Moore or Less?
One game at a time. It’s an old cliché but in the world of sports it has become a credo. And perhaps for some players, like the Panthers D.J. Moore, it’s one team at a time. But more on that in a moment.
Players don’t relish in wins like fans do and they certainly don’t fret the losses like the paying customers at your neighborhood sports pub. Each game is a learning experience and the hope, as directed by the respective coaching staffs, is to get better with each outing along the journey of any season.
There’s little doubt that the Ravens are a flawed team. They are deficient in the defensive front seven. There are still concerns across the Ravens offensive line given the uncertainties stemming from Ronnie Stanley’s availability. And as always, there’s a shortage of talent in the wide receiver room.
Receiving Corps
The Ravens traded Marquise Brown prior to the 2022 NFL Draft. He wanted an opportunity to play in a more receiver-friendly offense and the Ravens were unlikely to extend the lucrative second contract that Brown is likely to seek before, during or following the 2023 season. Brown’s departure left Rashod Bateman as the team’s No. 1 WR target.
Bateman has all the tools. He has breakaway speed as evidenced during his house call against the Dolphins. He can make contested catches and he possesses excellent change of direction skills normally associated with a smaller player. But for some reason he hasn’t shown the requisite consistency of a prototypical No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
So far in 2022, over the course of four games, Bateman has hauled in 11 passes for 243 yards and 2 scores. The 22.1 YPC is impressive but Bateman’s catch per target percentage (50%) ranks 67th of 72 wide receivers with a minimum of 20 catches. Comparatively speaking, Devin Duvernay ranks second with a catch rate of 85%.
The season is still young and success to date (or lack thereof) isn’t necessarily a predictor of future outcomes. But suffice it to say that Bateman hasn’t yet put it all together and his production belies his physical talents. He has the ability although now, some, and justifiably so, are beginning to question his availability. Rashod missed 5 games and a significant portion of training camp during his 2021 rookie campaign and he missed the Ravens most recent game against the Bengals with a mid-foot injury. (I can’t deny the fear of a Lisfranc injury rests uncomfortably in my mind)
The Ravens have talent at the position, albeit inexperienced and lacking depth. Injuries like Bateman’s, challenge that shallow depth and places the passing game at risk, not to mention more pressure on Mark Andrews.
RASHOD. BATEMAN. 😱
Ravens go up 14-7 over the Dolphins
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/hJpkxNx1pj
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 18, 2022
WR Options
During the 2018 NFL Draft one of my favorite players coming out of the college ranks was the University of Maryland’s D.J. Moore. The Ravens had enjoyed the talents of Steve Smith, Sr. for three seasons. Despite those years being in the November of Smith’s career, I admired his competitiveness, toughness and spirited play. I saw Moore as a player cut from the same cloth, albeit without the combustible temper.
Despite the quarterback issues in Carolina, Moore has been highly productive averaging 1,175 yards during the past three seasons. The former Terp is now in NFL purgatory. The Panthers are underachieving and currently sit in the cellar of the NFC South with a (1-4) record and they’ve just fired head coach Matt Rhule. The franchise is in a state of flux and could be trade partners for GM Eric DeCosta. Moore’s current teammate Robbie Anderson might also be a potential trade piece for EDC. Anderson, a different player than Moore, is one capable of taking the top off a defense with his long speed. At 6’3”, Anderson could also be a red zone target for Lamar Jackson.
From a cap perspective, Moore’s deal would require the Ravens to inherit a prorated $1.035M salary in 2022. So five games into the season, for example, that salary would be $747,500 (13/18ths of $1.035M). Next season the cap number climbs dramatically $19.965M, so there’s that. As for Anderson, the inherited base for the Ravens would be the same as Moore’s while his 2023 base is $8.8M, all courtesy of OverTheCap.com.
The Ravens could create cap space by restructuring Mark Andrews or Kevin Zeitler. They could also offer an extension to Marcus Peters who is playing with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. Peters currently carries a cap number of $15.5M, second only to Lamar Jackson. RSR’s Brian McFarland estimates that a Peters extension would create $2-4M in cap space in 2022, depending on the structure.
Peters is a dog (in a good sense) and the Ravens need “Moore” like him.
A Blast From The Past
Speaking of dogs, the Ravens used to have a bunch. Just the other day a friend compared another friend to American Express – don’t leave home without him. And it triggered thoughts of Terrell Suggs.
Back during the Ravens 2011 season, they hosted the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving Night in a game that was dubbed, “The Harbaugh Bowl”. During a game-deciding drive that would pave the way to a Ravens 16-6 win, Dennis Pitta converted a key third down to keep that pivotal drive alive. The play inspired this response from Suggs.
“The white tight end. He’s American Express. He’s everywhere you want to be. Don’t leave home without him.”
That team had personalities. That team had those dogs. I sure do miss the days of Suggs and teammates Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Haloti Ngata. Talk about gritty!
Odds & Ends
Lamar Jackson is clearly the most prolific rushing quarterback of all time. The eyeball test suggests as much but when you consider the comparison below, his accomplishments are a bit mind-blowing. Should Lamar continue his current pace (64.2 YPG) over the next 24 games, he’ll have 5,589 rushing yards after 87 games to Michael Vick’s 4,000.
QBs to reach 4,000 rush yards in NFL history:
No. of Games
LAMAR JACKSON 63(!)
Michael Vick 87
Randall Cunningham 98
Cam Newton 103
Russell Wilson 129
Steve Young 161 pic.twitter.com/N1oseYLK6E— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 10, 2022
Speaking of Lamar, as you’re well aware, he’s seeking a 100% guaranteed deal – or at least that’s the general consensus. Lamar won’t confirm or deny. Lamar’s former teammate, RG III posted this recently as it relates to guaranteed deals.
Players contracts need to be guaranteed like coaches. Matt Rhule is owed more than 40 million dollars from the Panthers after they fired him 3 years into a 7 year deal. They are paying him not to coach. Players put their bodies and minds on the line and deserve guaranteed deals.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 10, 2022
Fair point, but the difference of course, is that coaches don’t impact a team’s salary cap. Players do. I blame the Cleveland Browns for this discourse. If only the NFL could relegate teams for ineptitude and habitual maleficence the way the European Premier League does to underperforming teams.
Prior to his injury, Marcus Williams was arguably the Ravens best defender. Now given the severity of his dislocated wrist, Williams will miss significant time and is now parked on IR. His absence spells opportunity for Geno Stone who has looked good when he’s given the chance to play. And that experience will only serve to benefit his long-term value to the Ravens. That’s the silver lining in the Williams injury, BUT…
What does it say about Kyle Hamilton? Given his draft status, one would think that the rookie safety would be next in line, but apparently that isn’t the case. Oftentimes with coaches, they need to trust a player to do the job. Maybe Hamilton hasn’t quite earned that trust from DC Mike Macdonald or DB Coach Chris Hewitt.
Lastly, the Ronnie Stanley saga…
Doctors have cleared Stanley while John Harbaugh barely even wants to address the issue, deferring to said doctors. The situation is very peculiar. It’s not often that you see a starting left tackle on a pitch count. From the outside looking in, reading the tea leaves, Stanley’s inhibitions don’t stem from physical trauma. The trauma, just as real, resides in his head.
Perhaps some mental floss is in order.
I’ll look for some on Amazon.
11 Responses
Stanley appeared to be injury prone prior to the severe ankle injury that apparently has required three surgeries and another surgical procedure of some kind on his leg! It’s bad enough to be injury prone, but being gun shy complicates his rehab! It’s difficult to imagine him ever returning to all pro form……
Agreed. I question Stanley’s heart. The Ravens are always slow to move players. Personally, I feel Stanley is talented when healthy but ability is based on availability. Since his new contract he has rarely been available. Using these metrics/pay per game, he is about the highest paid player on the team because he plays very few games. Conclusion-renegotiate his contract again or look to move him at the end of the season. I don’t see him playing a full season again or even half a season, highly over-rated based on availability.
Stanley’s cap number suggests he’ll play at least another season unless there’s an injury settlement. The team recently restructured his contract to create cap space. I don’t think they would do that if they didn’t expect him to play out the majority of his contract.
This is my viewpoint. I don’t think anyone expected Stanley to be out this much time. Didn’t he get a new contract just before the first injury? Wasn’t his contract renegotiated this year? Has he not been injured for the majority of his new contract? I am not saying he’s not injured. I am saying ability is based on availability. If I were in the position, I would be looking at the long term. After the season I would be evaluating everything including player performance. If Stanley misses additional time this season I would consider 3 options. First is there a health condition? If so, move on. Trade him, renegotiate his contract and look at a dependable replacement or as mentioned an injury settlement. Personally, I think it’s medical and I would be looking at the options now. Once the season is over I would then revisit the situation and then make a decision. I understand how the management is loyal but sometimes this is a detriment. Just like my views on the coaching decisions, I would be more proactive instead of reactive. It’s like my view on the Lamar situation. I believe it’s mostly based on guaranteed money but winning is also very important. Personally I can see 2 scenarios. First, Lamar signs a guaranteed contract but with player options in the contract. Second, franchise tag and Lamar assesses the situation. If there is a better chance of winning elsewhere, I see him moving on. The money will be there. Supply and demand. In the end, Lamar will do what is in his best interest.
Stanley allowed 0 pressure in his first action back via PFF and eye test showed aswell as he shutdown Hendrickson. They need him going forward and to play him more then 20-30% of snaps. Hopefully over 50%this week
I really don’t understand why PFF grades have become such a benchmark. I’ve spoken to people in the Ravens building about PFF and while they’ll tell you that PFF does offer some things of value they view the player grades as a joke. Their benchmarks are the grades given to the players by the coaching staff. Only they know a players’ assignments on any given play.
Interesting. Ravens needs-attitudes, grit, dog. These are personal viewpoints/opinions. I see EDC picking up 1-2 players in the next few weeks to help us for the season, maybe the future. I think we do need a receiver like Moore, Anderson, or Lockett. I prefer Moore, he’s a Raven and local talent. I don’t know if we can sign him long term but he’s just what the doctor ordered. The running game seems to be improving, don’t know about the TEs with 2 injured and Likely young and still growing. We do need some front 7 help. It would be great to pick up one of the Washington DL. They have an abundance of young talent and we could really use some help. I like what we have in the secondary, just hope we can gain experience and stay healthy. I still have ?s with the LB but maybe we can change formations/schemes to increase our defensive play. Attitude goes a long way towards success. That’s why I would love picking up a Moore. I think we need some gamers like Lamar and Mark. We are improving but a few added pieces would work wonders. BTW I love the JPP acquisition. Now let’s add the missing pieces, hope for some luck in the drive and win it all. After the season we can make changes and adjustments. I see some changes after the season. Maybe addition by subtraction?
Dear Ravens 61, keep writing. You’re good. As to your essay, it’s just so hard to negotiate salary cap stuff that it makes me question any move. Look at LA. Who knows?
Tiny,
You are way off base. Players should never get guaranteed deals. As far as their bodies go, they knew that when they signed the contract and it didn’t stop them from signing it, so……
Not sure what you read to suggest I’m way off base. Try again?
First there is an annoying side bar to the right of the screen with 6 bubbles blocking part of the text it doesn’t matter if I’m in portrait or landscape.
The NFL seems willing to alter games to protect QBs, perhaps it’s time they alter the Salary Cap. Years ago they created the Rookie Salary Pool to stop #1 QB picks from becoming the highest paid players. Perhaps they could create a QB salary Pool, so that QB salaries don’t cripple teams. Make a max percent of salary cap available for QB pay, if the team has to pay more than that it’s simply a luxury tax on the owner.
These QB salaries are just going to continuously rise, eventually they will take up 50% of the cap.