CRA

Dang, these over the top expectations on a rookie QB are a tad much. Why? This is season is about growth, learning and taking lumps. And we got new systems on both sides of the field that have to be built. Everyone got us inked into the playoffs. In the last 20 years I don’t think a rookie QB has gone to the postseason without Pro Bowl caliber players to distribute to or a top of the league D or having legs to take over a game and challenge for the QB rushing lead. And only 1 made it to double digit wins without some version of the above and they didn’t make the playoffs let alone win a game or go deep.

Kris Jenkins was a 2x All Pro who wrecked game plans in his prime. Kemoeatu never even made a Pro Bowl A healthy and motivated Jenkins was on another planet IMO than Kemo. The window was small though. Kemo the more consistent player over a longer period.

I think Peppers and Luke are by FAR the best players up. Not even close. but I think they let Thomas Davis in before both of them. So I will guess TD and Kalil to hit the O and D combo. I frankly think they let too many in already. Think the bar should of been higher initially.

I'm sure it's fluid and dependent on actual play. I think lots of coaches want to be aggressive. And they will be as aggressive as their players actually allow for it to be a smart idea. So yeah, dependent on our backend.

Who’s our best playmaker on offense? Think the answer to that puts a certain ceiling on how good this team can be with a rookie QB

I think it is a good enough group for Young to learn and grow. Which is all that really matters for me. I'd still like to add another RB w/ hands though. I think the emphasis will be on Young getting the ball out quick. Sanders gets banged up, I think we should already have a sure handed RB that is equally good in pass pro on the roster. Not a big fan of what is behind Sanders right now

Stewart was a better overall RB IMO than Sanders when healthy. But let's call it a push between those 2. 2015 backfield gets the edge because it also featured All Pro/Pro Bowl Mike Tolbert too. Who was super solid at everything from pass pro, receiving outlet to grinding out the tough yards. Tolbert > Hubbard. Greg was in his prime in 2015. Olsen + Ginn Jr IMO is going to give that 2015 unit the edge for me. Olsen is a better receiving option than anyone we got this year. And while flawed, Ginn Jr could influence coverage unlike anyone we have right now. Unique NFL speed.

Cam Newton was the league MVP. No way our offense this year is going to compare to 2015 overall. Cam alone makes that a no contest. Now, if we exclude QB and talk about what is around the QB? Young will have a better OL than Cam did in 2015. But as weak as the skills position has always been deemed on that 2015 squad, I’d still give it an edge over this group going on. 2015 backfield was clearly better overall. Receiving group gets the slight edge in 2015 because that was Greg Olsen on his prime surrounded by decent role players. Ginn Jr could take the top off as good as anyone in the league. He just might not catch it but it was coverage altering.

Arguably the best WR in the NFL on the outside Top 5 TE and arguably the best pure slot WR in the game with a strong RB in the backfield It was basically QB heaven for Carr last year

Early Romo was great. But he has run his course.

They aren’t when you include 2nd and 3rd world countries.

Compared to the rest of the NFL, our skill talent around the QB is lacking to really compete with good teams. Could the NFCS be such a dumpster fire we might could compete for a spot? Maybe.

He isn't really at top 5 corner. He potentially could be one. Horn hasn't even logged a full season's worth of games. Think he has faced one legit top tier QB his entire career.

Yes, they did have a plan to run the ball. The passing component of that offense was TE centric. It was literally all planned out in 2018. You draft Lamar, you build a team around Lamar and what his strengths will be. Which they did in the 2018 draft. 2019 TE had the most receptions, yards and TDs 2020 TE had the most receptions, 2nd yards and TDs 2021 TE had the most receptions, yards and TDs. That was supposed to be Hurst. That was the plan. Only he was overdrafted and wasn't capable to fill that role. So someone else did. But it is undeniable it was an ideal spot for a talented TE to be drafted into because of the emphasis the position would have in the passing O. Andrews was supposed to be #2. It was quickly evident Andrews was significantly better than the first rounder and that was a problem. So they solved it quick. Hurst was sent packing after 2 years. A rarity in the NFL. And it has nothing to do with him not being in a place for a TE to thrive. That's what the Ravens wanted for the TE and Lamar. And that's why you waste a first round pick on a TE....to be a focal point in an offensive scheme.

lol 2018 play isn't a representation of what they wanted to do going forward and there play. Joe Flacco was the QB. The offense was about to change and they drafted the pieces for that change/future in 2018. 2019 is when the commitment to the TE O and scheme hit the field. The Lamar era began. Which is what the 2018 draft was about. most targeted player? TE most receptions? TE most TDs? TE TEs were 3 of the 5 most targeted players in the passing game. Hurst was there. Which is what I responding to. Problem again for Hurst....is he was the 3rd most targeted TE in the TE heavy scheme and was first round pick. Front office went about correcting the glaring error pretty quick and parted w/ the first round pick after 2 seasons. Not because they weren't about the TE. TE was the plan for the Lamar era. Which that era speaks for itself. And the Ravens stayed committed to the TE going forward there year after year after year just without the dude that was suppose to be the lead of it. Hurst.

It's Bryce Young's rookie season. I care more about how he looks and his development. So an example would be..... I'd rather Bryce Young look like a he was good pick and on a good development track yet the team be 6-10 over a season we make it to 9-8 and we question if Bryce was the right pick and struggles and doesn't' progress well.

How were the Ravens not TE centric? In 2019, the most targeted player on the entire offense was a TE. Andrews. Lead the team in targets, receptions, and TDs. Of the top 5 targeted players, 3 of the 5 were TEs. Hurst was there. Hurst's problem was even TE Nick Boyle got more targets than him that season. They were definitely focused on the TE spot. 2019 was the start of the Lamar era. Which is what the 2018 draft was about setting up. Hurst essentially landed in 2 ideal spots back to back for a TE. 2 teams committed to making the TE a big part of the O. Better TEs simply took over the role or were brought in. But he was basically given first dips at being the dude at both spots. It just didn't work out for him to be the dude at either. He is a fine player. I always thought he was over drafted. So expectations were always too high early on.

And I got no issue with Hurst. This thread is in weeds on draft status. Would have loved to ran 12 personnel with Hurst and the rookie. Similar to how they helped Cam come into the league. Give him some easy targets.

I mean, the Ravens are TE centric. Atlanta wanted TE to be a focal point. Young TEs thrived both places too.

Don’t care about wins/losses this year. Just care about how Young looks.

Yep, still wish we grabbed the GA TE in the 3rd instead of DJ.

Largely agree. But it still has real NFL world context. I mean, coaches and GMs lose jobs over first round investments not living up to the expectations of the pick.

True. Sucks for Hurst. Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews have been the face of that O in Baltimore. And they were both drafted in the same draft as Hurst. But behind him. One WAY behind him at the same position. But there is no way the football world isn’t going to deem that a busted first round pick given that. No one should be upset the label applies to him.

Again, the bust tag has to do with draft position/performance. So yeah, you could be a solid 10 year NFL JAG…..and be a bust. 2 things can be true. But rarely accepted on message boards.

Yeah, it’s just you. Being called a bust has to to do with your draft position. You essentially could clone an average NFL starter and have one drafted top 5 and one in the 7th…..one gets deemed a bust. One deemed a great pick. Same dude. Hurst was a first round pick. He has only logged 5 seasons and already bounced to 3 teams in that span. Now on team 4. Hurst was a bust. Can you be a bust and still be a legit NFL player? Yes. Again, the whole 2 things can be true aspect that people don’t seem to be able to handle anymore. Baker and Sam were in that draft. They were busts too. You can go cherry pick some random stat for them too.