Ravens offseason and draft thread

I am slightly worried that the Ravens will try to make Jackson something he's not like they do with so many players, but I'm going to assume that they will play to his strength here. The Ravens' offense never has put butts in the seats, so this might be the first time they ever do that IF they do it right.

 

This is exactly what i have been thinking since I saw the Ravens move into the Eagles spot 2 nights ago. The only reason to move back into the first round was to get a QB, and they did. One that they brought in for a private workout a few weeks ago. A guy that the entire coaching staff and front office are in agreement with. This kid has Russell Wilson/Mike Vick written all over him, Marty ball is predicated on a QB to make quick reads and if nothing is there, move around and make something happen. People forget that Joe Montana and Steve Young made a TON of plays by scrambling around first before hitting someone especially if the quick slants that Jerry Rice and Taylor made famous with their breakaways to the endzone wasn't there. I am not saying that Lamar is anything close to those two guys, but the style of offense requires that kind of QB to be highly successful.

 

The only problem with cutting him this year is that he is still guaranteed money for 2018. The way the coaches and such talked during the press conference suggests that Joe will be the starter this year but after the season, they will be making a hard decision. I think he will be asked to take a major cut, which if I know Joe, he will reject. Then they will release him outright or make a big trade with him. Lamar will see the field some in the 2nd half of the season is my gut feeling though, because he can do some things in the red zone which as we know, the Ravens have sucked ass when in the red zone for years. One of the reasons why Justin Tucker is so valuable.

 

The year they moved to Baltimore, the offense was the shining light in a dismal season. Vinny Testaverde led a prolific offense with Michael Jackson and Derrek Alexander with Bam Morris and Earnest Byner running the rock. I am wanting to say they scored over 400 points for the year, but that was also the year that the defense was atrocious and they lost quite a few games in the 30's... But of course that was AGES ago


*After checking stats, they scored 371 points but gave up over 441 But still the offense did really well, just the defense sucked butt

Vinny 325-549 59% 4199 Yards, 33 TD, 19 Int --- Team finished 4-12 :/

 

Seriously?

 

Not impressed with any of the Rd 4. picks. Kenny Young might turn out ok, but Averett looks more like a ST player and i felt there were better WR's than Scott (Ateman, Tate, St. Brown, to name 3).

Also would've have loved Kalen Ballage.

 

This kid wasn't even in my induced radar, but after looking at a few highlights, I like it. I wanted St Brown, as seen above, but Scott still gives the Ravens that big target I was hoping for, at 6'5, and the kid looks to be a contested catch/jump ball monster. I've rarely done it, but fans have been comparing players to Boldin for years when it comes to contested catches. This might be the first time I do it. And damn near all the catches I saw were lure hands catches.

The Ravens are finally putting an emphasis on the right things.

 

Check out the highlights for Marcell Ateman and Auden Tate.

 

Great. Another speedy receiver with bad hands. Worst drop rate the past two seasons.

 

I'm simply floored by all the offensive weapons they're drafting. Only 1 defensive player so far. Why didn't they do this ever before?

 

2 defensive players CB & ILB. Both in the 4th rd.

I wouldn't call Lasley an offensive weapon. He's had the worst drop rate in college FB the past 2 years. More like Perriman without the injuries.

 

I actually don't like Ateman's highlights. Tate's looks very good though.

Both of them, plus St. Brown, are available. Maybe the Ravens keep dipping into the WR market and keep whoever shines at camp/preseason

 

Well, the country seems to like the receivers more than we do. They gave them both B+ grades. I was hoping to see Deon Cain, but I assume we are done with WR at this point as we already have 2. St. Brown or Cain would have been nice and I did not expect either one to last this far into the 6th.

I guess overall, this draft was a trade back and gather picks and amass a ton of offensive players and I assume to throw them all at the wall and see who sticks. The only pick that has been universally panned is the Mark Andrews selection. I am surprised that we took 2 TE before a wr prospect, but, again, Ozzie has forgotten more about football today alone than I have ever known, so I always defer to his skill.

 

I'm not 100% positive on what the argument with the Browns was in the thread earlier, but based on what Hue Jackson said on NFL Network just now, he wasn't told who the first pick was.

Rich said wasn't it a red flag Dorsey wouldn't tell his wife the pick.

Hue responded saying how they all collaborated well together but he had a pretty good idea who the pick would be. So the secrecy sounds like it was true, but it definitely wasn't a decision made without input.

 

I think we got a DE in a late pick as well.

 

I was thinking that when they showed his TV interview, he didn't run the 40 at the combine, because he didn't want people converting him to an RB or WR, but he admitted he ran a 4.34 at his Pro Day. I smell a Wildcat formation coming...one with an actual threat to throw the ball. Could be an interesting change of pace.

 

Yep. Zack Seiler DE in the 7th Rd.

12 picks. 9 Offensive players.

 

1st UDFA signing:

Randin Crecelius (OL, Portland State) has agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens. Small-school guy who many teams were intrigued by.

 

I am just over the wildcat stuff though. Back in the day, it felt like we got one, maybe two memorable plays from the wildcat, but other than that, it fell flat. I don't at all believe that Jackson is just ready to jump in and go now, but I might rather endure the bumps, bruises, and potential losses than fight hearing how we need to change QBs every week.

I just can't see any way Flacco is around anymore, and with that being the case, don't make it a long painful breakup on our unquestioned best franchise QB and one of the best NFL playoffs QBs in history.

 

More rumored UDFA signings:

Devron Davis | DB | UTSA
Christian LaCouture | DT | LSU
Mason McKendrick LB JCU
Du'Vonta Lampkin DT Oklahoma
Gus Edwards RB Rutgers
Jaelon Acklin WR Western IL
Chris Board | DB | NDSU