Has Manti Te'o been taken off the Ravens' board?

**leachisabeast** · 03-31-2013, 08:47 AM

Happy Easter Sunday draft hounds! I am sitting here in sunny Orlando, Florida enjoying weather that I haven't seen since I was in Florida last year!

Anyway I was reading Walter football's Notre Dame pro day report, and while it was good for him that he got his 40 time down, about five team scouts told the guy that they don't view Te'o as a first round prospect and more of a 2nd-3rd round guy. They also noted that a team picking between 20 and 32 had completely taken him off their board due to "outside distractions".

Obviously that could be anyone. The Texans, GB, and Minnesota have needs at LB aswell as us. However, it just seems like they would report the "between 20-32" as a hint to say that it's Baltimore. If it was the Ravens who said that, it could have simply been a smoke screen. But when you look at Harbaugh's face watching Te'o run the 40, and the fact that Harbaugh can't stand high profile media attention, this report could actually have some truth to it.

What do y'all think?

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 03-31-2013, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Happy Easter Sunday draft hounds! I am sitting here in sunny Orlando, Florida enjoying weather that I haven't seen since I was in Florida last year!

Anyway I was reading Walter football's Notre Dame pro day report, and while it was good for him that he got his 40 time down, about five team scouts told the guy that they don't view Te'o as a first round prospect and more of a 2nd-3rd round guy. They also noted that a team picking between 20 and 32 had completely taken him off their board due to "outside distractions".

Obviously that could be anyone. The Texans, GB, and Minnesota have needs at LB aswell as us. However, it just seems like they would report the "between 20-32" as a hint to say that it's Baltimore. If it was the Ravens who said that, it could have simply been a smoke screen. But when you look at Harbaugh's face watching Te'o run the 40, and the fact that Harbaugh can't stand high profile media attention, this report could actually have some truth to it.

What do y'all think?

I don't know, but that clip of John shaking his head during Teo's 40 during the combine spoke volumes to me lol.

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**RavenScallywag** · 03-31-2013, 10:39 AM

Eh, I don't think it'd be us. Things I see us removing guys from our draft board for would be injuries, character issues, lack of work ethic, etc. I don't think we'd care about the distractions if Te'o was hungry and had the work ethic of a wolf.

**leachisabeast** · 03-31-2013, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Eh, I don't think it'd be us. Things I see us removing guys from our draft board for would be injuries, character issues, lack of work ethic, etc. I don't think we'd care about the distractions if Te'o was hungry and had the work ethic of a wolf.

When was the last time the Ravens drafted or signed a high profile player with a bunch of media attention following him since Harbaugh has been here? I really can imagine Harbaugh requesting Ozzie to remove his name off the board because of that. The Ravens may think that all the attention and drama will affect Te'o on the field as well as off it.

Not saying I'm buying into this either, but I can also imagine Harbaugh not wanting anything to do with Te'o.

**RavenScallywag** · 03-31-2013, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

When was the last time the Ravens drafted or signed a high profile player with a bunch of media attention following him since Harbaugh has been here? I really can imagine Harbaugh requesting Ozzie to remove his name off the board because of that. The Ravens may think that all the attention and drama will affect Te'o on the field as well as off it.

Not saying I'm buying into this either, but I can also imagine Harbaugh not wanting anything to do with Te'o.

We've also only had one John Harbaugh draft with a 1st pick higher than #20. Typically, the BIG HEADLINE type players are in the top 10 anyway. Would Michael Oher possibly count? He wasn't getting MAJOR headlines, but he was certainly a known figure in the media for The Blind Side book (ahead of the eventual movie). In any case, I can't think of any NFL prospect in the last 5 drafts that we even had a SHOT at that had these type of headlines.

I think if a lot of NFL teams remove him from the board, Ozzie will be rubbing his hands together and trying to dream up how late he can snag him for maximum value.

It could very well be us, but I think we'd remove him more because his talent doesn't fit our scheme or his character doesn't fit our mold, over something like "we don't want the distractions"

**JCroUSAF** · 03-31-2013, 09:48 PM

I could see Ozzie trading back taking BPA In the early 2nd and just waiting if teo falls and possibly trading up to get him if he slides far. I think he is overrated but I do think he has good instincts and with good coaching he could be a good pro player. I do not think he's off our board but Ozzie would only take him if it was at bargain value. Much like Daquan bowers a couple years ago, top 5 talent fell due to injury got picked up early second great value for that pick. He hasn't done anything but you catch my drift

**Raven Werewolf** · 04-02-2013, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

We've also only had one John Harbaugh draft with a 1st pick higher than #20. Typically, the BIG HEADLINE type players are in the top 10 anyway. Would Michael Oher possibly count? He wasn't getting MAJOR headlines, but he was certainly a known figure in the media for The Blind Side book (ahead of the eventual movie). In any case, I can't think of any NFL prospect in the last 5 drafts that we even had a SHOT at that had these type of headlines"

I was thinking Oher too. But even that is sort of different from Teo in that Mike's attention was overwhelmingly positive.

I can't imagine us completely taking anyone's name off the board as that's not what competent organizations do --they leave all options open. I do hope we stay far away from him come draft day but I really think some other team is going to spare us that decision. Someone is going to buy into the early hype and snap him up a few spots before us.

**alien bird** · 03-31-2013, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Raveninwoodlawn

I don't know, but that clip of John shaking his head during Teo's 40 during the combine spoke volumes to me lol.

Harbaugh is on record saying that was a media creation taken out of context and that he even called T'eo to set the record straight, so I wouldn't make too much of that.

I'm sure you want a link so I'll do my best to find one.

**The Excellector** · 03-31-2013, 02:57 PM

John Harbaugh is on record of saying a lot of things, but they might not always match up with what he and Ozzie say behind the scenes. Come on, you are going to draft a guy foolish enough to fall for a fake girlfriend hoax, for years? You are going to put a million dollars in this guy's hands? Even when there are still inadequacies in the story as a whole? To play in the spot vacated by Ray Lewis?

**OhThePossibilities** · 03-31-2013, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

John Harbaugh is on record of saying a lot of things, but they might not always match up with what he and Ozzie say behind the scenes. Come on, you are going to draft a guy foolish enough to fall for a fake girlfriend hoax, for years? You are going to put a million dollars in this guy's hands? Even when there are still inadequacies in the story as a whole? To play in the spot vacated by Ray Lewis?

I think it's more foolish to pass on talent because the media blew up a soap opera story. The guy doesn't have a substance abuse problem. He never robbed anyone. He never beat anyone's ass off the field. He'd a fucking kid who got duped. Big fucking deal.

It's soap opera bullshit and you never would have heard so much about it if he didn't play for Notre Dame.

I wouldn't take him in round 1 because I don't think the value is there for the position, but all this shit about the hoax is media masturbation and I can't believe so many people fall for this shit.

**ursula** · 03-31-2013, 03:43 PM

It would be a really pathetic team that would take Te'o off their board entirely.

**Paintballguy** · 04-01-2013, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

John Harbaugh is on record of saying a lot of things, but they might not always match up with what he and Ozzie say behind the scenes. Come on, you are going to draft a guy foolish enough to fall for a fake girlfriend hoax, for years? You are going to put a million dollars in this guy's hands? Even when there are still inadequacies in the story as a whole? To play in the spot vacated by Ray Lewis?

I would bet my paycheck that Ozzie will not draft Te'o if he had the chance. Te'o is just not an Ozzie pick.

It won't matter anyways because we are picking Tavon Austin. :happyanim