MasterStrategist

I just don't see that happening. Ravens are most talented team in AFC, IMO. Oline has some new faces, that may hold them back early in year, but still think they can run successfully (as long as they commit). I see another Lions/Chiefs type game. I think a GW FG is most likely, taking Ravens +3

Rooting Ravens. And like them +3. Week 1 is unpredictable, but I think Bmore focuses more on the run game and have the weapons to keep up with KC, if not better. Biggest question is Ravens oline. Some new faces up front that might take time to gel as a unit. Counting on a GW FG by either team. But if 1 team is going to pull away, I think it will be Bmore.

You have your mind made up it seems. Rapp is a capable safety. Simple as that. I have no idea if you have an agenda against Damar (like some do on this board), but it's not unheard of to see players make a jump in their 3rd/4th year. Some ppl thought he was being cut early this offseason...he has talent to be a capable starter as well. Great thing is, we have Bishop likely to push for playing time. And Edwards as a capable backup. McD knows how to get the most out of his secondary players. This year will highlight his and his staffs abilities.

I already commented, but will add that DL/LB are way more important to this defenses success. We saw what happened LY-down Milano, Bernard, recovering Daquan, recovering Von. We need capable play at S, which is what I think is reasonable to expect. We have solid boundary corners, a top tier slot. Dorian Williams play will be much more important to how we do this season, and Bernard staying healthy.

Your point is valid, but as you said, you don't know the cap ramifications (neither do I). But Beane and his staff do. I'm sure they didn't waste 2.5m, but going to guess that a decent amount would have been dead money. Evans is worth holding onto IMO. Re: Evans as RB5 comment that you made. I think that depends on which RB got injured, but still partial to Evans as RB4. Evans replaces the Cook/Ty skillset. Gore does the same for Ray Davis, only to an extent. Pass blocking is not Gores strong-suit. Evans is more capable IMO as RB4

They wouldn't have signed back Rapp, if they didn't have confidence in him. Hamlin is a stop gap until Bishop is ready (who will likely have some dime looks or Edwards). Also, Hamlin this year has shown marked improvement from 2022 and more consistent in camp. Not like Poyer/Hyde didn't have weaknesses start to show the past couple years. We will be fine, barring major injuries.

It's great Brady did this, but perhaps seeing Dorseys "faults" helped alot. Dorsey had way too much variety, inconsistency, and just overall stubbornness in how he directed the offense. It's good to have balance, in all aspects of life as they say. I have a lot of faith in Joe putting together great gameplans and having rhythm with his playcalling on gamedays. Is he a top tier OC in the NFL? We will see this season. But I'm very confident he will be a clear upgrade to Dorsey, and be better than his 2023 self, when he inherited Dorseys scheme and zero offseason to work his designs/bring in players that fit his offenses mold.

I agree Allen going over 4,000. Just think it's more likely that we see: Kincaid/Shakir: 800-900 per (let's say 850 pp) Coleman/Samuel: 600-800 range (I'll say 1,200 total) Cook/Davis/Ty: combine for 750 Hollins/MVS/Knox: 300-400 pp is possible but I'll say 800 total Others (Morris, Gilliam, other P/S callups): 150 850×2 + 1,200 + 750 + 800 + 150 = 4,600 yards Now build in some injuries and more ground game and I can see production come closer to 4,200 range. I don't see above scenario as "impossible", I'd actually call it likely to spread target share.

I hope, but honestly would be very surprised even at 1.

I'm hoping for Shakir to have a big season, first key is keeping him healthy. My biggest question is just that/can he handle the target share to approach 1k. I just see too many options that are similar talent-level but bring a different skillset. Kincaid has the most potential. I'm expecting 3-4 guys in the 700-900 range. 2-3 in the 400-600 range (Cook, Hollins, Knox if he stays healthy). Then some unknowns in how they use Davis, MVS, Ty. Like I've said all offseason, it's going to be a committee type and I'm not expecting Shakir to be our leading receiver. It's either Kincaid or Samuel IMO

Agree on that. It's a nice problem to have, with the excellent depth at CB right now. Having all healthy coming out of preseason, has been challenging in past years. Hopefully we keep this group healthy for this season. 1 injury, Hardy makes it. It's a number game. For those arguing him over Toohill, I'm not sure Toohill lasts long for us. I think we will looking for a better 10th DL, if not now, then early this season. Brandon is a clear upgrade in the return game, no future projection needed there. Not as valuable as a solid corner, but we need a dependable returner now (and Brandon will be more than just dependable). Hardys decision making and vision in return game, was an unpleasant surprise. Wish we had a spot for him, but I'm keeping all our depth over him.

Yeah it's not his speed. It's his vision and ability to set up blocks (on punt returns). He was a multi year top returner I'm college. It's already transitioned to the pre-season. Have no doubt he will play a key role in many games this year

Have you even tried to research Brandon's ability in the return game? Brandon is not the CB as Hardy, but it's not a dramatic difference. We didn't have the next coming of Revis Island. Brandon will impact every game with his return skills, more so than Hardy would have. Just wait and see, then come back to own this

Cam brings more S/T value, and flexibility. Cam is a extremely valuable backup on gamedays, just due to that fact. Again, I'm a huge advocate for Hardy. Local kid to me, great toughness/attitude/etc. Brandon is a similar gritty type, BTW and much better returner. Can't wait until he breaks a long return this season. If Hardy didn't disappoint as a return man, we wouldn't be having this discussion. Cam is a coaching staff favorite, and he'd be difficult to unseat given our current safety injuries.

Again, you have to acknowledge that Hardy doesn't see the field unless 3 guys go down at CB. Ingram, Elam, Lewis...all ahead of him. Now if you want to say Hardy should be kept over either of those 3, that should be your gripe. But I'd find that hard to believe.

Possible injury settlement OR its not deemed serious enough...all speculation by Joe Marino right now. We will get more details.

Vision, decision making/decisiveness, and ball control are very high on my list for a returner. Especially with new kick off rules. He's been a consistent force on Punt Returns too, he has a pretty insane YPR and has been highly ranked in FCS for multiple years. He's not the defender Hardy is, but a clear upgrade in return game.

Wow this is the capstone D Hardy? Really? You know we have an excellent secondary coaching group, probably the one area I have the utmost confidence in. They'll either bring Hardy back to the P/S, and or Couch, to develop. What has Hardy shown in the return game, to rationalize holding onto him? Some questionable decision making, which he's improving on. But shouldn't we be looking to fine the best group of 53 to help us win? Hardy isn't seeing the field, unless we suffer 3 injuries at CB. I'm hopeful that doesn't happen. I see Toohill as expendable, with any roster move this week OR in the near future. So it's less about advocating for him to stay. Hardy would be going to IR over Evans...1 injury in the RB room and Evans is dressing after week 4. Can't say that about Hardy (again see above)

I don't think so. There are other factors: Ingram took a BIG step this offseason, Elam has shown some more consistency- basically the CB room in general has looked better than expected (at least to me). I don't know about the 90/10 rationale. Hardy was a solid, albeit undersized, corner who showed solid ability. Outside play was a bit of a pleasant surprise to me, he's been a primary slot guy (which I think is still his best position). But he's going up against competing for a backup role with: Ingram and Lewis primarily, and didn't show enough to be a reliable returner at this level (yet). It's a late round pick, not losing sleep over it. The Jets returner looks ALOT more natural in that role, worse CB tho IMO. Tough choice, I'd rather have the better returner right now

I didn't see the IR desig on Evans until just now...sorry catching up. Hardy decision making likely got on McD nerves. Coach is a stickler with fundamentals/decision making. Reason McKenzie was in the doghouse too. That's just a guess. I really liked Hardy but we have very solid depth (inside/out) in the secondary. They likely saw the Jets rookie as an upgrade on the returner role, simple as that. Also speculating they have a feeling that Gore Jr might be scooped up. They are going to be heavily utilizing the rungame/RBs in passing game this year. If we stay healthy in thr backfield thru 4 weeks, it's a nice problem when Evans returns (insurance policy, Evans is a nice back in a limited role)

Def interesting. Wondering if they have their eye on someone, Evans would be cut at that point.

Hamler makes it if they have legit concerns about Samuel. MVS has shown his ability in practice, to go along with past performance. Hamler has shown his quicks, but he's not a field stretcher. I could careless about 40 time, MVS separates on deep balls. Hamlers past performance, he's been injury riddled and while healthy now is a much greater risk. I tend to think Shavers is ahead of Hamler too. S/T, blocking, and a young player who is ascending

Is Hamler making the team over MVS? I'm willing to say no chance. Is it worth bringing in Patrick at this point, who might be marginally better than MVS overall, but would be learning a whole new playbook?

MVS is inconsistent but he's our only "take the top off" WR. We have our versisons of Tim Patrick, in Hollins and Shavers. Tim might be better, but not by much after a torn ACL and achilles. No thx

The reason Rams gave him opportunity to seek a trade is because he's looking for an extension (likely a high $ one too). This isn't a rental situation, this is a player looking to get his deal done now. We're not in position to go after a player like this. We could use another veteran backup type. Likely for the P/S, unless they prefer Jones still.