74 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Ravens.com: Late for Work: Insiders Expect Ravens to Pursue a 'Bell-Cow Back'

https://www.baltimor...k-late-for-work

[Slidemaster]

It really would be great to have a single alpha dog runner that they could ignore in the playoffs.

[BSLChrisStoner]

RSR: OTL: Free Agent Running Backs Are A Bad Investment

https://russellstree...bad-investment/

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I expect them to pursue a bell cow back as well. Have said that since the jump. 

[Mackus]

Gotta have more bell cow!

[jamesdean]

I doubt any running back goes in the 1st round but it's a deep class, so the Ravens should be able to get someone in the later rounds that has potential.  

[PrimeTime]

Do "bell cow" backs really exist anymore? Derrick Henry lead the league with 280 rushing attempts, which works out to a little more than 16 per game. It could be that my perspective is skewed by the late 90s and early 2000s where guys get 25-30 carries a game.

Jonathan Taylor got 14 mil/yr and averaged 16 plus carries per game. Does anyone really want us to invest even 10 million for 1 year in a RB that might get 13-15 carries a game?

As long as Lamar is still Lamar, he'll be the centerpiece of the rushing attack. And until this team proves they're not going to throw up all over themselves from a play calling standpoint in the playoffs, I'm not remotely interested in that kind of investment at RB.

I'd rather see us invest in Oline and/or CB.

[Mackus]

. And until this team proves they're not going to throw up all over themselves from a play calling standpoint in the playoffs, I'm not remotely interested in that kind of investment at RB.

 

I'm fine with not investing in a RB, but this part is completely illogical.  Fix both issues, if you think they are issues.  They aren't sequential or interdependent.

[bmore_ken]

Do "bell cow" backs really exist anymore? Derrick Henry lead the league with 280 rushing attempts, which works out to a little more than 16 per game. It could be that my perspective is skewed by the late 90s and early 2000s where guys get 25-30 carries a game.

Jonathan Taylor got 14 mil/yr and averaged 16 plus carries per game. Does anyone really want us to invest even 10 million for 1 year in a RB that might get 13-15 carries a game?

As long as Lamar is still Lamar, he'll be the centerpiece of the rushing attack. And until this team proves they're not going to throw up all over themselves from a play calling standpoint in the playoffs, I'm not remotely interested in that kind of investment at RB.

I'd rather see us invest in Oline and/or CB.

Agreed

[bmore_ken]

I'm fine with not investing in a RB, but this part is completely illogical.  Fix both issues, if you think they are issues.  They aren't sequential or interdependent.

We already have running backs that get the job done when utilized. The problem is the coaches don't use them when the playoffs start. That's not likely to change until Harbaugh is sent packing. 

[jamesdean]

Agreed

Also agree. OL is a major need going into 2024 and that should be the main emphasis in the first couple of picks.  It's a deep class for tackles. 

[NewMarketSean]

Do they exist anymore?

[Mackus]

We already have ruynning backs that get the job done when utilized. The problem is the coaches don't use them when the playoffs start. That's not likely to change until Harbaugh is sent packing. 

 

OK, like I said, then fix the issues that you perceive.  If you don't think RB is an issue and want to have only Justice Hill on the roster and healthy at the position in 2024, that's certainly an option. But like most people, if you think RB is an issue, you can fix that while also fixing the issue with gameplans in the playoffs.  Don't need to do one before the other.  Do both.

[Biggsy]

We already have ruynning backs that get the job done when utilized. The problem is the coaches don't use them when the playoffs start. That's not likely to change until Harbaugh is sent packing.

When your best playmakers are Lamar, Andrews, Likely and Flowers, it's a lot easier to justify trying to go to them in high pressure situations over Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. However, if your RB is also your top playmaker, it's a lot harder for the OC to simply avoid getting the ball in his hands.

I don't want Barkley, as talented as he is, we don't need another Uber talented RB on IR. Don't really want Henry or Eckler either. Both looked about done last season. If we go the FA route, I'd go with Jacobs. But I'd rather spend the money elsewhere on the roster.

Optimally, you bring Dobbins back cheap if you can. Then draft someone early on. Then hope Mitchell comes back with the same explosion he had before his injury. That would give you 3 very talented RB's on top of Hill on the depth chart, without breaking the bank.

[PrimeTime]

I'm fine with not investing in a RB, but this part is completely illogical. Fix both issues, if you think they are issues. They aren't sequential or interdependent.

I'm upset about not leaning on the running game in the playoffs. Particularly when the opponent struggles against the run and that's what got us where we were. Therefore, why invest in the position, if we're only going to abandon use of said position? How is that illogical?

[Mackus]

I'm upset about not leaning on the running game in the playoffs. Particularly when the opponent struggles against the run and that's what got us where we were. Therefore, why invest in the position, if we're only going to abandon use of said position? How is that illogical?

It's a bad thesis. You shouldn't intentionally ignore running backs because you think the OC/coach won't use them in the playoffs. You should fix both sides of the issue, not intentionally break one side because you think the coaching cannot be fixed.

Would be like not trying to improve your passrush because you think your secondary can't cover. Both are issues. Fix both if you can. Certainly don't refuse to even try fixing one because you're worried you can't fix the other.

[Ravens2006]

Yeah, the logic is in what we've seen with our own eyes come January. The running game gets basically abandoned once they trail. Or like in Cincy last year, they run the ball down to the goal line, then Edwards gets one touch and they call a pass to Ricard and a Huntley "Greatest American Hero" jump from 2 yards away.

I have zero confidence that any team under John's control will avoid panicking in the playoffs the moment they trail, or hell, even a couple rush attempts get stuffed for no or short gains.

[Mackus]

So what...just have no running backs because you don't like the game plans in the postseason?

How about instead you fix the decision making however you go about doing that while also making sure you have a quality running back room?

[Biggsy]

So what...just have no running backs because you don't like the game plans in the postseason?

How about instead you fix the decision making however you go about doing that while also making sure you have a quality running back room?

Exactly. Make your RB the best playmaker, and I bet my annual salary he sees more than 6 touches in January.

[jamesdean]

I'm not worried about it. They'll draft at least one running back.