In your opinion: Who is the most overrated Raven?

**wickedsolo** · 06-27-2012, 11:06 AM

Who is your choice and why?

This one is actually pretty tough for me because honestly I think that the Ravens, in general, are always underrated.

If I had to pick 1 person though it would probably be Anquan Boldin and it hurts to say that because he's one of my favorite players. I realize that there are legitimate arguments to be made that he's not used properly, et al, BUT they gave up a high draft pick for the guy, paid him a substantial contract, and he's really just been average since coming to Baltimore when they really needed him to step up and be that #1 guy.

**steelerhater** · 06-27-2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Who is your choice and why?

This one is actually pretty tough for me because honestly I think that the Ravens, in general, are always underrated.

If I had to pick 1 person though it would probably be Anquan Boldin and it hurts to say that because he's one of my favorite players. I realize that there are legitimate arguments to be made that he's not used properly, et al, BUT they gave up a high draft pick for the guy, paid him a substantial contract, and he's really just been average since coming to Baltimore when they really needed him to step up and be that #1 guy.

Our signing of Boldin is akin to signing C.C. Sabathia and having him play 3rd base. Before we signed him, Bolding was one of the best in the league at quick slants and other short passes that he turned into big plays. Despite our struggles against the blitz, the quick slant and hot routes aren't in the playbook.

As far as the most over-rated Raven is concerned, in my opinion its Matt Birk. He was terrible down the stretch last year, but still receives the high acolades.

**wickedsolo** · 06-27-2012, 11:26 AM

I don't understand all of the praise that Birk receives either.

If I had to rank the top 3 he would be included.

He was a great player at one point and he's still a decent player, but a lot of people talk like he's the best center in the league.

**flraven** · 06-27-2012, 11:33 AM

Agree with both of you.

Boldin is more of a possession receiver like Derrick Mason and the Ravens don't use his best abilities to their advantage.

And yes, while Birk was once one of the best, those days are behind him now.

**leachisabeast** · 06-27-2012, 11:40 AM

Whenever Boldin has a good game for us (like vs the Chiefs in the wild card round in 2010) we use him on slant routes and short to intermediate completions, I don't get why we don't use him like that in every game because our offense would be so much more effective, would move the chains a lot more.

I'd say Ben Grubbs was up there in conversation too, a lot of people put the blame on Birk for our poor play on the offensive line down the stretch, but Grubbs had a lot to do with Wilfolks huge game against us. Birk isn't really underrated either IMO, it's only really scouting websites who rank him up there, he never got voted into the pro bowl while he's been with us or anything like that.

**JAB1985** · 06-27-2012, 11:45 AM

id say Boldin and Birk should be the two for the same reasons. Id agree overall we dont get the recognition the players deserve, the ones that do, have earned it (Ray, Reed, Haloti, Suggs, etc).

If I had to choose another by force... ayanbadejo. Hes a very good Special Teams player, but I dont think hes maintained his elite status since coming here.

**ballhawk** · 06-27-2012, 11:57 AM

Ray Rice? Pretty much everybody considers him one of the top RB's in the game...except for when the ravens get down on the one yard line or are facing 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1. He is elite between the 20's but pedestrian in short yardage/goalline situations.

**JAB1985** · 06-27-2012, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by ballhawk

Ray Rice? Pretty much everybody considers him one of the top RB's in the game...except for when the ravens get down on the one yard line or are facing 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1. He is elite between the 20's but pedestrian in short yardage/goalline situations.

I was thinking about that, but at the end of the day, hes still pretty much unanimous top 5 RB. Even though his game does have some holes. Not sure you can be overrated if youre still considered elite.

**Haloti92** · 06-27-2012, 12:07 PM

Overrated by whom? The general public or Ravens fans?

**srobert96** · 06-27-2012, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

I was thinking about that, but at the end of the day, hes still pretty much unanimous top 5 RB. Even though his game does have some holes. Not sure you can be overrated if youre still considered elite.

I think Ray Rice is one of the most overrated runners in the league. He is definitely top 3 All purpose Backs. I have a hard time picking Boldin because our OC does not put anyone in the passing game in a position to succeed. I would have to agree with Birk.

**wickedsolo** · 06-27-2012, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Haloti92

Overrated by whom? The general public or Ravens fans?

Man, you always have to take general conversation and make it complicated...

Either. Really no demographic's perception was intended to be the basis of the discussion.

**34wassmooth** · 06-27-2012, 12:30 PM

I don't really consider any of the players that overrated. Boldin's production hasn't lived up to the hype, but I'm not sure how much of that is on him. Ray Rice is crazy talk. I'm going with Cam Cameron. The guy has shown little ability to extract the most out of his personnel.

Haruki Nakamura was way overhyped by Mike Preston, but now he's gone. I always thought he was too light in the ass to be a regular. It's hard to say anyone else on the defense is overrated. That said, I'm not a huge Jameel McClain fan and think we needed to do better in the offseason next to an aging Ray Lewis.

**Ravens44** · 06-27-2012, 12:48 PM

Without a doubt, in my mind, Birk is the most overrated player.
And yes, Cam is not the genius they have made him out to be.

**Corey** · 06-27-2012, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Haloti92

Overrated by whom? The general public or Ravens fans?

That's what I want to know because the lists are not the same.

Overrated by the general public Boldin and Birk are definitely up there.

By Ravens fans Bernard Pollard is one of the most overrated players this team has had in a long time. He's basically a less expensive Dawan Landry but people talk about him like he's a major upgrade. He's got the same strength's and weaknesses as Landry.

**Ravenswintitle** · 06-27-2012, 12:53 PM

I think the center position requires much more intelligence than a lot on this board give credit. That's why the older guys hang around for years; they call the assignments and make the reads. Jeff Saturday may play forever.

Having a smart guy like Birk helps Flacco a lot. Maybe he gets bull rushed on occasion but he doesn't get out smarted IMO.

Hands down my pick is Oher

**wickedsolo** · 06-27-2012, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

I think the center position requires much more intelligence than a lot on this board give credit. That's why the older guys hang around for years; they call the assignments and make the reads. Jeff Saturday may play forever.

Having a smart guy like Birk helps Flacco a lot. Maybe he gets bull rushed on occasion but he doesn't get out smarted IMO.

Hands down my pick is Oher

I definitely thought about Oher as well.

There are folks talking about him being a pro-bowler this year, being the best on the OL this year, etc.

**flraven** · 06-27-2012, 01:07 PM

I considered Oher too, he's been getting a good bit of hype. Maybe he does get better if the Ravens leave him on one side of the line so he can get used to it.

The poster that made that review video yesterday, called Oher "premier". I think that is a bit over the top, at least at this point in Big Mike's career.

**srobert96** · 06-27-2012, 01:34 PM

I have not heard very many if any kind words regarding Cam and Oher from fans and non-fans. Cam lost his genius title a long time ago.

**JAB1985** · 06-27-2012, 01:37 PM

I agree, Im not sure where any praise of Oher is coming from. He played completely mediocre last year at RT after a pretty pathetic attempt at LT. His awe of "the blind side" and everything else that carried him the first year or two is long gone. If anything id say his "rating" is finally where it belongs.