Ravens Are Falling Apart [Archive]

Seven

03-12-2013, 11:55 PM

Have lost Lewis, Boldin, Ellerbe and Kruger. Gave Flacco a ridiculous contract. Have added Chris Canty...

Lewis, Ellerbe and Kruger were all starters at linebacker. That leaves them with Terrell Suggs as a returning starter on that unit. Anquan Boldin made Joe Flacco look like a competent quarterback at least a dozen times over the postseason when Flacco's passes had no business being caught. Who is going to start opposite Torrey Smith? Jacoby Jones? Is Brendan Ayenbadejo really going to be a starting linebacker for this team? I would have to think so considering they lost both interior backers. I don't see what the plan is here. Canty is a decent player but who are they going to sit down on that line for him? McPhee/Ngata/Jones are all solid.

Does anyone disagree with me? Seems to be a lot of worry about our team but in my mind even though we have a lot of question marks the Ravens all of a sudden have more holes.

Psycho Ward 86

03-13-2013, 01:27 AM

no theyre not. very wishful thinking though. the ravens, steelers, and patriots are about as stable as it gets in the nfl. They get mcclain back from injury to fill one of the starting ILB spots. He's been a starter there for the past 3 seasons anyways, and a starter for some good defenses nonetheless. Upshaw started more games than Kruger anyways at OLB and he was going to be the heir apparent to that weakside outside linebacker spot at some point anyways. Suggs will still be there. Really they just have 1 ILB spot they really need to fill and they have free agency and the draft to do that. And the ravens draft about as well as anybody, and they have more cap room than people make it sound like.

Remember before the 2011 opener when almost everyone thought we over matched THE SHIT out of the ravens roster and they blew us out at our house 35-7? And then swept us, and won the division? lol. thats all i gotta say. this whole division is going to be a pain in the ass for the rest of the league to play.

SteelerEmpire

03-13-2013, 01:57 AM

There over there saying the same thing about the Steelers... lol. I guess it's like nuclear annihilation; whoever rebuilds first wins...

Crow-Magnon

03-13-2013, 06:18 AM

Ellerbe + Kruger = way $$$ overpaid. This league is littered with ex-Ravens LB's who left for more money and faded into oblivion.

86WARD

03-13-2013, 07:31 AM

Don't forget the probable loss of Ed Reed.

But they'll be fine...still in a better spot than the Steelers right now. It's a good thing they handcuffed themselves a lol bit with Flacco's deal.

salamander

03-13-2013, 08:21 AM

The Steelers aren't exactly in the best spot themselves at the moment.

XxKnightxX

03-13-2013, 08:38 AM

Last I checked ozzie newsome can find gems in the draft year in and year out. They're fine.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

ALLD

03-13-2013, 09:06 AM

They have more depth than the Steelers right now.

Seven

03-13-2013, 10:45 PM

They have more depth than the Steelers right now.

Really? Really? I keep seeing everyone here say this and it doesn't seem to be true at all. If you look at both teams starting with Roethlisberger > Flacco as a baseline, the rest of the roster falls into place suggesting to me that the Steelers are currently a superior team.

The Ravens are losing:

Paul Kruger
Dan Ellerbe
Ray Lewis
Bernard Pollard
Matt Birk
Anquan Boldin
Cary Williams*
Bryant McKinnie*
Ed Reed*

How on earth does that put them in a superior position? Depth? What depth? Courtney Upshaw and who else? They have nothing at inside linebacker, little at receiver, nothing at safety, an overpaid quarterback and too much cash invested in defensive linemen.

You guys can say "they're fine" all you want because it's bold to say otherwise but that roster has been gutted. Flacco is not going to put the team on his back without an option like Boldin.

Godfather

03-13-2013, 10:52 PM

Hopefully Pollard catches on with the Jets, Bills, or Dolphins so he sees the Patriots* twice a year.

Seven

03-14-2013, 12:07 AM

Hopefully Pollard catches on with the Jets, Bills, or Dolphins so he sees the Patriots* twice a year.

Haha that would be funny.

If I were the Ravens I would seriously consider trading Ray Rice. I think Bernard Pierce is a better runner and you could replace some of these pieces with what you get in return for Rice.

Psycho Ward 86

03-14-2013, 12:23 AM

Really? Really? I keep seeing everyone here say this and it doesn't seem to be true at all. If you look at both teams starting with Roethlisberger > Flacco as a baseline, the rest of the roster falls into place suggesting to me that the Steelers are currently a superior team.

The Ravens are losing:

Paul Kruger
Dan Ellerbe
Ray Lewis
Bernard Pollard
Matt Birk
Anquan Boldin
Cary Williams*
Bryant McKinnie*
Ed Reed*

How on earth does that put them in a superior position? Depth? What depth? Courtney Upshaw and who else? They have nothing at inside linebacker, little at receiver, nothing at safety, an overpaid quarterback and too much cash invested in defensive linemen.

You guys can say "they're fine" all you want because it's bold to say otherwise but that roster has been gutted. Flacco is not going to put the team on his back without an option like Boldin.

this is exactly what our forum sounded like before the 2011 opener against the ravens. they proceeded to blow us out 35-7. A big reason was because they had a lot of "inhouse talent" that teams outside the organization didnt really know were quite that good. Its foolish to think the ravens are anywhere near out of the count. People find reasons why the steelers are doomed to fail every year and we damn near always succeed in ways that make them green with envy. This season being a rare exception. I hate so many people in that organization but i respect the ravens enough to see them as formidable until they prove otherwise

Seven

03-14-2013, 12:42 AM

this is exactly what our forum sounded like before the 2011 opener against the ravens. they proceeded to blow us out 35-7. A big reason was because they had a lot of "inhouse talent" that teams outside the organization didnt really know were quite that good. Its foolish to think the ravens are anywhere near out of the count. People find reasons why the steelers are doomed to fail every year and we damn near always succeed in ways that make them green with envy. This season being a rare exception. I hate so many people in that organization but i respect the ravens enough to see them as formidable until they prove otherwise

I agree with you to a certain extent but I don't believe they lost 5 or 6 starters on defense, two starting offensive linemen and their most impactful offensive playmaker prior to the 2011 season, either. It seems to me that Baltimore is believing in this facade that Joe Flacco is going to make everything alright - and he's not that type of player. He isn't going to make the team around him better. He needs help and all the help he had last season is leaving.

Crow-Magnon

03-14-2013, 11:52 AM

I agree with you to a certain extent but I don't believe they lost 5 or 6 starters on defense, two starting offensive linemen and their most impactful offensive playmaker prior to the 2011 season, either. It seems to me that Baltimore is believing in this facade that Joe Flacco is going to make everything alright - and he's not that type of player. He isn't going to make the team around him better. He needs help and all the help he had last season is leaving.

Other than Boldin, what help did Flacco get that is leaving? Matt Birk is a helluva center, be he ain't 29 or 30. With all those "superstars" on the defense last year, just how dominant was the Ravens D in 2012? That's right- not so much. Unless Ozzie has a brain tumor, I respect his decisions, because he's normally spot-on.

vader29

03-14-2013, 07:47 PM

:lol:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/269250_597769573584377_282142399_n.jpg

Count Steeler

03-14-2013, 08:28 PM

That Deer Antler spray must really smell something fierce.

Psycho Ward 86

03-14-2013, 09:02 PM

:lol:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/269250_597769573584377_282142399_n.jpg

LOL

Seven

03-14-2013, 11:17 PM

Other than Boldin, what help did Flacco get that is leaving? Matt Birk is a helluva center, be he ain't 29 or 30. With all those "superstars" on the defense last year, just how dominant was the Ravens D in 2012? That's right- not so much. Unless Ozzie has a brain tumor, I respect his decisions, because he's normally spot-on.

The defense wasn't spectacular but it played well enough to help the offense win games. Do you really think it's going to play up to that level with Lewis, Kruger, Ellerbe, Williams and Pollard gone? I won't even include Reed because I thought he played pretty poorly last season.

And do you disagree that Boldin made huge plays in every postseason game for you guys? Plays that otherwise not made probably would have led to losses? Do you really believe Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones are going to bring that to the table?

If McKinnie and Birk leave and Oher moves back to LT and Osemele has to kick outside again, the running game goes away making Rice and Pierce pretty useless. Do you really want to see Gradkowski back at center? I can't believe that.

I really could see an 8 - 8 season on the way. And I don't believe that is wishful thinking.

GBMelBlount

03-14-2013, 11:29 PM

The defense wasn't spectacular but it played well enough to help the offense win games.

You know, when a team is in synch, whether on defense or offense, you find ways to win imo.

The Steelers were that way at one point.

GoSlash27

03-14-2013, 11:33 PM

I don't worry about what the Ravens are doing so long as they're not violating their parole.

steelreserve

03-15-2013, 04:12 PM

Hmm .. sometimes the public does have its facts straight...

http://i.imgur.com/WEVIZfU.jpg

Seven

03-16-2013, 05:43 AM

Ravens have cut guard Bobbie Williams AND other teams have become interested in tight end Dennis Pitta.

Ravens have lost:

Anquan Boldin

Paul Kruger
Ray Lewis
Dannell Ellerbe

Bernard Pollard
Ed Reed
Cary Williams

Bryant McKinnie
Matt Birk
Bobbie Williams

Dennis Pitta?

I mean, come on guys. This is getting ridiculous. They have lost almost all their starting linebackers, over half their starting offensive line, best offense player and nearly their entire starting defensive backfield.

86WARD

03-16-2013, 06:07 AM

Still a better team than the Steelers right now...

salamander

03-16-2013, 07:47 AM

Let's reiterate: the Steelers aren't much better off at this point.

Seven

03-19-2013, 02:06 AM

Still a better team than the Steelers right now...

Let's reiterate: the Steelers aren't much better off at this point.

With what players??? At what position, exactly, outside of defensive line and running back, are the Ravens superior to the Steelers?

They're going to have to suit these guys up pretty soon.

http://titansized.com.fansidedblogs.net/wp-content/blogs.dir/35/files/2009/01/23fea08a6597496c9f2bdc33c866fca3.jpeg

Boh

03-19-2013, 12:48 PM

Haha. Count us out in March. please.

salamander

03-19-2013, 06:13 PM

Haha. Count us out in March. please.

For the record, regardless of which team lost or loses whatever players, I fully expect our games to be just as hard-fought as usual.

Boh

03-19-2013, 06:32 PM

The way they're ment to be played! agreed

salamander

03-19-2013, 07:08 PM

The way they're ment to be played! agreed

Exactly. Ain't nothing like some smashmouth AFC North football! :crutch: :drink:

Seven

03-19-2013, 11:45 PM

Haha. Count us out in March. please.

Sorry buddy, but Marcus Spears and Chris Canty are defensive linemen. You need linebackers, defensive backs, wide outs, offensive linemen... 8-8. At best. This time next year the uproar over Flacco's ridiculously irrational contract will be even louder than it is now. Can't wait.

86WARD

03-21-2013, 11:32 AM

Sorry buddy, but Marcus Spears and Chris Canty are defensive linemen. You need linebackers, defensive backs, wide outs, offensive linemen... 8-8. At best. This time next year the uproar over Flacco's ridiculously irrational contract will be even louder than it is now. Can't wait.

You obviously have no idea how Flacco's contract is structured or you wouldn't be making that comment...$29M of that contract is in the last season when teams restructure anyway. His $6.8M cap hit this season has nothing to do with the players leaving Baltimore...lol.

Flacco's contract hurting the Ravens is just an ignorant statement...it has very little effect on the cap actually...roughly 5% of the cap.

What was Roethlisberger's cap hit again? How do you feel about him "handicapping the team."

Boh

03-21-2013, 12:40 PM

Count Steeler

03-21-2013, 08:49 PM

NFL: AroundTheLeague @NFL_ATL

Report: Ravens make offer to Dumervil

That would fill a big hole.

86WARD

03-21-2013, 11:05 PM

That would suck big time...

Boh

03-21-2013, 11:07 PM

0_0

steelreserve

03-22-2013, 06:21 PM

^ that is why this is a great forum. Educated football fans

The ones that say he's 'overpaid' don't realize how his contract is really setup. The ones that say he's 'overrated' don't understand that he's won more games (regular and postseason) in his first 5 years than any other QB...ever. And the ones saying that his defense won it for him, don't realize that the Ravens D was in the bottom half of the league last year.

They say hes only good because of Boldin. etc

Montana Had Rice, and played with a top 5 defense his whole career. No one brings that one up

He didn't have Rice for the first half of his career when he won two Super Bowls. I'd call the 49ers' receivers pretty average back then.

Anyway. Flacco IS overpaid. Maybe not this one year right now, but no getting around the fact that it's going to hurt the team in the long run. It's especially funny to see people talk like backloading it was a genius move because oh well, all your problems magically disappear when you restructure it. Apparently they haven't been paying attention to our own team either. I mean, I could go out and charge $200K in bling to a credit card that doesn't make me pay anything for 2 years, then go transfer the balance to another card and then another, but it doesn't change the fact that I just put myself a shitload in debt.

Basically, what the Ravens did was hand out a massive backloaded deal that gives them a couple-year window before they hit cap hell ... then broke up the team so they won't even have any pieces during the couple-year window. Brilliant!

silver & black

03-23-2013, 12:57 PM

Look at it this way...... you could have Carson Palmer as your QB. He's due $13 million next season. Talk about overpaid! :poop:

salamander

03-27-2013, 12:34 PM

Look at it this way...... you could have Carson Palmer as your QB. He's due $13 million next season. Talk about overpaid! :poop:

We just have LaMarr Woodley :heh: :lol:

Seven

09-06-2013, 01:04 AM

Bump.

polamalubeast

09-06-2013, 01:06 AM

For their defense, I'm not worried because the ravens will not play against Peyton Manning every week

But I'm worried about their offense

fansince'76

09-06-2013, 01:12 AM

Bump.

I'll enjoy this for a day or so, but if we lay an egg on Sunday ourselves, it will be all for naught...

Seven

09-06-2013, 01:32 AM

I'll enjoy this for a day or so, but if we lay an egg on Sunday ourselves, it will be all for naught...

Absolutely. If we struggle with the Titans, I'll be really worried. But I couldn't help myself from resurrecting this after tonight :chuckle:

salamander

09-06-2013, 07:14 AM

I'm fully aware that it's only week 1, but waking up to see that the Ravens had their asses handed to them last night sure is sweet.

Count Steeler

09-06-2013, 04:31 PM

Super Bowl hangover.

steel striker

09-07-2013, 12:54 PM

Yep super bowl hangover and, the question will remain for the ravens who will be the go to guy to move the chains. Now that Jones is going to be out 6 weeks or so due to knee mcl sprain. More than likely they will burn out Ray Rice with carries and, touches. If flaaco has to throw it 50 times per game they are in deep trouble.