2016 WRs. Best the Ravens Have Ever Had?

[ERey]

I'm looking at the wide receiving core for this years team and I can't remember when this unit has been so deep with talent. There's a nice mixture of speed, toughness and good hands.

I get that Breshard Perriman and Chris Moore have yet to take a snap in the NFL, and Jeremy Butler has 8 games. But there's no denying these guys have talent and hopefully should make an impact.

I see them carrying 7 wide outs: Steve Smith, Sr, Mike Wallace, Kamar Aiken, Michael Campanaro, Breshard Perriman, Chris Moore, Jeremy Butler.

With a strong o-line and good RBs I see Joe having his best year ever.

Thoughts?

 

[flynismo]

It is without question the DEEPEST we have ever been in the history of this team. No question at all.

Will it be the best? That will depend on what SSS still has left in the tank, whether Wallace can bounce back after some down years, and how quickly Perriman develops. 

On paper, the potential is there for this to be the best WR group in the NFL, especially when we include Aiken and Moore in the mix. But that would require too many things to go right to expect it to actually turn out that way. We can't reasonably expect SSS to play like an elite WR at 37 years old AND Wallace to resurrect his career AND Perriman to have a big "rookie" season. But if two of those three things happen, which is a lot more reasonable to expect, then yes, this will be both the deepest and most talented roster we have ever had at WR.

[Purple_City39]

I agree it's definitely the deepest on paper, but too early to say the best.  IF SSS can give us 70% of what he was giving the team last season before injury AND Perriman can play on the NFL level as well as his college tape looks then it will be the best.

Honestly I think the only thing that prevents this from being the best is health.  Does Steve get back to at least 70%?  Will Perriman and Campanaro stay healthy?  Can Butler and Moore play well in real games?  Aiken and Wallace are the only two I have no real questions about.

[Ravensfan23]

From a career achievement standpoint, I think 2010 was the best. Boldin, Mason, House and Heap was a all-star cast based on the things those guys had accomplished up to that point in their respective careers. 

This group definitely has the potential to be the best because of the mixture of talent. Perriman, Wallace and Moore seem to be more than just take the top off the defense options, they're speedy play makers. Potentially anyway. 

Aiken, SSS and Butler look to be sure handed possession guys with explosive yac potential and Camp is a shifty chain mover.

I think it'll be hard to stop everyone as long as Trestman stays creative.

[ellicottraven]

On paper, very deep assuming SSS comes back to play like he was playing, Mike Wallace developing chemistry with Flacco and Perriman coming back healthy and fast with decent hands. Aiken, Butler, Campanaro and Chris Moore would round out a pretty deep and reliable WR corps I think. However, where experience is concerned there is much to be proven besides SSS, Wallace and Aiken. So I would put the prognosis in the category "TBD".

[Ravens4Real]

I am pretty sure that every offseason this fan base has this exact same discussion. It's amusing. Every positive you can say about each player, you can nitpick negatives out also. 

Until they prove it on the field, nothing can be said about the group as a whole.

[January J]

This entire offense has the potential to be the best in franchise history. It all rides on trestmans shoulders and whether or not he can utilize everybody properly and make it work.

The talent is there. Trestman is the key. 

[flynismo]

22 minutes ago, January J said:

The talent is there. Trestman is the key. 

 

Yep. This offense has all the components it needs to be a complete offense; decent OL, power running backs, recieving backs, possession recievers, deep threats, red zone targets. A guy like Sean Payton would extract every last bit of production out of this group and help it become one of the top offenses in the league, maybe even the best...ball's in Trestman's court now

[ERey]

15 minutes ago, flynismo said:

 

Yep. This offense has all the components it needs to be a complete offense; decent OL, power running backs, recieving backs, possession recievers, deep threats, red zone targets. A guy like Sean Payton would extract every last bit of production out of this group and help it become one of the top offenses in the league, maybe even the best...ball's in Trestman's court now

This is pretty much how I feel. We won't know until seasons end if this unit is the best of course. But I feel like all the components are there to be the best by far. Just comes down to Marc Trestman and luck with injuries.

 

 

 

[Daft Classic]

Until proven otherwise, I still think the best Ravens receiving core was Boldin, Torrey, and Jacoby with Rice at RB and Pitta at TE. So many options for Joe

Edited August 30, 2016 by Daft Classic

[ERey]

IMO the notable years...

2012 - Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin, Jacoby Jones

2010 - Anquan Boldin, Housh, Derrick Mason

1996 - Michael Jackson, Derrick Alexander, Jermaine Lewis, Floyd Turner

Each of those teams had talent. But 2016 is so deep with different types of talent. Can't wait to see it on the field!

 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

5 hours ago, flynismo said:

It is without question the DEEPEST we have ever been in the history of this team. No question at all.

Will it be the best? That will depend on what SSS still has left in the tank, whether Wallace can bounce back after some down years, and how quickly Perriman develops. 

On paper, the potential is there for this to be the best WR group in the NFL, especially when we include Aiken and Moore in the mix. But that would require too many things to go right to expect it to actually turn out that way. We can't reasonably expect SSS to play like an elite WR at 37 years old AND Wallace to resurrect his career AND Perriman to have a big "rookie" season. But if two of those three things happen, which is a lot more reasonable to expect, then yes, this will be both the deepest and most talented roster we have ever had at WR.

Agreed. If 2 of 3 doesn't happen - 2 of 4 will suffice. Meaning Aiken, Moore, etc. must equal-out the production of SSS and Perriman, Perriman and Wallace or SSS and Wallace. We are that deep.

[Tank 92]

4 hours ago, Ravens4Real said:

I am pretty sure that every offseason this fan base has this exact same discussion. It's amusing. Every positive you can say about each player, you can nitpick negatives out also. 

Until they prove it on the field, nothing can be said about the group as a whole.

I certainly agree that we got nuthin until they prove their worth in some meaningful games, but you're dead wrong about having the same discussion every offseason. The Ravens have never had as deep a group with this much potential.  

[GrimCoconut]

It's hard to tell in preseason without defensive coordinators scheming things, but this group certainly looks to be the best I've seen as of this point in the year--meaning I don't recall any other WR corps looking as good to this point in their respective seasons. We'll see if this translates to the regular season when that comes. 

[RaineV1]

People tend to forget what the Ravens were like pre-2000. When the team first moved, it was a very offensive one. It was basically like the Colts have been Bad deffense (Rookie Ray Lewis couldn't carry it by himself), weak offensive line (aside from LT), plenty of turnovers, but damn could it put up some passing yards and points.

In 96, before any of the modern rule changes to favor receivers, the Ravens had 2 1,000yd receivers. So, I'll go with that group. This year could be the deepest though.

[izvoodoo]

6 hours ago, flynismo said:

 

Yep. This offense has all the components it needs to be a complete offense; decent OL, power running backs, recieving backs, possession recievers, deep threats, red zone targets. A guy like Sean Payton would extract every last bit of production out of this group and help it become one of the top offenses in the league, maybe even the best...ball's in Trestman's court now

I think the Oline is kind of a limiting factor.  Not that it's going to hold us back, but I don't see that group setting the world on fire. 

[Ravens4Real]

3 hours ago, Tank 92 said:

I certainly agree that we got nuthin until they prove their worth in some meaningful games, but you're dead wrong about having the same discussion every offseason. The Ravens have never had as deep a group with this much potential.  

 

I'm not debating on if this is the deepest group of receivers the Ravens have ever had because that is not what I said. (But since you brought it up, how can you even say that? We have seen basically two of them against actual first stringers)

All I said is that this thread is made every year and it seems to revolve around the WR cores. You can go back in this forum for at least the past 5 years and I promise you, you will find the same exact or nearly exact thread made before the season.

[Crabcakes&Football]

Definitely the deepest. We have 5 guys with proven ability and production, with 2 very promising guys, and that's without factoring in the TEs. The best still has to be Boldin/Torrey/Jacoby/Pitta. It didn't last long but those guys absolutely dominated in the SB run.

[Ravens4Real]

They have the POTENTIAL to be the deepest the Ravens have had. That's all that can be said right now.

[Tank 92]

19 minutes ago, Ravens4Real said:

 

I'm not debating on if this is the deepest group of receivers the Ravens have ever had because that is not what I said. (But since you brought it up, how can you even say that? We have seen basically two of them against actual first stringers)

All I said is that this thread is made every year and it seems to revolve around the WR cores. You can go back in this forum for at least the past 5 years and I promise you, you will find the same exact or nearly exact thread made before the season.

What I said was "The Ravens have never had as deep a group with this much potential."  And yes, I can say that.

I've been around on here for a couple of years and am fairly certain there has never been a thread with anything close to "Is this the best WR group we've ever had".  It always been something more like "What WR can we trade for" or "Why can't Flacco have more weapons".   lol

 

[Mick0311]

8 hours ago, Ravens4Real said:

I am pretty sure that every offseason this fan base has this exact same discussion. It's amusing. Every positive you can say about each player, you can nitpick negatives out also. 

Until they prove it on the field, nothing can be said about the group as a whole.

True, but I think you'll find this year there is a little more "on paper, we..." kind of talk. You're spot-on though, every year this happens. 

[Ravens4Real]

51 minutes ago, Tank 92 said:

What I said was "The Ravens have never had as deep a group with this much potential."  And yes, I can say that.

I've been around on here for a couple of years and am fairly certain there has never been a thread with anything close to "Is this the best WR group we've ever had".  It always been something more like "What WR can we trade for" or "Why can't Flacco have more weapons".   lol

 

That is simply wrong. Every offseason there is a thread of how this will be the best WR group we have ever had.

[Tank 92]

Just now, Ravens4Real said:

That is simply wrong. Every offseason there is a thread of how this will be the best WR group we have ever had.

OK, you're right.

 

 

NOT!   lol

[FlocksGottaFeed]

This we know...this the best.

Steve Smith Sr

961 receptions * 13,932 receiving yards  * 76 tds * Top 15+ All-Time * Likely will be in the Top 5 All-Time by the end of this season

Mike Wallace

414 receptions * 6,307 receiving yards * 49 tds * On pace to be in the Top 15 All-Time by the end of his career (with average yearly performance)

Figure in Aiken 900+ yards last season, 1st round pick Perriman with proven reliable complimentary fill-in Butler, Camp and the rest (who have been steady).

This is cut above simple 'potential' - this is the most promising unit we've ever had at this point of the roster year and the 'BEST' we've had in place going into the season until proven otherwise (which is currently, overwhelmingly against the odds).

 

[PurpleCity5]

Easily the deepest. The Best? I'll wait, I like the '96 Ravens WR more. 

[Ravensfan23]

10 hours ago, flynismo said:

 

Yep. This offense has all the components it needs to be a complete offense; decent OL, power running backs, recieving backs, possession recievers, deep threats, red zone targets. A guy like Sean Payton would extract every last bit of production out of this group and help it become one of the top offenses in the league, maybe even the best...ball's in Trestman's court now

Biggest difference is Sean Payton wouldn't have the Illusion of "The Ravens Way" hanging over his head and he'd have free range over the offense to run it "his" way. Remember technically this still isn't even Trestman's own offense. It's just Kubiak's offense ran his way. 

Everything is finally in place for this offense to take that next step to performing like the top offensive in the league. Much like they did early last year, sit back and allow Flacco to run the show. Don't worry about run to pass ratios or establishing the run every game. Just let the offense flow and whatever area of weakness they can exploit allow them to do so. 

If Trestman is allowed to run this offense hands off, I have no doubt he'll keep things creative and exciting. 

[Ravens4Real]

1 hour ago, jkm5bmore said:

This we know...this the best.

Steve Smith Sr

961 receptions * 13,932 receiving yards  * 76 tds * Top 15+ All-Time * Likely will be in the Top 5 All-Time by the end of this season

Mike Wallace

414 receptions * 6,307 receiving yards * 49 tds * On pace to be in the Top 15 All-Time by the end of his career (with average yearly performance)

Figure in Aiken 900+ yards last season, 1st round pick Perriman with proven reliable complimentary fill-in Butler, Camp and the rest (who have been steady).

This is cut above simple 'potential' - this is the most promising unit we've ever had at this point of the roster year and the 'BEST' we've had in place going into the season until proven otherwise (which is currently, overwhelmingly against the odds).

 

Like I said, if we are going to sit here and nitpick stats, then yeah you can say they are the best we have ever had. I'm sure when Jerry Rice went to the Raiders, there were fans like you who expected him to put up career stats at almost 40 also. 

But let me play the game with you.....

Stever Smith = almost 40 years old. Coming off of major surgery to an Achilles. Will probably take away his burst in and out of routes.

Wallace = The majority of the yards he has garnered were in Pittsburgh in a high powered offense. We have never been known to have one. Since leaving Pittsburgh, has fallen off of a cliff. If you take what he has been doing in the past couple years, he won't even be top 50. Also, a one trick pony.

Aiken = Journeyman. Probably wouldn't start on many teams in the league. Had 900 yards last year receiving simply because the Ravens had literally no other options to throw to.

Perrimen = Hasn't even played a single meaningful snap yet. Has ZERO receptions and ZERO yards. 

Camp = He is made of glass. Will get open at will but will suffer a soft tissue injury drinking from a water bottle.

 

Like I said, for every positive, these guys also have many negatives to go with them.  To say that this is the best Ravens WR core, is just a disservice to these guys. They haven't even played a meaningful snap in the NFL this year. Most of these guys haven't even seen a starting NFL defense yet. But somehow you guys can anoint them the best Ravens WR core ever?!

I like the group that we have put together but until they produce on the field, then it basically means nothing. 

Edited August 31, 2016 by Ravens4Real

[Tru11]

2 hours ago, PurpleCity5 said:

Easily the deepest. The Best? I'll wait, I like the '96 Ravens WR more. 

this with 1997 a close second.

[OUravensfan]

15 hours ago, Tank 92 said:

OK, you're right.

 

 

NOT!   lol

This can be fact checked! But I'm too lazy atm.

[codizzle]

There have been some rough receiving corps over the years