oldno82

Well my feelings of growing optimism just suffered a setback with that news. I'm gonna take a SWAG on it and say it ain't serious. Gulp!

Yep the news has turned positive on the Bateman-Jackson connection and I'm glad to hear it. If Flowers, Bateman, Andrews and Likely stay relatively healthy and if Henry still has 'it' the offense should be a marvel this year. As long as we can come up with a decent offensive line. The D has had an outstanding camp and it will be difficult for teams to move it against them if they can keep it up. I feel like the season is a bit more promising that it looked just a week ago.

Yeah, I was going to say that we'll see what's going on in the preseason games with Lamar but then I remembered that the starters won't even be playing until opening day. I guess we just have to wait and see, but I expect we'll see the same problem again this year. I hope I'm wrong.

What I heard/read is that they've had trouble connecting more than Lamar ignoring him, but Jackson is having his usual difficulties hitting him deep. I hope they can turn that around. Some info from Zrbreic: 'There has been plenty written and said about the need for Lamar Jackson to improve his deep ball accuracy this season. Thursday was not a great day in that regard for Jackson, but it wasn’t entirely on him. He did have a few overthrows, but he also made a very nice throw down the far sideline. However, the ball hit off the extended hands of Rashod Bateman, who was well covered by Brandon Stephens. On another deep shot, Jackson allowed tight end Mark Andrews to go up and make a play. Andrews had his hands on the ball, but it popped out as he hit the ground and landed in the lap of safety Kyle Hamilton for an interception.'

I'm willing to give a try, but if kickers are getting hurt, they should revise the rule even during the season.

Jackson's having a pretty good camp...so was Bateman before he got dinged...but now that he's returned, he and Lamar are back to having trouble hooking up. Damn!

Jackson signed for $1.25 million and a $250k bonus. Definitely reasonable for the situation.

Lamar is back today as well.

Bateman continues to shine...keeping my fingers crossed about injuries...so far so good.

Positive news on Bateman but we'll have to see what happens with him when Lamar returns. Will he be a force or melt back into the shadows like in the past with Jackson running the show?

Don't know what is up with Lamar. Maybe it's covid. Anyway, he was in camp everyday last week with the Rooks, I believe, so I'll cut him a little slack--for now.

Could be an important move, if he is recovered, as it frees up Hamilton to be Orr's chesspiece like MacDonald used him.

Yeah...not so sure about this signing. Injured DBs at age 30 are risky to say the least. Couldn't find a thing about how much. If it is in the area of the vet minimum, I'm alright with it for now.

Sunday is the big day. i just hope we have a healthy TC and preseason; one that doesn't have guys dropping like flies. Just give me that and an O-line that blocks and I'll be happy.

I'm not so sure they make the playoffs this year. I hope they do but there are so many unanswered questions. Maybe I will feel differently after the camp and first couple games of the season. Maybe.

Yep...camp is getting closer and closer. I have to confess to a feeling of some disinterest this year. Last year was, in my mind, going to be the 'Ravens Year' to win it all, and I think I still haven't gotten over the fact that they didn't make it to the Super Bowl. I'll continue to read about them and watch the pre-season games and look to see how much of 'it' they really have this coming season, but I'm doubtful they'll be as good as last year's team. Certainly, Henry could ignite a new round of feeling for me IF he still has the ability and desire he's had in the past. We're going to miss MacDonald, Clowney, Queen, and Geno more than I think the media realizes. On offense, as I have stated ad nauseum, I am greatly concerned about the offensive line. All will be revealed in good time, I suppose, but as of right now I'm keeping my powder dry and my feelings in check.

Lamar threw into triple coverage on one play. Yes it was stupid but this year with an extra experience under Monken's system there will be plenty of target possibilities. So much so that the WRs will be competing for opportunities like never before on a Ravens team. You want to worry on something think about an O-line starting 3 new guys and how long will it take for them to develop the offensive line chemistry that is so necessary for having an effective offense. That is where the Achilles heel may be.

Likely and Flowers were very good last year. Andrews was hurt, now recovered. There will be plenty of options available for a limited number of opportunities this season. It's the O-line that I worry about.

I think Bateman will come of age this year as long as he gets enough targets. Can't forget guys like Flowers, Andrews, and Likely who have already bloomed.

Rather than have a complete exception to the cap, maybe they could allow a certain amount of the money to be subject to it and then anything above it would count against the qb cap. So if a player wants say $60 mil a year, the first 40mil counts against the team cap and the remaining 20mil would go towards the separate qb cap.

Many are overpaid in relation to the total cap. I don't see the owners being 'together' enough to bring down prices on their own. I think some type of restriction is needed, but honestly have no idea what the best way to go about it is.

I'm speechless...

Preston says Bateman was frustrated by the way the Ravens weren't passing the ball his way today. At the end of practice, though, he and Jackson were seen joking together on the sideline. Make of it what you will.

Good news for sure. Let's hope it holds up in camp.

Still, a lot of guaranteed money for a running back. They are so fragile.