draw penalties against backups, and seeing a player flat out embarrass backups, are 2 very different things. had waller actually made a play, i'd be more inclined to sing his praises like i do for maxx, but waller had one routine and unimpressive catch, and as far as we know, he could completely lack the ball skills to make it in the NFL, or he could have outstanding ball skills and become a perennial pro bowler, the point is, we have no clue yet, because he hasnt shown us. maxx williams showed great toughness and tenacity, the guy used his ribcage to bowl over a defender for gods sake, waller did nothing of the sort. 

 

im not diminishing his performance, im pointing out the facts of his performance, and the facts are, he looked good, he ran fast, he drew penalties, but if we need him to make a catch in a tough situation, does he have the ball skills for it? we dont know yet, because he hasnt given us any evidence that he does. its not his fault that the qbs werent targeting him, and he certainly did deserve some attempts to show what he was capable of, but he didnt get those opportunities so we just dont know yet. and i certainly hope he gets some fair targets against the eagles so that this kind of talk can be put to rest, when he catches a few balls i will gladly shutup, but drawing a few penalties isnt enough for me to just anoint the kid.

[Guest]

except we actually saw maxx make a play, rather than just run downfield or draw a penalty, we actually saw him catch a ball on 4th and 20 and hurdle over one defender and violently bowl over a second defender all in one motion for a courageous first down. youre comparing apples and oranges here, seeing a player draw penalties against backups, and seeing a player flat out embarrass backups, are 2 very different things. had waller actually made a play, i'd be more inclined to sing his praises like i do for maxx, but waller had one routine and unimpressive catch, and as far as we know, he could completely lack the ball skills to make it in the NFL, or he could have outstanding ball skills and become a perennial pro bowler, the point is, we have no clue yet, because he hasnt shown us. maxx williams showed great toughness and tenacity, the guy used his ribcage to bowl over a defender for gods sake, waller did nothing of the sort. 

 

im not diminishing his performance, im pointing out the facts of his performance, and the facts are, he looked good, he ran fast, he drew penalties, but if we need him to make a catch in a tough situation, does he have the ball skills for it? we dont know yet, because he hasnt given us any evidence that he does. its not his fault that the qbs werent targeting him, and he certainly did deserve some attempts to show what he was capable of, but he didnt get those opportunities so we just dont know yet. and i certainly hope he gets some fair targets against the eagles so that this kind of talk can be put to rest, when he catches a few balls i will gladly shutup, but drawing a few penalties isnt enough for me to just anoint the kid.

Waller had two targets ... on one he made a play. It was a great catch in traffic using his body as a shield.

 

The other target had problems on both ends of the ball.

 

I agree that Williams play was exceptional.  It kept the winning drive alive and counts big in my estimation. I nick named him "Crash" off that play and I'm gonna keep that nick until the team hangs one on him.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Danny D

[JoeyFlex5]

Waller had two targets ... on one he made a play. It was a great catch in traffic using his body as a shield.

 

The other target had problems on both ends of the ball.

 

I agree that Williams play was exceptional.  It kept the winning drive alive and counts big in my estimation. I nick named him "Crash" off that play and I'm gonna keep that nick until the team hangs one on him.

you are rrrreeeeealllyyyy overselling wallers catch, and i agree that he was set up for failure on that screen. 

 

but you still dont seem to be comprehending this... you are so dead set on blowing wallers performance way out of proportion, that your views are just warped. did he show us anything besides an extremely routine catch, some exterior blocking, and some solid top end speed? no, he didnt. those are the 3 things he was able to show us, nothing more. 

 

EDIT: i just realized this is your first time chiming in, for some reason i thought i was arguing with the same person this whole time, if that seemed like a personal attack i totally didnt intend that lol

Edited August 18, 2015 by JoeyFlex5

[Guest]

you are rrrreeeeealllyyyy overselling wallers catch, and i agree that he was set up for failure on that screen. 

 

but you still dont seem to be comprehending this... you are so dead set on blowing wallers performance way out of proportion, that your views are just warped. did he show us anything besides an extremely routine catch, some exterior blocking, and some solid top end speed? no, he didnt. those are the 3 things he was able to show us, nothing more. 

 

EDIT: i just realized this is your first time chiming in, for some reason i thought i was arguing with the same person this whole time, if that seemed like a personal attack i totally didnt intend that lol

 

No worries, I said before I'm vested in Waller.

 

More than that the Raven's are vested in Waller, because we've got a bunch of never weres and a guy in his last year.  Plus a first round pick that is having trouble staying sound.

 

Waller should get his targets vs. Philly. We'll see.

[JoeyFlex5]

No worries, I said before I'm vested in Waller.

 

More than that the Raven's are vested in Waller, because we've got a bunch of never weres and a guy in his last year.  Plus a first round pick that is having trouble staying sound.

 

Waller should get his targets vs. Philly. We'll see.

oh i want waller to be good as much as anyone else, i understand just how bleak our future at wr looks and waller looks like our only answer to that. if campanaro can stay healthy i think he may be the more "talented" and he is the guy thats gonna give us a steady and reliable chain mover, but wallers ceiling is stupidly high and campanaro's just isnt, so obviously im hoping he pans out. 

 

i gotta admit though, while im tempering my expectations, i was pleasantly surprised, he looked alot more fluid than i thought and he truly is one big dude, hes not just tall and lanky, i mean he is BIG and he moves so well for his size, i just need to see those hands first. 

 

he could make devin funchess look like the reach of the century if he has ball skills.

[Sami84]

thats why QBs need to give waller the type of throws his size and athletic ability enable him to do. don't treat him like a regular WR...

[ravensfan160]

The thing with Waller to keep in mind is that while he didn't have many catches in college due to the offense they ran he should be a better blocker than your typical rookie WR. There is value in that and although he apparently hasn't played special teams before it should help make the transition to gunner a bit easier. I think he makes the team regardless but if he can be effective on special teams he could see playtime on offense this year.

[redrum52]

very bold statements my friend.

im not a huge marlon brown fan and im ready to move on from his hype train but the only guys on that list i would be comfortable with right now over marlon would be aiken, everything else is nothing but media hype at this point

I trust Camp.

When he's on the field. So far, the most reliable guys from that list are Aiken and Brown, as far as durability. As far as value and talent, I think Camp is up there if he can stay healthy, which seems like a big if.

Would love to keep Waller. Can't teach size and speed, and seems to catch on quickly. PerRoman has a spot regardless. Wouldn't mind seeing them rest SSS and letting Aiken, Butler and Waller start with the ones. Seemed to hold his block wells, but routes could still usee work, which will come with reps.

Edited August 18, 2015 by redrum52

[Ravenseconbeast]

I trust Camp.

When he's on the field. So far, the most reliable guys from that list are Aiken and Brown, as far as durability. As far as value and talent, I think Camp is up there if he can stay healthy, which seems like a big if.

Would love to keep Waller. Can't teach size and speed, and seems to catch on quickly. PerRoman has a spot regardless. Wouldn't mind seeing them rest SSS and letting Aiken, Butler and Waller start with the ones. Seemed to hold his block wells, but routes could still usee work, which will come with reps.

 

Camp = Amendola 2.0

[cushrinada1986]

I trust Camp.

When he's on the field. So far, the most reliable guys from that list are Aiken and Brown, as far as durability. As far as value and talent, I think Camp is up there if he can stay healthy, which seems like a big if.

Would love to keep Waller. Can't teach size and speed, and seems to catch on quickly. PerRoman has a spot regardless. Wouldn't mind seeing them rest SSS and letting Aiken, Butler and Waller start with the ones. Seemed to hold his block wells, but routes could still usee work, which will come with reps.

His release is crazy though, did you see how he just bullied his way past some of those CB's? Unless you have a big Jimmy sized corner on him, I can see Waller doing to small DB's the same Funches or Benjamin do now to DB's. May also force coverage on to his side, allowing Max and Perrimen to do their thing...

[Blackbirds Rule]

His release is crazy though, did you see how he just bullied his way past some of those CB's? Unless you have a big Jimmy sized corner on him, I can see Waller doing to small DB's the same Funches or Benjamin do now to DB's. May also force coverage on to his side, allowing Max and Perrimen to do their thing...

I would so love teams forcing coverage over to Waller's side allowing Perriman to have 1 on 1 coverage. Flacco would drool at such a sight.

[DomMcRaven]

I would so love teams forcing coverage over to Waller's side allowing Perriman to have 1 on 1 coverage. Flacco would drool at such a sight.

And when you have a beast like Flacco who would drool at such a sight, it's time to feast.

[usmccharles]

I would so love teams forcing coverage over to Waller's side allowing Perriman to have 1 on 1 coverage. Flacco would drool at such a sight.

 

I cant wait to see how BP tracks the ball, with one on ones he will see a lot of them. Hopefully him and Joe can get on the same page

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Waller could be our version of Calvin Johnson. Put him through the route tree with Joe, see if this big target doesnt become a Flacco favorite. Forget what round he was drafted, anybody remember what round Jerry Rice was drafted?