Category: Ideas

Running Back Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft

The running back prospects in the 2024 NFL draft are reviewed from the Baltimore Ravens perspective.  Previous position analyses are listed below:

Offensive Players:
Wide receivers are reviewed here.
Tackles are reviewed here.
Guards are reviewed here.

Defensive Players:
Edge linebackers are reviewed here.
Cornerbacks are reviewed here.
Safeties are reviewed here.

The Ravens Current Running Back Situation and Need

The Ravens currently have two NFL caliber running backs on their roster.  Derrick Henry is bound to be a traditional RB1 and is likely to average 20 or so carries per game.  Justice Hill will get occasional carries and will be the third day specialist.  We don’t know when, or whether, Keaton Mitchell will be fit enough to get back into the rotation.  At the very least, the Ravens needs to add one rotational back to the running back room.  Among the veteran free agents remaining, no one really stands out who could likely help the Ravens.  Rashaad Penny probably has the most talent, but his health history is so poor one just wouldn’t rely on him. Continue reading “Running Back Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft”

Ravens Thoughts Heading into San Francisco

The 49ers are the NFL’s best.  It’s a daunting challenge to beat San Francisco on the road.

This is the litmus test for how good the Ravens are.  But does the game really matter, other than from the perspective of potentially playing them in the Super Bowl?  For purposes of winning the top seed in the AFC, a loss to the 49ers is meaningless if the Ravens can beat Miami and Pittsburgh.  So here’s an unusual Ravens thought: could we think the unthinkable and contemplate resting Ronnie Stanley and Marcus Williams?  I don’t believe there’s any way John Harbaugh would do it, but it might make the most sense for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Let’s take a look back at the Jaguars game, and then a peak at San Francisco. Continue reading “Ravens Thoughts Heading into San Francisco”

Ravens Thoughts Heading Into Jacksonville

The Ravens victory over the Rams was marred by some heretofore uncharacteristically poor defensive play.  The offense was inconsistent.  Below are some Ravens thoughts heading into this week’s road matchup with Jacksonville.

Ravens Thoughts: What’s Happening on Defense

Several things really jumped out from the Rams game.  Let’s touch on a few. Continue reading “Ravens Thoughts Heading Into Jacksonville”

The Short Left Tackle Prospects List – Ravens 2023 Draft

The left tackle prospects in the 2023 NFL draft are reviewed below from the Ravens perspective.  The following positions have been reviewed previously:

Offense:
Running Backs, found here.
Wide Receivers, which is located here.
Interior Offensive Linemen, which can be found here.

Defense:
Safeties, located here.
Edge Linebackers, located here.
Cornerbacks, located here.
Defensive Linemen, located here.

Ravens Current Situation and Need at Offensive Tackle

The Ravens are set on the right side for 2023.  Morgan Moses had an excellent year in 2022 and will start this year on the right side.  Daniel Faalele is being groomed to take his place in 2024 and is the clear backup.  Ronnie Stanley had an excellent comeback year in 2022 on the left side.  He once again was one of the better left tackles in the league.  But he is getting older and injury concerns have to stay top of mind with him.  Utility infielder Pat Mekari is his current backup.  The Ravens could stand to find some depth at left tackle.  That’s the focus here. Continue reading “The Short Left Tackle Prospects List – Ravens 2023 Draft”

What’s Next for the Ravens: After Week Four

What is next for the Ravens after the Bills loss?  A few thoughts and ideas after this disappointing performance.

What is Next for the Ravens: The Offense

As I observed last week, it was essential that the Ravens make greater use of their running game.  The deplorable condition of the Ravens defense, combined with playing Daniel Faalele at left tackle, mandated this approach.  And Greg Roman certainly implemented it.  Continue reading “What’s Next for the Ravens: After Week Four”

Wide Receiver Prospects – Ravens 2022 Comprehensive Draft Report

Below is the list of wide receiver prospects for the Ravens for the 2022 draft.  This completes the position analysis for this season.  There was no quarterback review, for obvious reasons.

The complete Round One Analysis is located here.

Other Offensive Position analyses can be found at these posts:
Running back prospects are located here.
Tight end prospects are located here.
Offensive linemen prospects are located here.

Defensive Position analyses can be found at these posts:
Edge defender prospects are located here.
Defensive secondary prospects are located here.
Inside linebacker prospects are located here.
Defensive line prospects are located here.

The Ravens Big Board for the draft will be published shortly. Continue reading “Wide Receiver Prospects – Ravens 2022 Comprehensive Draft Report”

Ravens 2021 Comprehensive Draft Guide

This Ravens 2021 Comprehensive Draft Guide is an analysis of draft strategies and selections for the Ravens.  It is written solely from the perspective of the Ravens.  It considers the current Ravens roster and focuses on players that fit within, and will add to, the anticipated focus of the Ravens for the 2021 season.  It rates prospective draftees only from the perspective of the Ravens’ needs and approaches.  Accordingly, certain players who may otherwise be ranked highly by third parties in the context of their particularly skill sets are devalued in this report because, among other reasons, their skill sets do not address the Ravens’ needs and strategies.

Because the focus is strictly on the Ravens, given their current roster composition, an analysis of quarterback prospects this year is completely omitted.

This year was particularly challenging, as many players opted out in 2020 – leaving much less information to evaluate with.  As a result, there are far more “projections” than normal.  So let’s dig in.

Part I – Potential Ravens’ Scenarios in the First Round

Continue reading “Ravens 2021 Comprehensive Draft Guide”

Nominate Judge Merrick Garland as FBI Director – A Brilliant Political Move

Nominate Judge Merrick Garland as the new FBI Director.  This is the brilliant idea of Utah Senator Mike Lee.  His suggestion, if implemented, would solve a multitude of President Trump’s problems.  More importantly, it would provide the country with a full, independent and conclusive judgment regarding the entire “Russia” matter once and for all.  It eliminates the silly comparisons to Watergate.  And it diffuses any notion of a “constitutional crisis.”  But is President Trump up to the challenge? Continue reading “Nominate Judge Merrick Garland as FBI Director – A Brilliant Political Move”

Civil Property Forfeiture in the United States – An Unconstitutional Approach that Must End

Courts currently interpret the Constitution to permit government seizure of assets from persons who have not been charged with a crime.  How can this possibly be constitutional?  How can a society so fundamentally based on the rule of law and individual due process permit the seizure of private property by highwaymen wearing law enforcement uniforms?  Can civil property forfeiture in the United States in the 21st century be acceptable? At last, it appears, perhaps the Supreme Court will soon be ready to reconsider this whole subject matter.  Justice Clarence Thomas suggested as much, armed with powerful statements casting real doubt on the constitutional validity of civil property forfeiture processes in the U.S.

Civil Property Forfeiture

Let’s outline this subject philosophically.  We do so unencumbered by the long, winding, and arguably tortured history of civil forfeiture laws in the United States.  We also do so without the use of labels that tend to color conclusions. Continue reading “Civil Property Forfeiture in the United States – An Unconstitutional Approach that Must End”

Judge Gorsuch’s Path to Confirmation is Open – His Fate is in His Own Hands

The road for Supreme Court confirmation for Judge Neil Gorsuch is clear. The likelihood of Democrats using the filibuster to prevent a vote on Judge Gorsuch is diminishing.  There are now three avenues towards confirmation, and the first and easiest (an actual direct vote) is becoming more probable.  Judge Gorsuch’s path to confirmation thus appears wide open.  His fate is likely in his own hands.  He will have to successfully navigate the waters of the Senate hearing process, which no doubt will be hazardous – but the way is open.

Judge Gorsuch's Path
Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch

Let’s take a look at the three available roads to confirmation, and why it is highly probable Judge Gorsuch will have his vote. Continue reading “Judge Gorsuch’s Path to Confirmation is Open – His Fate is in His Own Hands”

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