2016 Training Camp post/Updates

[Deflated Football]

1 minute ago, Sami84 said:

every report on here and RSR have said he's struggled big time in every practice so far. Glaringly so.

I haven't heard anything. Source? 

[rmw10]

1 minute ago, Sami84 said:

every report on here and RSR have said he's struggled big time in every practice so far. Glaringly so.

They also mentioned that he's been playing LT (which says more about Hurst than anything), but go ahead and leave that part out.

[Tiznut]

11 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Just curious, why even defend him? He's, at best, sixth on the depth chart currently and he doesn't need to deliver shots that may injure another player.

Not defending him per se but I'll always defend effort. Honestly if he's playing within the rules and our offense is whining because he's playing physical then they'll need to get their heads straight and remember to write him a thank you letter steelers week 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

1 hour ago, rmw10 said:

They also mentioned that he's been playing LT (which says more about Hurst than anything), but go ahead and leave that part out.

 

Reminds me of a scene from Liar Liar with Jim Carey.

 

Jim Carey: Your honor I object

Judge: Why?

Jim Carey: Because its devestating to my case!

 

good news is it still looks like Hurst is out. And the fact that we tried to go out and sign Long makes it seem to me that we weren't really gonna use Lewis at LT anyway. Makes me think we go get a vet and stash Lewis on the IR or something.

 

also oh noes the backup LT who was a fourth rounder and raw didn't look amazing during TC. Our season is doomed!!!

[BmoreBird22]

1 hour ago, Tiznut said:

Not defending him per se but I'll always defend effort. Honestly if he's playing within the rules and our offense is whining because he's playing physical then they'll need to get their heads straight and remember to write him a thank you letter steelers week 

Well, if Zriebac is correct, he's not playing within the rules and the ultimaye end goal is to make to the season healthy. Dixon already suffered a knee sprain thanks to him. Thankfully it was minor. 

[ludy51]

16 minutes ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

 

Jim Carey: Your honor I object

Judge: Why?

Jim Carey: Because its devestating to my case!

Love that line

[Cillmatic]

2 hours ago, kjbmore said:

our starting FS, wasn't on the team last year, along with our presumed starting nickel - powers, our starting SS wasn't a safety last year, wright, davis been picked up off the heap, throw in some kids - there is no continuity what so ever - i call that patchwork.

Granted it probably is the most talent we've had since the superbowl but I need to see it work together as a UNIT. I can see webb and jimmy getting picked on, i know jimmys coming back from more procedures but him getting burnt by rookies and aiken is doing nothing to reassure me, aj green probably sitting at home licking his lips 

just having a core unit intact for the majority of games would be a good start, whether that unit would worry opposing offenses is another story

looking for positive news from both units throughout camp, not hearing it - i dont give a flying rats about tucker bombing 70 yarders in tc - what does the secondary do, whos getting to the qb??

Wright turned into a good player as the season progresses, Webb DID play Safety last season.

[DomMcRaven]

45 minutes ago, Cillmatic said:

Wright turned into a good player as the season progresses, Webb DID play Safety last season.

Played a big role in having the #1 pass defense and #2 overall defense in the final several weeks of this past season.  

[kjbmore]

13 minutes ago, Cillmatic said:

Wright turned into a good player as the season progresses, Webb DID play Safety last season.

semantics bud, you get my point - webb started out at corner, how much time did he actually spend at safety, yes wright grew better wont argue that

our secondary is still pieced together on the fly - lets see everybody together for the season - in their respective positions, with frazier coaching, we hopefully cant be any worse than last season, inconsistency seems to be the theme in the secondary - but given the nature of who's out there and where they / we are coming from, wouldnt expect much else

http://russellstreetreport.com/2016/07/30/camp-notes/ravens-secondary/

[BmoreBird22]

If anyone is concerned about the secondary, Josh Norman got roasted in Washington. 

It happens in drills where little planning goes in

[kjbmore]

30 minutes ago, DomMcRaven said:

Played a big role in having the #1 pass defense and #2 overall defense in the final several weeks of this past season.  

i take this with a HUGE pinch of salt - how did we have a good defense in the final few weeks?

when the seahawks and chiefs put 30+ on us, kept steelers in check and bengals scored 24, if thats good what does bad look like?

 

[rmw10]

Shareece Wright still intrigues me because he was so terrible before arriving here. You still have to hold out hope that he doesn't revert back into that guy, but I think we've started using him correctly. He still needs some safety help of course, but his technique is great as a boundary corner. It's when you start having him cover a guy going across the field is when he looks awful. If he can body a guy and force him toward the sideline, it's pretty much over for that WR on that play. 

[allblackraven]

14 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

If anyone is concerned about the secondary, Josh Norman got roasted in Washington. 

It happens in drills where little planning goes in

Yeah, in 1 on 1 drills, corners basically have no chance vs fast WRs if the pass is good

[kjbmore]

i know its only preseason but hopefully seeing our first team secondary go against - lions, saints and colts - should give us a nice feel for where we're at

[K-Dog]

40 minutes ago, kjbmore said:

semantics bud, you get my point - webb started out at corner, how much time did he actually spend at safety, 

He was a safety in college before becoming a corner in the NFL.

[kjbmore]

2 minutes ago, K-Dog said:

He was a safety in college before becoming a corner in the NFL.

jimmy is the only player in our secondary - who STARTED last season and played last season in their projected role this season - this is all im trying to get at

[DomMcRaven]

1 hour ago, kjbmore said:

i take this with a HUGE pinch of salt - how did we have a good defense in the final few weeks?

when the seahawks and chiefs put 30+ on us, kept steelers in check and bengals scored 24, if thats good what does bad look like?

 

Bad looks like the 2015 Giants defense.

Both the Seahawks and Chiefs were on a roll before our respective matchups with each team. While I agree that we gave up too many points for my liking (ranked 23rd), the defense was also ranked 3rd on 3rd down percentage. While our defense wasn't as good as the stats show, at least it can illustrate that things on defense went somewhat right (i.e., some players stepping up, players gelling together, etc.).

We will see how much of an impact our rookies on defense (Correa, Kaufusi, Judon, Canady, Young) will have this coming season. I don't want to talk about potential so I'll just leave it at that. 

[BmoreBird22]

2 hours ago, allblackraven said:

Yeah, in 1 on 1 drills, corners basically have no chance vs fast WRs if the pass is good

Pierrce Garcon was just completely turning him around and he was making poor adjustments to balls.

BUT it's TC

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Don't get the people upset with Onwuasor playing rough in practice. 

Frankly I think we need it. Our defense has been soft compared to years past, and quite frankly I'm happy to see someone punching people in the mouth and stirring things up. 

Hes gotta know when, where and who to do it with... But the kids fighting for a roster spot, and is a safety being asked to play LB, and he's laying wood. 

Dont do it to star players and don't be dirty. But otherwise have at it - set a tone. The Dixon hit out of bounds should be avoided but I like the other ones. Juice should get up and get mad - he needs to learn to expect those hits so he learns to hang on to the darn ball near the first down marker and in the end zone. 

Until I hear that a coach has reprimanded him I support it 100% and hope others follow. This isn't a team of successful vets that can go through the motions, take the mental reps and be ready come week 1. 

This is a team largely dependent on young players that need to learn how to start playing nasty, stingy, rough and tough football. 

He knows he's an UDFA with an opportunity bc of the vacancy at ILB. And he's got to stand out. This tells me he understands the situation and will do whatever necessary to make this team. 

And Onwuasor is gonna earn himself a spot.

Plus on the injury front - I'm of the opinion if you practice not to get injured, it's more likely to happen. I think the abnormally high numbers of injuries league wide are a symptom of the new CBA and less physical and padded practices.

Let em play and get used to it in TC. It's gonna happen in season so if they can't handle it lets find out now instead of wasting a spot on them. 

Otherwise injuries are freak occurrences and as we've seen first hand happen just as often in non-contact situations. If they let up or pull off in practice, it'll end up happening in games. This kid knows one speed - 100%. And I like it. 

And I don't think he's 6th on the depth chart - I think someone stated that. He's made hits on Juice and Buck in 11 on 11s which says he was running with the 1's or at worst 2's. Sounds so like he's getting reps with the 1s in sub packages and with the 2's. 

 

Btw he wasn't kicked out of Arizona because of attitude problems or anything. He was arrested on drug possession and a weapon charge. Not any better but it says nothing about him as a team mate or "having attitude problems."

and at Portland State he was a model citizen and team mate active in the community helping with charity work and community service. Until he shows otherwise, he deserves to continue showing that he's learned from and moved on from the mistake he made as an immature, 19 year old college freshman. 

Edited August 1, 2016 by BOLDnPurPnBlacK

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Orr popped Pitta while going over the middle and dislodged the ball. The play was praised - and we're talking about Pitta... The one non-QB who if you were to put a red jersey on it'd be him. 

It happened in 7on7s I believe with no tackling. No ones complaining about that. 

I know it's not multiple incidents, but I think the big difference is that Pitta didn't react. He took it bc he knows it's part of the game and something he needs to get used to. He's definitely gonna have a target on him this season. 

Anyways, not meaning to drag this on... Just don't get the ire being directed at Onwuasor. He's just a guy trying to make the team and stand out. He's setting a tone and basically saying you might be bigger, stronger, faster, more experienced or talented - but you're not going to be more physical or play harder. 

You can bet your bippy that the offensive players are taking notice and will think twice when they're in his area. And we need more of it whether it's him, Orr, Mosley, Levine, Correa, Weddle, whoever.

I want to hear more guys going hard from day 1 treating TC like its the playoffs. 

[757RavensFan]

10 hours ago, Sami84 said:

every report on here and RSR have said he's struggled big time in every practice so far. Glaringly so.

I've seen a few articles that mentioned Alex Lewis, none of them had anything positive to say.  He's getting blown of the ball and missing his blocks when pulling.  Right now, he's far from starting guard material.  

[harfordravenfan]

4 hours ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Orr popped Pitta while going over the middle and dislodged the ball. The play was praised - and we're talking about Pitta... The one non-QB who if you were to put a red jersey on it'd be him. 

It happened in 7on7s I believe with no tackling. No ones complaining about that. 

I know it's not multiple incidents, but I think the big difference is that Pitta didn't react. He took it bc he knows it's part of the game and something he needs to get used to. He's definitely gonna have a target on him this season. 

Anyways, not meaning to drag this on... Just don't get the ire being directed at Onwuasor. He's just a guy trying to make the team and stand out. He's setting a tone and basically saying you might be bigger, stronger, faster, more experienced or talented - but you're not going to be more physical or play harder. 

You can bet your bippy that the offensive players are taking notice and will think twice when they're in his area. And we need more of it whether it's him, Orr, Mosley, Levine, Correa, Weddle, whoever.

I want to hear more guys going hard from day 1 treating TC like its the playoffs. 

Was worried for a split second, thought you was gonna say dislodged his hip 

[Tank 92]

5 hours ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Don't get the people upset with Onwuasor playing rough in practice. 

 

 

4 hours ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Orr popped Pitta while going over the middle and dislodged the ball. The play was praised - and we're talking about Pitta... The one non-QB who if you were to put a red jersey on it'd be him. 

The potential issue is a player that is not using his head and knowing when it's appropriate to lay wood. If you're hitting a player out of bounds(Dixon), huge, costly and dumb mistake. And we know that many hits that were not flagged in previous years are now a routine 15 yard UR, or "defenseless player".  We need guys that are intelligent and can think quickly.  I'm not saying Onwuasor isn't capable of that, but there are some signs that there may be an issue. 

And a quick add........I think many are hypersensitive to the possibility of TC injuries.  Given last years bad fortune this is totally understandable.

Edited August 1, 2016 by Tank 92

[Guest]

8 hours ago, kjbmore said:

i take this with a HUGE pinch of salt - how did we have a good defense in the final few weeks?

when the seahawks and chiefs put 30+ on us, kept steelers in check and bengals scored 24, if thats good what does bad look like?

 

Let's not forget Cincinnati had nothing to play for in week 17 either, but beat us with a rookie QB.  I don't know where those stats that we were 1 and 2 defensively in those weeks came from, but more proof statistics will lead you to Monroe type players.

[rmw10]

5 hours ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Don't get the people upset with Onwuasor playing rough in practice. 

 

I won't quote the book, but I don't think the issue is the overall physicality as much as it is the recklessness and poor decisions.  It sounds like 2 of the 3 would have been 15 yard personal fouls in a real game, and that's where the problem lies.  If he's laying out good, clean plays then I have absolutely no problem with it.  The issue is that it sounds like it's more than that.  Hits out of bounds, hitting high, etc.  It's hard for us to say of course since we aren't there seeing these plays, but from what I've seen on Twitter, it sounds like they've been a bit over the line.

[Jacquouille]

4 hours ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Orr popped Pitta while going over the middle and dislodged the ball. The play was praised - and we're talking about Pitta... The one non-QB who if you were to put a red jersey on it'd be him. 

It happened in 7on7s I believe with no tackling. No ones complaining about that. 

I know it's not multiple incidents, but I think the big difference is that Pitta didn't react. He took it bc he knows it's part of the game and something he needs to get used to. He's definitely gonna have a target on him this season. 

Anyways, not meaning to drag this on... Just don't get the ire being directed at Onwuasor. He's just a guy trying to make the team and stand out. He's setting a tone and basically saying you might be bigger, stronger, faster, more experienced or talented - but you're not going to be more physical or play harder. 

You can bet your bippy that the offensive players are taking notice and will think twice when they're in his area. And we need more of it whether it's him, Orr, Mosley, Levine, Correa, Weddle, whoever.

I want to hear more guys going hard from day 1 treating TC like its the playoffs. 

I don't really want to take part in that debate, but while I agree with you, I think in terms of agressivity it's a fine line between Ray Lewis and Vontaze Burfict, so obviously I hope Onwuasor is on the right side. He is one of the UDFA that caught my eyes so I was going to monitor him anyway. 

Edited August 1, 2016 by Jacquouille

[BmoreBird22]

5 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

I won't quote the book, but I don't think the issue is the overall physicality as much as it is the recklessness and poor decisions.  It sounds like 2 of the 3 would have been 15 yard personal fouls in a real game, and that's where the problem lies.  If he's laying out good, clean plays then I have absolutely no problem with it.  The issue is that it sounds like it's more than that.  Hits out of bounds, hitting high, etc.  It's hard for us to say of course since we aren't there seeing these plays, but from what I've seen on Twitter, it sounds like they've been a bit over the line.

This is where I'm at.

Put the shoulder into the chest and wrap up and I've got no issue.

Tackling out of bounds and hitting up at the head? That's an issue.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

1 hour ago, Tank 92 said:

 

The potential issue is a player that is not using his head and knowing when it's appropriate to lay wood. If you're hitting a player out of bounds(Dixon), huge, costly and dumb mistake. And we know that many hits that were not flagged in previous years are now a routine 15 yard UR, or "defenseless player".  We need guys that are intelligent and can think quickly.  I'm not saying Onwuasor isn't capable of that, but there are some signs that there may be an issue. 

And a quick add........I think many are hypersensitive to the possibility of TC injuries.  Given last years bad fortune this is totally understandable.

I agree competely on the Dixon hit. You've gotta know when to hold back. And I think hes getting that - it was the first reported hit, and so far the only one that ive heard being dirty or deserving of a penalty. If he was going helmet to helmet, hitting defenseless players, after the play, or the coaches were getting on him and telling him not to, then id agree that he needs to stop.

And i get the over sensitivity to injuries. Theyve killed us two years in a row. But I think it honestly has more to do with the guys not getting enough contact in during TC rather than too much. League wide injuries have been up since the new CBA was implemented. TC is the time that their bodies got used to that contact in the past, and developed the calluses that help get through the season.

I feel the team as a whole has been playing softer too. Guys like Ray, Ed, JJ, Ngata, Pollard, Suggs, etc.. can just show up and play at 100%. Its in them and they were brought up on this team in a culture of rough and tough, violent defensive play. The new guys arent there, and i think they need to learn it in practice. Guys have to get ticked off and hit each other in the mouth... i want them competing hard in practice, and transferring it to the field on game day. As we've seen, holding back and less contact hasnt helped in terms of injuries. Theyre just as high if not higher than ever.

I love the intensity and want to see more of it.

[Tank 92]

13 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

I love the intensity and want to see more of it.

I do too, but hate the dumb 15 yarders. They can easily, on their own, cost a win.  It's fairly obvious that the league is moving towards a "kinder, gentler" NFL and it seems many of the refs are throwing flags even on what we know as hard, clean and legal hits. DBs and LBs need to be smarter than ever to prevent the flags and that starts at practices.

[berad]

We'll see if Onwuasor's aggression translates to big plays or penalties in the preseason. For now, he just seems like a UDFA LB doing everything he can to make the team - if we were on Hard Knocks he'd probably have a devoted storyline.

The Ravens have refs at their practices but not NFL ones and they seemed to be most focused on PI/illegal contact fouls from what I could tell... although someone gave Forsett a pretty nasty facemask and ripped off his helmet - which led to yellow on the field.

At TC yesterday, I saw the play where he was running down on kickoff pursuit and put one of the two wedge players on his butt. Aggressive? Yes, considering the guy was holding a big yellow pad and wasn't exactly going full tilt. Wrong? No, considering the player he knocked down was also a UDFA and should match that energy.