WR not a "Need"
by bmf12116 on Apr 13, 2009 7:21 PM EDT
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PrintOzzie and the front office were not exactly playing it close to the vest this offseason with their FA pick-ups. Their strategy was clear; fill needs with veteran FAs. With that said, Ozzie does not necessarily see WR as a "need." Keep in mind that the Ravens spent two draft picks on WRs last year (Smith and Harper) and picked up another undrafted FA (Ernie Wheelwright), of whom they have very lofty expectations. Smith was forced into action early with the injury to Williams and the overall ineptitude of Terrance Copper. He did not have a a catch all season and made quite a few costly mistakes however developed as a capable downfield blocker and gained valuable first year experience. He also showed a brief glimpse of stardom in the playoffs with a highlight reel catch in double coverage that was ultimately called back because of a penalty. Harper and Wheelwright spent the season on the practice squad and neither got an NFL snap at WR, but both are over 6'5" and had notable college careers. Talk to anyone that is a fan of Minnesota football and they will attest to the potential that Wheelwright posesses. Now by my count that gives us five active roster WRs, with the return of Williams from injury and assuming the promotion of one second year player between Harper and Wheelwright.
Now taking all of that into account, I think Ozzie and his team are going into this draft with every other GM in the league on speed dial looking to deal their first rounder. I think we deal the 26th for a package of a 2nd rounder and a stockpile of later round picks. I see Ozzie targeting Robiskie in the mid to early 2nd round and a more natural 3-4 DE with our original 2nd. I think Ozzie has learned that WRs are dangerous 1st round picks and rarely live up to the value of the pick.
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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Could happen
I could see Ozzie making that deal but the thing that I think everyone wants to see happen here is us obtain a break out wr in the first round such as a Randy Moss who was selected 21st overall in 1998. We all know he was a freak and still is in some respects. Also we know how hard it is to find a gem wr like him in the first round. If you can give me someone who was selected in the first round and had even close to his impact on the field, please do. The feelings are that we need a legitimate replacement for Derrick Mason when he eventually hangs up the cleats and Mark Clayton is an excellent receiver but for some reason has taken a while before this year to break out. He is a solid number 2. I am sure you know the deal with D.Williams. It really has become a wait and see deal with him. So I think everyone will agree that we just want consistent production at the position besides our top receivers. If this means taking a chance on a wr in the first round then so be it. I have faith in Ozzie and sure we can still find a gem in the later rounds. You never really know what your gonna get.
"But like my father said, you want Jennifer Lopez but does she want you? No. I'll just take what ever they give to me."-Julian Taverez
by purpleonblack86 on Apr 13, 2009 8:41 PM EDT reply actions
Boldin
You’re right about one thing no one has had the impact that Randy Moss has had in the first because simply, Randy Moss was probably the most dominant WR in NFL history. The point that I’m trying to get across is that WR value just isn’t there at 26 and is very rarely there because of the gigantic failure rate of WRs in the NFL. Look at some of the most successful WRs in recent history:
Anquan Boldin (54th overall in 2003, 6th WR taken)
Chad Johnson (36th overall in 2001, 8th WR taken)
Steve Smith (74th overall in 2001, 11th WR taken)
Greg Jennings (52nd overall in 2006, 4th WR taken)
The other elite WRs (Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald) were Top Five picks. With the talent that is available this year at WR and the number of teams in the market for an elite pass catcher I am more than certain a WR will not be taken by the Ravens in the 26 slot.
Drafting a WR is a crap shoot. I would rather take my checking account (which ain’t much believe me) to AC and put it all on number 26 at the roulette table than watch the Ravens draft a WR there.
re:Randy Moss was probably the most dominant WR in NFL history
Other than this dude named Rice.
Maybe you’ve heard of him.
"Daddy, is Hevan like BIRDLAND?"
"No son, Hevan is BIRDLAND."
by BENNY BIRDMAN on Apr 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd say Moss was more dominant at the top of his game
Although Rice was a far steadier player and played at a consistently higher level, where Moss has had severe ups and downs in his career.
When he is on and motivated (ie; on a good team with a good QB), Randy Moss is the most dominant WR ever IMO.
That said, If they were both available this year coming out in the draft and we know what we know, I’d take Rice, as I’m sure 99% of people would.
As good as Brady is/was
Randy Moss made him look a heck of a lot better in 2007 than he would have w/o M<oss. How many times did Brady just throw it up and Moss came away w/ it, when any other receiver wouldn’t have gotten it and instead of the TD pass, the interceptions would’ve happened?
Rexx
6 WR
Mason
Clayton
D Williams
M Smith
E Wheelwright
J Harper
and… Y Figurs
I know Figurs hasnt reallly show much, but I think that adding Cris Carr to returning game give him a chance to develop as WR.. I know is not probable, but I think he deserves a last chance (maybe Training Camp will be)
THE MEXICAN RAVEN
Overlooked...
I apologize for overlooking Yamon. I guess my mind just skipped all the way to August to watch him hand in his playbook. Prove me wrong Yamon. I dare you to prove me wrong.
By the way Welcome to Beatdown
Your points are good but then again I don’t want to miss that next gem at wide out or tight end for that matter. We’ll see what happens.
"But like my father said, you want Jennifer Lopez but does she want you? No. I'll just take what ever they give to me."-Julian Taverez
by purpleonblack86 on Apr 14, 2009 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
right
I would love to see what these guys could do out of our playbook to help the team plus by them already being signed its blanket just incase our draft picks don’t work out if they decide that we need another one or trade em for a better all around player.
by Raven Spawn on Apr 16, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
You really are correct
as you can look around the league and try to figure out which wideouts would still be considered the top tier if they didn’t have a decent QB hitting them time and time again. I mean, if Mark Clayton was catching passes from Tom Brady or Drew Brees the past few years, might he be one of the top FA’s next season? What would Colston have been on the Ravens the past few years? Do you really think Anquan Boldin would have been just as good with Boller throwing to him? I think Ravens fans have found out how important this is with the type of season just Clayton had w/ Flacco hittting him long in stride last season.
PS- Welcome to the Beatdown as well.
Rexx
Agreed...
I completely agree. I believe WRs are either freak of nature athletes that have talent that is recognized immediately and will be taken in the top 10 or they are developed. I can’t think off the top of my head how many QBs mark clayton had to try to form a chemistry with, but Joe is at least his 4th. What we need is a steady, coachable wide receiver with adequate athleticism that can grow in the organization with Joe as the constant. I hate to repeat myself but I truly believe Brian Robiskie is the best option available for us in this draft at WR. Thanks for the Welcomes. Been visiting the site for some time now and have contributed my two cents here and there and have really enjoyed getting feedback on my thoughts and reading the year round Ravens banter.
Watch out for raven
He is a crazy one. Kind of like a crocodile, never know he is here, THEN HE STRIKES!
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I said most dominant...
I didn’t say most accomplished or even best.. Dominant… When Moss plays to the best of his ability he is utterly and completely impossible to cover. Rice played his best game every time he stepped foot onto the field. And let’s not forget that he had Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing to him throughout the bulk of his career. Call me crazy but if I was drafting a receiver right now and I had the choice between Jerry Rice and Randy Moss coming out of college with what I know now, and I already had an organization with strong leadership from coaches down to players and a young reliable quarterback, with all those factors considered I would select Randy Moss over Jerry Rice.
You also have to understand
that Moss, despite his reputation coming out of college, was a first round draft pick and Rice was overlooked for a while (right?). That said, Moss is a deep threat to score any time, while Rice could do it all, and was a consummate teammate. I’ll take Rice, and so would most others, anytime.
Rexx
Yea, people didn't like Rice because he was not considered to be the elite package athletically.
So a bunch of teams passed on him. He was not the biggest or the fastest or the strongest. But Bill Walsh said that when he put pads and a helmet on, he saw no one else ever run with the ball like Jerry did.
Now, Moss’ case is different. He was literally everything you wanted in a WR coming out of college. 6’4", long arms, runs a 4.2 forty yard dash and can jump high as S***. Yet, he had character concerns and it dropped him to what, the 11th pick I think it was?
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
...to the Vikins'
…with like the 20th or 22nd (or somewhere around there, might has been as high as 18th) but I am pretty sure it was low 20’s. Drafted by none other than Dennis Green.
Actually, I think it was the 20th pick by the Vikings
out of Marshall, right. Caught passes from Leftwich I believe.
Rexx
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