[News] Late For Work 3/10: Best Reaction To Brandon Williams' New Massive Contract

[Ravenous_Ravens]

I want Pitta gone too. We need to get rid of these old contracts one way or another. It's a case of diminishing returns but in Pitta's case we only saw some returns last year but the kind that really held us back on offense because of Joe's regression and Pitta's inability to gain yards after the catch.

Are you kidding, Pitta was a 3rd down machine and more. Granted to they need more plays where they are at least throwing to the first down line. On third downs especially..

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Bold Prediction:

Best Defensive line 2017.
Top 5 Defense 2017.

[rmcjacket23]

  4 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

I want Pitta gone too. We need to get rid of these old contracts one way or another. It's a case of diminishing returns but in Pitta's case we only saw some returns last year but the kind that really held us back on offense because of Joe's regression and Pitta's inability to gain yards after the catch.

Are you kidding, Pitta was a 3rd down machine and more. Granted to they need more plays where they are at least throwing to the first down line. On third downs especially..

Kind of hard to tell statistically actually...

Pitta had 41 targets on 3rd or 4th down in 2016. He converted 16 of those into 1st downs, which is roughly 39%. I guess that's not a terrible conversion rate, but I wouldn't call it spectacular either.

For comparisons sake:

Steve Smith: 17/28 conversions for 61%.
Wallace: 12/35 conversions for 34%

So by comparison, Pitta was targeted more frequently (though not a ton more than Wallace) in crucial downs, but he wasn't overly effective from what I see.

Steve Smith was easily the most effective given relevant target volume.

[bioLarzen]

Per Zrebiec on twitter:

Ravens sign special teams ace Anthony Levine to three-year deal

Great news. Another under-the-radar guy we needed to retain.

[steelcityraven]

Bold Prediction:

Best Defensive line 2017.
Top 5 Defense 2017.

Should be if Dean Pees doesn't find a way to make even this defense look soft????

[steelcityraven]

I feel much better about free agency now. I still do wanna see more from Pierce, Henry and Carl Davis this year, though.

Agreed.... I think Pierce can be the next Brandon Williams and if he takes that next step... would love to see the front office extend him now so that we don't run into this all over again.

I think Carl Davis showed flashes but needs to put on some size and strength that will allow him to be consistently productive in this league. He really does remind me a lot of Timmy though.

Not sure about Henry yet but the two I really want to see a lot from are
Kafusi and Urban. If those two can produce... our DL will be pretty scary. (of course we need Judon and maybe even someone to take the next step on the outside opposite Suggs as well)

Reddick- Takkirst McKinney or Tim Williams could also be that guy?

[davy_861]

Big muscle man has a lot to live up to -- we got any money left to protect Flacco? KO gone, Wagner gone, Flacco ain't Michael Vick. Seriously though, how we gonna protect our 120 million dollar QB. Better put big muscle man on the o-line too. He ain't Ngata, so for that pay he should play o-line and d-line.

[Grapple Raven]

10 hours ago, BigUgly said:

Ross seems too fragile, to me to take at #16.  Too bad Al Davis isn't still alive, or he'd trade all of his picks to move up and draft him.

Other later-round guys that look interesting include Zay Jones and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

I am all about Zay Jones, BigUgly!  I've watched this guy for all his yrs. at ECU and he is a natural!

[ellicottraven]

8 hours ago, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Bold Prediction:

Best Defensive line 2017.
Top 5 Defense 2017.

That's nowhere near bold. Here's a bold one. We draft Mike Williams in the first round and he catches fire and makes Flacco look really good.

[Jonah DeVito]

5 hours ago, davy_861 said:

Big muscle man has a lot to live up to -- we got any money left to protect Flacco? KO gone, Wagner gone, Flacco ain't Michael Vick. Seriously though, how we gonna protect our 120 million dollar QB. Better put big muscle man on the o-line too. He ain't Ngata, so for that pay he should play o-line and d-line.

That'd be kinda interesting to see. Might be a good run blocker lol 

[The Greek]

not a big deal to me that juice is gone but watch how kyle shanahan utilizes this guy. hope that is a design of the shirt that woodhead is wearing because if it is not than he needs some serious antiperspirant

[rossihunter2]

19 minutes ago, The Greek said:

not a big deal to me that juice is gone but watch how kyle shanahan utilizes this guy. hope that is a design of the shirt that woodhead is wearing because if it is not than he needs some serious antiperspirant

That's a bit harsh - didn't they literally do an Armageddon workout with weddle just before their presser?

[Crusader]

  On Friday, March 10, 2017 at 11:36 AM, budkretz said:

With the pick at #16 it seems that the Ravens will go CB or Edge rusher and there seems to be 2-3 at each position that cold warrant the pick there. The one wild card is RB - Dalvin Cook. Is he the playmaker, the Ravens need to add to the offense? It seems that if we don't go CB in 1st there should be a very good one in 2nd round. Even if we sign Claiborne, I can't see the Rravens not getting a CB in either the 1st or 2nd or 3rd round. Also since we only have 8 picks , I can see Ozzie trading back a few spots 17-22 range in order to get another pick or 2. With 4 picks in first 99 drafted the Ravens need to get 3 solid starters out of those picks. Hopefully one becomes All-pro. Though it may take a few weeks I see the Ravens adding a veteran OL and ILB to fill out those twos positions. Not sure who we add to our WR group. Anyone have any thoughts?

Round 1. Takkirst McKinney- OLB UCLA
or Solomon Thomas- OLB- Stanford
Round 2. De De Westbrook- WR- Okla
Round 3. Fabian Moreau- CB- UCLA
Round 3. Zach Barner- T /G - USC
Round 4. Devonte Fields - OLB Louisville
Round 5. Robert Davis - WR- Ga State
or KD Cannon - WR - Baylor
Round 6. Kareem Are- G- FSU

Provided we land Claiborne if not then we go after TreDavious White -CB LSU in the 2nd round and Ju Ju Smith- Schuster- WR - USC in the 3rd

What do you do if thomas, Ross and tabor are on the board when 16s called? I seen mock drafts with these guys listed. What position is needed most?

[mc_red23]

The cap hit in year 1 of Williams' new deal is $6m. 

Jeff Zrebiec
Brandon Williams new 5-year, $52.5 million deal includes $27.5 million in guaranteed money and 12.5 mill signing bonus.

 

[rossihunter2]

2 hours ago, Crusader said:

What do you do if thomas, Ross and tabor are on the board when 16s called? I seen mock drafts with these guys listed. What position is needed most?

i take thomas because he's a much better prospect than the other two despite the logjam we have at his position, but i dont think any of them will be the BPA when we get on the board

[bigcatfrank1]

With the pick at #16 it seems that the Ravens will go CB or Edge rusher and there seems to be 2-3 at each position that cold warrant the pick there. The one wild card is RB - Dalvin Cook. Is he the playmaker, the Ravens need to add to the offense? It seems that if we don't go CB in 1st there should be a very good one in 2nd round. Even if we sign Claiborne, I can't see the Rravens not getting a CB in either the 1st or 2nd or 3rd round. Also since we only have 8 picks , I can see Ozzie trading back a few spots 17-22 range in order to get another pick or 2. With 4 picks in first 99 drafted the Ravens need to get 3 solid starters out of those picks. Hopefully one becomes All-pro. Though it may take a few weeks I see the Ravens adding a veteran OL and ILB to fill out those twos positions. Not sure who we add to our WR group. Anyone have any thoughts?

I agree, with everything except I think the Ravens should get a top Center, probably at #2 if they wait they may miss out and there are 2 great Centers in Potic and Elflein that would soilidify the Ravens strength.
2 big reasons why, first I just dont see Zuttah as the future and 6 MIllion is alot o f money to commit to a player that cant provide absolute satisfaction.

Second, having Yanda as a teacher and leader on the line is invaluable in my opinion, He could be the difference in a young player becoming the best in the NFL. Add that to Stanley and Lewis raw abilities, it is a recipe for greatness. Zuttah, in my opinion, is not going to change. A RT is still going to be an issue no matter what

[bigcatfrank1]

With the pick at #16 it seems that the Ravens will go CB or Edge rusher and there seems to be 2-3 at each position that cold warrant the pick there. The one wild card is RB - Dalvin Cook. Is he the playmaker, the Ravens need to add to the offense? It seems that if we don't go CB in 1st there should be a very good one in 2nd round. Even if we sign Claiborne, I can't see the Rravens not getting a CB in either the 1st or 2nd or 3rd round. Also since we only have 8 picks , I can see Ozzie trading back a few spots 17-22 range in order to get another pick or 2. With 4 picks in first 99 drafted the Ravens need to get 3 solid starters out of those picks. Hopefully one becomes All-pro. Though it may take a few weeks I see the Ravens adding a veteran OL and ILB to fill out those twos positions. Not sure who we add to our WR group. Anyone have any thoughts?

Here are my 2 choices at FA and I'm sticking to them;

WR- Corrdelle Patterson- (2.5 mil) could be a good pick up, return game, receiver depth and he also would like to play Running back.(hmmm). Campinaro may be better suited to strictly WR and an occasional return.

RB- Latavius Murry- (4-6 mil) Ravens need a downhill runner, now especially more than ever with losing DIxon for 4 weeks. Dixon may become the starter, however West was the yard leader last year. Murray brings the BIG back to the scene, strong, single set ability and to find holes out of it. He would be a great 3 yr signing. Young enough and affordable. Dixon may learn from him as well. West will need to show me a lot more, I just don't see a solid first down back in him ( just the truth).

let Zuttah go saving 6 mil paying for Murray.

get a CB and Center #1 and #2, (both will be there with confidence however if a #1 Edge, Pass Rush OLB , RB is there At #1 then option them and move the position down the list) that leaves 3-7 for Pass rush, OL/RT, LB and a couple of added deeper S and WR.

Get a decent affordable RT/OL in FA for depth and strength.(2 mil)

Add that to what the Ravens have done so far and I see huge possibilities.

[huntrgathrr]

Due to Jimmy Smith's durability issues getting Claiborne or Amakumora is imperative.
We desperately need Correia and Kafusi to step and excel this year. Even if they do we also need to acquire a top notch pass rusher as IMO Suggs is over the hill. Hopefully Smith will emerge at outside linebacker. This also raises the question as to who will replace Zac Orr.
Don't know if Mangold is still available but that would be a good pick up a well.
Clearly, Ozzie needs to kill this draft even if it means trading up to do it.
The Ravens have a lot of work to do.
I'm fine with Wallace, Perrriman, Waller, Moore and Woodhead at WR. Adding Latavius Murray would be awesome.

[CaliRavenFan]

23 hours ago, Jonah DeVito said:

That'd be kinda interesting to see. Might be a good run blocker lol 

Didn't you know he was replacing Juice on the short yard lead blocking duties lol

[CaliRavenFan]

18 hours ago, The Greek said:

not a big deal to me that juice is gone but watch how kyle shanahan utilizes this guy. hope that is a design of the shirt that woodhead is wearing because if it is not than he needs some serious antiperspirant

Juice is going to look great in Kyle's system. I can't wait to see what Greg Roman will come up with to fix our run game, he likes using multiple TE's and creative runs.

[bigcatfrank1]

  On 3/10/2017 at 3:46 PM, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Bold Prediction:

Best Defensive line 2017.
Top 5 Defense 2017.

That's nowhere near bold. Here's a bold one. We draft Mike Williams in the first round and he catches fire and makes Flacco look really good.

Even bolder we draft Williams WR and sign RB free agent L. Murray and they both get 1500 yds

[hen826957]

  On 3/10/2017 at 11:53 PM, ellicottraven said:

  On 3/10/2017 at 3:46 PM, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Bold Prediction:

Best Defensive line 2017.
Top 5 Defense 2017.

That's nowhere near bold. Here's a bold one. We draft Mike Williams in the first round and he catches fire and makes Flacco look really good.

Even bolder we draft Williams WR and sign RB free agent L. Murray and they both get 1500 yds

L. Murray could be another good piece in free agency but if they do sign him then one of either Dixon or West will be cut. I don't see them keeping all three. I wish we had a little more cap room because l still want them to sign Zach Brown, Morris Cailborne, and Mangold. If they can cut Arrington, Zuttah, and Watson it might gives us some more space but don't know it will be enough to sign all of those guys.

[mhead66]

1 hour ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

Even bolder we draft Williams WR and sign RB free agent L. Murray and they both get 1500 yds

1500 yards for Latavius Murray? That's VERY optimistic.  He had 788 yards last year, and he'd be splitting carries with West, Dixon and Woodhead... not to mention J. Allen, Taliaferro, and a (potential) rookie RB or two...

 

Yes, very bold...