How did we do?

**Beau Petard** · 04-29-2012, 07:18 AM

FWIW, after suffering through many years of SunSpot forum post-draft evaluations and discussions, this thread renews my faith in the intelligence and perspective of many Ravens fans. Plus, it's really pleasant to read and consider differences of opinion without a bunch of personal "you haven't got a clue" crap. Thanks to all for providing some interesting comments.

**Captain Offense** · 04-29-2012, 07:25 AM

I join the "too early to judge the draft" crowd. If this were tennis, you could judge an individual player's ability. I look to who we already have on the roster and where they are in the development stage, any FA's that are picked up before the season and where "holes" may be when the season starts. I also factor in the roster for the next three years, since if we have somebody on the roster now who can perform over two years and a 2012-draft player steps in then to fill a hole or upgrade, then it was a good draft; even if he is inactive for most of his first year.

The Ravens know their pieces and who they can target in the FA period. When Todd Heap was drafted, how many people complained that they did not fill a need? I will look back on this draft later; unless somebody is a HR this year.

**alienrace** · 04-29-2012, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

seems like some people here are complaining for the sake of it.

It's a Baltimore tradition.

**Knox Harrington** · 04-29-2012, 07:51 AM

I've never understood these draft grades? Not one player has played an NFL down... Not sure how you can grade them?

As for the Ravens, I like the personnel they got. Three, maybe four guys contribute this year. This safety from SC St. Is intriguing. His story reminds me a little bit of Webbie's. Started at a major D1 school and had discipline issues then wound up at at a smaller college. The Ravens seem pretty high on him.

**camdenyard** · 04-29-2012, 07:58 AM

We don't know about Upshaw who was originally rated in the top 15 but dropped all the way down to #35 in the second largely because he has short arms

This is a silly statement. Did his arms shrink?

Overall, this was an "eh" draft at least from the excitement point of view. I agree with other posts that it was "businesslike" and "nuts and bolts" and for depth. Let's face it, the Ravens are not the Browns, we didn't need to rebuild our team. I continue to be reminded that Ozzie is pulling the levers here with assistance from DeCosta and a bunch of smart guys who have had solid success. I'm willing to give it time before issuing a "grade".

I am intrigued by Streeter. A 6'5" guy with 4.40 speed, my first thought was "Randy Moss".

**leachisabeast** · 04-29-2012, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Knox Harrington

I've never understood these draft grades? Not one player has played an NFL down... Not sure how you can grade them?

As for the Ravens, I like the personnel they got. Three, maybe four guys contribute this year. This safety from SC St. Is intriguing. His story reminds me a little bit of Webbie's. Started at a major D1 school and had discipline issues then wound up at at a smaller college. The Ravens seem pretty high on him.

**wickedsolo** · 04-29-2012, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by camdenyard

This is a silly statement. Did his arms shrink?

Overall, this was an "eh" draft at least from the excitement point of view. I agree with other posts that it was "businesslike" and "nuts and bolts" and for depth. Let's face it, the Ravens are not the Browns, we didn't need to rebuild our team. I continue to be reminded that Ozzie is pulling the levers here with assistance from DeCosta and a bunch of smart guys who have had solid success. I'm willing to give it time before issuing a "grade".

I am intrigued by Streeter. A 6'5" guy with 4.40 speed, my first thought was "Randy Moss".

Streeter intrigues me a lot as well.

Huge wingspan, good leaping ability, good straight line speed. He'll be a good red zone target.

Miami had crap QB's during his time there so I think that his stock suffered because of that, but I'm excited to see what he can do.

Official 40 time was a 4.40, but some guys hand clocked him as low as 4.34. He can move.

One thing you'll notice with Streeter is that he hardly runs any routes except for drags and 9 routes. He definitely is going to need some coaching on his routes. However, one thing he was always very good at Miami was corner fades in the end zone. Joe is going to like having a 6'5" receiver.

**RopeRaven** · 04-29-2012, 08:13 AM

I was wondering whether Gradkowski can handle long-snapping duties and be the backup LS on our depth chart. You don't expect your long snapper to go down in mid game, but it would be good if you've got a center who could fill in.

**callahan09** · 04-29-2012, 08:20 AM

Why is nobody high on Streeter? I watched some tape of him, and he seems to have pretty good hands. Granted, they don't show the failed plays on this highlight reels, so maybe there's something I'm not seeing. But I see him jump up and get the ball with absolute ease in a number of plays. He's also very fast, and he seems to blow past coverage in a number of plays and catch the ball wide open downfield. I am extremely excited to see what he can do with Flacco throwing the ball to him. What is it about him that give everyone such reservation in being excited?

**GOTA** · 04-29-2012, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Streeter intrigues me a lot as well.

Huge wingspan, good leaping ability, good straight line speed. He'll be a good red zone target.

Miami had crap QB's during his time there so I think that his stock suffered because of that, but I'm excited to see what he can do.

Official 40 time was a 4.40, but some guys hand clocked him as low as 4.34. He can move.

One thing you'll notice with Streeter is that he hardly runs any routes except for drags and 9 routes. He definitely is going to need some coaching on his routes. However, one thing he was always very good at Miami was corner fades in the end zone. Joe is going to like having a 6'5" receiver.

I'm hoping he gets a chance and doesn't end up 'Dossed' by Cam

**srobert96** · 04-29-2012, 08:30 AM

The Ravens drafted for the future. They did not sell out to get a few perceived high ranking players at perceived positions of need. Upshaw combined with Kruger, and Suggs should give the team a nice rotation at OLB. If they get anything from Kindle or McAdoo they will be in great shape for a number of years.

I believe Pierce was the first step in reducing the importance of Rice to the offense. Last year Rice played way too many snaps and if anything would have happened to him the Ravens were in trouble. With Pierce they have a guy that fits what they want to do in the running game. Pierce looked good catching the ball at the combine.

Gradkowski and Osmele give the Ravens a couple of nasty guys for the interior. It is up to the Ravens to develop them.

According to a couple of reports on Thompson he will be ideal for covering the big fast tight ends.

While it is not the most exciting draft it is definitely one where they may have found some solid starters. Only time will tell.

**wickedsolo** · 04-29-2012, 08:34 AM

I like the Christian Thompson pick more and more. I didn't realize he was an Auburn transfer.

After reading up on him it seems like he has a big chip on his shoulder. I like that. You need that in the AFC.

**dandrews** · 04-29-2012, 08:37 AM

I do wish Streeter had a little more jumping ability. For his athletic ability, he does a lot more of just sticking his hands up in the air to grab it then leaping really high to go get it.

**dandrews** · 04-29-2012, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I like the Christian Thompson pick more and more. I didn't realize he was an Auburn transfer.

After reading up on him it seems like he has a big chip on his shoulder. I like that. You need that in the AFC.

Kind of reminds me of Pollard. Doesn't look like he has tremendous coverage ability, but he plays pretty good in the box. He'll be perfect on special teams to start off his career.

**RavingMad** · 04-29-2012, 08:39 AM

1. How did we improve our offense from last year via FA or draft?
2. Upshaw fell because he had a so-so pro day.
3. With Pouncy and their first 2 picks why would Piss take Gradkowski in the 4th? So much BS flies around about which team covets this/that player to make another team jump. Ozzie and co. missed out on players they coveted early and panicked with their 3rd and 4th round picks.
4. Did our offense struggle do to lack of a quality RB? Quality running backs were left to fill backup role. Investing 2 picks into a backup from the MAC is a stretch.

**dandrews** · 04-29-2012, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by RavingMad

3. With Pouncy and their first 2 picks why would Piss take Gradkowski in the 4th? So much BS flies around about which team covets this/that player to make another team jump. Ozzie and co. missed out on players they coveted early and panicked with their 3rd and 4th round picks.

Link?

**AirFlacco** · 04-29-2012, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by camdenyard

This is a silly statement. Did his arms shrink?

No, they were always 32" long but he'll be going up vs bigger tackles in pros who have
arms 34-36". He'll be swallowed up by bigger tackles and already was in the Sr Bowl.
That's why he dropped after being a top 15 prospect. he also had character issues and
was arrested but charges were dropped. He took court-ordered anger classes.

_____________________________________________
Has small hands. Average arm length — can be engulfed by bigger blockers (and was swallowed in drills at the Senior Bowl). Is wound tightly and lacks ideal edge burst and acceleration to take the corner. Average agility and coverage range — labors to flip his hips and can be stressed by quick backs in space.
_____________________________________________

In 2009 he was arrested for domestic assault for an altercation on campus with his girlfriend, which police happened to witness. Charges were dropped by both parties.

_________________________________________________

Like I posted, Oher had the same prob at LT with shorter arms going vs
guys with 34-36" arm length that wrapped his up. Film Study was the first to point this
out on the boards when he was switched to LT. Guys with longer arms will be able to wrap Upshaw up unless Ravens coaches can coach him up.

Size is everything so the "silly" statement is from someone who doesn't understand
technical aspects of football.

Upshaw also reported 20 lbs over weight and was slow with heavy feet. He won't
play til he gets in the weight room and loses weight.

Link is from profootball weekly which knows more than us.

I was just trying to post why he dropped.

**dandrews** · 04-29-2012, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by AirFlacco

No, they were always 32" long but he'll be going up vs bigger tackles in pros who have
arms 34-36". He'll be swallowed up by bigger tackles and already was in the Sr Bowl.
That's why he dropped after being a top 15 prospect. he also had character issues and
was arrested but charges were dropped after he attended anger classes.

_____________________________________________
Has small hands. Average arm length — can be engulfed by bigger blockers (and was swallowed in drills at the Senior Bowl). Is wound tightly and lacks ideal edge burst and acceleration to take the corner. Average agility and coverage range — labors to flip his hips and can be stressed by quick backs in space.
_____________________________________________

Like I posted, Oher had the same prob at LT with shorter arms going vs
guys with 34-36" arm length that wrapped his up. Film Study was the first to point this
out on the boards when he was switched to LT. Guys with longer arms will be able to wrap Upshaw up unless Ravens coaches can coach him up.

Size is everything so the "silly" statement is from someone who doesn't understand
technical aspects of football.

Upshaw also reported 20 lbs over weight and was slow with heavy feet. He won't
play til he gets in the weight room and loses weight.

Linke is from profootball weekly which knows more than us.

Upshaw doesn't have 20 pounds of fat on his body to lose.

10476635-standard.jpg

**srobert96** · 04-29-2012, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by RavingMad

1. How did we improve our offense from last year via FA or draft?
2. Upshaw fell because he had a so-so pro day.
3. With Pouncy and their first 2 picks why would Piss take Gradkowski in the 4th? So much BS flies around about which team covets this/that player to make another team jump. Ozzie and co. missed out on players they coveted early and panicked with their 3rd and 4th round picks.
4. Did our offense struggle do to lack of a quality RB? Quality running backs were left to fill backup role. Investing 2 picks into a backup from the MAC is a stretch.

No one said that Pittsburgh was going to draft Gradkowski just that they had him as the highest ranked Center in the draft. That and other teams known for drafting well had Gradkowski rated as a 3rd round talent.

Upshaw is a better talent than JJ and that is who he is tasked with replacing.

The Ravens have not improved their offense from last year. They lost one key player in Grubbs and have two young guys competing for the spot. The Ravens also added a RB that could lighten the load for Rice.

The Ravens offense may get better simply because the 2nd, 3rd and 4th wrs are no longer rookies this year. Also expecting their two TEs to improve as last year was their first years as starters/contributors. It would have been nice to get a good #3 wr but the Ravens have cap issues. The biggest concerns on offense are guard and center and the Ravens addressed those with young players. It is up to the coaches to get these guys ready to play.

**camdenyard** · 04-29-2012, 09:04 AM

Size is everything so the "silly" statement is from someone who doesn't understand
technical aspects of football.

LOL. Ok Trap. My apologies. After all, you are the pro here.

I was reacting simply to your quote. He had a subpar Senior Bowl and he sat out combine drills and that combination hurt him. I'm pretty sure NFL scouts knew his physical measurements a long time ago. They didn't suddenly wake up and realize his arms were not long. I think you know a lot of times players rise and fall due to combine "measurables". Look at Burfict.