Ravens Notes

[vmax]

As we know, the secondary is definitely loaded with talent. This will prove to be extremely important against the excellent QB's and passing attacks.

 

 

 

S DeShon Elliott

The 2018 sixth-round pick made the play of the offseason when he raced nearly halfway across the field to make a diving interception and then added another pick during mandatory minicamp. Baltimore has a loaded secondary, but it looks as if the Ravens are going to need to find a way to get Elliott on the field this season. After missing all of last season because of a fractured forearm, he has shown a knack for being around the ball. "He's going to make a mark," coach John Harbaugh said. -- Jamison Hensley

 

Speed....another very important factor....and down the stretch these guys will still have their legs and endurance.

 

 

7. The Ravens lost a lot on defense, and it won’t be easy to replace C.J. Mosley, Eric Weddle and Terrell Suggs. That said, one thing that was obvious throughout the offseason program was that, what Baltimore lost in experience they’ve picked up in speed, part of a concerted effort over the last two years to get faster on that side of the ball. Older additions Earl Thomas and Pernell McPhee look like they’ve got plenty left in the tank. Linebacker Peanut Onwuasor has gotten more vocal in the absence of Mosley. And Timmy Williams and Willie Henry look ready to take a step forward up front. Add that to a strong, deep group of corners and, while they might not be what they were last year, there’s optimism that the dropoff will be manageable......https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/06/17/joe-douglas-new-york-jets-gm-general-manager-sam-darnold-christopher-johnson-adam-gase-woody-johnson

 

 

 

In a perfect world, Baltimore’s offensive line would be as follows (from the left side to the right):

Ronnie Stanley
Ben Powers
Bradley Bozeman
Marshal Yanda
Orlando Brown Jr.
From that group, Yanda is a safe Pro Bowl option with Stanley as a contender for a spot as well. Powers and Bozeman will prove more than solid, and I believe that if Brown progresses from year-one to year-two then he could also be a Pro Bowl caliber player. Three Pro Bowl linemen and two solid starters? That’s the makings of a borderline elite offensive line......https://ebonybird.com/2019/06/16/ravens-offensive-line-sneaky-good-2019/

 

 

Who captains this secondary is truly up for debate. New-comer Earl Thomas has a straight path to the Hall of Fame and is no stranger to commanding elite secondaries. Thomas led the famed “Legion of Boom” that appeared in back-to-back Super Bowls with thr Seattle Seahawks.

Jimmy Smith has been with the team since 2011 and has been perhaps the most underrated cornerback in his time in the league. Tony Jefferson is entering his third-season in Baltimore and plays above-average with an edge and is a beloved character in the locker room. Tavon Young is perhaps the best slot-cornerback in the league and is a play-maker with the ball in his hands

Then there’s Marlon Humphrey, the best cornerback in the NFL that no one is talking about. With a new jersey number (now #44, formerly #29), perhaps now he will get noticed by the media. Humphrey, who will turn just 23-years old on July 8th, is entering the prime of his career and will look to open the eyes and drop the jaws of those watching him. Call him Richard Sherman 2.0, because Marlon Humphrey will shutdown any who line-up against him and have quarterbacks numbers all game long. Beyond this quintet of elite players are starting caliber talents like Brandon Carr, Anthony Levine, and Anthony Averett. The Ravens will have great role players behind thim in guys like DeShon Elliott, Maurice Canady, Chuck Clark, Iman Marshall, and Cyrus Jones. The Baltimore Ravens secondary is the gift that keeps on giving…

Never before have we seen a Ravens secondary this talented and deep across the board. From ball-hawks to big-hitters, this back-end has it all. The interceptions will come by the truck load and anything less than 20 would be a disappointment. There’s not a passing offense in this league that will challenge this unit in 2019. .....https://ebonybird.com/2019/06/13/2019-ravens-defense-unlike-any-before/

[krf82]

Still seems that there is an overload at strong safety: is there a true free safety on the roster?

[vmax]

I don't see one.

In the Ravens defense you have to be able to do both. Thomas can cover a lot of ground. He'll play free, yet will be asked to play strong in certain formations.

[papasmurfbell]

As we know, the secondary is definitely loaded with talent. This will prove to be extremely important against the excellent QB's and passing attacks.

 

 

Speed....another very important factor....and down the stretch these guys will still have their legs and endurance.

 

 

 

 

 

Who captains this secondary is truly up for debate. New-comer Earl Thomas has a straight path to the Hall of Fame and is no stranger to commanding elite secondaries. Thomas led the famed “Legion of Boom” that appeared in back-to-back Super Bowls with thr Seattle Seahawks.

Jimmy Smith has been with the team since 2011 and has been perhaps the most underrated cornerback in his time in the league. Tony Jefferson is entering his third-season in Baltimore and plays above-average with an edge and is a beloved character in the locker room. Tavon Young is perhaps the best slot-cornerback in the league and is a play-maker with the ball in his hands

Then there’s Marlon Humphrey, the best cornerback in the NFL that no one is talking about. With a new jersey number (now #44, formerly #29), perhaps now he will get noticed by the media. Humphrey, who will turn just 23-years old on July 8th, is entering the prime of his career and will look to open the eyes and drop the jaws of those watching him. Call him Richard Sherman 2.0, because Marlon Humphrey will shutdown any who line-up against him and have quarterbacks numbers all game long. Beyond this quintet of elite players are starting caliber talents like Brandon Carr, Anthony Levine, and Anthony Averett. The Ravens will have great role players behind thim in guys like DeShon Elliott, Maurice Canady, Chuck Clark, Iman Marshall, and Cyrus Jones. The Baltimore Ravens secondary is the gift that keeps on giving…

Never before have we seen a Ravens secondary this talented and deep across the board. From ball-hawks to big-hitters, this back-end has it all. The interceptions will come by the truck load and anything less than 20 would be a disappointment. There’s not a passing offense in this league that will challenge this unit in 2019. .....https://ebonybird.com/2019/06/13/2019-ravens-defense-unlike-any-before/

Thomas should be the leader in the backfield. Also Jefferson is trash. When he was down and they had I think a rookie back there the kid was better than he was. Jefferson should have left too.

Still seems that there is an overload at strong safety: is there a true free safety on the roster?

Thomas is the FS. He has the range. Cam Chancellor was the thumper in that backfield.

[oldno82]

Thomas will have a great season if he can stay healthy.

 

I know Jefferson has his coverage lapses but isn't he good against the run?

 

Love the new team speed and youth.

[papasmurfbell]

Jefferson is better against the run but I have seen him buldozed.

[oldno82]

I'll have to watch him more closely this coming season. I saw him whiff on a few tackles but I don't really say he can't do it. I just don't know enough.

[vmax]

OMG! Leave it to Preston to bring up the unthinkable "Hell Scenario"............

 

 

Rookie receiver Marquise Brown, nicknamed “Hollywood,” was drafted in the first round, but he hasn’t fully recovered from a Lisfranc (foot) injury.

If both he and Jackson don’t live up to expectations, imagine the embarrassment that will be felt by the Ravens front office. They will have drafted a receiver in Breshad Perriman who can’t catch, a quarterback who can’t throw and a fast receiver who can’t run.

It would be an amazing trifecta.......https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/analysis/preston/bs-sp-tough-ticket-20190620-story.html....

Edited June 21, 2019 by vmax

[vmax]

The raid on the Ravens front office continues.........

 

One of the reasons the Eagles suddenly came up with so much talent is they raided the Ravens front office of scouts and talent evaluators.

Now Joe Douglas has moved to the Jets and is raiding again....

 

 

A highly respected member of the Ravens’ front office is reportedly headed to the New York Jets.

Chad Alexander, who was recently promoted to Assistant Director of Pro & College Personnel, will become the Jets’ new director of player personnel, ....Alexander has a close relationship with new Jets General Manager Joe Douglas, dating back to their days working together in the Ravens’ front office. Douglas was in Baltimore’s front office for 15 seasons (2000-14), working with Alexander, who has been with the Ravens since 1999.

Alexander worked his way up the organization, starting as a pro personnel assistant, then becoming a scout in the West (2003-2004), Midwest (2005-2007) and Southeast (2008). He was promoted to assistant director of pro personnel following the 2009 NFL Draft.

Douglas is also reportedly expected to add former Ravens front-office executive Phil Savage to his staff. Savage was the Ravens’ director of college scouting (1996-2002) and director of player personnel (2003-2004)...........

 

It's a copy cat league. Formulas for success are duplicated and if they can't be duplicated, then 'acquired'.

Quality people are hard to find and harder to replace in any business.

It weakens the Ravens.