[News] Ozzie Newsome Thrilled With Talent Collected In 2016 Draft

[BR News]

Baltimore got more athletic, tougher and addressed almost every position of need in this year's draft. The board fell the way they thought.

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[goldenboldin]

The Ravens will be forever tied to the Dallas Cowboys denying a trade up for Jalen Ramsey as well as passing up on Myles Jack in the second round. We'll see how everything plays out. It was a safe draft, nothing too risky, nothing flashy. I am intrigued with the direction this team has taken since their inception. They used to grab tough physical guys with less emphasis on conduct or character. The NFL image has changed and I suppose so have the Ravens. It's not just about talent, the injury bugs over the past several seasons and off the field issues linked to our team has definitely traumatized us, and this safe draft full of durable and fairly decent character guys (with one or two exceptions) was proof of that

Edited May 1, 2016 by goldenboldin

[CLWG]

The Ravens will be forever tied to the Dallas Cowboys denying a trade up for Jalen Ramsey as well as passing up on Myles Jack in the second round. We'll see how everything plays out. It was a safe draft, nothing too risky, nothing flashy. I am intrigued with the direction this team has taken since their inception. They used to grab tough physical guys with less emphasis on conduct or character. The NFL image has changed and I suppose so have the Ravens. It's not just about talent, the injury bugs over the past several seasons and off the field issues linked to our team has definitely traumatized us, and this draft full of safe draft full of durable and fairly decent character guys (with one or two exceptions) was proof of that

I agree with your assessment too. I was a little disappointed to start off with, but I kind of tempered my tone as the draft went along.

[fusuymada]

I have to agree with you 100 percent. IMO Bisciotti became very embarrassed when Rice was tied to the domestic violence charge but mostly it was that shocking video. I think he laid down the law that now the FO has to deal with. I think the fact they traded out with Spence there was proof. Well, Steve, the NFL isn't a temp personnel company and these guys are type A, virile guys who are on the spectrum for violent behavior based on their training both psychological and physical. They are living on the edge of fame and bust, being millionaires or having to shovel mud for a living. They are part of a very violent sport. The Ravens have to stop drafting the Boy Scouts, crossing guards and teachers pets. Today's players are no different than past players, the stories are documented, but in today's social media world, surveillance cameras and big brother, they are under incredible scrutiny. Bisciotti needs to stop tying the hands of these guys because this was not an Ozzie draft. History shows Ozzie didn't shy from these guys, in fact, he was drawn to them and Modell gave him the reins. Bisciotti needs to give Ozzie the reins back or get out of the hot seat if he can't steer the ship.

[Crusader]

Remember the 2012 Superbowl run in New England. Ravens were not going to tactically win that game they had to beat the will out of the Pats. Something I'm not sure Ravens are capable today and all AFC playoffs will go through New England for the see able future?.

[sami]

I have to agree with you 100 percent. IMO Bisciotti became very embarrassed when Rice was tied to the domestic violence charge but mostly it was that shocking video. I think he laid down the law that now the FO has to deal with. I think the fact they traded out with Spence there was proof. Well, Steve, the NFL isn't a temp personnel company and these guys are type A, virile guys who are on the spectrum for violent behavior based on their training both psychological and physical. They are living on the edge of fame and bust, being millionaires or having to shovel mud for a living. They are part of a very violent sport. The Ravens have to stop drafting the Boy Scouts, crossing guards and teachers pets. Today's players are no different than past players, the stories are documented, but in today's social media world, surveillance cameras and big brother, they are under incredible scrutiny. Bisciotti needs to stop tying the hands of these guys because this was not an Ozzie draft. History shows Ozzie didn't shy from these guys, in fact, he was drawn to them and Modell gave him the reins. Bisciotti needs to give Ozzie the reins back or get out of the hot seat if he can't steer the ship.

Rice was a model citizen when he was drafted. Hes been a man of excellent character his whole life except for those few seconds of video. The problem is with all the good hes done and the being the fine upstanding young man he IS yet today , people judge him on less than 20 seconds of his entire life.

[Crusader]

  15 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

I have to agree with you 100 percent. IMO Bisciotti became very embarrassed when Rice was tied to the domestic violence charge but mostly it was that shocking video. I think he laid down the law that now the FO has to deal with. I think the fact they traded out with Spence there was proof. Well, Steve, the NFL isn't a temp personnel company and these guys are type A, virile guys who are on the spectrum for violent behavior based on their training both psychological and physical. They are living on the edge of fame and bust, being millionaires or having to shovel mud for a living. They are part of a very violent sport. The Ravens have to stop drafting the Boy Scouts, crossing guards and teachers pets. Today's players are no different than past players, the stories are documented, but in today's social media world, surveillance cameras and big brother, they are under incredible scrutiny. Bisciotti needs to stop tying the hands of these guys because this was not an Ozzie draft. History shows Ozzie didn't shy from these guys, in fact, he was drawn to them and Modell gave him the reins. Bisciotti needs to give Ozzie the reins back or get out of the hot seat if he can't steer the ship.

Rice was a model citizen when he was drafted. Hes been a man of excellent character his whole life except for those few seconds of video. The problem is with all the good hes done and the being the fine upstanding young man he IS yet today , people judge him on less than 20 seconds of his entire life.

And yet Ravens drafted a player that beat the heck out of a Airforce cadet and spent 45 days in jail. Airforce are not known as physical specimens like Marines or Army.

[harfordravenfan]

26 minutes ago, Crusader said:

And yet Ravens drafted a player that beat the heck out of a Airforce cadet and spent 45 days in jail. Airforce are not known as physical specimens like Marines or Army.

Didn't know that, was it the Navy guy that did that?

[Tank 92]

1 hour ago, fusuymada said:

I have to agree with you 100 percent. IMO Bisciotti became very embarrassed when Rice was tied to the domestic violence charge but mostly it was that shocking video. I think he laid down the law that now the FO has to deal with. I think the fact they traded out with Spence there was proof. Well, Steve, the NFL isn't a temp personnel company and these guys are type A, virile guys who are on the spectrum for violent behavior based on their training both psychological and physical. They are living on the edge of fame and bust, being millionaires or having to shovel mud for a living. They are part of a very violent sport. The Ravens have to stop drafting the Boy Scouts, crossing guards and teachers pets. Today's players are no different than past players, the stories are documented, but in today's social media world, surveillance cameras and big brother, they are under incredible scrutiny. Bisciotti needs to stop tying the hands of these guys because this was not an Ozzie draft. History shows Ozzie didn't shy from these guys, in fact, he was drawn to them and Modell gave him the reins. Bisciotti needs to give Ozzie the reins back or get out of the hot seat if he can't steer the ship.

I'm of the opinion that Steve should be respected for maintaining a consistent contender while also trying to assemble a team of quality people. I think this was a priority prior to the RR thing, and it has became THE priority since.  

As mentioned before, in the end it's his money and he can spend it the way he likes. 

[law215]

One of the head scratchers for me was Chris Moore when there were solid S and CBs still on the board. Ravens just never seem to hit on Wrs in the draft so I would have liked a safety or CB there. However, I am also one of those fans that say FO does not give Flacco enough weapons. Now he has 3 guys that can go deep, a couple of slot shifty guys, pass catching TEs and depth on the o-line. Maybe after cuts we add to the secondary if in OTA no one stands out.

[Tank 92]

I think in three years we'll see this draft deserves an A grade.

[4everraven]

Agree that Bisciotti has given an edict to forego questionable character players which one really can't argue against. It's his team, his rules. Ravens can win either way, with so-called choir boys or the playground bullies. On the field either can exhibit the nastiness to be intimidating.

On a different note how many of these guys have a legit shot to make final 53? Obviously, Stanley does. KO is gone, Monroe might be gone and Hurst is probably gone as well which means Lewis makes it.

Canty, Upshaw, and D Smith gone. Welcome, Correa, Kaufusi, and probably. None of them specifically replace D Smith but just looking at roster spots here. However this still leaves the coverage LB question unanswered. Wish Mosley had decent coverage skills which would solve the problem. Whose spot does Henry take? KLM, Guy, Davis?

Young and Canady could take anyone's spot not named Jimmy or Shareece at CB. For sure wide open competition at CB. Competition narrows if Oziie signs a cut or FA veteran CB.

Dixon? Does he have a chance to be one of the 3, 4 RBs? I hope so. Forsett, I think, is guaranteed but then it's Allen, LT, West, and what if Richardson realizes his potential?

At WR, already SSS, Aiken, M Wallace, Perriman. Add Moore and Reynolds to the Browns, Campanaro, Butler, Givens, Mathews and Clay that's some competition for 2, 3 spots.

[Brock397]

Agree that Bisciotti has given an edict to forego questionable character players which one really can't argue against. It's his team, his rules. Ravens can win either way, with so-called choir boys or the playground bullies. On the field either can exhibit the nastiness to be intimidating.

On a different note how many of these guys have a legit shot to make final 53? Obviously, Stanley does. KO is gone, Monroe might be gone and Hurst is probably gone as well which means Lewis makes it.

Canty, Upshaw, and D Smith gone. Welcome, Correa, Kaufusi, and probably. None of them specifically replace D Smith but just looking at roster spots here. However this still leaves the coverage LB question unanswered. Wish Mosley had decent coverage skills which would solve the problem. Whose spot does Henry take? KLM, Guy, Davis?

Young and Canady could take anyone's spot not named Jimmy or Shareece at CB. For sure wide open competition at CB. Competition narrows if Oziie signs a cut or FA veteran CB.

Dixon? Does he have a chance to be one of the 3, 4 RBs? I hope so. Forsett, I think, is guaranteed but then it's Allen, LT, West, and what if Richardson realizes his potential?

At WR, already SSS, Aiken, M Wallace, Perriman. Add Moore and Reynolds to the Browns, Campanaro, Butler, Givens, Mathews and Clay that's some competition for 2, 3 spots.

I think Reynolds makes the team because he's also a return specialist which the coaches will love. Givens isn't coming back this year and Campanaro is too injury prone so i think Moore makes the team as well.

Dixon Will probably make the team; i see LT, and West as the odd men out in that group. LT's injury concerns and fumbles even though he did show flashes when he was on the field.

Dead on with the rest of the picks though, going to be an exciting offseason to see how they progress.

[letitgosometimes]

The Ravens did well in the draft, but missed the opportunity to significantly build a stronger defense. Expect the Ravens to go 5-3 in the first eight games and 4-4 in the second eight games, with an overall record of 9-7. That record may not win the division, but might be good enough to make the playoffs. With all of the changing players, 9-7 or 8-8 is respectable. Two more years of rebuilding and the Ravens will be ready to make a deep run in the 2018 playoffs.

[Crusader]

  4 hours ago, Crusader said:

And yet Ravens drafted a player that beat the heck out of a Airforce cadet and spent 45 days in jail. Airforce are not known as physical specimens like Marines or Army.

Didn't know that, was it the Navy guy that did that?

Lewis but I think he relized how close he came to killing that guyand it scared him. My point is Ravens can't say they did not draft this guy or that guy because of issues or injuries when they turn around and do just that. Why telling the truth is so outdated I'll never know.

[Moderator 3]

Just now, Crusader said:

Lewis but I think he relized how close he came to killing that guyand it scared him. My point is Ravens can't say they did not draft this guy or that guy because of issues or injuries when they turn around and do just that. Why telling the truth is so outdated I'll never know.

It's all about the round.  You don't take a major character risk in the early rounds.  By round 4, if you think they guy has matured, it's worth a risk.

[trevorsteadman]

2 hours ago, Brock397 said:

I think Reynolds makes the team because he's also a return specialist which the coaches will love. Givens isn't coming back this year and Campanaro is too injury prone so i think Moore makes the team as well.

Dixon Will probably make the team; i see LT, and West as the odd men out in that group. LT's injury concerns and fumbles even though he did show flashes when he was on the field.

Dead on with the rest of the picks though, going to be an exciting offseason to see how they progress.

What if this is a reason for us to trade Forsett? :S

[thecommish]

AJ HAwk just was released (we can use an veteran inside LB) at least to push Authur and Zach Orr

[WNC-Raven]

I completely understand the reminiscing about letting the hungry dogs hunt in the past but the game has changed. Undisaplined players are now costing teams games. Do I need to remind some of you of the complete meltdown from pacman jones and burflict last year that cost the bengals yet another playoff game. Poor character breeds poor decision making and no discipline. I think that our FO is taking us in the right direction for future success. It's kinda hard to be consistent when players are getting injured, suspended and drawing flags all season. I think the team is tired of constantly having to be reactive to new issues when he could be working on other ways to make this team better.

[CLWG]

I don't care what spin Oz and the gang put on the draft, they got to pick happy and let Spence and jack slip through their hands. Some times you can out think yourself and they messed that one up being greedy. Stop being scared of these players and make Harb's coach those guys. You need some vocal players on the team and the coach should not be scare of the players opinion.

[cbrook1862]

I'm a little mixed on this draft, I think overall we got a lot of good value and I think we got younger and more athletic guys with some being able to be solid guys day 1, but I'm really disappointed they passed on Spence and Jack. Jack I understand but Noah Spence is a beast, all he does is hunt QB's. Spence I was chanting Spence Friday and when we passed on him I was sick. Other than that it was a solid draft. B+

[CLWG]

  7 hours ago, fusuymada said:

I have to agree with you 100 percent. IMO Bisciotti became very embarrassed when Rice was tied to the domestic violence charge but mostly it was that shocking video. I think he laid down the law that now the FO has to deal with. I think the fact they traded out with Spence there was proof. Well, Steve, the NFL isn't a temp personnel company and these guys are type A, virile guys who are on the spectrum for violent behavior based on their training both psychological and physical. They are living on the edge of fame and bust, being millionaires or having to shovel mud for a living. They are part of a very violent sport. The Ravens have to stop drafting the Boy Scouts, crossing guards and teachers pets. Today's players are no different than past players, the stories are documented, but in today's social media world, surveillance cameras and big brother, they are under incredible scrutiny. Bisciotti needs to stop tying the hands of these guys because this was not an Ozzie draft. History shows Ozzie didn't shy from these guys, in fact, he was drawn to them and Modell gave him the reins. Bisciotti needs to give Ozzie the reins back or get out of the hot seat if he can't steer the ship.

I'm of the opinion that Steve should be respected for maintaining a consistent contender while also trying to assemble a team of quality people. I think this was a priority prior to the RR thing, and it has became THE priority since.  

As mentioned before, in the end it's his money and he can spend it the way he likes. 

Hey Tank I agree with you on this one.

[Maurice0094]

Sorry no sexy names just some aggressive grinding football players. I'm gonna enjoy watchin this particular draft develop. I also like the face that we even picked up Ochi as a udfa get after Big Bendover and Uncle Tom Brady. Play like a Raven fellas!

[OzzieBisciotti]

I think in three years we'll see this draft deserves an A grade.

LOL- then in the 4th-5th year, one of these guys become good, at best, and then he'll go to another team because we won't be able to afford him bc of poor cap management or bc Oz doesn't want to overpay

[Tank 92]

4 minutes ago, OzzieBisciotti said:

LOL- then in the 4th-5th year, one of these guys become good, at best, and then he'll go to another team because we won't be able to afford him bc of poor cap management or bc Oz doesn't want to overpay

yeah, no kiddin'. What a scrub FO.

[OzzieBisciotti]

This year is just like the past 5 year's draft- yawn.... We took a chance on Will Hill for smoking weed, who was an okay player, but we won't take a chance on Tunsil? You have to be kidding me, Oz. We draft afraid, and everyone knows it- this draft will set us back from the playoffs for another year- we don't make the playoffs until 2018 now. Everyone knows that drafts are what builds championship teams- with the past five drafts, we're in too big of a hole for us to get out - plus Oz loves to sign old free agents, like Weddle, Watson, and Steve Smith- we need to get younger, not older. I'm surprised Oz didnt draft a TE or a Safety- he usually does every year. And again, he has amnesia on the CB position- I can't believe this guy and Eric DaCosta still have a job- if I ad 5 years of bad performance, I would've gotten fired from my job a long time ago- we used to be a perennial playoff team, now we don't even consistently go anymore- the Bungals have overtaken us and so has the Squeelers. We are just an avg team now, and now the Redskins are better than us and are a team on the rise.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

This year is just like the past 5 year's draft- yawn.... We took a chance on Will Hill for smoking weed, who was an okay player, but we won't take a chance on Tunsil? You have to be kidding me, Oz. We draft afraid, and everyone knows it- this draft will set us back from the playoffs for another year- we don't make the playoffs until 2018 now. Everyone knows that drafts are what builds championship teams- with the past five drafts, we're in too big of a hole for us to get out - plus Oz loves to sign old free agents, like Weddle, Watson, and Steve Smith- we need to get younger, not older. I'm surprised Oz didnt draft a TE or a Safety- he usually does every year. And again, he has amnesia on the CB position- I can't believe this guy and Eric DaCosta still have a job- if I ad 5 years of bad performance, I would've gotten fired from my job a long time ago- we used to be a perennial playoff team, now we don't even consistently go anymore- the Bungals have overtaken us and so has the Squeelers. We are just an avg team now, and now the Redskins are better than us and are a team on the rise.

IMHO I agree with this years draft being so so. I think the players they chose are good players and will work out longterm, if they stick past 1 contract. Thing is they are banking on less talented players replacing their stars, not impossible just a stretch. This draft boiled down to fixing the OT mess and frantically getting the best help for defense they could after the fact. What made is more disappointing from my perspective what the FO banging the drum saying they are looking for impact players for defense. Maybe just me but I did not see anyone that will be starter day 1 drafted outside Stanley.

This draft did make the Ravens better, just not this year, more like 2-3 years down the road. Same situation as last year where injuries to key players who are still not all 100% healthy could derail hopes early. Struggling to see Ozzie's optimism here. Almost bodes to spending more cap space with players that need to be signed next year.

[Jscharf23]

This year is just like the past 5 year's draft- yawn.... We took a chance on Will Hill for smoking weed, who was an okay player, but we won't take a chance on Tunsil? You have to be kidding me, Oz. We draft afraid, and everyone knows it- this draft will set us back from the playoffs for another year- we don't make the playoffs until 2018 now. Everyone knows that drafts are what builds championship teams- with the past five drafts, we're in too big of a hole for us to get out - plus Oz loves to sign old free agents, like Weddle, Watson, and Steve Smith- we need to get younger, not older. I'm surprised Oz didnt draft a TE or a Safety- he usually does every year. And again, he has amnesia on the CB position- I can't believe this guy and Eric DaCosta still have a job- if I ad 5 years of bad performance, I would've gotten fired from my job a long time ago- we used to be a perennial playoff team, now we don't even consistently go anymore- the Bungals have overtaken us and so has the Squeelers. We are just an avg team now, and now the Redskins are better than us and are a team on the rise.

Tunsil has more problems that just smoking weed. He was suspended for 7 games. Also, he has an assault lawsuit to deal with his step father. There are too many problems with tunsil, not just that pot smoking picture. Titans and chargers even ranked Stanley higher than Tunsil before the draft begun and before the picture was released. If you dont like the way ravens operate, feel free to join other bandwagons. We are still considered as one of the top franchises in NFL despite going 5-11 last year. Many draft gurus gave ravens an A for this draft.

[rmcjacket23]

On 5/1/2016 at 11:46 AM, Crusader said:

Remember the 2012 Superbowl run in New England. Ravens were not going to tactically win that game they had to beat the will out of the Pats. Something I'm not sure Ravens are capable today and all AFC playoffs will go through New England for the see able future?.

Cool... but its 2016, not 2012. Strategies need to change.

[Zeus]

Ozzy says the same thing after every draft- what else do you expect him to say? He's very disappointed....