What excites you most about the Ravens entering next season?

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

As for a serious answer. Honestly, if we improve the oline. The offense. I think ever since Ray Lewis made that comment that Flacco has had a fire lit under his butt. He played pretty good for most of the second half of the season. Sure, Marty being back is a cause for concern, but I think the addition of Roman will aid in us developing a better rushing attack. 

We have 3 guys from the 2015 draft that I am truly excited about. Maxx, Perriman, and Boyle. I am expecting that Maxx overtakes the starting spot at TE, as I believe that he's far and away the most talented TE on the roster. Had we not decided to shut him down early on the year(even though doctors said he could have played) I guarantee you Marty would have used him in some capacity. I think Pitta is gone(and it's a good thing too) and that the team will start to use two TE sets with Boyle and Maxx, both in which are good receivers and blockers. Maxx looked good his rookie year, and looked like he significantly improved as a blocker before we shut him down. I think he's the guy. As for Perriman, we all saw what the man is capable of. If he hits the juggs machines and has a full offseason, we're talking about a guy who could be a potential #1 WR at the NFL level. If we improve the line, expect a lot more deep shots, and most CBs aren't going to be able to keep up with Perriman.

 

I do agree we could use another receiving option, so I fully expect a Garcon to come here, or a Robert Woods, or for us to draft an underneath option. But I also fully expect us to keep Mike Wallace, who forces defenses to respect his speed anyway. 

 

I know Marty abandoned the run a lot, but I expect that to change with Roman here. I think Dixon is the man going forward, but say if Dalvin Cook fell to us I wouldn't be surprised if we picked him. Regardless, I think Dixon's ability to make the first man miss makes him a very dangerous player going forward if we can get a new center, and possibly another guard. Imagine him going four yards untouched before having to deal with a defender. Likewise, I fully expect Yanda to remain the same while Stanley and Lewis(whom I'm banking on being our new RT) elevate their game to becoming above average players. Likewise I think that with Roman here we not only find a way to get West involved more as a compliment, but use Buck Allen as well who people forget is a very capable receiving back in his own right. 
 

 

As for the defense, I fully expect us to retain Brandon Williams and Lawerence Guy, both in which are integral parts. But we need to do three things on the defensive end. Find another pass rusher, inside linebacker, and lastly add more cornerback depth. People like to think that Jimmy Smith going down = doom because Dean Pees sucks. That's not true at all. We don't have depth behind him, and Ozzie has continually ignored it. I doubt he continues to do so since his job is honestly on the line. But the biggest problem, and the thing that is sort of a catalyst for us suffering in the fourth quarter, at least this season, was a lack of edge rushing. On the interior, we have Jernigan, who's very good but teams can catch on and double team him. He's a good player, but I've said this since the beggining, he's more of a tertiary guy as a pass rusher. I don't think we are as bad off as most think, as I think Judon is a good piece to have going forward and can be a guy who gets 6-8 sacks a season with a lot of pressure. I think he can man the other side going forward. I think Doom is gone, and I think we keep Suggs on to mentor our inevitable draft pick(I can smell a smokescreen from a mile away ). Likewise, we have given Willie Henry and Kaufausi(not by choice here) a year to develop. I think both can become part of a sick dline rotation. If we add another edge rusher, we're talking about a very talented unit. 

 

Inside LB is a curious case. CJ is the man there, and there should be no doubts. He's a top 5 player at that position and a top ten overall LB according to PFF.  The people who said he's overrated honestly.... No. He made strides in coverage, and is still a great run defender. I've been adamant in saying that Orr was undeserving of the all pro he received, and likewise was the most overrated player on the team in 2016. However, I will acknowledge the fact that he was a good player for us. Correa: It's your time to shine, but I doubt you will. But if there's any position I trust you at going forward, it's ILB. You could be pretty good there. I think we draft one.

People say the secondary is a problem. I think finding a nickel corner is neccessary. I am fully confident in Jimmy's and Tavon's ability to man the outside. Of course, acquring another outside CB and having Tavon switch back to the nickel the whole time would also be a good idea, but I wouldn't be surprised if we go find a slot CB in FA, and then afterwards draft an outside guy as depth in the mid rounds. Likewise, Weddle is a beast, and Webb improved as the season went on at the FS position. 

[Cville-Raven]

Perriman and Dixon. Both should be pivotal players in the offense next year. Hopefully Stanley continues where he left off and stays on the field. He's an all pro tackle when healthy. 

[RavensDieHard21]

I am excited for two things: 

1.) The 2017 Draft, can Ozzie have two very good drafts in a row? I hope so. I hope he doesn't overthink this one. BPA at positions of need. We absolutely cannot neglect pass rusher or CB another year. 

2.) Can a few new coaches combined with some continuity at major positions such as OC make a difference? I want Marty to be creative and play to the strengths of our players. 

[jazz1988]

I'm excited to see what Marty M and Greg Roman will be able to build around Joe Flacco. 

[January J]

Well I was most excited about ORR . I truly believe he was right on the verge of taking that next step into stardom. You just can't get anymore unlucky than that. I think I'm most excited about seeing what Kenneth Dixon becomes. I think  he has a breakout year and becomes our bellcow.

I also have a strange feeling ozzie might take Dalvin Cook if he makes it to 16. Mixed feelings about that but if we bolster the line and get back to a run first mentality it could do us wonders. I also think Ozzie uncharacteristically makes a splash in FA for a big name FA receiver such as Jeffrey or Marshall.

[K-Dog]

1 hour ago, January J said:

Well I was most excited about ORR . I truly believe he was right on the verge of taking that next step into stardom. You just can't get anymore unlucky than that. 

He is WALKING away from the game.

I would suggest he is amazingly over the top lucky. 

[ravensdfan]

Honestly, I'm not right now.

We made no major moves in coaching to fix our issues.

I had been excited about Orr to be truthful, so that's gone.

We're already going down the same failed offensive plan with adding some old FA WR with one or two seasons left.

We simply have a lot of needs that I don't see being met with acceptable talent to actually propel us into the fray again.

Just my opinion, and trust me I will be estatic to be proven wrong if that happens.

[lgcs27288]

I am always excited for the draft and FA because of the front office we have. Somehow we always seem to get low cost vets who give solid production and late round guys that contribute.

[Rav'n Maniac]

New excitement is the possibility of Roethlisberger walking away.

[trevorsteadman]

45 minutes ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

New excitement is the possibility of Roethlisberger walking away.

And if Brady wins another ring he may walk. But I have a feeling that the Patriots will still be a juggernaut in the AFC even without him. The Steelers will probably still be good without Big Ben. Both those teams have crazy talent on both sides of the ball.

[Jonah DeVito]

3 hours ago, trevorsteadman said:

And if Brady wins another ring he may walk. But I have a feeling that the Patriots will still be a juggernaut in the AFC even without him. The Steelers will probably still be good without Big Ben. Both those teams have crazy talent on both sides of the ball.

I don't know about the Steelers after Ben. It's not easy to find a new QB by any means. 

[trevorsteadman]

18 minutes ago, Jonah DeVito said:

I don't know about the Steelers after Ben. It's not easy to find a new QB by any means. 

No but they do have a top 3 receiver and probably the best running back in the league. Get a decent guy in there and keep adding to that athletic young defense. They still won't be an easy team to beat. 

[January J]

5 hours ago, K-Dog said:

He is WALKING away from the game.

I would suggest he is amazingly over the top lucky. 

Ofcourse he is. I meant we are unlucky as far as having the ILB position sewn up. His health is more important obviously but that still doesn't mean it doesn't suck.

[January J]

4 hours ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

New excitement is the possibility of Roethlisberger walking away.

He's not going  anywhere bud. Best believe he's pulling his little drama queen act. Just like suggs said Benjamin will be right on the feild come game time. His ego is too big to walk away without announcing it beforehand and getting a "farewell tour"

[K-Dog]

1 hour ago, Jonah DeVito said:

I don't know about the Steelers after Ben. It's not easy to find a new QB by any means. 

HA !!!!!!!! According to many people here, we can just cut Joe Flacco and there will be a line of AMAZING quarterbacks just waiting to fill his spot. 

Neither Tom nor Ben are going anywhere any time soon.  Reality. 

Edited January 25 by K-Dog
Had a second thought...

[ThatsMyJoeTerback]

1 hour ago, trevorsteadman said:

No but they do have a top 3 receiver and probably the best running back in the league. Get a decent guy in there and keep adding to that athletic young defense. They still won't be an easy team to beat. 

That top 3 receiver might be a question mark too. 

[rossihunter2]

4 hours ago, trevorsteadman said:

And if Brady wins another ring he may walk. But I have a feeling that the Patriots will still be a juggernaut in the AFC even without him. The Steelers will probably still be good without Big Ben. Both those teams have crazy talent on both sides of the ball.

my greatest fear is that brady lasts for another 6 years or something - he's literally inhuman - or maybe bellicheck has a load of brady clones which he can just pull out when this one gets too old

[Jonah DeVito]

2 hours ago, K-Dog said:

HA !!!!!!!! According to many people here, we can just cut Joe Flacco and there will be a line of AMAZING quarterbacks just waiting to fill his spot. 

Neither Tom nor Ben are going anywhere any time soon.  Reality. 

I'm not sure if you're laughing at my comment of agreeing with it...lol

[K-Dog]

4 minutes ago, Jonah DeVito said:

I'm not sure if you're laughing at my comment of agreeing with it...lol

I am in a good mood, as a result I laughed. 

I agree completely. I am actually laughing at the "cut Joe" crowd.

[usmccharles]

2 hours ago, ThatsMyJoeTerback said:

That top 3 receiver might be a question mark too. 

Meaning?

[Wildabeast88]

On January 21, 2017 at 3:07 PM, codizzle said:

Yea nothing tops ray and JO

Pretty much 2 HOF's in 1 round I would be interested how many times that has happened much less 1 entire class having 2 HOF's I'm sure it happened with that team that lot this past weekend but that couldn't have happened much

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I'm most excited about Perrimans potential. Probably too much to expect a huge jump, but seeing some of what he was able to do on athletic ability alone??

Give him a full offseason and who knows... really excited to see where he's at. 

Dixon and hopefully Maxx too. It'd be great to have this trio of dangerous weapons on offense. 

[ThatsMyJoeTerback]

22 hours ago, usmccharles said:

Meaning?

Meaning I suspect, if Roethlisberger DOES retire, that AB will be traded away. He has one year left on his contract. Pittsburgh will probably try to compile draft picks.

[usmccharles]

3 hours ago, ThatsMyJoeTerback said:

Meaning I suspect, if Roethlisberger DOES retire, that AB will be traded away. He has one year left on his contract. Pittsburgh will probably try to compile draft picks.

Ah got you.  But he's not retiring. 

[Richmond_Raven]

After watching what Julio did I'm just hoping Perriman can be half of that.

[RavensDieHard21]

On January 24, 2017 at 10:35 AM, January J said:

Well I was most excited about ORR . I truly believe he was right on the verge of taking that next step into stardom. You just can't get anymore unlucky than that. I think I'm most excited about seeing what Kenneth Dixon becomes. I think  he has a breakout year and becomes our bellcow.

I also have a strange feeling ozzie might take Dalvin Cook if he makes it to 16. Mixed feelings about that but if we bolster the line and get back to a run first mentality it could do us wonders. I also think Ozzie uncharacteristically makes a splash in FA for a big name FA receiver such as Jeffrey or Marshall.

I really hope we go defense early and elevate the unit to a complete top 5 unit, one that can get a consistent rush  and cover late in games. 

If Ozzie wants to see what Joe has then I don't think we will need to take a WR early, but build the line up. We could take top defensive talent early then take OL after or we could just easily trade back and take Dan Feeney or Forrest Lamp at Guard then take pat Eiflein or Pocic at center. Despite youth, factor those additions with Stanley, Yanda and Lewis, we could have an anchored line.

i really like the thought of making a move for Marshall or Jeffrey though. Let Wallace go and make a move for a possession receiver and give Perriman the 2 slot so he can develop. 

[PurpleCity5]

2 hours ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

I really hope we go defense early and elevate the unit to a complete top 5 unit, one that can get a consistent rush  and cover late in games. 

If Ozzie wants to see what Joe has then I don't think we will need to take a WR early, but build the line up. We could take top defensive talent early then take OL after or we could just easily trade back and take Dan Feeney or Forrest Lamp at Guard then take pat Eiflein or Pocic at center. Despite youth, factor those additions with Stanley, Yanda and Lewis, we could have an anchored line.

i really like the thought of making a move for Marshall or Jeffrey though. Let Wallace go and make a move for a possession receiver and give Perriman the 2 slot so he can develop. 

I think we'll go for paying a WR, but not a mega pay day. I think the only two guys we'll make moves on are either Kenny Britt or Pierre Garcon because of the element they bring to this offense, they fill in what we're missing from this offense. I think a Wallace cut would happen if we sign one of those guys, after that we could definitely go for drafting a WR day two or go for a cheap option for the No.3 spot. 

[Purple_City39]

I'm most excited about Perriman and the run game IF they can fix the o-line.  Dixon and West have proven to me they can play.  Give the Ravens an o-line that can run block better than we saw in 2016 and the run game will dominate. 

And from the little we saw of Perriman sharing the #3 spot and being the 4th option at best on most plays, he put in some nice work at times.  His final stat line against Washington and Josh Normal looks bad, but if I'm remembering correctly he abused Norman twice deep for what would have been about another 60 yards and a TD if he 1) catches the first pass, and 2) gets his second foot down for the second pass.  Add in some of the great plays he did make (catch in Buffalo, Browns TD catch around the defender, 59 yard crossing route TD) and it's hard not for me to be excited about him.

 

[rmcjacket23]

13 hours ago, ThatsMyJoeTerback said:

Meaning I suspect, if Roethlisberger DOES retire, that AB will be traded away. He has one year left on his contract. Pittsburgh will probably try to compile draft picks.

I don't think their trade market will be as big as they think it is. Great player obviously, but I don't see a ton of teams giving up like a 1st round pick for a 29 year old WR that you then have to extend with a monster contract. Basically looking at $12-15M a year AND a 1st round pick for a 29 year old WR.

That's not something I'm giving up. If its for a 2nd or 3rd rounder, I could see it.

[Tru11]

i'm excited we will be tied for 1st place entering the season.