Better Or Worse ?

[nextgen_RavensFan]

From where i stand we are back to square one on offense with taking our leading rusher and making him our blocking fullback. To top that our leading reciever from last year was show love when aking for an extension. We are babying suggs when we could have used the money to make mason a offer. Also probably could have brought in a decent reciever. We needed to make some changes on offense but instead are ignoring that fact that would made us fall short last year was the lack of a deep threat. Thats why the steelers went and we didnt. I am not saying signing suggs was the worst mistake because he still hasnt signed yet. To me it just shows the rest of the team where the office stands and its not for the improvement of our offense.

Do you think we will be a better offense this year or the same as last year ? Will Williams finally play ? Will Mason get the bulk of the load and will Heap be better because he wont be blocking anymore ? Stover is gone and many of our games were won with that great leg of his so will his replacement be able to win the game for use ?

[ROH522155]

back to square one? not even close. we are lightyears ahead of where we were last year at this point and we are only getting better. People need to get it through their minds that Leron McClain is a fullback not a halfback. We will be fine with McGahee and Ray Rice. Our offense will be much improved.

[#1 D]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' post='197821' date='Jun 6 2009, 01:34 PM']back to square one? not even close. we are lightyears ahead of where we were last year at this point and we are only getting better. People need to get it through their minds that Leron McClain is a fullback not a halfback. We will be fine with McGahee and Ray Rice. Our offense will be much improved.[/quote]

i agree...i mean at the LEAST, we'd probably have flacco improve his play. but down the stretch, i can see rice improving (especially w/his newly-conditioned body), Mcgahee hitting his stride again, and having our middle-tier receivers (Marcus Smith, Demetrius Williams, maybe even Justin Harper) turn out big for us. only green grass ahead of us, from what i see

[TheRavenouseD2008]

my fellow ravens fans I am going to preach it from the cheap seats,

my fellow fans it is not the bumps in the road that defined our teams season last year sure we had the great running game and then we got wind of stovers replacement a year before it happened. it not like we didnt see matt retiring back to harrisburg pa this year he started his career in 88, but my friends my brothers and sisters who wear the purple with pride this season is coming a season where names like williams houshka and flacco will be forged as more then the rookies and walking wounded or back ups they were called this time last year no my friends I am speaking to you of a Promise , I am not Promising you no bad times no losses but I am Promising you with in the next season or two to see harbs and flacco hoisting the trophy we so long to see back in baltimore , and I also promise we will humiliate the steelers on Monday night so long as WE the fans hold the tickets and do not sell to theirs ,

And I close with this sermon of hope saying , its time we show the same support we did last year and fear not for we also have one tough rookie from virginia tech in the back field as well !

[plesiosaur]

[quote name='TheRavenouseD2008' post='197833' date='Jun 6 2009, 02:27 PM']my fellow ravens fans I am going to preach it from the cheap seats,

my fellow fans it is not the bumps in the road that defined our teams season last year sure we had the great running game and then we got wind of stovers replacement a year before it happened. it not like we didnt see matt retiring back to harrisburg pa this year he started his career in 88, but my friends my brothers and sisters who wear the purple with pride this season is coming a season where names like williams houshka and flacco will be forged as more then the rookies and walking wounded or back ups they were called this time last year no my friends I am speaking to you of a Promise , I am not Promising you no bad times no losses but I am Promising you with in the next season or two to see harbs and flacco hoisting the trophy we so long to see back in baltimore , and I also promise we will humiliate the steelers on Monday night so long as WE the fans hold the tickets and do not sell to theirs ,

And I close with this sermon of hope saying , its time we show the same support we did last year and fear not for we also have one tough rookie from virginia tech in the back field as well ![/quote]


Wow, and it's not even Sunday.

[smashmouth]

[quote name='nextgen_RavensFan' post='197775' date='Jun 6 2009, 07:25 AM']From where i stand we are back to square one on offense with taking our leading rusher and making him our blocking fullback. To top that our leading reciever from last year was show love when aking for an extension. We are babying suggs when we could have used the money to make mason a offer. Also probably could have brought in a decent reciever. [font="Arial Black"]We needed to make some changes on offense but instead are ignoring that fact that would made us fall short last year was the lack of a deep threat[/font]. Thats why the steelers went and we didnt. I am not saying signing suggs was the worst mistake because he still hasnt signed yet. To me it just shows the rest of the team where the office stands and its not for the improvement of our offense.

Do you think we will be a better offense this year or the same as last year ? Will Williams finally play ? Will Mason get the bulk of the load and will Heap be better because he wont be blocking anymore ? Stover is gone and many of our games were won with that great leg of his so will his replacement be able to win the game for use ?[/quote]
Ozzie and the coaching staff is relying heavy on D-Will to stay healthy this year. There also figureing that with a better(hopfully) RT that Heap and LJ Smith will be passing threats. We all know Heap is great when healthy and accually runs routes.

[edreedfromtheu]

Record wise... I think we will be better, but only due to the schedule.

Talent wise... I think last year's team is better.


Of course, moves can still be made. And we also don't know how many injuries we will have. But I'm guessing Heap, Clayton, and Williams will come up lame sooner or later.

[Strangebru]

The only reason things are a little screwy right now is because, even though John Harbaugh did put his mark on the team, we are still working through some of the contracts of players Brian Billick wanted on his team. I think this is why the Ravens have been slow, or it appears they have done nothing, to up grade the offense.

I am thinking once the salary cap comes down in a couple of years, and the Ravens get rid of some of the players the "offensive" guru had to have, we will see some welcome changes on the O side of the ball.

[Bltravens]

talent wise i dont see how this team can be any worse strictly from talent, now there are players we lost who were far more proven. But strictly talent wise I think we are fine, Oher to replace Anderson (we never had Anderson as the pro bowler he was) Gooden strictly on talent is superior to Scott, hes bigger and faster (Scott played with reckless abandon which made him such a great linebacker in this system). Goodens problem is and has been injuries. So we lost a player on the downside of his career in Anderson gained a T that we will have through his prime. Lost a player in Scott who was in his prime and gained a player in Gooden who CAN be everything that Scott was. Lost Leonard but Leonard is not the same player Landry is without question. Talent wise we are are the same if not better....proven players wise we are worse off.

[#1 D]

[quote name='Bltravens' post='197868' date='Jun 6 2009, 05:39 PM']talent wise i dont see how this team can be any worse strictly from talent, now there are players we lost who were far more proven. But strictly talent wise I think we are fine, Oher to replace Anderson (we never had Anderson as the pro bowler he was) Gooden strictly on talent is superior to Scott, hes bigger and faster (Scott played with reckless abandon which made him such a great linebacker in this system). Goodens problem is and has been injuries. So we lost a player on the downside of his career in Anderson gained a T that we will have through his prime. Lost a player in Scott who was in his prime and gained a player in Gooden who CAN be everything that Scott was. Lost Leonard but Leonard is not the same player Landry is without question. Talent wise we are are the same if not better....proven players wise we are worse off.[/quote]

proven players have their own toll too...i mean it makes your roster that much older, and them being vets they would probably ask for more money.

[McBurks]

We will be good next year,our nly problem seems to be is beating Pittsburgh...

Anyways with Oher being a possible starter and Heap not having to block for Flacco a lot this season,I think it will open the passing game and we will finally have some edge on our competitors.

[RoflDogs]

I think our talent is much better this year, especially the CBs

I think we can finish with a 13-3 record.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='Bltravens' post='197868' date='Jun 6 2009, 05:39 PM']talent wise i dont see how this team can be any worse strictly from talent, now there are players we lost who were far more proven. But strictly talent wise I think we are fine, Oher to replace Anderson (we never had Anderson as the pro bowler he was) Gooden strictly on talent is superior to Scott, hes bigger and faster (Scott played with reckless abandon which made him such a great linebacker in this system). Goodens problem is and has been injuries. So we lost a player on the downside of his career in Anderson gained a T that we will have through his prime. Lost a player in Scott who was in his prime and gained a player in Gooden who CAN be everything that Scott was. Lost Leonard but Leonard is not the same player Landry is without question. Talent wise we are are the same if not better....proven players wise we are worse off.[/quote]
I agree with you. I think our O will be better this season. As long as our D stays healthy and productive - and - our O continues to contribute to our wins we will be a better team this season

[McBurks]

[quote name='RoflDogs' post='197888' date='Jun 6 2009, 06:59 PM']I think our talent is much better this year, especially the CBs

I think we can finish with a 13-3 record.[/quote]

Yes,but with 2 of those loses to Pittsburgh and 1 of them to the Patriots...

[kze]

[quote name='Simba' post='197894' date='Jun 7 2009, 01:46 AM']Yes,but with 2 of those loses to Pittsburgh and 1 of them to the Patriots... [/quote]

How about the colts? Are we finally going to beat them?

[samic]

i think we have improved from last year. look at what we have lost compared to what we've added or gotten back. we lost bart scott, jim leonhard, matt stover, willie anderson, chris mccalister, and corey ivy. to me the only significant loss there was bart. we got gooden back from injury, yanda is on his way back, d-will, mcgahee, quinn sypniewski, oher, foxworth, carr, l.j smith, landry, kruger, webb, drew, peerman and the guy from TCU (can't remember his name right now). we also have players that are primed to take that next step in their development like marcus smith, flacco, ray rice, jameel mcclain, t-good. our secondary went from old and injury prone to fast, young and and dangerous. gooden looks like he can easily fill bart's shoes and maybe more. i think that oher helped anderson make that decision to retire. and although we could have drafted a WR i think with flacco's improvement, todd and l.j running routes and getting d-will healthy, our receiving game is going to be a lot better. i also think that marcus smith can step up and add to the production at receiver. i think we can go 14-2 or 13-3. either way i am very excited about next season, if we don't make it to the playoffs, i will be very disappointed.

[samic]

[quote name='Simba' post='197894' date='Jun 6 2009, 07:46 PM']Yes,but with 2 of those loses to Pittsburgh and 1 of them to the Patriots... [/quote]

you're crazy, no way we lose both games to the steelers. i look for us to take at least one, if not sweep them this season. i think we will be out for blood. and why can't we beat the pats or colts this year? the dolphins beat them last season and we demolished the phins. this can be the year we take the colts. i think we have the potential to beat anyone who steps on the field against us.

[ROH522155]

[quote name='samic' post='197909' date='Jun 6 2009, 07:38 PM']you're crazy, no way we lose both games to the steelers. i look for us to take at least one, if not sweep them this season. i think we will be out for blood. and why can't we beat the pats or colts this year? the dolphins beat them last season and we demolished the phins. this can be the year we take the colts. i think we have the potential to beat anyone who steps on the field against us.[/quote]

god dangit i hate that argument! we beat the browns last year and the browns beat the giants but does that mean we were better than the giants? no. did we beat the giants? no.

[samic]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' post='197910' date='Jun 6 2009, 08:41 PM']god dangit i hate that argument! we beat the browns last year and the browns beat the giants but does that mean we were better than the giants? no. did we beat the giants? no.[/quote]
i mean to say, that if they can, why can't we, not that it's a given. i think we can beat any of the other 31 teams.

[PurpleReign#1D]

no doubt the team is better... flacco will show improvement... oher will give him more time to find recievers & the addition of Birk the already deadly running game can still do its thing... speakin of running game Rice has built his frame so expect big things outta him... deep threat or not flacco willl have time to find mason, heap, rice outta the backfeild...offense has always been the weaker half of the team but there is no reason (besides injuries) that we wont move the balll down the feild n put up points.... defense is still going to be one of the top 5 in the league if not #1...we lose bart, but he was a product of ray n the ravens system, so gooden can be alll scott was n more... leonard is not as big of a loss compared to regaining a healthy landry... KGregg is a beast n he is back heaalthy... he WALKED into his knee surgery so he'll be back to dominating the front line under the radar, great underated player he is... we didnt LOSE mccalister, we got rid of him, we LOST him the past 3 years to injuries, so so long farewell to him ... we have more depth at CB than we know what to do with right now... the coach is no longer a rookie, he has the respect of the team...

what else am i forgettin???

the team is better, period... no reason we have more than 3 losses... if we can surprise the pats that could give the team enough confidence to take down the steelers, n if that happens theres a possability we go undefeated... yes im only a fan but when i sit down on sundays im confident the ravens can win every week... n it is NOT impossible...

GO RAVENS

[ROH522155]

^ i like how u think. i wish everybody thought like that

[Ravensfan23]

It amazes me how soon people forget. Everyone wants to use the lack of a deep threat as the main reason why we didn't win it all last year. That was not the case. Would it have helped? yes but that wasn't sole reason we didn't advance.

This team had an unexpected bye in week 2, which means they played 18 striaght weeks of pyshical football. Thats tough for any team.

We had some many injuries that it looked like the walking wonded. 2/3 of our offense was either on IR or fighting thru injury. Top 2 RBs, both backup TEs, LT played with one arm, RG out, both RTs couldn't stay on the field, top WR played with one shoulder, another WR on IR.

By my count that is 10 major contributors to the offense that couldn't offer much help. People say that our lead rusher is going back to FB so that is a step back, but McClain was the top guy only because McGahee and Rice were injuried or just getting comfortable in the NFL. Also lets not act like he lead us with 1400 yards or something, he had 900 yards. He carried that ball at a 3.5 average, so we won't be losing much by allowing him to be a short yardage guy.

Also think about the fact that we had probably the youngest oline in the NFL, who didn't start playing together until the final week of the preseason. We had a rookie QB, we were playing in a new offense, with a new coach. Everyone was trying to get a feel for each other, the Ravens offense learned on the field.

I feel that we will be better this year just because of health as well as being more comfortable with each other and the system. This offense started to get a lil more comfortable with each other as the season went on.
I say this because you look at a guy like M. Clayton.

He recorded 28 of his 41 catches in the second half of the season, for 597 yards and all 3 TDs. That an average of about 21 ypc, and he recorded catches of 47,53,70,and 48, not to mention a few long PI penalties. So i would say the he and Flacco definately started to build a chemistry level together towards the end of the year.

Also look at Heap. He had 22 of his 35 catches in the second half of the season. Recording 266 yards and all 3 TDs for a average of 12ypc. We all know what Mason did last season.

So i would definately say that this offense will be better just because of the comfort level. Then add in an healthy DWill, LJ, and Smith with another year under his belt, and i think the Ravens offense could easily position themselves in the top half of the NFL rankings.

I still think the Ravens offense could use a true #1 WR, but who couldn't? However i don't think we should break the bank on one or sell the team to acquire one. I think Ozzie will find one in the draft, i beleive it's much easier to draft a STUD WR when u have a great QB already in place. If Flacco can take those steps to greatness, then finding that WR won't be as hard.

[ROH522155]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='197952' date='Jun 6 2009, 09:50 PM']It amazes me how soon people forget. Everyone wants to use the lack of a deep threat as the main reason why we didn't win it all last year. That was not the case. Would it have helped? yes but that wasn't sole reason we didn't advance.

This team had an unexpected bye in week 2, which means they played 18 striaght weeks of pyshical football. Thats tough for any team.

We had some many injuries that it looked like the walking wonded. 2/3 of our offense was either on IR or fighting thru injury. Top 2 RBs, both backup TEs, LT played with one arm, RG out, both RTs couldn't stay on the field, top WR played with one shoulder, another WR on IR.

By my count that is 10 major contributors to the offense that couldn't offer much help. People say that our lead rusher is going back to FB so that is a step back, but McClain was the top guy only because McGahee and Rice were injuried or just getting comfortable in the NFL. Also lets not act like he lead us with 1400 yards or something, he had 900 yards. He carried that ball at a 3.5 average, so we won't be losing much by allowing him to be a short yardage guy.

Also think about the fact that we had probably the youngest oline in the NFL, who didn't start playing together until the final week of the preseason. We had a rookie QB, we were playing in a new offense, with a new coach. Everyone was trying to get a feel for each other, the Ravens offense learned on the field.

I feel that we will be better this year just because of health as well as being more comfortable with each other and the system. This offense started to get a lil more comfortable with each other as the season went on.
I say this because you look at a guy like M. Clayton.

He recorded 28 of his 41 catches in the second half of the season, for 597 yards and all 3 TDs. That an average of about 21 ypc, and he recorded catches of 47,53,70,and 48, not to mention a few long PI penalties. So i would say the he and Flacco definately started to build a chemistry level together towards the end of the year.

Also look at Heap. He had 22 of his 35 catches in the second half of the season. Recording 266 yards and all 3 TDs for a average of 12ypc. We all know what Mason did last season.

So i would definately say that this offense will be better just because of the comfort level. Then add in an healthy DWill, LJ, and Smith with another year under his belt, and i think the Ravens offense could easily position themselves in the top half of the NFL rankings.

I still think the Ravens offense could use a true #1 WR, but who couldn't? However i don't think we should break the bank on one or sell the team to acquire one. I think Ozzie will find one in the draft, i beleive it's much easier to draft a STUD WR when u have a great QB already in place. If Flacco can take those steps to greatness, then finding that WR won't be as hard.[/quote]

great post A+

[NissanGTR05]

Better, much much better

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='PurpleReign#1D' post='197931' date='Jun 6 2009, 09:31 PM']no doubt the team is better... flacco will show improvement... oher will give him more time to find recievers & the addition of Birk the already deadly running game can still do its thing... speakin of running game Rice has built his frame so expect big things outta him... deep threat or not flacco willl have time to find mason, heap, rice outta the backfeild...offense has always been the weaker half of the team but there is no reason (besides injuries) that we wont move the balll down the feild n put up points.... defense is still going to be one of the top 5 in the league if not #1...we lose bart, but he was a product of ray n the ravens system, so gooden can be alll scott was n more... leonard is not as big of a loss compared to regaining a healthy landry... KGregg is a beast n he is back heaalthy... he WALKED into his knee surgery so he'll be back to dominating the front line under the radar, great underated player he is... we didnt LOSE mccalister, we got rid of him, we LOST him the past 3 years to injuries, so so long farewell to him ... we have more depth at CB than we know what to do with right now... the coach is no longer a rookie, he has the respect of the team...

what else am i forgettin???

the team is better, period... no reason we have more than 3 losses... if we can surprise the pats that could give the team enough confidence to take down the steelers, n if that happens theres a possability we go undefeated... yes im only a fan but when i sit down on sundays im confident the ravens can win every week... n it is NOT impossible...

GO RAVENS[/quote]

Testify brother , I have a feeling health and Experience will make this team much better , I remember a certain qb talking about how joe reminded him of the original joe cool. flacco this year has chem with bothe mason and clayton now he gets to hook up with Williams, then rice from what I have seen is no longer just a speed back, then a certain full back was working with Ray in the offseason in a sand pit sorry to say but I feel the steelers new colors will be black and blue not black and yellow oh and as far as gregg if we wanted we can drop to 4-3 or do a 4-6 on occasion with him in the mix pryce ngata gregg and move suggs to the line what qb will stand a chance. who else has goose bumps? I know I do!

[slugz1]

[quote name='PurpleReign#1D' post='197931' date='Jun 6 2009, 09:31 PM']no doubt the team is better... flacco will show improvement... oher will give him more time to find recievers & the addition of Birk the already deadly running game can still do its thing... speakin of running game Rice has built his frame so expect big things outta him... deep threat or not flacco willl have time to find mason, heap, rice outta the backfeild...offense has always been the weaker half of the team but there is no reason (besides injuries) that we wont move the balll down the feild n put up points.... defense is still going to be one of the top 5 in the league if not #1...we lose bart, but he was a product of ray n the ravens system, so gooden can be alll scott was n more... leonard is not as big of a loss compared to regaining a healthy landry... KGregg is a beast n he is back heaalthy... he WALKED into his knee surgery so he'll be back to dominating the front line under the radar, great underated player he is... we didnt LOSE mccalister, we got rid of him, we LOST him the past 3 years to injuries, so so long farewell to him ... we have more depth at CB than we know what to do with right now... the coach is no longer a rookie, he has the respect of the team...

what else am i forgettin???

the team is better, period... no reason we have more than 3 losses... if we can surprise the pats that could give the team enough confidence to take down the steelers, n if that happens theres a possability we go undefeated... [b]yes im only a fan but when i sit down on sundays im confident the ravens can win every week... n it is NOT impossible...[/b]
GO RAVENS[/quote]
ur not i feel that way too and people bashd me for it when i first got hear.

[ZIBBY28]

responding to the original post: better...

better O-Line
better #2 TE
same exact WRs with another year for last years rookies to deveop, plus a healthy d-will (knock on wood)
same tailbacks, although i think the loss of Lo-Neal will hurt more than most people think

and nevermind the soph. slump.. flacco wasnt ready to start at the beginning of last year.. now he's the clear cut #1 and is ready to take the next step

[ROH522155]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' post='198119' date='Jun 8 2009, 02:40 AM']and nevermind the soph. slump[/quote]

Sophomore slumps dont apply to phenoms.

There it goes! Back to the wall! Put it on the board!!!!!! Number 1000!!

[Ed_Reed20]

I think the offense will be better just because Flacco will be better.

[PurpleReign#1D]

flacco will be improved... he has control over the offense, this time last year cam was standin behind him everyply tellin him what was goin on... this year he is the leader of the offense n it will show when the season starts... im not one thats gonna say he is gonna have peyton/brady numbers.... n numbers mean nothing, unless u countin the number of wins at the end of the year....2 years ago the pats had 16 wins n rediculous record numbers n even that didnt matter cuz they went down in the superbowl

winning is alll that matters