Revisiting the 2012 draft

[ALPHA]

Now that our entire 2012 draft is gone I thought it would be a good time to revisit, I guess the kneejerk reaction would be to blame Ozzie but just how much of a players lack of development should be weighted to the GM? remember this was a class that initially graded well and made key contributions during our Super Bowl run. At the time our needs were: finding a good kicker (not Cundiff) a good returner (not David Reed) running back depth (Ray Rice negotiations) defensive line depth (Redding to Indy) center depth behind Birk, safety depth behind Reed and Pollard, an understudy at inside linebacker, a rusher/edge setter to replace JJ, a wide receiver and a left guard to replace Grubbs.

Heres how it went down:

1 (pick #29 traded to the Vikings for #35 and #98)

Ozzie wanted Hightower and he would have been perfect for us as an understudy to Lewis, Bama guys get a lot of hate here but Hightower does it all. If we had stayed at #29 HB Doug Martin and WR Alshon Jeffrey made sense. S Harrison Smith was also available.

2 (#35) Courtney Upshaw

Upshaw timed in the 4.7s with a good 10 yard split, I think that convinced the people that he had edge rushing potential to go with being the edge setting replacement for JJ. Provided a key turnover during the Super Bowl. Alternative options at #35 were DeCosta favorite T/G Cordy Glenn, MLB Bobby Wagner who visited with the team and WR Alshon Jeffrey who was still in freefall from being overweight.

2 (#60) Kelechi Osemele

Great pick, KO had big upside with size, power and light feet. 

3 (#84) Bernard Pierce

Pierce had a lot of natural talent and a great rookie season, but injuries took it's toll. His role in the offense diminished and last year was released after a DUI incident. At number #84 T.Y Hilton would have filled two needs as a receiver and returner. 

4 (#98) Gino Gradkowski

Gino flashed during garbage time in his rookie season, but as a full time starter he might be the worst lineman we've ever had and is currently on his 4th team. Alternatively HB Lamar Miller filled a need as depth and change of pace.

4 (#130) Christian Thompson

Lasted one forgettable season, I think he was fast but I cant remember. Take your pick of CB Josh Norman, DL Malik Jackson or MLB Brandon Marshall.

5 (#169) Asa Jackson

His physical makeup was similar to Webb but thats where the similarities end, he also had a knack for messing up kick returns and is currently on his 4th team. Drafting SS George Iloka takes the big safety away from Cincy. CB Jeremy Lane was also on the board.

6 (#198) Tommy Streeter

Big and fast but couldn't play. Notables were MLB Danny Trevathan and HB Alfred Morris

7 (#236) DeAngelo Tyson

Solid rotational lineman, he even had a few sacks. Currently with the Seahawks. Selecting LT Kelvin Beachum leaves Pittsburgh with practically no pass protection.

 

The irony is as bad as the draft looks in hindsight, a redraft that strengthens the team in the long run probably costs us one of the key moments that led to our 2nd Super Bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2016 by ALPHA

[jimmypowder]

Yeah I looked at the list . Horrific!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[808Blackbirds]

Hard to look at 

[Ravenslifer]

Ultimately I'd say it's overall an indictment of the draft that, 4 seasons later, not a single drafted player is still with the team.  However, the first 2 picks found second contracts with other teams, so it wasn't like every player we took that draft developed poorly.  Still, in hindsight not one of our better drafting years.  Hopefully this year turns out differently.

[ellicottraven]

Hmmm... that year Ozzie left his midas touch at home perhaps?

[redrum52]

But a lot of those guys contributed to our SB success, so I wouldn't change a Damn thing. A ring and comps picks I'll take over the what if.

[Maryland]

I'm never a fan of the hindsight game, since any team's draft can be criticized.

However, this one did turn out kind of bad, considering the talent available, especially at Upshaw's pick. In addition to the guys you listed, Derek Wolf was picked just after Upshaw, and he is a nice pass-rushing 34 DE. Janoris Jenkins is one of the best CBs right now, although he had off-field issues at the time. Olivier Vernon was picked a round later. 

But we won a SB, so we can't be too upset. KO was still a fantastic pick, Upshaw was a solid player and impacted the SB like you said. 

[Davesta]

Even though pierce stay was short with us, he contributed big for our Super Bowl run. I'll take that anyday. 

[Tru11]

upshaw and osemele where starters on our team when we won the SB

pierce teared it up during our SB  run.

Tyson was a valuable rotation player as well during his rookie season and as well in that 2013 season.

4 out 7 played a part in us winning the SB so it was a good draft to me.

the pay out came sooner then expected hahah

[usmccharles]

I get that Upshaw was a good role player and helped us get there, I just was never impressed by anything he did.  Hell, there is literally only one play I can remember from him.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xuvLwokg1I

But the hindsight game is never good...

[Tru11]

a rookie starting and calling the plays on defense and handling the responsibilities of alinging the front 7 and such on SB winning team is pretty darn impressive IMO.

also you have to remember then not all 11 players can be stars with highlight plays.

some have to do the dirty work so others can shine.

Edited April 7, 2016 by Tru11

[usmccharles]

2 minutes ago, Tru11 said:

a rookie starting and calling the plays on defense and handling the responsibilities of alinging the front 7 and such on SB winning team is pretty darn impressive IMO.

also you have to remember then not all 11 players can be stars with highlight plays.

some have to do the dirty work so others can shine.

I completely agree, but just as our first selection I expected better things.  As a rookie, he was fine, but he never developed....at all.  His best year for us, was his rookie year. 

[Tru11]

16 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

I completely agree, but just as our first selection I expected better things.  As a rookie, he was fine, but he never developed....at all.  His best year for us, was his rookie year. 

True i was hoping he would learn how to rush the passer and become more dynamic.

But in the end he was a starter who was i think never injured and he contributed a lot so i  cant be mad.

2014 was a perfect example on how things could work when he was paired with Doom and both subbing out for each other but playing their role to almost perfection.

 

[usmccharles]

11 minutes ago, Tru11 said:

True i was hoping he would learn how to rush the passer and become more dynamic.

But in the end he was a starter who was i think never injured and he contributed a lot so i  cant be mad.

2014 was a perfect example on how things could work when he was paired with Doom and both subbing out for each other but playing their role to almost perfection.

 

Usually with a first round pick, im hoping we are resigning them....

[Tru11]

23 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

Usually with a first round pick, im hoping we are resigning them....

good thing he wasent 1 then lel

[ALPHA]

59 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

I get that Upshaw was a good role player and helped us get there, I just was never impressed by anything he did.  Hell, there is literally only one play I can remember from him.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xuvLwokg1I

But the hindsight game is never good...

I guess the question is what can we take from this? a 10 yard split doesn't make a pass rusher, tackles make great guards etc

[usmccharles]

16 minutes ago, Tru11 said:

good thing he wasent 1 then lel

well played sir, I should have said first pick....

14 minutes ago, ALPHA said:

I guess the question is what can we take from this? a 10 yard split doesn't make a pass rusher, tackles make great guards etc

I guess so

[Tru11]

16 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

well played sir, I should have said first pick....

I guess so

 hahahah i knew you mean that though 

[PolishRifle]

Which one is worse 2012 or 2010?

[usmccharles]

6 minutes ago, PolishRifle said:

Which one is worse 2012 or 2010?

2     11     43       Sergio Kindle      Linebacker    Texas

2     25     57       Terrence Cody    DT                 Alabama

3      6      70       Ed Dickson         Tight End       Oregon

4    16      114     Dennis Pitta        Tight End       BYU

5    25      156     David Reed         WR                Utah

5    26      157     Arthur Jones       DT                 Syracuse

6    25      194     Ramon Harewood     OT             Morehouse

 

Ouch.  I have always wondered what Kindle could have been.  Jones wasn't that bad, Pitta could of been great, but that was a pretty big failure as well.  2010 and 2012 really hurt us. 

[Tru11]

51 minutes ago, PolishRifle said:

Which one is worse 2012 or 2010?

well dickson and pitta played huge roles on our SB winning team.
Same goes for Arthus jones.

heck even cody saw snaps in all but 1 game.

So it wasent that bad but compared to the 2012 draft it was worse though since the guys from 2012 produced better overall players .

[Purple_City39]

6 hours ago, Tru11 said:

upshaw and osemele where starters on our team when we won the SB

pierce teared it up during our SB  run.

Tyson was a valuable rotation player as well during his rookie season and as well in that 2013 season.

4 out 7 played a part in us winning the SB so it was a good draft to me.

the pay out came sooner then expected hahah

Pretty much this.  People only appreciate OLBs if they get sacks it seems.  Same is JJ had for years here.  Upshaw did all the dirty work with a smile and he was the reason Dumervil was able to stay fresh and get all those sacks.  

KO needs no defense.  

Pierce, I'm not sure what happened to him actually.  He looked great his rookie season and I chalked up 2013 to the o-line since Rice was equally as bad.

Gradkowski sucked

Thompson wasn't so much a bad player as much as he was a pot head.  One season in the league and he'd already failed the drug test enough times for a 4 game suspension.

Asa spent a total of 12 games suspended for Adderall (which he got cleared by the league the day after his second suspension was announced) and was constantly injured.  Being realistic, he played well at times and bad at others.

Streeter sucked

Tyson was fantastic for a 7th rounder.

 

The 2010 draft was easily worse than this.  But as quoted, getting quality play out of 4 players, let alone rookies, that directly contributes to a superbowl win is a good thing for me.  I'll take this same type of draft this season it if leads to rookies that directly help the team raise the Lombardi trophy on Superbowl sunday

[Maryland]

I can't help but feel like the Gradkowski pick was some type of cocky grandstanding by the Ravens FO. I imagine it (figuratively) like they stood up proudly in a room full of 31 other franchises and asserted that they were drafting in the 4th round a player who was unnoticed and would have gone undrafted by every other team just to prove how good they are at scouting when he turns into a stud. 

Edited April 7, 2016 by Maryland

[GrimCoconut]

15 minutes ago, Maryland said:

I can't help but feel like the Gradkowski pick was some type of cocky grandstanding by the Ravens FO. I imagine it (figuratively) like they stood up proudly in a room full of 31 other franchises and asserted that they were drafting in the 4th round a player who was unnoticed and would have gone undrafted by every other team just to prove how good they are at scouting when he turns into a stud. 

Apparently, quite a few teams were going to take him, such as Pittsburgh. I can't recall the other teams right now, but I do remember that he was a guy a few teams behind us liked quite a bit and there was a good chance he went to one of them. 

[GrimCoconut]

10 hours ago, usmccharles said:

2     11     43       Sergio Kindle      Linebacker    Texas

2     25     57       Terrence Cody    DT                 Alabama

3      6      70       Ed Dickson         Tight End       Oregon

4    16      114     Dennis Pitta        Tight End       BYU

5    25      156     David Reed         WR                Utah

5    26      157     Arthur Jones       DT                 Syracuse

6    25      194     Ramon Harewood     OT             Morehouse

 

Ouch.  I have always wondered what Kindle could have been.  Jones wasn't that bad, Pitta could of been great, but that was a pretty big failure as well.  2010 and 2012 really hurt us. 

Jones was a pretty good player for us. Pitta was great until he got hurt. Kindle, well, who knows there. I didn't see the love for Cody, though. 

[Maryland]

Just now, GrimCoconut said:

Apparently, quite a few teams were going to take him, such as Pittsburgh. I can't recall the other teams right now, but I do remember that he was a guy a few teams behind us liked quite a bit and there was a good chance he went to one of them. 

Wow, that's surprising.

I guess the reaction of various draft analysts saying "we've never heard of this guy" colored my opinion. Although I guess I shouldn't let this happen, since they overlook small names all of the time.

[redrum52]

Kindle was suppose to be a pass rushing beast coming out of Texas.  Didn't he only drop because of.... character concerns?  

[Cville-Raven]

11 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

Kindle was suppose to be a pass rushing beast coming out of Texas.  Didn't he only drop because of.... character concerns?  

If I recall correctly he also was coming off of a leg injury. But yeah he did fall because of character concerns.

Edited April 7, 2016 by Cville-Raven

[ALPHA]

23 minutes ago, Cville-Raven said:

If I recall correctly he also was coming off of a leg injury. But yeah he did fall because of character concerns.

I thought he fell because the lights were off...

I'll show myself out.

[Maryland]

7 hours ago, redrum52 said:

Kindle was suppose to be a pass rushing beast coming out of Texas.  Didn't he only drop because of.... character concerns?  

Microfracture surgery 

Basically his knee was going to have a short shelf-life.