Things to look forward to with the Ravens
by Bill2448 on Jan 23, 2012 12:08 PM EST
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PrintAs much as yesterdays game was a heart breaker there's A LOT we have to look forward to as Ravens fans:
The first being, Flacco really stepped his game up yesterday and proved that he can compete with the best of them. Yes, the Patriots defense is a lot worse when compared to the Texans but Flacco didn't turn the ball over against the Texans and hung tough when getting hit nearly every play. I believe given this offseason and that he'll have time to perfect the timing with Pitta, Dickson, Torrey Smith, and Lee Evans (If he returns, theres been questions about it). Also, don't forget about the young WR's that showed promise this preseason such as Tandon Doss and even LaQuan Williams. Our passing offense will only IMPROVE.
Secondly, Cam Cameron is in the last year of his contract and thus far there has been "no talks about an extension" as tweeted by Mortenson (HALLELUJAH!). Personally his conservative calling and inability to make adjustments in game has cost us games. Flacco seems to not like him and he doesn't utilize all the weapons we have on offense..get him outta here! Our offense is better without him Flacco needs to take the reigns of this offense, he's fully capable!
Thirdly, Ray Lewis is returning! Need I say more?
Also, our young talent will only continue to improve. We all saw the giant leaps Webb took this year at CB, Jimmy Smith showed talent out there too, as well as McPhee, and Chuck Pagano is returning and man I love him as our defensive coordinator. Torrey Smith also has break neck speed and has played like a veteran this season (in my opinion) making clutch catches against the Steelers and breaking a tackle to run in for a TD against the Patriots.
I see the Ravens resigning Rice and Grubbs, two key players on offense. Our team is pretty stacked and we all saw how they bonded together as a unit for Cundiffs missed kick saying "We win as a team, we lose as a team" -Ray Lewis, that speaks volumes about their mentality. I do NOT see this being anything but more drive going into next season. Yes, I will say it... I think Cundiff should return to the Ravens. Why? How many times in life do we get second chances? Close to none? Cundiff didn't run from the critics and faced all bashing from reporters like a man. As fans we've never experienced that kind of pressure (in which I would not want to be in). He was also having calf problems towards the end of the season which who knows if that effected anything, but he normally kicked the ball out of the endzone all season, yesterday it barely made it to the endzone. I believe he will have that burning drive in him to redeem himself.
Finally, probably what we all like reading the most. Currently the Steelers are about $22 million over cap. They also just got rid of their offensive coordinator and Dick Lebeau could retire as well. They are an aging team and they showed it this season, the Ravens have a lot of young talented players that will keep us competitive for years to come whereas I don't really see that on the Steelers. I'm taking an early prediction that we will beat the Steelers twice again next year..which who doesn't like to see the Steelers lose? Ravens fans, keep positive because there is so much to look forward too! While we beat ourselves this year you best believe they will overcome them for next season. GO RAVENS!
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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Great post and some need to realize the door is far from being closed. We got some big time playmakers on both sides of the ball and looking forward to them progressing. Really excited about our CB’s. I think Jimmy and Webb can be a top 5 tandem in the near future and I think guys like Cody, Mcphee and Kruger will take some big steps forward with another off-season under their belt. Offensively Torrey is just a stud. Same could be said about Pitta. Dickson has issues, but it’s too early to give up on him. He’s shown the potential and needs to just have a nice off-season. We need to improve the O line some, but we definitely have all the right pieces to find ourselves back in contention again next year.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
I think Jimmy and Webb can be a top 5 tandem in the near future
Funny that we all pegged Jimmy as the future #1 CB of this team, then Webb comes out of no where this year and secures himself as a top 10, arguably top 5 CB in the league (looking at stats alone). And I have no problem with that!
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Yeah I remember some felt Webb was our #4 guy heading into this season. What a turn around. I really am excited about those two. Cary had a nice year as well, but I think Jimmy is just more talented and has a lot better ball skills. It sure will be nice not having to hear about our CB’s anymore. Most scouting sites I have seen had Webb graded as the #2 CB in the league behind Revis.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
With a full off season of Jimmy honing his technique, I expect big things from him. He’ll have months to work on everything and start becoming a top tier guy. CB is such a hard position especially when WRs become more freakish every year and the rules are catered towards offense.
Webb, Jimmy and Cary! Ha! Good luck passing against us next year.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.
by WestminsterRaven on Jan 23, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Cary has good upside. Expect him to get better as well. Jimmy might take over the #2 spot but might not becuz Cary was solid.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 23, 2012 1:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah it’s not a knock on Cary, just more how good Jimmy can be. Cary doesn’t have the same athleticism or ball skills jimmy has, so I think there’s a lot more upside to Jimmy than Cary. Like I said though I still think Cary is solid. It’s a great problem to have.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Should Ray return?
The age is really starting to show especially yesterday. He is still better than most but its starting to become a weakness.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 23, 2012 1:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I think he should. Like you said he’s still better than most. I think we have just been so spoiled by watching him play nearly as perfect as you can that now that the speed is declining and he’s not able to make the same plays that some think he sucks. He really is still better than both Mcclain and for sure Ellerbe. Ellerbe looked really bad yesterday both in run and pass support. I’m all for Ray for another reason and hope we can get a nice MLB in the draft for him to groom. Especially if we were able to get Burfict who really needs the guiadance.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
We most definitely need to get more athletic at the position. Haven’t seen the Burfict guy but I keep hearinghis name.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 23, 2012 1:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Burfict reminds me of Mike Singeltary. Not saying he will come anywhere close to Mike’s status, but they share many similarities. Mean and angry as the freaking come, relentless tackler, trash talker, prideful of being a dirty player but holds his own in the system.
The only knock on Burfict was some discipline issues, and if anyone can whip him into shape, it is Ray. Hell, he is a Arizona State player, so you know Suggs would love that as well.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Yeah has all the talent, but needs to learn to control his aggression. Some teams have taken him off their board completely because of it. I really think though there’s no better place to land for him than here. Plus his idol is Ray so I think we can maximize his talent.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
While I like Jameel McClain
and used to like Dannell Ellerbe, Ellerbe has been pretty bad lately, can’t cover, and now can’t tackle without grabbing a facemask. I think a 1st round draft pick and Jameel will end up being our future ILB’s.
Sergio who?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 23, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
I think Sergio if given any shot will have it next season. I think Jarrett Johnson will be released because the Ravens do need some cap space for Grubbs, Rice, and Flacco.
If we release JJ, we're in trouble
I do think it’s a possibility, but I hope if anything, he can come back for a discount….but that’s not likely seeing as he’s taken a discount to stay here before and it just wouldn’t sit well with him, in my opinion. I don’t think we have anyone who can take his spot. Kruger is a nice rush specialist, but can he set the edge and play the run like JJ? Time will tell, but that’s a big gamble. Aside from him, there’s nobody else currently on the roster to play that position.
Agreed this will be one of the tougher decisions just because we have some young guys there, but none of them are even close to the overall ability to JJ. Hopefully we get it figured out, but who knows if he will be back.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
no, but very few guys can set the edge as well as he does. If somebody does their homework on him he could get a decent offer
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
What's up with him anyways?
Did his head injury really slow down his progression or what?
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
I don’t think Jarret Johnson will be back because of contract situations. Kindle will have his shot next yr.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 23, 2012 6:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Whats gonna happen with foxworth?
We have three good corners on our team already. I’m not sure if Foxworth can still play at the level he used to. We shouldnt put the the others to the side to find out. He is getting paid too much to be outside of the top three.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 24, 2012 8:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
He'll likely be gone.
It will save $5.6m next year, while only creating $3m in dead money.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 24, 2012 9:36 PM EST up reply actions
Gorrer has turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I think we have 4 decent corners now. If Brown gets a lot better in the offseason, we won’t have to make any moves at CB.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
I definitely don’t think we need to bring in a corner. We still ha e Chris Carr as well. We have a shit load of depth there. Might even be enough to trade someone.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 25, 2012 8:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I really think they will take a look at cutting carr depending on how his contract effects the cap. He played a very limited number of snaps and was even a healthy scratch in a playoff game.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
You can see
an estimate of Carr’s cap numbers here.
Short version: cutting him could save either $600k or $2.5m depending on when they cut him. Either way, he’ll cost $2.85m in dead money, just a matter of how they want to spread that money.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 25, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
For
Wanna-be capologists, what a great link. Has a handy spreadsheet you can download which presents everything nicely.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
I agree.
It’s beautiful.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 25, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Trade Webb for a new QB.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Preferably Romo.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
FTFY
PreferablyRomoSanchez
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 25, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Or I don’t remember who suggested it, but we could always draft Kellen Moore. I heard he can now throw it 30 yards without it bouncing.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
You make it seem like Kellen Moore is a bum. The guy is good. Im stationed over here in Idaho and I get to watch him at Boise. He is the reason they won alot.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 25, 2012 9:34 PM EST up reply actions
What he's saying is college talent does not always equate to NFL talent
and Moore just doesn’t have NFL talent in the opinions of many.
There were tweets from scouts and analysts all day yesterday at the senior bowl practice talking about how he only looks about 170 to 180 pounds and by far has the weakest arm of all the QB’s there. A small QB with an extremely weak arm usually doesn’t translate to the NFL very well at all. I live in Utah so I have seen him a lot as well and while he was a great college QB he doesn’t have the tools to be a starter in the league. He will be lucky to get picked by the 5th round.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
You guys are right but never say never. I see him being good one day. He has that swagg.
by Raven_all_day on Jan 26, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
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