20 replies to this topic

[SportsGuy]

Whether it be the dline, oline, secondary, pass rush, etc....

For me, I was very worried about Cameron. But if the Ravens run the offense the way they have in the preseason, some of those concerns will be eased.

I was also worried about the oline but I think the Oline will be ok, especially in this no huddle, shotgun style offense. The defense will tire more, so it will be harder for them to get to the QB.

So, for me, my biggest area of concern right now is something I have never been concerned with...the run defense.

I worry about them being able to contain the edge. I worry that our dlineman won't be good enough and that, outside of Ray, that our LBers aren't that great in run defense. Now, I also think the run defense could be top 5 but between how they ended the year last year and what I have seen in preseason, it's my biggest area of concern now.

[Brobey]

I agree that outside of Cam Cameron, my major concern is on the other side of the ball. Never thought I would say that! The one thing in our favor is we face majority "passing" teams this year so if there was a year to have a sub-par rush defense this is the year.

I worry about pass rush. Suggs, while he disappeared throughout some games, usually commanded 1 1/2 or 2 blockers and we really don't have an edge rusher that will do that this year. That mean you need your bulk (Ngata, Cody, etc) to reek havoc on the inside of the line and allow he edge guys/blitzers to get through.

[bnickle]

The schedule is my biggest concern.

But yeah, concerning a facet of the team, I would say the front 7 in general. I think the team could struggle somewhat with the rush defense, pass rush, and our LBs pass coverage. I don't think any one of those 3 will be glaringly bad but I don't see them as strengths either. Something that was always the case in regards to the rush defense.

[ravens8589]

My biggest concern is the Offensive and Defensive line. The defensive line only concerns me because Suggs not being there means other lines can focus on our defensive line but that's not too concerning though it is a concern. I'm sorry, but the schedule does not scare me. We are an elite team. Elite teams should not be fearful of schedules and it's time the fans take that approach too. The reason the offensive line worries me is because of uncertainty. We do not know who will start at guard yet (though we do have a hunch) and we do not know how McKinnie will be coming into the season. Overall, I'm not really that concerned. I have a ton a faith in this team as I always do.

[bnickle]

The scheule is tough and should be a concern. I absolutely believe we are one of the 6 best AFC teams but your dealing with unbalanced schedules and a SSS. Any inferior team could win 10 games and get a playoff berth over us.

Also, I'm not that concened about the OL. It's not a great unit but it's solid and most importantly there is depth there.

[Mike B]

Schedule and linebacker are my concerns. I think the Ravens are going to have a very good offense this year, and I think the Oline will improve as the year goes on. I think KO's versatility will pay large dividends.

[Mike B]

One other thing, we have not played a game yet and I already miss JJ.

[You Play to Win the Game]

The O-Line has seemed to get progressively better throughout camp. I would have had that as my #1 concern earlier, but now I'm starting to buy into it a bit.

I agree about the run defense, and pass-rush... and I think an extension of the pass-rush is the secondary. Jimmy Smith has not quite found his stride yet and has taken some big gambles and looked foolish a few times. I think the secondary is so talented that I wouldn't quite say that I'm worried about it yet, but I could see them getting off to a slow start.

[Baltimore Chop]

One other thing, we have not played a game yet and I already miss JJ.

This may have been the biggest loss of the offseason. IMO, he was the unsung hero of the defense.

That said, my biggest concern is the O-Line and D-Line. Frankly, that's where games are won and lost.

[Mackus]

The scheule is tough and should be a concern. I absolutely believe we are one of the 6 best AFC teams but your dealing with unbalanced schedules and a SSS. Any inferior team could win 10 games and get a playoff berth over us.

Also, I'm not that concened about the OL. It's not a great unit but it's solid and most importantly there is depth there.

I agree the schedule is quite rough. I still think the Ravens win the division again (I think Pittsburgh slips and don't see the Bengals passing us, but it could happen), but I think it'll be really, really tough to get one of those byes.

[JordanKough]

McClellan and Upshaw really will define our run defense in terms of setting the edge. I really liked how McClellan defended the run and I think he gets that outside role more than we'd think.

I also think the emergence of Maake Kemo, will push us more towards some 4-3 alignments. Let us get big in the middle with Ngata/Cody/Maake and have McClain and McLellan setting the edge. Then rotating guys like Cody out on passing downs and rotating in the Krugers/Upshaws/Kindles into the mix.

There is a lot riding on Jones/McPhee to step up their game.

My biggest concern would probably be pass rush too though. But our secondary is going to help mask some of that. Once schemes, safety help, etc get worked out I like what we have to offer in the secondary and I think it gives us a pass without Suggs. But if Suggs comes back to this team healthy and KO works out, this team is just as much of a SB contender as last year.

And remember we were one dropped pass away.

I've got a really good feeling about this team and this year. If the O picks up the slack, drop off in our D won't hurt us at all. And in fact we've got a lot more north to go on what our O could bring to the table than I think the projected drop in D will be.

[bnickle]

McClellan and Upshaw really will define our run defense in terms of setting the edge. I really liked how McClellan defended the run and I think he gets that outside role more than we'd think.

I also think the emergence of Maake Kemo, will push us more towards some 4-3 alignments. Let us get big in the middle with Ngata/Cody/Maake and have McClain and McLellan setting the edge. Then rotating guys like Cody out on passing downs and rotating in the Krugers/Upshaws/Kindles into the mix.

There is a lot riding on Jones/McPhee to step up their game.

My biggest concern would probably be pass rush too though. But our secondary is going to help mask some of that. Once schemes, safety help, etc get worked out I like what we have to offer in the secondary and I think it gives us a pass without Suggs. But if Suggs comes back to this team healthy and KO works out, this team is just as much of a SB contender as last year.

And remember we were one dropped pass away.

I've got a really good feeling about this team and this year. If the O picks up the slack, drop off in our D won't hurt us at all. And in fact we've got a lot more north to go on what our O could bring to the table than I think the projected drop in D will be.

You might be right about seeing more 4-3. Our LBs just aren't very good. I can tell you right now Kruger isn't going to work as an every down LB. The problem is while we've found decent unheralded guys like McClain, Ellerbe, McClellan they are just not great ball players. Solid, and often good at certain things but just not all around good. Thats where missing on early round talent like Kindle,Cody,and Kruger(Im convinced he's a pass rush specialist) hurts. Really need Upshaw to pan out.

I seriously am less worried about the O than the D right now.

[Mike B]

You might be right about seeing more 4-3. Our LBs just aren't very good. I can tell you right now Kruger isn't going to work as an every down LB. The problem is while we've found decent unheralded guys like McClain, Ellerbe, McClellan they are just not great ball players. Solid, and often good at certain things but just not all around good. Thats where missing on early round talent like Kindle,Cody,and Kruger(Im convinced he's a pass rush specialist) hurts. Really need Upshaw to pan out.

I seriously am less worried about the O than the D right now.

As am I. I am really concerned about the Ravens LB corp. Ray and Jamel will be fine in the middle but the outside backers are a big concern. I fully expect us to scour the waiver wire for a outside LB.

As for the offense...I believe in Flacco and expect a 25 TD year. Make it happen Joe.

[JordanKough]

You know...McClellan looked great last night, and Kruger looked terrible. I think McClellan can be the guy that sets the edge on one side, but this is where we do need a quick Suggs recovery.

I really do think we'll only see Kruger in passing situations as an outside rusher. I've been saying it since Ngata bulked up and Ray lost weight, we're going to be a 4-3 team in running situations and that's fine.

Frankly Cody looked overwhelmed as well last night. That was disappointing. Kemoueatu is my early pick to be our unsung MVP on defense. He looked great through the first 3 pre-season games. He really seems to know what to do to play DT. Then again, I think Cody would be better if Rex were still around, he always did know how to coach up our DLineman and I definitely think we miss that.

Jimmie Smith also looked miserable last night. Those calling for Williams to be traded or to lose his starting spot, if Smith can't stay on his feet we're in trouble and he seems like he's the guy who's going to get targeted. Though in the regular season that double move ot Steve Smith 100% results in a INT by Ed Reed. Bradford floated that ball.

[BSLChrisStoner]

You know...McClellan looked great last night, and Kruger looked terrible. I think McClellan can be the guy that sets the edge on one side, but this is where we do need a quick Suggs recovery.

I really do think we'll only see Kruger in passing situations as an outside rusher. I've been saying it since Ngata bulked up and Ray lost weight, we're going to be a 4-3 team in running situations and that's fine.

Frankly Cody looked overwhelmed as well last night. That was disappointing. Kemoueatu is my early pick to be our unsung MVP on defense. He looked great through the first 3 pre-season games. He really seems to know what to do to play DT. Then again, I think Cody would be better if Rex were still around, he always did know how to coach up our DLineman and I definitely think we miss that.

Jimmie Smith also looked miserable last night. Those calling for Williams to be traded or to lose his starting spot, if Smith can't stay on his feet we're in trouble and he seems like he's the guy who's going to get targeted. Though in the regular season that double move ot Steve Smith 100% results in a INT by Ed Reed. Bradford floated that ball.

Totally agree about Kruger. He can't be used to set the edge, and dropping into coverage. He has a tangible skill of getting after the QB. He was excellent at that last year. Use him in that capacity only.

Also agree about Cody. I keep waiting for him to be more of dominating run stuffer. Kemo is going to get plenty of time.

Smith may have got torched after I stopped watching last night, but I thought he looked good early. I can't kill him for falling down (though when it happens multiple times, I guess that is on him). I think he has had his moments during the PreSeason games where he has looked good in man coverage. I did think he would be further along by this stage though.

I don't want Williams to be traded, that makes little sense to me. You need at-least 3 quality CB's that you can be comfortable with. Despite Williams being torched himself a bit during the PreSeason, he does qualify as a quality/capable CB.

[SportsGuy]

You know...McClellan looked great last night, and Kruger looked terrible. I think McClellan can be the guy that sets the edge on one side, but this is where we do need a quick Suggs recovery.

I really do think we'll only see Kruger in passing situations as an outside rusher. I've been saying it since Ngata bulked up and Ray lost weight, we're going to be a 4-3 team in running situations and that's fine.

Frankly Cody looked overwhelmed as well last night. That was disappointing. Kemoueatu is my early pick to be our unsung MVP on defense. He looked great through the first 3 pre-season games. He really seems to know what to do to play DT. Then again, I think Cody would be better if Rex were still around, he always did know how to coach up our DLineman and I definitely think we miss that.

Jimmie Smith also looked miserable last night. Those calling for Williams to be traded or to lose his starting spot, if Smith can't stay on his feet we're in trouble and he seems like he's the guy who's going to get targeted. Though in the regular season that double move ot Steve Smith 100% results in a INT by Ed Reed. Bradford floated that ball.

Smith didn't look terrible last night. He had one play were he fell and got beat deep.

Cody didn't play well but he was also double teamed most of the night...If he can occupy a few blockers every play, that is a win for the defense...but I do agree that he gets blown off the ball too much.

[SportsGuy]

You might be right about seeing more 4-3. Our LBs just aren't very good. I can tell you right now Kruger isn't going to work as an every down LB. The problem is while we've found decent unheralded guys like McClain, Ellerbe, McClellan they are just not great ball players. Solid, and often good at certain things but just not all around good. Thats where missing on early round talent like Kindle,Cody,and Kruger(Im convinced he's a pass rush specialist) hurts. Really need Upshaw to pan out.

I seriously am less worried about the O than the D right now.

Agree about the LBers...Been saying it for a few years now. It seems like the LBers we have can all do one thing well...but collectively, those guys aren't that great. I was surprised they didn't make upgrading the LBer corp more of a priority this offseason.

[JordanKough]

Cody might have been drawing double teams, but they didn't need to be doubling him. There were some borderline starter on defense players last night on the field a lot, McClellan, Smith, Cody, Kruger and the only one that really impressed me was McClellan (he continues to be able to set the edge against the run impressively).

I thought Hall looked solid too and Omar Brown.

I will say, I was shocked the Rams had their starters in through the second quarter. And of course Brockers goes down with an injury...

[SportsGuy]

As if the LBers could take another hit...

Harbaugh acknowledged that he is concerned about Courtney Upshaw's right shoulder. He'll have an MRI tomorrow as will G Boren on his foot

Don't need this, that's for sure.

This team is going to have to sign a LBer and DLineman after these cuts IMO.

[JordanKough]

I'm wondering if Upshaw lands on that IR to return kind of list at this point.

Though if there is a pass rush specialist type that gets cut I wouldn't be terribly upset if that's the direction we went with that spot.