varaven45

Warner >> Flacco Boldin & Fitz >>> Mason & Clayton & Heap That will give you (Warner) 377 yards and 23 points aginst Stealers. Flacco could become a Warner type of even better. Mason, Clayton wont become a Boldin & Fitz. We need us a Fitz or Boldin type. Both of those guys owned the Stealers. If we want to beat the Stealers, we need a Fits or Boldin type.

This team has got to find a way to snag a playmaking WR in the offseason, esp after watching Fitzgerald, Boldin, etc. last night. Now that Mr. Flacco has a season under his belt, we need to build and expand on our WR corps and right away. If we make a a few sacrifices on our D, so be it. In Oz we trust ! ?

Tcleetz, I agree. I still say we have to keep Ray, Suggs, Brown and Leonard. The others can go. I believe we have got to keep Leonard because I am not sure we will ever see the same 2008 Ed Reed (neck) again. With his hampered ability to tackle, I am not sure how much Ed Reed has left. And who knows about Landry. I like Zip and Nak but... if Reed aint the same and Landry is done...we need at least Leonard as a safety policy to anchor one of the safety positions.

I tend to agree. I had us going 5-11 and we shocked or at least surprised all the football pundits this past season. The pundits already have us as an elite team or, at least, a playoff team in 09/10. We'll see. Like I said before, I'd rather be "off everyone's radar screen" and sneak up on teams during the year. Next season will be tough - West coast, NFC North trips to Green Bay and Minn. Cincy and Cleve will be (have to be) better. Flacco needs to step up, Cam needs to open up the O, we need a playmaker WR, get younger at CB, and need to solidify/stabilize the LB position. We do all that, we should be competitive. Thats all I'm after - is to win and be competetive. Everything else will take care of itself.

Yep. Already the expectations. I guess I should order my tickets for next yrs SB in Miami, huh ?

Wow, Crav, they've got us at 11-1. Thats too high. I'd rather be 20-1 or 30-1 with lower expectations. I like us much more flying "under the radar screen" rather than having a bullseye on our backs !

According to Carrol County Times: The San Francisco 49ers reportedly hired former New York Jets running backs coach Jimmy Raye II as their offensive coordinator Wednesday night, edging out Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson. Jackson was expected to get the job after interviewing twice with 49ers coach Mike Singletary, who tabbed Raye instead. Raye has several more years experience as an offensive coordinator than Jackson, who has coordinated offenses with the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons. Bad for Hue, good for us !

I always liked Shannon ;). Oh and I'll help build Ray's statue. too.

Unless we tag Leonard, maybe Jason Brown is the guy we "tag". ;)

Yeah, or Billick and Fassell. We know how that one worked out :o

I bet you are right. The successful suitor will probably offer Bart the "free steak" with a "hot sauce". As far his replacement, I hope Gooden, McClain and Burgess are getting ready !

If we keep Ray, Suggs, Brown and Leonard, it will be a successful offseason. I would not be disappointed if we let Scott walk. You cannot sign everyone. If we do that, the rest of the offseason will fall in line and hopefully includes drafting a WR and CB.

Not drafting a CB at all, when we had a chance to draft several good ones, was poor planning. BINGO !!!

The CBs (including Cmac) are our weak link- have been for 2-3 yrs. We need to get younger and quick before we start gettting routinely worked by Ben R, Peyton M., etc. As it stands, we are only periodically worked by the good QBs. We need to stop the CB bleeding this offseason. I believe Oz and Co will do it !

We dont want to lose Suggs. I'd be OK with losing Cmac or even B Scott for Boldin, but not Suggs. Our LB corps is aging and we need to keep Suggs, JJ and Ray for 09. Hopefully, McClain, Burgess, Gooden will fill in well for Scott. Can afford to let 2 LBs walk !

Yep, there is a definite changing of the guard at CB. We need to get rid of the dead wood at this position. Had we had decent CB's this year, we win the Tenn or any of the Steeler games. This has been our weak link for the past 2-3 years or more. Its is a huge understatement that we we need a fresh, staunch pair of corners to complement the D. Now. We can keep Washington and maybe Rolle and Walker (for backup and nickel situations ONLY) but we need to let Cmac, Ivy walk and pick up some legit CBs via draft or FA. I like the CB from Utah (SI's Don Banks has us projected to get) and the kid from Vandy (see Mel Kiper's mock). Thats a start; but we probably need to get one proven vet to fill the void by Cmac or Rolle's departure. I am absolutely convinced that, other than WR, this is only position that prevents us from from being an elite team and having the ability to CONSISTENTLY stop the passing games of Ben R, Tom Brady, Peyton M (who we will all see next year). In Ozzie I trust !

Damn. Sounds like a mass exodus !

In no order of priority: 1. New DC (for Rex) 2. WR - free agent and draft picks (2) 3. CB - 2 new ones -1 free agent draft pick 4. DE - need stronger pash rush - FA or draft pick 5. DL - in case Gregg is done 6. TE - need a younger, tougher version of Todd Heap 7. OT or OG - for depth and eventual replacement for Willie Anderson 8. LB/S-depth & eventual replacement for Ray/Ed

My comments on the blamegame (not necessarily in order of importance): 1. The Darren Stone brainfart was huge. I didnt even see it on replay or otherwise. But his bonehead play prevented us from starting near the 40 yd line and needing to go only 20-25 yards to have a FG shot. We had the momentum and he gave it right back to the Steelers. Talk about pressure on a rookie QB. 2. Our secondary's tackling (sans Leonard) was atrocius. Unlike the Steeler's, our CBs and safeties like to tackle the helmet and/or ball. Yes, we occasionally get a turnover but often it results in a busted play - see Santonio Holmes 65 yd TD. 3. Our WR corps disappeared. I'll put some of the blame on Flacco but our receiving corps is weak, compared to other teams. We deperately need a WR playmaker - an Anquan Boldin type - via draft or free agency. An aging Mason, Clayton and Demetrius Williams (even if healthy in 09) isnt going to cut it. Even if it means giving up an LB (e.g. Bart Scott), we need to get a playmaker on offense. 4. Our TE's disappeared, too. Todd Heap is either Mr Softy or is still injured. He can no longer break tackles (as before) and misses balls thta he used to secure. We need to fortify this position in the offseason. 5. The playcalling seemed too obvious and predictable. As Flacco improves, Cam will have more confidence in the rookie and the playbook can open up more. Meanwhile, the playcalling yesterday seemed to vanilla.

Mixed feelings about Rex's departure - if in fact it happens. 1. He coached a helluva D - and brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm. 2. The players seemed to respect him a lot, however, I thought they were undiscplined at times, esp in the secondary. Our secondary (sans Jim Leonard) was horrible at tackling and left many tackles/lost yards on the field. In short, our secondary needs to relearn to "wrap up" the opponent and not tackle the head or ball. 3. I really believe a change would be good. We have had some defensive brainfarts (NE game Dec 07) and various mental lapses in the secondary that signify a general lack of focus and discipline. 4. If we can get a butt kicker - maybe a Singletary type - and someone the players respect who can mesh well with Harbaugh, Cam, etc. then I'm all for it. I could see some real positives coming from a Rex Ryan replacement. We'll see.

I am extremely proud of this team and organization. I have got nothing but admiration for this team and Coach Harbaugh. After 5-11 last season if you have told me we'd be in the AFC Championship game, I would have said you were nuts ! The future certainly looks great. GO RAVENS!!!!

I have no doubt we will play with passion for 60 minutes. Will it be enough ? We'll know tonight!

Crav, I've said all along we will only win this game with divine intervention or 5 Pittsburgh turnovers. Oh, and a blizzard wont hurt either !! :P

Yep, we want anything that promotes a brutal running game and eliminates passing. To the weather Gods, gives us a blizzard, baby ! :lol:

I know its taboo to talk offseason stuff but this just underscores our weakness at CB. This will be exposed once again on national stage Sunday night. We passed over this CB deficiency in last year's draft (I am obviously leaving FA's Walker and Washington out of discussion). Regardless of CMac and Rolle's status next year, we have got to get younger at this position. We need a 2009 version of Cmac (in his prime). Dont know how we get em, but Oz has got to figure it out ! I know, I know, after the season !