New Defense Next Year

[terrynjulia03]

Ok so didnt want this buried in the Fire Pees thread of the Changes for Next Year. This is solely focused upon the D, moving forward and some facts and stats. All the questions we as fans get are based upon "If not Pees than who?" and "Why switch to a 4-3 base". So I did a bunch of research that we can discuss. Harbs and Co pay attention ok?

The "Greatest Defense the NFL has ever seen was the 2000 Ravens" yeah maybe some people would argue the Steel Curtain or the Bears D but the fact remains the 2000 team holds the records for fewest ppg ever in history, and won a SB with a jv squad of inept offense. FACT. That D ran a 4-3, ok really they ran more of a 4-6 bear but thats besides the point. The starters were, Boulware Lewis Sharper at LB and a front 4 of Burnett @ 267 pounds, Adams @ 350, Goose @ 340 and McCrary @ 260. Now your prob wondering why Im listing the weights of our front 4. Ill get to that. So there it was, along with a really good secondary and a aggressive DC this was the basis of the best ppg defense in the history of the NFL, who went up against the best rushing offense AND the best passing offense and stomped both that year. anyways.

Here are the "magical stats and weights" for a front 4 in todays NFL. DT should average 307 pounds. DE 269. Carolina one of the most dominant fronts in the NFL weigh from LDE to RDE. 275 299 311 264. Minn with their #1 D in the league is 270 320 305 265.

That said, here are the weights of our guys. Projected DTs in a 4-3 front

Davis 320

BWill 335

The Interesting thing is Davis actually played in a 4-3 DT in college. BWill was a 3-4 NT but also played 5 tech. Now we have back ups and rotational:

KLM 315

Jerrigan 302

Guy 305

Again all played in a 4-3 in college.

DEs.

ZSmith 275. Was projected coming out of college as a prototypical 4-3 end. Has the weight, this past week played in that EXACT same role and scored 2 sacks. This isnt rocket science here.

Urban 295. Played all over the line. But at his height and arm reach, think Watt as far as knockdowns and passes to the flat just not getting past him.

Now Upshaw played a 4-3 strong side end at Bama. Weight 272. No wonder he cant transition to a 3-4. IF we dont draft Bosa maybe he gets kept on to play the same 4-3 end here. And Urban is the backup on passing downs or specific plays they see or the competition. Like the Chiefs. Bunch of little passes in the middle and flat, you start Urban. The Steelers you start Upshaw. Its a win win, cheap.

Getting to the LBs. Of course Mosley played MLB at Bama. Again a 4-3, so thats set. So we need a Sam, who is your jack of all trades LB, can sniff out runs and get through blockers, or play the pass, or even rush the QB at times. Suggs, Doom? Hmmm maybe Suggs can, but def not doom. And even Sizzle wouldnt be the best.

Than you need a Will. Whos a fast speedy guy who can cover AND blitz the QB on occasion. Now we have ABrown, who thats actually what his role was in college, again no wonder he cant get on the field. However Id think Sizzle could fit, maybe.

But theres the facts. And hence why we play alot of 4-3 under even when were not in the nickle. And still keep alot of the same personnel as for the front for such.

Bosa is a 4-3 DE. The best in the draft. And thats what he is. Period. J.Smith is the best 4-3 Will LB in the draft. Period. Those are theyre grades by scouts and professionals all over the country.

Sorta like ZSmith was graded as purely a strong side 4-3 End, period. We tried to make him a OLB. Brooks graded as a "robber" and st guy and a backup FS at best. Yet our scouts thought better. Elam, graded as a SS starter. His 1st year he started at FS and on athleticism was kinda serviceable. Move him to his natural position and now hes lost and cant tackle. Now this isnt a attack on the scouting, but obviously theres a disconnect. Stop trying to overthink, stop fitting square pegs in round holes. These are solid facts. The scouts who found Sizzle and changed his position arent the same ones we have now. The scouts we had even before that found Ray and Ed, but it wasnt rocket science. Ed was the best college FS in college. Ray the best MLB. Ogden was the best OT. They didnt reinvent the wheel. They said thats the best guy at his position. Period. None said well Ed could be a SS or a LB or Ray is light lets make him a SS. No they said thats his position and hes the best. Done.

Anyways. Discuss away. Just presenting facts. Not one to complain without providing factual proof. So there it is.

[K-Dog]

Ok so didnt want this buried in the Fire Pees thread of the Changes for Next Year. This is solely focused upon the D, moving forward and some facts and stats. All the questions we as fans get are based upon "If not Pees than who?" and "Why switch to a 4-3 base". So I did a bunch of research that we can discuss. Harbs and Co pay attention ok?

 

This is where I stopped reading.

[bMore Heathen]

I like the idea of transitioning to more of a 4-3 front for the simple fact that it's getting harder to find those hybrid guys to play the OLB positions because more teams have needs for them. Back when Oz was taking guys like A Thomas, there were only 3 or 4 teams looking for players like him, now it's half the league.

Here are a couple issues I have with your thoughts. Suggs and Doom would be DEs in the 4-3. Suggs, at his age and after his Achilles tear, it would be impossible for him to play Sam or Will. So the issue is, we literally need 3 new LBS to give us the proper depth to be able to run it effectively. It's just unlikely to happen in 1 offseason with little cap to work with. We would have to rely on later round picks as starters or key back ups.

Brandon Williams as a 5 tech wouldn't be a good idea either. It's proven because he comes off the field in our sub package (nickel). We have 4 or 5 guys that could play there effectively, Williams could do it, but that's not playing to his strength. He lacks length and athleticism. Jernigan and Urban would be ideal, but neither have the bulk. Timmy was a NT at Flordia State.

We also lack the depth at DE. We have Suggs, Doom, Z smith as the only real options at DE. Upshaw would be more of a 5 tech, we've used him there in sub packages before, he also lacks length and athleticism to play DE. Doom seems to be better as a rotational piece, but if we take Bosa it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

Ed Reed was a SS at Miami, Sean Taylor was the FS. Ed was a SS his first couple years here as well, he didn't transition to FS until Kim Herring and Will Demps left.

With so many holes in our team, I don't think we can focus on bringing in new players to fit a new scheme when we still need a starting FS or CB depending on what happens with Webb. We need to fix that before we even consider transitioning to a 4-3. Those are the needs today and will need to be fixed regardless of scheme. And that's not even addressing the offense which needs a couple of pieces as well.

[terrynjulia03]

This is where I stopped reading.

It was a joke. Cmon man. You read the rest, just couldnt find a fault. You post on 105.7 I bet. Lol. Kidding. Again.

[terrynjulia03]

I like the idea of transitioning to more of a 4-3 front for the simple fact that it's getting harder to find those hybrid guys to play the OLB positions because more teams have needs for them. Back when Oz was taking guys like A Thomas, there were only 3 or 4 teams looking for players like him, now it's half the league.

Here are a couple issues I have with your thoughts. Suggs and Doom would be DEs in the 4-3. Suggs, at his age and after his Achilles tear, it would be impossible for him to play Sam or Will. So the issue is, we literally need 3 new LBS to give us the proper depth to be able to run it effectively. It's just unlikely to happen in 1 offseason with little cap to work with. We would have to rely on later round picks as starters or key back ups.

Brandon Williams as a 5 tech wouldn't be a good idea either. It's proven because he comes off the field in our sub package (nickel). We have 4 or 5 guys that could play there effectively, Williams could do it, but that's not playing to his strength. He lacks length and athleticism. Jernigan and Urban would be ideal, but neither have the bulk. Timmy was a NT at Flordia State.

We also lack the depth at DE. We have Suggs, Doom, Z smith as the only real options at DE. Upshaw would be more of a 5 tech, we've used him there in sub packages before, he also lacks length and athleticism to play DE. Doom seems to be better as a rotational piece, but if we take Bosa it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

Ed Reed was a SS at Miami, Sean Taylor was the FS. Ed was a SS his first couple years here as well, he didn't transition to FS until Kim Herring and Will Demps left.

With so many holes in our team, I don't think we can focus on bringing in new players to fit a new scheme when we still need a starting FS or CB depending on what happens with Webb. We need to fix that before we even consider transitioning to a 4-3. Those are the needs today and will need to be fixed regardless of scheme. And that's not even addressing the offense which needs a couple of pieces as well.

THIS is exactly the reply I was hoping for. Punching holes in the idea, but than we need to find ideas to fill those. But ty for a honest post. Youre correct. Ed was the SS and played their first, BUT check his draft profile. Theyres a few out there that say his athleticism and ball skills say FS. Check nfldraftscout. But all in all yes.

Jerrigan was a substandard NT who really lacked the weight. He was projected better as a 4-3 dt. Again. Check draft history. And really they said he would be great as a sub but needed things before being a starter, hence why I have him listed as a rotational guy. NOT a starter.

As for BWill and where and when he plays, thats on Pees. Who maybe you take some cred in, but given our stats and play, I dont. I dont feel he has the slightest idea how to use guys. BWill was a NT and played 5tech in college, and every single scouting report on him says he can play either. Ill trust profeesionals over Pees as a failed DC everywhere hes been. You can say personal bias. I choose facts. Again. Hes failed everywhere and gets zero cred.

But true. We have many holes on D. But fact remains, we have less holes in a 4-3 under, which we actually play the majority of the time, than a 3-4 next year. In a 3-4 we have 2 olbs that are older, one a season ending injury, the other the worst stats of his career, and noone behind them. We have 1 MLB and a big maybe next to him. We have a Dline with a bunch of rotation and guys playing out of position. Last year we played the nickle, which is a extension of the 4-3 34% of the time. This year its 41% . again those are facts. We dont have the horses to play the 3-4. We just dont. Far more holes.

[terrynjulia03]

Hence why we've been drafting more 4-3 style personnel. We just need a coach that knows how to play it. Again a disconnect between FO, Coaches, and scouts. Everyones gotta get on the same train. This isnt simply fire Pees or we. This is, they all need to get on the same page. And we havent been, for years. Look, think Pees os a good DC? Thats fine, but get the scouts and Oz on board and find who he needs. But weve been drafting for a 4-3 and fitting into a 3-4 minded guy playing in a nickle with a 4-3 base almost half the time. The conduit is broken. Thats all Im saying.

[bMore Heathen]

Hence why we've been drafting more 4-3 style personnel. We just need a coach that knows how to play it. Again a disconnect between FO, Coaches, and scouts. Everyones gotta get on the same train. This isnt simply fire Pees or we. This is, they all need to get on the same page. And we havent been, for years. Look, think Pees os a good DC? Thats fine, but get the scouts and Oz on board and find who he needs. But weve been drafting for a 4-3 and fitting into a 3-4 minded guy playing in a nickle with a 4-3 base almost half the time. The conduit is broken. Thats all Im saying.

And that's a valid point. I think Oz struggles with getting guys that fit into what Dean wants to do. He had a GREAT working relationship with Rex and had no issues getting him players that fit. Maybe it was Rex was better at playing to guys streangths, but there is an obvious disconnect right now between the scouts and coaches. When GMs and coaches are on the same page, you see things like what's going on in Seattle on D or Pitt on O.

I don't have any love for Pees, but not many DC would ask a guy like Williams to be a 5 tech. He may have done it in college, but there's a huge difference between Southern Missouri State and the NFL. Guys like Goose and Adams were in the 6'3 or 6'4 range. BWill the best NT in the NFL right now and I don't really see a reason to ask him to do anything different. Again the issue isn't the interior line, it's the ends and LBs. Mosley is really the only one that fits. Brown might, but he's a FA in 17 and we will either have to pay him or replace him. Even if we forget that, we still don't have a Sam, or depth at any of those spots.

[K-Dog]

You post on 105.7 I bet. Lol. Kidding. Again.

Nope. This is the only sports related boards I visit.

[Clmraven]

THIS is exactly the reply I was hoping for. Punching holes in the idea, but than we need to find ideas to fill those. But ty for a honest post. Youre correct. Ed was the SS and played their first, BUT check his draft profile. Theyres a few out there that say his athleticism and ball skills say FS. Check nfldraftscout. But all in all yes.

Jerrigan was a substandard NT who really lacked the weight. He was projected better as a 4-3 dt. Again. Check draft history. And really they said he would be great as a sub but needed things before being a starter, hence why I have him listed as a rotational guy. NOT a starter..

I don't agree with your post saying that we just picked Ray and Ed because they were the best at their positions there was a few LBs taken ahead of Ray and Roy Williams was taken like 15+ before Ed,and in case I'm misinterpreting your point and your just saying we took them because they were the best at their position remaining, if we just take the best player left at a position of need we won't go far because the best remaining Safety or corner could be much worse than the best remaining LB.

Also Jernigan may have played NT in college he was always gonna be a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT in the NFL and was regarded as a starter coming out I saw him in the top 15 in more than a few mocks before he fell.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

During the season i watch and start thinking back to when we were at our best defensively and it seemed as though our defense has no structure. I do not think it is a coaching issue nor a talent issue.

 

I think the defense really lacks a true leader. Someone on the field who is willing to call out a player when they are not "doing their job". Our corners get burned and they shrug it off like no big deal. Which it is great to have a short memory as a defensive guy as everyone will be burnt once in a while but to not be held accountable by anyone leaves you not caring at all.

 

I remember when Cmac would screw up Ray Ray would get in his face to let him know that he is letting the entire defense down when he uses bad judgement.

 

I think the defense needs a leader. I know Mosley is a great player but he is not a leader and with Suggs out who is the leader now ? 

 

It is not just something our team alone is suffering from, as my title stated it is a problem around the league. A lot of teams seem to have the same issue. Guys want the big money and are playing for selfish reasons and not as part of a team in effort. Is a sad time i think.

 

I preach to my kids that no team is successful when they do not play as one. You need to rely and depend on your team mates to do their part. The lack of leadership shows in the record and in the penalties as well. 

[Tru11]

to many young guys and no really Elite player that can hold every accountable.

 

also other then steve smith , we dont really seem to have a guy that is really vocal.

[rmcjacket23]

THIS is exactly the reply I was hoping for. Punching holes in the idea, but than we need to find ideas to fill those. But ty for a honest post. Youre correct. Ed was the SS and played their first, BUT check his draft profile. Theyres a few out there that say his athleticism and ball skills say FS. Check nfldraftscout. But all in all yes.

Jerrigan was a substandard NT who really lacked the weight. He was projected better as a 4-3 dt. Again. Check draft history. And really they said he would be great as a sub but needed things before being a starter, hence why I have him listed as a rotational guy. NOT a starter.

As for BWill and where and when he plays, thats on Pees. Who maybe you take some cred in, but given our stats and play, I dont. I dont feel he has the slightest idea how to use guys. BWill was a NT and played 5tech in college, and every single scouting report on him says he can play either. Ill trust profeesionals over Pees as a failed DC everywhere hes been. You can say personal bias. I choose facts. Again. Hes failed everywhere and gets zero cred.

But true. We have many holes on D. But fact remains, we have less holes in a 4-3 under, which we actually play the majority of the time, than a 3-4 next year. In a 3-4 we have 2 olbs that are older, one a season ending injury, the other the worst stats of his career, and noone behind them. We have 1 MLB and a big maybe next to him. We have a Dline with a bunch of rotation and guys playing out of position. Last year we played the nickle, which is a extension of the 4-3 34% of the time. This year its 41% . again those are facts. We dont have the horses to play the 3-4. We just dont. Far more holes.

For me, this is all semantics.

 

First say we we are a base 3-4, now we say we can't play it, but we play a 4-3 under most of the time anyway.

 

Here's what I see:

 

In a typical year, we play Nickel defense A LOT. That means 5 DBs. I'll go back and check, but my guess is, given the way the NFL is going and our personnel, this accounts for over half of our defensive snaps.

 

Given that, why are we really having this discussion? We are spending time talking about a transition where we go from a 7 man front to a 7 man front, and we're doing it MAYBE half of our defensive snaps?

 

If we were to switch to a base 4-3, which again I don't see the point, if you took a picture of it, it would look a TON like a base 3-4. You'd have your pass rushers, previously OLBs now playing DE basically, probably standing up half the time. Dumervil and Suggs aren't really the "hand in the dirt" type rushers. 

 

Honestly, I'd say it would be disadvantageous for somebody like Brandon  Williams, who we need to be building around, because a 4-3 DT isn't a space eater like Williams. They are expected to push the pile and pass rush as well.

 

But again, when you're playing Nickel or even Dime over half the time, none of these base defenses matter. I just took a look at snap counts, and there's been roughly 940 defensive snaps. Jimmy has played about 94%, and Webb has played roughly 83%, so they're largely on the field most of the time.

 

Shareece Wright and Kyle Arrington have combined to play 655 of the 940 snaps, which is roughly 70%. Its possible they've been on the field at the same time, but I don't recall that happening that frequently, so I think its fair to say one of them is on the field probably at least half the time.

 

I think we are making a big deal out of nothing. There are differences between a 4-3 and a 3-4, but most teams just play hybrid schemes to match offensive personnel these days, and so I don't think making a switch has a large impact.

 

Get good players, and the scheme can work.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Bring in Jim Schwartz in some sort of Spagnola kind of role for next year.   

[Xmadraven]

We mostly play a 4-3 under with 3-4 personell.....a 4-3 defense is something we don't have the players for. It'd be stupid to change scheme Pees is an NFL coach and knows way more about football than all of us so please stop. 

 

We need changes/fixes on defense and maybe firing pees helps who knows. I doubt finding a new guy will help given he will still lack top shelf personell. 

[GrimCoconut]

I wouldn't be surprised if we did switch to a 4-3 under, for instance, as a base package. I don't think it matters much because we do most of the same regardless, but I could see it. I think it's especially true if we draft Bosa or Jaylon Smith.

[52liveforever]

I don't really see a point in the switch. Our rotation in our front 3 is the best part of our D. The problem with our defense is the secondary. Fix that issue before reshuffling the front 7 b.c if we switched to a 4-3 we would be forced to cut some good DLineman.

[PurpleCity5]

I think Pees is toast honestly. I don't see him surviving this off-season unless Harbaugh gives him another chance. The way I look at it, someone is going to get fired, it's sad because I don't wish for anyone to lose their job but when your unit preforms this bad, then you got to clean house. We came into this season with SB aspirations, to see our season turn out like this, you have to think the F.O is disappointed. Not to mention Harbaugh was already steadfast about how he hates losing 4th QTR leads due to defense slipping up. I think someone is gone. 

[Deflated Football]

I think Pees is toast honestly. I don't see him surviving this off-season unless Harbaugh gives him another chance. The way I look at it, someone is going to get fired, it's sad because I don't wish for anyone to lose their job but when your unit preforms this bad, then you got to clean house. We came into this season with SB aspirations, to see our season turn out like this, you have to think the F.O is disappointed. Not to mention Harbaugh was already steadfast about how he hates losing 4th QTR leads due to defense slipping up. I think someone is gone.

Hey, when you suck at your job, you're going to get canned. Same goes for you and I. Pees is an awful DC and deserves the boot.

[The Raven]

I don't really see a point in the switch. Our rotation in our front 3 is the best part of our D. The problem with our defense is the secondary. Fix that issue before reshuffling the front 7 b.c if we switched to a 4-3 we would be forced to cut some good DLineman.

 

Could we not have an equally good rotation in a 4-3? Who would we cut that's actually good? I don't think Brandon Williams, Jernigan, Guy, or Davis are going anywhere. KLM and Urban haven't shown much of anything. All switching to a 4-3 means is finding more linebackers that fit the mold. 

 

 

All this is moot anyway. This is only talking about alignment. A 4-3 under is the exact same alignment and possibly the exact same personnel as a 3-4 under. It makes no damn difference. What really matters is the gap philosophy and how you use your linebackers. In a 3-4, you don't have to have massive cloggers. You can run a single gap, attacking 3-4. Likewise, a 4-3 doesn't necessarily have to be a penetrating front. You can have cloggers there, like we did in 2000. 

 

With how we run our defense, we're practically running a 5-2, in terms of personnel. We have three down linemen, with Dumervil and Upshaw as the OLBs. Those two are, for all intents and purposes, DEs. If you ask me, that's slowing us down.

 

The NFL is getting faster, and with a 3-4 base (yes it is), we're not fast enough on defense. Before the season, some weird study came out saying we were the second slowest team in the NFL. That's showing up big time on defense. If we run a 4-3, we're losing one of our big slow guys and replacing him, with, oh Idk, Arthur Brown or Zach Orr.

Edited December 24, 2015 by The Raven

[PurpleCity5]

Hey, when you suck at your job, you're going to get canned. Same goes for you and I. Pees is an awful DC and deserves the boot.

Yeah you do have a point there, coaches lose their jobs all the time, I think the guy is gone. 

[Deflated Football]

Yeah you do have a point there, coaches lose their jobs all the time, I think the guy is gone.

I hope so lol

[Winchester]

I think Pees is toast honestly. I don't see him surviving this off-season unless Harbaugh gives him another chance. The way I look at it, someone is going to get fired, it's sad because I don't wish for anyone to lose their job but when your unit preforms this bad, then you got to clean house. We came into this season with SB aspirations, to see our season turn out like this, you have to think the F.O is disappointed. Not to mention Harbaugh was already steadfast about how he hates losing 4th QTR leads due to defense slipping up. I think someone is gone.

If the offense keeps scoring points and playing the same balanced game then you can not lose a lead!! Now if the offense plays conservative and keeps kicking the ball back to the opposing offense then it is giving them opportunity and daring them to take the lead. Keep the playcalling aggressive and balanced. Put some pressure on the opposing teams defense and out of the hands of the opposing offense. Which is why keeping the best left guard in the league is a priority!! As well as drafting a franchise left tackle then a legit receiver. Keep the offense balanced with run and throw and keep the opposing defense tired and off balance with the dominating mauling OLine fueling the run game and prolific efficient throws. The defense can not give up a lead when the ravens score again and keep the opposing offense on the sideline.

[RayRocks]

Been thinking about this pretty much all season.  I actually think it's quite doable all with the addition of a few players.  I think it's definitely possible that Mosely could play an Outside Linebacker (strong side) role, and I think 1 of either Orr or Arthur Brown would play weakside.  If not, finding a weakside linebacker is probably the the easiest to find in the draft.

 

I think at this point in his career, Suggs might actually be better off in a 4-3 role because his two strong-suits are rushing the passer and stopping the run... we haven't seen him drop into coverage much at all in the last few years.  It could also mean slightly less double teams for Suggs having 1 extra man on the line.  Dumervil has already played in a 4-3 in his career so I don't think that's really a question.

 

If Bosa is the best player available when we're on the board, we take him and start the switch to a 4-3.

[PurpleCity5]

If the offense keeps scoring points and playing the same balanced game then you can not lose a lead!! Now if the offense plays conservative and keeps kicking the ball back to the opposing offense then it is giving them opportunity and daring them to take the lead. Keep the playcalling aggressive and balanced. Put some pressure on the opposing teams defense and out of the hands of the opposing offense. Which is why keeping the best left guard in the league is a priority!! As well as drafting a franchise left tackle then a legit receiver. Keep the offense balanced with run and throw and keep the opposing defense tired and off balance with the dominating mauling OLine fueling the run game and prolific efficient throws. The defense can not give up a lead when the ravens score again and keep the opposing offense on the sideline.

I just want a defense that is respectable. Me personally, I think the time is now to build an elite offense. We have a receiving threat in Buck Allen out the back field, a legit #3 in Kamar Aiken, a first round rookie who can be a deep threat in Perriman, and an OL that when healthy, can play at a high level. 

 

I feel like with a proper run game and another WR, we can make some noise offensively. I think we really need the guys healthy in order to do that. I'm a big fan of getting a WR in the 2nd round, I like some of the guys there. Getting Tunsil(If possible) and Boyd or Thomas would make me a really happy fan. 

 

I prefer the elite offense/good defense mantra, if you can hold opponents to FGs and make stops, then you will win games. I think a good defense will hold teams below the 28 point mark, if we can do that, we should be able to bounce back in 2016 with an elite offense. 

[RavensFanMania]

Ed Reed was a SS at Miami, Sean Taylor was the FS.

not to get off topick, but that had to be demoralizing for any opponent. 

[terrynjulia03]

But heres the point. The DISCONNECT. Yes we run a 4-3 under far more than a traditional 3-4. Because thats the horses we have. But Pees is a straight up 3-4 guy. He doesnt know HOW to call this D. And doesnt know how to use the personnel. Hey I give the guy credit, he's out of his comfort zone and still at least trying. But like I said, everyone has to be on the same page. And for the past couple years, they haven't been.

As for leadership. Someone else touched on it. There will never be another Ray. BUT their are plenty of leader type guys out there and we need some,lol.

[RavensFanMania]

Yeah you do have a point there, coaches lose their jobs all the time, I think the guy is gone. 

lets hope.  I've been wanting this almost all season.

[terrynjulia03]

I just want a defense that is respectable. Me personally, I think the time is now to build an elite offense. We have a receiving threat in Buck Allen out the back field, a legit #3 in Kamar Aiken, a first round rookie who can be a deep threat in Perriman, and an OL that when healthy, can play at a high level. 

 

I feel like with a proper run game and another WR, we can make some noise offensively. I think we really need the guys healthy in order to do that. I'm a big fan of getting a WR in the 2nd round, I like some of the guys there. Getting Tunsil(If possible) and Boyd or Thomas would make me a really happy fan. 

 

I prefer the elite offense/good defense mantra, if you can hold opponents to FGs and make stops, then you will win games. I think a good defense will hold teams below the 28 point mark, if we can do that, we should be able to bounce back in 2016 with an elite offense.

The 2000 and 2012 Ravens would disagree, the Seahawks would disagree, the Pats(back when they won SBs and dont say last year as Seattle handed them the win) would disagree, the Giants would disagree, and even ignoring the past and just looking at this year...who are the Dominant teams? Carolina, whats their D ranked? Minn, again #1D, Denver because of D, Arizona again higher ranked D than O, so on and so forth....the abbirition is NE and I bet they get smoked in the WC round at home just like the last time they were in this position, ahem Ravens knocking them out with a damn good D and a running game.

Just look at history. Take the past 5 years of playoff teams. Most had a D ranked higher than their O. Or they were really close to each other. NO team with a top 5 offense and a bottom 5 D has EVER made the postseason past the WC round, as far as I know.

[RavensFanMania]

The 2000 and 2012 Ravens would disagree, the Seahawks would disagree, the Pats(back when they won SBs and dont say last year as Seattle handed them the win) would disagree, the Giants would disagree, and even ignoring the past and just looking at this year...who are the Dominant teams? Carolina, whats their D ranked? Minn, again #1D, Denver because of D, Arizona again higher ranked D than O, so on and so forth....the abbirition is NE and I bet they get smoked in the WC round at home just like the last time they were in this position, ahem Ravens knocking them out with a damn good D and a running game.

Just look at history. Take the past 5 years of playoff teams. Most had a D ranked higher than their O. Or they were really close to each other. NO team with a top 5 offense and a bottom 5 D has EVER made the postseason past the WC round, as far as I know.

 

The 2000 and 2012 Ravens would disagree, the Seahawks would disagree, the Pats(back when they won SBs and dont say last year as Seattle handed them the win) would disagree, the Giants would disagree, and even ignoring the past and just looking at this year...who are the Dominant teams? Carolina, whats their D ranked? Minn, again #1D, Denver because of D, Arizona again higher ranked D than O, so on and so forth....the abbirition is NE and I bet they get smoked in the WC round at home just like the last time they were in this position, ahem Ravens knocking them out with a damn good D and a running game.

Just look at history. Take the past 5 years of playoff teams. Most had a D ranked higher than their O. Or they were really close to each other. NO team with a top 5 offense and a bottom 5 D has EVER made the postseason past the WC round, as far as I know.

Going back to San Diego Chargers with Dan Fouts and Gibbs as the OC (yes that is a long time ago).  I believe they may have been top 5 O and bottom 5 D past the wild card round.  The rams of 1999 were pathetic on D as well. 

[terrynjulia03]

Going back to San Diego Chargers with Dan Fouts and Gibbs as the OC (yes that is a long time ago). I believe they may have been top 5 O and bottom 5 D past the wild card round. The rams of 1999 were pathetic on D as well.

Gonna have to double check now. Lol. But hey thats what a forum is for. Pff should have those stats. Brb

Edit: nope just checked. The 99 Rams were 4th in D on ppg. Hmmmm a top 5 D along with that offense that everyone talks about. Actually checked the whole era of the "Greatest show on turf" their D never ranked worse than 12th.

Edit 2: Again incorrect. The 1979 and 80 seasons of the Chargers yoire talking aboit they were 2nd in ppg on D and 3rd.

Edited December 24, 2015 by terrynjulia03