Summary thoughts

[Rxdoxx]

No idea what the final Ravens will look like, but while thinking about it, found something interesting.

11 starters on D and O, add in specialized ST (K, P, LS, PR, KR) and we have 27.
Ravens have then lost 7 who started either at the start of the year or became one (CMac, Scott, Leonhard, Brown, Douglas, Stover, Rolle??)
That is over 25% just counting personell, even higher if we count positions (Leonhard).

I just find it interesting how extreme it sounds and contrast it with how calm we all are about it. Yes, there are reasons, Birk helped calm us.
We have seen rosters massively retooled (Saints when Payton came in and Miami when Parcells arrived), and this isn't that kind of retooling, but nonthe less we are going to have a bunch of new numbers to learn and players to learn to recognize without really "seeing" them, like we can with a blur cutting infront of a WR (gotta be Reed even when we can't see the 20) or a big body reaching for a pass in the seam we knew was Heap.

Other years the changes seemed to be the lower part of the roster with one or 2 exceptions to learn fast (Haloti, McN....). This year is going to be fun.
But bring it on, I'm ready to see what we get in the draft.

[awalt]

Well the way I look at it, turnover of rosters is the norm in the NFL these days - at least for the good teams. Otherwise you get old and in cap trouble fast.

There is a premium on the value of coaching staffs. These guys can make a group of guys a cohesive team using a system that brings out their strengths, or they can be Denver :crazy: . Our coaching staff will earn its money this year as they did last year, there is no sitting on their laurels.

Of the guys you mentioned, CMac did not contribute to the stretch run at all.

Samari Rolle missed 20 games the last 2 years including the playoffs, So you really can't think of CMac and Rolle being our starters last year from mid season on, it was really Washington (still here) and Walker with Ivy as the nickel. On paper, Washington Foxworth and Carr is better hands down, in fact we have one of the fastest pair of CBs in the league.

Carr is way better than Figurs, in fact I don't think Figurs makes the team this year. Carr is NOT better than Leonhard the return guy IMHO. Slight step back there.

Douglass was a rotation guy, ably replaced last year by McKinney. Largely an even switch of rotation guys, although keep in mind Ozzie decided to proactively sign McKinney and then cut Douglas, so don't you think they believe McKinney is better? I also wonder if he knows more than we do about Kelly Gregg, which is why he was comfortable cutting Douglas (or knows he can get him back).

Brown vs. Birk we have discussed ad nauseum. Clear upgrade this year witha Pro Bowl center. Long term, you would like the younger guy; but that's what the draft is for, you don't have to solve every position short and long term immediately. Birk this year will be way better FOR FLACCO'S DEVELOPMENT than Brown IMHO.

Scott is a necessary move in this cap league. We have drafted guys to replace him, if we don't let them prove it we lose them and over pay Scott. Scott was an undrafted free agent, on paper his replacements are faster, more athletic, and stronger. Let's see if they can play. Steelers have shown you don't over pay role LBs (and sorry, Bart Scott will never be the cornerstone of a defense).

Kicker is a question, but the offseason is far from over.

So on paper we have a lot of the right players in place. Our young guys (Flacco, Rice, OL, Clayton?, Ngata, secondary) will get better. We have guys coming back from injury who will contribute. And they pay the coaching staff a lot of money not to just be rotisserie coaches, make this team perform at its highest level.

I like our chances so far. On ESPN today, Golic said the Ravens had the best offseason in the AFC so far.

Note: for me, I sign Mason to an extension. He is not a speed guy, so what he is good for (route running, possession catches) he will be good for 2-3 more years, especially where we are so thin at WR - I wold like to see 3-4 productive WRs on this team (they don't all have to be stars). If they can sign Mason to a cap friendly multi year deal, they can deeply cut into Mason's 4.4MM cap charge for this year - another bonus.

Then draft/sign a #1 WR!!!! At that point I really like our chances.

[Rxdoxx]

Can't argue with what you are saying, there are the reasons why we are so calm.

Add that we are hoping that Willis doesn't slow start (again :eyes: )

Oz has got the holes plugged except FB (if we want McClain getting carries), another TE, a K to push Hauschka in camp (or beyond), and one more CB.
Everything else appears to be depth and/or looking for upgrades.

Draft, I'm hoping we can slip ahead of the Falcons and grab Pettigrew if he falls that far, but relaxed and trusting Oz.

[Marcel#52]

Can't argue with what you are saying, there are the reasons why we are so calm.

Add that we are hoping that Willis doesn't slow start (again :eyes: )

Oz has got the holes plugged except FB (if we want McClain getting carries), another TE, a K to push Hauschka in camp (or beyond), and one more CB.
Everything else appears to be depth and/or looking for upgrades.

Draft, I'm hoping we can slip ahead of the Falcons and grab Pettigrew if he falls that far, but relaxed and trusting Oz.

None of those are needs... We have Todd as our TE, McClain as the FB, Hauschka as the K, and 4 CBs. Oz has done what he said he'd do.. Fill our needs. We have no position needs right now. While a Deep Threat WR would be nice, It's not necessarily a position of need. TE, FB, K,and CB can't be considered holes. I'd say they're more like open slots where we could place a 2nd tier free agent or an undrafted free agent. This was Oz's plan. Now he can grab any of these positions wherever in the draft it come available

[srobert96]

Can't argue with what you are saying, there are the reasons why we are so calm.

Add that we are hoping that Willis doesn't slow start (again :eyes: )

Oz has got the holes plugged except FB (if we want McClain getting carries), another TE, a K to push Hauschka in camp (or beyond), and one more CB.
Everything else appears to be depth and/or looking for upgrades.

Draft, I'm hoping we can slip ahead of the Falcons and grab Pettigrew if he falls that far, but relaxed and trusting Oz.

Is Neal not signed for next year???

If Willis shows up in shape and committed he could have a big year. People also underestimate the potential of healthy Demetrius Williams. He is that vertical threat that was definitely needed.

I believe Carr and Leohnard are a wash. Leohnard averaged 11.6 on 20 punt returns to Carrs 10.1 on 32. Carr averaged 28.1 to Leohnards 20.4 on kickoffs.

I also think that between Landry and Zibby they will be able to replace him at safety.

Hopefully Gaither takes the next step next year. That will allow them to open up the offense a bit more as they will not need to keep TEs in helping him.

[Jeremiah W]

Is Neal not signed for next year???

If Willis shows up in shape and committed he could have a big year. People also underestimate the potential of healthy Demetrius Williams. He is that vertical threat that was definitely needed.

I believe Carr and Leohnard are a wash. Leohnard averaged 11.6 on 20 punt returns to Carrs 10.1 on 32. Carr averaged 28.1 to Leohnards 20.4 on kickoffs.

I also think that between Landry and Zibby they will be able to replace him at safety.

Hopefully Gaither takes the next step next year. That will allow them to open up the offense a bit more as they will not need to keep TEs in helping him.

Down the stretch Gaither was blocking Harrison 1 on 1 and we were double blocking Woodley and he still had 2 sacks and a lot of front side pressure. Big Willy was fine vs 4-3 DEs, but he does not have the foot speed to deal with speed rushers in a 3-4, even with a little help from a TE or back.

[Rxdoxx]

Is Neal not signed for next year???

Hopefully Gaither takes the next step next year. That will allow them to open up the offense a bit more as they will not need to keep TEs in helping him.

Neal hasn't signed elsewhere, not a lot of demand for a 39 yr old FB, so we could add him back in, but I'm sure we will be looking at younger/cheaper alternatives. Ravens seem to find players there (Ovie Mugheli, Justin Green) and McClain himself was one of those until he showed he could also produce yards on his own. With not a lot of demand for a FB (some teams ignore the position) players will fall below where their skills say they should be drafted.
So maybe we see someone like Ian Johnson from Boise appear in camp. I can't see us wanting to return McClain to just blocking, so we will need someone in that role to take the reps.

Jeremiah has hit your last point. Maybe Gaither doesn't need a lot of help, but the TE will presently be needed on the other side, so RT will bear some watching to see if we can put someone there who we don't have to help. We have bodies for the position (Terry, Hale, even Yanda) have let some go, Slaughter/Kracalik, and Willie is still around, but I know we are looking to upgrade there. Another position to watch for as we draft, probably a prospect somewhere in the middle rounds.

[awalt]

I suspect if we don't find a good blocking FB in the draft at the right round #, we go back and sign Neal.

That could also easily happen to QB Todd Bauman (so yes we could draft a young developmental QB for a late round if someone they like, BPA, comes available), Matt Stover, and maybe even Chad Slaughter depending on injuries etc. in camp. Bauman has experience on his side (and happy to be #3), we know Stover's strengths and weaknesses, and Slaughter played pretty well for a fill-in when injuries hit.

I really think they have their eyes on a FB in the draft, I am not sure they are going to want to pay McClain big bucks when his contract comes up, or at least they will want some leverage vs. having no one on the roster that can do what he does. A big back is important in the NFCN.

Those old guys aren't going anywhere, see if we can upgrade then get back to them.

[Rxdoxx]

I just realized that we haven't signed Koch yet. If so we are missing a P and FG holder.
Anyone know if he is in the plans?

[jonboy79]

I just realized that we haven't signed Koch yet. If so we are missing a P and FG holder.
Anyone know if he is in the plans?

He is a RFA, was tendered, and it has been spoken of that he may get a long term extension. He is here for at least next year.

[Bez513]

I just realized that we haven't signed Koch yet. If so we are missing a P and FG holder.
Anyone know if he is in the plans?

He is definitely in the plans...IMHO I think he had a pro-powl season last last year.

The team tendered Koch a one-year, $1.5 million contract and would receive a second-round pick as compensation if he signs elsewhere.

No one is going to sign Koch as a FA and give up a 2nd for him...he'll be back.