Baltimore Ravens team needs
by Dan Kadar on Jul 2, 2010 10:00 AM EDT
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PrintMuch like the Patriots, the Ravens don't have a lot of big needs. Most of them are dependent on bad things happening to the team. Because of that, Baltimore heads into the season as a Super Bowl favorite with the play of quarterback Joe Flacco determining the team's fate.
Still, the Ravens are not infallible. In no particular order, here's a look at their most pressing needs:
Free safety: It's sad to say, but it looks like Ed Reed's career is spiraling quickly to an end. He almost retired at the end of the 2009 season because of neck issues. He underwent hip surgery in April, and who knows how that will affect his range. Reed may play beyond the 2010 season, but it would behoove Baltimore to look for his replacement now.
Cornerback: After Lardarius Webb went down with an injury last season, cornerback was a mess for the Ravens. Even when healthy, no one expected Webb to be as good as he was. Add to that a below-average mishmash of Walt Harris, Fabian Washington, Domonique Foxworth and Chris Carr. All that means Baltimore would be smart to a add a good young talent at the position.
Offensive tackle: This need is dependent on what happens with Jared Gaither following the season. He signed his one-year restricted free agent tender, but wants a big contract. That's something that Baltimore may not be willing to give. If they don't and Gaither bolts, this becomes a more serious need. Oniel Cousins showed he's not cut out to be a full-time starter.
Kicker: Billy Cundiff hit only 12 of 17 field goals and wasn't even on the team's roster all last season. He'll likely have to beat out Shayne Graham for his job in training camp, which raises red flags.
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Great player, great guy
Always hope for the best with guys like him
Balt looks strong, with Cody/Kindle(if he plays at all this season) their defense could get on par with the offense and that WOULD be scary
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Jul 2, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking the same thing with their D. Every time I thought I’d found a need, they addressed it in the offseason. Ozzie Newsome is damn good.
Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.
Their secondary could be a very big cause of concern this year
If Reed doesn’t play up to his standards, and IMO their corners are big question marks
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Jul 2, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Those questionable corners helped lead the 8th ranked pass defense last year, so not so sure why everyone is being brainwashed by ESPN and NFL Network. They also accomplished this with the 2nd worst sack total in Ravens history. Our pass rush was very poor last year and that hurt the secondary because of that.
With the same group of guys in the secondary, if we improve our pass rush, why can’t we finish in the top 5 in pass defense? So what if we don’t have an Al Harris, Revis, Woodson, Bailey. We have guys who are serviceable and it showed last year. Our Secondary did a very, very good job in the playoffs, when it mattered most.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
Well if you turn down the homerism just a bit you will see what I actually said
I didn’t say your secondary was complete trash, nor did I say that it’s gonna ruin your team. No I can not follow every play of every game every year, so I am going off of what I have seen… Which is that Dline/LBs are good to go, secondary is where the question marks come into play. I wasn’t saying that the players are horrible, but rather if I had to pick a spot to improve, it would be secondary.
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Jul 4, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad you enjoy it.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
I understand, and if I had to choose the weakest part of our team, I would definitely say the secondary. I guess I am just used to seeing all the idiots out there who say our secondary is absolute trash without ever stating why. My bad.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
Damn straight he is good. This is the best off season I have ever seen Ozzie and the Ravens have since they came into the league in 1996.
Our pass rush was poop last year, so we went out and brought in 3 guys (Kindle, Cody, Jones) to improve that. We needed depth at CB, we did that. We needed a new kicker, we did that. And everyone knows what we did with WR.
This is by far the best Ravens team I have ever seen.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
FYI to all
We’re not running team needs again until Tuesday.
Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.
Reed's a great guy
and player. I hope he is able to retire on top of the game, but thats not always how it goes. No Safety was a better ballhawker then him, and he could give a pop as well, as Knowshon Moreno
Don't remind me.
That was a crazy hit.
"Everything is a lie. Except that last statement."
"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.
Quitter's People United Member #18
by Tempestuous Binary on Jul 2, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably should put D-line up there as well
as Gregg and Pryce are over 32. Maybe a ILB depending on how they feel about Lewis’s backups
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
Well this is an Mock draft website
So Cody would be the answer to that, at least for us here at the website
Can't believe I forgot about the big man
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
D-Line is just fine.
We have Cody to take over for Gregg and 2nd round pick from 2009, Paul Kruger, to take over for Pryce. Both those guys will be starting games this year.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
I thought Kruger played 3-4 OLB?
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 4, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Nope, not anymore. The coaches had Kruger put on some weight so that he can play DE.
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2010/03/Kruger_Working_For_Position_Change.aspx
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
Off-topic, but I love that picture.
"Everything is a lie. Except that last statement."
"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.
Quitter's People United Member #18
by Tempestuous Binary on Jul 2, 2010 7:48 PM EDT reply actions
Wide receiver could be one. Boldin always gets hurt and Mason can’t play much longer. Other than those two they have no one.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 3, 2010 12:31 PM EDT reply actions
We have other WR on the team, it would be dumb to carry only 2 WR. Where are you getting this info?
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
You know what I mean. You don’t have anyone else that is any good.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 4, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Better than anything your Browns have.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
by Mr MaLoR on Jul 4, 2010 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why the hell does that matter? I don’t like the Browns and I think they need WR as well. Massaquoi could be a #1 but they don’t have much else behind him.
Its funny how you can’t actually support any point of yours, you just bring up Cleveland.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 4, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals
You’d expect someone who can’t be blocked by mere mortals to have more than 6.5 sacks.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 4, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
in his career
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 4, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
He is a DLineman whose #1 priority is to collapse the pocket. He is not a pass rush DE, he is there to stop the run and gets doubled teamed every snap.
That was by far the most idiotic comment I have ever heard in my life. You sir are special.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
I know he isn’t a pass rush DE, but if he truly was the best DE in the game he would have at least a few sacks in a year.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 5, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t even feel like commenting more on this because it is such a pointless and dumb statement. I am starting to question your knowledge of the game if you are trying to make this argument.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
You are the biggest homer on SB Nation and I never take anything you say seriously
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 5, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not a homer, just a realist.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
But you act like Ngata is the best D-lineman to play the game.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 5, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
There are many, many people outside of the Baltimore fan base who will tell you like wise. As of right now, name me 3 interior D-Lineman who you honestly think are better than Ngata and will do as much for their team as he does?
I have not once in this thread stated that Ngata is the best D-Lineman in the league, but he is a very, very good one. Please stop putting words in my mouth.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
I have not once in this thread stated that Ngata is the best D-Lineman in the league, but he is a very, very good one. Please stop putting words in my mouth.
If saying Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals doesn’t mean he is the best D lineman….
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 6, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude, it is a quote from a story that I read about ranking the D-Lines in the NFL. I did not state that, hence the quotation marks around the sentence. Holy shit you are dense.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
Yea I read it and it was a terribly written article. If you put something like that in your signature then that usually means you agree with it.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 6, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I do wish Reed the best
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2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
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""It only ends once. Everything that comes before is just progress"
Corner should be their number one need
I would also like to see WR on that list possibly at the bottom, yes even with the Boldin addition.
IMO
I would put MLB in there as well. Even though we all know Ray Lewis is the greatest Linebacker of all time obviously, he can only give us 2 more years most likely. Be smart for us to start finding his replacement soon.
Free Safety could be a needed, but we really, really like the two young guys we have behind Reed right now. Tom Zbikowski is coming into his own and was great for us last year when he filled in for Reed. It will most likely happen again to begin the year and he could very easily take over that position for the future.
O-Line is not a need very much at all for a while. We will see about Cousins this year, but the guy was our 3rd round pick and will get a shot in this offense soon. We also think Ramon Harewood could be involved in the future.
As many said above, WR is definitely something to consider. We have the players at WR right now to win a Superbowl, but probably not 3-4 years from now. If some how a guy like Julio Jones dropped to 32, that would be incredible.
Definitely think our best bet would be CB. Foxworth is serviceable and Webb is on his way to becoming a very good CB when he gets back to full strength. But it would be nice to go after a Kyle Wilson type CB next year in there is one in the first 2 rounds.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
nice
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 4, 2010 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Nope, what makes you think that?
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
Oh...
well you mentioned Julio Jones at the #32 pick, I was wondering how the Raven got there.
If you’re not trading back, why worry about the 32nd pick? Little late in the draft, no?
KEEP LEE!!!
I was wondering how the Raven got there.
Winning the Superbowl. We might be willing to trade up to 13 with you if we feel Julio Jones is worth it.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
Oh...did Madden 11 come out already?
I haven’t been to bestbuy in a minute
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 4, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Nope, comes out in August. This is a real life situation.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
Oh....well then
I guess we should tell the Saints that the Colts really did stay in Baltimore, and that they lost the SB instead of won it.
Poor Saints :(
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 4, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Sounds good. Sucks for them.
"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."
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