[firstclass]

WOW, we are getting some talent on defense, offense set ,look out next year

[rcene]

I do not think so.

Losing Reed and Lewis is big, cannot replace those guys and the leadership with rookies or free agents

[firstclass]

i agree on leadership but still have suggs amongst others who have been groomed to carry on the tradition

[bb_skoots]

Lewis was a below average LB for a few years. Was not much of a factor on the field during the play.

[C-Gold]

Old injured players.

Ellerbe was good last year but it was a career year for him, where was he in previous years?

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed were living on their names.

Pollard and Johnson hurt the most to lose but

Dumerville > Jarred Johnson.

They lose Pollard but have Suggs the full year.

Ozzie is good at picking players, the defense really might be better next year. They were horrible vs the run at the start of the year, like worst in the league horrible.

[ch3ss]

If you think the ravens defense is better next year than this past year you are crazy.... and obviously have 0 clue about football no offense LOL

[ThaTopMoron]

Kruger?

you know, guy who played awesome in the games that mattered most?

[C-Gold]

In 2011 the Ravens were #3 in defense in terms of yards given up. They were good in the playoffs this year but not during the season. Last year the Ravens gave up 350 YPG on defense good enough for 17th best in the league. 1 slot ahead of the Oakland Raiders. They gave up 20.4 first downs per game, tied for 22nd with the St. Louis rams.

A similar thing happened the Giants 2 years ago. They did NOT have a good defense that season but they were good in the playoffs. Same thing happened to the Ravens. They were 17th best - but were awful at the start of the year and the ranking improved over time.

I think it is very rational to think the Ravens finish better than 17th in the league in defense next year.

[Bengals28]

Bengals will win division.

[Scorpion]

If you think the ravens defense is better next year than this past year you are crazy.... and obviously have 0 clue about football no offense LOL

bingo

[slacker00]

I'm not sure how losing starting players makes a team better.

[coop]

most in this thread don't know what they are talking about and didn't watch a Ravens game until their playoff run. Ravens D was putrid in the regular season. Were ranked 17th in passing D and 20th in rushing D.

Who they lose:
Ray Lewis (Was worst player on field for the D)
Ed Reed (Old, neck problems. Doesn't tackle anymore)
Paul Kruger (Started season as backup)
Ellerbe (Started season as backup)
Carey Williams (gave up 2nd most 1st downs in NFL)

Drop off from Reed to Huff is smaller than you'd think
Will be a drop off from Ellerbe to whomever

but the other 3 starting spots are being UPGRADED. Dumervil over Kruger, Graham/Smith over Carey Williams, whoever they get at MLB upgrade over Ray.

Their front 7 is going to be scary. Dumervil + healthy Suggs + healthy Ngata? Suggs was 2011 defensive player of the year. Last time Dumervil played in same role and with the Ravens current LB coach he had 17 sacks.

If you wanna make the argument, make it that simultaneously losing two HOFers and the soul of the team in Lewis + Reed will completely screw them.

[MoneyLineDawg]

They will be good still but maybe not better....hard to say at this point

Losing Ray Lewis isn't that bad at this point but I still thought Ed Reed was a damn good player even last season (Although not elite level anymore, still very good)

Ellerbe hurts to lose....he was one of the their best players in the playoffs

I also liked Pollard

Much rather have Dumervil than Kruger

Cornerback changes aren't much either way

[GamblerSpirit]

They will be better off than expected. Dooooommmm

[Scorpion]

Ravens may be better on defense next year

[slacker00]

most in this thread don't know what they are talking about and didn't watch a Ravens game until their playoff run. Ravens D was putrid in the regular season. Were ranked 17th in passing D and 20th in rushing D.

Who they lose:
Ray Lewis (Was worst player on field for the D)
Ed Reed (Old, neck problems. Doesn't tackle anymore)
Paul Kruger (Started season as backup)
Ellerbe (Started season as backup)
Carey Williams (gave up 2nd most 1st downs in NFL)

Drop off from Reed to Huff is smaller than you'd think
Will be a drop off from Ellerbe to whomever

but the other 3 starting spots are being UPGRADED. Dumervil over Kruger, Graham/Smith over Carey Williams, whoever they get at MLB upgrade over Ray.

Their front 7 is going to be scary. Dumervil + healthy Suggs + healthy Ngata? Suggs was 2011 defensive player of the year. Last time Dumervil played in same role and with the Ravens current LB coach he had 17 sacks.

If you wanna make the argument, make it that simultaneously losing two HOFers and the soul of the team in Lewis + Reed will completely screw them.

Good response, coop. Lots of good points.

One point I'd like to make is that the Ravens had to do what they had to do. It happens every year to the reigning Super Bowl champ, they get stripped of any free agents because they get overvalued in free agency. Add in the fact that Lewis is retired and Ed Reed will be 35 next year, they had to move on.

Nevertheless, Ed Reed is still much better than a 29 year old Huff, who is more comparable to Bernard Pollard.

But I agree that most of the other losses were role player types and the big question is in the leadership roles.

[BigDeem5]

Dummervill isn't better than Kruger.

[HustleGetPaid]

No choice but to get younger and try to shore up some weaknesses. The way of the NFL, well all sports...

[the_situation]

Bengals will win division.

not with Dalton at QB

[the_situation]

Dummervill isn't better than Kruger.

spell his name right will ya. let's see if Kruger can maintain that level of play on Cleveland.. could just be a flash in the pan.. Dumervil has consistently proven he's a quality pass rusher

[pixster]

WOW, we are getting some talent on defense, offense set ,look out next year

So if they're gonna be better on defense, they're undeniably a fav to repeat, right?

Pardon the skepticism...just that recent history says that it's going to be difficult for the Ravens (and even the Niners) to make it back to the Super Bowl two years in a row. No team has made a repeat appearance to the big game since the Pats did after the 2004 season. The new Ravens are a shell of themselves now. I'd be surprised if they even made the playoffs. And even if they did, the Wild Card round is as far as they'd get. Just sayin'...

[flipside2469]

McClain. Good luck with that cancer. A leader on defense? Hahahaha!!!

[bubblebuttluv]

The Ravens are going to be bums next year and this is coming from a Ravens fan. Dramatically over-paying Flacco to the detriment of their team will be one of the biggest mistakes this franchise has ever made. I don't give a shit if he was the super bowl winning QB. If you have to give up a veteran in Reed and another veteran in Boldin along with other major players, just so this guy can be the highest paid player in the NFL (only to be passed by an actually good QB in Rodgers), Flacco should have been given his walking papers. F.u.c.k. Flacco.

[Marigold HD]

I say they will be worse offensively than defensively. They wont make playoffs though.........that's a guarantee

[NYSportsGuy210]

Losing Anquan Boldin will be HUGE.....watch.

[The Kraken]

Superbowl champions, BEIOOOOTCHES!

Lewis going out on top

Lewis and Reed future hall of famers

Raves D may rank higher but they won't win their division nor make it to the super bowl.

Why? Reed and Lewis were that good. They're weren't the physical specimens they once were but they were SMART and both knew the offenses they were playing against better than the opposing QB's

Lewis and Reed are irreplaceable

at guys that think otherwise

On your knees and pay homage to Lewis, bitches

[Full Time Hobo]

most in this thread don't know what they are talking about and didn't watch a Ravens game until their playoff run. Ravens D was putrid in the regular season. Were ranked 17th in passing D and 20th in rushing D.

Who they lose:
Ray Lewis (Was worst player on field for the D)
Ed Reed (Old, neck problems. Doesn't tackle anymore)
Paul Kruger (Started season as backup)
Ellerbe (Started season as backup)
Carey Williams (gave up 2nd most 1st downs in NFL)

Drop off from Reed to Huff is smaller than you'd think
Will be a drop off from Ellerbe to whomever

but the other 3 starting spots are being UPGRADED. Dumervil over Kruger, Graham/Smith over Carey Williams, whoever they get at MLB upgrade over Ray.

Their front 7 is going to be scary. Dumervil + healthy Suggs + healthy Ngata? Suggs was 2011 defensive player of the year. Last time Dumervil played in same role and with the Ravens current LB coach he had 17 sacks.

If you wanna make the argument, make it that simultaneously losing two HOFers and the soul of the team in Lewis + Reed will completely screw them.

Good response.

No one knew who Kruger was until Suggs came back on the other side.
No one knew who Ellerbe was until Ray got hurt.
Cary Williams was below average cb...
Ladarius Webb will be back from ACL injury next season...
Reed should have retired last year (like he threatened to pre season).
He and Ray were running on reputation mostly. Though having them on the field was like having a coach on the field.
All in all the Ravens D was ranked bottom 3rd of the league all year.
This year they will actually be able to stop the run (hopefully), while adding a pass rush...
Probably reload LB in the draft and a Safety.

They have upgraded athletically... Leadership wise they are lacking.
Boldin will be a big loss but 4tds and 900 rec yards aren't impossible to replace.
What they really need on offense is a LT.

[GunShard]

Losing Anquan Boldin will be HUGE.....watch.

Yea, Flacco had the best chemistry with Boldin during his entire time as a Raven.

[GamblerSpirit]

The Ravens are going to be bums next year and this is coming from a Ravens fan. Dramatically over-paying Flacco to the detriment of their team will be one of the biggest mistakes this franchise has ever made. I don't give a shit if he was the super bowl winning QB. If you have to give up a veteran in Reed and another veteran in Boldin along with other major players, just so this guy can be the highest paid player in the NFL (only to be passed by an actually good QB in Rodgers), Flacco should have been given his walking papers. F.u.c.k. Flacco.

They had to do what they had to do. Paid premium for a superbowl victory. Flacco is overpaid But will most likely restructure in upcoming years.

Boldin reed and lewis were all old and let go or retired
Pollard was speaking out abou the management and he was shown the door

And i think you lost a dlineman/lb but not ngata who is the cornerstone of that defense now along with suggs

[slacker00]

not with Dalton at QB

Dalton is basically a younger Joe Flacco, maybe better, we'll see. He's not great, but not terrible either.

[firstclass]

So if they're gonna be better on defense, they're undeniably a fav to repeat, right?

Pardon the skepticism...just that recent history says that it's going to be difficult for the Ravens (and even the Niners) to make it back to the Super Bowl two years in a row. No team has made a repeat appearance to the big game since the Pats did after the 2004 season. The new Ravens are a shell of themselves now. I'd be surprised if the
y even made the playoffs. And even if they did, the Wild Card round is as far as they'd get. Just sayin'...

OMY

[firstclass]

the ravens are going to be bums next year and this is coming from a ravens fan. Dramatically over-paying flacco to the detriment of their team will be one of the biggest mistakes this franchise has ever made. I don't give a shit if he was the super bowl winning qb. If you have to give up a veteran in reed and another veteran in boldin along with other major players, just so this guy can be the highest paid player in the nfl (only to be passed by an actually good qb in rodgers), flacco should have been given his walking papers. F.u.c.k. Flacco.

you really have no clue

[rcene]

Dalton is basically a younger Joe Flacco, maybe better, we'll see. He's not great, but not terrible either.

I was far from impressed with his playoff performances.

He may end up being that qb that plays at one level in the regular season, and then stinks in the playoffs

[SpreadSniper]

Dummervill isn't better than Kruger.

Do you even know what NFL stands for? I find it hard to believe you do given the above statement.

[Frisco]

Dalton is basically a younger Joe Flacco, maybe better, we'll see. He's not great, but not terrible either.

Lol this couldn't be further from the truth. Dalton is a below avg QB at best that thrives when Green is making miraculous plays for him.