Ravens Talk: Thinking Out Loud

We gave our comments on the Baltimore Ravens 37-33 loss yesterday to the Oakland Raiders here. I could further belabor those events, but the idea of spending more time wallowing in that defeat bores me. 

Will the Ravens be able to buck historical trends, and be an 0-2 team that finds their way back to the NFL post-season (which would be a 7th time in 8 years)? Certainly we will know if it is plausible 3 weeks from now after Baltimore has had their first games with the AFC North (Cincinnati, @Pittsburgh, Cleveland).

We entered the year believing the Ravens needed to be 4-4 at the bye, and do damage in the 2nd half.
At the bare minimum, we arrive at the home opener with the knowledge that going 4-2 the next six weeks (the aforementioned AFC North trio of games, @San Francisco, @Arizona, San Diego) does not look easy.

What I find myself more interested in discussing this morning is what we like and dislike about the roster longer-term.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

QB: Joe Flacco is under contract through the 2018 season. Now in his 8th year, Flacco will not turn 31 until January. I think we are all aware of Flacco’s strengths and limitations at this point. In-general, Flacco for me can be summarized by the positive thought that he regularly gives the Ravens a chance to win anywhere.

RB: Justin Forsett signed a 3 year deal with the Ravens last March. Despite his age (30 in October), his usage in his career has been so minimal, his legs are fresher than you would expect chronologically. He was extremely productive last year as evidenced by his yards per carry. In this Marc Trestman offense (and with the line in-front of him), he should have another productive season. Lorenzo Taliaferro as a 1 cut downhill runner has some appeal in this offense. He looks slimmer than he did a year ago. Buck Allen has his supporters.  Couple of points here. Forsett’s success last year (after languishing on benches for years) is one reason to argue that RB’s are interchangeable. RB’s have been devalued across the league. Forsett being a great example of how you can find plus production, from unlikely sources, with the right scheme. Taliaferro, and Allen have both been 4th round picks in successive years. They were drafted at that point of the draft for a reason. Meaning both players were seen as having some positives, and some questions. I think the Ravens can (and should) get production out of this group this year. I don’t think it is a group devoid of talent. Each of the Ravens current backs brings something to the table. I don’t look at any of them as a liability.

I do think there is room to dream of having a more elite, more complete lead back though. Someone who combines size and speed. Someone capable of pounding the rock between the tackles, with the ability to breakaway. Someone who can help as a receiver in the backfield, and also help with blitz pickup.  Who knows if the Ravens will be in position to draft either, or if another RB will emerge; but right now I like the thought of either Derrick Henry (Alabama) or Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State) possibly being available when Baltimore is on the clock next May.

FB: I’m a Kyle Juszczyk fan. I think he brings a lot of versatility, and I’d like to see him more involved with the offense. He’s a Free Agent after the 2016 season.

WR: The Ravens best receiver is retiring after this season. Obviously a 1st round pick was spent on Breshad Perriman this year. He missed camp, and will look to be back at some point in October. My hope for Perriman this season, is that he is ready to give some consistent production after the bye. You drafted him to take the top off defenses, and take advantage of Flacco’s arm. He has to be a productive player in this offense going forward. Disappointment in his lack of current availability is understandable, but everything he was drafted to do, should still be part of the equation long-term.  Kamar Aiken had some production last year (and a nice 2nd half yesterday). Marlon Brown was a revelation as a rookie, and was mostly quiet in ’14 (late in the year, he started to get involved with the offense some). The next year or two, they (particularly Aiken) could help the offense some. I don’t think you look at either as a real piece. We really liked Mike Campanaro at Wake Forest, and do believe he can be a weapon. He has to prove it now. It starts with staying available, and then it becomes necessary for him to show week-to-week consistency. The next few months are very important for him. 6’6, 245lb Rookie Darren Waller has clear physical talent. He’s also very raw. Based on his draft selection, and tools; he is going to be given a chance to develop over the next year or two.

You start thinking about the 2016 Draft, WR is going to be another position that is considered for an early selection. If Baltimore were to use a 2nd round selection next year for WR, to me you would be looking for someone with complimentary skills to Perriman. Maybe someone like Michael Thomas (Ohio State), or Josh Doctson (TCU).

TE: Crockett Gilmore. Maxx Williams. The Ravens have to feel pretty good about what they have with this tandem. Who knows if Dennis Pitta ever plays again (or stays on a field), but you continue to hear he is going to try. With respect to him, it’s a credit to the Ravens that they’ve found other attractive alternatives.

O-Line: Eugene Monroe has underwhelmed Ravens fans in his time here in Baltimore, but he’s just 28 and is generally well-regarded for his ability. I’m looking forward to him getting back to action vs. the Bengals. A few penalties yesterday aside, Kelechi Osemele is one of the better guards in the league. He’s also a FA after this season. If you can’t figure out how to (or afford to) bring him back, that will be a big step back for this group. Before the ’14 season, Jeremy Zuttah signed a 5 year deal with $6.5M in guaranteed dollars. I believe he is looked at as an average ish Center, but average production was a huge upgrade vs. what existed immediately before him. Osemele has an argument of being one of the better guards in the league. Marshall Yanda has an argument for being the best. Like Osemele, Yanda is a FA after this year. If you have to pick between the two of them, Osemele being 5 years younger works in his favor. RT Ricky Wagner is a FA after the 2016 season. You would think the Ravens would also be looking to extend him. Odds seem good that John Urschel is a starter somewhere on the line in 2016. If the Ravens lose either Osemele, or Yanda; it is a safe bet that Baltimore will use an early Draft selection on a highly valued Guard. Maybe Spencer Drango (Baylor) if concerns over his back are alleviated.

D-Line: Brandon Williams. Timmy Jernigan. Carl Davis. Lot to like with that trio. After missing his first two years, Kapron Lewis-Moore is now getting some time. Brent Urban is on the designated to return list. Would be nice if he could get back this year, and give the line a late lift. We talked about dreaming about being in position to add a RB like Derrick Henry. The biggest pipe dream would be adding Joey Bosa (Ohio State) to this line as an end. As I’m not expecting the Ravens to have a Top 3 pick, the odds of Bosa are probably 0%. Maybe there will be Ravens interest in Shilque Calhoun (Michigan State), or (preferably) Emmanuel Ogbah (Oklahoma State).

LB: C.J. Mosley has a long career of multiple All-Pro seasons ahead of him. Daryl Smith (34 next March) has 2 years left on his contract. Is Arthur Brown ever going to factor? With the Terrell Suggs injury, Za’Darius Smith doesn’t get to Redshirt this year. He is going to have to provide some rush. Drafted to replace McPhee, Smith needs to be a draft hit for the Ravens over next few years. Elvis Dumervil had a monster season last year. He is signed through ’17. You would think without Suggs being on the field this year, that more attention will be paid to him. Courtney Upshaw provides zero rush, but does a good job holding containment, and helping vs. the run. He’s a FA after this year. Suggs has come back from the Achillies injury once in his career already, but that’s a very difficult injury for athletes – and he’s that much older now (33 in a few weeks). What Suggs is next year will remain a question. Leonard Floyd (Georgia) is a player I could see the Ravens having interest in as a OLB.

Secondary: Jimmy Smith will anchor this group for years. Might a move to S be in the near-future for Lardarius Webb? Will Hill is signed through ’16. Kendrick Lewis was signed to a 3 year deal, as was Kyle Arrington. Terrence Brooks is back early from his injury.  Matt Elam was getting praise for looking improved prior to his injury which has cost him this 2015 season. He is signed for next year, but based on his first two seasons there is not much optimism there. Kendall Fuller (Virgina Tech), and Tre’Davious White (LSU) could be CB options that the Ravens consider drafting early.

Special Teams: Justin Tucker is a FA after this year, and purportedly wants to be the highest paid kicker in the league. Sam Koch was signed to an extension through 2020 this Summer.

Overall I see a good core of talent, and also several clear areas where questions exist – and additional help will be necessary.