Post draft Expectations

[Edgar]

I expect the ravens to go out and get a cornerback who can play opposite Jimmy Smith on the outside. Either that or someone like Melvin or Walker can win that job. A tall order considering their respective experience.

I watched the win over Pittsburgh again last night, and though it filled me with inexplicable joy all over again I noticed something I hadn't before: Webb got destroyed all night by Martavius Bryant.

I don't think he can hold up on the outside and I am certain that Pittsburgh is hoping they see that matchup again.

It could be a situation where Ozzie is willing to give up draft picks in a trade for a player but I don't think he will do it. It will have to be someone on the waiver wire or ideally a situation where Melvin or someone else wins that job.

[3-4ravdef509]

I think Flacco has a career year with Trestmans offense. I see Perriman starting oopposite SSS on day 1 and leading the receiving core in TDs and yards as Smith will probably have a smaller role this year.

 

 

We say this, along with the "He's gotta hit 4,000 yards", every year. 

 

He might have a terrible year. Get him to the post season, that's this team's goal. I just don't think he's the type of quarterback, nor or were the type of team to make Flacco has a gaudy statistical year. Last year is probably the peak of what his yearly numbers will forever look like year to year.

 

That's not me knocking him...just tired of the year to year let down hopes.

 

Would love to be wrong about this. 

[Purple_City39]

Expectations are simple.  2015 AFC North division champions.  If this team can stay relatively healthy in the secondary at at key offensive positions like QB and WR, we'll win the division.  The o-line, RBs, and even TEs can take a hit or two imo, the d-line can probably take 3 (although I pray we stay all around healthy).  The secondary, WR, and QB positions will determine how we do imo.  Stay healthy there and I can't imagine that we don't win the division

[3-4ravdef509]

Expectations are simple.  2015 AFC North division champions.  If this team can stay relatively healthy in the secondary at at key offensive positions like QB and WR, we'll win the division.  The o-line, RBs, and even TEs can take a hit or two imo, the d-line can probably take 3 (although I pray we stay all around healthy).  The secondary, WR, and QB positions will determine how we do imo.  Stay healthy there and I can't imagine that we don't win the division

 

Pittsburgh, Cincinnati?

[allblackraven]

I'm done with tempering the expectations.

 

Our D is rock solid and after years of begging for the top attacking playmakers in the draft, we finally got our wishes come through. Great QB behind seriously good O line. Really nice depth on both sides to which couple of other pieces will be added before the season starts. Good mix of youth and experience, with a scale now tipping over to the youth side and that makes me particularly happy not because we got younger but because few of these youngsters are established stars already. Top-notch coaching staff. Future looks bright.

 

I have no reason to expect anything else but watching our boys deep into the playoffs.

[Cville-Raven]

Pittsburgh, Cincinnati?

What about em? Ben isn't putting up those numbers this year and the Pitt defense is still garbage. The ginger is still the QB in Cincy. We have as much of a chance as anyone else in the division.

[3-4ravdef509]

What about em? Ben isn't putting up those numbers this year and the Pitt defense is still garbage. The ginger is still the QB in Cincy. We have as much of a chance as anyone else in the division.

 

Different to say we have a good chance vs. what are expectations are. 

 

Cincy swept us last year. Pitt isn't a pushover.

[757RavensFan]

I expect three AFC teams to contend for the title baltimore, New England and pittsburgh Indy!

 

Fixed it for ya.

 

The x-factor on how we'll do IMO is Trestman.  If the offense doesn't take a step back from last season, the sky can be the limit for this team.  I would like to see how good this team can be with a healthy and synchronized secondary as well.

Edited May 6, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[ravensnick]

I'm done with tempering the expectations.

 

Our D is rock solid and after years of begging for the top attacking playmakers in the draft, we finally got our wishes come through. Great QB behind seriously good O line. Really nice depth on both sides to which couple of other pieces will be added before the season starts. Good mix of youth and experience, with a scale now tipping over to the youth side and that makes me particularly happy not because we got younger but because few of these youngsters are established stars already. Top-notch coaching staff. Future looks bright.

 

I have no reason to expect anything else but watching our boys deep into the playoffs.

I also feel the Browns are still going to be the Browns due to lack of QB play (it's gonna be worse without Hoyer this year), Cinny is going to still have an elite roster with Dalton holding them back, and I feel the Steelers have greatly regressed. I think the Worilds retirement is going to devastate them and their secondary is still really, really bad. No more Tricky Dick as well. 

[Ravenslifer]

Will Scoob and the gang find out who's haunting the old cotton candy factory? Find out next week.

 

My point was simply that there are absolutely no guarantees in a given NFL season.  IMO the 2011 team was much better defensively than the 2012 team, and there wasn't much difference on offense towards the end of the season.  The 2012 team lost like 3 of the last 4 games then went on to win the Superbowl.  In 2011 we were a broken pass from playing Eli Manning for a title.  In 2014 we had the Pats on the ropes before a major comeback.  In 2010 same thing with the Steelers.  You could make the argument that any one of those 4 teams should have played in the Superbowl, yet I think the one with the least balance and the most questions heading into the playoffs ended up with the title.  We have lacked a receiver with great hands for Joe the last 2 seasons with Pitta's injury - Torrey's mistake in the Pats game may not have happened if Pitta was on the field and Joe threw to him.  If Joe found Q in the endzone instead of Lee Evans, that could have been back to back Superbowls for us.  I'm not going to say one way or another that this team is a Superbowl contender until I see how they look in the month of December, and even then that may not hold true.  All I can reasonably expect is that this team make the playoffs, because the talent is there to do that.  

 

What I want to see happen is: A) A healthy Jimmy playing like he was last season, Breshad take the starting spot next to SSS, and C) either a healthy Dennis or Maxx taking the starting spot and excelling.  But I can't say any of those things will happen this year, and if none of them do I can't say it won't happen in the coming years.  There's just too many unknowns for me right now to say "yes, this is a great season."  I know the players we have currently give us the talent to do it, but many of them are raw and may have rookie lapses in judgement that cost us games.  The only thing I know for sure is that talent wise we match up with any team in the NFL.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Ravenslifer

[allblackraven]

I also feel the Browns are still going to be the Browns due to lack of QB play (it's gonna be worse without Hoyer this year), Cinny is going to still have an elite roster with Dalton holding them back, and I feel the Steelers have greatly regressed. I think the Worilds retirement is going to devastate them and their secondary is still really, really bad. No more Tricky Dick as well. 

Yeah, I wouldn't have much confidence in their D either but who knows... Maybe Dupree and Shazier light it up this year, although secondary is looking to be a big issue for them.

[Purple_City39]

Pittsburgh, Cincinnati?

2nd and 3rd in the division unless Cleveland surprises folks

[Ravenslifer]

Yeah, I wouldn't have much confidence in their D either but who knows... Maybe Dupree and Shazier light it up this year, although secondary is looking to be a big issue for them.

 

A more important question I think the Steelers have to answer is was LeBeau really an issue?  He was their D-coordininator for 11 years.  In 2003 before he go there they were 15th in defense.  During his run they finished 1st, 3rd, 11th, 2nd, 1st, 12th, 1st, 1st, 6th, 14th, 18th - he went on a pretty good run for someone who was supposedly "washed up".  And look at their draft picks - Ziggy Hood was a bust, Worlids good player but retired, Heyward, Jones, Shazier are all still young but the results don't look promising.  Not to mention a huge change was Kevin Colbert becoming GM in 2010 and I'm assuming being a major player in who they drafted.  Remember when they all wanted Bruce Arians out, and all he's done is won 30 games as interim coach of the Colts and HC of the Cardinals.  Now they've got a guy in Butler who's a first time DC - maybe he's a hidden gem, but he's still a rookie DC going up against OCs like Trestman and Jackson who've proven successful at this level.

[beasy2487]

Best comment I've ever seen on here. Well done. Well done.

 

Haha, thanks. Just having a little fun.

 

My point was simply that there are absolutely no guarantees in a given NFL season.  IMO the 2011 team was much better defensively than the 2012 team, and there wasn't much difference on offense towards the end of the season.  The 2012 team lost like 3 of the last 4 games then went on to win the Superbowl.  In 2011 we were a broken pass from playing Eli Manning for a title.  In 2014 we had the Pats on the ropes before a major comeback.  In 2010 same thing with the Steelers.  You could make the argument that any one of those 4 teams should have played in the Superbowl, yet I think the one with the least balance and the most questions heading into the playoffs ended up with the title.  We have lacked a receiver with great hands for Joe the last 2 seasons with Pitta's injury - Torrey's mistake in the Pats game may not have happened if Pitta was on the field and Joe threw to him.  If Joe found Q in the endzone instead of Lee Evans, that could have been back to back Superbowls for us.  I'm not going to say one way or another that this team is a Superbowl contender until I see how they look in the month of December, and even then that may not hold true.  All I can reasonably expect is that this team make the playoffs, because the talent is there to do that.  

 

What I want to see happen is: A) A healthy Jimmy playing like he was last season, Breshad take the starting spot next to SSS, and C) either a healthy Dennis or Maxx taking the starting spot and excelling.  But I can't say any of those things will happen this year, and if none of them do I can't say it won't happen in the coming years.  There's just too many unknowns for me right now to say "yes, this is a great season."  I know the players we have currently give us the talent to do it, but many of them are raw and may have rookie lapses in judgement that cost us games.  The only thing I know for sure is that talent wise we match up with any team in the NFL.

 

Jinkies, Shaggy! You'd think if Mr. Mackey didn't have any expectations,  he wouldn't be digging around in the expectations thread. I bet he's the ghost!

Edited May 6, 2015 by beasy2487

[3-4ravdef509]

2nd and 3rd in the division unless Cleveland surprises folks

 

 

Bold predictions towards a team we routinely struggle with that also swept us last year and another team that while might be down is loaded with playmakers and is a bitter rival that will always seek to destroy us.

 

I'm not saying it can't happen, but can and will are two different realities. I think we will more than likely split with Pitt, and Joe and the entire team always look like poop against the Bengals. I can recall I think two or maybe three good games Joe has had against them. Really, the Monday night opener was the only really good game he ever had against the Bengals, and he had one or two semi decent games against them his rookie year and one decent game in the 2011 closer.

 

I think we've won 1 game against them where Joe had a turnover, besides that I think whenever Joe turns the ball over against them we routinely lose.

[ravensfan160]

I think the story will be similar to recent years. We will be good but not great in the regular season while we build up steam and the offense gels with so many new pieces and a new coordinator. But we'll be at our best when it matters most playing deep into January.

[Edgar]

It would be nice to get a win against Cincinnati. They are not an easy out for us and pretty much have their way of late. We haven't been able to stop them at crunch time on defense and our offense performs sluggishly.

Have to change that. Our secondary will have to be the difference this year as the bengals do a good job of keeping dalton clean,getting the ball out quickly and minimizing our pressures by doing so.

[BmoreBird22]

I expect the ravens to go out and get a cornerback who can play opposite Jimmy Smith on the outside. Either that or someone like Melvin or Walker can win that job. A tall order considering their respective experience.

I watched the win over Pittsburgh again last night, and though it filled me with inexplicable joy all over again I noticed something I hadn't before: Webb got destroyed all night by Martavius Bryant.

I don't think he can hold up on the outside and I am certain that Pittsburgh is hoping they see that matchup again.

It could be a situation where Ozzie is willing to give up draft picks in a trade for a player but I don't think he will do it. It will have to be someone on the waiver wire or ideally a situation where Melvin or someone else wins that job.

I see a lot of the Ravens analysts saying that Webb played well down the stretch and I always want to be like, "No, it's more that Melvin was just worse." Webb just wasn't playing very well, at all.

[ravensfan160]

It would be nice to get a win against Cincinnati. They are not an easy out for us and pretty much have their way of late. We haven't been able to stop them at crunch time on defense and our offense performs sluggishly.

Have to change that. Our secondary will have to be the difference this year as the bengals do a good job of keeping dalton clean,getting the ball out quickly and minimizing our pressures by doing so.

Well last year we had both games but choked them away. Even so, I enjoy the fact that they do sort of have our number and yet we get further in the postseason than them every year.

[3-4ravdef509]

It would be nice to get a win against Cincinnati. They are not an easy out for us and pretty much have their way of late. We haven't been able to stop them at crunch time on defense and our offense performs sluggishly.

Have to change that. Our secondary will have to be the difference this year as the bengals do a good job of keeping dalton clean,getting the ball out quickly and minimizing our pressures by doing so.

 

There's two Joe Flacco's, good Joe Flacco and Bad Joe Flacco. Good Joe Flacco usually has a bye during Cincinnati week.

 

Although on the other side of that coin, the defense gave up 2 4th quarter leads to them last year, but still hard to put the majority of the blame on them. Flacco and the offense sucked it up for 6 quarters and then in the last quarter of each game, they turn it on but by then the defense is gassed,

 

Bengals and the Texans just bring out the worst in Flacco and the offense. It is what it is, maybe it'll change, but even Manning and Brady have opponents who seemingly just have their number. I think the Bills often give Brady fits, and the Jets used to and still occasionally do. Can't think of anyone for Manning but I'm sure there is. The Bengals and Texans just personnel and philosophically are a nightmare matchup for us, especially our offense. 

 

Luckily, come playoff time they choke and we rise up. But regular season time, I always bet on splitting with the Bengals or worse, and after last year, whoever is playing qb for the Texans doesn't make me feel better about playing them.

Edited May 6, 2015 by 3-4ravdef509

[January J]

We say this, along with the "He's gotta hit 4,000 yards", every year.

He might have a terrible year. Get him to the post season, that's this team's goal. I just don't think he's the type of quarterback, nor or were the type of team to make Flacco has a gaudy statistical year. Last year is probably the peak of what his yearly numbers will forever look like year to year.

That's not me knocking him...just tired of the year to year let down hopes.

Would love to be wrong about this.

you will be, with trestmans offense and our new additions - flaccos gonna air it out this year. He will too 4000 with ease. As long as he stays healthy - which is actually something I'm worried about , given how lucky we've been so far. Edited May 6, 2015 by January J

[Edgar]

There's two Joe Flacco's, good Joe Flacco and Bad Joe Flacco. Good Joe Flacco usually has a bye during Cincinnati week.

 

Although on the other side of that coin, the defense gave up 2 4th quarter leads to them last year, but still hard to put the majority of the blame on them. Flacco and the offense sucked it up for 6 quarters and then in the last quarter of each game, they turn it on but by then the defense is gassed,

 

Bengals and the Texans just bring out the worst in Flacco and the offense. It is what it is, maybe it'll change, but even Manning and Brady have opponents who seemingly just have their number. I think the Bills often give Brady fits, and the Jets used to and still occasionally do. Can't think of anyone for Manning but I'm sure there is. The Bengals and Texans just personnel and philosophically are a nightmare matchup for us, especially our offense. 

 

Luckily, come playoff time they choke and we rise up. But regular season time, I always bet on splitting with the Bengals or worse, and after last year, whoever is playing qb for the Texans doesn't make me feel better about playing them.[/quoTE

The bills may present a problem but they still lose. (Brady is 23-2 vs the bills)

I'm a little tired of the Ravens being stymied offensively and defensively by the bengals. It comes off as being unprepared,out schemed and out coached and there is almost no chance we win the division if we are swept again.

It's time to change some things philosophically when it comes to playing the bengals.

If a team has your number, it had better not be a team in your division. They seem to play with a certain confidence against us, both in Cincinnatti and here in Baltimore and that needs to stop.

[Edgar]

I see a lot of the Ravens analysts saying that Webb played well down the stretch and I always want to be like, "No, it's more that Melvin was just worse." Webb just wasn't playing very well, at all.

It's a problem with him on the outside going forward. He got out-everythinged by Bryant.

[Purple_City39]

Bold predictions towards a team we routinely struggle with that also swept us last year and another team that while might be down is loaded with playmakers and is a bitter rival that will always seek to destroy us.

 

I'm not saying it can't happen, but can and will are two different realities. I think we will more than likely split with Pitt, and Joe and the entire team always look like poop against the Bengals. I can recall I think two or maybe three good games Joe has had against them. Really, the Monday night opener was the only really good game he ever had against the Bengals, and he had one or two semi decent games against them his rookie year and one decent game in the 2011 closer.

 

I think we've won 1 game against them where Joe had a turnover, besides that I think whenever Joe turns the ball over against them we routinely lose.

That's great and all.  At one point it was said that Joe struggled against the Steelers with Ben.  Then Joe struggled against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.  Then Joe struggled against the Steelers in the playoffs.  Things change.

 

We've never had a draft for Joe where they actually got him weapons.  The Bengals aren't some great team but they do luck out against us regularly.  Take the two games last season (especially the Green bobble TD game winner).  We just need that edge to swing those games in our favor and I think this draft, and theirs, just swung it our way.

 

They Steelers we've been fine against for awhile.  They showed in the playoffs that all that firepower is useless if even one part is missing.  Their entire passing arsenal still struggled against our depleted defense @ home.

 

I don't think it's a bold prediction to say the team that's won the division in 2 of the past 4 seasons, gone further in the playoffs every season since 2011, and drafted the best will win the division in 2015.  Even if we go 1-1 against both of them, we'll still perform better against the remaining schedule than they will.  We won't get swept either.

[Purple_City39]

In terms of the Bengals, the Ravens record against them is telling

 

Before Joe got a deep threat in 2011, he was 3-3 against them. 

After joe got a deep threat in 2011, he has been 4-3 against them with 2 of those losses being last season in those last minute defensive collapses.  Even with the turnovers, with Joe actually having a deep threat on the team, the Ravens have faired better.

 

Keep in mind week 1 last season was the first time in a new offense, with new players, and a new o-line that hadn't gotten into sync at all (which we later saw).  Cincy is a good team but I just have no reason to believe we can't beat them.

 

Disclaimer: the 2012 regular season finally wasn't counted since Joe threw 8 passes on 1 or 2 drives before being pulled 

[52520Andrew]

The Ravens needed a good draft and I think they got one. Still concerned about that secondary depth as I am not sold on Jimmy and Webb both staying healthy all year but if they are healthy they are good. I will be curious to see how the front 7 does this year without Ngata, I have high hopes for Jernigan but Ngata was a guy who attracted a lot of attention to free up everyone else. I think we will have a good front 7 still but just how good it will be will be interesting to watch. I will be really interested to follow the WR and TE competition, I can't say I am optimistic about Pitta coming back but at least we have some weapons in place for Joe now if that is the case. I still have my concerns that I want to see resolved before the regular season starts but overall I am pretty optimistic about our chances.

[SeaHawk]

I don't see what the whole knock on Waller is. He has incredible hands, leaping ability, speed/size combo, that can and will make up for his raw route running. Not every tall receiver in the NFL can run routes like Megatron. Most of the time, what dooms those taller guys is lacking speed and/or hands. He has both. Waller will be good for us.

[izvoodoo]

The Ravens needed a good draft and I think they got one. Still concerned about that secondary depth as I am not sold on Jimmy and Webb both staying healthy all year but if they are healthy they are good. I will be curious to see how the front 7 does this year without Ngata, I have high hopes for Jernigan but Ngata was a guy who attracted a lot of attention to free up everyone else. I think we will have a good front 7 still but just how good it will be will be interesting to watch. I will be really interested to follow the WR and TE competition, I can't say I am optimistic about Pitta coming back but at least we have some weapons in place for Joe now if that is the case. I still have my concerns that I want to see resolved before the regular season starts but overall I am pretty optimistic about our chances.

Yeah, we seem one productive DT away from a really strong unit. 

[RavensFanMania]

Now that the draft is over and most of the value UFA have been signed what do you expect for the Ravens this year?

Super Bowl all the way.   In all seriousness I see us as a contender to atleast reach the AFC Championship game. 

[Purple_City39]

I don't see what the whole knock on Waller is. He has incredible hands, leaping ability, speed/size combo, that can and will make up for his raw route running. Not every tall receiver in the NFL can run routes like Megatron. Most of the time, what dooms those taller guys is lacking speed and/or hands. He has both. Waller will be good for us.

I agree with this.  Torrey made his living off speed alone as his hands were always questionable and his route running always bad, yet he was good for us.  Waller has speed (although less "quickness), much better hands, and he's huge.  If he gets just 2-4 deep attempts a game I think he'll do damage until he can improve his overall game.

 

Only thing is, he's a 6th rounder.  If he was 1st, 2nd, or 3rd you'd know for a fact he'd get chances.  He'll get a chance as a later round guy but he'll also be given up on quicker if it comes to that