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The Random Thought Thread

I see our offensive line, and then I remember that our remaining rivals are:
bears, browns, steelers, browns, packers, bengals, rams and steelers .....
sorry for my pessimism but I find it difficult to even reach the wild card
 
Argentina Raven said:
I see our offensive line, and then I remember that our remaining rivals are:
bears, browns, steelers, browns, packers, bengals, rams and steelers .....
sorry for my pessimism but I find it difficult to even reach the wild card
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yep lol:

Mack and Quinn, Garrett and Clowney, Watt, ZDS and Preston Smith, Hubbard and Hendrickson, Miller and Floyd (and Donald)

that's not a fun lineup of guys for our Tackles to deal with
 
When I saw 80% of bets were on the ravens to win I should have taken out a loan. Fml. Thank god it’s a 45 minute flight home tomorrow. Leaving a bottle of Merlot in my room before the game was a wise choice.
 
One random thought is that either the coaches or the medial staff has been really off this season w.r.t injuries. For example bringing Boyle off the PUP, from which he could have returned after week 6 and he's still not back. Wolfe wasn't put on IR until after 3(?) weeks, was designated to return and still not ready to even practice multiple week later. Stanley...
Maybe Mekari hasn't been put on IR since we can't affort to put anyone else on the 53, but that also seems like a strange move to have him occupying a spot.

Naturally, recovey time from injuries are hard to predict, but they've really botched them this year.
 
My player by player thoughts this year. Offense for now and defense to come later...

QB:
Lamar Jackson - we'd be nothing without him, and it's a shame that so many other positions have been decimated because he could be a bonafide superstar with his improvements and a 2019 OL and running game. He's not perfect but he's made big strides and I hope they continue once we get healthy next year

Tyler Huntley - N/A


RB:
Latavius Murray - he is what he is. If you need 4 yards and a hole is open for 4 yards, he'll get you 4 yards. Showing a touch of elusiveness but not much.

Devonta Freeman - he's been a good rotational piece. He doesn't have the long speed anymore but has enough elusiveness to be a role player and we could do a lot worse

Le'Veon Bell - he's not too dissimilar from Latavius. His roster status should be up in the air but we've been extraordinarily patient with this group

Ty'Son Williams - the athleticism is there but the vision and aggressiveness aren't. I'd like to see him get another shot at this with the old farts above not doing much, but it's clear he's just a body right now.

Pat Ricard (FB) - nothing much to say here. Ricard is doing Ricard things. He's an important cog in the offense.


WR:
Marquise Brown - still struggling with some drops on occasion but has greatly improved. He's working more in the intermediate range and has shown a lot more fight after the catch. Trending toward a WR1 but not fully there just yet.

Rashod Bateman - small sample size but no surprises to this point. Tough and dependable with good hands. He should be a key player for years to come.

Sammy Watkins - was solid before the injury and then just looked disconnected last night. Hopefully he returns to pre-injury form because he was a solid enough player for us.

Devin Duvernay - get the ball in his hands. Good things happen. He's progressed well in the technical intricacies of the game and should ascend to WR3 next year.

James Proche - solid when he gets an opportunity. Athletically limited but can make the tough catch. Should slot in well at the back of the WR rotation once again going forward.

Tylan Wallace - N/A as a receiver but has embraced ST

Miles Boykin - N/A as a receiver so far. They've been using him as a big slot a lot more since he returned. Curious to see how that goes heading into next year


TE:
Mark Andrews - we know what we have here. Very good TE who can disappear at times but takes over the game when he needs to.

Eric Tomlinson - solid blocker and has been a great Boyle replacement.

Josh Oliver- JAG. Has serious ball security issues and is likely gone when/if Boyle finally returns.


OL:
Alejandro Villanueva - Up and down but mostly down. Not sure what we saw here in the first place but he should be a 1 year and done guy.

Ben Powers - at his best, he's a solid player. At his worst, he's really bad. You can always improve here. He's just been the healthy one up to this point. But you can tell they want to do better when the opportunity presents itself.

Bradley Bozeman - he's been solid and dependable in the middle. Not a superstar by any stretch but a massive improvement.

Kevin Zeitler - another good, solid piece. Fits in well and should be a key returning player next year.

Patrick Mekari - he was a savior and his return should help solidify the OL once again. Not sure where his ultimate home is but he's been a godsend and should be playing for us for years to come if we can.

Tyre Phillips - playing T out of necessity. He's so good at moving to the next level and would greatly benefit from getting some run at G. But his own health and needs elsewhere have necessitated his move.

Trystan Colon - N/A for the most part but has been a good 6th OL.

Ben Cleveland - N/A for the most part but showed promise in the rotation before he got hurt.
 
I'm still fuming over that overturned catch from Andrews. Unless the refs had a different camera angle from the broadcast then there was no definitive evidence that it hit the ground and the call should have stood. I honestly felt like we were finally getting some momentum going on that drive before that horseshit call.
 
Simba said:
James Proche - solid when he gets an opportunity. Athletically limited but can make the tough catch. Should slot in well at the back of the WR rotation once again going forward.
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was a shame to see him miss out on being active but i get why - cant help think though that his brand of aggression and hands might have been able to spark something yesterday but he wasnt available

Simba said:
Josh Oliver- JAG. Has serious ball security issues and is likely gone when/if Boyle finally returns.
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was surprised when they elevated tomlinson to the 53 rather than a PS elevation (although cant remember if he had one left or not) but that would suggest to me that oliver's the one who'll make space for boyle which i wouldnt have expected to be the case if you'd asked me 8 weeks ago

Simba said:
Ben Powers - at his best, he's a solid player. At his worst, he's really bad. You can always improve here. He's just been the healthy one up to this point. But you can tell they want to do better when the opportunity presents itself.
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it's been clear for 2 years they've wanted to replace him and for 2 years he's kept reclaiming that job through injury - at his best he's a decent run blocker but even at his best he's not a good pass blocker

Simba said:
Tyre Phillips - playing T out of necessity. He's so good at moving to the next level and would greatly benefit from getting some run at G. But his own health and needs elsewhere have necessitated his move.
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im almost certainly a broken record at this point about tyre - but he is clearly the best LG available right now and is capable of the kind of push that could help spark an interior running game - our best running plays early seemed to be behind him at RT - his achilles heel at tackle is his slow foot speed, he's so much better suited at guard where his length, power and technique are more effective in pass pro and even his footwork looks better when he doesnt have to haul ass in a vertical kickstep

i was so excited about the LT to RG axis of this OL before week 1 with Stanley-Phillips-Bozeman-Zeitler - that looked to me to have the makings of a really solid and dependable group - but stanley's injury and Tyre's injury (and now mekari's) have completely torpedoed that possibility

Simba said:
Trystan Colon - N/A for the most part but has been a good 6th OL.
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ive actually been impressed with Colon - he came in and did well in relief of Zeitler when he left and the same when Bozeman missed some time when he left too - and as you said he's been good as that 6th OL too - had a great downblock on Lev Bell's TD vs the Vikings

if it wasnt clear already, we are in desperate need of tackle help and depth for next year - even if just to make sure Tyre never has to go and play tackle again and can stay and focus at guard
 
RL52TheGreatest said:
I'm still fuming over that overturned catch from Andrews. Unless the refs had a different camera angle from the broadcast then there was no definitive evidence that it hit the ground and the call should have stood. I honestly felt like we were finally getting some momentum going on that drive before that horseshit call.
Click to expand...
They refused to show the replay at the stadium. They just put an “under the hood” graphic on the screen for minutes on end. They honestly sucked at showing any replays in that place.
 
RL52TheGreatest said:
I'm still fuming over that overturned catch from Andrews. Unless the refs had a different camera angle from the broadcast then there was no definitive evidence that it hit the ground and the call should have stood. I honestly felt like we were finally getting some momentum going on that drive before that horseshit call.
Click to expand...
I thought the broadcast angles pretty clearly showed that it was a catch, but whatever I guess
 
And defense because my meeting got cancelled lol...

DL:
Calais Campbell - inconsistent compared to what he was in his prime but that still shows on occasion. Not as big of a pass rush threat as he used to be but a massive part of the run defense and can really move when he's fresh

Brandon Williams - still a good piece in the run game but health has been trending downward and age is starting to catch up. Likely moving on after this year.

Justin Madubuike - inconsistent with high highs and low lows. Needs to make an impact more often. We know he can. Now he just needs to do it with more consistency.

Justin Ellis - solid enough rotational piece.

Broderick Washington - solid enough rotational piece.


OLB:
Odafe Oweh - looks like a good piece going forward. Has a tendency to disappear but does well when he can just pin his ears back and go. Looking forward to seeing how he develops.

Justin Houston - if almost sacks were a thing, he'd have like 15 already. Doing his job well. Not as dynamic as his prime but has been a good piece for us.

Pernell McPhee - hasn't done much this year and is clearly being phased out. We'll get younger here.

Jaylon Ferguson - N/A for the most part but seems to be playing the McPhee role when he does get on the field. Not a pure pass rusher but more of an edge holder.

Tyus Bowser - quietly very solid once again. His value is in his versatility, not his pass rushing as much.


ILB:
Patrick Queen - started out really rough but has turned it around with Bynes next to him. Playing with a lot more aggression and confidence. Hoping this continues because he has all of the physical talent in the world.

Malik Harrison - been a massive disappointment but still flashes on occasion. He'll get another opportunity when he gets healthy. Also have noticed him playing the Bowser role on occasion so might be a versatile piece.

Josh Bynes - the savior. Settled that putrid ILB core and has played extremely well. If you can keep getting him at the minimum, keep bringing him back until these young guys hopefully ascend.

Chris Board - solid rotational piece and core STer

Kristian Welch - N/A as a LB but a core STer


CB:
Marlon Humphrey - it's been a down year so far. He's always been a little handsy and he's been called for it a lot more this year. I think he'll rebound but definitely needs to start pulling things together on a more consistent basis.

Anthony Averett - more bad than good. Not sure he's a superstar CB but he's a more than capable starter and has been a real blessing.

Tavon Young - started out rough but has quietly put together a really good year. Unfortunately, another injury although we don't know the severity just yet. Best when you limit the snaps but he's a dog when he's out there.

Chris Westry - N/A for the most part but looks like a solid depth piece who could eventually ascend to being a starter if needed

Jimmy Smith - hasn't played much but looks like age has caught up. They've been phasing him out and it looks like retirement is next

Ar'Darius Washington - N/A but looks like solely a backup slot CB going forward. I would imagine his hold is tenuous but Young going down could pave the way for an opportunity depending on severity.


S:
DeShon Elliott - a real shame he got hurt again. He's such a tone setter and a consistent tackler. Curious what happens to his market with another injury but would be open to retaining him at the right price.

Chuck Clark - a down year but it's not been terrible. Has been caught out of position too often. Should still be a key piece going forward and hopefully he rebounds with a full stack at CB next year.

Brandon Stephens - not perfect but a lot to like from him so far. IQ and movement show up. Needs to play with more confidence going downhill and might have had some communication woes, but hopefully that goes away with more playing time.

Geno Stone - solid enough player. STer and a decent backup S.

Anthony Levine - STer only


ST:
Justin Tucker - no comment needed

Sam Koch - his time is about up in my eyes. Distance isn't there anymore and he hasn't been consistent at all this season.

Nick Moore - haven't focused on him majorly but no glaring issues. Noticed one low snap but nothing egregious.
 
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