What Are You Looking Forward Too?

[arnie_uk]

What are you looking forward to in this upcoming season. Now i know we all want a superbowl, but thats not the answer im searching for. Be more specific.

For me im looking forward to three things in particular.

1. Joe Flacco and his WR core (with Oline and Play Calling help) taking the next step.

While his stats regressed last year, i think he improved in a lot of areas. Footwork and pocket awareness improved in the later part of the season, clutchness, decision making (exception being some dreadfull over the middle throws) ball placement etc improved imo. I think with another season under his belt with Torrey and the TEs, and a possible huge RZ threat, his "stats may take a huge leap, but his played Im hoping, regardless of what the stats are take our offense and teams to the next level. Hes a big time player, and i think them big time preformances may become more consistently this time around.

2. What Bernard Pierce has to offer and how this affects RR.

We all know the rumours, RR has turned down Arian Foster type money and is looking for an AP deal. I want to see in preseaon, Camp, and what chances Pierce gets either as a back up or primary back if RR misses some of the season, how Pierce preforms. If he preforms admirally, showing he can be a primary RB in this league and for us, provided RR plays out on the Tag this year, I'd be inclined to let him walk and us the money saved elsewhere, maybe of a LT, or on a WR that may hit FA next year, or making sure our defense is re loaded, being resigning FAs Cary, Ed, and Bernard.

Im not sure RR is a top runner, like AP, or Chris Johnson on his day, and even Arian, and his pass catching ability could be replicated by a RB as long as they can catch the ball. But this is all provided Pierce can actaully make that step into the Pros and show what he has.

3. Upshaw proving me wrong

Before the draft, and even after we drafted him, i havent seen Upshaw as more than a JJ type player, at least for a few years. I hope he can come in, win the starting spot, shut down the run, and seal the edge as well as we all know he can, which will be pretty much on par with JJ imo. But can he get that added pass rush, or will he get bottled up by big strong, long armed tackles. I would love for him to come in and be that help across from suggs and deliver anywere between 8-12 sacks. Im not sure it will happen, but im looking forward to be proven wrong.

So, what are you looking forward to this season?

[wickedsolo]

Going undefeated.

[GOTA]

I'm just hoping for improvement. Harbaugh has already made the playoffs in each of his 4 years as head coach. I can't even think of any coach in history that has gone 5 for 5 to start his head coaching career.

Last year everything fell into place but the Ravens still couldn't get over the hump. Eventually there is going to be a year that's a let down. You can only push the boulder up that hill so many times before it starts rolling back down the hill. It's time to get to the top and go to the Super Bowl.

[TheJoeFlaccoShow]

Nothing makes me facepalm more than the Ray Rice commentary, I will be looking for that to end as he puts up ANOTHER 2000 or so yards. It will be an amazing feat for a back who just isn't that good.

[Dragz]

I'm looking forward to the first day of camp! Making the traditional journey to Westminster, to see our new Ravens and welcome back the vets! I'm looking forward to being out there and communing with my fellow Raven fans, to cheer on our team as they get ready for the season...wait...no more camp... I guess I'm just ready for the first practice session in Annapolis or wherever...

[rharris1986]

I'm looking forward to Tommy Streeter proving the skeptics wrong. I think he's the type of guy who's going to come in and work his butt off and basically force (through ability) the coaching staff to play him. IF he works out and pushes into the line up by mid season the Ravens are going to be a tough team to stop down the streatch.

[Paintballguy]

Flacco-Smith connection. They should be better now with a season together and a full offseason. I think Torrey will get over 10 td's this year.

[Rxdoxx]

I'm hoping we can pound the ball in from the 2 yd line. That was laughable with Birk and Chester in the middle... then more encouraging with Yanda moved in, and a healthy Grubbs returning. But Rice never seemed to be able to move the pile (just twist and fall forward through an opening which would be non-existant on short and goal). Interested in seeing if Pierce hits in if the pile moves back any.

[Terpsfan82]

The defense matching up against Brady, Roethlisberger, Romo, Dalton, Vick, Rivers, etc. Going to be fun to watch that secondary go to war every week.

[Terpsfan82]

I'm just hoping for improvement. Harbaugh has already made the playoffs in each of his 4 years as head coach. I can't even think of any coach in history that has gone 5 for 5 to start his head coaching career.

Last year everything fell into place but the Ravens still couldn't get over the hump. Eventually there is going to be a year that's a let down. You can only push the boulder up that hill so many times before it starts rolling back down the hill. It's time to get to the top and go to the Super Bowl.

I agree. Improvement may not manifest itself in the form of a better regular season record than last year though. It's going to be brutal. I'm just hoping they make the tournament relatively healthy. After they get in anything can happen.

[GOTA]

I agree. Improvement may not manifest itself in the form of a better regular season record than last year though. It's going to be brutal. I'm just hoping they make the tournament relatively healthy. After they get in anything can happen.

The Giants proved that last year. They got healthy when it mattered and then put it all together at the right time

[HoustonRaven]

The Giants proved that last year. They got healthy when it mattered and then put it all together at the right time

And the Packers the year before.

[Justlovemybirds]

Webby, Cary and Jimmy having a full offseason together and along with Pollard and Ed forming a scary secondary.

The battle between Upshaw,Kruger and Kindle making all three better.

Flacco and the Recievers with another year under their belt

Caldwell's influence on Flacco's game

[wickedsolo]

Nothing makes me facepalm more than the Ray Rice commentary, I will be looking for that to end as he puts up ANOTHER 2000 or so yards. It will be an amazing feat for a back who just isn't that good.

Oh come on now. There has only really been 1 poster on this entire forum who has claimed that Rice "isn't that good".

Everyone else knows how good of a player he is and has posted in multiple threads the impact he has had on the Ravens offense. He's a significant piece of the puzzle.

The only thing that any intelligent debate has brought forth is that he isn't worth Adrian Peterson money because frankly NO running back is worth that kind of money regardless of how good they are.

[Dragz]

The battle between Upshaw,Kruger and Kindle making all three better.

I don't think there will be a "battle". I think that for appearances sake, Kruger will be the day 1 starter, Upshaw is gonna be the starter by year's end and Sergio will be a backup player. Kindle, to me, isn't even really in the running for the starting spot.

[Jeremiah W]

Everything really. Can't wait for that first report from day 1 of padded practices and the entire journey that hopefullty leads to a chamionship.

I am always pretty optimistic about the Ravens especcially under Harbaugh, but I think this will be the best team he has had so far. Last year a lot of young guys got PT, and just a slight improvement from guys like Cody, Webb, Smith, Williams, McPhee and Kruger would take the D back up to the very top. The O also should take a step up with a little improvement from Smith, Dickson and Pitta and 4/5 of the OL back in the same spot.

[wickedsolo]

I don't think there will be a "battle". I think that for appearances sake, Kruger will be the day 1 starter, Upshaw is gonna be the starter by year's end and Sergio will be a backup player. Kindle, to me, isn't even really in the running for the starting spot.

I agree.

Kindle may make the roster just because the depth at OLB isn't "that" great (Suggs, Kruger, Upshaw, Kindle, McAdoo and I guess McClellan). However, Kindle would have to just absolutely kill it during pre-season to warrant starting. And by kill it I mean look unstoppable as a pass rusher and look really good dropping into coverage.

He's got the athletic ability and talent to become that player. Who knows if he will though.

[srobert96]

I agree.

Kindle may make the roster just because the depth at OLB isn't "that" great (Suggs, Kruger, Upshaw, Kindle, McAdoo and I guess McClellan). However, Kindle would have to just absolutely kill it during pre-season to warrant starting. And by kill it I mean look unstoppable as a pass rusher and look really good dropping into coverage.

He's got the athletic ability and talent to become that player. Who knows if he will though.

Didn't they move McClellan inside?

Looking forward to seeing what the combination of Upshaw, Kruger, Kindle and McAdoo can bring in terms of pass rush. If they can get more pressure on the QB with a great secondary it could be fun.

[wickedsolo]

Didn't they move McClellan inside?

Looking forward to seeing what the combination of Upshaw, Kruger, Kindle and McAdoo can bring in terms of pass rush. If they can get more pressure on the QB with a great secondary it could be fun.

McClellan played inside last year and I think he'll be a depth ILB/OLB this year.

br.com had an article up recently showing that there will be solid competition between Kruger, Kindle, and McClellan to replace JJ (this was before the draft). So, I think that he'll be in the mix at the very least.

[Blacklightning]

[QUOTE=Caldwell's influence on Flacco's game[/QUOTE]

I agree.

I would suspect this will help him develop and would be satisfied with even a quarter step of improvement.