[News] Late For Work 3/23: Kyle Juszczyk, Kamar Aiken Speak Out About Leaving Ravens

[BR News]

Kyle Juszczyk: Hearing ‘offensive weapon’ was music to my ears. Kamar Aiken: I don't think I was ever a priority. Ryan Jensen feels ‘100 percent prepared’ to start at center. Not everyone is buying Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft.

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[RaRaRavens]

I can not put my finger on it, but for some reason I've always been immediately field with all sorts of doubt and hesitation as soon as I see Jensen trot onto the field. It's just probably me.

That said, if Jensen really was the FOs whole plan at C for us, we would have probably been better of retaining Zuttah.

[The Mom Gene]

I'm sorry... but Aiken sounds like he's whining. He had opportunities. Quite a few times I saw where he was basically hit right in the numbers with the ball and dropped the pass. Come on man....  He had a ton of chances to prove himself.

I loved Juice. As a fullback, and where the position has taken a back seat to RB's and Receivers, you can basically understand where he's coming from. The play at the end of the Steeler's game is one I will not forget. He laid it out to make that TD.

Good Luck to both of them.

[whobilly]

Life in the NFL today. Whatever team pays me the most I'm leaving. Simple formula. Juice was way over paid but good for him. When he is released by the Niners as a cap casualty two years from now and 7 total wins later at least he was able to grab some extra cash.

[berad]

We all said Juice needed to be used more and in more ways, especially when we were lacking at the TE spot from time to time. He got paid big time by the 49ers and we weren't going to match that - good for him.

As for Aiken, yeah he was the 4th WR and I don't know that I would have wanted him higher, either. Smith, Wallace, and Breshad were either better than him or had more upside and needed the reps. Don't feel too bad, Kamar, you had bounced around the league as a JAG before getting your shot here. You made good on it and turned it into this latest opportunity.

[RailBird]

Life in the NFL today. Whatever team pays me the most I'm leaving. Simple formula. Juice was way over paid but good for him. When he is released by the Niners as a cap casualty two years from now and 7 total wins later at least he was able to grab some extra cash.

Good thing Tony Jefferson had a completely different mindset..

[fusuymada]

I said for four years while Pitta was out that we had a great talent in Juszczyk and we totally underutilized him. Aiken didn't make it on several teams and in his entire career he had one season where he had almost 1000 yard season and the best he can ever hope for is a 3rd or 4th receiver. Juszxzyk however, was another Danny Woodhead but better. He can run as well, is a better pass receiver, and he can also block when necessary which Woodhead can not do.

I am not a person to call for the coaches head, but the decisions to hire the OC's we have has been horrible except for the one where Ozzie told John he was hiring Kubiak and that was the best coach that Harbaugh ever hired but Harbaugh never hired him. I am seeing this team turn into a dumpster fire and if we don't have a playoff season this year, it is time to move on from Harbaugh as he has lost complete focus, or never had it, on what was important.

[rmcjacket23]

  13 minutes ago, whobilly said:

Life in the NFL today. Whatever team pays me the most I'm leaving. Simple formula. Juice was way over paid but good for him. When he is released by the Niners as a cap casualty two years from now and 7 total wins later at least he was able to grab some extra cash.

Good thing Tony Jefferson had a completely different mindset..

Well we don't really know what the Browns were offering, but my guess is he didn't leave much money behind. We don't even know if the guaranteed money was much different either.

I will almost guarantee that it wasn't a case of the Browns offering like $12M a year and him choosing the Ravens for like $8.5M. We're talking maybe $1M a year difference in most of these cases.

[KidNme]

With Juice, I think it was what we were doing as an offense and the other weapons we had that were higher up the chain of known reliability (and the money of course). For Aiken, he ended up where he belonged on the depth chart, given his body of work when gauged against his competition as well. I see their respective team changes having drastically different results. Juice will flourish while Aiken will realize he's 4th on the depth chart again because he's setting the bar even higher for himself now.
I wish them both well though.

[ludy51]

30 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

I'm sorry... but Aiken sounds like he's whining. He had opportunities. Quite a few times I saw where he was basically hit right in the numbers with the ball and dropped the pass. Come on man....  He had a ton of chances to prove himself.

I loved Juice. As a fullback, and where the position has taken a back seat to RB's and Receivers, you can basically understand where he's coming from. The play at the end of the Steeler's game is one I will not forget. He laid it out to make that TD.

Good Luck to both of them.

My first thought as well

[bioLarzen]

On selecting an OT over a WR with the first pick: what use do you have of a good WR if the QB has no time throwing to him because the right tackle a swinging door?

[david thomas]

E David Thomas
agree with Aiken, he deserved more reps or at the very least constructive feedback on what needed improvement to get more play time. my sense is, my beloved Ravens just don['t have a good Reciever Game strategy/route trees/creative plays to take advantage of skills of WR's - they are to predictable and limited to keying on 1 or 2 WR's for any play (lacks flexibility) and simple progression reads that either go to #1 or #2 or very quickly to the dump-off outlet - come on guys, let's get it together for 2017.

[bioLarzen]

As for Aiken and Juszczyk: time will tell if they were right or wrong. What I cannot help noticing however, is that while I cannot really remember defensive players leaving Baltimore then thropwing back darts, there were 3 offensive guys (these two plus KO last season) who don't really speak really fondly of the Baltimore offense... That less and less seems a coincidence...

I've long said, and I still think Harbaugh simply doesn't understand the NFL offense, and that's why he keeps appointing the wrong guys to command our O (with the sole exception of Kubiak), but knows too little to overrule their mistakes in offensive strategy, game planning and play calling. I fiormly believe that as long as Harbaugh is our HC, the only way we can have a good offense is by chance - because nobody who is responsible for it is good enough. I believe all the offensive success we've had since 2008 was not because of our coaching stuff, but in spite of it - out of the virtue of the players.

And that's why I think that no matter who we draft and acquire in free agency, we don't really have any real reason to hope for better a season that what we had - because the by far biggest cause of our offensive impotence: the incapable HC - has not been removed from the system. And until that happens, you can count on players leaving Baltimore to throw back shade like this...

[berad]

5 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

On selecting an OT over a WR with the first pick: what use do you have of a good WR if the QB has no time throwing to him because the right tackle a swinging door?

Thinking would be you could get a suitable lineman later in the draft or FA. You spend the high pick on the blue chip play-maker because they're less likely to be found later in the draft.

Personally, I'd go CB with the first pick. Or, if a prized pass rusher falls in your lap. Lots of defensive talent in the first round.

[bioLarzen]

Even if hiring Kubiak was Harbaugh's own shot - let's give it to him -, it was rather the anomaly than the tendency or rule. All other HC's of his choice were attrotious - or, bland at most. Cam Cameron, Jim Caldwell, Trestman and Mornhinweg in one side of the scales, and Kubiak on the other...

Which plate do you think Harbaugy should be judged regarding his choice for offensive mastermind?

[rmcjacket23]

E David Thomas
agree with Aiken, he deserved more reps or at the very least constructive feedback on what needed improvement to get more play time. my sense is, my beloved Ravens just don['t have a good Reciever Game strategy/route trees/creative plays to take advantage of skills of WR's - they are to predictable and limited to keying on 1 or 2 WR's for any play (lacks flexibility) and simple progression reads that either go to #1 or #2 or very quickly to the dump-off outlet - come on guys, let's get it together for 2017.

I'm pretty sure he identified already that the Ravens were identifying things that he didn't do well or needed to work on. Seemed he just simply disagreed.

The problem with Aiken is that I don't see a particular set of skills that he brings to the table that differentiates himself from his peers, and I think the league knows that.

[budman]

57 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

I'm sorry... but Aiken sounds like he's whining. He had opportunities. Quite a few times I saw where he was basically hit right in the numbers with the ball and dropped the pass. Come on man....  He had a ton of chances to prove himself.

I loved Juice. As a fullback, and where the position has taken a back seat to RB's and Receivers, you can basically understand where he's coming from. The play at the end of the Steeler's game is one I will not forget. He laid it out to make that TD.

Good Luck to both of them.

Agree. Aiken really isn't THAT good to be honest. He had his chances to prove himself but couldn't out perform a retiring vet or 2nd year rookie. His route running is also suspect. Lets see just how much he actually plays in Indy. He might just live on special teams. Notice just how much interest teams had in him....Ummmm hardly any. When he signed with them it wasn't a long deal so that should tell him something. I hate whiners! Blame everything and everyone but himself. Geez.

[The Mom Gene]

24 minutes ago, david thomas said:

E David Thomas
agree with Aiken, he deserved more reps or at the very least constructive feedback on what needed improvement to get more play time. my sense is, my beloved Ravens just don['t have a good Reciever Game strategy/route trees/creative plays to take advantage of skills of WR's - they are to predictable and limited to keying on 1 or 2 WR's for any play (lacks flexibility) and simple progression reads that either go to #1 or #2 or very quickly to the dump-off outlet - come on guys, let's get it together for 2017.

Do we know that he didn't get constructive feedback?  We had a pack of WR's the beginning of last year, hence why Waller converted to TE.  Reality, if Aiken was all that he claimed to be, he'd have won more time.  We have seen how that works here in Bmore.  If you perform well, yeah....  if not, bah bye. 

[TheRavengers]

Much as I liked Aiken and thought he did well in 2015 when we had no one else, there's still a reason for why he's now on his 5th team since 2011.

[budman]

31 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

On selecting an OT over a WR with the first pick: what use do you have of a good WR if the QB has no time throwing to him because the right tackle a swinging door?

Not buying the whole OT in first round Kiper  guess. Way to many playmakers to choose from in the first and 2nd. I truly think that if Mike Williams is there at 16, we pull the trigger despite our track record with WR's in the 1st round. From all accounts, this years talent with OT's is weak. We will draft one but MY guess is 4th round or later.

[budman]

3 minutes ago, TheRavengers said:

Much as I liked Aiken and thought he did well in 2015 when we had no one else, there's still a reason for why he's now on his 5th team since 2011.

True Dat

[budman]

56 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

As for Aiken and Juszczyk: time will tell if they were right or wrong. What I cannot help noticing however, is that while I cannot really remember defensive players leaving Baltimore then thropwing back darts, there were 3 offensive guys (these two plus KO last season) who don't really speak really fondly of the Baltimore offense... That less and less seems a coincidence...

I've long said, and I still think Harbaugh simply doesn't understand the NFL offense, and that's why he keeps appointing the wrong guys to command our O (with the sole exception of Kubiak), but knows too little to overrule their mistakes in offensive strategy, game planning and play calling. I fiormly believe that as long as Harbaugh is our HC, the only way we can have a good offense is by chance - because nobody who is responsible for it is good enough. I believe all the offensive success we've had since 2008 was not because of our coaching stuff, but in spite of it - out of the virtue of the players.

And that's why I think that no matter who we draft and acquire in free agency, we don't really have any real reason to hope for better a season that what we had - because the by far biggest cause of our offensive impotence: the incapable HC - has not been removed from the system. And until that happens, you can count on players leaving Baltimore to throw back shade like this...

Totally disagree. Our offensive success has to be credited at least in part to the coaches. The inmates do not run the asylum in Bmore. Players just cant say screw them, I'm doing it this way. Credit is rarely given where it is due. So I guess the coaches had nothing to do with winning the Superbowl in New Orleans, it was all Ray Lewis and the players.

Edited March 23 by budman

[hen826957]

Imo, I think Ozzie should find pieces of O-line the middle rounds and save a 1st round pick on a Wr/passrusher. Ozzie does find gems of O-line late such as Marshal Yanda and Rick Wagner was. I hope we could get either Mike Williams/Corey Davis or Barnett with our 1st round pick and then get a corner with our second.

[ByTheBay]

Is it me or does the tone of Aiken and Juice feel like night and day? Juice sounds more appreciative while Aiken sounds bitter and whiney. 

[RoamingRaven]

  38 minutes ago, david thomas said:

E David Thomas
agree with Aiken, he deserved more reps or at the very least constructive feedback on what needed improvement to get more play time. my sense is, my beloved Ravens just don['t have a good Reciever Game strategy/route trees/creative plays to take advantage of skills of WR's - they are to predictable and limited to keying on 1 or 2 WR's for any play (lacks flexibility) and simple progression reads that either go to #1 or #2 or very quickly to the dump-off outlet - come on guys, let's get it together for 2017.

I'm pretty sure he identified already that the Ravens were identifying things that he didn't do well or needed to work on. Seemed he just simply disagreed.

The problem with Aiken is that I don't see a particular set of skills that he brings to the table that differentiates himself from his peers, and I think the league knows that.

Aiken's skill set was being sure handed on 3rd down and moving the chains, which he did when he played.
His peers: Perriman- deep threat with no hands
Wallace- deep threat who occasionally had no hands
Ironically, his best shot for playing time would've come with this years Ravens since, with the departure of SSS, he would have had the surest hands on the team aside from getting one of the top 3 WR in the draft.

[hen826957]

Life in the NFL today. Whatever team pays me the most I'm leaving. Simple formula. Juice was way over paid but good for him. When he is released by the Niners as a cap casualty two years from now and 7 total wins later at least he was able to grab some extra cash.

It usually always does. I wish Juice could stayed but that what it is by having salary cap.

[ByTheBay]

3 minutes ago, RoamingRaven said:

Aiken's skill set was being sure handed on 3rd down and moving the chains, which he did when he played.
His peers: Perriman- deep threat with no hands
Wallace- deep threat who occasionally had no hands
Ironically, his best shot for playing time would've come with this years Ravens since, with the departure of SSS, he would have had the surest hands on the team aside from getting one of the top 3 WR in the draft.

I lack the time and desire to find supporting stats but for some reason I remember Aiken getting his looks in the beginning of last season but he kept dropping them so Joe lost trust in him. You can call me crazy, I won't hold it against you. 😀

[MadStorkSociety]

  27 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

  47 minutes ago, david thomas said:

E David Thomas
agree with Aiken, he deserved more reps or at the very least constructive feedback on what needed improvement to get more play time. my sense is, my beloved Ravens just don['t have a good Reciever Game strategy/route trees/creative plays to take advantage of skills of WR's - they are to predictable and limited to keying on 1 or 2 WR's for any play (lacks flexibility) and simple progression reads that either go to #1 or #2 or very quickly to the dump-off outlet - come on guys, let's get it together for 2017.

I'm pretty sure he identified already that the Ravens were identifying things that he didn't do well or needed to work on. Seemed he just simply disagreed.

The problem with Aiken is that I don't see a particular set of skills that he brings to the table that differentiates himself from his peers, and I think the league knows that.

Aiken's skill set was being sure handed on 3rd down and moving the chains, which he did when he played.
His peers: Perriman- deep threat with no hands
Wallace- deep threat who occasionally had no hands
Ironically, his best shot for playing time would've come with this years Ravens since, with the departure of SSS, he would have had the surest hands on the team aside from getting one of the top 3 WR in the draft.

Apparently, Aiken was not hearing that from management. So it seems Ozzie feels he could do better.

[poescrows]

  46 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

As for Aiken and Juszczyk: time will tell if they were right or wrong. What I cannot help noticing however, is that while I cannot really remember defensive players leaving Baltimore then thropwing back darts, there were 3 offensive guys (these two plus KO last season) who don't really speak really fondly of the Baltimore offense... That less and less seems a coincidence...

I've long said, and I still think Harbaugh simply doesn't understand the NFL offense, and that's why he keeps appointing the wrong guys to command our O (with the sole exception of Kubiak), but knows too little to overrule their mistakes in offensive strategy, game planning and play calling. I fiormly believe that as long as Harbaugh is our HC, the only way we can have a good offense is by chance - because nobody who is responsible for it is good enough. I believe all the offensive success we've had since 2008 was not because of our coaching stuff, but in spite of it - out of the virtue of the players.

And that's why I think that no matter who we draft and acquire in free agency, we don't really have any real reason to hope for better a season that what we had - because the by far biggest cause of our offensive impotence: the incapable HC - has not been removed from the system. And until that happens, you can count on players leaving Baltimore to throw back shade like this...

Totally disagree. Our offensive success has to be credited at least in part to the coaches. The inmates do not run the asylum in Bmore. Players just cant say screw them, I'm doing it this way. Credit is rarely where it is due. So I guess the coaches had nothing to do with winning the Superbowl in New Orleans, it was all Ray Lewis and the players.

well, to be fair, other than Kubiak, have we had any "offensive success" worth crediting to anyone?

[RoamingRaven]

Is it me or does the tone of Aiken and Juice feel like night and day? Juice sounds more appreciative while Aiken sounds bitter and whiney. 

They're complaining of 2 different situations...Juice's position was underutilized, Aiken's position was crowded and he could catch better than 2 of the 3 people ahead of him on the depth chart. Juice would sound bitter too if there were other FB's getting more playing time with Juice feeling as if he could contribute more than them.

Granted, Wallace and Perriman have other qualities that might have made them rank above Aiken such as better route running, more separation, more YAC, etc., but when your JOB is to CATCH THE BALL, it seems as if the Ravens valued the wrong attributes and maybe Aiken realized that.
You can't blame him for feeling the way he does.