Ravens/WTF?! Pre Season Thread

[vmax]

OK...let's assume Dobbins is out for 8 weeks or the whole season. The Ravens carry 3 RB's on this 2021 roster. 

Who do you think they should keep?

[vmax]

Lamar just tweeted a bunch of crying faces

[vmax]

   Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
An MRI today confirmed that Ravens’ RB J.K. Dobbins, one of the top young running backs in the game, suffered a season-ending torn ACL, per source...............

Edited August 29, 2021 by vmax

[tsylvester]

18 hours ago, vmax said:

I don't  know about Mason at RB. Of course he's just been thrown in there.

Nice punt Verity. Multi tool.. Too bad he missed that FG

Runningback is one of the deeper parts of the roster. While he is a big loss, they have 2 quick good vision guys waiting in the wings. Both have the same skill set, so it is a toss up. I personally lile McCrary better but then we are splitting hairs

[tsylvester]

18 hours ago, cravnravn said:

Why is Rod Woodson announcing the games? I may have mellowed. But he went in the hof as a stealer...I still hate the stealers

I wish they would just turn off the self aggrandizing Sanduaky's mic and let Rod & Mike talk scheme all game; great stuff

[vmax]

5 minutes ago, tsylvester said:

Runningback is one of the deeper parts of the roster. While he is a big loss, they have 2 quick good vision guys waiting in the wings. Both have the same skill set, so it is a toss up. I personally lile McCrary better but then we are splitting hairs

I think the RB's to make the 53 will be Gus, Hill and Williams. McCrary goes to PS.

No...No....No....way to old...no...no...no...way too slow

Quote

The Ravens could also look to sign a veteran free agent. In June, for example, they brought in former Los Angeles Rams All-Pro Todd Gurley for a visit. Gurley is still a free agent, as are several other big names from the past, including Frank Gore Sr. and Adrian Peterson....Report: MRI confirms Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins suffered season-ending knee injury in preseason finale - Baltimore Sun

 

Edited August 29, 2021 by vmax

[oldno82]

Well, all I can say is, that really sucks about Dobbins. He would have been the next star, or superstar for the whole of the NFL.

Just hoping he can come back next year and be one of the best at his position, for his sake alone.

Meanwhile, I think Gus and Ty'son will hold down the fort. What is worrying me most isn't RB or WR but the O-line. They've got two weeks to clean that up and they'd better do it wisely.

[vmax]

1 hour ago, oldno82 said:

Well, all I can say is, that really sucks about Dobbins. He would have been the next star, or superstar for the whole of the NFL.

Yes! I thought so too. I thought he would be unstoppable. Remember: Jamal tore his ACL in his 2nd season in 2001 and look at what he did in 2002.

This is a lot of yards, TD's and 1st downs to replace.

Williams has shown me something...he has an intensity that is very Raven-like.

[papasmurfbell]

Gus, Williams and hill will be the guys.  This injury go3s back to bit overdrafting the position.  No rb is worth higher than a 3rd rounder.  To much can go wrong and low pick or unseated put up monster numbers all the time.

[tsylvester]

Hill is a wasted roster spot, I know, I know, he is a decent special teams player. But if it windy out, he can't move unless he wants to be blown over by a 5 mph gust... Gurlie is just not dependable now, slowed by his knee injuries and can he even run in this type of offensive blocking scheme?

[vmax]

A little more information:

Quote

An MRI confirmed Sunday that the stud running back suffered a torn ACL, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Dobbins is looking at least 12 months of recovery to be ready for the 2022 season, but he will miss the 2021 campaign. The running back did not suffer any MCL or PCL damage, Pelissero added.

 

[vmax]

21 minutes ago, tsylvester said:

Hill is a wasted roster spot, I know, I know, he is a decent special teams player. But if it windy out, he can't move unless he wants to be blown over by a 5 mph gust... Gurlie is just not dependable now, slowed by his knee injuries and can he even run in this type of offensive blocking scheme?

I'm not excited about Hill yet he does have experience in this offense. In 2 years he hasn't done much or shown much as a runner. That's not good considering the incredible running game the Ravens have. McCrary could beat him out as the season progresses if he falters.

Williams may flourish in this scheme.

So far Williams and McCrary have not played against starters. They were handicapped by the patched up O Line so how well they did is a credit to them. Lot of unknowns here. I think McCrary runs too upright and does not have the speed to get outside. He needs more development. 

Edited August 29, 2021 by vmax

[GrubberRaven]

Good thing we didn't trade Gus, right Papa?

[vmax]

2 hours ago, GrubberRaven said:

Good thing we didn't trade Gus, right Papa?

LOL!   

 

[papasmurfbell]

2 hours ago, GrubberRaven said:

Good thing we didn't trade Gus, right Papa?

True.  Gut I do like draft capital.

[tsylvester]

Ravens are "rumored" to be interested in

https://triblive.com/sports/first-call-leveon-bell-lesean-mccoy-among-rumored-replacements-for-ravens-j-k-dobbins-notable-safety-signings-for-steelers/

But if the Ravens want to bolster the running back depth, many outlets are suggesting the franchise consider signing 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley. The former Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons back is currently a free agent after averaging just 3.5 yards per carry en route to 678 yards in 2020.

A pair of names with Pittsburgh ties have come up in the rumor mill — ex-Steeler Le’Veon Bell and former Pitt Panther LeSean McCoy.

Bell managed just 466 yards from scrimmage in 2020 between stops with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. McCoy only had only 25 touches for 132 yards from scrimmage in 10 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year

[GrubberRaven]

If we need a pass catching RB, let's go with McCoy, otherwise, no.

 

[vmax]

Qualities the Ravens need in a RB is speed and the fast decidedness to hit the hole and then power and acceleration. I don't think any of these guys have that. Look at Ingram last year. The wheels went flat and he had average numbers in an above average running scheme.

Where's Terry Allen when you need him?

[vmax]

  "What do you think Jamison?"

 "I'm so glad you asked!"

Quote

No one is writing off the Ravens’ championship aspirations because of the season-ending injury to Dobbins. Their Super Bowl odds remain 14-to-1, the fifth-best in the NFL, according to Caesars Sportsbook.  

Baltimore has a starter-caliber replacement in Gus Edwards, a running scheme that has a track record of producing highly efficient backs and a dynamic playmaker in quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has always been the Ravens’ most dangerous runner even when Dobbins lined up beside him.

Edwards, 26, is a punishing, straight-ahead runner who trimmed down this summer and looks faster than he ever has. He rarely gets stopped behind the line, which is one reason why he has received the fifth-best rushing grade (90.2) by Pro Football Focus since 2018. It’s realistic to project Edwards to run between 1,100 and 1,200 yards and total close to double-digit touchdowns.....Ravens prepared for rough loss of J.K. Dobbins 20 years ago - Baltimore Ravens- ESPN

 

 

  "And Just Remember.....

Quote

In 2014, the Ravens had to shift to their backup running back before the start of the season because Ray Rice was cut after video surfaced showing him punching his then-fiancée during an altercation at an Atlantic City hotel. Forsett responded with a Pro Bowl season, and Baltimore reached the AFC divisional round in the playoffs.

 

[tsylvester]

https://www.nfl.com/news/harbaugh-ravens-plan-to-fill-j-k-dobbins-absence-with-multiple-backs

In the Ravens' offense, replacing Dobbins isn't a job for one, according to coach John Harbaugh.

"The way we run our offense, we want to roll backs. We want to play multiple backs. We have a lot of carries, so those guys do a lot in the offense," Harbaugh said Monday. "It's not like it's gonna be one running back that takes all of the reps for us. We need three backs active every game, we're gonna need a back or two on the practice squad that's ready to go, so that's kind of how we operate."

 

Rapoport: 'There's been some dialogue' between Ravens, Gurley

 

 

Might the Ravens turn to the trading block or another team's scrap heap for a new acquisition? Harbaugh wouldn't dispel the notion.

"That's true for every position," Harbaugh said. "It's not like any position that we're not going to be looking for opportunity to improve. Obviously, that's a conversation because of J.K.'s injury. I wouldn't say I'd be surprised if there was a back that came available that was better than what we have for us, but if that were to be the case or some veteran out there made sense, I'm sure we'd do it. Whatever we can do to make our team better, we'll do."

 

[papasmurfbell]

1 hour ago, GrubberRaven said:

If we need a pass catching RB, let's go with McCoy, otherwise, no.

 

Bell specializes at catching the ball.  Also maybe he wants to get even with the steelers.

[oldno82]

After watching the dvr recording, i'd have to say, put  a guy, Mason, we already have, in our backfield rotation. He runs big and fast and with determination.  I think he just needs some time with our first string blocking.

[varaven45]

I’d like to see us reacquire Mark Ingram from the Texans.  They’re rebuilding and we need a proven back who already knows the system. 
Could probably get him for a 5th or 6th round. 
Don’t like our teams chances if just one more back goes down. 

[papasmurfbell]

Ingram is toast.  

[varaven45]

So is our season if one of our current backs goes down.