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there are more "directions" for this team to go this year then in any other...JE brings up the Ray Lewis "situation"---to listen to Billick, everything is peachy:
the base "D" last year WAS the 34...the best alignment for Lewis was in the 43, when Goose and Sam Adams supplied 700 lbs of "cover" in front of Ray---with only a NT in front of him, good lines have had their way w/him, getting 2 bodies on him most games...KC Sunday night game from '04 was prime example of his frustration, as Tait & Co made Ray a non-factor in that gamebiggest problem this past year was lack of pressure...Boulware was resigned after rookie Cody went down for the year in August, but didn't provide much relief to Suggs--Thomas was the only other factor in this regard
Very true....but at least he is a bit younger. I'm not a Ravens hater. I'm a Skins fan, who would love to see a Beltway Super Bowl....I think the Raven's biggest problem is Billick. He seems to have taken a ###### pill the past couple of years.You guys have a lot of good pieces in place, but they don't seem to go well together, that and Jamal not wanting to run at full speed, really hurt you guys last year.Hartwell was no prize, either sport
but thanx for the input
Where do I begin? Hartwell got ~$12M to sign in Atlanta, and "cutting" Lewis would have accellerated the cap ramifications of the $19M signing bonus---they'd have had a hit of $10.84M, the remainder of the unamortized bonus......simply put, just not good businessVery true....but at least he is a bit younger. I'm not a Ravens hater. I'm a Skins fan, who would love to see a Beltway Super Bowl....I think the Raven's biggest problem is Billick. He seems to have taken a ###### pill the past couple of years.You guys have a lot of good pieces in place, but they don't seem to go well together, that and Jamal not wanting to run at full speed, really hurt you guys last year.
but thanx for the input
What is your thoughts on Boller?? I'm still out on a final verdict, he is (at least in my mind) approaching Harrington status, of noone knowing what he is capable of.
He showed some flashes last year, but they seemed to be after all the pressure was off him
Where would a "No true speed rusher at DE" play in a 3-4? He would not play DE.
QB - They're sticking with Boller for one more year hoping to get a veteran to challenge him.
OL - A pass blocking OL would go a long way to see if Boller can ever make it. The kid has all the tools but hasn't been able to get a full cast around him. Ogden and Mulitalo are getting up there in age on the left side, Flynn has no clue directing blocking assignments at C (he should move back to RG where he came from), and the right side is like a swinging gate.
RB - Jamal gone to test the waters. Might be able to re-sign once he sees the competition in free agency and draft. Chester Taylor to small to absorb pounding as every day back. Drafting White from USC should be the priority.
WR/TE - The addition of Mason last year and the drafting of Mark Clayton gives them 2 solid starters. Not alot of good WRs in this draft. Todd Heap continues to be a solid threat at TE. The recent re-signing of Dan Wilcox provides a solid corp at the position
DL - No true speed rusher at DE and DT/NT lack any penetration. Re-signing Kimo a priority to plug up the center. Need to find good DE to replace expected loss of A. Weaver.
LB - Strength of the team. Without R. Lewis, B. Scott provided solid play at MLB and will be a priority to re-sign. P. Boulware's clock just stopped ticking and that means more playing time for team MVP A. Thomas who played all 11 D positions last year. Suggs needs focus while being a force off the edge.
CB - Deon is gone. Carter is getting old. Rolles outshined McAllister who isn't playing with the same agressiveness.
S - Can you say Ed Reed? New leader of the D. A true "ball hawk". Hampered by injuries last year. Should come back strong. Demps is gone. Played with alot of heart but undersized. Safety should be a priority in free agency/draft
K/P - Word is that they re-sign Zastudil. If pressed he can place kick. Stover just keeps on going like the Energizer bunny.
Summary - Offense needs depth on OL, need long term answer at RB, final year of the Boller experiment. Offense should come around in Jim Fassels second year as O co-ordinator. Defense played strong last year missing key components in Lewis and Reed and finished in top 10 in major D categories. Adding pressure along the line could return this team to the dominant one that won SB XXXV.
Hopefully this CBA mess will get figured out soon. I'd like to see you guys with another WR to compliment Mason. Oh and that's why I never bet against my Skins. The one week that I will be rooting against them, everyone will have a career game.Hartwell got ~$12M to sign in Atlanta, and "cutting" Lewis would have accellerated the cap ramifications of the $19M signing bonus---they'd have had a hit of $10.84M, the remainder of the unamortized bonus......simply put, just not good businessVery true....but at least he is a bit younger. I'm not a Ravens hater. I'm a Skins fan, who would love to see a Beltway Super Bowl....I think the Raven's biggest problem is Billick. He seems to have taken a ###### pill the past couple of years.You guys have a lot of good pieces in place, but they don't seem to go well together, that and Jamal not wanting to run at full speed, really hurt you guys last year.
but thanx for the input
What is your thoughts on Boller?? I'm still out on a final verdict, he is (at least in my mind) approaching Harrington status, of noone knowing what he is capable of.
He showed some flashes last year, but they seemed to be after all the pressure was off him
this off season, however, would be a GREAT time to trade his butt, as the cap hit from the signing bonus = his cap number...basically, a wash
regarding Boller---f'er played the game of his life week 16, costing me $250 as I lost a dynasty league SB to an oppenet playing him by 1.10 points
...as much as I've backed him, I'm just not sure he'll ever "get it"
Clayton definitely showed signs of being that guy toward the end of last year. If heap can get healthy and stay healthy, they will have plenty of quality targets in the passing game. For the first time in many, many years the receiving corps is one of the few positions without a pressing need.
There sure are a lot of Ravens fans.
