|
Ravens Pulse
|
Ravens Season Preview |
MANAGEMENT / COACHING
New general manager George Markakis didnt waste time to put his stamp on this team. As soon as he came in, QB Joe Flacco was on the trade block, joined by a few other veterans. The coaching staff remained mostly the same with the exception of offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel who was replaced by Dan Henning. Markakis wants to see what the current staff has to offer before he brings in new people. What he did change was the defensive philosophy when he ordered a 4-3 base to be installed. When all was said and done, the defensive line and the whole offense looked completely different. They might suffer through a difficult season with a rookie quarterback and high cap pens for next offseason, but the Ravens think its worth it.
QUARTERBACKS
When the Ravens put Joe Flacco on the trade block, it was clear what the 1.1 selection in the draft would be. Western Michigan's Tim Hiller has a rocket launcher for an arm and surprising accuracy for a rookie. What he doesnt have enough of is experience and understanding for the game, both things he should get boatloads of in his rookie season. Baltimore hopes John Beck will never see the field but they feel comfortable with him as the backup.
RUNNING BACKS
Just when you thought you had seen all the major roster movements the Ravens could do, they shipped a fourth round pick to the Chargers in exchange for star running back LaDainian Tomlinson days before the draft. Tomlinson can expect to get a lot of carries as Baltimore will try to take it easy on Hiller. Kolby Smith, a favourite player of GM Markakis, was obtained from the Bears to be the backup, along with some more major roster upgrades. This moves Ray Rice down to #3 on the depth chart and his departure is expected in the next offseason under the exposed FA rule. Thats where fullback LeRon McClain was this offseason. He received a big offer from the Dolphins but the Ravens were quick to match it and give Tomlinson the battering ram blocker he will need against all these eight-man fronts he is going to face each week.
RECEIVERS / TIGHT ENDS
A ton of question marks, and GM Markakis has promised to take care of that position next offseason. Mark Clayton is the best of the bunch as he offers the speed Hiller could make good use of with his arm. The rest of the receiving crew is a collection of wildcards. Demetrius Williams figures to be the #2 guy because of his size and Jeremy Williams the #3 because of his sure hands. Rookies Verran Tucker and Kerry Meier will be given some playing time as well in various spots and packages so that the team can evaluate at the end of the season and decide who to keep. At tight end, the Ravens released veteran L.J. Smith as they think they have a younger version of him in Ed Dickson, who is a pretty good catcher/blocker combination. The backup will be ex-Charger Kellen Davis who could be a monster sized target for Hiller in two-tight-end packages.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The left side is completely different and on the right side the Ravens have a second year player at guard and a player moving over from left to right at tackle. After drafting Hiller, the Ravens had their eyes on a franchise left tackle. When the 1.9 pick came around the Ravens had to trade up one spot, not because the Raiders would have taken Thomas Welch but to avoid that somebody else would jump in with a trade and take away their favourite player. Welch has the size and technique to be an instant success. At left guard the Ravens placed Marshall Newhouse, whom they got from the Bears in the Kolby Smith trade. Newhouse improved dramatically last season and seriously upgrades the position. Matt Birk returns at center for what figures to be his last season on the Ravens roster, but his experience should be priceless with a rookie quarterback behind him. Right guard Mitch Petrus should only get better in his second season, at least thats what the team is hoping for. At right tackle, the Ravens now have former left tackle Jared Gaither. GM Markakis felt that Gaither played out of position last season and that his size is more suited for the right side. There is a primary backup for the tackle spot and another for guard and center and the unit is completed by a few cheap roster fillers. Adam Terry is the man at tackle while rookie Ben Ossai will be given chances to shine in the middle of the line, though the Ravens hope they dont have to play him too often and that the starters will make it through the season. David Hale is being groomed to be the center of the future. Sam Allen and Mansfield Wrott are just cheap insurance.
DEFENSIVE LINE
This unit got a complete makeover. Gone are Trevor Pryce, Kelly Gregg and Dwan Edwards. Haloti Ngata was moved inside and Brandon McKinney placed next to him to create a 659lbs drain plug in the middle of the line who can close and control gaps while also picking up double teams and free up the outside guys. The ends are former outside linebackers with Jarret Johnson on the left and Paul Kruger on the right side. Both bring strength and athelticism into their new positions and could benefit from the human flesh mountains in the middle. Left end Nate Collins was a nice steal in the third round and he will be the primary backup for both sides while Justin Bannan figures to be a utility guy all across the line. Brian Price is the backup at defensive tackle. He's not as big or strong as McKinney but serviceable.
LINEBACKERS
Few teams will be able to match the Ravens starting three. Team icon Ray Lewis returns for what could be his good-bye tour of a long and succesful career. He still can hit with authority and his experience helps him to overcome his declining speed by better positioning. On the left side he is joined by ex-Bear Lance Briggs. Briggs turned 30 this season but he still has enough years left in him. Right outside linebacker Terrell Suggs is the freak of nature of the group. At 6'3", 260lbs Suggs is incredibly fast and strong. Darryl Sharpton is a quality backup at MLB, though he lacks size to be the perfect replacement. Antwan Barnes has OK size and great athleticism but is cactus green. Cody Glenn is just a guy.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
You would expect that this is the unit that had no changes. Ed Reed and his playmaking ability at free safety, Dawan Landry and his intimidating style at strong safety, and Domonique Foxworth and Fabian Washington as the starting corners. Correct? Not quite. The Ravens tried to trade Landry in the offseason and they are willing to give rookie Cody Grimm a shot. This probably wont sit well with Landry but guess what the manager and the coaches give about that. Syd'Quan Thompson returns as the nickel back, the only position the team wants to play him. Jordan Pugh was selected at the end of the fifth round. He doesnt have blazing speed but he is a good tackler. Josh Bell is there to provide depth, if needed.
SPECIALISTS
By signing Jay Feely, the Ravens made sure that their kicking game wont lose them any games. Feely doesnt have the strongest leg, but he has good accuracy and should be able to nail the ones he's going to try. Punter Brett Kerns numbers look good on paper, but he has to work on his mechanics and accuracy some more. All the young guys the Ravens brought in will improve speed on special teams but the coaches will have to install some discipline as well.
OVERALL
The Ravens expect to suffer for at least one season on the field and this and next season in terms of money. But once they get through that, the future looks promising. With another succesful draft and some sound decisions on the free agent market, the Ravens could make a playoff push sooner rather then later. They are headed in the right direction at least. |
|
Forum Discussion
(by G_Markakis on 06/15/2010)
|
Replies - 1 :: Views - 20 |
|
Ravens draft review |
It was no secret the Baltimore Ravens would select a quarterback, after trading away John Flacco. It was also not a secret, that the choice would be Tim Hiller from Western Michigan. The rest of the Ravens offseason plans though, were mostly a well hidden secret.
As the draft progressed, many scouts wondered that Baltimore wasnt adressing its defensive line all that much, with the lone exception being left end Nate Collins taken with the 3.10 pick. A few quick words from GM George Markakis cleared up everthing.
"We have no real needs at defensive line. We have the players on our roster, we just have to reshuffle it a little bit so you can see it too."
Given the chance later the press got more answers to that hot topic. As it turns out, all along the plan was to move Haloti Ngata inside and convert ROLB Paul Kruger to RE and LOLB Jarret Johnson to LE and all of a sudden create a 4-3 line nobody expected the Ravens to have. Given their physical attributes and skills, these moves could elevate the Ravens decent defense, and especially the front seven, into a top defense overnight.
But the draft answered some more questions.
The selection of LT Thomas Welch with the 1.9 pick, means that massive Jared Gaither is going to move to the right side, where his size might be more beneficiary then on Hiller's blindside. Many questioned the Ravens move to trade up only one spot, but with the Raiders actively shopping the pick, Baltimore wanted to prevent somebody else from jumping over them and nab Welch. Hiller and Welch became starters, the moment they got drafted, as GM Markakis never takes players that high to have them sit on the bench. "You do not use top 10 picks to draft backups." he said.
With the franchise quarterback and franchise left tackle positions settled, it was time to work on the holes in the roster.
Despite the planned moves of Kruger and Johnson, the Ravens needed another body at defensive end. While Collins' size and strength arent perfect, the team hopes his passion and tenacity will allow him to become a great end in the league.
Baltimore's next pick came at the start of round 5. Only looking for backups and depth, the Ravens were happy to find strong safety Cody Grimm on the board. He is only slightly more athletic then incumbent starter Dawan Landry, but Grimm only turned 21 this year and might be the better and cheaper option as soon as next season.
In a trade with the 49ers, the Ravens sent veteran Reggie Wayne to San Francisco in exchange for the 5.6 pick. This was used to draft a receiver and fill that spot again, by selecting, ironically, California receiver Verran Tucker. Tucker has good size and probably will win more jump balls then he will lose because of his athleticism.
A the end of the fifth round, Baltimore added a cornerback to its roster, by selecting Jordan Pugh from Texas A&M. Pugh could be a valuable backup, but more important a great special teams guy with his tackling ability.
With their last two picks, Baltimore filled holes on the roster, though they got decent material with both picks.
LG Ben Ossai, isnt overly athletic and his blocking skills need polishing, but he carries a massive frame and knows how to use it.
Receiver Kerry Meier is a very agile guy and could help in the return game as well.
When all was said and done, the Ravens were able to fill most holes and strengthen their team with selections who range from solid to spectacular. Time will tell if the new system is going to get them out of the cellar quickly. |
|
Forum Discussion
(by G_Markakis on 06/05/2010)
|
Replies - 2 :: Views - 27 |
|
Ravens stay true to their words |
Rumours that the Ravens could draft halfback Javarris James instead of quarterback Tim Hiller were put to rest today.
Baltimore and Hiller, the promising youngster from Western Michigan, agreed on a 6-year contract a few hours before the start of the 2011 draft. The deal is worth 61.92 millions over the length of the contract, 36.84 of that in guaranteed money.
"This is the proper start in a new era in Baltimore" GM George Markakis said. "Many asked if we had been disappointed a little bit by Hiller's performances in the College All Star game, but we are not. He will work under a different system, different environment in Baltimore. Of course a more difficult one because the opposing defenses wont be all rookies, but his teammates wont be as well. We will give him all the help we can. He will start from day 1. We will not waste any important playing time."
What direction the Ravens want to go with the 1.10 pick remains a little bit of a mystery. "Obviously we could upgrade the offensive line a little as Matt (Birk) wont be around forever and on the right side there's also room for improvement. But the defensive line could use help too, another receiving option would be great, another corner. Well, i guess you get the picture." |
|
Forum Discussion
(by G_Markakis on 06/03/2010)
|
Replies - 1 :: Views - 29 |
|
Ravens new GM jumps right in |
There wasnt any press conference. There wasnt much talk in and around the headquarters. But for sure there was action as soon as George Markakis entered the building.
Only minutes after arriving in his new office he had put guys like quarterback Joe Flacco, halfback Willis McGahee and strong safety Dawan Landry on the trade block while cutting K Shaun Suisham and DE Dwan Edwards.
After trading Flacco to the Chiefs, the Ravens started trade talks with the Bears for halfback Kolby Smith, a favourite player of Markakis. As the talks extended deep into the night, the trade package became bigger as well. In the end right tackle Michael Oher, left guard Ben Grubbs and the Ravens third round pick was sent to Chicago, in exchange for star outside linebacker Lance Briggs, left guard Marshall Newhouse - a star in the making - and of course Kolby Smith.
Only moments later the Ravens surprised many by putting one of their reliable receivers, Michael Clayton, on the trading block. After dealing Flacco and owning the first overall pick in the draft, there are more then just rumours that the Ravens will go quarterback with that pick, so trading away proven receiving talent doesnt make sense, especially as veteran tight end L.J. Smith landed on the block too.
"Of course there is a plan" GM Markakis said, "and i guarantee that you havent seen anything so far. There is more to come and the team will look completely different at the end of the offseason. Now you will say that this is an uncharacteristicly busy offseason for a team lead by me, but these are different times and a different team. |
|
Forum Discussion
(by G_Markakis on 05/24/2010)
|
Replies - 2 :: Views - 31 |
|
Ravens predraft report |
 |
|
Forum Discussion
(by M_Hald on 03/03/2010)
|
Replies - 3 :: Views - 39 |
|
At A Glance
| AFC North |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #12 |
 Ravens |
5-3-0 |
0.625 |
3-1 |
| #17 |
 Bengals |
4-4-0 |
0.500 |
3-2 |
| #19 |
 Steelers |
4-4-0 |
0.500 |
1-3 |
| #29 |
 Browns |
1-7-0 |
0.125 |
0-1 |
| RAVENS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Thu |
vs  Dolphins #15 |
|
| 2 |
Sun |
at  Packers #31 |
|
| 3 |
Sun |
vs  Bears #1 |
|
| 4 |
Sun |
vs  Broncos #16 |
|
| 5 |
Sun |
at Bengals #17 |
|
| 6 |
Sun |
at Steelers #19 |
|
| 7 |
Sun |
vs Bengals #17 |
|
| 9 |
Sun |
vs Steelers #19 |
|
| 10 |
Sun |
vs Browns #29 |
1:00pm |
| 11 |
Sun |
vs  Chargers #3 |
4:00pm |
| 12 |
Sun |
at Browns #29 |
1:00pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
at  Chiefs #26 |
1:00pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
at  Texans #23 |
1:00pm |
| 15 |
Sun |
vs  Lions #2 |
1:00pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
at  Raiders #10 |
4:15pm |
| 17 |
Sun |
at  Vikings #30 |
1:00pm |
|
