oldno82

And finally, the Sun is reporting that the Browns want to interview Monken for their head coaching opening.

ESPN's Ben Solak Says Ravens Have Roster Construction Problem The prevailing opinion among pundits before the season was that the Ravens either had the best roster in the NFL or, at worst, were second only to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. So how did a team with so much talent, one that many predicted would finally get over the Super Bowl hump, end up with an 8-9 record and not make the playoffs? ESPN's Ben Solak said that while the Ravens have some of the best players in the league, they had some depth concerns. Solak contended that the Ravens' roster-building philosophy of drafting, developing, and extending their own players while making economical free-agent additions can be flawed. "You have your cornerstones – Lamar Jackson, Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, Ronnie Stanley – you build around these guys. Everything else around them has been draft and develop," Solak said on FanDuel TV's "Up & Adams Show." "Save for Derrick Henry, the last big free-agent contract they signed was in like 2016. They do not spend big money on outside guys. That's fine. That's very professional and a long-term way of building. I understand that. "But you can't draft this good. You cannot only keep your guys. When all you do is draft, develop and extend your own dudes, at some point you're going to catch two or three bad years even if you're a good GM, and you just don't have enough talent. The Ravens have such good blue-chip players. They have the stars, they absolutely do. [The problem is] when you get to the second and third tier of players." Solak cited offensive guard as a position in which the Ravens would have been better off by signing free agents, though he strangely contradicts himself by saying Baltimore should have re-signed its own pending free agents. "We're talking about Kevin Zeitler signing for one year, $9 million with the Tennessee Titans," Solak said. "And remember, they had Patrick Mekari in the building, Ben Powers in the building, John Simpson. They've had dudes there who have gone on to sign second-tier to third-tier level contracts – Simpson with the Jets and Powers with the Broncos – and they say, 'We can draft and develop.' "Man, even if you can, if you get 85 percent of the guy that just left the building, that accumulates over all these positions. You have a linebacker 2 problem, you have an edge rusher problem, you have a guard problem, and there are too many holes in your roster, so that once Lamar hurts his leg, like the season is lost. You have to be more serious about that second and third tier of the roster."

We have to prioritize things... 1) New coach and coaching staff. Possibly a new GM. The new GM, if hired, to pick the new HC. 2) The Draft/Free Agency/Trade: A DT who can collapse the pocket, an edge rusher, and an offensive lineman (preferably 2). Whoever gets picked/signed has to be able to start right away. 3) A new QB to replace Lamar? His quickness ain't what it used to be, and he's shown himself to be too moody. When he's feeling down, he lets the whole team down and he had more down days than up days this year. Also need an RB to groom as Henry's replacement? 4) Some indication of urgency on the part of Steve Bisciotti on solving these problems.

Interesting!

I agree with that!

Big changes are needed, I hope Steve agrees.

Well who might be available to us in that role in the draft?

A tad early to give up on EDC. He has done well in ending the WR drought but does seem unable to draft an impact edge rusher. I'll give him one last draft before I call for his head but it would certainly help if Steve tells him that.

I'm surprised...I thought he'd retire.

Jackson's back at practice today. I definitely have mixed feelings about it. Let's see if the young or old Lamar shows up on Sunday.

Yeah, I agree. The defensive linemen are tackling Lamar from behind much more successfully than in the past. He has either lost a step or is not as decisive as he used to be. I think, in this case, he's lost speed and quickness. Hurts once he passes the line of scrimmage as well, getting caught from behind.

I think it's downhill from here... https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/video/4f630DNwoSlnd3z/?source=athletic_user_shared_video_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

I'd start Huntley. He would have earned it. Doesn't he own the only 2 victories over .500/better teams the Ravens have this year?

Well what is the original of these rumors of Lamar and Monk not getting along...I just don't see any daylight between the two of them? I do know Harbs threw Monk under the bus a few weeks back which I thought was unprofessional.

Some columnist I read a few days ago, his name escapes me now, said Lamar is still a little boy in a grown man's body. I don't doubt he's hurting but his injuries aren't serious enough to not play in the Steelers' game if he wants to. And therein lies the problem. Lamar is demoralized by the team's showing this year but he doesn't have the necessary leadership skills and demeanor to still play for the enjoyment of the game and for his responsibilities. Snoop does know how to lead though he lacks the quality level of Lamar's many physical talents. But Huntley can get the job done. I'd like to see him play this Sunday.

Somehow I feel we have a better chance to win if Snoop plays. I'll say Ravens win if Snoop plays and TJ Watt doesn't. Otherwise, all bets are off. But man this has been a weird year!

They did have good coaching but didn't they also have easy schedules?

I sure as hell wasn't expecting that! The Ravens get one more shot at the playoffs after all. I think if Snoop plays, we've got a chance. If Lamar plays, our chances are lower. But, really, I expect Aaron to have a field day against our defense. This has been one freaking crazy season in the NFL.

The D was terrible against the pass. Guys were out of position most of the night.

Snoop gets the team to give their best while Henry runs over the Pack defense. Of course, really happy we win but I just hope it isn’t a paper over of all our problems. We will see. Never thought I’d say this: Go Browns !

I'm hoping for better. Maybe we could finally come up with a guy who actually has shown he can pass rush and get sacks because we need more pressure coming from our front four. I'm talking about finding the next TJ Watt (in his prime).

I read where Willis is battling a sore throwing shoulder as well.

Hmmm. There was an unscientific poll in The Sun about the Ravens and Lamar and the leading poll result, of several options, was that we should trade Lamar for picks or players.

So he was quick to respond but not quick to answer?

I know...that's why I think it's past time for him to say something. Good luck to Monk.