[News] Late For Work 12/21: Should Kamar Aiken Be Considered A 'Real' No. 1 Receiver?

[Purple Hazard]

Is Aiken a Nr.1 WR? No. Is he good? Yes he is and he is getting better every week. Got to admit that I was little disapointed with his start of the season but man has he come on strong lately. His development is one thing to be happy about looking forward. We could have a pretty good WR corps in 2016.

Yeah and about those pants... Why gold? It makes no sense and looks stupid. All purple would have been a better experiment.

[Minionhunter]

I'm going to try and say something positive about the gold pants. Since Nike likely made us use them, at least the misery of wearing them didn't infect a good season and they got it over with in this dog of one.

 

Nike, why don't you so something interesting, like take the all black uniforms and make them more like the all black Thanksgiving day hat from 2013 and blend in purple and red to make them more menacing looking. I like the all black, the players like the all black, and the winning percentage likes the all black. Watch us go out and shock everyone and beat the Steelers next week wearing the all black.

 

I would be real money that Steve Smith either influenced if not had it written into his contract that we would wear the all black vs. the Panthers in a day game last year. He said when he came here "I love the uniforms."

 

I wish the Ravens would have the "juevos" to declare them the regular uniforms for next year and wear them every game where they don't have to wear white. 13-4 (all time), 10-3 (Harbs). Winning percentage says it all. Add a dark purple stripe if needed, or purple accents, but go all black. Just like real ravens.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Minionhunter

[drillem]

All in all not a bad showing for the 4th string players. Even the replacements have been replaced. Weird year.

[dhartm2]

Harbaugh should have benched himself after that fake punt. One score game, 9 yards to go, deep in our own territory, it fails, we lose the ball, and they score easily. What's the difference between him and Allen, besides the fact Harbaugh consciously decided to do something stupid as opposed to simply making a mistake?

[Ravensfansince03]

"As for Peters dancing, he said his moves were meant as a tribute to Lewis and not as taunting the home crowd."

 

What a load of BS

Edited December 21, 2015 by Ravensfansince03

[Ravensfansince03]

Harbaugh should have benched himself after that fake punt. One score game, 9 yards to go, deep in our own territory, it fails, we lose the ball, and they score easily. What's the difference between him and Allen, besides the fact Harbaugh consciously decided to do something stupid as opposed to simply making a mistake?

 

I was shocked when they did that. Harbuagh is always doing that smh.

[rmcjacket23]

And #30 didn't add anything to the running game, so holding buck out was a bad idea plus he real good catching out the back field. Why don't QB's get pulled for turnovers but running backs do. I'm sure neither is intentionally turning it over. Allen is better than Forsett this season before the injury.

Because RBs are largely more replaceable. And because fumbling the football is quite a bit different than throwing an interception. 

 

And Allen was better than Forsett on a YPC basis, except we see now how much different that YPC is when you are expected to carry the rock more. Your legs aren't as fresh, you take a beating more often, and teams get used to your strengths and weaknesses. 

[dhartm2]

The first two posts on this thread say positive things about our wide receiver corp because we're going to have Campanaro back next year. I kid you not, go look. Good grief people. "Sure, he's been injured 95% of his career, but oh boy the two and a half quarters a season he's out on the field that kid can play!"

[Smoke0121]

We have the makings for a strong WR corps. We have big guys (Brown, Waller), small guys (Campanaro), possession guys (Aiken, Butler), fast guys (Perriman, Givens), and freakishly strong guys who catch everything (Smith)...if only they could stay healthy.

...or not?

[trevorsteadman]

No he is not a #1 wide receiver. But he is playing very well. I would say he is a good #2/#3. If Steve Smith does return next season we will need Aiken or Perriman to step up into the #1 role... A year older and with rehabbing an ACL I think we shouldn't overuse Steve Smith. So hopefully Perriman or Aiken can shine. I see 3 solid receivers but no starters. Steve Smith was a starter he can't run from father time for much longer and better to be safe than sorry for the position.

[Purplepowers88]

This author needs to stop pretending that Kamar Aiken really has potential to be a #1 WR. She writes with surprise and outrage that Aiken isn't universally considered a #1 WR. She writes "The thinking seems to be" for why he's not considered a #1 WR - as if it's hard for us to comprehend why people wouldn't say that he's a real #1 WR. Just stop it - please. In reality, Kamar Aiken would make a really good 3rd WR for this team. Let's not forget that even on his career day - he still needed that "lucky" (you know what I mean) Hail Mary TD catch to crack 100 yards. Take that away and he has 80 yards on his career day. Keep in mind this is with him being the primary target for our team. Some other thoughts about our receiving core: I really like Jeremy Butler, and Daniel Brown. And please - for my sanity - can we just cut Marlon Brown already?

Edited December 21, 2015 by Purplepowers88

[hn68wb4]

Aiken can't be called a "real" #1 until he proves that he can produce across from a starting caliber receiver. I love what I'm seeing from him but he only started to show up since Smith went down. I do really like Butler's potential, he's been putting up respectable numbers since being activated, next year he should be almost a lock to make the final roster.

I don't have much of a problem with Buck being benched, now he'll know to hold on to the ball like his livelihood depends on it. Fumbles every week is just plain unacceptable. The season is over so we can afford to bench him an entire game to send him a message that that can't be tolerated.

[Raven_Don]

Its no question that Kamar is a solid WR... when given the opportunity he has made the most of it.. 800 yds and counting his first time as a full time starter... Last year he showed potential...this year he showed passion and determination to prove doubters wrong... if he stays hungry and humble he can be something special... no need to put a label and try to figure out is he a legit number one... the guy makes plays... the next step is to dominate a game like SSS does.. I think he can be that guy... he is a big bodied WR that has just enough speed to make plays deep.. he's finally getting a bit more aggressive and is attacking the ball... rarely lets the ball come to him when defenders are around... I am a little disappointed with Chris he's better than he has been playing... he has suffered from a case of the dropsies...dating back to the Rams game... since then he's dropped some catch-able balls some with each of them resulting in drive killers..if you don't win on first down... it makes it that much difficult to convert the series... I am in favor of giving JB the nod going forward as the starter... I would figure he would be a chopping at the bit to prove himself after being benched in the St. Louis...

[Tenacious Faulker]

RE: Aiken, Butler and Gold uni pants - Can we just dispense with the face-saving and just report the facts? I think that anyone coming to this site to read the latest from the insiders already don;t need any convincing that the Ravens are their favorite team. Most are just venting and are in no danger of jumping ship or off a bridge. The Aiken facts were interesting, BUT, no, he is not as of yet a #1 WR consideration. He's doing an admirable job, and has shown improvement and while he occupies the #1 spot now it it indeed by default. It's up to him whether he can be that special player or not, I'll be monitoring his development, but won't anoint him a number one receiver until he earns it at the start of the season and starts beating #1 DBs. Butler too. He might be a talent, but anyone can see he's raw. He has a lot of competition next year just to make the team and, again, will look forward to watching his progress. Lastly, one does not need to be a fashionist to know that those Gold pants made the team look like someone found old, L.A> Rams unis at a thrift store and re-purposed them with Ravens logos. They were not as bad as the Steelers convict throwback jerseys, but still the worst combo the Ravens have ever fielded. Let's just keep with the facts and minimize the editorials. There's too much of that on ESPN and FOX News anyway.

[TheSim]

Aiken doesn't get a lot of separation, and we know with Joe that means he's reluctant to throw the ball to him, even though Aiken has a great ability to fight for the ball and has very good hands. Joe has done this with basically every possession receiver he has had, which is why Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin regularly had to tell him: "Just give me a chance, I will get the ball". It takes awhile for Joe to truly trust a possession receiver.

[GangofRavens]

I've been screaming on this board forever that FLACCO is the reason our receivers look bad. It's just to bad that it took him to get injured to prove that. I've said it all along we've got serviceable receivers. Clausen for Flacco and no I'm not kidding--the price is right. Flacco can't read defenses and he is slow in going through his progressions and delivering the ball. He is no elite QB. Nuff Said.

[tbird]

I don't get the big deal over the gold uniform pants. They were not that bad. At this point, what difference does it make.

[GangofRavens]

Aiken doesn't get a lot of separation, and we know with Joe that means he's reluctant to throw the ball to him, even though Aiken has a great ability to fight for the ball and has very good hands. Joe has done this with basically every possession receiver he has had, which is why Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin regularly had to tell him: "Just give me a chance, I will get the ball". It takes awhile for Joe to truly trust a possession receiver.

This the NFL. Throw your guy open. Throw back shoulder throws...do something.

[gabrielgrissom]

Secondary I think we should almost wipe clean.. Keep Will Hill and Elam to give him one last shot since this was gonna be his year before he got injured for the season. The rest we need to to look at cuz none of them are worth anything on the field right now Jimmy Smith is not good Webby his body just let him down so much that he isnt the same player, he has the heart of an athlete in an old mans body.

 I dont think you guys realize that if we keep doing that were not going to get anywhere... Remember back when our secondary was good... We had conitnuity we have this secondary for at least two more years... Stew like kendrick came on late in the year and no one wanted to give him credit they just focused on the play early in the season...  

Aiken is playing well, but I think this his progress needs to be kept in perspective. We needed this Kamar Aiken back when Steve Smith was the only reliable receiver on the team. After you're real #1 goes down, and your #1 draft pick never sees the field, Aiken should be viewed as a productive #3. That's what he'd be on a team with reliable receivers.

  and the thing with Joe is he only really looks at one read then checks it down... Hes already got in mind what he is going to do before he snaps the ball... He's got as on a slant or then he can look at Crockett then he would check it down... Its kinda like a one read offense without him escaping the pocket every 5 plays that's why we never saw kamar.

Harbaugh should have benched himself after that fake punt. One score game, 9 yards to go, deep in our own territory, it fails, we lose the ball, and they score easily. What's the difference between him and Allen, besides the fact Harbaugh consciously decided to do something stupid as opposed to simply making a mistake?

I get the feeling he is a big madden player

[gabrielgrissom]

And another thing... So we here in these forums love Daniel brown who I agree has some ability but on some plays looks completely lost and can't locate the ball for anything but we bash kamar on here... Lol ok

[GangofRavens]

This author needs to stop pretending that Kamar Aiken really has potential to be a #1 WR. She writes with surprise and outrage that Aiken isn't universally considered a #1 WR. She writes "The thinking seems to be" for why he's not considered a #1 WR - as if it's hard for us to comprehend why people wouldn't say that he's a real #1 WR. Just stop it - please. In reality, Kamar Aiken would make a really good 3rd WR for this team. Let's not forget that even on his career day - he still needed that "lucky" (you know what I mean) Hail Mary TD catch to crack 100 yards. Take that away and he has 80 yards on his career day. Keep in mind this is with him being the primary target for our team. Some other thoughts about our receiving core: I really like Jeremy Butler, and Daniel Brown. And please - for my sanity - can we just cut Marlon Brown already?

How is 80yds from a WR in a game something to disparage? Just started to show-up? Last time I checked a WR can't throw to himself. Anyway, the real question is why beat down a man that is producing? shm.

[Purplepowers88]

How is 80yds from a WR in a game something to disparage? Just started to show-up? Last time I checked a WR can't throw to himself. Anyway, the real question is why beat down a man that is producing? shm.

You should re-read my post. I was not disparaging Kamar Aiken's receiving ability. I said that I believe he would make an excellent #3 WR for the Ravens. He has improved tremendously as a receiver this year. My post was directed at the author who appeared "surprised" that people weren't considering him to be a legitimate #1 WR. 

[roamingcharges]

Is everyone panning the gold pants because EVERYONE ELSE is bashing them? Okay let me say it: Those pants are not half as bad as we are making them out to be... I actually like them as a change up. I think the apparel people chose the worst time to break them out; now everyone will remember them in conjunction with this horrid season.

 

Aiken a number 1 receiver? It's thoughts like that that have put the Ravens in our present predicament. Stop it!

 

I agree with Forsett, Butler is going to be a PLAYER in the NFL; sign him to a team friendly deal worthy of a number 5 receiver while you can afford him.

 

I really wanted Marcus Peters... we all did, but we got Perriman... I'll get on my knees (pun intended) and pray for better luck next time.

 

Top 5 overall pick baby!!! What; I'm being positive here.

Edited December 21, 2015 by roamingcharges

[fusuymada]

Ha ha Jimmy Smith was done for the season when it became obvious we were out of it. He put little or no effort into his work and I knew, as did many others, he was due for an injury to get out of playing the last games. Waste of time and money. I like Aiken, he has proven a lot and he could be a number 2 like he has been, but a true number one on a legitimate contender he is not.

[Jfravens]

The fact is that Aiken is the No. 1 receiver in Baltimore. That is real. Aiken deserves way more credit and respect, He's been the best playmaker for us. Go Aiken you're our No.1 Wr you earned it! Steve Smith sr, Kamar aiken, Buttler and Perriman. I like that.

[WNC-Raven]

I'll never understand people's fascination with putting labels on everything. Is Flacco elite? Is Aiken a #1? Who cares, I just want to win. We could and have had teams where everyone contributes to win football games no matter if they are a star or not. For me it's all about the team not the individual players come game day. The teams/games I enjoy the most are the ones where we don't look like a contender on paper but win on the field. The whole Aiken argument is silly because he will be bumped down to #2 or 3 next year if SSS returns or Perriman proves he was worthy of the first draft pick or we bring in another proven vet. Whatever happens he will hopefully be in a Ravens uniform next year and has the potential to be one heck of a #2 or 3 WR. Imagine what he can do without the #1 corner on him all game. He is getting better every week. That is something to be excited about.

[GangofRavens]

Numder 1 or 21 who gives a.... The guy is catching the ball so keep throwing it to him! Give me break. This debate is ridiculous. I don't know if he is a career number one, but I do know he ain't the bum most of the people on this site were painting him as. That is for D sure. Also logic dictates that he is a number one WR because he is our #1. Debate over.

[Raven_Don]

For the doubters.. JB had a career day against Seattle.. and he caught a pass on Sherman then gave him a mean stiff arm and broke it off for a first down... yes he's still raw but he's shown an ability to make plays and fight for yards after the catch... Aiken and Butler are like Boldin in that regard and since Aiken became the No.1 by default.. don't you think that teams game plan for him??? You think Andy Reid will go out of his way to encourage a player on another team without meaning it??? Especially when said player is going to be a free agent and a potential nice complimentary player to what he has on his roster... Wake up fans... whether he beat someone out or it was by default... he has been producing and for once he was developed here... so give the guy credit for doing what he can... the Ravens offense could have nosed dived but we are just outside top ten... and have given ourselves a chance to win... but we have shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers and penalties... so I am very optimistic for next season.. Go Ravens!!!

Edited December 21, 2015 by Raven_Don

[ravens4life86]

Please stop it... Aiken far from no.1. Aiken is a good back up. Thats it he, Jeremy Butler, and Dan Brown should be in the mix for Ravens 4,5,6 WRs slots...

Ravens have Perriman (Hopefully) next year no.1, and possibly Smith Sr returning no.3 WRs..

In the first 50 Picks.. so first 2 picks, unless Ozzie trades his first pick to gain multiple top 50 picks...

The Ravens must take a second franchise WR, gamechanger.. someone who can replace Sr after next year, and who can step in now..

Michael Thomas OSU, Will Fuller Burner ND, Josh Doctson TCU, Boyd Pitt

So

[bioLarzen]

Draft update: according to nfl.com, at the moment we are at #3. May - and probably will - change the next 2 weeks, but that's not bad.