[News] Eisenberg: What Are Ravens' Biggest Questions?

[BR News]

They have filled holes and tied up loose ends, but questions remain.

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[KidNme]

Only about 3-1/2 weeks before the grind really starts. Enjoy your independence day boys and come back refreshed and ready to show the world that the Ravens are for real!

GO RAVENS

HAPPY 4th!!!

[stampedehero]

ESPN and other "authorities" claim  we have a premier roster.  Paper analysis is a sports media must have and usually shows itself during the dull times like now.The real deal starts minutes after game one September 2015.

[balfan23]

Love Eisenberg's take on things. However, I don't see either Tucker or Yanda as a part of our biggest questions. They can be handled a bit down the road ... I think there are more pressing issues. I think the last item "is the secondary really fixed" is #1 and you can combine that with the injury question, because Jimmy's injury is the biggest potential issue and can be folded in the that #1 concern. I agree too that we need a true #1 TE to emerge and that most likely has to be Gilmore. Beyond that, I'd add the following 3: Can at least 2 among our young WR group emerge and be productive through the year and in the clutch if we make the post-season. Will the combo of Suggs/Doom maintain their level of play that is needed for us to have a solid pass rush. While Forsett was awesome last year, he's only had 1 such year in his career. Can he (and our young backups) be as productive as we need them to be.

[DomMcRaven]

I was watching NFL Live a few days ago and they talked about who would win the AFC North. Jim Trotter chose the Bengals while Tim Hasselbeck and Mark Brunell chose the Steelers. Stephen A (host of NFL Live, surprisingly) goes on to say that there has been no talk about us (because they were also doing that "Worst to First" segment). Props to him. Either way, while all three analysts agreed that we would be good, Jim Trotter questions our offensive line. Hmm...funny because last time I checked, Flacco was top 5 in least sacked QBs this past season. And our offensive line is staying intact. No wonder why I need to stop watching ESPN.

 

My questions for the team goes as this: Will our secondary gel and stay healthy? How quickly will our young pass-catchers develop? And my favorite one: Who will return punts and kickoffs? 

[Halshayeji]

My biggest concern is replacing Gary Kupiak. I have a lot of faith in Trestman but still have to see it with my own eyes. Offensive efficiency will make or break our season.

[ravens4life86]

All good questions. Lets just hope they are answered sooner rather then later.

[rmcjacket23]

I was watching NFL Live a few days ago and they talked about who would win the AFC North. Jim Trotter chose the Bengals while Tim Hasselbeck and Mark Brunell chose the Steelers. Stephen A (host of NFL Live, surprisingly) goes on to say that there has been no talk about us (because they were also doing that "Worst to First" segment). Props to him. Either way, while all three analysts agreed that we would be good, Jim Trotter questions our offensive line. Hmm...funny because last time I checked, Flacco was top 5 in least sacked QBs this past season. And our offensive line is staying intact. No wonder why I need to stop watching ESPN.

 

My questions for the team goes as this: Will our secondary gel and stay healthy? How quickly will our young pass-catchers develop? And my favorite one: Who will return punts and kickoffs? 

Mostly agree. Offensive line doesn't appear on paper to be something we need to worry about, as long as everyone is healthy. There are some POTENTIAL questions, such as whether or not Wagner will return to form after a tough injury.

 

The secondary has mostly nowhere to go but up, but the big question there is how much more "up" will they go. In theory, they could be very solid, but any improvement is important.

 

Pass catching core is the biggest question for me. Largely inexperienced, new OC, lots of questions there.

 

I personally could care less about a kick returner. The majority of kickoffs are touchbacks these days, and the majority of punt returns are fair catches. I could care less whether we have somebody like Jacoby used to be who was a threat to run one back. Not really a requirement to have a successful NFL team these days.

 

Put somebody back there who can catch and maybe gain us 5-10 yards consistently. There's plenty of guys like that in this league, and there's probably a handful on this team who can do it.

 

Not a concern for me.

[b93333]

Biggest question IMHO is Yanda... does he want to stay a Raven for life? Does he want to squeeze every last dime out of his contract. I hope he stays but we all know if he prices himself out of Ozzie's salary range the ravens will move on. That's what Ozzie does and rightly so.

[rmcjacket23]

Biggest question IMHO is Yanda... does he want to stay a Raven for life? Does he want to squeeze every last dime out of his contract. I hope he stays but we all know if he prices himself out of Ozzie's salary range the ravens will move on. That's what Ozzie does and rightly so.

I don't really understand why Yanda is a question mark for 2015, because he's under contract and will be playing here this season. If he were a FA or something, or if we were considering cutting him, then I think it'd be a question.

 

I think Yanda is realistically a 2016 question, not a 2015 question.

[cbrook1862]

Happy 4th of july, God bless America and God bless football.

[RRRRRavens]

I’ll throw in another ‘biggest question’.  Have we solved the problem of the offense’s low production when Joe is under pressure during a passing play?  The data has shown that among all current NFL quarterbacks Joe has one of the biggest spreads of effectiveness when passing when he is hurried versus when he has time.  I think the solution to this problem breaks down into some combination of finding ways to give Joe more time while passing and retraining him to be more effective when he is pressured, like during a blitz.  So the question is by the time we play our first real game will the coaches have accomplished either or both of these to any appreciable extent?

Edited July 4, 2015 by RRRRRavens

[bozo]

I think joe is smart enough to call the plays that he was taught by gary,

[bozo]

my biggest concern is being able to stop the run.

[n#7]

Here's wishing you and yours a very Happy, Joyous and Safe July 4th weekend. And that wish also extends to all the Ravens players, coaches and their families, including the best owner in all of football. Go Ravens!

[law215]

I trust the front office to choice a make deal for either Yanda and/or KO when appropriate.Tucker's deal will get done no doubt. My biggest concern is the youth of the Ravens offense skill position players. I don't think the Ravens necessary need a star at this point, but they need consistent production from their young guys. Next, the secondary will be fine IF the pass rush is still effective. Raven had 48 sacks which will be tough to repeat with aging pass rushers. Can Upshaw and Smith add to Suggs and Dumervil?

I think the Ravens will be fine if the Offense and defensive lines can dominant again in 2015. Both units must stay healthy. If they are, Ravens are just too big and strong upfront for most teams and should have another playoff berth at least.

[Purpleghost23]

The real question is...is no August yet?...when starts training camp? i use to have the date on my mind, but i forget it

[sami]

I’ll throw in another ‘biggest question’.  Have we solved the problem of the offense’s low production when Joe is under pressure during a passing play?  The data has shown that among all current NFL quarterbacks Joe has one of the biggest spreads of effectiveness when passing when he is hurried versus when he has time.  I think the solution to this problem breaks down into some combination of finding ways to give Joe more time while passing and retraining him to be more effective when he is pressured, like during a blitz.  So the question is by the time we play our first real game will the coaches have accomplished either or both of these to any appreciable extent?

there was a story on that a short while back about working on ways to make the other team "pay" for blitzing. It seems from the sound of the story, that they have it covered. Hope so.

My only questions are about the injured players. Will they be back in time and if not who takes their place?

[Bohica5]

Need to put pitta on season IR list.....please, don't wanna see the crushing blow to the hip that's going to knock his legs off his body.............

[reed20fence]

These re-signing questions don't sound as dire when you factor in all the dead money that comes off the books after this season. Worst case with Tucker is a franchise tag. He ain't goin nowhere anytime soon.

[eL_Cam1n0]

No way they let Tucker walk, he is one of the most important players on the team. Just like Matt Stover was for us in years past.

[Grapple Raven]

Happy Fourth of July to the best posters ever!  Hope you have a fun filled and safe holiday Ravens Nation! 

[Barney S]

The biggest question is who's the return specialist going to be?  We've never won a Super Bowl without a great one. Each one played a significant role in the success of our championship seasons. The Ravens need to get one before game one. This is all about Super Bowl 50. I hope Tucker, Yanda, and KO all re-up for next year. 

[DomMcRaven]

Mostly agree. Offensive line doesn't appear on paper to be something we need to worry about, as long as everyone is healthy. There are some POTENTIAL questions, such as whether or not Wagner will return to form after a tough injury.

 

The secondary has mostly nowhere to go but up, but the big question there is how much more "up" will they go. In theory, they could be very solid, but any improvement is important.

 

Pass catching core is the biggest question for me. Largely inexperienced, new OC, lots of questions there.

 

I personally could care less about a kick returner. The majority of kickoffs are touchbacks these days, and the majority of punt returns are fair catches. I could care less whether we have somebody like Jacoby used to be who was a threat to run one back. Not really a requirement to have a successful NFL team these days.

 

Put somebody back there who can catch and maybe gain us 5-10 yards consistently. There's plenty of guys like that in this league, and there's probably a handful on this team who can do it.

 

Not a concern for me.

Good point about Wagner. Fortunately, our offensive line still did an admirable job protecting Flacco without Wagner.

 

At least most of our pass catchers are young and, based on the reports from OTAs and minicamps, these guys got potential. However's it's unproven potential at this point.

 

I guess we agree to disagree with the returner. I understand most of them are touchbacks, but still, I've always enjoyed a good kickoff especially with Jacoby.

[b93333]

my biggest concern is being able to stop the run.

We did very well last year without Ngata... no reason to think this year will be any different.  Our DL will have another year under their belts and they are very hungry (unlike Ngata).

[pcwag33]

These are not the questions. The questions are who can bring it.

[757RavensFan]

Mostly agree. Offensive line doesn't appear on paper to be something we need to worry about, as long as everyone is healthy. There are some POTENTIAL questions, such as whether or not Wagner will return to form after a tough injury.

 

The secondary has mostly nowhere to go but up, but the big question there is how much more "up" will they go. In theory, they could be very solid, but any improvement is important.

 

Pass catching core is the biggest question for me. Largely inexperienced, new OC, lots of questions there.

 

I personally could care less about a kick returner. The majority of kickoffs are touchbacks these days, and the majority of punt returns are fair catches. I could care less whether we have somebody like Jacoby used to be who was a threat to run one back. Not really a requirement to have a successful NFL team these days.

 

Put somebody back there who can catch and maybe gain us 5-10 yards consistently. There's plenty of guys like that in this league, and there's probably a handful on this team who can do it.

 

Not a concern for me.

 

I gonna have to disagree with you. Having a guy who's a threat to bring one back or flip the field on every kickoff/punt is a weapon and has to be factored in by the kicking/punt team.  Hell we don't win the Superbowl without Jacoby's kickoff return. 

[757RavensFan]

We did very well last year without Ngata... no reason to think this year will be any different.  Our DL will have another year under their belts and they are very hungry (unlike Ngata).

 

We only played against one decent RB during Ngata's suspension, Arian Foster.  I think he finished with just under 100 yards and they beat us. 

[January J]

I’ll throw in another ‘biggest question’. Have we solved the problem of the offense’s low production when Joe is under pressure during a passing play? The data has shown that among all current NFL quarterbacks Joe has one of the biggest spreads of effectiveness when passing when he is hurried versus when he has time. I think the solution to this problem breaks down into some combination of finding ways to give Joe more time while passing and retraining him to be more effective when he is pressured, like during a blitz. So the question is by the time we play our first real game will the coaches have accomplished either or both of these to any appreciable extent?

yeah that's a reasonable concern - I think I heard joe saying that they were really focusing on that, so I'm sure it will be a focal point with trestman coming in with him liking to do the check downs and what not.

[Zeus]

Enough with Pitta's situation - it's always unclear