State of the Ravens going into 2017

[PurpleCity5]

18 hours ago, rmw10 said:

Here are my impressions.  Full disclosure - I'm aware they probably threw some smoke screens in there, but I'll operate on the premise that they were completely truthful...

Joe is starting to enter the danger zone.  If he doesn't improve next year, I think we'll start making a serious effort to find a QB of the future.  I'd guess it's more likely to be a mid round pick than actually aiming to replace him, but I think they realize he needs to be better or we're not going to be a good team.

Based off of today, I think Wallace will be staying.  It was mentioned that we need to find a complementary WR, which would be a chain moving type since our current top 3 are all speed guys mostly.  It sound like that could be another vet signing, but I'd also expect another mid round draft pick.

Wagner is gone.  They specifically mentioned the need for big and strong lineman.  I don't think either of those adjectives necessarily describe Wagner.  It seems we're looking to move more to a power scheme.

OLB may not be a priority after all.  If there's anywhere that I see a smoke screen, it's certainly here.  However, if I am to believe what they said, I'd expect a mid-level FA addition and rolling with what we have otherwise.

CB remains a need and Shareece Wright will not be filling that need.  It's never good when the owner himself calls you out.  Hopefully this year they actually mean it though because it's stated every single year how CB remains a need.

Did read into more and more and delving into more articles, I agree, I don't think Wagner is returning. Biscotti didn't seem all that high on him and mentioned him as a one of the better RTs in the league but not elite, even though his PFF and various other rankings would argue against it. While Wagner certainly is a really solid RT, he doesn't really fit into that power run scheme, he isn't a mauler, and that's exactly what we need. This OL needs another Marshall Yanda or to put into better perspective Kelechi Osemele(Who we sorely missed). This OL is missing a mauler, someone dirty, nasty, and physical. The Ravens offense got away from that physical brand of Football and they need to bring it back and it seems to me Biscotti, Harbaugh and Ozzie wants it back as well. 

My prediction is that the Ravens become very active in FA. Cut ties with Pitta and anyone who is not pulling their weight. Free up as much cap as possible and sign a CB, OLB, and WR while addressing the draft at OG and C. The biggest problem with the Center position is that we don't really have anyone special there coming via FA. I strongly believe Center is the position that will be addressed because its the weak link of the OL. They talk so much about the OL so obviously that starts with center. 

Don't think its a forgone conclusion we cut Doom. While it's certainly possible what Biscotti said honestly makes me think about it. Maybe the Achilles injury played a big role into his season. 

OLB I think is the smokescreen. Back in 2015 Biscotti said the Ravens didn't really need a WR and it wasn't high on the list of needs, 2015 draft arrives and we take Breshad Perriman. I think it's one. 

I think Breshad Perriman will be relied to step up big time. Draft to me isn't much of an option and free agency isn't going to give us a #1. I think Perriman will be relied to step up as the #1. It's funny because me and plenty of other people on this board talked about him being a #2 but he might actually go into next season as the #1. 

Edited January 11 by PurpleCity5

[rossihunter2]

3 hours ago, lgcs27288 said:

What about Arthur Brown?

 

 

My favorite part was when Bisciotti was like trust me, I know how to run a business and you dont do it by firing people. (I love it because it goes against the mentality of most on this board.)

yeah it was great - it felt like he'd read the boards and was talking right to us

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

This talk of Biscotti has inspired me to bring back an old favorite. 

How to Be a Ravens Fan

Did the Ravens Win?

|

                                                                                      Yes                                       No

                                                                                         |                                           |                                                                                                                                                We are SB Bound.                We suck! Fire everyone! Blow up the team and move                                                                                                                                         the franchise to Jacksonville. 

Edited January 12 by LosT_in_TranSlatioN

[K-Dog]

4 hours ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

This talk of Biscotti has inspired me to bring back an old favorite. 

How to Be a Ravens Fan

Did the Ravens Win?

|

                                                                                      Yes                                       No

                                                                                         |                                           |                                                                                                                                                We are SB Bound.                We suck! Fire everyone! Blow up the team and move                                                                                                                                         the franchise to Jacksonville. 

Chillingly accurate. 

[Virginia 55]

On 12/29/2016 at 1:42 PM, The Raven said:

Brandon Williams was driven five yards downfield on one man blocks by the Patriots and by the Eagles. I haven't seen him regularly double teamed in quite some time. That doesn't happen to supposedly top five nose tackles.

He will be overpaid by some other team. It it not in our best interest to overpay a run stuffing defensive tackle that doesn't command double teams nor provide anything resembling a pass rush. It's 2016, not 1916. We need someone who can do more than be big.

I know the Ravens PR machine likes to make it look like Williams is always doubled, but it has become increasingly rare in recent weeks. Instead of doubling Williams, guards are going straight up to linebackers. I don't know why, but Williams has been mediocre for the past month.

By the way, were you ever going to respond to my question in the Flacco thread about Joe's giant cap hit, if we were to cut him? You seem to have ignored it.

Brandon williams stats are on par with last season. I dont see any issues in his game. He's been healthy and he's a model Raven. You talk about being pushed into the linebackers?  

 

That's what happens to a good defense when the offense is so inept.  

 

Our defense is priority for me.  Our offense will never strike fear in the hearts of any defense unless we develop a stellar running game (which is likely) because throwing the ball is not our strong suit. 

 

 

Debating Flacco should be almost automatic at this point.  He doesn't bring the IT factor to the game and he doesn't deserve to get paid like he does. At this point i could care less how we offload him, just get him outta here.

[rossihunter2]

22 minutes ago, Virginia 55 said:

At this point i could care less how we offload him, just get him outta here.

he's paid what he's worth, we cant offload him, and we dont want to - so please dont turn this into yet another flacco thread

[The Raven]

20 minutes ago, Virginia 55 said:

Brandon williams stats are on par with last season. I dont see any issues in his game. He's been healthy and he's a model Raven. You talk about being pushed into the linebackers?  

 

That's what happens to a good defense when the offense is so inept.  

 

Our defense is priority for me.  Our offense will never strike fear in the hearts of any defense unless we develop a stellar running game (which is likely) because throwing the ball is not our strong suit. 

 

 

Debating Flacco should be almost automatic at this point.  He doesn't bring the IT factor to the game and he doesn't deserve to get paid like he does. At this point i could care less how we offload him, just get him outta here.

Brandon Williams was routinely getting pushed back and/or losing control of his gap in the last four weeks of the season. Sure, his tackles were on par with last season. A lot more were just further downfield.

That's a fool's mindset. You dislike Joe so you just want to focus on defense? That's like buying food without the pots and pans to cook it in. You need both sides.

You still haven't answered the question. Can you comprehend it? I'm asking how we can deal with the massive cap hit we're faced with if we were to cut or trade him. Do you understand how the cap works?

[RayRayRaven]

9 hours ago, The Raven said:

 

You still haven't answered the question. Can you comprehend it? I'm asking how we can deal with the massive cap hit we're faced with if we were to cut or trade him. Do you understand how the cap works?

when your given lemons you make lemonade. we make the cap hit work for us.  trade joe, take the massive hit field less team lose some games draft like banasheez

[rossihunter2]

2 hours ago, RayRayRaven said:

when your given lemons you make lemonade. we make the cap hit work for us.  trade joe, take the massive hit field less team lose some games draft like banasheez

so be the browns? what's the guarantee you get a franchise qb again in the next 5-7 years? without one we would be stuffed

[JoeyFlex5]

8 hours ago, RayRayRaven said:

when your given lemons you make lemonade. we make the cap hit work for us.  trade joe, take the massive hit field less team lose some games draft like banasheez

so take a gigantic crippling hit and your plan to make it all work is "make lemonade". 

brilliant. 

[Edug27]

We have solid young talent that we need to build off of. I want speed at all positions. Fat trimmed at all positions. We need to be aggressive. Here's my analysis of the roster heading into the offseason:

QB: Flacco needs to improve. Simple as that. With a year removed from his leg surgery, there are no more excuses for our franchise QB. Step into your throws with confidence, and limit those costly rookie mistakes.

RB: Give the reigns to K.Dixon. He can give you a lot of what Ray Rice did for us. A player who can break tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. He has to be your full time back next season. I expect him to be a workhorse. 

FB: Re-sign Juice. FB's come cheap.

WR: Bring in a sure handed chain moving WR to start opposite Perriman. We don't need a deep threat here. We need a player Flacco feels confident throwing to on a 3rd & 7, like he does with Pitta. Garcon is one of my early favorites, but with cuts and trade possibilities, other names can surface. Work Camp and Moore into the rotation. Let Wallace and Aiken go. Wallace isn't what we need here. Find players who know how to get open and create in space. (free agency focus)

TE: Keep Pitta. Solely because he works well with Flacco. Dependable hands. Maybe redo that contract if possible. It's time for Maxx to show what he's got. Ideally, those are your 2 TE's going into next season. 

OL: Stanley, Yanda and Lewis are good starts to building a solid line. We still need a Center and RT. Wagner priced himself out and he might not be the guy we need in the run game anyway. I think you work on bringing in a veteran Center, through trades or cuts. Mangold is a player that comes to mind, but there will be others. (free agency and draft focus)

DL: I'm fine with moving on from Brandon Williams if the coaching staff is confident in Pierce. I think Jernigan will continue to improve. You continue to draft depth here. We had a solid line all season. 

Pass Rushers: Move on from Doom. This has to be a key draft focus. The first round pick here should be a dynamic pash rusher. We need speed here. Players with an endless motor, who understand how to get to the QB. You can't rely on 'bringing the house' to generate pressure. Suggs will be back, hopefully at a part time role. Judon should start seeing more time. (draft focus)

LB'er: Mosley and Orr are a spectacular dou. No more needs to be said.

CB's: Wright and Powers can kick rocks. You need to bring in another starting caliber CB in free agency. A player who can start in case Jimmy goes down, or alongside Jimmy, moving Young to the slot. Draft for depth. We need ball hawks. (free agency and draft focus)

Safetys: This is a tough one. I'm certain Weddle will come back strong. But Webb needs to be cut. Time to move on from him. He has the mind, but not the legs to play that position. We need players who can cover ground quickly. (free agency focus)

 

Draft:

1. Pass Rusher

2: RT

3. Depth in the secondary.

4. Depth at OLine.

 

Free Agency/Trades:

1. Starting Wideout

2. Top 3 rotation Corner

3. Veteran Center

4. Saftey alongside Weddle

[rmcjacket23]

13 hours ago, RayRayRaven said:

when your given lemons you make lemonade. we make the cap hit work for us.  trade joe, take the massive hit field less team lose some games draft like banasheez

Taking the "massive hit" will hurt you for more than just one season. That's the part fans don't understand.

[Rav'n Maniac]

1 hour ago, rmcjacket23 said:

Taking the "massive hit" will hurt you for more than just one season. That's the part fans don't understand.

Exactly! It's easy to just throw away 47.3m over the next 4 years for some rocket surgeons on here.

[January J]

3 hours ago, Edug27 said:

We have solid young talent that we need to build off of. I want speed at all positions. Fat trimmed at all positions. We need to be aggressive. Here's my analysis of the roster heading into the offseason:

QB: Flacco needs to improve. Simple as that. With a year removed from his leg surgery, there are no more excuses for our franchise QB. Step into your throws with confidence, and limit those costly rookie mistakes.

RB: Give the reigns to K.Dixon. He can give you a lot of what Ray Rice did for us. A player who can break tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. He has to be your full time back next season. I expect him to be a workhorse. 

FB: Re-sign Juice. FB's come cheap.

WR: Bring in a sure handed chain moving WR to start opposite Perriman. We don't need a deep threat here. We need a player Flacco feels confident throwing to on a 3rd & 7, like he does with Pitta. Garcon is one of my early favorites, but with cuts and trade possibilities, other names can surface. Work Camp and Moore into the rotation. Let Wallace and Aiken go. Wallace isn't what we need here. Find players who know how to get open and create in space. (free agency focus)

TE: Keep Pitta. Solely because he works well with Flacco. Dependable hands. Maybe redo that contract if possible. It's time for Maxx to show what he's got. Ideally, those are your 2 TE's going into next season. 

OL: Stanley, Yanda and Lewis are good starts to building a solid line. We still need a Center and RT. Wagner priced himself out and he might not be the guy we need in the run game anyway. I think you work on bringing in a veteran Center, through trades or cuts. Mangold is a player that comes to mind, but there will be others. (free agency and draft focus)

DL: I'm fine with moving on from Brandon Williams if the coaching staff is confident in Pierce. I think Jernigan will continue to improve. You continue to draft depth here. We had a solid line all season. 

Pass Rushers: Move on from Doom. This has to be a key draft focus. The first round pick here should be a dynamic pash rusher. We need speed here. Players with an endless motor, who understand how to get to the QB. You can't rely on 'bringing the house' to generate pressure. Suggs will be back, hopefully at a part time role. Judon should start seeing more time. (draft focus)

LB'er: Mosley and Orr are a spectacular dou. No more needs to be said.

CB's: Wright and Powers can kick rocks. You need to bring in another starting caliber CB in free agency. A player who can start in case Jimmy goes down, or alongside Jimmy, moving Young to the slot. Draft for depth. We need ball hawks. (free agency and draft focus)

Safetys: This is a tough one. I'm certain Weddle will come back strong. But Webb needs to be cut. Time to move on from him. He has the mind, but not the legs to play that position. We need players who can cover ground quickly. (free agency focus)

 

Draft:

1. Pass Rusher

2: RT

3. Depth in the secondary.

4. Depth at OLine.

 

Free Agency/Trades:

1. Starting Wideout

2. Top 3 rotation Corner

3. Veteran Center

4. Saftey alongside Weddle

I'm pretty much with you on everything you said. Except mayyybe Webb. Id keep him but only if he takes a paycut. And that doesn't mean we don't address the position either. But yeah everything else is exactly what I had in mind. I'd also focus on waller becoming a solid TE if Maxx doesn't take that next step. That will be open competition. Problem is none of them are very good blocking tight ends- so do we keep Boyle for that reason? And keep in mind he's got 2 strikes already- 1 more and he's done.

[RayRayRaven]

7 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

so take a gigantic crippling hit and your plan to make it all work is "make lemonade". 

brilliant. 

precisely

2 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

Taking the "massive hit" will hurt you for more than just one season. That's the part fans don't understand.

yep it will be a two year hit at minimum.  we wont be able to field a full cap roster that's what dead money is all about. stevie b are you listenin?  but during the down years two maybe three I think two return to near form in 2019 with our qb of future, we stockpile picks to turn this franshise around. becuz anyone that thinks we are one draft from returnin to the suprbowl hasn't been payin atention, doesn't understand joe flacco, don't understand our current overdrafted roster and don't understand are tolilet bowl spiral down the plumbin

that's what we call makin sweet lemonade from a very sour lemon. see my picture of the rayvan? hes hoisting a glass of lemonade but it comes from tradin flacco and using high draft picks to rebuild(actualy hes the sprecher root beer rayvan but hes my rayvan too)

Edited January 15 by RayRayRaven

[rossihunter2]

27 minutes ago, RayRayRaven said:

precisely

yep it will be a two year hit at minimum.  we wont be able to field a full cap roster that's what dead money is all about. stevie b are you listenin?  but during the down years two maybe three I think two return to near form in 2019 with our qb of future, we stockpile picks to turn this franshise around. becuz anyone that thinks we are one draft from returnin to the suprbowl hasn't been payin atention, doesn't understand joe flacco, don't understand our current overdrafted roster and don't understand are tolilet bowl spiral down the plumbin

that's what we call makin sweet lemonade from a very sour lemon. see my picture of the rayvan? hes hoisting a glass of lemonade but it comes from tradin flacco and using high draft picks to rebuild(actualy hes the sprecher root beer rayvan but hes my rayvan too)

I don't know why it's taken me this long to realise, but you have to be a troll at this point 

[rmcjacket23]

5 hours ago, RayRayRaven said:

precisely

yep it will be a two year hit at minimum.  we wont be able to field a full cap roster that's what dead money is all about. stevie b are you listenin?  but during the down years two maybe three I think two return to near form in 2019 with our qb of future, we stockpile picks to turn this franshise around. becuz anyone that thinks we are one draft from returnin to the suprbowl hasn't been payin atention, doesn't understand joe flacco, don't understand our current overdrafted roster and don't understand are tolilet bowl spiral down the plumbin

that's what we call makin sweet lemonade from a very sour lemon. see my picture of the rayvan? hes hoisting a glass of lemonade but it comes from tradin flacco and using high draft picks to rebuild(actualy hes the sprecher root beer rayvan but hes my rayvan too)

That's not what I was referencing. Joe's cap hit on the actual salary cap is just a sliver of the problem.

Any consideration of resigning guys like Williams, Wagner, Mosley, or Jernigan pretty much go out the window with that decision also. We won't have the cap space available to lock up those players. 

It doesn't just stop you from fielding a roster. It prevents you from resigning players that you'll need to resign and that you'll like to resign.

You're right... we're not one draft away from the SB. But cutting or trading Joe just makes us even more drafts away from a SB, and we already know that he's good enough to win a SB. 

Funny part is... one of the biggest predicaments this team is in is whiffing on too many high draft picks in recent years, and yet your solution is to stockpile as many of those picks as you can. If you're not good at using them... what's the point of having them?

[usmccharles]

7 hours ago, RayRayRaven said:

precisely

yep it will be a two year hit at minimum.  we wont be able to field a full cap roster that's what dead money is all about. stevie b are you listenin?  but during the down years two maybe three I think two return to near form in 2019 with our qb of future, we stockpile picks to turn this franshise around. becuz anyone that thinks we are one draft from returnin to the suprbowl hasn't been payin atention, doesn't understand joe flacco, don't understand our current overdrafted roster and don't understand are tolilet bowl spiral down the plumbin

that's what we call makin sweet lemonade from a very sour lemon. see my picture of the rayvan? hes hoisting a glass of lemonade but it comes from tradin flacco and using high draft picks to rebuild(actualy hes the sprecher root beer rayvan but hes my rayvan too)

This has to be the dumbest post ive read recently.  Although, i keep finding myself saying that sadly. 

[Moderator 3]

2 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

This has to be the dumbest post ive read recently.  Although, i keep finding myself saying that sadly. 

Maybe they really do keep getting dumber and dumber. 

[K-Dog]

2 hours ago, usmccharles said:

This has to be the dumbest post ive read recently.  Although, i keep finding myself saying that sadly. 

Take a break man.  Go get some fresh air or something.  Walk away from the boards for a while.  I don't want to lose respect for your posts. 

[RayRayRaven]

4 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

 

Any consideration of resigning guys like Williams, Wagner, Mosley, or Jernigan pretty much go out the window with that decision also. We won't have the cap space available to lock up those players. 

 

we don need to resing Williams or jernangan.  there is money for the guys we need becuz we are looking ahead. we are gonna play mallet (or hopefully the practice squad guy) we are gonna lose for a couple years draft large and then we are gonna win huge becuz we will stock what we no longer have

[rmcjacket23]

3 minutes ago, RayRayRaven said:

we don need to resing Williams or jernangan.  there is money for the guys we need becuz we are looking ahead. we are gonna play mallet (or hopefully the practice squad guy) we are gonna lose for a couple years draft large and then we are gonna win huge becuz we will stock what we no longer have

This post makes no sense.

What happens when we draft another Matt Elam or Arthur Brown (which we will, because every team whiffs on draft picks)?

We've also seen this scenario play out with other teams as well. It took the Raiders about a decade to do what you are suggesting we do. The Browns are still trying...

[rossihunter2]

1 hour ago, RayRayRaven said:

we don need to resing Williams or jernangan.  there is money for the guys we need becuz we are looking ahead. we are gonna play mallet (or hopefully the practice squad guy) we are gonna lose for a couple years draft large and then we are gonna win huge becuz we will stock what we no longer have

so we become the browns... by choice?

[lgcs27288]

We're gonna be big league, it'll be yuge!

[JoeyFlex5]

This is gold. Absolute gold. With a GREAT foundation in place and being a center, wr, edge rusher, and cb away from being a dominant team, you want to throw away literally all of it and scrap not only our current chances but also trash the future by ruining our chances of maintaining our solid young core.

 

[PurpleCity5]

17 hours ago, Edug27 said:

We have solid young talent that we need to build off of. I want speed at all positions. Fat trimmed at all positions. We need to be aggressive. Here's my analysis of the roster heading into the offseason:

TE: Keep Pitta. Solely because he works well with Flacco. Dependable hands. Maybe redo that contract if possible. It's time for Maxx to show what he's got. Ideally, those are your 2 TE's going into next season. 

CB's: Wright and Powers can kick rocks. You need to bring in another starting caliber CB in free agency. A player who can start in case Jimmy goes down, or alongside Jimmy, moving Young to the slot. Draft for depth. We need ball hawks. (free agency and draft focus)

Safetys: This is a tough one. I'm certain Weddle will come back strong. But Webb needs to be cut. Time to move on from him. He has the mind, but not the legs to play that position. We need players who can cover ground quickly. (free agency focus)

 

 

I agree with almost everything you said but why let go of Webb? Of course that cap hit is high and we'll definitely work on bringing that down. If we do then yeah, I think the Ravens bring Webb back, if I can recall he had a top 5 coverage grade in a stretch of the season, I think it was towards the end of the year. Regardless he's solid and should remain. 

At TE, I feel that Pitta has been a bit of a crutch for Joe. He looks like he has no interest in blocking and as a receiver he's limited. His #s look good but he's getting a lot of his production from four games and dump off passes. Not only has he not been consistent, but he's just not athletic enough to win against MLBs play after play. Cut Pitta and force Joe to stay in the pocket longer and go through his reads. His comeback was impressive, but its time to close this chapter. 

At CB I would keep Powers, he'll come in cheap and he was decent when he wasn't forced into a bigger role, this is someone who did struggle with injuries, for dime/nickle packages he should stick around. You're not going to find many good #4 and #5 CBs out there who play decent when out there in the nickle or dime packages. You can do worse than Powers. 

I feel that Wright might get cut, that I can agree with. 

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Got to address the secondary both safety and CB starters and depth.

Got to get guys on the O-line starting  with the center and depth across the whole line.

Got to get serious pass rushers who can get after the QB and try to get D-line guys up front who can get pressure on QB's with out the blitz.

Got to get a true #1 WR 

 

[Militant X 1]

Mel Kiper, Jr., in his mock draft has the Ravens taking Michigan's Jabrill Peppers at #16.

[allblackraven]

7 minutes ago, Militant X 1 said:

Mel Kiper, Jr., in his mock draft has the Ravens taking Michigan's Jabrill Peppers at #16.

Mel Kiper Jr lost the plot few years ago.