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Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
Although Walsh's system of offense can compensate for lack of talent; however, defense is a different story. According to Walsh, talent on defense was essential and could not be compensated for. What did Walsh do in 1981? He acquired physical and talented players on defense.
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04-12-2013, 05:38 PM #15
Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
Nice job. Those guys on the bottom need to read this and come ready to compete. As far as trying to figure out what Ozzie is going to do I'm lost. I agree, it's one of the best years to burn a few picks to trade down, so I do expect there's going to be a deal made on draft day.
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04-12-2013, 06:05 PM #16
Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
I tend to agree with this. I would also think that Tyrod Taylor is no lock. In a draft with 12 picks, it's entirely possible the Ravens use one of those picks to upgrade that backup QB position. Seriously, is anyone comfortable with Taylor running the offense - even in the short term? His skill set is quite different from Flacco's, but to say that he's on the roster as a change of pace "package" QB, you're just fooling yourself. The Ravens have shown no inclination to use him in any "package". If the Ravens decide to use a 5th-7th rounder on a more traditional backup QB, then Taylor could easily be on the outside looking in.
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Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
I read somewhere that the Ravens still have every draft pick from the last 3 drafts still on the roster with the lone exception of Kindle.
Although Walsh's system of offense can compensate for lack of talent; however, defense is a different story. According to Walsh, talent on defense was essential and could not be compensated for. What did Walsh do in 1981? He acquired physical and talented players on defense.
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Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
I'd like to see Ozzie make a bold move in the first and move up for a Vacarro, Austin, or one of the LT's. Its been years since we had an impact first rounder. Seems like a good year for it.
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04-12-2013, 08:11 PM #19
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04-12-2013, 08:33 PM #20
Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
While Gabrosin makes some great points and that is the way it used to go all the time. There must have been a shift of philosophy and a point made to keep more draft picks over vet players, and try to focus more on targeting needs in the draft by moving around. There has to be something to the high number of picks to stick. There is a ton of value in competition and you do not want the roster set before camp, but it has to hurt to burn a resource as valuable as a draft pick just because you did not put enought thought and strategy into how you were going to use them. That roster comp can come from undrafted guys who always seem to find a way to get a guy or 3 on the final 53.
:T2:
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04-12-2013, 09:18 PM #21Hyperbolic curmudgeometer
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Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
Excellent thread, Luke--anyone who wants to understand the Ravens draft policy needs to keep all this in mind.
But I think it might be more fruitful to look at things from a different perspective. IMO what is far more important than where or when a player was drafted is how long he's locked up (cheaply) for. (Which is to some extent a function of when he was drafted, but it's still a different focus.)
I think the Ravens' long term strategy is to draft players they see making major contributions (as starters, rotational guys or ST keystones) NLT the end of their second year. Then you get at least 2 productive (& cheap!) years from that player. After 4 years, the best of them will hit the FA market to ca$h in; Oz waves bye-bye, collects the comp pick, & plugs in a guy drafted 2 years before who's now ready to step up. Outside of maybe a dozen key players who get signed long-term, the roster is likely to turn over completely in 3-4 seasons. The main idea is to get at least 2 productive years out of each player you sign cheap.
In such a situation, the guys under the gun are the short-timers: If they have 2 years or less remaining on their contract, they'd better be immediately productive in their intended role. If not, Oz will pick up someone (FA or camp cut) who can hold down the job while a rookie's being trained up. At most they might get a 1-year contract as a final audition (e.g., Harewood).
So I think that the players with an inside track to a roster spot will be this year's draft class, followed by last year's. The guys that really need to make an immediate impression are the 2011 draftees who haven't already nailed down a role.
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04-12-2013, 09:26 PM #22
Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
To add to the mix there's always the wildcard undrafted free agent that manages to win a roster spot.
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Re: Assessing our roster as it relates to our upcoming draft class
When was the last time we didnt have an udfa make the team as well?
Personally i love our depth, but i dont really have a problem with either scenario. If we dont trade up high we have a good many picks which will greatly enhance our chances of hitting on a prospect. Lets make no mistake, as good as ozzie is, the draft is still a crap shoot. More picks = greater odds.-JAB
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