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

[balfan23]

41 minutes ago, MdPride1 said:

Ozzie Newsome needs to go! You guys can keep trying to put the blame on harbaugh but Ozzie has missed on pick after pick. Mosley, Jernigan, K.O. and Brandon Williams are honestly the only good picks since 2011.

We could've traded our 3rd round pick to grab Jalen Ramsey, who has graded as one of the best corners in the league in the last 4 weeks, but Ozzie said no. Instead all we had to show for a top 10 selection was a freaking left tackle who missed almost half the season.

Let's not forget that "3rd round pick"(Bronson kaufusi) turned into a player who missed the whole season. In turn, our 2016 draft has been an abomination thus far. Ozzie continues to invest picks in the defensive line(kaufusi, Carl Davis) when we should've been selecting DB's, OL & WR.

Let us not forget that he didn't think STEFON DIGGS was worth a 3rd to 5th round pick, which could've solved our kick/punt return dilemma and also given our offense a playmaker it so desperately needs.

Osemele made the pro bowl again this year, maybe we should've resigned him and made him our left tackle or even kept him at guard. I know he got paid but we didn't have the cap room available because of other moves Ozzie decided to make.

How do you guys not think that this team wouldn't be better if Ozzie hadn't missed on so many draft picks in the last 4-5 years?

Hindsight is 20/20 but after our draft failed to address the secondary. I thought we would be 8-8 at best. Look how that turned out.

Need I say more?

OK ... that was a mouthful. I get the criticism of Ozzie in his drafting of late, but I think some of this is a bit too far. Since you made so many points, I'll try to address individually ... 

I assume the "only good picks since 2011" list doesn't include 2016 ... I'd only add Wagner to that list, but that is indeed a much smaller list than you'd like to see

We never know exactly what transpires between teams in talks when the clock is ticking, but the story on the attempted Ramsey trade was that we tried to trade the 3rd round pick to the Cowboys, but they declined out of fear that we were lying about Ramsey and would have taken Elliot and they didn't want to risk losing him. 

On Kafusi - I just don't understand the venom when someone gets injured with something like a broken leg... do we really need to brand them as an instant bust. If a player wasn't an injury concern during college and this sort of thing ends up happening, how can you blame the front office for that? 

24 other teams aside from the Ravens didn't think STEFON DIGGS was worth 3rd to 5th round pick either. We only noticed because the dude is from MD. 

The 2016 draft has been an abomination? Correa is massively disappointing and I've already covered Kafusi ... but Stanley? I mean the guy wasn't hurt once in college ... so we're supposed to see this injury coming in our crystal ball? When he did play, he played well and improved from week to week. He's finishing the season in a fashion that is showing he could be a dominant player. And Young? A 4th round CB who starts and plays well? Most 1st rounders don't see as much success in their rookie season. I think Dixon looks promising as well as Alex Lewis. And the rest ... jeez, give it a chance, you can't evaluate everyone else a bust that quickly. 

The question of Osemele is a tough one. We missed him badly. But to have signed him ... you can take every player we got in the off-season and say they aren't on the team. I think you need to find a couple other players that were on the team that would have had to been cut to make the payment. To think that wouldn't have hurt us in other places is naive. 

Many out here are not terribly pleased with Ozzie's picks over recent years but I think that 2016 has a chance to be a very good one and we need to string together a few more years of them. 

 

[Zeus]

Sounds Like damage control or some company fed PR Eisenberg. Wake up man...... you don't think this team underachieved in 2016??? Really??

[Zeus]

  45 minutes ago, MdPride1 said:

Ozzie Newsome needs to go! You guys can keep trying to put the blame on harbaugh but Ozzie has missed on pick after pick. Mosley, Jernigan, K.O. and Brandon Williams are honestly the only good picks since 2011.

We could've traded our 3rd round pick to grab Jalen Ramsey, who has graded as one of the best corners in the league in the last 4 weeks, but Ozzie said no. Instead all we had to show for a top 10 selection was a freaking left tackle who missed almost half the season.

Let's not forget that "3rd round pick"(Bronson kaufusi) turned into a player who missed the whole season. In turn, our 2016 draft has been an abomination thus far. Ozzie continues to invest picks in the defensive line(kaufusi, Carl Davis) when we should've been selecting DB's, OL & WR.

Let us not forget that he didn't think STEFON DIGGS was worth a 3rd to 5th round pick, which could've solved our kick/punt return dilemma and also given our offense a playmaker it so desperately needs.

Osemele made the pro bowl again this year, maybe we should've resigned him and made him our left tackle or even kept him at guard. I know he got paid but we didn't have the cap room available because of other moves Ozzie decided to make.

How do you guys not think that this team wouldn't be better if Ozzie hadn't missed on so many draft picks in the last 4-5 years?

Hindsight is 20/20 but after our draft failed to address the secondary. I thought we would be 8-8 at best. Look how that turned out.

Need I say more?

OK ... that was a mouthful. I get the criticism of Ozzie in his drafting of late, but I think some of this is a bit too far. Since you made so many points, I'll try to address individually ... 

I assume the "only good picks since 2011" list doesn't include 2016 ... I'd only add Wagner to that list, but that is indeed a much smaller list than you'd like to see

We never know exactly what transpires between teams in talks when the clock is ticking, but the story on the attempted Ramsey trade was that we tried to trade the 3rd round pick to the Cowboys, but they declined out of fear that we were lying about Ramsey and would have taken Elliot and they didn't want to risk losing him. 

On Kafusi - I just don't understand the venom when someone gets injured with something like a broken leg... do we really need to brand them as an instant bust. If a player wasn't an injury concern during college and this sort of thing ends up happening, how can you blame the front office for that? 

The 2016 draft has been an abomination? Correa is massively disappointing and I've already covered Kafusi ... but Stanley? I mean the guy wasn't hurt once in college ... so we're supposed to see this injury coming in our crystal ball? When he did play, he played well and improved from week to week. He's finishing the season in a fashion that is showing he could be a dominant player. And Young? A 4th round CB who starts and plays well? Most 1st rounders don't see as much success in their rookie season. I think Dixon looks promising as well as Alex Lewis. And the rest ... jeez, give it a chance, you can't evaluate everyone else a bust that quickly. 

The question of Osemele is a tough one. We missed him badly. But to have signed him ... you can take every player we got in the off-season and say they aren't on the team. I think you need to find a couple other players that were on the team that would have had to been cut to make the payment. To think that wouldn't have hurt us in other places is naive. 

Many out here are not terribly pleased with Ozzie's picks over recent years but I think that 2016 has a chance to be a very good one and we need to string together a few more years of them. 

 

Bang on about Oz and his garbage picks of late.... why is Elam still here?
BP... before the excuse was the phantom knee bruise. Now that's he's healthy he can't catch a ball

[DENNYK]

The team has been so inconsistent this season that it is hard for me to envision the RAVENS having an easy time moving through the Playoffs against Miami and Oakland. They are not the same team week in and week out. There are way to many variables that come into play each week during the second half that seems to keep us from getting the win when we should be able to hold onto the lead. That needs attention. As for looking ahead to next season and seeing a better team, there is going to be a need for some defensive changes especially in the Secondary area. Coaching staff issues and clock management are another factor that needs to be looked into and changed. Many fans are calling for blowing up the whole team and going into a rebuild scenario. I don't think that we need to do that quite yet, but some major changes are needed to improve the overall effort and game outcome for next season. No one seems to hit on the fact that our Scouting Dept. is not getting the job done as it has in the past. We lost a lot of talent in that are through the years and now we are paying for it in the drafts each year. Blame Ozzie all you want, but it is those guys out there evaluating college talent that really have an impact on the future of the team. It appears that the Steelers and the Patriots have the right people doing that job year in and year out. They always have the right guy to step up when injuries to key players occur.

[DENNYK]

One other point. The Ravens lack a leader in the Locker Room. Since Ray has left Harbs has made it quite clear that he does not want that scenario in the scheme of things any longer. It is HARBS team now and the blame stands directly on his shoulders when things go south. The tam does not have the discipline, the fire, the focus and the killer instinct that is needed to go far into the post season. Until they get those elements back, they will struggle each year as they have for the past 4-5.

[Rav'n Maniac]

I'm ready for a coaching staff change. We need a new direction with a strong, offensive minded head coach that will help us catch up with the rest of the league. Someone who will push Joe and hold him accountable for his poor play at times.

[RavensRegime]

I like Marvin Lewis as DC. I hope we can get him. His defense always plays tough against us. Not to mention he is an AFC North coach. Lets use that to our advantage...

Edited December 28, 2016 by RavensRegime

[law215]

I agree. A few changes and the Ravens could be a serious contender next season.

1. They need an OC with a run first mentality. Kubiak did not make Joe better. He made the run game better and was a better play caller. Both helped Joe who is not a cerebral QB and can not carry an offense on his own. There is talent of the offense already to attract a good OC.

2. Get another voice in the draft room, contracts, and scouting department. Ravens went into last offseason talking about getting playmakers, pass rushers, and guys to close out games. They missed on Correa ,who was supposed to be a pass rusher at that position in the draft, moved back in the 2nd round with consensus top talent on the board, waited until round 4 to add to an injury prone and slow secondary, and doubled down on D-linemen with talent already on roster.

They made bad choices on contracts and who they ,IMO, did not do enough to keep. Wright was a bad signing, Webb was paid too much money, and Hester was a waste of time and money. Yet not enough cap so pester Boldin to take a pay cut, can't keep KO because he's too expensive. Let Pollard and Stewart go. Both are not great players but is better than Levine and Elam who they kept. SMH.

OZ is always bringing old players to cover that fact he misses in the draft. When undrafted guys out play guys you draft in the 1st and 2nd rounds, you need another voice in the room. I'm not saying fire OZ, but he need a different voice in the room to make these personnel decision. DeCosta is not the answer either.

Drop the money ball mentality and be aggressive to get a game changer.

3. Pees is not the issue. Ravens need a thumper in the secondary and better CB.

The fact that Pees can have these guys in the top 5 defense for most of the year with limited pass rush and poor CB proves he's a good coach. I would not put these guys on an island, blitzing with the game on the line. They are not athletic enough to make plays. Safeties are too small to bring down boney Antonio Brown.

3.

[fusuymada]

You know the old saying, only when you die do you know how much people really loved you. Kind of the "Its a Wonderful Life Premise." Well, PFT has beaten up the Ravens all year, said nasty things about them, said bad things about Flacco but funny enough, in that vein, PFT's last power rankings had this to say about the Ravens, "17. Ravens (8-7; No. 15): Making their playoff exit even more painful is the fact that the Ravens could have made it to the Super Bowl."

Yes, and I think had we we held the Steelers, had Mosley, Orr and Weddle had the drive to keep Antonio Brown out of the endzone, we could have been a Super Bowl team. With the loss of only a few players this off season and perhaps another quality draft and perhaps a legitimate #1 free agent receiver, we could really be a powerhouse next year. But lets not forget, had we won that Steelers game, I think we would have gone all the way, and people were counting on it.

[The Greek]

You know the old saying, only when you die do you know how much people really loved you. Kind of the "Its a Wonderful Life Premise." Well, PFT has beaten up the Ravens all year, said nasty things about them, said bad things about Flacco but funny enough, in that vein, PFT's last power rankings had this to say about the Ravens, "17. Ravens (8-7; No. 15): Making their playoff exit even more painful is the fact that the Ravens could have made it to the Super Bowl."

Yes, and I think had we we held the Steelers, had Mosley, Orr and Weddle had the drive to keep Antonio Brown out of the endzone, we could have been a Super Bowl team. With the loss of only a few players this off season and perhaps another quality draft and perhaps a legitimate #1 free agent receiver, we could really be a powerhouse next year. But lets not forget, had we won that Steelers game, I think we would have gone all the way, and people were counting on it.

with miami and the raiders losing their qb's and hopefully a chiefs upset over the patriots the road to the sb could have possibly been there. oh well hopefully the right moves are made and we can challenge next season.

[January J]

8 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

You know the old saying, only when you die do you know how much people really loved you. Kind of the "Its a Wonderful Life Premise." Well, PFT has beaten up the Ravens all year, said nasty things about them, said bad things about Flacco but funny enough, in that vein, PFT's last power rankings had this to say about the Ravens, "17. Ravens (8-7; No. 15): Making their playoff exit even more painful is the fact that the Ravens could have made it to the Super Bowl."

Yes, and I think had we we held the Steelers, had Mosley, Orr and Weddle had the drive to keep Antonio Brown out of the endzone, we could have been a Super Bowl team. With the loss of only a few players this off season and perhaps another quality draft and perhaps a legitimate #1 free agent receiver, we could really be a powerhouse next year. But lets not forget, had we won that Steelers game, I think we would have gone all the way, and people were counting on it.

Our path would have been 1) Miami at home ( without starting qb) and 2) Oakland on the road ( without starting qb) ..almost a guaranteed path to AFCG...then anything could've happened. Really stings. Would've gotten jimmy back too.

[The Greek]

I like Marvin Lewis as DC. I hope we can get him. His defense always plays tough against us. Not to mention he is an AFC North coach. Lets use that to our advantage...

marvin will get another hc job quickly or within a year so it would not make sense to bring him in. pagano,, bowles if fired and bradley would be ideal imo

[balfan23]

8 minutes ago, January J said:

Our path would have been 1) Miami at home ( without starting qb) and 2) Oakland on the road ( without starting qb) ..almost a guaranteed path to AFCG...then anything could've happened. Really stings. Would've gotten jimmy back too.

Well, nothing with this team was ever guaranteed ... but you couldn't ask for an easier path to a conference championship. What makes it sting just a little more is that easy path is now the path for the Steelers. Almost a guaranteed NE v. PIT AFCC game. Unwatchable. 

[Raven1995]

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?

No Rex Ryan Ever. He is too Much of a distraction.

[Raven1995]

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

Glass Half empty Glass Half Full. The Month of October sucked but overall it was compelling football games and great entertainment what would you rather be doing Raking leaves?

[Raven1995]

  21 hours ago, ByTheBay said:

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....

Amen!

[Raven1995]

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.

Defense problems nobody talks about that. Since the Patriot game every team is running over the defense, we were number 1 but might drop out of the top 10 this week. Also, the defense was only on the field 25 minutes, they shouldn't be tired?

[Raven1995]

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.

Flacco did have a great last drive and took a lot of time off of the clock, Just not enough.

[BigUgly]

Would you say this team had more talent or less talent this year versus 2014? I would say the 2014 team had less talent but was more successful because they had a competent OC whose scheme and playcalling enabled the offense to make the Ravens competitive. In both cases, special teams were solid and the Ravens defense had trouble holding a lead.

[Raven1995]

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

and nice guys like Correa and Koufusis.? Do you mean Bronson Kaufusi? He broke his leg in training camp what does that have to do with being nice?

[Raven1995]

  16 hours ago, sami said:

Well Ray and Ed and others were here when we were had losing seasons before Harbaugh got here. And as soon as he took the reins we were in the playoffs for many years in a row. How do you explain THAT!

One word "quarterback" 13-3 with mcnair 5-11 the next without him....rookie d2 qb and rookie special teams coach was carried (dominant run game, ferocious defense) to the afc championship game

McNair didn't start all the games he was hurt a lot, Kyle Boller was 2 and 6 in half of the 2007 season. Harbaugh benefited from players being healthy and Draft Picks stepping up and starting in 2008.

[Raven1995]

  21 hours ago, b93333 said:

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!

If you won the lottery are you gonna give some of the money back?

[Raven1995]

This article is so full it, it's hard to take seriously. I don't think the Ravens have improved much at all from 2015. They still have the same issues they had the prior year: blowing leads, no running game, questionable coaching, very boring to watch, just to name a few.

very boring to watch, just to name a few.? That was one of the best games ever Sunday. It was compelling and came done to the last minute. We didn't win but that doesn't make it boring.

[Bruce_Almty]

This year 9 and 7 or 8-8 is exactly where reasonably knowledgeable fans expected the Ravens to be; a playoff birth was always wide-eyed hopeful. As always,,, step up the offensive production and improve the secondary and the Ravens will be better next season. Still looking for an OC.

[Drinkmore Beer]

I know everybody thinks the Ravens should contend for the Super Bowl every year, but the only team that does is New England. If Antonio Brown had come up 8 inches short and the Ravens won the won, people in Pittsburgh would be calling for Tomlin's head. Denver won last year and didn't make the playoffs this year. Think their fans are happy? How about Carolina fans? Cardinals, Colts, Bills, and Bengals all had lousy years. Should their coaches be fired? (Re: Rex Ryan -- YES.) Seattle has fallen behind the Raiders and played some terrible games this year. Should Pete Carroll take a hike? At least the Ravens field a competitive team. Imagine being stuck with the Browns, Jets, 49ers, or Rams! Yeah, Correa and Kaufusi have been busts so far, but look at how many rookies made an immediate impact -- Stanley, Lewis, Young, Moore, Judon, Dixon. Repeat that in the upcoming draft and the Ravens will remain a playoff-contending team.

[objective view]

John, John, John YES they underachieved, just go back to this site and read all of the writers stories posted during July and August! Amazing how quickly all of you can spin the hype and then forget it or rationalize it latter .... Better not to do it to begin with and be reporters or journalist versus marketing men.

[Rav'n Maniac]

Rex should just become a podiatrist since he has such a thing for feet.

[CQ1]

  On ‎12‎/‎27‎/‎2016 at 11:52 AM, Glen1024 said:

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

Glass Half empty Glass Half Full. The Month of October sucked but overall it was compelling football games and great entertainment what would you rather be doing Raking leaves?

cleaning up BROKEN glass

[CQ1]

Rex should just become a podiatrist since he has such a thing for feet.

Maybe he is- on the side :)

[griffrb]

LOL! Such "positive spin" articles are annually spit out by the team's media machine: with a few more younger, faster players, we'll be pretty good; this or that draft pick will make us dominant, etc, etc, etc. Each team that is built is different every year. An injury or three can derail a season. An over the hill veteran who the team is relying on, under performs. Highly touted draft picks cannot get on the field and when they do, they're overwhelmed. Poor coaching decisions. We've scene it all. Some changes work and some changes do not. Each season is a gamble. This season, the offense failed to show up for the most part and the defense couldn't sustain it's performance against strong teams. Let's be real: we weren't good or lucky enough to win the division and/or make the playoffs. Next season: there is no guarantee we will be "pretty darn good." We didn't win the division; We didn't make the playoffs; thus we're not competing for the championship. Bottom Line John: we underachieved. We're not interested in improvements. We're about competing for championships. Don't lower the standard with soft, cushy articles.