[News] Late For Work 6/25: Ravens Graded For Offseason Moves

[BR News]

Five players who need to show more. Ravens-Steelers Week 4 meeting gets even more interesting.

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[Ravens07]

I still think Zach Orr could be the next Jameel McClain/Dannell Ellerbe.

[MDpgRaven]

Wow in 16 games the Ravens held the Bus to 60 yards a game and only 2 touchdowns! That's amazing I wouldn't have guess that

[salamander]

Glad the purple shades came off a bit to review a few players where they need to get better. Although I would love it if every player was doing great or dominating so far, it isn't realistic. I appreciate knowing what areas the players need to improve upon. So many articles, pressers and clips focus on the successes, which is great, but I am often curious about getting a more balanced view, including the imperfections and specifically on where we have the most needs for growth. Ravens have a great group of young talent to watch develop.

Edited June 25, 2015 by salamander

[Tenacious Faulker]

RE: Jerome Bettis - Intersting to see Bettis' stat line against the Ravens - 16 GAMES, 969YDS and 2TDs. That's about 60 yards a game and a sub-1000yd season. The 2 TDs paint an even uglier picture for him vs Bmore. If they're trying to fuel the rivalry or intimidate us, you'd think they'd honor a guy that did better against this team than that. Instead they should honor him in week 1 when they need a running back against the Patriots - maybe even ask him to play in place of LeVeon Bell.

[Ravensfansince03]

Take Note - Terrell Suggs is our last remaining Raven from our hay day. I'll really be praising him this season. Blessings for such a great career thus far.

[RavenManiac#7]

For what it's worth, which I realize is nothing, I think the Ravens (Ozzie, that is) had a just Awesome off-season. It wouldn't surprise me to see the secondary improve in one year just as much as the OL did when it needed redone. Zach Orr is showing why the team chose him over John Simon during the final cuts, which surprised me quite a bit at the time. Now about Arthur Brown, I can't help but be extremely disappointed in what he has shown, which is very little. Remember now, this is a guy we moved up in the second round for and, at least at this point, I think we would have to consider a bust. I really hope that somehow he can do something to turn things around and justify Ozzie's opinion of him at the time of the draft. The fact that undrafted Zach Orr has, apparently, passed him on the depth chart does not bode well for him.

[Bob21043]

Agreed, I was surprised they went after Brown to begin with, and now with his lack of production over the last couple of years it's even more baffling/disappointing.Hope he can turn it around.

[Crusader]

Arthur Brown listed but no Matt Elam? I guess the worries about the secondary are over? Crank up the band and lets have a party!

[Bob21043]

Maybe because reports on Elam thus far have said he has made improvement. We'll see on the field, though (when it counts). Hope the reports are true.

[Crusader]

Are they the same reports when they selected him in the draft?

[Bob21043]

Hah! Let's hope not! He knows he's on his last go round after Ozzie's comments this offseason.

[respecttheRaven]

Are they the same reports when they selected him in the draft?

Here is the article from yesterday, with statements from team and coaches.   http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Matt-Elam-Its-Time-For-Me-To-Get-To-Next-Level/fab1b8fd-8afd-4621-811e-b23d5ad59137

[runcontrol]

For what it's worth, which I realize is nothing, I think the Ravens (Ozzie, that is) had a just Awesome off-season. It wouldn't surprise me to see the secondary improve in one year just as much as the OL did when it needed redone. Zach Orr is showing why the team chose him over John Simon during the final cuts, which surprised me quite a bit at the time. Now about Arthur Brown, I can't help but be extremely disappointed in what he has shown, which is very little. Remember now, this is a guy we moved up in the second round for and, at least at this point, I think we would have to consider a bust. I really hope that somehow he can do something to turn things around and justify Ozzie's opinion of him at the time of the draft. The fact that undrafted Zach Orr has, apparently, passed him on the depth chart does not bode well for him.

 

 

Its not even July, I think its a little early to say Orr has clearly passed Brown.  At the beginning of the offseason there was talk about Brown playing with the first team, and now there is talk about Orr playing with the first team.  

 

Did Brown struggle, and they replaced him?  

 

Sure that's a definitely a possibility.  But it is also possible that they are just trying to give different guys a chance to show what they can do.  The thing that gives me a little hope is the author didn't call Brown out for having problems while playing with the first team, while Jackson and Carter definitely have issues they need to work on when the team starts making cuts

[bioLarzen]

Maybe because reports on Elam thus far have said he has made improvement. We'll see on the field, though (when it counts). Hope the reports are ture.

 

What I can't forget is how everyone kept praising Elam for his huge camp last season... All the talk was about how he seemed absolutely ready to take the reigns oif the secondary, how he already looked like a true veteran leader and safety...

 

... and then the season came...

 

Harbaugh said after last season something like Elam's big problem is that he seems to have lost some of his belief in himself - just like Ed Dickson and Doss did. Elam's main focus, Harbaugh said, seemed to be to avoid becoming a bust - he was more and more afraid to fail. I don't know how much it helped when Ozzie singled him out so unusually straight at one of the off season pressers ("Elam needs to be a better player" - I can't recall Ozzie saying such a straightforward criticism about a Ravens player ever...) - but I'm quite sure Ozzie knew what he was doing

 

And that's a mental thing, and so won't necessary shoiw up in the camp and OTA's where there's much less pressure and much lower stakes. So, the question about Elam seems to be not how well he does out on the field in the off-season - we all know he has the skills and physics to be dominant. The question will be whether he can get his head straight in terms of being able to concentrate on the game itself instead of being preoccupied with not messing up. If he can shake that, if he can accepot that he is gonna mess things up, miss interceptions and tackles and allopw TD's now and then - for no NFL safety has ever been immune to making mistakes - he can become what we're all hoping he can be.

Edited June 25, 2015 by bioLarzen

[TXRavensFan]

Hey, my sister-in-law won that signed Flacco picture! Welcoming your first first child just before the Super Bowl kickoff, then watching the Ravens win it is a pretty good "Ravens memory"

[bioLarzen]

Its not even July, I think its a little early to say Orr has clearly passed Brown.  At the beginning of the offseason there was talk about Brown playing with the first team, and now there is talk about Orr playing with the first team.  

 

Did Brown struggle, and they replaced him?  

 

Sure that's a definitely a possibility.  But it is also possible that they are just trying to give different guys a chance to show what they can do.  The thing that gives me a little hope is the author didn't call Brown out for having problems while playing with the first team, while Jackson and Carter definitely have issues they need to work on when the team starts making cuts

 

That's true - but the fact that Brown has underachieved throughout his Ravens career so far and basically failed to make his case to secure a starting spot on the depth chart makes it seem painfully possible that he has, indeed, been kind of demoted. Brown is absolutely clearly not where he should be at this point of his career. He should be cemented in the starting lineup - but definitely not deeper than second on the depth chart, with a nice amount of  defensive snaps. He's nowhere near that. Consequently, if Harbaugh intends to really give him a legit chance to make his case, he would definitely put Brown with the starters. He was a first draft pick while Orr was an UDFA - of course Brown should get the practice reps. That he isn't should definitely indicate something - something that's not good news.

 

But hey, if Brown can really pull this off, I'd be happy to say I was wrong about him.

 

Nota bene, that was the very same thing I said about Jah Reid and Doss...

[steelcityraven]

I'll pick 5 that I want to see show improvement:

1. Matt Elam... I know that everyone is singing his praises this offseason and I hope that continues, but he is a 1st round draft pick and bc he has underachieved this year and last year, we had to go out and spend money at the position (Will Hill and K Lewis)if Matt played up to expectations that money could have been used in other places...nonetheless, I hope this is the season he steps up and shows why we drafted him # 1

2. Arthur Brown... A 2nd rounder.... going into his 3rd season. He needs to produce!There is nothing else to say... he needs to find his way onto the field for meaningful reps on Defense not just special teams!

3. Juice.... the FB/ H-Back was the mindset when we drafted him... Juice needs to become more of an offensive weapon moving forward..... he can be that wild card, that mismatch that gives defense fits... he showed some improvement last year... that growth needs to continue!

4. Eugene Monroe.... we made him our starting LT but he has been often injured and inconsistent there to this point. He has been billed as one of the top young talents at the positon... I love his attitude and work ethic... just want to see him take the next step and fulfill his potential!

5. Courtney Upshaw.... He has become an great run stopper and edge setter... I love his physicality and mentality (it is Ravenesque!) But when we took him in the 2nd round (our 1st pick) we envisioned more then a 1 dimensional player... He has the ability to be more.... would love to see him continue to show his growth and show a little more this year!

(Bonus)... (Chris Canty and Michael Campanaro). Canty was expected to come in and make and immeadiate impact. HIs imposing size, speed,talent combination came with great expectations but injury and inconsistency have left production sporadic... would like to see more consistent play this year from Canty even if it means fewer reps! Campanaro... was drafted with visions of an athletic,playmaking slot WR... he hasn't been able to stay healthy long enough to show those attributes... He has the skillset to create mismatches and allow us to exploit defenses... but he cant use them if he cant stay healthy enough to get onto the field. Would love to see him prepare his body to stay healthy this year and have an impact (at least in the kicking game)!

[Purple Dawg 96]

The squeelers ALWAYS honor someone when they play the Ravens as motivation! Mean Joe Green got them pumped before a game and the Ravens caved in! Stop playing down to the competition and SET THE BAR like I know you can! No team in football can step to the Ravens so PLEASE STOP BEATING "YOURSELVES"! Brady got a ring because the Ravens chose to go for a TD instead of a rollout to Crockett Gilmore that would have sealed the game and ran time off the clock! SMH

[KoryB13]

Someone should tell Jamison Hensley to stay off camera. That was the worst on camera report I have ever seen. While I respect his thoughts and reports all the time, I think they are better left off camera.

[Bob21043]

Does this imply Jah Reid doesn't have to improve? Or, he now is not one of the 5 who needs the most improvement? Still surprised he is still sround.

[hen826957]

I hope Ozzie not really finish in this offseason. Hope he will take a look at Red Bryant DT or veteren depth and another quality outside corner to get cut. Wish Joseph got cut but Texans extended him so we should wait to somebody else gets cut.

[hen826957]

Also I hope Ozzie find a way to extend one of those two guards in Yanda or K.O. so we won't have less trouble going in 2016.

[FloridalovesRavens]

Sometimes I think the "Sunpapers" are a little picky picky picky. Not every player catches all the passes, intercepts every QB, defends every play. I wonder sometimes if these so-called sports analysts are watching the same players or games that I am. This is the off season what will they complain about starting in September.

[Darkraven23]

Alrite let me clear the air because i think we are getting ahead of ourselves first matt elam good safety at florida no disputing that had a hard time picking up free safety in the nfl but in the end made good tackles and one pick next year after that moved to more strong safety to aggresive on some plays causing missed tackles other mental break downs this year improving mentally more prepared and with competition willing to really put in the effort so no it wasnt a lack of confidence it was trying to do much at once. in respect to ed dickson once again it wasnt a lack of confidence it was he had a thigh injury most of that season which ppl seem to forget hindered alot of his mobility. and finally arthur brown he's doing just what he needs to learn and fit in as well all know normally the ravens rotate first and second team so that everyone gets a chance ex: kamar aiken first team rotates jermey butler rotate perriman. so dont look to much into who is with the first team bc it really doesnt matter until late aug

[RavensBaltimore]

Marlon Brown- "several times was given an opportunity in the end zone against a smaller cornerback and couldn't come up with the ball."

That's what I've been telling everyone since last year. Everyone talks about him being 6'5, but he plays much smaller. He doesn't know how to box out and win jump balls against smaller players. With all the talent we have fighting for a spot, I really don't see what Marlon brings to the table that can't be replaced. We have other big receivers that are faster. Aiken is a better possession receiver. Campanaro is great in the slot, and if he can't stay healthy, Butler has apparently stood out so far. I think Marlon is a solid rotational player, and any other year he would definitely deserve a roster spot and some snaps on offense, but with how deep we are at WR this year, I'm not sure he should be a lock to make the roster this year.

[RavensBaltimore]

It looks like some fans here jumped the gun on assuming that the Carter was just as good as Campanaro without the injuries. Camp's injury concerns are legit, but the "just as good" part was a baseless assumption. Camp was able to get open in NFL games, and he made contested catches when he wasn't open. Apparently Carter is having trouble getting open in mini camp, where the corners aren't even allowed to get physical at the line.

[Halshayeji]

What I can't forget is how everyone kept praising Elam for his huge camp last season... All the talk was about how he seemed absolutely ready to take the reigns oif the secondary, how he already looked like a true veteran leader and safety...

... and then the season came...

Harbaugh said after last season something like Elam's big problem is that he seems to have lost some of his belief in himself - just like Ed Dickson and Doss did. Elam's main focus, Harbaugh said, seemed to be to avoid becoming a bust - he was more and more afraid to fail. I don't know how much it helped when Ozzie singled him out so unusually straight at one of the off season pressers ("Elam needs to be a better player" - I can't recall Ozzie saying such a straightforward criticism about a Ravens player ever...) - but I'm quite sure Ozzie knew what he was doing

And that's a mental thing, and so won't necessary shoiw up in the camp and OTA's where there's much less pressure and much lower stakes. So, the question about Elam seems to be not how well he does out on the field in the off-season - we all know he has the skills and physics to be dominant. The question will be whether he can get his head straight in terms of being able to concentrate on the game itself instead of being preoccupied with not messing up. If he can shake that, if he can accepot that he is gonna mess things up, miss interceptions and tackles and allopw TD's now and then - for no NFL safety has ever been immune to making mistakes - he can become what we're all hoping he can be.

Great read larzen

[Maryland]

I'm disappointed Arthur Brown never became a good player (since I thought highly of him before the draft), but I guess I should be happy we have a gem UDFA developing in Zachary Orr.

[Purplepowers88]

I'm happy that there's finally an article with some analysis. I almost never see articles that have anything negative to say about any Ravens players ever. Or at worst they'll be like "Some scouts says Breshad Perriman has bad hands but he made great catches in training camp even though he dropped a few!" The only way you improve is if you acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of players and build on that. I would love if I could see more legit, unbiased articles that give real information as opposed to the fluffy "Baltimore Ravens can do no wrong!" articles that this website seems to prefer.

Edited June 25, 2015 by Purplepowers88