Ravens’ Biggest Positional Need Heading Into Next Season?
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 3, 2012 10:00 AM EST
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With the Baltimore Ravens’ brass giving their annual "State of the Ravens" conference on Wednesday, Ozzie Newsome and Co. were able to discuss their plans for the off-season. From the season ending loss, to salary cap scenarios, GM Ozzie Newsome and Owner Steve Bisciotti answered questions and gave their outlook for the Ravens heading into next season.
One of the issues brought up and discussed was what the Ravens need to do from a personnel stand-point to get over the "hump" and into the Super Bowl. When this question was raised, Ozzie Newsome had this to say:
"I think you have to start with the offensive line. We were able to get 'Big Mac' [Bryant McKinnie] in here late in August and get him to play. He played every snap on the offensive side of the ball, which is incredible. We are going to have to build on the offensive line. I think we will still build at the receiver spot. I think we'll work there. And, you don't ever have enough pass rushers. So, if that guy is there, we'll entertain that also."
So, as of right now, Ozzie Newsome has his priorities set as: offensive line, wide receivers, and pass rushers, in that order. The question now becomes: how does the team go about filling its needs by balancing salaries, chances of retirements, and rookies or young players that are ready to become fulltime starters?
Starting with the offensive line as priority number one, there are several scenarios that could take place. With uncertainties concerning Ben Grubbs’ free agent status and Matt Birk’s possible retirement, the offensive line could face a major overhaul this offseason. If Birk does decide to retire, Andre Gurode could prove to be the stop-gap needed at the center position to maintain some extra continuity between the offensive line and quarterback Joe Flacco. Gurode proved this year that he is an asset and is versatile enough to play at a guard position out of his natural center spot as well. It is also a possibility that Ozzie Newsome could draft a center such as Wisconsin’s, Peter Konz, who many are projecting to land where the Ravens pick 29th overall this year. Perhaps the worst case scenario would be that Birk decides to retire and Grubbs leaves in free agency. The Ravens could draft a center to be the starter immediately, and shift Gurode to play guard in Ben Grubbs’ absence. If worst comes to worst, that’s not that bad of a situation and it could be a lot worse. Luckily, the Ravens have done a great job at assembling versatile players and great depth each year.
According to Ozzie Newsome, the second priority will be building more at the wide receiver position. With Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith cemented as the two starting wide outs heading into next season, some mystery still surrounds the third and even fourth starting spots. Known as an organization that keeps its cards close to its chest, it’s hard to speculate whether or not the Ravens are targeting any receivers in the up coming draft or if they plan to build from within. Currently, the Ravens have veteran Lee Evans signed through next season, but it’s not clear if they will decide to keep him on board along with the hefty cap number he brings. Evans could be a candidate to restructure and come back at a reduced price and prove why the Ravens spent a 4th round draft pick on him. Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams are both waiting in the wings to get their shots on offense and Williams has done a superb job on the Special Teams unit. If Evans does not return next season, perhaps the Ravens will target a speedy deep threat receiver in the draft that matches their plan to throw deep and often.
It’s kind of become an unofficial Baltimore Ravens football motto: you can never have enough pass rushers. Every year it seems as though the Ravens look to acquire as many pass rush specialists as possible and it seems to be paying dividends. Under ex-defensive corrdinator, Chuck Pagano’s, ultra aggressive scheme this season, the Ravens amassed 48 sacks in the regular season. With guys like Terrell Suggs, Pernell McPhee, and Haloti Ngata all returning the Ravens’ pass rush should remain dominant. Throw in players like Sergio Kindle, Paul Kruger, and Michael McAdoo and the already stellar pass rush could become even more ferocious. Expect the Ravens to pick up a couple more guys either through the draft of free agency this year that could also contribute as this is an organization that can never have enough pass rush specialists.
Other than the positions listed by Ozzie Newsome that he feels need upgrading, I would like to add kick returner and possibly linebackers and safeties to the list. With cornerback, Lardarius Webb, becoming an All-Pro caliber player, it could be a good idea to find a permanent solution for kick and punt returns to add an extra spark to the overall team, and with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis towards the tail end of their careers, there could be a possibility of drafting some guys to study behind both of the Ravens’ all- time greats for at least a year.
Please share what you believe to be the biggest need for the Ravens heading into next season in the comments section!
Happy Friday!
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Bring back
Troy Smith, eh MaLoR?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Feb 3, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Trade Flacco to pitt for smith…make it so
by Evan Skev on Feb 3, 2012 10:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Going elite
Sign Peyton Manning
If that fails – Donovan McNabb
If that fails – Brett Favre
"the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge."
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Billy Bob from Finksburg called in yesterday and said that it would be smarter to take 2 years of Peyton than 10 more years of Flacco.
Why aren’t these guys in the front office?
"Picture Me Rollin"
Hey! I grew up in Finksburg. I don’t take kindly to people dissing the ’Burg
"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 Feb 3, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
I really don’t care, ha. Just messing around. I did like growing up there though. Nice and quiet. You can stereotype us however you’d like.
"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 Feb 3, 2012 10:48 AM EST up reply actions
Malor have you lost your mind?
best tackling team in the NFL, most physical and just dominates people. When we walk out of the tunnel and out of that locker room, we expect to shut people out and play great defense - Ravens DC Chuck Pagano
Perhaps the worst case scenario would be that Birk decides to retire and Grubbs leaves in free agency. The Ravens could draft a center to be the starter immediately, and shift Gurode to play guard in Ben Grubbs’ absence.
As Bruce would say, NFW.
Gurode has no business playing guard.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
yeah would not want to do that. We would be better off having Gurode at C and finding a G through free agency or draft. Decent G’s can be had fairly cheap in FA.
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
Gotta disagree about Guards in FA
Exhibit A: Chris Chester, 4 yrs, $20 million. If that’s what career backups get, imagine what first-round pick, every-down starters get? I think even Ravens fans were shocked at Chester’s contract, and he’s performed every bit as poorly as we’d’ve expected in Washington, but most expect him to return in 2012.
The Guard market is crazy right now, and I don’t know that there are any reasonable options in FA. Schefter and others expect Nicks to leave NO, so wherever he goes takes one team out of the market. There are def some intriguing prospects in the draft, but I hope we find a way to keep Grubbs. Looking at 2011 though, most of his good games came against weaker teams, and he struggled against tougher teams. Not surprising, but still disappointing.
I wouldn"t say no business
as an emergency fill-in he was better than … any of our other alternatives. But don’t bet your season on him as your starting guard.
"the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge."
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Like I said….worst case scenario. They won’t let that happen. But if it does, still better off than a lot of teams’ options.
"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 Feb 3, 2012 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
While playing guard, Gurode let more players go through him than Kim Kardashian.
He’s only allowed to come back as a (backup) Center.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
by El.Dude on Feb 3, 2012 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well, just hope it doesn’t come to that.
"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 Feb 3, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
For real. LMAO @ that and Gurode being "versatile"
Any 300+ lb dude can put his arms up and impersonate a turnstile. Gurode was HORRIBLE at Guard, and made me very much question what he has left in the tank at Center. By the end of that experiment I was just hoping we put Jah Reid in there to see what he might do.
Gurode graded out pretty well as a Center as recently as 2010, but he’s a much better run blocker than pass blocker; I think pass blocking is more difficult. Birk excelled at both and that’s what we’ll miss. .
I rate Center as our biggest need, been doing a lot of reading on that and want to do a fanpost on the draft/FA class and what we should do about that position this offseason.
by dimik on Feb 3, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
We didn’t have another option. Gurode filled a need and did what he could. Not like we had a better option if there was one at all. Sticking a rookie RT in at an interior line position? That would have been 10x worse. I was just saying that at least he can fill in if need be. And he did whether or not he played up to par. He was put out of his natural position and asked to play on a brand new line, new system/terminology at a position he doesn’t play. He wasn’t the only weak link on the line, the line as a whole this year was mostly crap. And that’s being kind about it. The only thing that was decent was that Oher didn’t false start as much as he used to. If that’s one of the biggest positives, that’s pretty bad.
"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 Feb 3, 2012 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
Im not sure if the oline was crap because they overall was ranked 12 in the league
I will say in 2010 they were crap but in 2011 they were good not really good or great but good
Just too inconsistent. But for this football team the line not playing well means that people will blame Joe or even Cam (and I’m not a huge fan of his) for the offenses shortcomings. There were so many games that I remember the line, each guy, letting the defense through and giving up on some plays. With our long developing plays downfield all the time the line has to maintain and if they don’t it just means that It’ll be a dead play. They weren’t even run blocking well at the end of the season or in the playoffs and that’s usually their bread and butter.
"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 Feb 3, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
You're right
I get what you’re saying, he was clearly a better option than Mark Levoir, who would go on to start (at LT!) for STL and crew that sinking ship. And I can understand our problems against Houston but our line was embarrassed at Foxboro, esp. in run blocking as you noted. Nothing, next to some of Cam’s play-calling, makes me throw things like our O-line’s play.
One x-factor that I haven’t seen discussed much is our shift this year to a zone-blocking scheme. I’m not sure how much Cam had to do with that. It seems like the line’s pass-blocking overall was nearly as bad as last year, but with Rice’s magnificence this season it seems like the run-blocking got much better.
Throwing Gurode into a new scheme with an abbreviated offseason, next to a bunch of guys both trying to gel together and learn a new scheme, put a lot of variables into play, leading to bad games like the Tennessee one.
I’m still curious how you and our fellow fans think Gurode would do at center? He graded out better in 2010 at Dallas than Birk did this year for us, but I still fear the drop-off would be massive and probably unacceptable.
I heard at the start of the season that Leach brought the Zone Blocking with him from HOU and that we hadn’t run that until he came along. Not sure if anyone can back that up, but I remember an article months ago saying that Vonta brought that and helped Cam with some of it.
As far as Gurode, I don’t know what’ll happen with him, or at C overall. Ozzie already stated that he plans on having a new center that’s not already on the team, so what does that say about Gurode? Furthermore, that makes me believe that they’re targeting a C in the draft and probably have one high on their board. Makes me kinda upset, cause I hope we’ll be able to get one of these top flight LBs this year. Just have to trust Oz and see how it shakes out.
"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 Feb 3, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
I personally think Gurode will be fine at C if we re-sign him. It was only limited snaps we got to see when Birk went out for a bit against the Rams, but he looked great and seemed like he was getting more push in the run game than Birk was. Im very interested to see how he would perform. He was a 5 time pro bowler, so he has to be at least decent.
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
The salary cap will dictate many of their moves
as is the case with many teams, however, I feel like the O line needs the most attention. If the O line is strong then Joe and Rice should be able to do their jobs. The sad truth is Grubbs probably does walk but the Ravens should have no problem finding a suitable replacement preferably through free agency as I doubt a good enough O lineman will fall to the Ravens in the draft.
You like Thai? Tie good. You like shirt?
It hinges mostly on Rice and what kind of money he wants. Could always sign Rice and franchise Ben but I don’t think he returns either. As ideal as that would be it’s not a sure thing at all.
It doesn’t make sense either to have lots of money tied up into Yanda and Grubbs either.
"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 Feb 3, 2012 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
With Jameel McClain being a FA, Ray Lewis entering his 17th! season and Dannel Ellerbe being ok, but not great, how is inside linebacker not a need for this team?
One guy I heard about recently from Mcneese St. is Janzen Jackson. He was originally a 5 star recruit at S for Tenn and played with Berry for a year I believe and was supposedly supposed to be another Eric Berry, but got trouble with substance abuse issues and was dismissed from the program. This small school scout and a few others were raving about him and how he could end up being a potential steal. From the little I have got to see about him the consensus is he’s a fantastic athlete and a big time hitter who projects best as a FS. Sounds like he’s a 3rd or 4th round prospect, but what do you guys think about taking a chance on him if he’s there in the 3rd or 4th?
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
That’s what I was thinking. Last time we got a small school DB in the 3rd it worked out awesome. Haven’t dug deep enough into him yet, but sounds like he’s got some sleeper potential. He got invited to the combine so I will be paying attention to him.
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
If he gets a chance to prove him self at the combine( only if he's invited) and his pro day then his stock may go up but
he may go undrafted
Guy's got talent
Also looks like he had some drug issues. Tough call, but 3rd/4th round sounds way too early. Maybe a 6th round flyer.
"the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge."
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Agreed--I like small school prospects, often undervalued (flacco!) and
he could definitely fall (like small school guys tend to) and the off-field stuff. Would definitely like to see him in purple if he falls that far.
Here's highlights from when he was a true freshman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBxOLMm7DYs
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
offensive line and linebacker
I dunno, it seems to my eyes that wide receiver and defensive line are pretty solid. I’d like to see them pay and keep Grubbs—since he arrived in Baltimore we became effective at running between the tackles. I think the top priorities are left tackle, left guard (assuming Grubbs is gone), center, and middle linebacker.
Well Ozzie has said regardless of who comes back at C that we will have a new face this year competing for the position whether it’s through the draft or FA.
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
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