[News] Late For Work 9/29: 6 Ravens Players That Give You Hope

[goldenboldin]

silver lining sorta article

[rmcjacket23]

With the way Flacco has been throwing the jump ball I would venture to say it doesn't matter who is in the end zone trying to catch, if it's under thrown it's a pick and that's what Joe's been throwing a lot of this year.

Its largely an overrated physical attribute that became popular because there's a good group of players who know how to use their size.

 

There's 6 foot receivers in this league who are better at jump balls than guys with 3-4 inches or more on them. I'd trust SSS in a jump ball situation right now over Waller. 

 

In a few years of development, who knows. There's a reason why one guy with nearly identical attributes to another goes five rounds later in the draft and flames out of the league in a few years than the first or second round pick with the same physical characteristics who turns in an outstanding career.

[757RavensFan]

C.J. had an excellent game as usual, but I still wish he could have found some way to stop that Andy Dalton TD run.

 

Upshaw catches that INT that bounces off his helmet and there is no Dalton TD run. 

[RavensBaltimore]

A lot of fans here have complained about Webb and said he's done, but it was Melvin and Jimmy Smith that got beat on Sunday, Webb held up pretty well in Denver, and other than giving up a big play or two in Oakland, I think he's been pretty solid this year.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

Its largely an overrated physical attribute that became popular because there's a good group of players who know how to use their size.

 

There's 6 foot receivers in this league who are better at jump balls than guys with 3-4 inches or more on them. I'd trust SSS in a jump ball situation right now over Waller. 

 

In a few years of development, who knows. There's a reason why one guy with nearly identical attributes to another goes five rounds later in the draft and flames out of the league in a few years than the first or second round pick with the same physical characteristics who turns in an outstanding career.

 

I agree but at this point I would like to see Waller taking a couple snaps from Aiken - the production would probably be the same.  But at least Waller would get some play time and maybe make a play or two.

[feartheflock]

Shouldn't Joe be the 7th player to give hope ? I mean, he's doing what he's doing with literally one WR.

And what exactly is he doing? He's been graded poorly and has been inaccurate since preseason. Steve Smith is the one making all the plays, getting the YAC, breaking tackles, and carrying this offense.

Flacco has supposedly one WR, and he's been average. Steve Smith is that "one" WR, and he's been one of the best players in the league.

[cbrook1862]

I think Campanaro should start opposit Steve, we haven't seen him a whole lot but the times we have seen him, he's looked good. He's faster than Aiken and Brown, and seems to be a more natural route runner than the both of them, plus he had good hands. We can't let his past injuries stop us from giving him a shot, he cant be any worse than Brown it Aiken , who isn't bad, they just don't constantly get separation.

[RavensBaltimore]

And what exactly is he doing? He's been graded poorly and has been inaccurate since preseason. Steve Smith is the one making all the plays, getting the YAC, breaking tackles, and carrying this offense.

Flacco has supposedly one WR, and he's been average. Steve Smith is that "one" WR, and he's been one of the best players in the league.

Flacco has been consistently moving the ball and putting up points when running the spread, pass first offense, and there are very few qbs who could do that with such a limited receiving corps and no run game, especially since we've played 2 of the most talented defenses in the league. When the offense struggles, it's because they try to get the power run game going on early downs, which puts them in a ton of 3rd and longs. They have been great when spreading it out and putting it in Flacco's hands. And he is completing 65% of his passes despite a receiving corps that can't get open and drops passes, so he hasn't been inaccurate. He has been far better than Brady was last year before Gronk got healthy. It's not even close. He put the game winner in SSS's hands in Denver, led the offense to 33 points in Oakland, and threw what should have been the game winner against the Bengals. He's giving us chances to win despite very little to work with. He's played well enough for us to be 3-0 right now. Yeah, he's missed some throws, but every elite qb misses throws. No one is perfect.

[MadStorkSociety]

R - E - L - A - X - ?

TE's give me hope; WR's not so much.

[Dorota]

Gillmore had a critical first down against Denver.  He had 2 TD's against Oakland.  I believe he would of had a good day against Cincy had he not left the game with a calf injury, which is why we saw Boyle and Williams sharing snaps.  

That's the only thing I'm worried about - hope he's good to go Thursday and not inactive due to injury. I have faith in Maxx Williams turning into everything that's been advertised, but at this point in time, Gilmore is the best suited for what we expect to see playing Steelers. He's a punisher and I like that! Since Ravens don't really have anyone to go deep right now, we have to be able to get yards by ramming through a bunch of people and Gilmore has what it takes.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

R - E - L - A - X - ? TE's give me hope; WR's not so much.

 

Exactly, sit Aiken and Brown and line up Smith Sr, Gillmore, Boyle and Williams!!  

[Drew P]

Bottom line: less Aiken

[Edug27]

My problem with Aiken and Brown is that they just don't seem like they want the ball... they don't seem like they are dying to make a big play. They run routes like its a friendly game of flag football with coworkers.

 

Everyone kept saying "don't judge the preseason games" ... And that's right to an extent. You don't judge preseason wins and losses. Because teams aren't necessarily playing to win. 0-4 means nothing, same as 4-0. But when unproven players don't do much in preseason games when they are fighting for a roster spot... that's telling. Of course they looked great in practice. Anyone can look great against our DB's. J.Butler looked like Dez until he came across real corners and remembered why he was undrafted.

[iluvpurple]

Asking Ravens fans to remain calm reminds me of Kevin Bacon in Animal House movie "Remain calm, all is well". Picture Ravens fans running through the streets, panicking while trying to tell them to calm down. Here is the link to those who may not know what I am talking about as this was filmed in 1978 -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDAmPIq29ro

I remember this scene way back when from the movie, hysterical !! Thanks for the bit of light-hearted humor today.....

[rmcjacket23]

I agree but at this point I would like to see Waller taking a couple snaps from Aiken - the production would probably be the same.  But at least Waller would get some play time and maybe make a play or two.

Sort of fine with this, though I'm never a big fan of throwing young guys into regular season games just to see if they can play or not. That's precisely what practice, training camp, preseason, etc. is for. Aiken is the exact same guy he was 2 months ago when he beat out Waller and the others for a starting spot, and I don't see any reason that has changed now.

 

If we start 2-8 or something like that, then I'm all for it. But this is the kind of decision you make when the season is completely over, not when there's at least a little hope. 

 

Plus, if Perriman was healthy, we may not even be mentioning Aiken or Waller's name to begin with.

[iluvpurple]

And what exactly is he doing? He's been graded poorly and has been inaccurate since preseason. Steve Smith is the one making all the plays, getting the YAC, breaking tackles, and carrying this offense.

Flacco has supposedly one WR, and he's been average. Steve Smith is that "one" WR, and he's been one of the best players in the league.

In addition to what RavensB said, I am almost certain, that as well as SSSr played, he surely did NOT make those passes to himself..... Give Joe a little credit these last 3 games .......

[kingzach24]

Flacco has been consistently moving the ball and putting up points when running the spread, pass first offense, and there are very few qbs who could do that with such a limited receiving corps and no run game, especially since we've played 2 of the most talented defenses in the league. When the offense struggles, it's because they try to get the power run game going on early downs, which puts them in a ton of 3rd and longs. They have been great when spreading it out and putting it in Flacco's hands. And he is completing 65% of his passes despite a receiving corps that can't get open and drops passes, so he hasn't been inaccurate. He has been far better than Brady was last year before Gronk got healthy. It's not even close. He put the game winner in SSS's hands in Denver, led the offense to 33 points in Oakland, and threw what should have been the game winner against the Bengals. He's giving us chances to win despite very little to work with. He's played well enough for us to be 3-0 right now. Yeah, he's missed some throws, but every elite qb misses throws. No one is perfect.

Finally someone who understand me . ravens fans just relax 

[ravenstime]

Other than SSS, I have to wonder whether our WR's are positives playing or not. I read someone below saying to line up 3 TE's as receivers and I have to wonder why not? I really, though, do think that M. Brown can step up. Aiken, I'm not sure about, yet, he has to prove himself more.

M. Brown has the height advantage, which should be a plus, esp. near the end-zone. Now, I wish we would call plays better inside the 5 yard line, so we don't have to settle for FG's from the 3 yard line. Simply put, Joe needs to throw the ball IN THE END-ZONE on those plays and not short. That way a catch is a TD and not a 1 yard gain to bring up 4th down and the FG unit, which sucks!

And, if we we continue to settle for FG's like every game this year, when our opponents are scoring TD's, there's simply no way to keep up with their scoring that way. It's simple math.

Look at every game this year and esp. the last 2, where we lost by 4 points. If we had not SETTLED for FG's and made TD's on those drives, we'd have been in much better shape. Now, I know we still have to convert 4th down into a TD, but FG's spell out a loss, in my book, unless we figure out a way to stop a few more drives with our defense.

[Grapple Raven]

Thanks to Billick for some rational perspective, although it probably won't affect the chicken little crowd much, lol.

 

http://wnst.net/nfl/brian-billicks-thoughts-on-ravens-tough-0-3-start/

 

Granted being a fan of the Ravens isn't for the faint heart, lol, but this team's history has proven that it has what it takes to overcome adversity...and for that I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt.   I am sure the Ravens will improvise, adapt and overcome, its what we do!  My support for this team will never waiver.

 

People are going to see what they want to see. Some unfortunately rather focus on the negatives, I just prefer to focus on the positives.  Stripping things to the bare bones, if you are simply just a fan of football (and I'm assuming you are since you are here, lol), there is a lot good football left to be played. Yes,  football!  Ravens Nation keep the faith!

[RavensBlood2Bone5220]

I really hate seeing other people struggling to do Ray Lewis' dance.

[Ravensfolyfe]

I have a question. Why is Aiken the #2 still,i didn't know he was on the field. May be Harb's should try out those other bodies,claiming to be receivers. SMDH!

[rpolla72]

Is it just me or is there a problem when Camp only gets 12 snaps?

[Obie]

Cmon guys, we should be 3-0, lost the first on a dropped pass, the second on poor clock management, and the the third because we don't have any db's.

Let Tucker sing the national anthem.

[RavensFootballFan]

I remember this scene way back when from the movie, hysterical !! Thanks for the bit of light-hearted humor today.....

 

You're welcome. We got nowhere to go but up, might as well lighten up a little after 3 weeks. A couple of Panthers fans who lives near me in NC tells me of the days when Panthers were really bad, they got tired of getting stressed out and started raising a beer/drinking shots every time the other team scores. It became a running joke for awhile till they got better. I remember when the Ravens had losing records the first 4 seasons and we were just Gomer Pyle happy to be a part of the NFL again. Once we got a taste of the Super Bowl trophy in 5th season, that changed, we wanted more. Sometimes losing track of what being a part of the NFL is all about. If we were as demanding of people in our life as we are toward the Ravens, no one would want to be around us. Nothing wrong with wanting to win every game and get upset if we lose, thing is, don't take losing too personal where it eats up your soul. Take a day to get upset and then moved on and smile a little after a day. Life is too precious to ruin our soul/heart and mind over losing sports games. Remember the days of Saints fans, losing year after year that they stopped getting stressed out and wore bags over their face at home games for laughs? They found a way to lighten up after losing for so long. Don't get me wrong, I still occasionally flip out during games but I let it go after a day and move on while still supporting the team. It's not good for our heart to be angry/upset for prolonged periods. I love being around people who knows when to let it go and let humor take over. 

Edited September 29, 2015 by RavensFootballFan

[verified]

perrimans the only hope i think we all know that.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Its the rest of the team and the DC that worries me, those 6 - good 2 go

[HayintheBarn]

Only Yanda had a positive grade on the O-line. What is this, 2013?

[thecommish]

6 Players who give me hope: BWilliams, CJ, SSS, Yanda, (Our TE's), Joe Flacco and 6 Players that worry me. 1. Monroe 2. Kamar and Marlon 3. Forsett 4. Canty 5. Webb 6. DEAN PEES

[DrinkmoreBeer]

James Hurst is becoming Gino Gradkowski 2.0.

[regz1997]

Seriously people, what happened to the running game?