Window Closed?

[oldno82]

Steelers Writer Declares Ravens' Super Bowl Window Has Closed

While some pundits have said they expect the Ravens to take a step back next season, the prevailing opinion is that they'll continue to be a championship contender. As noted in yesterday’s Late for Work, oddsmakers are projecting the Ravens, Chiefs, and 49ers to lead the league in wins next season.

However, Touchdown Wire’s Jarrett Bailey contended that the Ravens' Super Bowl window has closed. (Bailey is also the deputy editor of "Behind the Steel Curtain," an SB Nation website that covers the Steelers.)

Bailey cited the Ravens' losses in free agency from last season's top-ranked defense as the main reason for his opinion, specifically mentioning inside linebacker Patrick Queen (Steelers) and safety Geno Stone (Bengals) defecting to two of Baltimore's AFC North rivals.

"The defense will still be good, in all likelihood, but expecting them to repeat what they did last year with the mastermind of it all departed, as well as two key defenders — that would be very naïve to say the least," Bailey wrote. "That was the best defense they are going to have for the foreseeable future, and they didn't capitalize on it."

 

Bailey also noted that the AFC is loaded with talented teams.

"I understand the fascination with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, but look at how stacked the conference is in terms of teams and quarterback talent," Bailey wrote. "Teams like the Texans are getting better, and C.J. Stroud is a budding superstar. The Titans are going all in to build a really good roster. The Jaguars have a special quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. Justin Herbert now has Jim Harbaugh, and we'll see how that goes. The Dolphins will be in the mix. The Jets may be fun with a healthy Aaron Rodgers.

"In the Ravens' own division, the Steelers are much better on paper, and Jackson is 1-3 against Pittsburgh in his career. The Browns were just a playoff team, and the Bengals will get Joe Burrow back and be right back in the thick of things. And, of course, there is Buffalo and Kansas City, who always seem to be playing deep into January. For how great the quarterbacks and teams are in this conference, some of them won't ever get over that hump. And for as talented as he may be, Jackson fell short in the best opportunity to get to the Super Bowl that he may ever have. And in a crowded AFC, there is no guarantee he'll get that chance again."

 

----From the Ravens' Website.

[tsylvester]

Meh, window, smindow, can Stone continue to play at that level, without the schemes and players to back him?

How about Queen, is he that good, that Smith next to him good, with out Smith next to him?

A better offensive line, better understanding of the offensive system, more comfortable with it too boot, means the offense will be at least as good, if nor better.

They were already one of the top teams in the league in redzone efficiency, at Henry to the back field, yeah let's  party.

Last year the defense had a number of injuries in the secondary, some, many of those players are not just back healthy, but get to go through an off season where they can rest and train, not recover from surgery.

Yeah, call me optimistic about the defense being better, not just as good.

So a closed window? Yawn, over speak, dead season speak just to get clicks.

[oldno82]

I don't feel as optimistic. Who's going to pick up the pass rush with Clowney gone? And how is the offensive line going to be better? When you lose 20 players there's a lot of holes to fill. And it looks like nearly all of the 'fill' will be coming via the draft.

[papasmurfbell]

On 3/29/2024 at 5:59 PM, tsylvester said:

Meh, window, smindow, can Stone continue to play at that level, without the schemes and players to back him?

How about Queen, is he that good, that Smith next to him good, with out Smith next to him?

A better offensive line, better understanding of the offensive system, more comfortable with it too boot, means the offense will be at least as good, if nor better.

They were already one of the top teams in the league in redzone efficiency, at Henry to the back field, yeah let's  party.

Last year the defense had a number of injuries in the secondary, some, many of those players are not just back healthy, but get to go through an off season where they can rest and train, not recover from surgery.

Yeah, call me optimistic about the defense being better, not just as good.

So a closed window? Yawn, over speak, dead season speak just to get clicks.

No they will be a lesser team.  Its not what the FA losses do for their new teams.  Its when their replacements do here.  I expect less production.