[News] Late For Work 1/4: 10 Big Questions For Ravens Offseason

[nevermorebmore]

Somehow this season feels like a subjective success. Harbaugh and his staff were forced for really the first time in his tenure to lead against insurmountable odds. His early years built on a foundation of HoF veterans, leading to numerous years of success. As the saying goes, winning cures all locker room disfunction, and five years of playoffs highlight objective success. I don't want to discredit previous seasons, I'm just pointing out that it's easier to lead when your work is clearly paying off. The second half of this season was built on pure grit. The Steelers victory was the great triumph, but I feel like the last plays in the Bengals game told much more of the actual story. Harbaugh and the team fought until the last whistle, and made the Bengals take their victory. The players didn't quit. I think all the players and coaches really deserve recognition for succeeding in a way the franchise is unaccustomed to succeeding - playing for pride versus a ring. Thanks for keeping a cloudy season bright.

[harfordravenfan]

I consider Trestman one of the few "unsung heroes" of a failed season. He's this season's Juan Castillo for a lot of fans (most of whom, by the way, somehow forgot to admit the O-line woes in 2013 probably weren't all on Castillo after all, as his lines have been very good since...).

 

It can be debated whether Kubiak was a better OC than Trestman - but calling for his head... is about as fair as calling Perriman a bust because he got injured

 

Well said and 100% agree on both parts

[harfordravenfan]

The biggest indictment on this unit is their inability to create turnovers. Outside of the aberration that was the Steelers game, the defense was not very impressive IMO. They played well through stretches, but would too often lapse and erase all that was good due to bone headed penalties and desperation PI. Those penalties don't show up in many of the stats that are listed, but are major contributors to being #24 in points allowed (which is not by any means acceptable). 

 

Didn't notice it as much in the back side of the season but their was SOOOOO many dropped interceptions from our secondary early in the season (I wanted them all to get a jugs machine). Add that to the less pressure on opposing QB's after Suggs went down... I completely agree with lack of turnovers/big plays being a major cause

[steelcityraven]

Interesting post by Harbs.... (I could read so much into that) yet... I think the timing of it was every bit as powerful as the actual words!

[cbrook1862]

I hope we don't go LT in the first round, Mallet was kept pretty clean and for the most part wasn't pressured that much, only on Blitz's, there's way more pressing needs than that, just don't count on Monroe.

[Crusader]

"This was the most rewarding season I ever had" John makes it easy to not like him.

[Crusader]

I must say I like seeing Sara on "Ravens Unscripted" I agree with her line of thinking more than those other guys. For instance, Mink said the defense got better after the break but you have to remember Ravens were home more and played bad teams.

[Maryland]

How could they leave out one of the most pressing questions amid Black Monday madness: Will Dean Pees be DC in 2016?

[Twidiot]

Ravens will get lucky to win 8 games next year, very lucky.

 

We nearly won 8 this year with the injuries, so let's wait and see what the roster looks like first, hmmm, Cowboy? 

[WordProphet]

What we truly need to do is to stop so many bonehead penalties, if we can do that, then that alone means we win more games, for too many times we were going for the score and somebody would commit a bonehead penalty and stop the drive, man, that more than frustrating and is a direct cause to why the Ravens lost like they did this season, encroachment, playing the opposing receiver instead of turning to see the ball coming, offensive line moving before the ball is hiked, and numerous of other things, if we can cut that out it would go a long way to improve on having a winning season!!! But when it's all said and done GO RAVENS!!!

[Jim Giampaoli]

This was a season plagued by injuries. Do great teams survive them? I think so. We didn't have the depth to compete. It showed up all of preseason. We wound up wandering through the marketplace searching for washouts early on. Going into a NFL game with Clausen or Schaub as your starter was painful. Next season we rebuild and keep Osemele and hopefully Upshaw. If the Ravens lose their good players, repeat performance and back to the open market. Not a great team next season but in contention. Maybe the playoffs.

Edited January 5, 2016 by Jim Giampaoli

[RavensFanMania]

As we saw with Ngata, that doesn't always come to fruition.

Well it is more difficult with older players due to the fact that you aren't going to make the contract long enough to spread the bonus money over the length of the contract.  With KO he is still young enough to get another contract in 4 years.

[Joshuahill2@aol.com]

I think all the players listed above should be cap causalities. We have to get younger, faster and more physical on defense. We need to upgrade the skill positions on offense. With that said, I think we need to look in another direction in terms of defensive philosophy.

Last year we said the defense didn't play well because we were injured in the secondary. This year we weren't playing well because we couldn't cover on the back end. and there was no pressure up front. Next year it will be something else. It seems to me that there will always be an excuse as to why we aren't playing better defense. The problem is we don't have linebackers who can cover tight ends and running backs. I thought we would see more Arthur Brown because of that, but the team used Orr instead. I just can't believe a 2nd round pick can't get on the field. The zone coverages are too soft. Lewis can't cover or tackle. Will Hill can't cover. Wright can't cover. Arrington can't cover. Webby can't cover. It's a disaster. We have to move in a different direction.

[RavensDieHard21]

Franchise tag KO as a guard since that is where he spent most of his time this year, at least until after the draft so we can figure it out. He is too valuable to let go of. Also, get a deal done with tucker, then after Flaccos negotiations we can see who gets cut and who we resign.

[RavensDieHard21]

A healthy SSS, Perriman, Aiken, and a solid vet or a young stud like treadwell or Boyd would be great, but I think that 6 would be a reach. Add in a healthy sizzle, with doom, z. Smith and adding a Floyd from Georgia, Calhoun, Ogbah, or Nykimdiche and we would have a solid pass rush. I also would love to draft Desmond king too for a playmaker and physical presence in the secondary.

[utalkingtome123]

Someone said we have 3 "very good" RBs coming back next season....I don't know about all that,buck is ok give him some time,Lorenzo is mediocre, and forsett is pretty good but he is like a demarco murray and the Cowboys, an ok to good back who fit the scheme and benefited from a great line so in mind the ravens still need to look for a true no 1 back in the future.

Edited January 5, 2016 by utalkingtome123

[Cawtious]

Ravens 2016 Draft: 1st - DE Bosa, LT Tunsil, LT Stanley. 2nd - WR Tyler Boyd

Bosa would be the best pick.  I somehow doubt he's still on the board by the time we are on the clock.  Stanley may still be......

[rmcjacket23]

Franchise tag KO as a guard since that is where he spent most of his time this year, at least until after the draft so we can figure it out. He is too valuable to let go of. Also, get a deal done with tucker, then after Flaccos negotiations we can see who gets cut and who we resign.

There is no such thing as a franchise tag for a Guard... the tag designation applies to all offensive lineman, regardless of position.

 

Franchise tag in 2015 for OL was just under $13M I believe, so expect it to be north of $13M in 2016. KO isn't anywhere near a $13M a year player, so the franchise tag isn't even a viable option.

 

He gets extended, or he walks. Only two possible scenarios.

[Halshayeji]

Thank you Ravens for fighting till the end!

It was a painful season but in the end..... We got 100 percent effort and we gave young guys valuable playing time that we rarely have the luxury of doing. Next year will be a blast. And next year starts in s few weeks for Ozzie and them.

Bring back that smile to our faces and remind the world who we are coz we surely haven't forgotten.

Keep bleeding purple Ravens coz its only gonna get better from here

[Cawtious]

Ravens will get lucky to win 8 games next year, very lucky.

I see an 11-5 Season with a wild card berth next year as highly possible.  I think we split with Pittsburgh, Cinci, Loss to NE, Upset in Dallas, and a hiccup against one of these three:  Jets, Giants, or Cleveland.

 

Just having fun, so don't blast me too hard!!

[Halshayeji]

Justin Tucker just seems like a good dude. He is my favorite Raven.

Honestly, I'm glad tuck missed a few fgs because that only increases our chances of retaining his services. He's certainly my fav kicker in the NFL by far but to say hes your fav player just proves how deep of a fan you are. Kudos to you my friend. I hope Tucker retires a raven

[Crusader]

I'm basing my 8-8 on these three things. Perriman, secondary, and Suggs. Perriman has to play like a number one pick, secondary gets new/better/smarter players, and Suggs come back like Suggs we know. Anyone of these fails were 8-8.

[rmcjacket23]

I'm basing my 8-8 on these three things. Perriman, secondary, and Suggs. Perriman has to play like a number one pick, secondary gets new/better/smarter players, and Suggs come back like Suggs we know. Anyone of these fails were 8-8.

And we still have FA and the draft to work on some of these things.

 

For all we know, Suggs may be a role player on defense by the time August comes around, and we may be better off for it. 

 

For all we know, Perriman might not even be the best "rookie" WR on his own team by the time August comes around. 

 

For all we know, the secondary may be a lot better just by moving Webb to FS.

Edited January 5, 2016 by rmcjacket23

[utalkingtome123]

I think all the players listed above should be cap causalities. We have to get younger, faster and more physical on defense. We need to upgrade the skill positions on offense. With that said, I think we need to look in another direction in terms of defensive philosophy. Last year we said the defense didn't play well because we were injured in the secondary. This year we weren't playing well because we couldn't cover on the back end. and there was no pressure up front. Next year it will be something else. It seems to me that there will always be an excuse as to why we aren't playing better defense. The problem is we don't have linebackers who can cover tight ends and running backs. I thought we would see more Arthur Brown because of that, but the team used Orr instead. I just can't believe a 2nd round pick can't get on the field. The zone coverages are too soft. Lewis can't cover or tackle. Will Hill can't cover. Wright can't cover. Arrington can't cover. Webby can't cover. It's a disaster. We have to move in a different direction.

I agree with everything you said except arthur brown he looks lost whenever he is out there and sucks from what I saw in the preseason games orr was a better option, and brown was playing against 3rd and 4th stringers and orr was playing partially 1st and mostly 2nd stringers. Other than that you right about everything!

Edited January 5, 2016 by utalkingtome123

[burnstr19]

Henry or Elliott please. If not either of them with our first pick - then it better be a 100% lock at a position we don't have to worry about for 5 years. If our pick is a miss - well - I think we have used up all of our magic.

Also - side note - who is the head WR scout for us and who is directly involved in those conversations? I'd like to know who they are and how long they have been with us.

[rmcjacket23]

Henry or Elliott please. If not either of them with our first pick - then it better be a 100% lock at a position we don't have to worry about for 5 years. If our pick is a miss - well - I think we have used up all of our magic. Also - side note - who is the head WR scout for us and who is directly involved in those conversations? I'd like to know who they are and how long they have been with us.

No way you take a RB at #6 overall. They just don't add that kind of value to a team.

[Drew P]

Henry or Elliott please. If not either of them with our first pick - then it better be a 100% lock at a position we don't have to worry about for 5 years. If our pick is a miss - well - I think we have used up all of our magic. Also - side note - who is the head WR scout for us and who is directly involved in those conversations? I'd like to know who they are and how long they have been with us.

 

Henry is a third rounder at best he has zero lateral agility