[News] Ravens Not Done Adding Players To Address Remaining Needs

[BR News]

Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome could still look to the free-agent market to bring in the ‘complementary receiver’ he covets.

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[Raven in ATL]

i dont have much confidence in the WR coach Engram to bring these young receivers up to NFL speed. perhaps this is the year the FO realizes Engram doesnt bring much to the coaching table. sure its easy to blame the WRs, but i see far less talented players on other teams producing. seems like the other teams just have a better position coach imo

[Bob21043]

I would think center is a big need right now too -

[fusuymada]

Lets go out and grab some WR's after teams cut down to 53 like we did with TJ Whosyourmama and Lee Evans, oh, thats right, one cost us a shot at a championship game and the other cost us a shot at a super bowl. Yep, not addressing your needs in free agency or the draft means you get someone that no one else wanted (and they are not wanted for a reason). But, that seems to be our MO here recently, take people no one else wants, draft poorly and expect a super bowl. Such a strategy leads to missing the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. Too funny...

[designermaryland]

i dont have much confidence in the WR coach Engram to bring these young receivers up to NFL speed. perhaps this is the year the FO realizes Engram doesnt bring much to the coaching table. sure its easy to blame the WRs, but i see far less talented players on other teams producing. seems like the other teams just have a better position coach imo

It is not just the WR coach. And i dont think Engram has been head WR coach for very long, maybe since Kubiak left. I see almost no player improvement with any skill players developing under Harbaugh. They arrive and very few get better. Maybe that comes down to personal commitment, ala Jerry Rice with players being completely immersed and obsessed with becoming the best themselves. You could say Ray Rice, B Williams have improved. Everyone else arrives with some level of talent, and it does not seem to grow. I think that is a big contributor to the lack of success recently.

[designermaryland]

Lets go out and grab some WR's after teams cut down to 53 like we did with TJ Whosyourmama and Lee Evans, oh, thats right, one cost us a shot at a championship game and the other cost us a shot at a super bowl. Yep, not addressing your needs in free agency or the draft means you get someone that no one else wanted (and they are not wanted for a reason). But, that seems to be our MO here recently, take people no one else wants, draft poorly and expect a super bowl. Such a strategy leads to missing the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. Too funny...

Honestly, it might be the only option because they clearly cant draft any WR's. Ozzie's best hope is that someone else develops the talent, and he can get lucky and pick them up on the tail end to steal a few seasons of production to mask his lack of player evaluation success.

[objective view]

Yes wide receiver is a real concern BUT I do not believe that we have the O-Line solved yet. Yes we drafted 2 pieces but they were not top of the draft picks so it's questionable if either will be able to come close to starting and neither is a center. I do not think that either Urschel or Jensen can handle the starting center roll ..... Help Needed!

[chinonsoude]

  1 hour ago, Raven in ATL said:

i dont have much confidence in the WR coach Engram to bring these young receivers up to NFL speed. perhaps this is the year the FO realizes Engram doesnt bring much to the coaching table. sure its easy to blame the WRs, but i see far less talented players on other teams producing. seems like the other teams just have a better position coach imo

It is not just the WR coach. And i dont think Engram has been head WR coach for very long, maybe since Kubiak left. I see almost no player improvement with any skill players developing under Harbaugh. They arrive and very few get better. Maybe that comes down to personal commitment, ala Jerry Rice with players being completely immersed and obsessed with becoming the best themselves. You could say Ray Rice, B Williams have improved. Everyone else arrives with some level of talent, and it does not seem to grow. I think that is a big contributor to the lack of success recently.

agreed

[eze17]

Yes wide receiver is a real concern BUT I do not believe that we have the O-Line solved yet. Yes we drafted 2 pieces but they were not top of the draft picks so it's questionable if either will be able to come close to starting and neither is a center. I do not think that either Urschel or Jensen can handle the starting center roll ..... Help Needed!

Nico Siragusa is starter material...Dude is a beast, who played every game that he was eligible in college. Look at his stats(or game film), he is not only a piledriver, but extremely durable to boot. I could easily see him starting at LG, and moving Alex Lewis to RT.(remember, Lewis played tackle in college, so not such a big transition for him.) As far as center, I wonder that Mangold and the Raven's don't have a handshake deal that he signs after June 1st. We'll have to wait and see...

[Crusader]

Its not what you know, it's who you know.

[RavensFanMania]

20 minutes ago, eze17 said:

Nico Siragusa is starter material...Dude is a beast, who played every game that he was eligible in college. Look at his stats(or game film), he is not only a piledriver, but extremely durable to boot. I could easily see him starting at LG, and moving Alex Lewis to RT.(remember, Lewis played tackle in college, so not such a big transition for him.) As far as center, I wonder that Mangold and the Raven's don't have a handshake deal that he signs after June 1st. We'll have to wait and see...

Siragusa could also play some center, but I do see him at LG and moving Lewis out to RT, his more natural position. 

[JD08]

  46 minutes ago, objective view said:

Yes wide receiver is a real concern BUT I do not believe that we have the O-Line solved yet. Yes we drafted 2 pieces but they were not top of the draft picks so it's questionable if either will be able to come close to starting and neither is a center. I do not think that either Urschel or Jensen can handle the starting center roll ..... Help Needed!

Nico Siragusa is starter material...Dude is a beast, who played every game that he was eligible in college. Look at his stats(or game film), he is not only a piledriver, but extremely durable to boot. I could easily see him starting at LG, and moving Alex Lewis to RT.(remember, Lewis played tackle in college, so not such a big transition for him.) As far as center, I wonder that Mangold and the Raven's don't have a handshake deal that he signs after June 1st. We'll have to wait and see...

I agree, we now should address the C, ILB, and WR....they did sign some undrafted rookies though, maybe they can become gems

[merryjman]

I have June 12 as the date that Campanaro goes on year-long injured reserve. Any one want to take the over/under?

[sami]

Campanaro will make it thru the whole year this time around. I have faith in our new strength coach.

[Raven in ATL]

Its not what you know, it's who you know.

its not who you know, its HOW you know them.

[davy_861]

A for the draft but rb is now an overlooked position in the NFL. Our backs are mediocre. Why no move on AP? Saints are gonna be very dangerous if he is healthy.

[objective view]

  1 hour ago, objective view said:

Yes wide receiver is a real concern BUT I do not believe that we have the O-Line solved yet. Yes we drafted 2 pieces but they were not top of the draft picks so it's questionable if either will be able to come close to starting and neither is a center. I do not think that either Urschel or Jensen can handle the starting center roll ..... Help Needed!

Nico Siragusa is starter material...Dude is a beast, who played every game that he was eligible in college. Look at his stats(or game film), he is not only a piledriver, but extremely durable to boot. I could easily see him starting at LG, and moving Alex Lewis to RT.(remember, Lewis played tackle in college, so not such a big transition for him.) As far as center, I wonder that Mangold and the Raven's don't have a handshake deal that he signs after June 1st. We'll have to wait and see...

Hope you are right but I do not have much confidence in him to start. Here is the NFL weakness report on him, pay particular attention to the comment pertainng to his reach ability on Middle LBR's...

"Labors coming out of stance. Tends to pop upright and is delayed in his lateral movements.

Reach blocks and cut-off blocks on middle linebackers are mission impossible.

Hands are a little slow with inconsistent placement. Impatient with punch and will get caught lunging. Has to work to keep weight balanced in pass sets. Unable to punch and mirror, allowing active rushers a pathway to his edge."

[TheConquerorWorm]

  1 hour ago, eze17 said:

  1 hour ago, objective view said:

Yes wide receiver is a real concern BUT I do not believe that we have the O-Line solved yet. Yes we drafted 2 pieces but they were not top of the draft picks so it's questionable if either will be able to come close to starting and neither is a center. I do not think that either Urschel or Jensen can handle the starting center roll ..... Help Needed!

Nico Siragusa is starter material...Dude is a beast, who played every game that he was eligible in college. Look at his stats(or game film), he is not only a piledriver, but extremely durable to boot. I could easily see him starting at LG, and moving Alex Lewis to RT.(remember, Lewis played tackle in college, so not such a big transition for him.) As far as center, I wonder that Mangold and the Raven's don't have a handshake deal that he signs after June 1st. We'll have to wait and see...

Hope you are right but I do not have much confidence in him to start. Here is the NFL weakness report on him, pay particular attention to the comment pertainng to his reach ability on Middle LBR's...

"Labors coming out of stance. Tends to pop upright and is delayed in his lateral movements.

Reach blocks and cut-off blocks on middle linebackers are mission impossible.

Hands are a little slow with inconsistent placement. Impatient with punch and will get caught lunging. Has to work to keep weight balanced in pass sets. Unable to punch and mirror, allowing active rushers a pathway to his edge."

Consider the source. This is what happens when you just go to NFL website and read the "scouting report". That particular report was written by a 24 year old kid that has never played football.

While I'm not a big proponent of PFF, at least you can tell they actually watched game tape:

"What he does best:

Siragusa can dominate defenders, particularly in gap scheme runs on the playside of power; earned a positive grade on 22 percent of plays on the playside of power, working very well on double-team blocks taking defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage.
Had third-highest pass-blocking efficiency among FBS guards; excelled in particular against bullrushes from defensive tackles.
Consistently found his targets and neutralized them at the second level and on pull blocks, especially kicking out defenders when pulling on power; Siragusa earned a positive grade on 23 percent of his pull blocks on power.
One of the most efficient run-blockers in college football in 2016, Siragusa was downgraded on only 7 percent of his run blocks last season.

Biggest concern:

Struggled at times with cutoff blocks on the backside of outside zone.
The level of competition he faced leaves questions for how he will cope with the step up to the NFL level. His worst grade of the season by far (51.6 overall) came in the bowl game against Houston.
Siragusa lost his opportunity to allay some of these fears at the Senior Bowl after suffering an injury on the first day of practice.
Bottom line: Siragusa was one of PFF’s most productive guards in 2016. At his best in a gap scheme Siragusa is powerful at the point of attack and can drive defenders off of the line of scrimmage to disrupt linebackers at the second level just as well as he can drive them out of the play as the pull blocker on power. "

So, yes, he struggles with reach blocks and cut-off blocks but only on outside zone stretch plays. Btw, the Ravens RARELY run those and we are more of a gap - power man blocking scheme.

[b93333]

The kid that the ravens signed from UVA (WR/RB) looks interesting. Just might be a keeper.

[davy_861]

The kid that the ravens signed from UVA (WR/RB) looks interesting. Just might be a keeper.

Cool highlights. Didn't know about him until I read your post. He has talent - more than what we have.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

We do need a WR for sure and I would like to see the front office check out some of the guys in their prime playing in the CFL they should have plenty of tape on those guys to be able to evaluate them. They have talent and have been playing football for the last couple seasons. Boldin still would be nice then he could also retire a Raven.

[riseNConquer81]

of course he's not done adding players, he's just done adding USEFUL players...because there arent any of them left unless you're trading.

[PersianRaven]

Lets go out and grab some WR's after teams cut down to 53 like we did with TJ Whosyourmama and Lee Evans, oh, thats right, one cost us a shot at a championship game and the other cost us a shot at a super bowl. Yep, not addressing your needs in free agency or the draft means you get someone that no one else wanted (and they are not wanted for a reason). But, that seems to be our MO here recently, take people no one else wants, draft poorly and expect a super bowl. Such a strategy leads to missing the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. Too funny...

You are trippin!

[sizzlingdoom]

I wonder if Charles is healthy
I doubt Q wants to come back, but I hope he does
Mangold
AP would've been an upgrade
Can't believe Alshon only got 6 mil in a contract year, Pryor would've been great too
I wonder who is going to get cut. Maybe Decker, if he'a healthy he'd be a perfect fit

Regardless of who it is, we better pick up some offense. Our disgusting offense from last year has only gotten worse since the season ended.
Someone should probably tell Ozzie we have to play Offense too. Passing league now. Not 2000 anymore
If someone responds by saying yes, we got defense to stop other offense....
We used the 16 overall pick on someone that gave up 19+ yards a catch. In college. On some of the best defensive teams of all time. Because he can't locate and make a play on the ball when it's in the air. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Steve, it's about time for a whole new family. We're all assuming Eric is staying, but let's find him some competent co workers that are caught up the times eh

[stampedehero]

If they want a durable running back LaGarrett Blount is available. Who is better to prove a player can play out of adversity than he. He had 10+ rushing TD's last year.

[stampedehero]

Bring Q back. He has HEART

[Godfather A]

I find it interesting that based upon last year's limited performance, we have completely written off Keenan Reynolds as a potentially productive receiver.

[MadStorkSociety]

The kid that the ravens signed from UVA (WR/RB) looks interesting. Just might be a keeper.

If you mean Taquan Mizzell - in the highlights I saw, he is either really good or beat a lot of bad arm tackles. Either way, he can catch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIdi6bwvN8Y

[bioLarzen]

One cannot help wondering... just how hard is it for any fan to grasp the notion that the draft is NOT the last chance to add players to the roster? How hard one must ignore news to miss all the sea of news every single summer that this or that team added new guys to the roster - months AFTER the draft? How removed from reality one must be not to know that a roster is as far from its final, finished version in the first day of May, 4 months before the start of the season, as it can be? Who doesn't know that Steve Smith, Owen Daniels, Jacoby Jones, Vonta Leech were all added to the roster WELL AFTER the draft - just to name a few key late additions?

Who worries that all 53 players ending on the Ravens final roster in September, are already on the roster now?

Yes, one doesn't have to know the intricate details to be a fan. But we're talking about basics here...

Edited Tuesday at 01:43 PM by bioLarzen

[bioLarzen]

1 hour ago, Godfather A said:

I find it interesting that based upon last year's limited performance, we have completely written off Keenan Reynolds as a potentially productive receiver.

Well, since there is no prior experience to lean on... It's kinda hard to base any trust on anything... The sad truth about Reynolds is that he got way, way waaaaay more publicity and limelight than his projected role would have indiocated. He was a 6th round pick converterd to a position shich was new to him... and yet, he was dealt with like a first round pick... Of course lots of fans though he'd be something special on the field... only to be disappointed when he was cut (and then resigned to the PS). The truth was that while he is truly a great guy, one to look up to and edmire, on the field he is a totally, wholly unproven WR with no experience in the position. And as soon as all the stardust settled as the season went on, it became quite clear that he would more probably than not, end up being no more than a return guy.

That's in no way against him, you see. It's against all that fake limelight he received when he was drafted. That's what shouldn't have happened. Players like Willie Henry who's still projected to become a more substantial player than Reynolds, got a fraction of a fraction of the limelight and publicity... Pierce, who became an impact player from a nondescript UDRFA virtually overnight, got less publicizty than Reynolds in those few months... Sad, but there's your media today: to make a sensation out of anything possible. Even out of a 6th round pick and treat it like the steal of the draft... Instead of not puttiong any unnecessary extra weight on him, and tzreat him like what he was: a project player who could even become a role player one day. I guarantee you Reynolds himself would have preferred that way...