[News] Eisenberg: With A Few Changes, Ravens Can Be Pretty Darn Good Next Year

[BR News]

The Ravens didn’t underachieve in 2016, as they showed marked improvement over 2015’s 5-11 finished, but the progress needs to continue.

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[b93333]

It will be tough working around Joe's salary cap number. The highest salary of any NFL QB when averaged over the life of the contract (per the Cheat sheet)... for the 25th rated QB per PFF. If they can navigate that obstacle then Ozzie will have earned his money.

[ByTheBay]

Harbaugh is still one of the better head coaches in the league. Our play calling is what has been absolutely killing us. Norv Turner at OC and Rex Ryan at DC?

[Glen1024]

This season has been a disappointment...last year injuries cost the team the year before that we were contenders....When you achieve none of your goals from the start of the season it's a disappointing one

Edited December 27, 2016 by Glen1024

[The Mom Gene]

Harbaugh is still one of the better head coaches in the league. Our play calling is what has been absolutely killing us. Norv Turner at OC and Rex Ryan at DC?

Oh God, no Rex Ryan. I want nothing to do with either one of the Ryans. And besides, he'd never come back anyway....

[The Mom Gene]

John, some of the fans are too angry right now to look at it in a positive way.

[mk in mn]

We've heard this "close to being great" stuff all season. In a game where three 4th qtr touchdowns are scored against you, it didn't come down to "1 play". Once they scored the 1st and even 2nd TDs it was time to change the defensive playcalling - adjustments on the fly just aren't a strong suit for the Ravens - whether on offense or defense.

[TFaz12]

Ravens have been 31-32 since the Super Bowl and need to realize that for 3 years, that their pass rush and DBs have simply not been good enough. We can't give 15 yard cushions and expect to stop anyone -- Wright?

As we look towards 2017, things will, unfortunately, get worse before they get better. We have to hope that Alex Lewis can replace Rick Wagner at right tackle and that we can find a reliable G and decide if we have a center to replace Zuttah -- who was rated as the worst center twice in the past 4 years.

But a first positive step would be to stop drafting players with huge flaws. We drafted Perriman and the knock on him -- he drops passes. Two years later, he runs bad routes and still drops passes.

By the way, for all of the Flacco haters, he once again showed that in a big game he can be counted on. He drove the field repeatedly and gave us the chance to win that our overrated defense gave away.

[ravens4life86]

Totally disagree on saying this team didnt underachieve, Eisenberg.
Any time you miss the playoffs you under achieve if your the Ravens organization, any time you dont make any kind of playoff run its a bad season.
Last year was a fluke because 20plus injuries, this year was 2 fold season long lack of commitment to running the football, which eventually would catch up to this team and Jimmy Smith being injured in the biggesr games.(Nyg,Steelers,Cowboys,Pats) all probably very different outcomes if Jimmy could stay healtier throughout his career.
Finally Steve B put the hammer down on demanding pass rush last year, yet they passed over local stud Yannik Nkaqwe, Noah Spence and many others for bums and nice guys like Correa and Koufusis.
We are done with nice guys. How many times does Mike Preston have to say it, fans, hosts on 1057 the fan, we need the edgy, nasty players back.
They better draft 1-2 15 sack dpoy von miller, sizzle in his prime type edge rushers this year, and another elite cb since jimmy is always hurt

My wish would be
Ravens are currently sitting at 16
Rnd 1 pk 16
Olbr/de charles Harris Mizzou, Barnett Tenn, Smoot Illinois
Rnd 2 Cb Tredavious White Lsu, Jordin Lewis Mich, Cordea Tankersley Clem,
Rnd 3 Amarah Darboh Wr, Dede Westbrook Wr,
Rnd 3 comp for KO Budda Baker S/CB, Eddie Jackson S
Rnd 4 OG /NT Mason Cole mich, Vanderdoes ucla,
Rnd 5 NT/OG

[ByTheBay]

1 minute ago, The Mom Gene said:

Oh God, no Rex Ryan. I want nothing to do with either one of the Ryans. And besides, he'd never come back anyway....

I know. No one ever wants rex back. But Pees is just too good at losing games with weak 4th quarter play calling and there are not a ton of other options out there. Unfortunately he may still be our best option meaning nothing will change next year. What do you think about Norv? I was pulling for him in 2014 before we hired Gary. Boy was I wrong there! Loved having Kubiak running our offense. Like Gary, Norv is very good working with quarterbacks and I think Flacco really responds well to that type of mentorship. 

[The Mom Gene]

2 minutes ago, ravens4life86 said:

Totally disagree on saying this team didnt underachieve, Eisenberg.
Any time you miss the playoffs you under achieve if your the Ravens organization, any time you dont make any kind of playoff run its a bad season.
Last year was a fluke because 20plus injuries, this year was 2 fold season long lack of commitment to running the football, which eventually would catch up to this team and Jimmy Smith being injured in the biggesr games.(Nyg,Steelers,Cowboys,Pats) all probably very different outcomes if Jimmy could stay healtier throughout his career.
Finally Steve B put the hammer down on demanding pass rush last year, yet they passed over local stud Yannik Nkaqwe, Noah Spence and many others for bums and nice guys like Correa and Koufusis.
We are done with nice guys. How many times does Mike Preston have to say it, fans, hosts on 1057 the fan, we need the edgy, nasty players back.
They better draft 1-2 15 sack dpoy von miller, sizzle in his prime type edge rushers this year, and another elite cb since jimmy is always hurt

My wish would be
Ravens are currently sitting at 16
Rnd 1 pk 16
Olbr/de charles Harris Mizzou, Barnett Tenn, Smoot Illinois
Rnd 2 Cb Tredavious White Lsu, Jordin Lewis Mich, Cordea Tankersley Clem,
Rnd 3 Amarah Darboh Wr, Dede Westbrook Wr,
Rnd 3 comp for KO Budda Baker S/CB, Eddie Jackson S
Rnd 4 OG /NT Mason Cole mich, Vanderdoes ucla,
Rnd 5 NT/OG

Some of us believe that Mike Preston is a complete idiot.....  So, that, to me, isn't a valid argument.

[The Mom Gene]

1 minute ago, ByTheBay said:

I know. No one ever wants rex back. But Pees is just too good at losing games with weak 4th quarter play calling and there are not a ton of other options out there. Unfortunately he may still be our best option meaning nothing will change next year. What do you think about Norv? I was pulling for him in 2014 before we hired Gary. Boy was I wrong there! Loved having Kubiak running our offense. Like Gary, Norv is very good working with quarterbacks and I think Flacco really responds well to that type of mentorship. 

I didn't say I necessarily wanted Pees back.  But I will tell you one thing, and that is our secondary played way better than last year... completely.  I would probably think or guess that maybe Leslie Frazier gets promoted.  if you can get Norv, maybe.  But really....  a 6th OC in 7 years?????  and then we want to blame Joe for inconsistencies?????  Just sayin.

[ravens4life86]

@Mom gene, look I dont read Preston as gospel like some but hes 1 of the few who are close to the organization, along with guys like J.Hemsley, and Coleman of 1057. All Im saying is, theres enough proof hes not wrong this time

[ByTheBay]

5 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

I didn't say I necessarily wanted Pees back.  But I will tell you one thing, and that is our secondary played way better than last year... completely.  I would probably think or guess that maybe Leslie Frazier gets promoted.  if you can get Norv, maybe.  But really....  a 6th OC in 7 years?????  and then we want to blame Joe for inconsistencies?????  Just sayin.

Totally forgot about Leslie Frazier! He did a great job with the secondary this season. Looking at his career he seems to jump teams every year or two. Thats not a great characteristic. Whats his deal?

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

That and some new coaches last year they said wait till next year to many injuries this year wait till next year need a few more players maybe just maybe it's the coaching that's the consistency year after year

[Ravensfansince03]

Rex Ryan was just fired! Ozzie please bring him back for Defensive coordinator

[Fastynart]

What the Ravens really need is someone else to draft real talent (OMG Perriman?) and a Defensive Coordinator who attacks. Rex Ryan just got fired and Marvin Lewis may be next. Either of them would be miles above the awful shot callers on defense since 2003 when Lewis left for Cincinnati. Not sold on our current Offensive Coordinator either but it was an improvement.

[Ravensfansince03]

We've found a franchise RB in Kennith Dixon

[ravenwildman]

The one "New Year's resolution" I would wish for the Ravens is to figure out what is happening in the 4th quarter to the defense. Game after game the D starts out like a rabid bulldog destroying the other guys, then melts to swiss cheese by mid 4th quarter. I seriously don't think it's the wearing down of players (although I am sure that does happen when the offense sputters). I truly can not give an opinion as to the cause, since I don't know the game plan or see the tapes, but if that could be reduced (or halted), the Ravens would stop losing these under 10 point games in the 4th quarter. Just My Humble Opinion. GO RAVENS! CB 25

[Ravensfansince03]

If Ozzie and Biscotti truly knows what's best for this franchise they will do whatever is possible to get Rex Ryan back in here as DC

[The Mom Gene]

17 minutes ago, ByTheBay said:

Totally forgot about Leslie Frazier! He did a great job with the secondary this season. Looking at his career he seems to jump teams every year or two. Thats not a great characteristic. Whats his deal?

He was promoted or moved to other teams for promotions...  and was an unsuccessful Head Coach.

[Ravens_Flock]

We don't need a team that can be "pretty darn good". The Ravens have been "pretty darn good" most of Harbaugh's tenure here, except for 2015. In most cases, teams that are "pretty darn good", don't win Super Bowls. Our window was 2011-2012. The truth is, that 2011 team was the team that should have won the SB. They were a better, more dominant, more talented team, who came up short in the AFCC game for ridiculous, almost metaphysical reasons. The 2012 team, in the regular season, almost shouldn't have even made the playoffs, let alone go all the way. That team took on another life in the post-season, and I honestly believe that it was purely, singularly fueled by Ray Lewis announcing it was his last year, his last run. That team, those players, wanted to win for Ray, and they did. That was the intangible that many teams need to push themselves harder, and do great things.

In all blunt honesty, Harbaugh has never been ALL that great of a head coach, and Joe Flacco has never been much more than a very average starting QB in this league. He played out of his mind, for him, in that 2012 post-season, but he needed a lot of luck to narrowly miss throwing 2-3 INTs in that "historic" performance of his. As long as Harbaugh is our HC, and Flacco is our QB, we've reached our ceiling. I don't honestly know that I see that combo being able to "strike twice", and go all the way again. It was a very odd, special set of circumstances that led to us catching fire and winning a SB in 2012. That isn't going to just come around again.

I may be wrong, but let's be honest. The greats are almost all gone: Heap, Reed, Ngata, JJ, Gregg, Rice, Jamal, Mason, hell even Torrey Smith, are all gone. Yes, we have the best kicker in football. And yes, we have a few talented players on D. But for the most part, that's all we've got, and all we've had, since 2013. It's not enough. I think the Ravens really need to retool. And while I know Harbaugh and Flacco aren't going anywhere anytime soon, I'm just saying....I don't think you're going to see a Ravens team that does much more than maybe be "pretty darn good", until such as time as we have a major overhaul, across the board. New HC, OC, DC, probably QB, etc.


I don't say that to disparage the guys we have. But let's face facts. We are what we've been since 2013 for concrete reasons. Yes, there was a blip in 2014, where our offense was better, because of Kubiak's run game. But we still lost in the playoffs because of a god-awful secondary, and Joe's classic turnovers. The Ravens are the sum of their parts. And logic and evidence kind of dictate, that the parts we currently have, simply aren't good enough to be better than "pretty darn good".

[The Mom Gene]

6 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

If Ozzie and Biscotti truly knows what's best for this franchise they will do whatever is possible to get Rex Ryan back in here as DC

He's not going to come back here....  and he and Bisciotti do not get along.  That was clear when he hired Harbs over Rex.  Of which I couldn't be happier.  Rex has been a disaster with every team.  With his ego, I think he'd be difficult to manage too.

[Drew P]

9 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

If Ozzie and Biscotti truly knows what's best for this franchise they will do whatever is possible to get Rex Ryan back in here as DC

Please no and I cant see him going backward. His fat butt will probably be in front of a teleprompter before anything

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

  43 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

I didn't say I necessarily wanted Pees back.  But I will tell you one thing, and that is our secondary played way better than last year... completely.  I would probably think or guess that maybe Leslie Frazier gets promoted.  if you can get Norv, maybe.  But really....  a 6th OC in 7 years?????  and then we want to blame Joe for inconsistencies?????  Just sayin.

Totally forgot about Leslie Frazier! He did a great job with the secondary this season. Looking at his career he seems to jump teams every year or two. Thats not a great characteristic. Whats his deal?

the secondary played better but no where need great pees is horrible and so is marty san deigo might fire McCoy good OC or n turner

[bluehen]

It will be tough working around Joe's salary cap number. The highest salary of any NFL QB when averaged over the life of the contract (per the Cheat sheet)... for the 25th rated QB per PFF. If they can navigate that obstacle then Ozzie will have earned his money.

Hope they can renegotiate with Joe to free up some money, he has been treated very well and needs to think about strengthening the team!

[The Greek]

if pagano and todd bowles are fired. would either of them or gus bradley be an improvement over dean pees? i agree that rex would not come back here. defense gave up too many 4th qtr leads. they were not bad but i believe the statistics were padded because we played a lot of poor offenses. could not generate pressure on the qb's in crunch time. cb/pass rush must be addressed yet once again. z smith was inactive pretty much the last half of the season and correia was useless. judon showed promise but suggs and doom will be even slower next season. harbs job will depend on him finding the right oc and not sabotaging him with ridiculous 4th down calls when we have the best kicker in football. 2 of the losses fall on harbs because of his stupid 4th down calls. aside from norv turner i am not too sure who is out there that can turn this offense around but this team will have to find him. some of the position coaches on offense should be evaluated and replaced if needed. i personally am not a fan of castillo. the line has not been smash mouth since he has been here. this team needs guys with attitude on both sides of the ball and instead of stockpiling picks and drafting players that we will cut in camp pkg them so we can move up and grab some game changers. enough with the safe picks. perriman, williams, urban, davis, correia, z smith etc.. etc.. have to show up next season.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Ravens can be good next year and they did improve from last year to this year. I liked the additions of Wallace and Weddle each one brought something to this team . I hope Oz drafts at the very least 1 O-Lineman if not 2 for the future. Oz built this team through the draft and also by adding a free agent for the right price here and there. I think the biggest hole to fill because of his retirement will be SSS he has the ability to get the team fired up. As far as the coordinators go that's a hard 1. I personally have mixed feelings about replacing them some ways I think it would be better in other ways I think they deserve another shot.

[sami]

1 hour ago, ByTheBay said:

1 hour ago, The Mom Gene said:

Oh God, no Rex Ryan. I want nothing to do with either one of the Ryans. And besides, he'd never come back anyway....

I know. No one ever wants rex back. But Pees is just too good at losing games with weak 4th quarter play calling and there are not a ton of other options out there. Unfortunately he may still be our best option meaning nothing will change next year. What do you think about Norv? I was pulling for him in 2014 before we hired Gary. Boy was I wrong there! Loved having Kubiak running our offense. Like Gary, Norv is very good working with quarterbacks and I think Flacco really responds well to that type of mentorship. 

let Pees call the first 3 quarters and maybe 1/2 of the fourth but when it comes to crunch time in the 4th, get someone else to call the shots. Pees tries to hard to not lose instead of to win.

Edited December 27, 2016 by sami

[metalraven]

What the Ravens really need is someone else to draft real talent (OMG Perriman?) and a Defensive Coordinator who attacks. Rex Ryan just got fired and Marvin Lewis may be next. Either of them would be miles above the awful shot callers on defense since 2003 when Lewis left for Cincinnati. Not sold on our current Offensive Coordinator either but it was an improvement.

Rex, for some reason, always lands a HC job with somebody. Only way he comes back is if he's desperate. Regarding Marvin Lewis, he'll definitely have many, many offers for HC...that's IF the Bengals fire him. He won't settle for a DC position.