[News] Late For Work 6/5: Ravens Respond To Marc Trestman's Crash Course With Minimal Mistakes

[BR News]

Harbs thinks Forsett has future in coaching. Upshaw key to franchise. Can’t afford Osemele and Yanda.

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[reed20fence]

Could someone on BR.com do an article on the meaning of the little patches on the practice jerseys of the players? The ones on the left side of their jerseys. I'm sure they mean something. Anyone else wonder what those are? One looks like an arm holding a hammer or weight or something.

Edited June 5, 2015 by reed20fence

[757RavensFan]

I really like how Trestman is putting his own flavor on "Kube's Offense".

Playing against Kubiak the 1st game of the season, we would be foolish not to switch it up. 

[reed20fence]

I'm sure it's not on purpose but we keep forgetting to mention Juszczyk along with the TEs. The guy isn't just Vontae Leach's successor, he's an H-back and plays a healthy dose as a TE as well.

Boyle is another one of those guys that with his 270lb frame would work great in a Kubiak-type, TE friendly scheme, But if he can run routes and master the block and release routes like TEs in Kubiak's offense were coached to do he could be another lethal weapon for us. There's nothing more psychologically confusing in man coverage for a defender than to have to sit there and wait and guess whether your guy is truly helping to block a downlineman or whether he's just pretending and testing your patience and discipline and is gonna suddenly release downfield or into the flat and gash you for 10 here, 13 there etc.

Edited June 5, 2015 by reed20fence

[salamander]

Justin Forsett's response to why a NFL player would be looking for a deal on commercial flights is PERFECT..... "because I won't be in the NFL forever". I recall an article way before the big contract saying that Justin liked going out to dinner at Chipotle. Glad to see his attitude has stayed down to earth and frugal. Too many stories out there of pro athletes going broke after blowing their fortunes. Justin would make a terrific coach just in case a ministry gig doesn't pan out. Would love it if Justin found a way to work in some capacity for the Ravens. He's one fine player and a gem of a human being.

Edited June 5, 2015 by salamander

[bioLarzen]

I can't really imagine a universe in which Sizzle wouldn't make a great coach.

[boldtown]

i can see it going to be hard for the coach to get down and make the final cut. even deciding the the practice squad seem like it will be tough.

[Purpleghost23]

KO is big for us but Yanda is bigger...lets see what happens, but lets just enjoy the moment.

[bioLarzen]

Could someone on BR.com do an article on the meaning of the little patches on the practice jerseys of the players? The ones on the left side of their jerseys. I'm sure they mean something. Anyone else wonder what those are? One looks like an arm holding a hammer or weight or something.

 

Yeah, this we've been asking for some time now - just about every pre-season. There have been guesses, and some of the patches are more or less straightforward (super bowl titles or appearances, playoff-appearances, championship games etc...) - but what all of them mean... it's never been clarified, as far as I know.

[bioLarzen]

Justin Forsett's response to why an NFL player would be looking for a deal on commercial flights is PERFECT..... "because I won't be in the NFL forever". I recall before his big contract an article that Justin liked going out to dinner at Chipotle. Glad to see his attitude has stayed down to earth and frugal. Too many stories out there of pro athletes going broke after blowing their fortunes. Justin would make a terrific coach just in case a ministry gig doesn't pan out. Would love it if Justin found a way to work in some capacity for the Ravens. He's one fine player and a gem of a human being.

 

I read a couple of weeks back something like third of the NFL-players go bankrupt within three years after getting out of the league... So yes, Forsett's attitude makes perfect sense.

[stixfix69]

KO plays like a D-lineman, he is straight up nasty, really would love for Oz to use his wizardry and find a way to keep them both.....

[ellicottraven]

Justin Forsett is like the little "Buddha"! Wise and humble!

[Purpleghost23]

Could someone on BR.com do an article on the meaning of the little patches on the practice jerseys of the players? The ones on the left side of their jerseys. I'm sure they mean something. Anyone else wonder what those are? One looks like an arm holding a hammer or weight or something.

yeah man, me too...i always wanted to know what they mean, i know it must be personal acoolades with the team, like for example, lewis has a lot of those ones....another i just watched justin forsett interview and now he has one arm with a lombardy, i think it represents one year with the ravens, if you pay attention, new guys dont have nothing on their jerseys. But yeah it will be fun to have an article explaining each symbol.

[RavenManiac#7]

It's really disappointing to have to come to the realization of how unlikely it is that we will have both Yanda and KO lining up together beyond this upcoming season. Wow, the best Guard tandom in the NFL disintegrates when this season ends. What a bummer. I will readily admit that I am not a typical man, because I will tell anyone who wants to listen that money is not Nearly the most important thing to me in this world. In fact, I will go so far as to say that I very strongly believe that man's love for it can be a very dangerous thing. But, to the subject at hand, Yanda and KO, I would ask, just how many millions of dollars does it take for either one of them to be happy with their life? Isn't there Anything else that matters? How much money does it take for a man to feel secure that he has enough to adequately provide for his family? Especially in Yanda's situation, is there any value to him to want to be a part, a valuable part actually, of a perennially successful contender for the SB? Yes, he undoubtedly could find an opportunity to make a few more million dollars elsewhere, but does he place any value on the comradories and friendships he has developed with his fellow teammates as they fought together in the trenches in their efforts to win the ultimate prize, the Lombardi Trophy? And uprooting his family, leaving friends behind, aren't these things maybe worth a few million here or there? Yanda is already a millionaire and, no doubt, the Ravens Will be offering him at least a somewhat competitive offer. Isn't finishing his career with the same team that drafted him worth something? Or, is the almighty dollar Truly the Only thing that matters? At some point in the next year we will, most likely, find some answers to those questions. Now, KO, is in a slightly different situation. He is coming to the end of his rookie contract and is about to cash in on his first BIG payday. He doesn't have as much history with the Ravens or his teammates as Yanda has. His desire to get as much money as he can will probably be greater. With him, I can understand a little better that the answer to those questions perhaps won't be weighed down as much as I would hope those considerations might be for Yanda. Who knows how this will all play out. Perhaps, all the stars will almost miraculously line up in such a way that both Yanda and KO remain Ravens. Maybe, just maybe, Joe will want to win so much, and have the great pass protection that having the pair of them stay might offer, that he might make some additional money available with his own extension negotiations. And maybe, just maybe, Yanda might be willing to take a few million less to stay put. And perhaps, just perhaps, that might make enough money available to satisfy KO's desire to cash in with his big payday. Yeah, maybe all that could happen. But, you know what? I think man's love of money will definitely get in the way of making that happen. To me, it's really a shame, because I know, without any doubt whatsoever, that we're talking about three men who either already are or are about to be (in KO's instance) incredibly wealthy men by anyone's standard. Now, I realize that I am looking at all this from a fan's perspective and, as I already admitted, one who does not hold money in such high regard as most people do. I have learned over many years that the old saying that money can't buy happiness actually really IS true. But, I still wonder, just how many millions does it take to make the people who Do love money happy. I doubt that I'll ever know the answer to that question.

[reed20fence]

I can totally get why someone wouldn't necessarily want to be a coach. For a majority of the year you are working insane hours. You really have to have a family situation that's amenable to being a coach. Aside from that, like Forsett admited, you have to really really enjoy reviewing hours upon hours to tape and noticing little minutae of guys techniques and flaws and opponents tendencies etc. You invest years in coaching young men into all-stars, only to have them move on and do great things for someone else, which is probably fulfilling, but also tragic in a way.

It may be exciting for most of us for a few days. Being surrounded by celebrity atheletes all prepping to play a childs game... and get paid to do it. But I bet it would burn most people out really quickly.

[reed20fence]

RavenManiac#7:

It's really disappointing to have to come to the realization of how unlikely it is that we will have both Yanda and KO lining up together beyond this upcoming season....

I see the money situation the other way. People tend to think that if a player makes an extra 4 or 5 million, they'll blow it away on throwing lavish parties or buying lamborghinis and be broke within 5 years. Not all of these guys are like that. Many of these guys get that the limited window they have in this life for large earning potential is fleeting and they have the possibility to alter their family's life for generations to come. To many people an extra 150k is a college trust allotment for their siblings or children, or if they're really mature, their grandchildren and beyond. They can set their loved ones up for life. They can ensure a comfertable retirement for their parents and themselves. They can really build up charitable causes they feel very deeply about.

It's not all about chasing a few extra bucks and being selfish.

[edreed2o]

I can't really imagine a universe in which Sizzle wouldn't make a great coach.

I live sizz, I really do but he has alot of drama in his personal life. I know someone who works with the ravens and he knows alot about the players. Sizzle's personality and personal life would not fit well with being an NFL coach. If you were being sarcastic, then ignore.

[bioLarzen]

I live sizz, I really do but he has alot of drama in his personal life. I know someone who works with the ravens and he knows alot about the players. Sizzle's personality and personal life would not fit well with being an NFL coach. If you were being sarcastic, then ignore.

 

Well, I must admit I'm not following his personal life, so you might easily be true.

 

.. and, to be totally honest, I don't see him as a coach either - I guess he's gonna go on with his movie making carreer once he hangs up his cleats.

[stixfix69]

Would love to see RL52 and Reed coaching us......A guy can dream right???....

[The Negotiator]

This is off topic but I want to personally thank Steve B, Ozzie, and the rest of the organisation from top to bottom. The owner and front office dose everything to put a winning product on the field. I am a season ticket holder for 16 year and can't ask for anything more. I wish the Orioles down the street could adapt the mindset on what it takes to win and to have the will to win. The excuses by the Orioles just aren't found. Baltimore is not a small market and the Ravens have proved that. It starts at the top, you have to want to win. Steve B thank you for everything and we are truly blessed to have a team that you have given us because clearly we know what its like not to. Thank You

[January J]

It's really disappointing to have to come to the realization of how unlikely it is that we will have both Yanda and KO lining up together beyond this upcoming season. Wow, the best Guard tandom in the NFL disintegrates when this season ends. What a bummer. I will readily admit that I am not a typical man, because I will tell anyone who wants to listen that money is not Nearly the most important thing to me in this world. In fact, I will go so far as to say that I very strongly believe that man's love for it can be a very dangerous thing. But, to the subject at hand, Yanda and KO, I would ask, just how many millions of dollars does it take for either one of them to be happy with their life? Isn't there Anything else that matters? How much money does it take for a man to feel secure that he has enough to adequately provide for his family? Especially in Yanda's situation, is there any value to him to want to be a part, a valuable part actually, of a perennially successful contender for the SB? Yes, he undoubtedly could find an opportunity to make a few more million dollars elsewhere, but does he place any value on the comradories and friendships he has developed with his fellow teammates as they fought together in the trenches in their efforts to win the ultimate prize, the Lombardi Trophy? And uprooting his family, leaving friends behind, aren't these things maybe worth a few million here or there? Yanda is already a millionaire and, no doubt, the Ravens Will be offering him at least a somewhat competitive offer. Isn't finishing his career with the same team that drafted him worth something? Or, is the almighty dollar Truly the Only thing that matters? At some point in the next year we will, most likely, find some answers to those questions. Now, KO, is in a slightly different situation. He is coming to the end of his rookie contract and is about to cash in on his first BIG payday. He doesn't have as much history with the Ravens or his teammates as Yanda has. His desire to get as much money as he can will probably be greater. With him, I can understand a little better that the answer to those questions perhaps won't be weighed down as much as I would hope those considerations might be for Yanda. Who knows how this will all play out. Perhaps, all the stars will almost miraculously line up in such a way that both Yanda and KO remain Ravens. Maybe, just maybe, Joe will want to win so much, and have the great pass protection that having the pair of them stay might offer, that he might make some additional money available with his own extension negotiations. And maybe, just maybe, Yanda might be willing to take a few million less to stay put. And perhaps, just perhaps, that might make enough money available to satisfy KO's desire to cash in with his big payday. Yeah, maybe all that could happen. But, you know what? I think man's love of money will definitely get in the way of making that happen. To me, it's really a shame, because I know, without any doubt whatsoever, that we're talking about three men who either already are or are about to be (in KO's instance) incredibly wealthy men by anyone's standard. Now, I realize that I am looking at all this from a fan's perspective and, as I already admitted, one who does not hold money in such high regard as most people do. I have learned over many years that the old saying that money can't buy happiness actually really IS true. But, I still wonder, just how many millions does it take to make the people who Do love money happy. I doubt that I'll ever know the answer to that question.

didnt we just get finished talking about how forsett said he wont be in the nfl forever? im sure money isnt everything to these guys- they have families to take care of not only now but when they are not around anymore. and either way, dont you think all of those questions you just asked have ran through their heads? or maybe they really do only care about money. to each his own, you cant knock a guy for getting paid. we are fans and we have our favorites that we hope will be loyal to the team we love- but in the end  this really is their JOB.

[huntrgathrr]

I think Joe restructures so that we can keep Yanda and Osemele. If Joe was smart he would pay them under the table!The reason they are waiting to do anything is first, do we win the SB this year and second how will we restructure Joe. Gaurantee Joe will be very flexible if it's to keep his O line together.

[January J]

I think Joe restructures so that we can keep Yanda and Osemele. If Joe was smart he would pay them under the table!The reason they are waiting to do anything is first, do we win the SB this year and second how will we restructure Joe. Gaurantee Joe will be very flexible if it's to keep his O line together

not sure if he would or not, but i know he definitely hopes both of them stay. after all , alot of his success depends on them.

[fusuymada]

We are definitely putting a franchise tag on Tucker, I don't see why we don't tag Yanda and work on keeping KO. We are allowed to tag two people for up to two years. In two years, who knows, maybe Yanda will be ready to sign by then. If not, then we have both under contract in case one goes down. Hate to think of it, but it is a reality and Yanda has been fighting injuries the last two years (and is still great).

[reed20fence]

We're obviously gonna go with Yanda. He's only 30 and if he signs an extension to play til 34, you know he'll play every game until 34. Osemele deserves to and will get paid, but it's not the end of the world if he walks. People cried Henny Penny when Grubbs walked and we plugged Jah Reid in, and then slid Osemele over to left guard. It turned out just fine. There's probably guys on this team like Myers that'll turn out to be complete freaks at the guard position once their coached up. Just relax.

[VeiledPsychosis]

Never count Ozzie out, I won't be surprised if both Yanda and Osemele are re-signed. Couple years back we thought we couldn't keep Monroe and Pitta but Ozzie pulled it off. Not to mention we'll have lots of cap next offseason when all this dead cap is gone.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I hope the resign Yanda soon then move onto Tucker.

[Dooley King]

Am I the only person that thinks its a better business move to resign Osemele, the guy is 24 years old and Yanda will be 32 next year. I love Yanda more than anyone but purely speaking about business, Osemele should be the priority.

[reed20fence]

We are definitely putting a franchise tag on Tucker, I don't see why we don't tag Yanda and work on keeping KO. We are allowed to tag two people for up to two years. In two years, who knows, maybe Yanda will be ready to sign by then. If not, then we have both under contract in case one goes down. Hate to think of it, but it is a reality and Yanda has been fighting injuries the last two years (and is still great).

Tagging an o-lineman costs like 13mm a year. That's hard to swallow considering the current highest paid left and right guards, Mankins and Yanda, get closer to 8-9mm a year. You'd be wasting a good 5 million by tagging a guard for a year. Not to mention players generally don't like being tagged. Given them cash up front as a bonus and spread the damage out with their salary to lessen your own cap hit and afford other players.

[rmcjacket23]

We are definitely putting a franchise tag on Tucker, I don't see why we don't tag Yanda and work on keeping KO. We are allowed to tag two people for up to two years. In two years, who knows, maybe Yanda will be ready to sign by then. If not, then we have both under contract in case one goes down. Hate to think of it, but it is a reality and Yanda has been fighting injuries the last two years (and is still great).

1. You can't assign two franchise tags. You can only use one, so you'd have to pick a player to use it on. Using it on Tucker makes plenty of sense if no deal is reached.

 

2. Tagging either Yanda or Osemele isn't an option. There is no difference in offensive lineman from a franchise tag perspective, so you're basically paying a guard LT money, which is absurd and no team will realistically do that. This past year the franchise tag for an OL was $12.9M, and it will likely increase to over $13M next season.

 

There isn't a single offensive lineman in the league outside of a LT who is worth that much, and I'd argue no LT is worth that either. In fact, I don't even think Yanda + Osemele TOGETHER are worth $13M a year, and I don't think the Ravens think that either. We have a pretty incredible track record of taking mid-round picks and turning them into highly productive interior OL, and I think the FO knows this, which is why they are likely going to be willing to let one of them walk.

 

In short, franchise tag is not an option. The only player on our team that I could see getting a franchise tag next season is Tucker.