[News] Late For Work 6/24: 3 Reasons Why Kamar Aiken Will Have (Another) Breakout Year

[BR News]

Bold prediction for Aiken’s fantasy production. ESPN ranks the playing careers of all 32 NFL head coaches. One certainty for Ravens offense. Five things on the July to-do list during this slow time.

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[stixfix69]

IMO...Aiken has proven to be a very reliable WR, he had some drops, but seemed to always make up for them in those games....Very tough, and not afraid of crossing routes....Now if his fellow UCF guy in Perriman can get his health issues behind, this could be a very formidable trio in Aiken, SSS,and Perriman, and sprinkle in some Wallace and should make for a sold top 4 WR crew...

[bioLarzen]

Although I'm rooting for him big time, I can't see too many catches for Aiken if there are no siognificant injuries to WR's and TE's. With Steve Smith, Wallace, Perriman, Ben Watson, Pitta, and Gillmore also in the fold, there are gonna be simply way too many options for Flacco ahead of him for most of the passing downs. And it's seldom that a QB has to resort to his #5-6 target...

[b93333]

One more thing the Ravens need to consider... who will their back up tackle be if their new LT goes down?

[stixfix69]

I think the theme for this year with all the talent is get the ball down field, so i do think the WR's will see a lot of balls, and Flacco's strength is getting the ball down field....JMO......

[sami]

Zrebiec is SO wrong. The last thing we need is another WR and certainly not Boldin. The only holes I see right now is an inside LB and a L OG. I'd happily go to battle with the rest of the team we have.

[whobilly]

Although I'm rooting for him big time, I can't see too many catches for Aiken if there are no siognificant injuries to WR's and TE's. With Steve Smith, Wallace, Perriman, Ben Watson, Pitta, and Gillmore also in the fold, there are gonna be simply way too many options for Flacco ahead of him for most of the passing downs. And it's seldom that a QB has to resort to his #5-6 target...

bio, I'm thinking several of our WR's and TE's will be in the 35/40 reception range. Lots of spreading it around for Joe.

[fusuymada]

Aiken could be a #1 WR. People may laugh but if you look at what he did the last 8 games when he became the primary target (and alot of those yards were accumulated with the two backup QBs), and double that to make an entire year and he would lead the league. Imagine having his #1 QB for an entire year and being the primary target. Aiken is a product of a system that will give a #1 draft pick (like Perriman) instant primary target status without making a single catch when he has proven over and over how reliable he is (demonstrated by the number of 5 catch games he accumulated in a row). It gives a failed receiver like Mike Wallace instant primary target status as a result of his speed when he was a third round draft pick and hasn't had a year like Aiken's last year in several years. However, a bright spot is he has SSS playing beside him and when he came in the league he was targeted to only be a returner and over a decade later he is HOF material. At least Aiken can see if you put in the work and show how great you are, then you will be recognized.

[whobilly]

6 hours ago, sami said:

Zrebiec is SO wrong. The last thing we need is another WR and certainly not Boldin. The only holes I see right now is an inside LB and a L OG. I'd happily go to battle with the rest of the team we have.

Boldin at the right price could provide a good insurance policy given that we don't know how SSS will respond from the injury. I'd never bet against SSS, on the other hand Boldin caught over 200 balls the last three years and has a comfort level with Joe. AGAIN, only if the price is right.

[Ravensfansince03]

I hope Aiken will build of of last season. But I need a no bs assessment here, will Breshad Perriman make it for training camp or at least practice before pre-season?

[Ravensfansince03]

Aiken could be a #1 WR. People may laugh but if you look at what he did the last 8 games when he became the primary target (and alot of those yards were accumulated with the two backup QBs), and double that to make an entire year and he would lead the league. Imagine having his #1 QB for an entire year and being the primary target. Aiken is a product of a system that will give a #1 draft pick (like Perriman) instant primary target status without making a single catch when he has proven over and over how reliable he is (demonstrated by the number of 5 catch games he accumulated in a row). It gives a failed receiver like Mike Wallace instant primary target status as a result of his speed when he was a third round draft pick and hasn't had a year like Aiken's last year in several years. However, a bright spot is he has SSS playing beside him and when he came in the league he was targeted to only be a returner and over a decade later he is HOF material. At least Aiken can see if you put in the work and show how great you are, then you will be recognized.

You have to remember that he was a guy that went under the radar to become a #1. It wasn't like defenses were prepping to take care of him. Now that defenses knows that he's a go-to guy they will be a lot tougher on him. Hopefully all goes well with Wallace and SSS. Those 3 as a group should do fine as our WR lineup. Although I would love for Boldin to return I doubt he's the type to lower his $$$ expectations for us.

[harfordravenfan]

38 minutes ago, whobilly said:

bio, I'm thinking several of our WR's and TE's will be in the 35/40 reception range. Lots of spreading it around for Joe.

Yup, I'm thinking the same. Add in a balanced run/pass attack only way I see someone lighting it up is if additional injuries happen, new guys don't step up, or SSS just goes off

[Ravensfansince03]

Zrebiec is SO wrong. The last thing we need is another WR and certainly not Boldin. The only holes I see right now is an inside LB and a L OG. I'd happily go to battle with the rest of the team we have.

Honestly, after last season, I see holes everywhere until I've seen otherwise lol.

[Kinda_Dante]

4 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

You have to remember that he was a guy that went under the radar to become a #1. It wasn't like defenses were prepping to take care of him. Now that defenses knows that he's a go-to guy they will be a lot tougher on him. Hopefully all goes well with Wallace and SSS. Those 3 as a group should do fine as our WR lineup. Although I would love for Boldin to return I doubt he's the type to lower his $$$ expectations for us.

I think defenses were definitely prepping for him as he was clearly our #1 option last year after all the injuries, he was being covered by the other teams best guy week in and week out.

[Ravensfansince03]

All we need is one player to consistently make plays on defense. Once this young (new) team that we have see's how Ravens fans cherish their playmakers in M&T Bank stadium it will cause a flood of other players to want to play better.

"Win the crowd first"
-Gladiator

[CaliRavenFan]

25 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

I hope Aiken will build of of last season. But I need a no bs assessment here, will Breshad Perriman make it for training camp or at least practice before pre-season?

Honest no bs assessment would be a major no on Perriman practicing before pre-season. I actually wouldn't mind having him come off PUP just to make sure he has fully healthy and rested legs for the hardest part of our schedule.

We have plenty of depth and talent for Flacco to throw too, last thing we need to be doing is rushing Perriman back just because he didnt play last year and was our #1 pick.

[Bohica5]

Love Aiken's effort and it looks like its going to pay off for us......would replace perriman(He will Never play in the NFL) in a heartbeat for Boldin......It really looks like we are going to be good at receiver this year for sure!

[runcontrol]

2 hours ago, sami said:

Zrebiec is SO wrong. The last thing we need is another WR and certainly not Boldin. The only holes I see right now is an inside LB and a L OG. I'd happily go to battle with the rest of the team we have.

When Perriman went down I was 100% completely against the idea of bringing Boldin back. It didn't really make any sense. But now that we are hearing that there is a chance SSS and Perriman might not be ready by week one, I can see it happening. If its just SSS sitting out at the beginning of the season, I think it just opens up a hole for Butler to make the roster. And if its just Perriman, I think we will be fine with Wallace as the deep threat receiver. But to have both out could hurt, especially since the team will have to hit the ground running, so they are in a good place when they start the tough part of the schedule, at the end of the season.

Edited June 24, 2016 by runcontrol

[harfordravenfan]

24 minutes ago, CaliRavenFan said:

Honest no bs assessment would be a major no on Perriman practicing before pre-season. I actually wouldn't mind having him come off PUP just to make sure he has fully healthy and rested legs for the hardest part of our schedule.

We have plenty of depth and talent for Flacco to throw too, last thing we need to be doing is rushing Perriman back just because he didnt play last year and was our #1 pick.

Agreed, we have options we didn't have last year at wr. If perriman ain't ready, having him on pup would give another young guy a chance to shine or develop.

 

Rough start for perriman but still believe he'll make us proud. 

[stixfix69]

I expect Wallace to flourish, he has a huge chip on his shoulder, after 2 failed chances with Miami and MN.....Plus he is back in the AFCN, and truthfully will have a QB who can throw the deep ball in Flacco...So until Perriman gets on the field, Wallace, and Moore should see some opportunities with the deep ball, which will force defenses to stop playing 8 in the box, and then will give Aiken and SSS, and the TE more room to work with, with the underneath routes...

[Jayyung66]

I feel like finally Joe will have all the weapons that we have patiently been waiting for. I feel as everyone will have an important role. Joe Flacco can be one of the better qbs in the NFL. He has proven it game after game. The Ravens are stacked a receiver and tight end. Put Steve Smith Sr. in the slot, then you have Wallace and Aiken on the outside. Even if Perrimen is healthy, I dont see him as a full time starter right away due to the lack of experience as a starting receiver in the NFL. Aiken can be just a effective as Boldin was. He is physical, good route runner, and has a good set of hands. Then at tight end, Pitta is returning. This is great news for Flacco. Pitta was Flacco's security blanket. We also have Gilmore, Watson, Boyle, and Waller. I feel Waller may be the under dog, but i feel with time and practice he can be a very gifted tight end. Hopefully we can keep him around, but i dont see the Ravens keeping 4 tight ends for many reasons. Overall i believe this team will revolve around Flacco's confidence on his leg. With the receiving corps we have, I can easily see Flacco tossing for well over 4,000+ yards and 40tds.

[TheConquerorWorm]

  2 hours ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

I hope Aiken will build of of last season. But I need a no bs assessment here, will Breshad Perriman make it for training camp or at least practice before pre-season?

Honest no bs assessment would be a major no on Perriman practicing before pre-season. I actually wouldn't mind having him come off PUP just to make sure he has fully healthy and rested legs for the hardest part of our schedule.

We have plenty of depth and talent for Flacco to throw too, last thing we need to be doing is rushing Perriman back just because he didnt play last year and was our #1 pick.

I agree 100%. Don't rush him and the PUP would be the perfect place for him. That would allow us to keep another guy like TWest, Reynolds, Ochi, Brooks or even open a spot for Pitta. Same goes for Pitta if he's not 100%. Stashing both on the PUP until we need them in November/December lets us keep some quality young talent now. Every team has injuries every year, so having quality replacements on the PUP is huge.

[Maryland]

Going to be the pessimist here and think Aiken falls-short of meeting or surpassing his production last season.

He won't be the de facto #1 WR anymore, which he was last season for about half the year. There are going to be a lot more mouths to feed. Plus we hopefully won't be abandoning the run game and passing 50+ times in games because we're losing really bad, as was the case with quite a few games last year. Plus Aiken still struggled to separate on a number of occasions last year. Yes, he can make some tough catches, but even Boldin never topped 1k in a season, and he was a better WR than Aiken is now (yes, I know, different offense). I've seen it too many times where an average WR gets volume targets on a bad team and produces nice stats.

But hey, I hope he proves me wrong.

[bioLarzen]

  4 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

Although I'm rooting for him big time, I can't see too many catches for Aiken if there are no siognificant injuries to WR's and TE's. With Steve Smith, Wallace, Perriman, Ben Watson, Pitta, and Gillmore also in the fold, there are gonna be simply way too many options for Flacco ahead of him for most of the passing downs. And it's seldom that a QB has to resort to his #5-6 target...

bio, I'm thinking several of our WR's and TE's will be in the 35/40 reception range. Lots of spreading it around for Joe.

Who of the Steve Smith - Perriman- Wallace - Ben Watson - Pitta - Gillmore do you think be targeted less than Aiken (presuming no injuries)?

I just can't see Aiken go anywhere near the 1,000 yard mark if there are no injuries in the receiving and TE corps.

[RavensBaltimore]

The only way I see Aiken getting anywhere close to the type of numbers he put up last year is if we have injury issues again. Perriman and Wallace provide explosive playmaking ability and can back the defense up to make things easier for everyone else. SSS brings a physicality to the offense that no one else does, and we have the personnel to run multiple tight end sets to create matchup issues. Aiken is solid, but he doesn't create matchup issues for anyone, he doesn't draw double coverage, and he doesn't make the game easier for the rest of the offense. With the talent we have on offense this year, I just don't see how Aiken would get the opportunity to get that many catches again.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

  5 hours ago, whobilly said:

  6 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

Although I'm rooting for him big time, I can't see too many catches for Aiken if there are no siognificant injuries to WR's and TE's. With Steve Smith, Wallace, Perriman, Ben Watson, Pitta, and Gillmore also in the fold, there are gonna be simply way too many options for Flacco ahead of him for most of the passing downs. And it's seldom that a QB has to resort to his #5-6 target...

bio, I'm thinking several of our WR's and TE's will be in the 35/40 reception range. Lots of spreading it around for Joe.

Who of the Steve Smith - Perriman- Wallace - Ben Watson - Pitta - Gillmore do you think be targeted less than Aiken (presuming no injuries)?

I just can't see Aiken go anywhere near the 1,000 yard mark if there are no injuries in the receiving and TE corps.

considering after 10 games Flacco had 2,800 yards and our passing attack was ranked 8th without our starter for 6 games I am predicting there will be plenty to go around. Flacco was @280 yards per game assuming the trend continued that puts him @4400 yards on the season which means under Trestman as far as receiving goes there will be enough for all to eat

[harfordravenfan]

2 hours ago, Maryland said:

Going to be the pessimist here and think Aiken falls-short of meeting or surpassing his production last season.

He won't be the de facto #1 WR anymore, which he was last season for about half the year. There are going to be a lot more mouths to feed. Plus we hopefully won't be abandoning the run game and passing 50+ times in games because we're losing really bad, as was the case with quite a few games last year. Plus Aiken still struggled to separate on a number of occasions last year. Yes, he can make some tough catches, but even Boldin never topped 1k in a season, and he was a better WR than Aiken is now (yes, I know, different offense). I've seen it too many times where an average WR gets volume targets on a bad team and produces nice stats.

But hey, I hope he proves me wrong.

That's more of a realist not pessimist , as mentioned already... too many mouths to feed for him to get anywhere close to his numbers last year. Only thing in his favor is he'll be facing teams second corner instead of there best

[Saxxin]

  5 hours ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

I hope Aiken will build of of last season. But I need a no bs assessment here, will Breshad Perriman make it for training camp or at least practice before pre-season?

Honest no bs assessment would be a major no on Perriman practicing before pre-season. I actually wouldn't mind having him come off PUP just to make sure he has fully healthy and rested legs for the hardest part of our schedule.

We have plenty of depth and talent for Flacco to throw too, last thing we need to be doing is rushing Perriman back just because he didnt play last year and was our #1 pick.

Until I see Perriman on the field I can't bring myself to believe he'll be on the field. He can't even stay healthy long enough to wear pads in practice. I hope he proves me wrong but that's what it will take to change my mind.

[whobilly]

  6 hours ago, whobilly said:

  7 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

Although I'm rooting for him big time, I can't see too many catches for Aiken if there are no siognificant injuries to WR's and TE's. With Steve Smith, Wallace, Perriman, Ben Watson, Pitta, and Gillmore also in the fold, there are gonna be simply way too many options for Flacco ahead of him for most of the passing downs. And it's seldom that a QB has to resort to his #5-6 target...

bio, I'm thinking several of our WR's and TE's will be in the 35/40 reception range. Lots of spreading it around for Joe.

Who of the Steve Smith - Perriman- Wallace - Ben Watson - Pitta - Gillmore do you think be targeted less than Aiken (presuming no injuries)?

I just can't see Aiken go anywhere near the 1,000 yard mark if there are no injuries in the receiving and TE corps.

Good question. I would think only Pitta but that depends how much he plays. If he comes back 100% I think Aiken may see the least amount of targets considering Joe will also have Buck, Dixon, and Forsett as options too. Looking forward to an interesting 2016.

[CaliRavenFan]

43 minutes ago, Saxxin said:

Until I see Perriman on the field I can't bring myself to believe he'll be on the field. He can't even stay healthy long enough to wear pads in practice. I hope he proves me wrong but that's what it will take to change my mind.

IMO even if he doesnt take the field until next year and is finally 100% healthy I will be happy. I cant imagine the pain of your dream finally coming true by being drafted into the NFL and having amazing talent but not being able to actually play. Im just thankful that he is getting the chance to learn from SSS for when he is healthy.