[News] Eisenberg: Ravens Won't Undermine Winning With Youth Experiment

[BR News]

No matter what their record is, the Ravens are always going to go all-out to win.

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[Barry S]

They need to get give as much playing time as possible to the young tight ends they are the future.

[WNC-Raven]

I can't imagine any team tanking a season on purpose John. Maybe some players don't try as hard but this is their job. Some will be let go next year and they need to at least look good on tape to get on another team. The whole suck for luck thing was blown way out of proportion. Believe it or not they were just that bad with no Peyton and a defense that was assembled to be fast instead of stout. They got blown up after that letting a ton of players and coaches go. No one tries to lose. If the Ravens only win one or two more games this year which I suspect will happen, it is because they really are that bad. I expected more from you John. Pandering to the minority of fans with an entire article.

[Ravenshine]

Yeah, always play to win! And how can anyone read this article and not see how injuries completely devastated us this year? They absolutely did! The upside is yes, we did get to see the younger players more and what we have in them to develop etc months, years down the road.

[Godfather A]

It is tough to maintain an edge in the NFL. We always talk about trap games for the better teams. Maintaining composure in the face of adversity goes a long way toward minimizing those natural letdowns that occur over the course of a season. It is a way of building for future seasons.

[Ravensfansince03]

This team will feel so good when they get their next win, I forgot how it feels to have your team win Lol. Also, I really thought Za'darius Smith was Pernell Mcphee in that photo.

[OzzieBisciotti]

This team just needs a lot of help all over- poor drafting over the past five years has left us a lot of wholes. Hopefully, we can turn it around and also stop resigning / drafting injury prone players.

[bluehen]

If the make shift OL can't protect Joe, then perhaps Matt should become the pinata, just like in preseason games, not sense having him injured in a meaningless game.

[The Mom Gene]

There was a great write up about the drafts and how successful the Ravens have been in the drafts. There were maybe 3 players that didn't work out, and lots of teams actually do a hell of a lot worst.

When you look at guys like McPhee, Mosley, Davis, Maxx, Gillmore.... Come on. We have actually been pretty successful. And we have yet to see where Perriman actually falls. The guy could be a stud out there. I know he was great in college. I'm not sure we actually draft players that are "injury prone".

[Jim Giampaoli]

John, join the media chorus. We all want the Ravens to win every game. The Ravens won't undermine winning by playing the young players. I would play our young guys rather than go out into the market place and find retreads through a revolving door. The only way they can improve their level of play and confidence is on the field during game time. What would you prefer, start the "Youth Experiment" next season? By the way, I don't see too many wins up to now, so go for it.

[Maryland]

Yeah... I'd rather see how a guy like Tray Walker looks than see how Shareece Wright or Kyle Arrington look. We already know the latter two are as good as they're going to get--might as well see what you've got in Walker. I'm sure you guys drafted him instead of Diggs for a reason.

[bluehen]

Pre-season is here early.

[January J]

Yeah... I'd rather see how a guy like Tray Walker looks than see how Shareece Wright or Kyle Arrington look. We already know the latter two are as good as they're going to get--might as well see what you've got in Walker. I'm sure you guys drafted him instead of Diggs for a reason.

yeah we'll see. I think they're kicking themselves right now for that one. Beats me.

[Crusader]

Try your new guys in the next game. Not during Eds party

[purpledown]

this season has been a mess but i think Ravens fans still have faith in this coach and this franchise. All the games have been close , but the Ravens have gotten the short end of the stick all season. Go Ravens!

[budkretz]

Just curious, who is the Ravens emergency quarterback. Guess when you're losing your mind will wander.

[alexbayrobin]

Players naturally want to win. They may just win more than anyone thinks. Just stop making mistakes. Every loss has been from mistakes made.

[Crusader]

Of course players want to win, but you play like you practice. In the military you train like you fight. Good thing these don't get in a real fire fight.

[ellicottraven]

What is the point of this article? Sure the Ravens want to win, but they simply have failed to do so thus far. The reasons could be debated all day and night, but the results won't change. If nothing changes with what they've done so far, what makes one think the results somehow will? That is precisely the reason why some people have suggested that they try out young players to see how they pan out. What can be so wrong with that suggestion? The changes may actually propel the Ravens to victories possibly. If that happens, 2 objectives are achieved. One, we know the makeup of next year's team and will have a good 360 degree view of how to attack the draft. Plus, you give the youngsters great game experience to boot. So, I can't completely agree with staying pat.

[Ravensfansince03]

This is a very good point made by Eisenberg, at the very least this is a very humbling experience for our rookies. I really think there are great things in our near future.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Ravensfansince03

[Zeus]

Regardless of their record, the Ravens are going to practice hard, compete hard and try to win.

That's not what they have done this season

[Dorota]

Well, unfortunately this argument seems moot in certain places. Buck Allen has got a whole lot of looks today after Donald broke Forsett's arm. Luckily, he has done very well and we can be proud. Shame we don't have a young quarterback also, I'm not even sure we have a 3rd string or who he is behind Schaub. Lardarius Webb also walked off the field with some (hopefully minor) injury and I'm not sure if he got back in the game, but I think not. Young players will continue to play not by design, but by next man up, since we're getting to the point of there being no one else.

[Hardhitters]

Big what if, but what if schaub won all the rest of the games, that would lead to a very funny offseason. Flacco been throwing like 2 picks a game with poor aiming. When he's on he's on but when he's off my goodness he's off.

[thieverycorporation]

Not everyone wants to tank. But we'ed be interested in seeing the youth being introduced to live action. We are the de facto talent evaluators. Why? Because we're the one's being entertained by the sport! The NFL doesn't exist without us. For the team to dismiss us as byproducts is ridiculous at best. Armchair QB's, GM"s, Scouts sit in your stands, in front of the tV's and at practices. If the players aren't prepared then of course he shouldn't play in a live game. Only question is, why isn't he? The litmus test has to be year round. We are all relaxed and reserved in our expectations going forward. The blueprint for success is all we wish to gaze at. Some lines will be darkened and some erased. But a solid nucleus seems to be in place. Even with all the injuries we still need to be entertained. Panic mode faded to reality a few games back. It's over. Best thing is to self scout, period…………..

Edited November 23, 2015 by thieverycorporation

[jjbb1234]

I thought this article was terribly misguided when I read it last Saturday, before the Ravens lost Flacco for the remainder of the year and potentially put next year into jeopardy. Reading it now, it's almost comical how much Mr. Eisenberg missed the mark. For all the Ravens fans that were clamoring to "rest" as many starters as possible (or rest the most valued positions, like QB, the push was to A) avoid potentially devastating injuries that would impact next year and beyond, and get a better feel for depth of talent on the roster (so maybe we don't have to carry 7 WRs that we "like" at the start of next season).

So coming back to this article after marquee players such as Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett go down for the season in a meaningless game, makes you wonder what Eisenberg thinks now? Are we going to continue to defend John Harbaugh's stubbornly and prideful ways? Maybe Harbaugh is doing it for himself because he wants an unblemished coaching record? But those are the types of motivations or undertones the author will never address because he "knows" Harbaugh and well, it's his job to write nice things.

Fact of the matter is, we managed to screw up a losing season in more than one way on Sunday, and I'm sure Eisenberg will come out soon saying why it's all sunshine and roses. Eat it up Ravens fans. I can honestly say I hope "we" develop talent the rest of the year and if there is one more win in the works, it can be against the Steelers.