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Ravens Pulsetm
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53 |
In this week's match-up between the Ravens and Packers, the eyes of the Baltimore brain trust will be watching the number 53 intently.
Leading up to this year's draft, the Ravens courted young MLB prospect Corwin George with every intention of making him the 18th-overall pick. George was flown in to tour the team facilities, dined with the ownership group, and visited a local shooting range with the coaching staff.
Terms of a contract were agreed to by both parties. Only the formality of Commissioner Schoenberg announcing the pick from the Radio City Music Hall podium stood in the way of a long and prosperous relationship.
And then it all went pear-shaped.
Unbelievably, a player the Ravens thought would be long gone by their turn was still undrafted at pick 1.18. Patrick James, a WR of immense talent, proved to be too much for Ravens GM Mike Group to pass-up. So, he sent up the postcard with James' name on it and hoped like mad Corwin George would last until Baltimore picked again eight spots later.
It was not to be. Green Bay jumped at the chance to make George a Packer with the 20th pick. Group was left to take the second MLB on his draft board, Jaret Sindle, when pick 1.26 rolled around.
Before the first round was over, an offer was sent to Packers GM Matt Campbell in hopes of swapping the two young MLBs. It took some time for Campbell to weigh his decision. But, eventually, he decided to pass on the Ravens offer and keep his prized rookie.
Now, the careers of George & Sindle are inexorably entwined. Forever, their stats, successes, and setbacks will be measured one against the other.
As fate would have it, both of these extremely talented, young defenders wears 53 on their jersey. So, at least one pair of eyes will be focused on that number for the entire game. |
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Forum Discussion
(by M_Group on 08/24/2008)
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Replies - 8 :: Views - 79 |
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A Dozen New Ravens |
In the annals of Ravens lore, the 2015 Draft likely will be remembered as its best ever - not just for the sheer volume of selections, but for the level of talent.
Originally, I had MLB targeted for my first selection at 1.18. As luck would have it, though, a player I assumed would be long gone by then was still on the board. I just couln't pass up WR Patrick James who is the big, strong, athletic receiver I've been after for a while, now. With future Hall of Famer Corey Dixon turning 32 this year, drafting James was a no-brainer.
My next pick (1.26) was compensatory for the loss of LOLB Chad Peete in RFA. With it, I drafted MLB Jaret Sindle. His explosive speed and strength make him the single best MLB I've ever had on my roster.
In Round 2, I grabbed Peete's replacement. OLB Leonard Kerry will pair with Vernon Redmond to give me a tandem which can flat-out run.
With my two 3rd Round picks, I nabbed a couple of players who give my team top-notch depth. SS Phillip Fisk, chosen at 3.11, is a big, hard-hitting player who will sit behind Jerome Pleasant for a couple of seasons and likely replace him, eventually. HB Darrius Nickerson, taken at 3.18, may never unseat starter Tyrell Warrick. But, he's more than capable of filling in as needed and carrying the load should an injury push him into the starting role.
The 4th Round was just magical.
I went into the 2015 Draft with three 4th Round picks (4.11, 4.16, & 4.18 ) and pulled off a Draft-day trade with the Dolphins to acquire two more (4.9 & 4.27). Since I gave up some pretty good players to get my hands on all these extra picks, it was paramount I make them count.
First up was OLB Hakim Gibson. He's athletic enough to start on most teams. On this roster, though, he'll be a spot contributor and special teams stand-out.
Next was RG Kurt Lloyd. He's just the sort of short, fat athlete I covet on the interior of my offensive line. He will replace current starter R.B. Johnson when he finally moves on. In the mean time, Lloyd is quality depth.
Five picks later, I selected LT Johnny Doeberling, a mountain of a man who will eventually replace long-time stalwart Matt Barney and, like Lloyd, provide quality depth.
At 4.18, I pulled the trigger on DT Thomas Nelson. The stout Nelson will slide out to RE and back-up starter Mike Tinsley for years to come.
The last of my 4th Round quintet was QB Tim Taylor. The departure of Jacquez Serra and subsequent promotion of Wade Millen left the primary back-up spot open and Taylor fills it quite nicely. His awareness and accuracy are pretty impressive for a rookie.
With the 18th pick in Round 5 I took a flyer on another MLB. Darren Evans is a prototypical 3-4 ILB. He's not the fastest guy in the league, but he's big, strong, and quick.
The final player of my dozen new Ravens arrived at pick 6.18. TE Dexter Stanley replaces departed Lomas Shaw as third on a talented TE depth chart. Stanley is athletic enough to man his post for quite some time.
This draft represents an enormous injection of young talent. Three players will step in and start from Day One. Another three should be starting within a season or two. The other six all are capable of starting in a pinch and provide the kind of quality depth I demand on my rosters.
I can't wait to get these kids onto the field and watch them play. It's like Christmas in July.  |
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Forum Discussion
(by M_Group on 07/15/2008)
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Replies - 5 :: Views - 64 |
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At A Glance
| AFC North |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #2 |
 Steelers |
4-1-0 |
0.800 |
2-0 |
| #11 |
 Ravens |
4-1-0 |
0.800 |
2-1 |
| #20 |
 Browns |
2-3-0 |
0.400 |
1-2 |
| #31 |
 Bengals |
0-4-0 |
0.000 |
0-2 |
| RAVENS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Mon |
at Bengals #31 |
|
| 2 |
Sun |
at  Panthers #21 |
|
| 3 |
Sun |
vs Steelers #2 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
vs  Broncos #32 |
|
| 5 |
Sun |
at Browns #20 |
|
| 7 |
Sun |
vs Bengals #31 |
1:00pm |
| 8 |
Sun |
at Steelers #2 |
4:00pm |
| 9 |
Mon |
vs Browns #20 |
9:00pm |
| 10 |
Sun |
vs  Chiefs #26 |
8:30pm |
| 11 |
Sun |
at  Raiders #1 |
4:05pm |
| 12 |
Sun |
at  Patriots #10 |
1:00pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
vs  Falcons #8 |
1:00pm |
| 14 |
Mon |
vs  Titans #14 |
9:00pm |
| 15 |
Mon |
at  Chargers #19 |
9:00pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
at  Buccaneers #23 |
1:00pm |
| 17 |
Sun |
vs  Saints #16 |
1:00pm |
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#11 Baltimore Ravens