The Good, the Bad, and The Ravens

[Grim]

With Mosley, I said coming out that he looked like a fantastic zone coverage linebacker who could make plays just by putting himself in the right spot at the right time, and now he doesn't even look like he's able to do that. Man coverage has never been his strong suit (and what linebacker really can run with Duke Johnson or Le'Veon Bell?), but it's the getting lost and baited on horrendous fakes like that that have me upset.

That’s exactly how I feel. It doesn’t make sense how Mosley used to be able to position himself in zone to make a play of some sort and it’s how he got that Odell Beckham like INT years ago when he got hurt. With that said, he hasn’t done that in years and it feels like he’s taking steps back. Maybe it’s the extra weight but I’m concerned because we really need him to play well. I don’t think it’s a coincidence we’ve had issues covering TE since he’s been here. We used to stop JAG-like TE but now we’re struggling there too. I put that on CJ. Like you I understand losing battles to Duke and even Bell but when we’re struggling against guys like Jesse James I start to lose my patience. James isn’t bad but I’d say he’s the definition of decent.

 

[RavensMania]

I was just kidding as I mentioned. Mayfield would beat Flacco out though.

Highly doubt that even if Flacco looked better in camp. You're not giving him the job this year to sit him on the bench next year.

I don't think Baker has a whole lot to learn from Joe. They are completely different guys in every sense of that word.

I was kidding. You said Harbaugh gets the job, then Flacco would start because well Harbaugh is the coach and that's what Harbaugh does. Of course Mayfield would beat him out.

 

[arnie_uk]

With Mosley, I said coming out that he looked like a fantastic zone coverage linebacker who could make plays just by putting himself in the right spot at the right time, and now he doesn't even look like he's able to do that. Man coverage has never been his strong suit (and what linebacker really can run with Duke Johnson or Le'Veon Bell?), but it's the getting lost and baited on horrendous fakes like that that have me upset.

I entirely agree. Its not a lack of speed, although that would help, he always seems out of position

 

[RaineV1]

We dont have a late first or a second unfortunately

Trade down. Get the late first and possibly a 2nd, or at least an extra 3rd.

 

[Justdewinit20]

If only we had Myles Jack or Jaylon Smith type of lb... maybe a Deion Jones to help in the middle. Or a Michael Thomas to help us put more points on the board in big moments of a game considering the league is damn near bending over backwards to give offenses every possible advantage.

Kamalei Correa was better than all of them haha

 

[Justdewinit20]

Trade down. Get the late first and possibly a 2nd, or at least an extra 3rd.

That’s hasn’t worked for us unfortunently, look at 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2018. If a talent is there that is too good to pass up we can’t trade down. I’m pissed that we didn’t take Derwin James. We could’ve been playing 3 safety sets on 3rd down with James playing nickel linebacker/hybrid safety role. This discussion of Mosley being bad in pass coverage wouldn’t even be happening.

 

[RaineV1]

That’s hasn’t worked for us unfortunently, look at 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2018. If a talent is there that is too good to pass up we can’t trade down. I’m pissed that we didn’t take Derwin James. We could’ve been playing 3 safety sets on 3rd down with James playing nickel linebacker/hybrid safety role. This discussion of Mosley being bad in pass coverage wouldn’t even be happening.

It depends on who is there. If the best player available is a WR after we've resigned Brown, a QB, or something we really don't need, then it could be worth it. Also, for 2018, I honestly wouldn't have minded passing on James if we grabbed Ridley or Lamar with the trade down pick. The problem was specifically picking Hurst. He could turn out pretty good, but an all pro safety will always be more valuable than a good TE.

 

[Justdewinit20]

That’s exactly how I feel. It doesn’t make sense how Mosley used to be able to position himself in zone to make a play of some sort and it’s how he got that Odell Beckham like INT years ago when he got hurt. With that said, he hasn’t done that in years and it feels like he’s taking steps back. Maybe it’s the extra weight but I’m concerned because we really need him to play well. I don’t think it’s a coincidence we’ve had issues covering TE since he’s been here. We used to stop JAG-like TE but now we’re struggling there too. I put that on CJ. Like you I understand losing battles to Duke and even Bell but when we’re struggling against guys like Jesse James I start to lose my patience. James isn’t bad but I’d say he’s the definition of decent.

I wouldn’t put all the blame on Mosley for the teams lack of ability to cover tight ends. We’ve had bad safety play for a few years now not including Weddle. Elam was awful at covering them and Jefferson seems like he’s in the same boat.

 

[rossihunter2]

https://twitter.com/abukari/status/1057418838676045825

michael pierce is awesome

 

[Oldfaithful]

https://twitter.com/abukari/status/1057418838676045825

michael pierce is awesome

He's everything we thought Brandon Williams should be. Lowkey an elite player.
Good news is that he's here for another year. Bad news is... When it comes time to pay him we stuck with Brandon williams. God that contract was abysmal especially with hindsight. We should have paid Larry Warford.

 

[Grim]

He's everything we thought Brandon Williams should be. Lowkey an elite player.
Good news is that he's here for another year. Bad news is... When it comes time to pay him we stuck with Brandon williams. God that contract was abysmal especially with hindsight. We should have paid Larry Warford.

We could keep Pierce and cut Williams if that’s in the cards. We can get out from Williams in 2020 and Pierce is a FA then. It’ll also be a new CBA so yeah

 

[rossihunter2]

He's everything we thought Brandon Williams should be. Lowkey an elite player.
Good news is that he's here for another year. Bad news is... When it comes time to pay him we stuck with Brandon williams. God that contract was abysmal especially with hindsight. We should have paid Larry Warford.

we can dump brandon williams contract after the 2019 season
coincidentally this is when michael pierce would make it to free agency

 

[JoeyFlex5]

Fun fact, in 3 franchise modes without editing players, Michael pierce has progressed to the highest rated player(post yanda retirement) every time. He’s been in the mid 90s within 3 seasons every time

 

[DeVito52]

Fun fact, in 3 franchise modes without editing players, Michael pierce has progressed to the highest rated player(post yanda retirement) every time. He’s been in the mid 90s within 3 seasons every time

The first year I had Tim Williams starting he had 17 sacks. Still waiting for that

 

[redrum52]

Fun fact, in 3 franchise modes without editing players, Michael pierce has progressed to the highest rated player(post yanda retirement) every time. He’s been in the mid 90s within 3 seasons every time

In Madden 18 had Chuck Clark looking like a young Ed Reed. Bowser had like 15 sacks. Makes me miss that trash ass game, but I'm boycotting that bullshit.

 

[JoeyFlex5]

The first year I had Tim Williams starting he had 17 sacks. Still waiting for that

In Madden 18 had Chuck Clark looking like a young Ed Reed. Bowser had like 15 sacks. Makes me miss that trash ass game, but I'm boycotting that bullshit.

I had Tim Williams progress naturally really well on one franchise and poorly on the others, bowser always seemed to progress really well.

I’m not a fan of altering my players and I like to sim a lot and usually prefer to just play the gm role

 

[DeVito52]

I had Tim Williams progress naturally really well on one franchise and poorly on the others, bowser always seemed to progress really well.

I’m not a fan of altering my players and I like to sim a lot and usually prefer to just play the gm role

Oh I didn’t alter him at all and never do. The man was legit like 73 ovr with 17 sacks it was insane.

 

[TheCity5]

That’s exactly how I feel. It doesn’t make sense how Mosley used to be able to position himself in zone to make a play of some sort and it’s how he got that Odell Beckham like INT years ago when he got hurt. With that said, he hasn’t done that in years and it feels like he’s taking steps back. Maybe it’s the extra weight but I’m concerned because we really need him to play well. I don’t think it’s a coincidence we’ve had issues covering TE since he’s been here. We used to stop JAG-like TE but now we’re struggling there too. I put that on CJ. Like you I understand losing battles to Duke and even Bell but when we’re struggling against guys like Jesse James I start to lose my patience. James isn’t bad but I’d say he’s the definition of decent.

FWIW, TJ was a guy who could cover TEs but he's getting lost against JAG-TE's as well. CJ used to be a good coverage LB and in man no one expects him to run with an elite pass catching RB but getting ripped by JAG-TE's is a problem and not only Jesse James but even Vance McDonald wrecked him in coverage a couple of times. His lack of coverage over the middle is really killing this team and it's by far the defense biggest weakness atm. Jefferson has issues against TE, but his problems are in the deep sidelines more so then the middle of the field.

 

[TheCity5]

We could keep Pierce and cut Williams if that’s in the cards. We can get out from Williams in 2020 and Pierce is a FA then. It’ll also be a new CBA so yeah

I think Williams will be the casualty in keeping Pierce. I agree there and good thing he's a RFA this year.

 

[TheCity5]

He's everything we thought Brandon Williams should be. Lowkey an elite player.
Good news is that he's here for another year. Bad news is... When it comes time to pay him we stuck with Brandon williams. God that contract was abysmal especially with hindsight. We should have paid Larry Warford.

We should have paid Wagner. I remember when I was having this conversation with rmw and one of the mods on the old site. Me and the mod thought we could manage to keep Wagner and Williams but sadly it didn't go down that route and a lot of people were upset that we let Wagner walk.

That BW contract is hurting and I know how the team looks with out him and regardless, I'm still taking Wagner.