WITH THIS LINE, CAN MCNAIR MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Tony,
I would love to see Steve McNair in a Ravens uniform. But on another note do you really think he will be any more successful than Kyle given the fact that the front office did nothing to improve to offensive line?
The offensive line has needed an upgrade for three seasons now and they just ignore it and pile on the defense. Don’t get me wrong, I love our defense but we are not going to win and be successful with just the defense alone anymore. We even had trouble running the ball last year and people want to blame it on Jamal Lewis but the fact of the matter is the holes just weren’t there and the other defenses were able to shoot the gaps to control our running game. It has gotten to the point where the offense cannot run block or pass block.
I am so looking forward to the start of training camp and the 2006-2007 season. I wish football was a year round sport. You guys are the best and I really enjoy reading the emails.
Wayne Higgins, Westminster, MD
Wayne,
The Ravens sincerely believe that they have improved the line with last season’s additions of Adam Terry, Jason Brown, Keydrick Vincent and now this year Chris Chester. Their collective opinion is that through added experience, continuity, familiarity and improved health, the offensive line will be a much improved unit. Another thing to consider is that 2005 was the first year offensive line coach Chris Foerster was on the staff and the first year Jim Fassel was offensive coordinator.
I also think that McNair’s presence helps as well. I don’t think that defenses will suffocate the Ravens offense as much if he is behind center. They will have to back off and respect McNair more than they have Boller. Boller has difficulties with the vertical game and this offense is designed to be such. He might have a strong arm but he throws a very poor deep ball. McNair’s presence takes pressure off the line. Changing the snap count every now and then might help also.
I’m going to take a leap of faith (again) and go with Ozzie on this. There’s a ton at stake in 2006 and for the time being, I’m going to get behind them and defer to the experts. But if they are wrong, it could be a long season and it won’t be long before McNair is on the sidelines in a cast.
Make the trade Ozzie,
TL
IF I WAS BRIAN BILLICK
TL,
If I was Brian Billick and I was looking at a make or break year, there are a few things that I would do differently:
First of all, the team dissension has to disappear. You do that by getting every team member up in front of the team and verbally acknowledging their commitment to winning and the other players. It’s called accountability. You also stop giving this team the freedom to go home during training camp, make all members take the same transportation to hotels etc., and give no one any preferential treatment.
Secondly, and this is crucial! Assuming we end up with Steve McNair, the only thing that should keep us from a winning season is the offensive line. With that in mind, I would make sure that all line members were as mentally prepared as they could possibly be. Meaning playbooks and film study. They need to play 10 times smarter than in the past. On top of that, I would drill and drill them on technique. I would leave no stone un-turned, and take no excuses.
And third, I would penalize every unit that performed poorly as a unit. That would entail extra practice and meeting time for the unit as a whole. That way, if one guy lets the others down, they will receive repercussions from their teammates as well. This team needs to be taught discipline, and make winning as a team the only goal.
Because if we do get McNair, and truly have drafted a tall talented deep threat to compliment Mason, Clayton, and Heap, then this team will be able to put some points up. Add a solid running game to a somewhat feared passing attack, and you own the clock and win the field position battle. On defense, Suggs-Ngata-Gregg-Pryce, in front of Ray and Adalius (and whomever is on the left), backed up by a hard hitting safety to compliment the ball hawking skills of Ed Reed will make it pretty difficult to run on this team. And dare I dream that Chris McAlister will someday start earning his paycheck and help Rolle out in coverage?
Wow! We could have a really good season.
But I’m not Billick. I don’t even own a thesaurus.
Mark, Baltimore
Mark,
All of that preferential treatment creates a divide. It creates classes and that develops into cliques. If a player truly places the team’s success ahead of his own, then he shouldn’t be bothered being treated as an equal. I doubt that the Patriots’ veterans get all the elitist privileges afforded by Brian Billick. You see what it’s done for his relationship with Ray right?
It’s time to put the team first. Don’t tell me about the Pro Bowls, don’t tell me about the personal awards – tell me about the wins. Winning football develops chemistry and the personal awards and signing bonuses will follow.
Just win baby! And if they don’t, you might be glad you aren’t Brian Billick.
TL
NGATA THING WRONG WITH OUR NO. 1
TL,
Excellent piece on Ngata [on Lombardi’s Way Page 2]! I was excited when the Ravens picked him up and couldn’t figure out why Schlereth was ripping him. Thanks for putting Schlereth in his place.
Quick question . . . Do you think these talking heads sit down by themselves and try to pick out which player gets the hatchet job? I just don’t get it. Does that make Schlereth feel like he earns some credibility and his salary if he burns a guy?
As usual, keep up the good work. Love the site!
Charlie Riordan
Charlie,
Schlereth’s attack on Ngata seemed premeditated, hence the instant accessibility of select footage to prove his point. I think he failed to see the whole picture and that’s why I called him out. I do believe that journalists seek shock value and they intentionally take opposing positions because they believe it makes for better television. I don’t think that was the case Sunday. I think Schlereth believed what he said. I just don’t think it was well researched and therefore, it was poor journalism.
Thanks for the props,
TL
RAVENS ROCK DAY 2
Tony,
Love the site~ where I get my daily fix of purple. Regarding the draft, Ozzie and Eric did a great job again. Arizona and San Francisco had a better first day than Baltimore, but they did not pass us overall. I can’t see where the Ravens failed to get football players.
Day two of the draft can make or break a team and as usual Ozzie and Eric plus the scouts saved our day. I really liked Demetrius Williams at a number 4 (I can’t believe we have him). I watch a lot of PAC 10 football on Saturdays and this kid is a player. He will catch 30 balls + in 2006 and 60-70 balls the following year. It frees up Mark Clayton to move into the slot. Imagine Clayton against a linebacker.
The free agent signing of Shannon James was a smart move. And Drew Olson is a good quarterback. His stats improved each year in college even with the injuries. Remember UCLA only had Maurice Drew as a running back and little else so Olson backed him up with over 30TD’s and few interceptions. He can make the necessary throws.
Finally, we should stop this gamesmanship with the Titans and give them a number 4 and sign McNair. I want him here now, learning the offense and becoming a TEAMMATE. The guy has 3-4 years left and as long as we can keep him upright, we are a contender for the playoffs. The man is a warrior ~ a true professional. We get him and I like our chances.
Greg from Perry Hall
Greg,
I was happy to see the Ravens take Demetrius Williams as well. He provides a vertical threat that the Ravens currently lack. I too like Clayton to mix it up at times in the slot. His change of direction skills coupled with his vision of when and where to sit down in zone coverage will be an outstanding weapon on third down.
Shannon James has good ball skills and he could make the roster as a dime back. Olson is an accurate passer who doesn’t force many throws. He isn’t very mobile and does have a bum knee yet he is an interesting prospect and certainly the price was right. He could stick on the team as the developmental QB particularly if the Ravens get McNair.
I’m with you on making the deal now to get McNair. You can see my thoughts on that topic in this Lombardi’s Way… column.
Keep coming back Greg. We have some exciting things coming this Summer.
Move those chains,
TL
GIVE THE TITANS NOTHING
TL,
I say the Blackbird’s should tell the Titans to pound sand in regards to Steve McNair. We should not waste a draft pick on a guy who is eventually going to be released. The treatment McNair has received from his soon to be former team is unethical and appalling. We should persuade McNair and his agent to step up their grievance filed w/ the union in order to corner Tennessee even more. The Titans are openly discussing holding a guy under contract only to hamper his development with another team. The players association should be all over this.
It’s no secret that there is bad blood between these organizations. What’s wrong with stoking the fire a little bit more? Behind the scenes we can work out a deal with McNair. With that said, it seems to me like McNair will have a lot of leverage in contract discussions being that we are so desperate for his services.
Regardless, we need to take the Titans to the mattresses,
JW, Baltimore
JW,
I say you make the trade. The Ravens have offered a fifth – the Titans want a fourth. That marginal difference pales in comparison to the potential bidding war for McNair if he becomes a free agent.
Many have suggested that the Ravens should wait until May 16 when the player’s union and the league will hear McNair’s grievance against the Titans. I say why wait? What happens if Brad Johnson blows out his knee during passing camp? What if Charlie Frye hurts his right labrum in the weight room? If McNair hits the streets, those teams could drive up McNair’s price. His agent Bus Cook has acknowledged that he and the Ravens are close to an agreement on contractual terms. Do those terms change if there are more suitors?
I do agree that if the Titans force McNair to sit and wait until July, it would be a despicable act of selfishness towards a player that was nothing less than a warrior for their franchise for a dozen years.
GIT R’ DONE,
TL
THE GRADES ARE IN!
TL,
I don’t know if you have records of grades given by Ravens24x7 fans last year, but when the biggest fans (who presumably are the ones who access the site and are likely to be the most enthusiastic) give overwhelmingly a B or C, I’m not sure that’s a good sign.
I still haven’t really had time to think about the draft in detail, but other than Ngata (I’m very happy about that pick) I just have an uneasy feeling. I suppose this was a “stay true to our Board” kind of draft, and perhaps down the road we will point to this year as a success, but I don’t know. The nearest thing I can come up with right now as to why I’m disappointed is that they didn’t pick up a QB. McNair or not, we’ve got to bring somebody along. Also, drafting a TE just doesn’t make sense to me, Board or not. You know better than me, but I think we have an abundance of them already. Ozzie just likes those guys. Also, the punter thing I don’t get. If you want a punter in the draft, get a good one.
I know it sounds purely critical but that’s not how I really feel. I’m just not excited about the draft. I think there’s a lot to shoot at in the selections. It’s true, you can argue that they may contribute down the road, but the key word is “may”. If the Ravens have a decent season, with an upward trajectory at the end of the year, fine. But if they suck, fair or unfair, this draft will be hung around Ozzie’s neck along with the two recent lousy ones (2003 and 2004), and unknown one (2005). It strengthens the argument, as you’ve pointed out in the past that should this season be a problem, Billick’s job might not be the only one in jeopardy.
Bill, Northeast
Bill,
For the record, the vote on our poll asking visitors to grade the draft went like this:
A: 24.11%
B: 57.76%
C: 16.45%
D or worse: 1.68%
535 Votes
I scored the draft a B with a bullet, meaning that I think it has tremendous upside. Time will tell. You can see my complete review here in Top Guns.
But to your points, every draft has its share of questions and some move may puzzle us. I trust that Ozzie and Eric DeCosta as well as the scouts have a tremendous handle on these talents. The choice of a tight end in the fifth round was questionable but the Ravens currently have only two tight ends with experience on their roster at the moment (Heap and Wilcox) and neither is considered a blocking tight end.
The punter, well we shall see. The Ravens certainly need one and this kid Sam Koch appears to be fairly adept at keeping his punts inside the 20 – something that Dave Zastudil was not.
Let’s hope some of these investments pay dividends in 2006. There are a few in Owings Mills that need a boost in their “portfolio.”
Rave on,
TL
