[News] Eisenberg: Ravens Need More 'Diva' Than 'Good Soldier' In Their Receivers

[BR News]

As the front office looks to restock quarterback Joe Flacco’s targets, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to bring in a high-strung, trash-talking playmaker who demands the ball.

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[fusuymada]

There certainly are a number of holes on the offense, at least 4 I can count. Center, right tackle, fullback and #1 reciever. Where you are correct we need some swag at wide reciever, we also need some aggressiveness from our front office. We need to go get the players in the draft we want instead of the typical mentallity of we will sit still and see what falls to us and if it's not good enough we will trade back for more picks where the quality of player just keeps dropping. For every 6th round Tom Brady there are 50 Johnny Manziels, Vince Youngs and JaMarcus Russels. Go get a top ranked player. When we have picked early we have always done well. Let's stop this wide reciever merry go round of failure and jump up and grab a superstar. We need Ozzie to be as aggressive as the WR you propose we need.

[sami]

Its not the receivers job to "strut his stuff" or be a loud mouth, crying for the ball all the time. Its the coaches job and the QBs job to recognize the talent that's there. Aiken only had 12 yrds per catch cuz he was used mostly as a 3rd down option and the short over the middle throws don't get you much more. ( what was Pitta's YPC this year?) We underused a really good talent. He proved to be a reliable receiver and we just tossed him aside.

[balfan23]

Its not the receivers job to "strut his stuff" or be a loud mouth, crying for the ball all the time. Its the coaches job and the QBs job to recognize the talent that's there. Aiken only had 12 yrds per catch cuz he was used mostly as a 3rd down option and the short over the middle throws don't get you much more. ( what was Pitta's YPC this year?) We underused a really good talent. He proved to be a reliable receiver and we just tossed him aside.

Yeah the YPC is a pretty unfair evaluation of Aiken. I also agree that John's characterization of what we need at WR is a little off, but I do understand what he's driving at. Rather than a soft spoken talent, we need a guy with fire, passion and attitude - who just refuses to get beat, who will not back down against anybody. That's the kind of guy we had with Boldin and SSS. That is different than being a drama queen who wants to show up his QB and his team with in game theatrics. Problem is, I'm not sure where we're finding this guy.

[KidNme]

  29 minutes ago, sami said:

Its not the receivers job to "strut his stuff" or be a loud mouth, crying for the ball all the time. Its the coaches job and the QBs job to recognize the talent that's there. Aiken only had 12 yrds per catch cuz he was used mostly as a 3rd down option and the short over the middle throws don't get you much more. ( what was Pitta's YPC this year?) We underused a really good talent. He proved to be a reliable receiver and we just tossed him aside.

Yeah the YPC is a pretty unfair evaluation of Aiken. I also agree that John's characterization of what we need at WR is a little off, but I do understand what he's driving at. Rather than a soft spoken talent, we need a guy with fire, passion and attitude - who just refuses to get beat, who will not back down against anybody. That's the kind of guy we had with Boldin and SSS. That is different than being a drama queen who wants to show up his QB and his team with in game theatrics. Problem is, I'm not sure where we're finding this guy.

Was going to post a similar sentiment but you nailed it balfan23.
I think Perriman will come into his own too. With being essentially a rookie with very little playing time, hard to strut your stuff until you have the confidence to do so. We need to put him in the fire now and use him as a #1 or #2 WR. I think he can handle it.

[TheConquerorWorm]

Its not the receivers job to "strut his stuff" or be a loud mouth, crying for the ball all the time. Its the coaches job and the QBs job to recognize the talent that's there. Aiken only had 12 yrds per catch cuz he was used mostly as a 3rd down option and the short over the middle throws don't get you much more. ( what was Pitta's YPC this year?) We underused a really good talent. He proved to be a reliable receiver and we just tossed him aside.

Maybe with the YPC but there's no denying the other stats. Only caught 29 of 50 targets (58% catch rate) and dropped 4% of those. By comparison, Pitta caught 86 of 121 for a 71.1% catch rate with only 2 drops (1.7%).

Most people point to the Antonio Brown stretch for TD play that kept us out of the play-offs, but the Aiken drop, ball hit him in the numbers, that would have won the game against the Raiders is a big one too. After that play, he was pushed to the bench and special teams. Winners make the clutch plays to win games. Aiken is an average WR in the league and won't crack Indy's starting WR corps either.

We still need a WR coach not named Engram.....Get us a WR coach with a resume like Pit & NE have. There is a reason that Antonio Brown & Julian Edelman went from sucking their first few years to being the best in the league.

[mendii]

Been saying this since the season ended, but I think the same is true for any position and not exclusive to WRs. Whoever we pick up rd. 1 needs to play with swagger and make his presence known every time he steps on the field. I don't care where he plays, but I want a guy with home run potential and a bark that matches his bite. I'm not asking for a team full of those guys, but we don't have a single young player (Tavon has it a little) with that kind of mindset, and I think we need it.

[reed20]

22 minutes ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Maybe with the YPC but there's no denying the other stats. Only caught 29 of 50 targets (58% catch rate) and dropped 4% of those. By comparison, Pitta caught 86 of 121 for a 71.1% catch rate with only 2 drops (1.7%).

Most people point to the Antonio Brown stretch for TD play that kept us out of the play-offs, but the Aiken drop, ball hit him in the numbers, that would have won the game against the Raiders is a big one too. After that play, he was pushed to the bench and special teams. Winners make the clutch plays to win games. Aiken is an average WR in the league and won't crack Indy's starting WR corps either.

We still need a WR coach not named Engram.....Get us a WR coach with a resume like Pit & NE have. There is a reason that Antonio Brown & Julian Edelman went from sucking their first few years to being the best in the league.

Antonio Brown never sucked he just didn't start right away.

[eze17]

Considering Ozzzie"s past WR draft picks, I'm hopeful we will find a competent veteran WR, if not immediately, then maybe when the June 1st cuts happen. Patience. No need to rush things right now, let's see who we get in the draft, and work from there. My real hope is that Perriman comes into his own. He showed some good moves last year, maybe, just maybe Ozzie finally found a solid WR...

[poescrows]

Sorry, but I personally don't want a WR diva. I don't think all that jawing and crazy celebration antics do a team any good.........remember Chad and TO? SSS took it just far enough for my liking.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Me myself personally in all three regards like when a WR does his thing after a big catch or TD! When Jacoby Jones danced in the endzone after scoring those two TDs in the Super Bowl can anyone say they weren't just as happy?! Triple " S " backed it up week after week and got his respect from players on the opposite team! Jernigan is our dancer now on Defense and he is doing his thing also so Diva or Soldier catch the rock make a good play and do your thing! They work hard so they can play hard as well! And these players that just love the game are not getting in trouble on or off the field! Well maybe on the field a Lil bit Lol!

[Chuckx999]

WE all wanted to keep Jacob Jones, he didn't play much but could light up the stands, ask the folks in Denver. We all know that Ozzie can't pick WRs and I don't think Harbs want anyone who does stay passive, like thats a good thing or something. We need the emotion that Ray Lewis gave to the NFL. But I still miss Johnny U. and 33rd Street.

[billiejean]

How does this guy still have a job writing editorials for this website? I am sure John is a good guy. But editorializing, about the Ravens at least, is just not Johns cup of tea. I don't think he is a bad writer. I have actually read one of his books and thought it was very well written. But these pieces are just so cringe worthy. His ideas and descriptions almost come across as childish. They always seem to be fanciful and don't impart any legitimate insight into the topic he is discussing. There is a clear lack of creativity. And whats worse is that I think, he believes that he is being innovative or thinking outside of the box (like describing an editorial cartoon at length). And for me at least that's the part that makes me cringe. Its sort of like second hand embarrassment.

[buckshotz]

I still feel the QB should be the one to elevate the receivers and not the other way around. If Flacco is supposed to be elite then this should apply to him. He's been average at best and hasn't lived up to his contract at all.

But I'm hoping the Ravens get a big bodied WR like Mike Williams to go with Wallace and Perriman. Drafting Ross won't help them in the red zone where there is less room to operate and speed won't be as huge a factor.

[billiejean]

There certainly are a number of holes on the offense, at least 4 I can count. Center, right tackle, fullback and #1 reciever. Where you are correct we need some swag at wide reciever, we also need some aggressiveness from our front office. We need to go get the players in the draft we want instead of the typical mentallity of we will sit still and see what falls to us and if it's not good enough we will trade back for more picks where the quality of player just keeps dropping. For every 6th round Tom Brady there are 50 Johnny Manziels, Vince Youngs and JaMarcus Russels. Go get a top ranked player. When we have picked early we have always done well. Let's stop this wide reciever merry go round of failure and jump up and grab a superstar. We need Ozzie to be as aggressive as the WR you propose we need.

fusuymada the players that you want the Ravens to draft are not always the players that the Ravens want to draft. Moving up a few spot is not a guarantee to hitting a home run. Its a ridiculous proposition that I hear a lot. Why don't we just trade are 4 5 and 6 picks to jump up. Well you don't because it may not be necessary. The guy you wanted is falling down the board. You can't assume that a trade up is going to automatically pay dividends. ART BROWN.

[cmajic]

I don't think a diva receiver is the fix we need. i just think we need a good guy that has talent. I dont think that Anquan Boldin was much of a diva. He was a beast. He elevated our team in really clutch situations. Especially in our 2012 run. We just need a no nonsense possession receiver. Like a Doug Baldwin type of guy. He would be a good fit for us. Its too bad he is still under contract.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I honestly don't give a bleep about diva or good soldier I just want a guy who can catch the ball when it's thrown to him and can make plays at any time when needed and has a good head on his shoulders not making stupid decisions on or off the field. Our WR core has a lot of questions to it going into this year. Wallace is really the only one I trust right now Perriman needs to stay healthy another year and catch some balls and after those 2 guys who is there?

Edited March 25 by ALSKAN RAVEN FAN

[poescrows]

3 hours ago, Purple Dawg 96 said:

Me myself personally in all three regards like when a WR does his thing after a big catch or TD! When Jacoby Jones danced in the endzone after scoring those two TDs in the Super Bowl can anyone say they weren't just as happy?! Triple " S " backed it up week after week and got his respect from players on the opposite team! Jernigan is our dancer now on Defense and he is doing his thing also so Diva or Soldier catch the rock make a good play and do your thing! They work hard so they can play hard as well! And these players that just love the game are not getting in trouble on or off the field! Well maybe on the field a Lil bit Lol!

I don't have a problem with some celebrations, but carrying a sharpie in your sock, jumping into a giant Salvation Army kettle, etc. is stupid. 

[rossihunter2]

3 hours ago, poescrows said:

I don't have a problem with some celebrations, but carrying a sharpie in your sock, jumping into a giant Salvation Army kettle, etc. is stupid. 

the only reason they do that stupid stuff though is because they no longer can ten-pin bowl or anything like that with their team mates

[playlikeawhat]

Look at Ravens writers pretend one's production at receiver is chiefly driven by one's personality. No wonder we're allergic to catchers with talent (if the F.O. thinks the same way).

Edited March 26 by playlikeawhat

[ellicottraven]

Aiken was a classy guy and a team player and for some reason that isn't good enough? Talk to John Harbaugh about his dog pound first and then come back and re-write this article!

[The Beak]

I would take a team full of Aikens (soldiers) before I would take 1 T Owens (Divas)

[sizzlingdoom]

I would take a team full of Aikens (soldiers) before I would take 1 T Owens (Divas)

I'd rather win with the Owens and deal with the baggage, than lose with the honorable Aikens

[sizzlingdoom]

Aiken was a classy guy and a team player and for some reason that isn't good enough? Talk to John Harbaugh about his dog pound first and then come back and re-write this article!

His skill is what wasn't good enough

[sizzlingdoom]

Its not the receivers job to "strut his stuff" or be a loud mouth, crying for the ball all the time. Its the coaches job and the QBs job to recognize the talent that's there. Aiken only had 12 yrds per catch cuz he was used mostly as a 3rd down option and the short over the middle throws don't get you much more. ( what was Pitta's YPC this year?) We underused a really good talent. He proved to be a reliable receiver and we just tossed him aside.

He's an average wr at the Very Very best. And an awful special teamer. That combination = no use for our team
Now he'll go be the # 3 with Luck chucking the ball a bunch. He'll probably even move into the number 2 role for a lot of the season considering how fragile Moncrief and TY are. So, in that situation, I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up 75 receptions, for 1,100 yards, and 7 tds. While hurting them on ST at the same time.
It's a win win for all 3 parties involved

[sizzlingdoom]

Playmakers. We want playmakers. Who cares if you're a "diva" or not

[sizzlingdoom]

  14 hours ago, Purple Dawg 96 said:

Me myself personally in all three regards like when a WR does his thing after a big catch or TD! When Jacoby Jones danced in the endzone after scoring those two TDs in the Super Bowl can anyone say they weren't just as happy?! Triple " S " backed it up week after week and got his respect from players on the opposite team! Jernigan is our dancer now on Defense and he is doing his thing also so Diva or Soldier catch the rock make a good play and do your thing! They work hard so they can play hard as well! And these players that just love the game are not getting in trouble on or off the field! Well maybe on the field a Lil bit Lol!

I don't have a problem with some celebrations, but carrying a sharpie in your sock, jumping into a giant Salvation Army kettle, etc. is stupid. 

Stupid, but if they make plays to carry us to victory, who cares?

[rossihunter2]

2 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Stupid, but if they make plays to carry us to victory, who cares?

Yeah - it takes something special to be so confident you're gonna get in the end zone that you prepare that sharpie - I'd be fine with our players doing that (before it became a flaggable offence) if it meant more points

[sizzlingdoom]

  3 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Stupid, but if they make plays to carry us to victory, who cares?

Yeah - it takes something special to be so confident you're gonna get in the end zone that you prepare that sharpie - I'd be fine with our players doing that (before it became a flaggable offence) if it meant more points

right? same here

[rossihunter2]

29 minutes ago, sizzlingdoom said:

right? same here

I prefer stuff like that and proper celebrations to the weird solo dance stuff - I know that if I scored a td I'd be sprinting off into a lap of honour and maybe into the crowd - I'd take it as insulting if I wasn't flagged for excessive celebration