Are we a top tier team now?

[Cillmatic]

It's obvious that the offense and defense has gotten MAJOR boasts this offseason. When you compare our team to the other top teams(Patriots,Seahawks,Broncos,Colts,Packers and Cardinals) I think we can beat all of them. The defense(The Birdcage) is now a top run stuffing unit and should be a top secondary unit and The offense should be elite with the receiver/tight ends and running game.

Edit:

Is there a team that outclasses us?

How do you view the schedule now?

Edited May 14, 2015 by Cillmatic

[VeiledPsychosis]

We weren't before?

[PaleoRaven]

You're bloody well right we are! We went surprisingly far last year with a team that wasn't this complete. I'm trying to temper my expectations, but it's hard!

[Inqui]

We may or may not be top three, five, seven or wherever you draw the line for "top tier". But we're built more for consistency than to be ridiculously good during any given year - so it's not quite apples to apples with teams like the Cardinals and especially the Broncos.

[Ravens4Real]

I'll comment on this after week 17 of the season. I can't remember the last time we made it to the playoffs where it didn't come down to one of the last two weeks.

It would be nice to clinch a spot in week 12 like the Patriots somehow seem to do every year.

[Cville-Raven]

Best looking roster since 2011, thats about as far as I'll go. 

[Maryland]

I think our weakest spot on the team is pass rush depth. If Doom or Suggs get hurt or regress, it'll put a lot of stress on the secondary. We're going to miss McPhee. 

 

That said, I think we should be favorites to win the division. From there, anything goes. 

[JoeyFlex5]

on paper we look better than what we ended with last season. 

 

someone above me said we look to be built for consistency rather than single season dominance, ill agree with that 100%. as long as we keep joe flacco on his feet, dont turn the ball over, and play strong in the trenches, we will make the playoffs, over and over, and in any given postseason we can get hot, and we all know that when the ravens get hot in january we are as dangerous a team as anyone else. a healthy ravens team will make the playoffs with middle of the pack stats, but all it takes is a spark in chemistry between the right couple of players and suddenly we are looking at a chance at a SB appearance, this year is no different than the rest of them. 

 

TLDR; yes we are a top tier team, simply because the rest of the league shudders at the thought of facing us in january even with a injury riddled roster, with a healthy roster we will be the most feared team in the playoffs.

[hawkprey]

Here's what's arguably stopped the Ravens from appearing in 4 of the last 5 Super Bowls:

 

2010: Webb's punt return TD not called back OR Boldin and Housh don't drop their Endzone/4th down catches, respectively.

 

2011: Lee Evans.

 

2014: Edelman's fumble is recovered by a Raven. (By him fumbling in Pats territory, we either score a TD or kick a FG and can kick a FG at the end to win it. The Pats scored as many points as possible after this occurred.)

 

So yes, I feel like we should be considered one of the best teams going into this season.

Edited May 14, 2015 by hawkprey

[codizzle]

I think our weakest spot on the team is pass rush depth. If Doom or Suggs get hurt or regress, it'll put a lot of stress on the secondary. We're going to miss McPhee.

That said, I think we should be favorites to win the division. From there, anything goes.

This is exactly what I was gonna post..

Suggs/doom can't get injured this year or defense will face some problems

Overall though yes this team is very well balanced as long as the guys who should be helathy are

And if pitta actually plays?!?!? Then yea top 5 team easily

[Gordo52]

Best looking roster since 2011, thats about as far as I'll go.

Agreed....

Was going to post that, on paper, (assuming young guys progress and we don't have the injury bug again,) this looks like one of our most balanced teams in the Flacco/Harbs era.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Gordo52

[AsianRice]

I think Joe and John Harbs will have their own legacy, starting from 2015.  I can't wait to witness the event....

[RavensNation14]

I think if the Ravens can get into the playoffs this year they will be considered a top tier team. Not only does Flacco have completely new weapons on offense, but another OC. He's lost Pitta, Torrey, Ray Rice, and Boldin since our SB run and our team looks extremely similar this year. I think it really depends on how well the rookies are going to handle how much is thrown at them and if they can step up. Perriman is expected to put up 50+ catches and around 6-7 TD's and Williams should see about 40-50 catches and 5 TD's. We have a dominant O-line, quality running backs, great ST's, and a dominant defense, but I'm not sure we will click on offense immediately as far as the passing game. 

[The Mom Gene]

I think our weakest spot on the team is pass rush depth. If Doom or Suggs get hurt or regress, it'll put a lot of stress on the secondary. We're going to miss McPhee. 

 

That said, I think we should be favorites to win the division. From there, anything goes. 

I think that's why we brought in Za'Darius...  We do have Upshaw too. Remember that Schmack on Big Ben last year.

[Gordo52]

We got a lot of new faces though so I'm trying to keep my expectations in check...It wouldn't surprise me to see us struggle at some points with team chemistry and growing pains.

I'm optimistic but you gotta remember we have a new OC, unproven/rookie receivers. On defense, as covered above, the pass rush might be shaky. Not the greatest depth for DB's or LB's neither.

Ozzie still isn't done adding pieces so the roster isn't complete yet, but I can see us catching fire towards the end of the year and being that dark horse road team nobody wants to play. I want some home playoff games but I much rather us be hot and healthy...

My way too early prediction is Ravens @ Colts in AFCC, Ravens over Pack in SB.

[The Mom Gene]

I think if the Ravens can get into the playoffs this year they will be considered a top tier team. Not only does Flacco have completely new weapons on offense, but another OC. He's lost Pitta, Torrey, Ray Rice, and Boldin since our SB run and our team looks extremely similar this year. I think it really depends on how well the rookies are going to handle how much is thrown at them and if they can step up. Perriman is expected to put up 50+ catches and around 6-7 TD's and Williams should see about 40-50 catches and 5 TD's. We have a dominant O-line, quality running backs, great ST's, and a dominant defense, but I'm not sure we will click on offense immediately as far as the passing game. 

B E L I E V E!

[JoeyFlex5]

i think people may be putting too much stock into maxx williams. i am ecstatic about the pick and i think he'll become a top flight pro bowl TE, but he doesnt have the luxury of great speed or size to give him something to lean on while he adjusts to the pro game mentally and technically. i think he has about 30-35 catches as a rookie and ill give him 4 td's, and i think he makes a major leap in year 2 doubling his production. TE is a tough position to learn in the nfl

[reed20]

Here's what's arguably stopped the Ravens from appearing in 4 of the last 5 Super Bowls:

 

2010: Webb's punt return TD not called back OR Boldin and Housh don't drop their Endzone/4th down catches, respectively.

 

2011: Lee Evans.

 

2014: Edelman's fumble is recovered by a Raven. (By him fumbling in Pats territory, we either score a TD or kick a FG and can kick a FG at the end to win it. The Pats scored as many points as possible after this occurred.)

 

So yes, I feel like we should be considered one of the best teams going into this season.

Not that I disagree with us being a top tier team because I feel like we've been one for a while now but you can make these lists for a lot of teams. One or two plays really change games.

[Tank 92]

Love the optimism, but too many unknowns right now to get giddy.

[hawkprey]

Not that I disagree with us being a top tier team because I feel like we've been one for a while now but you can make these lists for a lot of teams. One or two plays really change games.

Yes, namely New England, Denver, Seattle and Green Bay. All of which are consensus "top tier teams" (except for possibly Manning's declining ability).

[flynismo]

"Now"? You mean we weren't before?

[gabefergy]

We already were, but if we are comparing rosters I'm not sure any team is more balanced or has more overall talent. Maybe Seattle, but they have some concerns at OL, WR, and secondary depth. This Ravens roster has no glaring weakness that most teams have.

Edited May 15, 2015 by gabefergy

[ellicottraven]

I don't know what your top tier is unless you clearly define it, but the Ravens surely are a team that is difficult to beat by any other team. At home I can safely say we are close to unbeatable and I believe we can easily win 40-70% of road games.

 

The challenge is going to be the west coast games where our talent is going to be tested by time change, but all in all, I feel like we are a team that can easily make the playoffs. Like always when the Ravens get to the playoffs, they make noise!

[stampedehero]

I really like this roster.  All of us in here respect the decisions made. Unfortunately many sports channels are biased against the Baltimore Ravens team and it started in SB35 continued with Ray Lewis,Joe Flacco's elite title, Ray Rice controversy and the fact that we always play the Pats with Brady at the helm. I believe in what I see and you all feel loyalty to a great top tier team. Still, the bias of the sports netwoorks is spoon fed to the general public every year.     

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

We never stopped being a "Top Tier Team"

[mmcclend]

Where has this guy been? Am I on the Ravens board? Sarcasm.

[Maryland]

It's amazing what a strong draft can do. That 2014 draft might end up giving us 9 to 10 solid contributors for the next few years. 

 

Mosley 

Jernigan 

Brooks

Gillmore

Urban 

Taliaferro

Urschel 

Camp

Hurst 

Orr on spec. teams

 

I think they'll reap 3 starters in Mosley, Jernigan, and Urschel in a year or two; I'm bullish on Camp, I think he'll be an athletic slot guy to rival the likes of Welker or Edelman; everyone else looks like decent backup material at the very least. Urban is a mystery prize, since this is his redshirt rookie season.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Look I think that we are a top team and have as good a shot at winning a Super Bowl this year as anyone else...

We have young talent and potential just pouring out of the depth chart. If our picks and stashed/injured returning projects pan out we will have the deepest, most complete team in the NFL and will have achieved that status with youth everywhere. Sets up well for another 5 years of constant contention.

BUT we do have to be honest with ourselves and admit that a lot of this is contingent upon unproven commodities achieving their potential. In theory Maxx, Breshad and Waller should really upgrade the offense. But if none are ready to contribute or even worse if they don't pan out then were actually pretty devoid of talent at TE and receiver.

Our dline could be a monster... Or it could be average if Jernigan hits a sophomore slump and Urban, KLM, Davis and Za'Darius aren't ready.

If Webb and Jimmy don't make full recoveries our secondary is still a mess.

We have yet to see if the Oline last year can replicate their success without Kubiak and his system here.

Forsett has had one good NFL season.

So a lot of questions have to be answered positively for us to be what has us all salivating. A LOT if I'm honest. So it's not exactly a foregone conclusion.

But I am confident that most of these question marks won't be issues. I believe we have the coaching staff to develop the insane amount of talent we've stockpiled. I believe Ozzie and co have done a great job of selecting talented players with the right DNA to limit the possibility of failing or busting. They're guys with the right mindset and work ethic to reach their ceiling. And I believe we have the right veteran leadership to pull it all together and take us deep.

So I'm on board and I believe. Just think some are anointing Breshad and Maxx as pro bowlers out the gate and ignoring the fact that we lost the best OC we've ever had.

[Underdogsontop!]

1 week at a time, Us @ mile high will set the the tone. The rest will be history! Nah jus playing..... We got a good team on paper, but to translate on the field? A lot has to gel which I think it will, it'll just take a lil time. Figure we got another new OC, lost some key players and added some that need to answer. I hope we continue to develop leaders and voices to give a sense of direction, the rest of the stuff that look good on paper will fall into place! We will get to where we want to be, it just depends on the new faces of the ravens franchise and how the pull it together. Either way I'm Ravens all day and will be at the 9ers new stadium when we come stomping in and take their lunch money! Lol my brother is a 9er fan.....

[sflegend89]

I think our weakest spot on the team is pass rush depth. If Doom or Suggs get hurt or regress, it'll put a lot of stress on the secondary. We're going to miss McPhee. 

 

That said, I think we should be favorites to win the division. From there, anything goes. 

 

I think Upshaw will play at a high level, especially being in a contract year. Definitely made strides as a pass rusher last year and could potentially get even better heading into this season. Za'Darius Smith is still a question mark as far as his pass rushing effectiveness in his rookie year but he certainly has all the tools to at least moderately replace McPhee from the jump and that's really all we need out of him with the improved secondary.