Baltimore Ravens Discussion - Page 106

TACKLE · 07-31-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niel89

I LOOOOOOVE signing Vonta Leach. I view this as a considerable upgrade as a true fullback. McClain is a great all around FB because he can block, carry, and catch, but I think that Leach will be a big upgrade in purely blocking IMO.

^^^^

this.

Ravens1991 · 07-31-2011, 06:05 PM

This is great for Rice. I expect big things for Rice next year.

BTW how is Leach as a pass blocker

America · 07-31-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravens1991

This is great for Rice. I expect big things for Rice next year.

BTW how is Leach as a pass blocker

He can stick a D-end as well as most lineman, but the one downside is he's not a threat at all on passing downs so most of the time he's subbed out for a 3rd wideout or 2nd tight end. But for basic passing out of two back sets or the 11 formation or whatever you want to call it, he's very good.

However, he's still much better going forward run blocking, making play actions more ideal because he can de-cleat a linebacker and open up the middle of the field for Rice, Boldin, whoever.

coordinator0 · 07-31-2011, 09:13 PM

I've read that he actually isn't bad as a receiver out of the backfield. He has had a couple of 20 catch season with Houston (not bad for a FB, but last season was pretty uneventful in that category). That's definitely not the reason we signed him though.

Ravens1991 · 08-02-2011, 08:58 AM

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...nt-feel-great/

Not good

Ravens1991 · 08-02-2011, 10:29 PM

Apparently are in the hunt for Osi. Im not gung hoe on that move.

TheBoyWonder22 · 08-03-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravens1991

Apparently are in the hunt for Osi. Im not gung hoe on that move.

It appears as though they'll wait to deal him. I really don't feel as though he'd fit at all in our scheme.

Splat · 08-03-2011, 07:15 PM

Thoughts on Le’Ron McClain?

coordinator0 · 08-03-2011, 07:53 PM

Le'Ron is a nice player to have. He's not a great lead-blocker but he's very versatile. He wanted more carries so going to Kansas City was a bit of a surprise for me.

Splat · 08-03-2011, 08:05 PM

The Chiefs had trouble in short yardage situations last year. I'm sure Le'Ron is going to be used in that role.

drd23 · 08-03-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Echoing reports out of Houston, hearing Ravens will add former Texans safety Bernard Pollard. T. Zbikowski on non-football illlness list.

http://twitter.com/RavensInsider/sta...12971446693889

If only we were playing the Pats this year ...

Ravens1991 · 08-03-2011, 08:47 PM

you guys think Pollard is going to be in the mix to start at SS or just a body to have until Zbi gets healthy.

And splat LeRon will be a fine short yardage back for you. He also wasnt a bad lead blocker. He was above average id say

drd23 · 08-03-2011, 10:29 PM

Apparently its a 2 year deal for Pollard. I'm hoping we use both Zbi and Pollard and alternate them depending on the situation as they have complimentary strengths - Zbi in coverage, Pollard tackling.

Maybe we use Pollard in obvious running downs and Zbi in passing situations?

Splat · 08-03-2011, 10:34 PM

Pollard is a good SP teams player and solid against the run but I can't stress enough how bad he is vs the pass...

Ravens1991 · 08-03-2011, 10:41 PM

yea everyone has said Pollard sucks in coverage. Im hoping its just a body til Zbi gets healthy.

Also anyone know how much $ McCLain signed for? I kinda wish we got him back as our goalline back

America · 08-04-2011, 09:54 AM

Pollard is tremendously awful in playing "centerfield" pass coverage, but he is one hell of a run stopper and trash talker. He is downright nasty. He can man up on the TE better than you'd think and complements our other safeties really well. I like this pick up a lot. He'll bring some more swagger to the D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7afJJsMzwQ

Ravens1991 · 08-04-2011, 10:10 AM

YO America do you think he is an upgrade over Landry?

A Perfect Score · 08-04-2011, 10:31 AM

I love the Bernard Pollard signing, but probably for different reasons then most. He's an absolute missile on special teams and a monster kick blocker. I think he had 6 blocks kicks at Purdue? The guy is an absolute weapon. Id imagine he'll get some snaps across from Reed, but he is absolutely awful in coverage. We're talking Roy Williams bad here.

Ravens1991 · 08-04-2011, 10:38 AM

I see it sounds like Zbi will get time as well. It all depends on the package.

vidae · 08-04-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Perfect Score

I love the Bernard Pollard signing, but probably for different reasons then most. He's an absolute missile on special teams and a monster kick blocker. I think he had 6 blocks kicks at Purdue? The guy is an absolute weapon. Id imagine he'll get some snaps across from Reed, but he is absolutely awful in coverage. We're talking Roy Williams bad here.

Pollard is like Williams, but five times worse in coverage. He can hit and you're right about him on special teams, but don't expect him to cover anyone at any time. He can't do it.

America · 08-04-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravens1991

YO America do you think he is an upgrade over Landry?

Nah, he's more one dimensional though. Pollard is a freak athlete. He looks like a small outside linebacker. He's great on kickoffs and punts so I'm sure be on those units but he's really just too big of a liability in coverage.

However, to be fair, the Texans D last year was very vanilla, especially when Demeco Ryans went down and Cushing was coming back from his suspension (plus he stopped taking steroids). They played Pollard in the worst way, giving him over the top coverage in cover two seemingly almost every play. He can't do half the field. He's too aggressive, looking into the backfield and biting on fakes. But he's money close to the LOS. He should have specially designed packages on our D that are tailored more to his talents.

BmoreBlackByrdz · 08-04-2011, 10:57 PM

Word is that Malcolm Floyd wants to be a Raven and we've made him an offer to join us. Deal could be done by Friday!!

I know he's no Randy Moss or Vincent Jackson but he is a big body, someone who knows Cameron's system and gives Joe his first legitimate target to throw to thats taller than 6-1.

I know Flacco has great chemistry with Mason, but we need a different type of WR, Floyd is exactly what our offense needs.

If we can bring him in our WR corp looks like this -

WR1- Boldin
WR2- Floyd
Slot - Torrey Smith/Tandon Doss/David Reed
WR4- Torrey Smith/Tandon Doss/David Reed
WR5- Torrey Smith/Tandon Doss/David Reed

TE - Ed Dickson - Dennis Pitta

I know its a lot of youth and it will take Flacco a while to get used to, given the crazy offseason and such but I think in the long run, this is going to be a much better WR corp than last year... just pray we land Floyd within the next 48 hours!!

Ravens1991 · 08-05-2011, 09:09 AM

Ill love that WR corp. Floyd compliments Boldin infinetly better then Mason did. Ill miss Mason but it was time to move on

Hines · 08-05-2011, 09:15 AM

I think Floyd would be a nice addition to the Ravens.

A Perfect Score · 08-05-2011, 09:16 AM

I expect Tandon Doss to contribute alot this year. He's a tad bit more polished then Torrey and Harbaugh has been raving about his hands and toughness already. I can see him being effective working out of the slot, especially if we get Floyd to add a deep presence down the field on the outside.