Wide Receivers

[bigdaddyc1025]

what are your thoughts? Do you think the Ravens will make a move at a Free Agent WR or trade for one, or is it the best scenario to get one in the draft?

[Raven07]

as much as i would love for us to get a guy like Holt, i think our best option is to go after the younger guys during the NFL draft. Reason being because they'll be alot younger and have THAT much more burst and speed, agility and overall athletism than most, maybe not all, but most.... other FA WR's out on the Free agency market right now. Now some may argue about having the added veteran leadership to guide our young recieving core could only benefit us, but we already have that leadership role filled with Mason and his ability to teach the younger players, and judging by the way Mason has kept his career moving forward each year/season, showing reziliency in fighting through the pain and STILL managing to come up with big plays for our offense.

If thats not leadership to follow (especially after last season for Mason) then idk what exactly is in anyone's mind. So with all that said, i believe that having Mason on the team, along with all the other veteran leadership on the team overall (Ray Ray, Pryce exc...) our younger players have all the guidence they could possibly ask for with any team in the NFL right now.

[WRX123]

I honestly think that if we give D. Williams and M. Clayton a chance they will be threats. They have never had a relationship with a good qutarback. Nothing aginst Boller but he always threw to Heap. Always looked his direction. I think if they just pick up a WR in the draft and let Mason bring him up, devolp Clayton as the number 2 guy, We saw flashes of him being a good WR in the NFL last year, and D. Williams or M. Maxwell as the number 3 guys. I really thik that those guys with Flacco throwing to them, and with Heap comming around this year, plus Mcghee and Mcclain running and catching, this could be a solid offense. I cant wait till next season. We are going to see a Ravens team with and actual offense. Sorry to all past Ravens offenses, there were times that they were on OK offense, but they have never had the "it" or the "X-Factor" and i think they are really on to something this year.

[omar586]

all this talk about drafting and stock piling WRs in the draft, the thing is we dont need WR, we have clayton, mason, smith, williams, figurs , wheelright, harper, and someone else. if we gonna acquire WR it will b through free agency some one like furry, mcdonal, miles, holt, toomer, someone with speed and playmaker. we need veteran that makes plays. why should we draft WR, we allready have like 4 WRs from the last draft.

[ravensfan4life1228]

[quote name='omar586' post='169457' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:27 AM']all this talk about drafting and stock piling WRs in the draft, the thing is we dont need WR, we have clayton, mason, smith, williams, figurs , wheelright, harper, and someone else. if we gonna acquire WR it will b through free agency some one like furry, mcdonal, miles, holt, toomer, someone with speed and playmaker. we need veteran that makes plays. why should we draft WR, we allready have like 4 WRs from the last draft.[/quote]

We drafted two (smith and harper) in the 4th and 7th round respectively, and neither are that good, smith runs miserable routes and harper is non-existent. Mason is getting older, Williams is inconsistent/Fragile, Clayton disappears. We need a home run hitter in the draft to grow with Flacco

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='WRX123' post='169454' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:23 AM']I honestly think that if we give D. Williams and M. Clayton a chance they will be threats. They have never had a relationship with a good qutarback. Nothing aginst Boller but he always threw to Heap. Always looked his direction. I think if they just pick up a WR in the draft and let Mason bring him up, devolp Clayton as the number 2 guy, We saw flashes of him being a good WR in the NFL last year, and D. Williams or M. Maxwell as the number 3 guys. I really thik that those guys with Flacco throwing to them, and with Heap comming around this year, plus Mcghee and Mcclain running and catching, this could be a solid offense. I cant wait till next season. We are going to see a Ravens team with and actual offense. Sorry to all past Ravens offenses, there were times that they were on OK offense, [b]but they have never had the "it" or the "X-Factor" and i think they are really on to something this year.[/b][/quote]


yes, but the actual name for it would be a quarterback

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='omar586' post='169457' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:27 AM']all this talk about drafting and stock piling WRs in the draft, the thing is we dont need WR, we have clayton, mason, smith, williams, figurs , wheelright, harper, and someone else. if we gonna acquire WR it will b through free agency some one like furry, mcdonal, miles, holt, toomer, someone with speed and playmaker. we need veteran that makes plays. why should we draft WR, we allready have like 4 WRs from the last draft.[/quote]


Because that is how u build a team. By that logic we shouldn't draft at any position this season. You can never have too much talent on your team.

Also thing about this, what if a guy like DWill blows up and has a tremendous season in his FA year. Then come next offseason he wants Pro Bowl type money, do u pay him for his 1 year? No, so u have to perpare for the possibly of losing him, or Clayton for that matter.

If one of the young guys we already have on the roster can step up then good, that makes it even better. However you can never have too much competetion at one position.

No of the WRs on our roster has proven anything to this point expect for Clayton(we know he is a #2/slot type). We have seen flashes from DWill but he can't stay healthy, Smith worked his way up to the #3 WR last season but didn't record a catch, but played well on ST.

I have been saying this since FA begin and i'll say it again. This year's training camp will be one of the most intriguing in Ravens history, simply beacuse of all the talent and position up for grabs.

Who's gonna step up at WR? Which young safety will push Landry? Who will step up and claim top spot of the 3 headed monster? What will the CB position look like from #1-#4? Who will be the kicker to replace Matt? Who will be the LB to replace Bart? Will Figurs be able to regain his top spot as RS with the additon of Chris Carr? Who's gonna step up behind Heap? Quinn or the drafted rookie? and Finally with the offense in it's second year and the defense getting used to a new DC, who wins more team portions of camp?

All of these questions that need to be answered at camp is the reason u continue to add talent through the draft. Ozzie has said this season and many times before that he would like to use the draft just to add depth and have to daft for need. Well that is how this draft is shaping up, whoever is drafted this season from 1-7 will have to come in and compete in camp, and let the best man win.

[WRX123]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='169463' date='Mar 17 2009, 11:02 AM']yes, but the actual name for it would be a quarterback [/quote]



Could not have said it better

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ravensfan4life1228' post='169462' date='Mar 17 2009, 11:00 AM']We drafted two (smith and harper) in the 4th and 7th round respectively, and neither are that good, smith runs miserable routes and harper is non-existent. Mason is getting older, Williams is inconsistent/Fragile, Clayton disappears. We need a home run hitter in the draft to grow with Flacco[/quote]


I wouldn't say Dwill is inconsistent. When he is able to stay on the field he is a very good option, but as we know he hasn't stayed healthy. He is that deep threat type of WR that everyone is asking for, the problem is that a deep threat needs someone to roll the coverage away from them. If given the chance to matchup 1-0n-1 on the backside of the defense Williams would be a great #2 option.

Clayton disappears because he is a #2 WR at best and doesn't play in an offense that allows him to be successful. Clayton needs that #1 WR to take pressure and coverage away from him. A #1 Wr would allow Mark to match up vs 2nd/3rd Cbs and even safeties/Dime DBs, and that is when u will see a consistent stat sheet for Clayton. I see Claytons overall production being a combo of last season and 2006.


M. Smith doesn't run terrible routes, but he definately needs some fine tuning. He is a former running back turned WR so he still has work to do, however i see him as another #2/slot option. He will be able to work the middle of the field and get yards after catch because of his size and speed. Smith has really good hands, they are just a little inconsistent because of his late transition to WR. Many people want the Ravens to draft Hakeen Nicks, well i think Smith and Nicks are the same type guys(Nicks being way more polished). They are both #2 guys that will be able to take advantage of a defense because of size and strength.

With Harper and Wheelwright, it is hard for a 7th round pick and UDFA to make an impact on a team with a rookie QB and a young unit learning the offense and getting familar with each other. They both will have there opportuntiy to show their worth this training camp. M. Maxwell and Ed. Williams will be given chances to show and prove in training camp as well.

Imo what all of this means is the Ravens need a true #1 WR and since there is none in FA, i beleive that the Ravens will go after one in the draft. I think there are a couple of guys that fits that bill in the draft and i'm sure that everyone has seen my thread on Britt. The Ravens have a lot of quality guys at the WR position, however all of those guys need someone to take the pressure and coverage away from them. Because the Ravens aren't as pass happy as some other teams in the NFL these guys can't take pressure off of each other.

Even with a great OC like Cam the Ravens will continue to be a balanced offense and rely on the run/play action to make plays in the pass game. Having a guy that they feel is a #1 WR in the NFL will open up so many other things for WR like Smith/Clayton/Williams. Also don't forget Heap, if the oline can prove to be able to protect Joe without Heap's help then he will dominate the middle of the field.

[ravens world]

[quote name='WRX123' post='169454' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:23 AM']I honestly think that if we give D. Williams and M. Clayton a chance they will be threats. They have never had a relationship with a good qutarback. Nothing aginst Boller but he always threw to Heap. Always looked his direction. I think if they just pick up a WR in the draft and let Mason bring him up, devolp Clayton as the number 2 guy, We saw flashes of him being a good WR in the NFL last year, and D. Williams or M. Maxwell as the number 3 guys. I really thik that those guys with Flacco throwing to them, and with Heap comming around this year, plus Mcghee and Mcclain running and catching, this could be a solid offense. I cant wait till next season. We are going to see a Ravens team with and actual offense. Sorry to all past Ravens offenses, there were times that they were on OK offense, but they have never had the "it" or the "X-Factor" and i think they are really on to something this year.[/quote]

Both have had plenty of chances and haven't done any thing yet clayton had a good seasoun in 06 but since he's been here that has been it and D. will gets injured to much must not wanna play. I SAY we get holt and draft a wr in the 1st round that reciver from carolina . Hakeem niks.

[markorad]

I think we will definitely pick one up early in the draft as we desperately need a deep threat/playmaker wideout.
I also think we would strongly consider Holt for the right price, especially if our stud Mason forces a release if we do not give him his desired contract extension.
I am hopeful D Williams will be healthy for once and gives us the size and freakish catch ability we have been waiting for.

[ham]

I'm looking forward to seeing what harper can do this year. He had a great camp last year. Sure, he only had one catch in all of the preseason games, but lets not forget that he hurt his knee in the first preseason game after making a catch (he got up limping). Hey have even been hurt earlier. Wheelwright was also a surprise. He turned out to be pretty good. I was never really a big fan of Marcus Smith but that could change. The problem with the ravens WRs is that none of them are given a chance. They put them in the game for a couple plays or so and then take them right out. They should give these guys a chance to get the feel of the game. Let them get warmed up and experience NFL play. Some of these guys barely even had the ball thrown to them. Think about it. When the starters got hurt, did these guys get the opportunity to play? No. The staff went out and signed free agent nobody's. They moved Wheelwright up for awhile but then put him back on practice squad. They just picked up smith harper and wheelwright last year. Don't just throw them to the side. Give them a shot. If they blow it then it's over. If the ravens keep treating their WRs like this, they'll never find anyone any good.
Lets say they draft a receiver this year and he's not given a far shot then what? Get rid of him and draft another receiver in 2010. This is crazy!
Just my opinion.

[smashmouth]

[quote name='WRX123' post='169454' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:23 AM']I honestly think that if we give D. Williams and M. Clayton a chance they will be threats. They have never had a relationship with a good qutarback. Nothing aginst Boller but he always threw to Heap. Always looked his direction. I think if they just pick up a WR in the draft and let Mason bring him up, devolp Clayton as the number 2 guy, We saw flashes of him being a good WR in the NFL last year, and D. Williams or M. Maxwell as the number 3 guys. I really thik that those guys with Flacco throwing to them, and with Heap comming around this year, plus Mcghee and Mcclain running and catching, this could be a solid offense. I cant wait till next season. We are going to see a Ravens team with and actual offense. Sorry to all past Ravens offenses, there were times that they were on OK offense, but they have never had the "it" or the "X-Factor" and i think they are really on to something this year.[/quote]

Funny thing is, Flacco dont throw it to Heap enough, Accually He dont throw it to any of the other reciever enough except mason. I still love Flacco though I just hope Heap makes it back to being a top 5 TE.