WR Situation: Hit The Deck(er)

by Hurricane GMoney on Oct 19, 2009 11:15 PM EDT

My fellow Ravens fans, we've all seen the play: time is waning against the New England Patriots, it's 4th down, Flacco goes to Mark Clayton, and he drops it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Clayton. When he's on, he's a solid wide receiver. However, he's no #1. After watching that Minnesota game yesterday, I feel it's time to concede that Mason is no longer a true #1 wideout, at least not in this league. He dropped a few balls that he should've brought in and that could've completely changed the complexion of the game had he caught them.

As solution to the problem at wide receiver, I present Minnesota's Eric Decker:

Eric Decker Highlights (via TDAnders86)

It's clear to me that he can be the #1 receiver that Baltimore so clearly lacks. Sure, he may not be the solution to the Ravens' deep-threat issue, but let's face it, Clayton isn't a possession guy, and Mason isn't getting any younger. Look at some of those catches he makes. It should also be mentioned that this is all for a subpar QB (dare I say Boller-esque) and a team that has few options besides him. He makes half those catches in double coverage.

Imagine pairing him with Flacco. It could be a Pro-Bowl duo for years to come. He's a receiver who could develop and flourish alongside our savior.

Before everyone goes ripping my head for ripping the Offense and not addressing the need on Defense, I end with this. It's a lot easier to pick up Secondary help in free agency than it is to pick up a #1 possession receiver. And yes, the Secondary is the main place where we need help and depth. I feel like the defensive woes can be cured more easily with the addition of depth than our WR woes will be by doing a similar thing. Again, I reiterate that Mason isn't getting any younger and that Clayton won't be the answer at #1. Come April, 2010, Ozzie Newsome needs to do what is necessary to get this young receiver who could help keep Baltimore's offense among the best in the NFL for years to come.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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Comments

As a Steeler fan, your analysis is correct. But dont get them in FA. We have proven you can get good corners (Ike Taylor, William Gay, Joe Burnett, and others who have signed for wealthy contracts on other teams) in later rounds. Santonio Holmes? 1st Round. You guys dont have a Santonio Holmes. I dont want you to have one, I dont really know why I am writing this, maybe I feel like we can try to be nice and turn on Cinci until we destroy them and take them out of both of our ways, but still. Mason is done after this year. Ya’ll need a WR.

by Michael Uhlhorn on Oct 20, 2009 3:41 AM EDT reply actions

we know we need a WR

but it’s not as dire as people act like. I mean damn Flacco threw for what, 380 yards against Minny? Sure take away Rice’s YAC and it’s 280 yards. Still, a nasty game.

I want the beast WR for Flacco because I think it would immediately put us in the New Orleans/Indianapolis league of elite offenses (and we’re close to that right now if you ask me). But the dire need for us has to be CB, we can’t just take a chance on a late-round corner. The steelers drafted their late round guys in years when they didn’t have the emergency need at that position. Well, we have the need. Unless they’re some beast talent at another position who jumps out at Ozzie, I think we’re forced to take either a corner or a pass-rusher this year. Something to improve the pass defense, the current level of play cannot continue.

"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down

by jackmca on Oct 21, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

You arent close to New Orleans. You arent anywhere close to New Orleans.

by Michael Uhlhorn on Oct 21, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

wha t tha hell

did he jsut say mason isn’t the number 1 wideout are you kidding me lol yo don’t ever write again we been had deep threat wideout we have demetrius williams even justin harper earon riley i know they both not palying for us on the team but on pratice squad but for real the ravens don’t need any wideouts right now we have mason,clayton,washington,willams those group of wideouts are the best for the ravens if demetrius williams had more playing time you would see we been had a deep threat

by jazz20 on Oct 20, 2009 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

I think

if you look again, he’s saying that Mason is done after this season – as in, he’s going to retire – not be here anymore – not be available… And I’d love to see Riley get a shot – at least in that last Preseason game, he looked like he might be a guy who would at least lay out to try to make a catch. Demetrius Williams is a complete bust. We should have his ass on the block today.

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 20, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Jazz20, Demetrius and Eron aren’t deep threats if they don’t play, and if they don’t play it probably has a lot to do with the fact that they suck. I’d say Clayton is our main deep threat right now since he’s shown respectable circus-catch ability (if only he’d combine that with routine catch ability against NE) and he’s the fastest of K-Wash, Mason, and him.

The deep ball doesn’t necessarily need pure speed receivers, it needs shorter plays to set it up and a guy who can elevate with strong hands. Our 3 main WRs fit that bill somewhat, albeit not perfectly. I’d like to see a major WR addition next year but what we have now isn’t awful.

by jackmca on Oct 21, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure I agree

with your first sentence there jack. By that token, Rice must have sucked last year cause he didn’t play much either. It’s hard to know if someone is good or not if they never get the chance to play. A number of other things often go into active roster decisions than talent. Classic example (and I’m ready for the flaming to begin) is Chris Redman. Billick didn’t like him (or liked Boller a LOT more), so once he was injured, Billick had the perfect opportunity to sideline him and get his boy in there and maybe have his Cinderella story showing himself a talent scout genius. Redman might have been great had he had the time (and games) to mature. Instead, he was almost immediately demoted to backup and forced out. How do I know he might have been great? Well, Unitas seemed to think he had all the talent necessary and I’ll defer to him on knowing a good QB when he sees one.

Btw, before you flame me for the Redman theory, the same story applies to Kurt Warner.

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 21, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't ever compare Kurt Warner

and Chris Redman. Redman comments deserve to get flamed, as he was such a cookie cutter type of QB that has been a traveling backup for his career for a reason. He’s not that good!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 21, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

And neither is Kurt Warner

Warner was a QB who was given a chance, on a squad with decent to great receivers – as opposed to Redman.

I happen to think Redman had massive potential if he wasn’t made to second and third guess all his decisions by a supposed “offensive genius” like Billick, who should’ve stayed in the PR department where he belonged. I wouldn’t call a QB who stands in the pocket, makes the pass and takes the hit a “cookie cutter” QB. To me, that’s the sign of a good QB – at least that’s what we seem to be saying in Flacco’s favor.

And I don’t think that playing for 2 teams (Ravens & Atlanta) in 9 years qualifies as “travelling”.

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 21, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

"Massive" potential?

Or perhaps a guy out of a system, like Louisville has proven to be (can you say, Brian Brohm?)?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 22, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Meh...

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 22, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

rice played a lot but he got hurt towards the end of the season. He sure as hell saw the field a lot more than Williams and/or Riley. Plus, Williams has had his chance to get PT and he hasn’t stepped up. K-Wash came in and took his spot. I’d say he sucks.

by jackmca on Oct 21, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Clarifying

You’re saying Williams sucks? Okay. I’m right there with you. LOL

Did we have Riley last year? If not, then all I’ve seen him play was briefly in the 4th quarter of the last PreSeason game, where I was impressed enough to think he should get more field time.

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 21, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought we had a bunch of decent receivers worth a look

Everyone thought Justin Harper was the next star until later in pre season he couldn’t catch the ball, but I still think he might have made some big plays along with the drops. I liked Eron Riley, whose stats were right up there with the Terp’s DHB. I also think Williams and K-Wash would produce if given the reps and targeted.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 22, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll still need to seemore from him

What is his size, what year and how many catches has he made this and past years. Any conference or All American honors? Is he a senior? More needed but he looks good, however, so did so many WR’s on our roster, practice squad and IR List.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 20, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

Speaking of wide receivers from the draft…

Did you see Nicks over the weekend? I knew that guy would be a stud.

by BAL_Hawk on Oct 20, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Ozzie didn't

He thought Davon Drew, Cedric Peerman, and Jason Phillips would be studs.

Limp and dangling.

by Joe Flaccid on Oct 20, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

My call, guys

Remember my Stroy prior to the draft, which was that the Ravens needed Nicks and I put tons of stats and video in it to support my point, which was while he didn’t have the great speed that others had (DHB), he had “football” speed and the best hands of any WR in the draft (although Britt) has been solid. Too bad I can’t run this team, but we’d have Nicks and no Oher, but we would have signed Tony Pashos and traded yesterday for Julius Peppers.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 21, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Ehhhh

Not too sure how I feel about the whole WR now that our passing attack is doing great. 5 guys with 20 or more catches (Mason, Clayton, Washington, Heap, Rice) so that is great. Most teams dont even have 1 of 2 their support guys catch 20 balls the whole season.

After last season, I did indeed want a WR like Nicks or Heyward-Bey and was slightly upset we did not make a move for one of them, but I never doubted Oher wouldn’t be great. The man has exceeded all expectations and is going to go down as maybe as good of a draft pick for a lineman as Ogden was. Gaither, you can have your 50 million you are going to ask for and go play for a 4-12 team, as I am sure Rosenhaus is going to convince you to do so.

Limp and dangling.

by Joe Flaccid on Oct 21, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

agreed

i’d like to add to the WR corps but in general it seems to be a functional passing attack. Eron Riley was worth a shot as a project, and maybe he’ll refine his skills as time goes by and find some playing time. I tend to think that if D-Will was going to make that sort of leap however, it would have happened by now.

by jackmca on Oct 21, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s a Senior this year. I’m assuming his first season starting was his Sophomore season, due to the spike in his stats that year. Here are his stats for that year, last year, and through 7 games this year:

2007 (team record: 1-11): 67 catches, 909 yards, 9 TD
2008 (team record: 7-6): 84 catches, 1074 yards, 7 TD
2009 (team record: 4-3): 47 catches, 731 yards, 5 TD

He’s 6’2", taller than both Mason and Clayton (both 5’10"), 215 lbs.

I want to reiterate that this is with a subpar QB. I can only imagine (and salivate at) what he’d post with Flacco throwing to him.

I’m not sure about All-Conference or All-American honors, but most of the time such things are overrated and don’t necessarily reflect a player’s true ability or NFL potential.

Canes Football (AP 8, BCS 10): 5-1 (2-1 ACC)
Last: @ UCF 27-7 W
Next: vs Clemson 10/24

Ravens: 3-3
Last: @ Minnesota 31-33 L
Next: Denver 11/1

Packers: 3-2
Last: vs Detroit 26-0 W
Next: @ Cleveland 10/25

by Hurricane GMoney on Oct 20, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Thaks for the research

Sounds like a good one. Wonder where’s he’s projecting to go by the “gurus” right now? Could be a great steal in the 2nd or 3rd round!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 21, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

as soon as i read that mason wasn’t a number 1 i stopped reading. another 2 minute observer. mason has the best first move in football and hands like a glue trap.

by raven on Oct 20, 2009 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

Not Hating

I think everyone needs to get one thing straight here. I’m not saying Mason and Clayton are bad receivers. They just aren’t elite.

Mason dropped a ball yesterday and was out of position on a beautiful bomb from Flacco that would’ve been a sure TD.

Call me what you wish, but I’m an avid Ravens fan and a fan of every player on the Ravens. However, I don’t let that fandom blind me to the shortcomings and downfalls of the team and its players.

Also, as I said to begin with, Mason isn’t getting any younger, and Decker isn’t available ’til the offseason anyway, so why not support a movement to grab him and gameplan for the future? What is there to lose in acknowledging that we need a #1 guy for the future?

Canes Football (AP 8, BCS 10): 5-1 (2-1 ACC)
Last: @ UCF 27-7 W
Next: vs Clemson 10/24

Ravens: 3-3
Last: @ Minnesota 31-33 L
Next: Denver 11/1

Packers: 3-2
Last: vs Detroit 26-0 W
Next: @ Cleveland 10/25

by Hurricane GMoney on Oct 20, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

80+ catches for 1000 yards nearly every season is pretty damn elite for me.

Limp and dangling.

by Joe Flaccid on Oct 20, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Not arguing that assessment

but when you look at the trees instead of the forest, in his 4+ seasons (inc. this one) as a Raven, Mason averages 12.4 yards a catch and just over 62 yards a game. Not bad, but also, not a #1 receiver’s numbers. #1 receivers on throw-first teams usually get Mason’s total on one or two catches in a game.

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 20, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand his motive

Mason, while putting up great numbers in catches and even yards, has a relatively low YPC average and few TD’s. Opponents put their best DB on him, but they don’t double him or throw a safety over to his side for deep help. He is not a threat to get a TD on every catch. Yes, he has catches in numbers comparable to Fitzgerald, Wayne, Johnson (Andre and Calvin) and Moss, but not the TD’s nor the threat, which is agreeable that we need, or at least could certainly welcome to the fold. Imagine Mason as our #2? Wow!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 21, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

ande Clayton in the slot against teams’ nickel backs?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 21, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I actually

imagine Clayton in the slot behind Safeway asking people if they need help with their bags…

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 21, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

again your first sentence is stupid. define elite then go compare masons career numbers and recent stats. that my friend is elite and teams fear him and concentrate on him. he has been our only receiver for years and has drawn the best defence. with that, he has put up numbers better than most guys with better receivers playing next to him. not to mention he has been without a TE for much of the past 3-4 years as Heap played hurt or not at all. he is also on his 3rd qb.

Find another veteran receiver who had numbers like Mason had with a rookie QB. Mason carried us to the AFCCC. He even had a brilliant TD against Pitt that was so smooth the refs didn’t see it and we sdidn’t review it. He was also help on our last drive against the Vikes and it wasn’t called. Teams hold Mason alllll day.

by raven on Oct 20, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Ahh, but,

You’re contradicting your own point in the your first sentence and in several other places. Mason has been our ONLY receiver for years (more or less agreed) and teams…concentrate on him. Well, they have to, don’t they? If you know that a team only has one receiver who gets 90% of pass attempts, then I’m pretty certain they’re going to concentrate on him – I would. And to find a receiver who had the kind of numbers Mason had with a rookie QB, you’d have to first find a rookie QB who had the kind of numbers Flacco had.

But I disagree that Mason is now – the past is the past and no use to us – never a #1 receiver on any team with a decent WR corps. He’s a good #2 on most teams. On the more talent-stocked teams, he’s #3 – short yardage, possesion, willing to go over the middle – yes to all of those. But he’s not (and I don’t think ever was) a deep threat. If we want to put Flacco’s natural ability to work for us, we need receivers who can burn down the field and catch the 30-40-50 yarder regularly.

"Talk’s cheap. Let’s go play." - Unitas

by D-Fensive on Oct 20, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you for seeing my point of view here.

Also, for the veteran WR with the rookie QB thing, you needn’t look farther than last year:
Roddy White receiving rookie Matt Ryan’s passes: 8 more catches, ~350 more yards, 2 more TDs than Mason.

One more thing, this whole argument may be moot if Mason ends up retiring after this season, which I expect he will. At that point, we will need a #1, and then Decker can step in.

I “care about a guy named Decker” because I’m an avid Ravens fan, and I’m always paying attention to rising college stars who could help the team, even outside of those on my Canes.

Canes Football (AP 8, BCS 10): 5-1 (2-1 ACC)
Last: @ UCF 27-7 W
Next: vs Clemson 10/24

Ravens: 3-3
Last: @ Minnesota 31-33 L
Next: Denver 11/1

Packers: 3-2
Last: vs Detroit 26-0 W
Next: @ Cleveland 10/25

by Hurricane GMoney on Oct 20, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions