[News] How Do Ravens Close AFC North Talent Gap?

[BR News]

The Steelers or Bengals have won the last three division crowns, and the Ravens want to change that.

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[llxxGrimxxll]

heh, after what the Bengal's pulled last night, i don't think you will have to worry bout them for a while. considering there's a high chance that every coach but the DC will be leaving for better jobs or in Lewis' case.. fired. that organization will be in turmoil for years after last night.

[johnmike72]

That`s some BIG if`s in there.

[bozo]

sry people this is a case again where the refs messed up badly. that hit on Bernard was a penalty ,instead of being to steelers ball it should of been first and goal cinny. which would have changed the way cinny would of handled the last drive when they fumbled the ball back. all calls NEED to be challengeable.

[The Greek]

we can turn it around with some good drafts and better coaching and schemes.

[vinnystp]

After what I saw last night, between the Steelers and Bengals...I am not too worried. Bengals might be cutting some selfish players with hot heads, who are more disciplined. Too bad that Marvin Lewis didn't get control of it before it destroyed their season. It might just cost him his job.

[ellicottraven]

I believe we are a little remiss in the talent department Mr. Bisciotti. We need to figure out a way to bring in 'play makers'! We don't seem to have too many of those. To an extent we have SSS (aging) and Suggs and Doom (also aging)with the exception of B. Williams. These four are among the best at their positions. But, otherwise we are just an average to below average team at every other position unfortunately.

[Sammy1000]

So our problem really is the owner that does not see a difference in talent between us and the Steelers or us and the Bengals.

[Sammy1000]

Please stop trading away our top picks!

[Crusader]

That%u2019s obvious NO. If it was not for Kubiak we would have finished three years in a row in third place. Kubiak show it was mostly coaching and this team is full steam ahead.

[Crusader]

heh, after what the Bengal's pulled last night, i don't think you will have to worry bout them for a while. considering there's a high chance that every coach but the DC will be leaving for better jobs or in Lewis' case.. fired. that organization will be in turmoil for years after last night.

No way. They were so embarrassed they have no choice but to change. They hit rock bottom last night. Remember how we felt when Evans drop that that pass? Did the Ravens crumble? And unlike the Ravens which still has not accepted that fact .......yet.

[robbie29]

Fix that abysmal -14 turnover differential, cut down on all the penalties, and above all: Keep our players healthy. When 15-20 guys end up on IR two years straight, you've gotta hold the medical staff and strength/conditioning guys accountable. That's not simply a case of bad luck. It doesn't really matter how much talent you have on the roster if half of them can't take the field.

[geaux_ravens]

I ask this question all the time, havn't received an answer yet so I'll keep asking. Who's the Ravens person or persons that does our WR scouting ? I ask because over the years they have dropped the ball in finding gems. The scouting department does a farely good job everwhere else but there. "Speed kills"..

[thecommish]

IDK....3rd place / 3 years in a row... I dont care how close the talent gap is... We need to close the gap and win the stinking division next year!!!!!!!!!

[RavenzOz]

I'm with Steve on this one, most of the talent gap is on IR. Other than that we are one no.1-2 WR away from being as good (on paper) as the Bungles.

[Darkraven23]

until the defense is back to the way it is was there's no way to compete getting wrs dont make up for the fact of not getting int's not forcing turn overs not keeping opponets out of the endzone we need this defense to be scary again look at seattle none of those wide recievers are even mentioned as number 1 or 2 or whatever instead their defense and wilson spreading the ball to whoever is open makes a diffrence think about that

[Barry S]

This team the last 3 years have been struggling the most against AFC opponents which is not good. The continuity speech is fine but which direction is this team moving, seems to me since the Superbowl we have been on a steady decline! I know we made the playoffs last year but we had to depend on a loss by the Chargers to get there. We need playmakers to make us successful again.

[Militant X 1]

“It’s a fair question,” Bisciotti said. “They were asking that in Pittsburgh when they went 8-8 two years in a row, and [the critics] said the same things – their drafts weren’t top-notch, and they had too many older players. That kind of goes across the league.  “Yes, I’m concerned about it, but when I look at their rosters, I don’t really think that there’s a huge talent difference.”

 

^ I disagree...

Edited January 10, 2016 by Militant X 1

[bmoraven]

Well, we beat Pittsburgh twice and they're in the divisional round?? A Solid draft, and some good GM moves we're right in the mix. The bengals are on their way down anyway. No discipline or coaching.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Stop paying players that are not here; that starts with getting good players to begin with, and paying those who can still contribute. Its a mind blower when you see all the dead cap money on our roster, it speaks of a ton of bad decisions from the Front Office. From the draft, to signing free agents, we have failed miserably over the last 4 years, and we are really paying the price for it. I almost think 2016 should be a purge year, so in 2017, we can start fresh again, instead of continuing on in the dead money pit

[RavensBaltimore]

I ask this question all the time, havn't received an answer yet so I'll keep asking. Who's the Ravens person or persons that does our WR scouting ? I ask because over the years they have dropped the ball in finding gems. The scouting department does a farely good job everwhere else but there. "Speed kills"..

I don't know for sure, but I think the people that do the WR scouting are the same people who do scouting for every other position.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

We need to get back our SWAGGER and PHYSICAL play. When teams played the Ravens it used to be who can be more physical for the whole game it just seems like on both sides of the ball we have not been as physical as we were in the past.

[stampedehero]

One parameter is common to the Bengals and Steelers> Talented stretch the field recievers.  Brown and company are perfect for Ben.  Sanu and Green with eifert are magic (until yesterday lol).  We had only one steady most reliable player in SSS. Keep more WR's I say.  For D the Bengals are the hoods. I see their backfield as aggressively bad and bullies.  Remember those days with us. EXCEPT WE WERE CLASSY.  Pollard was one of my favorites along with Ed and Ray.  I say build along those lines   

[Militant X 1]

We need to get back our SWAGGER and PHYSICAL play. When teams played the Ravens it used to be who can be more physical for the whole game it just seems like on both sides of the ball we have not been as physical as we were in the past.

 

Physicality is also a mindset...

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Physicality is also a mindset...

Very true Mili....

[balfan23]

Physicality is also a mindset...

... and it really can't be taught. That kind of toughness - you either have it or you don't. For example, I know a lot of people were thinking - maybe SSS can teach Torrey how to be a more hard-nosed receiver. That's not going to happen. You can maybe help someone bring it out more, but if it is not in your nature, it just isn't going to be coached. 

 

That said - we need to draft accordingly. A part of our scouting and selection needs to be based on a player having more than just talent. This team has gradually lost its personality. We desperately need to get some young guys that bring that. 

[catgirl54]

With the benefit of hindsight, Bisciotti calling the Bengals "the class of the AFC North" is hilarious...as dirty as some of the games between the Ravens and Steelers have gotten, I don't think anyone was prepared for the almost criminal behavior of some of the Bengals in last night's game (which they thankfully lost). It just goes to show that in the NFL, anything can happen and probably will. Even Cris Collinsworth was rendered speechless.

[utalkingtome123]

Out of all the other teams and the players he named for the ravens except flacco those guys are old and ready to retire in a short period. Other then ben the steelers have brown and other playmaking receivers on that team as far as speed and playmaking you could say. Eifert, aj green and hill are YOUNG good talent who still haven't even reached their ceilings so the talent gap is a little far but this offseason will see the ravens step it up and really grab some talent I can feel it . I feel like our offense will have some playmakers nxt yr. The defense I'm sorry as long as pees is here we will look mediocre even with king, hargreaves or ramsey because he is a bad coach

Edited January 11, 2016 by utalkingtome123

[thieverycorporation]

With the benefit of hindsight, Bisciotti calling the Bengals "the class of the AFC North" is hilarious...as dirty as some of the games between the Ravens and Steelers have gotten, I don't think anyone was prepared for the almost criminal behavior of some of the Bengals in last night's game (which they thankfully lost). It just goes to show that in the NFL, anything can happen and probably will. Even Cris Collinsworth was rendered speechless.

I think he meant wins and not players. And it was criminal intent that was displayed by Burfict. Hs name actual should be Inflict cause he's aiming to hurt or mame his opponents. A life time ban will probably ensue come his next infraction. Hopefully. i'm praying he doesn't kill someone on the field. But his style of play reminds me of the play that paralyzed a player. But as they say, Karma is mother.

[ellicottraven]

No matter how many times the Bungles beat us in the regular season or how poorly Flacco plays against them, I will never consider them a team on par with the Ravens and Steelers ever. They are just not a winner when it counts like the Ravens or the Steelers.