[News] What's Up With Not Drafting Any Offensive Players? Ozzie Newsome Answers

[bioLarzen]

Since it's wiser not to count on day 3 rookies making significant impact in their rookie seasons, I wonder if, after an all-defense first two days of the draft it is time to start the Boldin/Mangold to Baltimore bandwagons.

... and that would still leave the vacancy at the RT position unaddressed... But at least the late-free agency priorities are now clear: offense, offense and once again, offense...

Plus a true ILB when one becomes available...

[bioLarzen]

Joe Flacco will just have to play up to his contract. I see Carl Lawson,Desmond king or Corn Elder as Raven on day 3. My pick CORN ELDER !CORN ELDER!

I'm not trying to defend Flacco's 2016 season - he was plain bad, let's face it - but it's kinbda hard to play up to your contract when most of the time you're running for your life because the O-line cannot protect you well. And right now our O-line is in shambles...

[bioLarzen]

  7 hours ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

Don't worry about it Ryan, just don't worry about it. We needed to address our defense OK. This is Ravens town, AKA defense. Just let the big boys handle business.

Good job Ozzie, and evrybyelse who had to do with us getting these phenomenal picks. Step one... address this defense. Next year we will add more to our offense.

you know if harbs don't make the playoffs there is no next year for him right I'm happy with our picks except Chris Wormley Ive seen him play a lot and he lacks production and takes plays off so IMO this was a reach

I don't think Harbaugh feels such a pressure - even if he was fired from Baltimore, he'd have a new HC gig in a day. Even with his rather pedestrian last 3 seasons, his overall track record is still rather impressive.

[outkast1]

5. Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State — Johnson has great length at 6-7, 298 pounds and has the frame teams want in a prototypical tackle. He needs to bend better and play with more balance, but if he can shore up his fundamentals, Johnson can be one team's blindside blocker for years to come.

6. Desmond King, CB, Iowa — King was the 2015 Thorpe Award winner and had 14 career interceptions as a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes. He’s a 5-10, 206-pound DB with very good ball skills. He could be on an island outside or play nickel in the slot, which would be his ideal fit. While he does have excellent ball skills and good vision, he is tight in the hips, which is why moving him inside would be the right move for whichever team were pick him in the second round.

7. Carl Lawson, DE/OLB Auburn — It's kind of a shock Lawson is still available. The 6-2, 261-pound pass rusher was a first-team All-SEC selection with 14 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks last season. Lawson was bothered by injuries while at Auburn and received a medical redshirt in 2014 because of a torn ACL. He then had a hip injury in 2015. If he can stay healthy, the talent is there with an aggressive player who has natural power and explosive burst off the snap.

[BigUgly]

7 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

Since it's wiser not to count on day 3 rookies making significant impact in their rookie seasons, I wonder if, after an all-defense first two days of the draft it is time to start the Boldin/Mangold to Baltimore bandwagons.

... and that would still leave the vacancy at the RT position unaddressed... But at least the late-free agency priorities are now clear: offense, offense and once again, offense...

Plus a true ILB when one becomes available...

After the way in which we unceremoniously dumped him, why would Boldin want to finish out his career here?

[ByTheBay]

6 hours ago, 20306cab said:

This offense will be offensive. The worst the Ravens have ever had for sure. Quite possibly NFL bottom 10 of all time. Acquiring Boldin and Mangold will make it even worse. Hopefully Ozzie isn't THAT dumb.

Wow is this your first offseason? This is what typically happens every year. Relax. Ozzie makes his picks, fans complain and think they know anything about how to build a team, teams make cuts, Ozzie fills the holes in FA. Pretty standard stuff here people. 

[20306cab]

5 hours ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Yeah, they might even choke as bad as your Squealers.....(Brown & Bell = ZERO SB)

Believe me, the Ravens won't have a chance to choke. There is not ONE skill position player the Steelers would even consider on this pathetic Ravens offense.  Or the Bengals for that matter.  Or probably even the Browns.

[mendii]

You could definitely tell that every pick leading up to the Ravens selection in the 3rd was just completely decimating the Ravens offensive board. When Tennessee drafted up to take the Western Kentucky receiver right in front of us, I know the Ravens had him circled for sure. But that 2nd round... we pass on JuJu and then he goes to Pittsburgh of all places... that one stung.

[ByTheBay]

2 hours ago, Ravenslifer said:

So last year we were the 22nd ranked offense and 6th ranked defense in terms of PPG, and we spend all the picks on the defense - makes sense.

I believe we set a record for the amount of games won or lost by 7 or less points over the past 2 years. I guess I am the only one who watched the Ravens fail to hold the lead in most of those games. Not fail to gain the lead. With this defense that problem is fixed. I just don't see the offensive needs as drastically as some fans. One of the OL holes will be filled in house. Possibly Jenson the road grader at LG and kick Alex to RT. Cut Watson and Arrington and sign Mangold. The WR core is not as bad as fans make it out to be. Wallace is ready to step up into the 1 role and Perriman should at least be given the chance to play opposite him. Campanero in the slot. Moore as 4. I may be overly optimistic but you have to play the guys you draft at some point.

[NCGuy]

I guess I can't say what hasn't already been said many times. I'm extremely disappointed in drafting all defense. Sometimes taking the BPA does not work. You have to fill some obvious holes in our weak, inefficient offense. Whether you agree or not, just sit back and watch the season unfold. You'll see. Also we only have so many roster spots. Drafting all these defensive guys has to mean others will be cut. It's simply a numbers game. Remember as the season trudges on, where, oh where is our offense? Just wait.

[Raven in ATL]

Ozzie is just getting played, no trade partners to move up to get the guy we want?

[BigUgly]

7 minutes ago, Raven in ATL said:

Ozzie is just getting played, no trade partners to move up to get the guy we want?

None that made what Ozzie considered a fair offer.  We aren't the Bears (aka the new-Browns).

[RaRaRavens]

5 hours ago, mc_red23 said:

You can't use Edelman as the norm when he's very clearly the exception.

 

I don't see it as a failed draft by any means, we've picked up some very good players.

Not failed draft in the long term. I just don't see current draft helping us get much better results. Because as much as our D has improved, our O has gotten worse. I see us averaging maybe 12-14p per game at the moment, tops.

[Crusader]

Joe's going to have to invest some of that money into long term medical coverage. Just like last year our defense got wore down and Ravens will lose many of their games in the fourth QTR. In current state.

[Crusader]

  On Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:02 AM, BiggMack91 said:

  On Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 0:46 AM, Ravensfansince03 said:

Don't worry about it Ryan, just don't worry about it. We needed to address our defense OK. This is Ravens town, AKA defense. Just let the big boys handle business.

Good job Ozzie, and evrybyelse who had to do with us getting these phenomenal picks. Step one... address this defense. Next year we will add more to our offense.

you know if harbs don't make the playoffs there is no next year for him right I'm happy with our picks except Chris Wormley Ive seen him play a lot and he lacks production and takes plays off so IMO this was a reach

I don't think Harbaugh feels such a pressure - even if he was fired from Baltimore, he'd have a new HC gig in a day. Even with his rather pedestrian last 3 seasons, his overall track record is still rather impressive.

I would not bet on John getting a head job in the NFL. He'll have to go back to college. John done nothing since Ed and Ray left but fire coaches and Kubiak proved the players were not the problem. The failed draft picks also signed part of John's fate. I don't see John going anywhere. The wheels would have to completely come off. Joe on the other hand is going to get beat up in more ways than one. Right or wrong.

[The Mom Gene]

*People are having coronaries". 

Relax folks.  There are still a lot of offensive guys out there that are Great Players.  Not only that. I don't believe we are done on the veteran scale.  I still believe that Ozzie and Co. bring in some players in the next week or so.  There are teams that are going to release players.  Players that are out there in Free Agency, and we have seen this more lately,  that have not signed because they wanted to wait until after the draft.  They want to see where they are needed and wanted.

 

 

[sticks999]

I don't see our offensive situation as bleak as many think. That being said, I would have liked to see a top notch OL picked. If we had that, I would be alright. I wanted Mike Williams, but we weren't getting him unless we traded up.

[law215]

I think Steelers took JuJu to prevent Ravens getting. There no way they need another receiver. After Cooper was gone, all the other receivers would not have been a top 3 guy on our roster anyway.

The pick I question was Wormley. May have been better to grab a OT or C there, but I think he will be a good player. However, you have to think someone on the roster now will be cut

[Raven in ATL]

I think Steelers took JuJu to prevent Ravens getting. There no way they need another receiver. After Cooper was gone, all the other receivers would not have been a top 3 guy on our roster anyway.

The pick I question was Wormley. May have been better to grab a OT or C there, but I think he will be a good player. However, you have to think someone on the roster now will be cut

Bryant is 1 strike away from getting the Josh Gordon treatment program, taking JuJu was smart for the steelers. Coates wasnt very impressive at all last year for them either.

[bigcatfrank1]

Ozzie is just getting played, no trade partners to move up to get the guy we want?

Oz doesn't get played, however the draft is a competition just like organizations and game time. Other teams, especially within our division and conference are often looking at how picks will effect every aspect. Certainly one of them is directed at player selection.

[bigcatfrank1]

You could definitely tell that every pick leading up to the Ravens selection in the 3rd was just completely decimating the Ravens offensive board. When Tennessee drafted up to take the Western Kentucky receiver right in front of us, I know the Ravens had him circled for sure. But that 2nd round... we pass on JuJu and then he goes to Pittsburgh of all places... that one stung.

Yes it kind of did, but every player has to prove himself on the field. Ju Ju may have been on our (the ravens) board, of course he was, however just like Ty he will have to prove that he was the best player that the "team" could select at 48 no matter who they were up against.

The Ravens may have solidified a record breaking defense from this draft, may have not, only time will tell. However, 4 solid picks at positions where each depth line is barely 1 player deep ( again at pro bowl level, ie Suggs) and has retirement, injury prone or contract issue as starters is an imminent need to build a championship. Ozzie knows that, here again is why the Ravens are faced with tremendous 3 year decisions with practically most of their starters.

We have a tendency to look at who we missed or why players are leaving or getting huge contracts from the "what we are losing" side of things instead of the -what teams are gaining side. So yes, It can sting, the only way to combat that is to get (our) the selected player no matter what draft # he maybe to become a phenom and "play like a Raven"!

[OUravensfan]

If the defensive picks pan out to a top 3 unit then I'm fine, but it's very annoying to see more weapons added to Dalton's arsenal while their fans complain he has no weapons, then when his weapons start producing for him all the analysts will rank dalton ahead of Flacco. Tired of this joke 

[bigcatfrank1]

I think Steelers took JuJu to prevent Ravens getting. There no way they need another receiver. After Cooper was gone, all the other receivers would not have been a top 3 guy on our roster anyway.

The pick I question was Wormley. May have been better to grab a OT or C there, but I think he will be a good player. However, you have to think someone on the roster now will be cut

Wow, already thinking whoof cutting players? There are so many things that can happen from now until start of the season. Its a long Camp and Pre-season.

Sure the current roster is a factor ( a very small one usually except for the QB position and maybe Kicker), however the Ravens do not have "irreplacable" or Super bowl experienced players at every Defensive position. No way, in my opinion, at this point should draft choices be decided by the current roster. Players have to be chosen by who is on the board and which player can become Champions for the Ravens.

Sure its tough, and of course to look back and change scenarios, we could do that all day and night.

My question to you is, if you are right there in the pick do you move over top 5- 10 or even 3 players (especially if rounds) on your selection board to take a player just because you are afraid that other "current roster" players may not make the team ?

[OUravensfan]

3 hours ago, whobilly said:

You forgot to mention the TD Pass that was DROPPED by Lee Evans in the first AFC Title Game against the Pats when we likely would have gone on to beat the Giants. FYI, that was Flacco who carried the Ravens through the Playoffs and to a Super Bowl VICTORY.

Yea for real, but let's all just forget the offensive playmakers Ben, Brady and Ryan have been surrounded by, pretty stupid to blame one player when shortcomings can easily be explained by contrasting the surrounding cast to these other QBs.

[JamesA119]

The organization is doing the best it can. Best Player Available! Reaching for an offensive player or any player for that matter is not a good idea. Guess what these same fans will complain about it. This and that weapon for Flacco should not be the driving force unless that weapon is the BPA.
The only thing I worry about which at this point is hard for the organization to avoid is having to let go of some talented defensive players to cut the team down to 53 because we're over loaded on defense.
We definitely need a veteran center if we are to be competitive next year. Rookies seldom make great centers. If Mangold is healthy, I'd try to sign him and hope we pick up a rookie center in the draft and develop him. That leaves a void at RT. If Alex Lewis moves to RT then we need a LG. Both LG or RT can be filled by signing veteran players that are going to be released after the draft.
As far as the WR position the team might be more optimistic than we fans are.

After all Chris Moore was a monster at Cincinatti before we drafted him last year. If hypothetically he stayed in college one more year, and was playing for Alabama, he'd be at worse a second round WR this year. So all is not bad. We can still find a veteran WR after the draft that can move chains. The offensive philosophy and how we execute have to be the focus. It doesn't matter what players you have if you can't execute.

[ravecapn]

I am LOVING this draft! Ravens getting back to smash-mouth football. Beefing up the defense and the trenches!

[Crusader]

Hey we have another Siragusa. Got a love that.

[woolly61]

Ozzie is just getting played, no trade partners to move up to get the guy we want?

Yes, poor Ozzie being taken advantage of; he really ought to learn from the experts on the message board. No question he should have overpaid to move up a spot or three to make a selection that would satisfy the fans who "scout" players from their living room by reading or watching what the mock drafters opine.When will Ozzie ever learn?!

[woolly61]

I am LOVING this draft! Ravens getting back to smash-mouth football. Beefing up the defense and the trenches!

I like it as well. Shore up the defense to dominate and protect late-game leads. Don't reach for offensive players just to fill a need. I hope these two offensive linemen turn out to be productive, but like all draftees we'll have to wait and see until they actually play NFL competition. I'd like to see some players from the 2016 draft make real contributions this year -- Correa, Kaufusi, Judon, Moore. I'm hoping for good health from the TE position (and no more suspensions) in what was once considered one of the team's strengths. I'm hoping for consistent production from 2015 draftees Perriman, Williams, Davis, Smith, and Boyle. I would love to see Campanaro stay healthy for a full season to see what he could produce; he has provided flashes of excitement. And I would love to see a role develop for last year's project, of whom I might be in the considerable minority when I think he could produce excitement and big plays -- Keenan Reynolds.

It's all gotta happen on the field. The players have to play. The coaches have to coach 'em up for sure, but it's still up to the players to produce and fulfill their promise.

[billiejean]

  10 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

  11 hours ago, BiggMack91 said:

  18 hours ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

Don't worry about it Ryan, just don't worry about it. We needed to address our defense OK. This is Ravens town, AKA defense. Just let the big boys handle business.

Good job Ozzie, and evrybyelse who had to do with us getting these phenomenal picks. Step one... address this defense. Next year we will add more to our offense.

you know if harbs don't make the playoffs there is no next year for him right I'm happy with our picks except Chris Wormley Ive seen him play a lot and he lacks production and takes plays off so IMO this was a reach

I don't think Harbaugh feels such a pressure - even if he was fired from Baltimore, he'd have a new HC gig in a day. Even with his rather pedestrian last 3 seasons, his overall track record is still rather impressive.

I would not bet on John getting a head job in the NFL. He'll have to go back to college. John done nothing since Ed and Ray left but fire coaches and Kubiak proved the players were not the problem. The failed draft picks also signed part of John's fate. I don't see John going anywhere. The wheels would have to completely come off. Joe on the other hand is going to get beat up in more ways than one. Right or wrong.

You do realize that your inability to be objective puts a lot of your comments in the irrational zone. You are so eager to hate everything the Ravens coaches and FO do, that you are unable to realistically view them the way that the rest of the league does. And of course there are guys on the other side of the objectivity spectrum too. They are the "purple koolaid" guys, but because you are sooo far on the other side of the spectrum, you label the people who make rational and objective comments as homers. Some of the things you say are just not based in any type of reality. Rex Ryan got a head coaching job right after the Jets let him go. And his time with the Jets was far less impressive than Johns. Andy Reed is in the same boat. John has made it to the playoffs a higher percentage of the time than Reed did in Philly. He has won a Superbowl, and has won the same amount of playoff games in 9 years, than Reed did in 14 years with the Eagles. And there are countless other examples of coaches having far less success than John, that have become a head coach for another team the season after they have gotten fired from another team. It is completely fair to talk about moving on from Jim and other guys in the FO if we dont have a good season. It is completely relevant and rational discussion to have. But to think that their wont be any teams that will be in line for JHs services as a head coach just isn't based in reality. But on top of that you are saying that he will have to go back down to the college level to get a job and thats crazy. And on top of that when you wrote this we were only 3 rounds into the draft with more than 3 months till the first game starts and you think we should throw in the towel already because Joe is going to get "beat up" because we didnt draft an OL in the first 3 rounds. You are wrong in this case the vast majority of the time because of your bias. And than every so often you say something really interesting and insightful that makes a lot of sense only to fall off the rails again.