Three Ravens who will get better as the season progresses?

[PurpleCity5]

It was a solid start to the year against the Buffalo Bills in week one. With Cleveland next we have a whole new group of guys who can make an impact. After that its when the season really starts hitting its stride with competitive games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders. He are the guys I believe will be Pro Bowl level players or close to that as the season progresses. Here's my list of guys I believe will hit their stride as the year goes by. 

 

Jimmy Smith: My favorite of these three but also guy I think will be really good down the road this season. Jimmy tends to get better as the season goes on a yearly basis. In 2011 he started his rookie year struggling, but he soon got himself into a groove and found a role on the defense. In 2012 Jimmy started off the season as the 3rd CB and when Webb went down stepped up in a big way and played well down the stretch. In 2013 he started the season solid, but excelled significantly towards the end of the year. In 2015 Jimmy start to the year didn't go well, he struggled against top WRs and didn't do well on the year, he would later on improve down the stretch in a season that didn't go as well as he hoped. 

 

Ronnie Stanley: It was Stanley's first game at LT, so I didn't expect him to hit it out of the park, but with that said he was solid and will only get better as the year goes on. I think Stanley is only scratching the surface of his potential and could be the franchise LT we have been looking for desperately since Ogden retired. 

 

Dennis Pitta: I'll admit, I had my doubts about Pitta but he proved me wrong against Buffalo. He found the soft spots in defense, was able to beat linebackers, and connected really well with Joe. I think Pitta is in for a good year if he can find a way to stay healthy. I have serious high hopes for Pitta and its only going to get better for him as time goes by.

 

I REALLY wanted to list Kamar Aiken since last year we saw him kill it towards the end of the year but I think there are too much hands on the WRs right now. I think Breshad is going to have an expanded role and I think Chris Moore might find himself some touches too. With Mike Wallace and Steve Smith Sr. penned in as the starters, it will only make it harder for Aiken to replicate the type of year he had last year. 

 

If you had to pick three Ravens who will be big time players as the season goes on, who will it be? 

[JoeyFlex5]

Pitta- he hasn't lost his chemistry, that was expected, but he is still working out kinks im sure. He's had quite the absence

weddle- considering he is practically coordinating the secondary, one would think more time with 1 unit would continue to increase his effectiveness.

jimmy- the further he gets from that surgery the better he will get. Assuming there are no setbacks.

 

Also perriman for obvious reasons.

Jernigan is a guy who I think will pick up steam. He's never played this light and fit before, once he really gets comfortable at this weight you should see a sharp increase in production.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

3 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

Pitta- he hasn't lost his chemistry, that was expected, but he is still working out kinks im sure. He's had quite the absence

weddle- considering he is practically coordinating the secondary, one would think more time with 1 unit would continue to increase his effectiveness.

jimmy- the further he gets from that surgery the better he will get. Assuming there are no setbacks.

 

Also perriman for obvious reasons.

Jernigan is a guy who I think will pick up steam. He's never played this light and fit before, once he really gets comfortable at this weight you should see a sharp increase in production.

I was gonna say Jernigan. He made noise in OTAs and then the buzz kinda disappeared during TC and preseason. But he came out firing against Buffalo.

He was hyped to get that sack and i think he's gonna keep going and become one of the best interior pass rushers in the league.

 

Im gonna go with Webb 2nd. As he gets comfortable i think he becomes more of a ball hawk, where he'll be settled and able to jump routes. Also, blitzing off the edge - hes gonna hit home once in a while. Could have 3-4 sacks and i expect a couple picks to go with it.

 

Finally, Perriman. By end of year i think he's a household name. Catches like his first one will become a routine thing. Red zone monster.

[harfordravenfan]

16 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

Pitta- he hasn't lost his chemistry, that was expected, but he is still working out kinks im sure. He's had quite the absence

weddle- considering he is practically coordinating the secondary, one would think more time with 1 unit would continue to increase his effectiveness.

jimmy- the further he gets from that surgery the better he will get. Assuming there are no setbacks.

 

Also perriman for obvious reasons.

Jernigan is a guy who I think will pick up steam. He's never played this light and fit before, once he really gets comfortable at this weight you should see a sharp increase in production.

I'd imagine once Doom returns and both Suggs and Doom knock the rust off... It will help jerrigan tremendously

[JoeyFlex5]

1 minute ago, harfordravenfan said:

I'd imagine once Doom returns and both Suggs and Doom knock the rust off... It will help jerrigan tremendously

Oh yea. Jernigan will never see a 2nd lineman once they come back.

[The Raven]

Alex Lewis -- I see a lot of potential. He's mean, he's strong, he's got a great build, and he can move fairly well for his size. I'm always going to worry about the ability of a 6'6 guard to pass protect, but I expect him to become a real road grader and the kind of guy that sets the freaking tone.

Zadarius Smith -- I'm projecting him to hit 10 sacks this year. Maybe that's bold, but he's fierce, quick, and strong. He's got a rare combo of size and explosiveness that will take him to Pro Bowls once he learns how to improve his pad level and hand use.

Zach Orr -- He's a dark horse. Unheralded and underrated, his effort will probably always surpass his actual talent level, but don't be shocked to see this guy start making plays. He's gonna make quite a few TFLs and I think a couple turnovers this year at crucial points.

 

[January J]

Perriman- Orr - Jernigan

 

Dixon as well when he returns. I think zadarius also has a big year if he can stay healthy.

Edited September 15, 2016 by January J

[JoeyFlex5]

39 minutes ago, The Raven said:

Alex Lewis -- I see a lot of potential. He's mean, he's strong, he's got a great build, and he can move fairly well for his size. I'm always going to worry about the ability of a 6'6 guard to pass protect, but I expect him to become a real road grader and the kind of guy that sets the freaking tone.

Zadarius Smith -- I'm projecting him to hit 10 sacks this year. Maybe that's bold, but he's fierce, quick, and strong. He's got a rare combo of size and explosiveness that will take him to Pro Bowls once he learns how to improve his pad level and hand use.

Zach Orr -- He's a dark horse. Unheralded and underrated, his effort will probably always surpass his actual talent level, but don't be shocked to see this guy start making plays. He's gonna make quite a few TFLs and I think a couple turnovers this year at crucial points.

 

Hand use isn't Z's problem. He has no bend ability whatsoever. He's too top heavy and heavy footed, he can't lean, flex, or really anything besides burst and shove. Until he learns some bend techniques I think he's gonna be average at best

[The Raven]

59 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

Hand use isn't Z's problem. He has no bend ability whatsoever. He's too top heavy and heavy footed, he can't lean, flex, or really anything besides burst and shove. Until he learns some bend techniques I think he's gonna be average at best

He could use a little bit more improvement in using his hands to disengage from linemen. If he can keep a lineman's hands off of him he'd be better off

But yeah -- bend is his biggest issue

Edited September 15, 2016 by The Raven

[redrum52]

Pierce, Urschel and Waller.  Why not have fun with it?

[GrimCoconut]

Stanley, Perriman, Moore.  Perriman and Moore I suspect get better because I don't think Steve Smith Sr can handle a full load like he could before his injury.  Stanley is kinda obvious but he'll get more comfortable and also get more chemistry 

[allblackraven]

Suggs, Senior, Pitta

[Tank 92]

Fifty Three Ravens who will get better as the season progresses

[Tank 92]

Just now, Tank 92 said:

Fifty Three Ravens who will get better as the season progresses

Sixty Three Ravens who will get better as the season progresses

[Willbacker]

Ronnie Stanley. Facing good passrusher after good passrusher has gotta to make you better. Shouldn't it?

Suggs. The rust is gonna come off as the season goes along.

Flacco. Will only get better in chemistry with his wideouts and will regain comfortability with Pitta.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

I want to see Correa get on the field, and at least be on the fast track. If we get a lead in Cleveland, get him some defensive playing time, rest Suggs. I want Correa on the fast track, and he needs to get beat and learn from his mistakes. You simply cant teach speed, and heart, He has both.

You can teach skill though, but it takes reps. You saw something in him, we all do too, lets get this kid up to speed, so he can be a Luke Keugly for us. I dont want him to be that guy in year 4, I saw Upshaw get snaps right away, and I see a way bigger upside in Correa.

 

Next would be CJ. He has been awful quiet lately, need to see him get back to that pro bowl form, and

Joe. Nice start, but need him to continue to play smart, take what the d gives him, and make them pay. 

[PurpleCity5]

1 hour ago, OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL said:

I want to see Correa get on the field, and at least be on the fast track. If we get a lead in Cleveland, get him some defensive playing time, rest Suggs. I want Correa on the fast track, and he needs to get beat and learn from his mistakes. You simply cant teach speed, and heart, He has both.

You can teach skill though, but it takes reps. You saw something in him, we all do too, lets get this kid up to speed, so he can be a Luke Keugly for us. I dont want him to be that guy in year 4, I saw Upshaw get snaps right away, and I see a way bigger upside in Correa.

 

Next would be CJ. He has been awful quiet lately, need to see him get back to that pro bowl form, and

Joe. Nice start, but need him to continue to play smart, take what the d gives him, and make them pay. 

It is concerning to see Correa not get one snap. I think if Za'Darius is held out of this game against Cleveland than it would be hard to ignore him. I think he should get back to that furious, and rough style of play that he could have been discouraged from. I don't know but we heard a lot of but him in TC and its weird not to hear much about him since. 

 

[PurpleCity5]

2 hours ago, GrimCoconut said:

Stanley, Perriman, Moore.  Perriman and Moore I suspect get better because I don't think Steve Smith Sr can handle a full load like he could before his injury.  Stanley is kinda obvious but he'll get more comfortable and also get more chemistry 

I like Moore but there is so much to go around for this offense, I wonder if he will get his shot. 

[Darhk_Raven]

1 hour ago, PurpleCity5 said:

It is concerning to see Correa not get one snap. I think if Za'Darius is held out of this game against Cleveland than it would be hard to ignore him. I think he should get back to that furious, and rough style of play that he could have been discouraged from. I don't know but we heard a lot of but him in TC and its weird not to hear much about him since. 

 

It is a little concerning, but he isn't the only second rounder that only played special teams.

[PurpleCity5]

2 hours ago, Darhk_Raven said:

It is a little concerning, but he isn't the only second rounder that only played special teams.

As far as this draft class goes I'm not sure but its a legit concern. You want a guy to see the field as much as possible if he's a rookie. I'm certain he'll get snaps sooner or later but Judon has seen the field before him so I guess that tells where he is right now. He'll have to earn his spot. 

[Darhk_Raven]

53 minutes ago, PurpleCity5 said:

As far as this draft class goes I'm not sure but its a legit concern. You want a guy to see the field as much as possible if he's a rookie. I'm certain he'll get snaps sooner or later but Judon has seen the field before him so I guess that tells where he is right now. He'll have to earn his spot. 

Something I saw earlier had Myles Jack as another one that only played special teams in week one and Von Bell didn't play at all.

[Maryland]

I'm know I'm just going to say the same ones as everyone else, but Perriman and Dixon are two obvious choices. If they can get/stay healthy, then each should demand more snaps as the season progresses--they're just too talented. However, it's easier to call with younger and/or injured players, since they have so much room for improvement.

I guess, just to be different, I'll mention Tavon Young as my 3rd pick. He seemed to be the #3 CB if week 1 was an indicator of the future--I'm thinking that experience will help him as the season progresses.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Maryland

[January J]

11 hours ago, PurpleCity5 said:

I like Moore but there is so much to go around for this offense, I wonder if he will get his shot. 

If he makes the most out of the few opportunities he gets they will find a way to get him the ball. Joe knows what he can do and he will get the chance to make some big plays. Joe just needs to put some air under it, and l trust Moore more than anybody to go and get it. He has that killer instinct and I can just tell he has good hands as well. Perriman can do the same but I truly believe he can become a true #1 and do it all,not just catch the deep ball. When I saw how he gets off the line, his footwork and physicality plus his ability to make adjustments he really showed me something. He made some nice  blocks as well. We didn't take him in  first for nothin. He's the real deal, and if he stays healthy and gets the chance to develop all season then next year when SSS steps down I think perriman will be ready to take the reigns. Just a shame he missed out on a year of development, but what's done is done.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

8 hours ago, PurpleCity5 said:

As far as this draft class goes I'm not sure but its a legit concern. You want a guy to see the field as much as possible if he's a rookie. I'm certain he'll get snaps sooner or later but Judon has seen the field before him so I guess that tells where he is right now. He'll have to earn his spot. 

Well Judon's more of a pure edge rusher, which is something we have a dire need for. There are established veterans already playing the majority of the snaps at both edge positions on early downs, and when Doom is back there will be 3 vets who excel rushing the passer on 3rd downs too. The main need from that position was someone to rotate in as a pass rusher and who could maybe move around the front 7 to get more rushers on the field when needed.

Correa isnt a pure pass rusher, and doesnt have the size needed to be the guy that can move around different positions in the front 7... so i dont know that its much of a concern - moreso that what we have a need for immediately doesnt exactly fit his skill set.

That's why they tried to identify right away if he had potential as an ILB in our 3-4 bc that was the clearest path to seeing snaps right away for him. Maybe its a little bit of an indictment on him, but thats a pretty big transition for him AND Orr happened to be playing really really well as he showed in Week 1. So, i wouldnt say its as much Correa falling below expectations as it is he's more of a luxury at this point. If we start to employ some 4-3 base looks I could see him getting snaps as a 4-3 OLB in coverage or as a blitz specialist.... but even then they might opt for someone like Levine there.

 

This week will tell us a little more if Z Smith cant go or is limited. We could see Correa come in there... though Carter might still be preferred since hes more of a direct fit.

[PurpleCity5]

8 hours ago, Darhk_Raven said:

Something I saw earlier had Myles Jack as another one that only played special teams in week one and Von Bell didn't play at all.

Wow, I already assumed that Jack was starting. I guess they haven't found a role for him

[PurpleCity5]

1 hour ago, January J said:

If he makes the most out of the few opportunities he gets they will find a way to get him the ball. Joe knows what he can do and he will get the chance to make some big plays. Joe just needs to put some air under it, and l trust Moore more than anybody to go and get it. He has that killer instinct and I can just tell he has good hands as well. Perriman can do the same but I truly believe he can become a true #1 and do it all,not just catch the deep ball. When I saw how he gets off the line, his footwork and physicality plus his ability to make adjustments he really showed me something. He made some nice  blocks as well. We didn't take him in  first for nothin. He's the real deal, and if he stays healthy and gets the chance to develop all season then next year when SSS steps down I think perriman will be ready to take the reigns. Just a shame he missed out on a year of development, but what's done is done.

I definitely see Moore having a role next year, I just don't know how great or good he'll be this year with how deep we are at WR, not to mention the Tight Ends and Running backs we would like to get involved in the passing game. IMO any contribution is great for him given how deep we are at WR.

[PurpleCity5]

1 hour ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Well Judon's more of a pure edge rusher, which is something we have a dire need for. There are established veterans already playing the majority of the snaps at both edge positions on early downs, and when Doom is back there will be 3 vets who excel rushing the passer on 3rd downs too. The main need from that position was someone to rotate in as a pass rusher and who could maybe move around the front 7 to get more rushers on the field when needed.

Correa isnt a pure pass rusher, and doesnt have the size needed to be the guy that can move around different positions in the front 7... so i dont know that its much of a concern - moreso that what we have a need for immediately doesnt exactly fit his skill set.

That's why they tried to identify right away if he had potential as an ILB in our 3-4 bc that was the clearest path to seeing snaps right away for him. Maybe its a little bit of an indictment on him, but thats a pretty big transition for him AND Orr happened to be playing really really well as he showed in Week 1. So, i wouldnt say its as much Correa falling below expectations as it is he's more of a luxury at this point. If we start to employ some 4-3 base looks I could see him getting snaps as a 4-3 OLB in coverage or as a blitz specialist.... but even then they might opt for someone like Levine there.

 

This week will tell us a little more if Z Smith cant go or is limited. We could see Correa come in there... though Carter might still be preferred since hes more of a direct fit.

I definitely agree with everything said here, but I do feel that we have plenty of use for a guy who can move around the field at a fast and aggressive pace, it's what our defense severely lacked last year. My point of Judon seeing the field is an indication of where the both of them are as pass rushers considering that they are both competing for snaps. Many draft scouts said that Correa requires patience and I feel like we kind of saw this coming but fell in love with the potential. I think he can improve later on down the road but right now he's behind a few guys and I don't think Orr or Mosley is coming off the field so his best bet is to relieve Doom, Z, or McClellan of some snaps.

[ERey]

Stanley, Perriman, Wright

[Darhk_Raven]

1 hour ago, PurpleCity5 said:

Wow, I already assumed that Jack was starting. I guess they haven't found a role for him

Yeah I was thinking that at first during the preseason, but then I saw he played during the last preseason game. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

3 hours ago, PurpleCity5 said:

Wow, I already assumed that Jack was starting. I guess they haven't found a role for him

yea i was surprised too, but i dont think he saw the field at all. I think just some ST snaps for him. He didnt seem to impress much during the PS for them.... which is odd bc everyone was saying that hes an immediate contributor - maybe the best ready made defender in the draft. It was the long-term prospects, him being able to stay at the high level for an entire career that seemed to be the worry.

But, so far, he hasnt won any time. And its not like theyre stacked at the position. Ill admit i was a little upset when we passed on him and Spence, but with how the picks we acquired in the trade backs are panning out, and seeing what Jack/Spence have done thus far - looks like Ozzie and Co knew what they were doing.

I'll take Correa, Judon and Moore over either Spence or Jack. 

Judon and Moore are both popular candidates in this thread, and to be regular contributors this year. The others may not play much.