[News] Late For Work 1/13: What Is Kamar Aiken's Future In Baltimore?

[BR News]

Really use first-round pick on safety? When Ravens travel to L.A. Could Nolan return to Baltimore?

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[Ravensfansince03]

I feel for the people of St. Louis right now.

[Ravensfansince03]

I have a question, so if the Raiders or Chargers join the Rams, then they would be sharing the same stadium??

[trevorsteadman]

I have a question, so if the Raiders or Chargers join the Rams, then they would be sharing the same stadium??

Yes they would be playing at different times kind of like what the Giants-Jets did for awhile. 

[Nick04263]

Did Maxx Williams get a concussion on that play? Can't recall if he was out the rest of the game or not.

[Rice Rice Baby]

Would love to take a sledgehammer to Burfict's knees - guy is dirtier than a truck stop toilet seat.

[trevorsteadman]

I'm glad the part about our safety situation was written. Look at who we have. Lardarius Webb, veteran cornerback moving to safety; Matt Elam, first round pick a couple seasons ago. Was making strides; Terrence Brooks, third round pick with high expectations with high ceiling but has yet to show he is starter material; Kendrick Lewis, Starter veteran we signed before last season who started his season off rough but ended strong; Will Hill, starter and has been pretty solid the last couple seasons with us. I could see us drafting someone like Ramsey who can play both corner and safety but they would end up most likely playing cornerback next season. Outside and inside linebacker, wide receiver, and cornerback are the positions the Ravens need the most. I wouldn't be surprised if our first round pick is Tunsil or Stanley, who are offensive tackles, because this draft is deep with pretty good offensive linemen. Even when that is not a position of need.

[trevorsteadman]

Did Maxx Williams get a concussion on that play? Can't recall if he was out the rest of the game or not.

I'm pretty sure he was on the final drive so I think that he played it out. Strong young rookie that will hopefully build off of his rookie season.

[budman]

I feel for the people of St. Louis right now.

I agree. I feel for them too. We of all fans know all to well how much losing a team hurts. The feelings don't get better in a hurry either. The reality is that losing a team can happen to just about any small-medium market team, regardless of history. It always comes down to the almighty dollar. The history of the team, fans love or jobs that people will lose, along with their livelihood just don't matter when you get right down to it. Sad but True.

 

GO RAVENS!

Edited January 13, 2016 by budman

[Militant X 1]

Here’s who the Ravens already have at safety:

 

Will Hill: signed a two-year, $7 million deal in August
Kendrick Lewis: signed a three-year, $5.4 million deal in March
Matt Elam: first-round draft pick in 2013
Terrence Brooks: third-round draft pick in 2014
Lardarius Webb: moving from cornerback to free safety next season

 

“That's five safeties for two spots,” wrote Hensley. “This backlog shows that the Ravens either have a problem selecting the right safety to fit their scheme or they're struggling to develop prospects at that position. Either way, their history suggests it's too much of a gamble to take a safety this high in the draft.”  That’s not to say there isn’t a need. Hensley points out the Ravens have started nine safeties since they parted way with Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard after the Super Bowl season. Those nine starters have only totaled eight interceptions in three seasons.

 

^ Oftentimes it has been said that you never know what you have UNTIL it's gone.  ED REED!  We miss you man!  Goodness!

[ryananth]

Jalen Ramsey is projected to be a safety in the NFL. He probably won't be there at 6 when the Ravens pick anyway (Cowboys should take him) but he would really help set the tone with Will Hill at the back. As to us already having too many safeties...didn't we think that the last two years at CB? Ramsey would be a definite upgrade for us.

[NCMan]

Not bad. I had to insert missing words in only a few places to comprehend what I was reading. Quite an improvement!!

[Ravensfansince03]

Yes they would be playing at different times kind of like what the Giants-Jets did for awhile. 

 

Oh ok thanks. And Awkwarddddd lol

[Ravensfansince03]

Here’s who the Ravens already have at safety:

 

Will Hill: signed a two-year, $7 million deal in August

Kendrick Lewis: signed a three-year, $5.4 million deal in March

Matt Elam: first-round draft pick in 2013

Terrence Brooks: third-round draft pick in 2014

Lardarius Webb: moving from cornerback to free safety next season

 

“That's five safeties for two spots,” wrote Hensley. “This backlog shows that the Ravens either have a problem selecting the right safety to fit their scheme or they're struggling to develop prospects at that position. Either way, their history suggests it's too much of a gamble to take a safety this high in the draft.”  That’s not to say there isn’t a need. Hensley points out the Ravens have started nine safeties since they parted way with Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard after the Super Bowl season. Those nine starters have only totaled eight interceptions in three seasons.

 

^ Oftentimes it has been said that you never know what you have UNTIL it's gone.  ED REED!  We miss you man!  Goodness!

 

Exactly man, and now they are getting so desperate that they are switching Webb to safety smh. When they first drafted Matt Elam I had a bad gut feeling, not only because of his size but because of his looks, but I still kept the confidence in our organization. But now it just seems like our scouts/staff have no clue how to draft stud players anymore.

 

I remember when our entire safety depth chart was stellar to at least good. Even the back-ups with Haruki Nakamura and Zibikowski. Ed Reed - Dawan Landry- Jim Leonard- Bernard Pollard. We had a history of having a defense with good long lasting players across the board.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Ravensfansince03

[ryananth]

Let's be honest with ourselves at WR. It's still a work in progress and we're way behind. I have no doubt Smitty will come back stronger than ever but time catches up fast and another injury is likely. The achilles wasn't the only issue he dealt with. Several others flashed signs but Kamar was really the only constant we had. Let's put the 2nd round tender on him. Marlon Brown probably gone and Campanero can't stay healthy. If Perriman comes back healthy that'll solve a lot of problems.

[balfan23]

I think Aiken has earned a 2nd round tender. He was thrust into a role he had difficulty dealing with, but eventually came around. Sure, he's no #1 or #2 ... at least not when you lay out your starting season roster ... but he can fill in those roles and be effective. Injuries happen (as if we need to be reminded) and I think having him as a #3 in good times or higher in bad, he's earned a spot on our team.

[RavensDieHard21]

Keep Aiken in Baltimore. He really came into his own down the stretch and the most impressive thing was the amount of catches he had. I rarely watched him drop passes. Second round tender him if a deal can't be reached, but I foresee we get it done before.

[ryananth]

Probable salary cap casualties and the cap dollars released-Elam $1.3 mil, Canty $2.2 mil

Possible salary cap casualties and the cap dollars released-Webb $3.5 mil, Forsett $2.3 mil

I could be off a little on some of these numbers and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I am. The owner said we need help at safety probably because he realizes that Elam and Webb won't be around under their current deals.

[bioLarzen]

Poor Aiken - he had to have his far and away best play (the "quasi hail mary" from Clausen) in those horrendous mustard pants... For that alone he deserves a second-round tender

[The Greek]

if all of those players are struggling at the safety position than why not look at the secondary coaches

[drillem]

Team still suffers from the Ed Reed withdrawals. Impossible to replace. Many have tried and many have died trying. Well not died but you know what I mean.

[WNC-Raven]

Exactly man, and now they are getting so desperate that they are switching Webb to safety smh. When they first drafted Matt Elam I had a bad gut feeling, not only because of his size but because of his looks, but I still kept the confidence in our organization. But now it just seems like our scouts/staff have no clue how to draft stud players anymore.

 

I remember when our entire safety depth chart was stellar to at least good. Even the back-ups with Haruki Nakamura and Zibikowski. Ed Reed - Dawan Landry- Jim Leonard- Bernard Pollard. We had a history of having a defense with good long lasting players across the board.

You have to keep in mind that we had a dominant defense because that was where all of the FO focus was. They are now trying to have more balance between offense and defense. It won us our second SB in 2012.

[RavensDieHard21]

This first round pick is huge! Traditionally, Tackles, pass rushers, and quarterbacks go this early, sometimes proven shutdown corners as well, but a safety, inside linebacker--unless it was a Luke kuechly pick--guards, or WIde receivers--unless they're an amari cooper or Watkins, don't go as that high of picks. Based on our needs and BPA, this is how I see our top 10 draft board.

1.) Joey Bosa- an elite talent who can play anywhere on the line and could be a OLB in a 3-4.

2.) laremy Tunsil- he is a complete tackle and would be an anchor on the line to pair with Yanda, Wagner and hopefully KO

3.) Stanley- another great tackle, but his struggle with bull rushers makes him less valuable than Tunsil.

4.) Mackensie Alexander- he is the top CB in this draft and still hasn't nearly reached his ceiling. Physical and blankets receivers, also makes great open field tackles and has a particular swagger we would like to give us a spark on D.

5.) Shaq Lawson- we need a pass rusher and not just a run stuffer who can get in the backfield on occasion, that is why Lawson is more valuable than Robinson or the others because he gets to the QB with finesse and quickness.

6.) Laquon Treadwell- by far the top WR in the class, we all say we need to catch up to the division that has AB, AJ green, and josh Gordon, well this will help because he is a big physical receiver who attacks the ball and makes plays, runs good routes and has tremendous hands. Pairing him with Perriman gives Joe a legit WR core.

7.) VH3- we simply need a corner across from Jimmy, despite a little rough patch down the stretch, Vernon still is a great corner, he has incredible ball skills to create turnovers that we need and has great technique in defending receivers, just sometimes struggles with those freaky big and athletic ones.

8.) Robert Nkemdiche- even though our defensive line in stout with young talent, this guy is special. A pure game wrecking machine who is ultra athletic and can get into the backfield at will. At 300 lbs, he moves like a linebackers and arrives with violent force, add that to the strengths of Williams, Jernigan, and Davis, and we have a top notch line for years.

9.) Emmanuel Ogbah- another physical pass rusher that reminds me a little of Suggs, a bigger guy with strength that plays the run and gets to the quarterback well, but needs just a little extra technique and speed to dominate.

10.) Jalen Ramsey- this is the toughest pick, but we could also take Robinson or Buckner here, but Ramsey has a certain skill set that if developed, could make our defense a whole lot scarier.he doesn't essentially have a specific position he will play in the pros, whether it is as a corner or safety, but he has the ability to be a jack of all trades. I don't foresee him as a lock down corner, but he could be a Tyrann or Buchanan like players who roams the field and simply makes plays since he is aggressive, a great tackler, rangy, and has a knack for being around the ball. His energy would also help our defense as well because we need it at times.

[ReginaldColeman1]

They let Darian Stewart go and they pick up Lewis and Arrington. Even on this site let alone RSR the production from Lewis and Arrington has been unsatisfactory. And Stewart is the leader for the Broncos secondary. Someone keeps making the same mistakes on talent.

[trevorsteadman]

Exactly man, and now they are getting so desperate that they are switching Webb to safety smh. When they first drafted Matt Elam I had a bad gut feeling, not only because of his size but because of his looks, but I still kept the confidence in our organization. But now it just seems like our scouts/staff have no clue how to draft stud players anymore.

 

I remember when our entire safety depth chart was stellar to at least good. Even the back-ups with Haruki Nakamura and Zibikowski. Ed Reed - Dawan Landry- Jim Leonard- Bernard Pollard. We had a history of having a defense with good long lasting players across the board.

I wouldn't say they are desperate... Webb is wanting to make the move himself. I bet the front office would rather have Webb at cornerback than at safety. We already have two solid starters in Lewis and Hill. This defense really came into its own the last half of the season when they figured out a way to survive without Suggs and to get off the field when we had multiple quarterbacks leading our offense that led to a lot of quick 3 and outs. Felt like our defense was on the field for a very long time in a lot of games.

[trevorsteadman]

They let Darian Stewart go and they pick up Lewis and Arrington. Even on this site let alone RSR the production from Lewis and Arrington has been unsatisfactory. And Stewart is the leader for the Broncos secondary. Someone keeps making the same mistakes on talent.

I think Darian Stewart has thrived because of the talent around him... They have the best cornerback tandem in the NFL, he has Ward on the opposite side of him, and then they have Ware and Von Miller. 

[budman]

Team still suffers from the Ed Reed withdrawals. Impossible to replace. Many have tried and many have died trying. Well not died but you know what I mean.

Exactly. Ed Reed is the Highlander--There can only be one!

[steelcityraven]

IT doesn't matter if we find the 2nd coming of ED REED.... he will struggle in Pees system. Not a single S has played well since Pees took over (heck even Reed and Pollard struggled in this system). DStewart looked lost (at best) with us... and now looks like a pro bowl S in a different system. JIhedigbo looked like the worst S in the league in Pees system... Now had a great year in Detroit. KArrington was the most coveted FA CB prospect in the league (not named DReevis)... and he cant cut it in Pees system! (no DB can find success under Pees). Not one DB has been successful under Pees.... NOT ONE... but was successful before and after Pees... what's the common denominator???? this is an easy one.... its not the players -ITs the SYSTEM.... Get pees out and we will see how vastly our DBackfield improves (and quickly)~!

[steelcityraven]

Kamar is a 3rd round tender at best... if someone gave us a 3rd rounder for Kamar... I would do flips...Imagine picking 6th and having two 3rd rounders... (I am sure we could find someone to help the team equally as much with another 2nd round pick (especially when our first pick is at 6th)!

[TheConquerorWorm]

Kamar is a 3rd round tender at best... if someone gave us a 3rd rounder for Kamar... I would do flips...Imagine picking 6th and having two 3rd rounders... (I am sure we could find someone to help the team equally as much with another 2nd round pick (especially when our first pick is at 6th)!

There is no such thing as a 3rd Round tender. It's basically a 1st or 2nd. The low round tender does not include a draft pick, it just gives the team the right of first refusal on an offer sheet.