[News] Eisenberg: The Two Most Important Questions This Offseason

[BR News]

There are plenty of issues to be addressed, but everything falls under two overarching questions.

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[steelcityraven]

1. Re-sign Tucker 2. Get rid of Pees! Everything else will take care of itself as we get healthy and load up for next season!

[Crusader]

After three years will the Ravens ever fix the secondary? Will Ozzie save his job with a good draft. Could we lose Eric DeCosta before Ozzie leaves?

[bioLarzen]

"On the field, they finished 2015 with a minus-14 turnover ratio, tied for second worst in the league. That was the No. 1 reason for their losing season, even more of a factor than injuries."

 

... yeah, but who knows how many turnovers we had if we had (much) less injured players... It's like that good old saying "it's not guns that kill people - it's bullets." Yeah, but without  guns they wouldn't... Turnover ratio might have killed us - but who knows what that ratio would be if we had less  backups out there trying too hard to prove themselves...

 

That said, let's make it clear: the high injury toll is only part of the problem. At one point we were 1-6 with Flacco, Steve Smith, Forsett and Gillmore still playing... and went 4-5 since...

[rmcjacket23]

"On the field, they finished 2015 with a minus-14 turnover ratio, tied for second worst in the league. That was the No. 1 reason for their losing season, even more of a factor than injuries."

 

... yeah, but who knows how many turnovers we had if we had (much) less injured players... It's like that good old saying "it's not guns that kill people - it's bullets." Yeah, but without  guns they wouldn't... Turnover ratio might have killed us - but who knows what that ratio would be if we had less  backups out there trying too hard to prove themselves...

 

That said, let's make it clear: the high injury toll is only part of the problem. At one point we were 1-6 with Flacco, Steve Smith, Forsett and Gillmore still playing... and went 4-5 since...

Tough to say, but not sure how much impact you can attribute injuries to injured players on defense.

 

After all, the main defensive injuries were Suggs (obviously significant), Will Davis (hard to say), Elam (never known for forcing turnovers) and Canty, though he did play 9 games.

 

Outside of Suggs, hard to really suggest that we would have had a significant increase in turnovers on defense based on healthy players. Now, those injuries may reduce the turnovers we did on OFFENSE, but not sure you'd see a big increase in turnovers forced.

Edited January 5, 2016 by rmcjacket23

[StephenGreen]

Same amount of dead cap money this year is same as next: replace Rice and Ngata for Suggs and Webb (more or less dead money even if they are kept on the team). Not a good long term situation. Someone needs to relieve Ozzie of contracts.

[rmcjacket23]

Same amount of dead cap money this year is same as next: replace Rice and Ngata for Suggs and Webb (more or less dead money even if they are kept on the team). Not a good long term situation. Someone needs to relieve Ozzie of contracts.

Dead money isn't really that relevant from a cap perspective. Every team generally carries a decent amount of dead money. 

 

Plus, we don't know for sure that Webb or Suggs will be released. I ultimately expect both back on the team next season.

 

The significant dead money will likely come from Pitta and other cuts.

[ciro]

wonder if the vendetta by the refs is done, they've accounted for quit a bit of what was a horrible season.its wonderful that we don't have an offensive coach transition to make. while i hope that pees goes,with the improved play by the defense i think that his been able to convince harbaugh to keep him. but we can't have multiple seasons dealing with the same costly issues, for example, fixing the secondary, the defense not getting off the field.

[slowboater]

After three years will the Ravens ever fix the secondary? Will Ozzie save his job with a good draft. Could we lose Eric DeCosta before Ozzie leaves?

I don't know who approved of Webb's or Suggs' contracts. But Ozzie has been trying to get out from them ever since. Add Pitta and Monroe's contracts and Ozzie has one giant hole to did out of. The Ravens' front office is privy to much more information than the fans will know, so we can only speculate. But it sure looks like 2016 will be another year of shedding dead money and hiring more scrap heap players as it cannot afford more.

[rmcjacket23]

I don't know who approved of Webb's or Suggs' contracts. But Ozzie has been trying to get out from them ever since. Add Pitta and Monroe's contracts and Ozzie has one giant hole to did out of. The Ravens' front office is privy to much more information than the fans will know, so we can only speculate. But it sure looks like 2016 will be another year of shedding dead money and hiring more scrap heap players as it cannot afford more.

Purely hindsight though. Wasn't much uproar, if any, about any of these contracts when they were signed. 

 

Monroe was paid like a mid-tier LT, which is what he is when healthy. Injury concerns weren't evident at that time.

 

Suggs deal is realistic for what he is, again not knowing that he would tear an Achilles. Still think he's on the team for 2 more years though.

 

Nobody would predict Pitta would experience a hip injury that made him unable to play by 30.

 

Webb just took a paycut and actually played pretty well for how much he's getting paid. Position change likely with him, so I expect him back as well.

 

Most of the dead money in 2016 will be for Pitta and maybe Monroe and smaller contracts that we will cut. I'm expecting Suggs and Webb back.

[slowboater]

wonder if the vendetta by the refs is done, they've accounted for quit a bit of what was a horrible season.its wonderful that we don't have an offensive coach transition to make. while i hope that pees goes,with the improved play by the defense i think that his been able to convince harbaugh to keep him. but we can't have multiple seasons dealing with the same costly issues, for example, fixing the secondary, the defense not getting off the field.

So it is Pees' fault when the defense is bad but who gets credit when the defense plays better? As far as the secondary and getting off the field; Is that Pees' fault too?

[slowboater]

....Nobody would predict Pitta would experience a hip injury that made him unable to play by 30..... I'm expecting Suggs and Webb back.

Unless I am mistaken, Pitta's contract was after his first hip injury. We were told he would be fine. As for Webb.. he says he wants to move to safety... Now we need more corners. I agree Suggs will be back but will he be any good? These factors do not help in creating a perfect blueprint for success.

[Johnny-U]

I see and hear frequently of how poor the Ravens played BEFOR Smith and Flacco were injured. Left out is the fact that they essentially ;lost 5 STARTES plus 3 primary backups by the end of GAME ONE! (starters Perriman, Pitta, Suggs and Monroe; primary backups Campanero, Elam and Taliafero).

[stixfix69]

S.Smith needs to know that Suggs came back from this injury and played later in that same season....The boot had to be a fashion statement...ha ha ha...

[ravgo52]

"We" who Support, (Support being the keyword here), the Ravens, don't have a problem with anything he says. John has worked relentlessly with the cards he was dealt and has done a miraculous job! Due strictly to the draft picks Ozzie made in the past and the fine scouting that Eric's done for him! If you think that beating the Steelers with a Qb just brought in off the streets and a Ravens team riddled with 20 injuries is anything less than miraculous, then you and your buddy need to go cheer for another team. Have a nice day.

[ravgo52]

S.Smith needs to know that Suggs came back from this injury and played later in that same season....The boot had to be a fashion statement...ha ha ha...

Thanks for the laugh buddy!  

[johnmike72]

Eisenberg, How come you didn`t mention the terrible draft picks over the last 5 years? That`s what is really hurting this org.

[rmcjacket23]

Unless I am mistaken, Pitta's contract was after his first hip injury. We were told he would be fine. As for Webb.. he says he wants to move to safety... Now we need more corners. I agree Suggs will be back but will he be any good? These factors do not help in creating a perfect blueprint for success.

Sure, but if we didn't give contracts to people who were injured, we wouldn't be able to field a team. The reality is... everybody gets injured eventually. Happened to Iron Man Flacco, just like it happened to Brady, Manning, etc.

 

I'm not sure if Webb WANTS to move to safety as much as it is he realizes the Ravens want him at safety and the league will probably think the same thing. I think he realizes he's struggling a bit at corner and he may not improve in that area.

 

Corner is an issue that we need players, but there's some consideration there. First, we know Jimmy was hampered by his previous injury, and we know the team is invested in him. I expect him to be back and play better. I think the coaching staff likes Will Davis a lot, and I think he played well briefly before getting injured. I think he's solid depth there, and I also was impressed down the stretch with Shareece Wright and think we will resign him. We will likely need to add a corner, but I'm not sure its a first round need at this point. I thought solidifying FS was more important, and Webb may be the first option there.

[JacktheRaven]

Question # 1. How can we get more turnovers? #2. How can we stop turning the ball over? Those 2 questions get solved and everything else will fall into place.

[rmcjacket23]

Eisenberg, How come you didn`t mention the terrible draft picks over the last 5 years? That`s what is really hurting this org.

Partially yes, though I think its more of a factor by nailing like 50 percent or more draft picks in the past, expecting us to be perfect in drafts despite never having been.

 

Picking in the back end of the draft for several years doesn't make life any easier either.

 

But we've got a decent amount of solid draft picks in recent years. Probably no All-Pro level players in that group, but that's not really a requirement either.

[sami]

I think Harbaugh does treat the fans as they deserve and I think he treats them very well. Just becuz he doesn't reveal (if he even knows) all the details on the health of the players doesn't mean he doesn't respect and love the fans. The ENTIRE organization from top to bottom bends over backwards to make the experience better for the fans and they don't mind doing it. They all realize the fans are who they ultimately are playing for. To think for a moment that Harbaugh doesn't treat the fans like they deserve is nuts. He treats us great cuz we ARE great. Ravens fans are the greatest fans of all.

[ciro]

So it is Pees' fault when the defense is bad but who gets credit when the defense plays better? As far as the secondary and getting off the field; Is that Pees' fault too?

 i don't  follow what you're disagreement with my comment is. pees bend don't break philosophy cost us two fourteen point leads against the pats. but we headed into the offseason knowing we need better playmakers and not calling his play calling into question too much. now we are heading into this offseason needing to fix both again,and  I'm frustrated that we keep having these issues.

 our defense was a sieve at the beginning of the season, we gave up fourth quarter leads,couldn't get off the field i hold pees ultimately responsible for that. but we end this season with a defense that ranked 8th overall. that might be enough for harbaugh to keep him. it isn't for me, our defense has traditionally prided itself on not ceding any ground and i would like a coach who would bring back this attitude

[ravgo52]

I think Harbaugh does treat the fans as they deserve and I think he treats them very well. Just becuz he doesn't reveal (if he even knows) all the details on the health of the players doesn't mean he doesn't respect and love the fans. The ENTIRE organization from top to bottom bends over backwards to make the experience better for the fans and they don't mind doing it. They all realize the fans are who they ultimately are playing for. To think for a moment that Harbaugh doesn't treat the fans like they deserve is nuts. He treats us great cuz we ARE great. Ravens fans are the greatest fans of all.

Yeah!!           

[Fastynart]

No, they cannot make the playoffs in 2016, and No, they will not make the playoffs in 2016. There are just too many holes to fill in one year. Since the great Oz has whiffed on so many draft picks over the last 7 years (Mosley is the exception), the defense has been decimated and the offense ain't a whole lot better. You can point to stats all you want, but a lot of the positives happened after the game was already over. Getting blown out several times and losing to weak quarterbacks is not the mark of a team on the cusp of the playoffs. They need to start making better personnel decisions before they can improve enough to make the playoffs.

[757RavensFan]

I see and hear frequently of how poor the Ravens played BEFOR Smith and Flacco were injured. Left out is the fact that they essentially ;lost 5 STARTES plus 3 primary backups by the end of GAME ONE! (starters Perriman, Pitta, Suggs and Monroe; primary backups Campanero, Elam and Taliafero).

 

You're a little off chief, Taliaferro played in 3 games and Camp played in 4 games this season. 

Edited January 5, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[heffneil]

I have to think the top two question are: 1. Is Harbaugh coming back to coach? With a bleak salary cap and a frustrating previous season I could see him saying "Adios". 2. Will Joe Flaco renegotiate his contract? I understand there is an article about this already but without a lot more room in the salary cap #1's answer may be NO and the answer to the actually posed questions in the above article will also be NO.

[ellicottraven]

Let's just hope that things go right and there is a turn around in Baltimore. I know one thing for sure. This result is not acceptable unless it is just a statistical anomaly. Another year such as this and the fans won't stand for it. So, the Ravens front office needs to tighten their chin straps and get ready to work hard.

[reed20fence]

It's not too complicated. We were within 1 score of each game we played prior to Flacco getting Kerrigan'd by our own left tackle. You add one game changer like Suggs back to the equation and you've got completely different possibilities. The entire dynamic of the game changes when you can create pressure with just the front 4. We couldn't do it and no GM in this league has ever gone into a season PLANNING to lose a marquee pass rusher like that. All you can do is try to coach up his replacements quickly.

The real pitfall this offseason would be overreacting. We know where the needs are. Just stay the course. Don't get too reactionary. Stick to the board. It'll be alright.

[Crusader]

No, they cannot make the playoffs in 2016, and No, they will not make the playoffs in 2016. There are just too many holes to fill in one year. Since the great Oz has whiffed on so many draft picks over the last 7 years (Mosley is the exception), the defense has been decimated and the offense ain't a whole lot better. You can point to stats all you want, but a lot of the positives happened after the game was already over. Getting blown out several times and losing to weak quarterbacks is not the mark of a team on the cusp of the playoffs. They need to start making better personnel decisions before they can improve enough to make the playoffs.

I'm with you on this one. I see other teams getting stronger in the AFC and Ravens are in free fall and floundering. And you have a coach that says this is the most rewarding season he ever had. How does that provide confidence? CLUELESS is the word.

[rmcjacket23]

I'm with you on this one. I see other teams getting stronger in the AFC and Ravens are in free fall and floundering. And you have a coach that says this is the most rewarding season he ever had. How does that provide confidence? CLUELESS is the word.

Confidence to who?

Is it John's job to give fans confidence? As long as he's got the confidence of the players in the locker room (which by all indications he does), I could care less whether he's providing confidence to fans or not.

As a fan myself, I can tell you for certain that I don't need John Harbaugh to tell me how confidence or non confidence he is in this team. It matters none to me.

Edited January 5, 2016 by Moderator 3
Insults removed