Ricky reitres/ more bad news

Well ricky has called it quits “The NFL has been an amazing page in this chapter of my life,” Williams said. “I pray that all successive adventures offer me the same potential for growth, success and most importantly, fun. I want to thank all my fans, teammates, coaches and supporters for the strength they’ve given me to overcome so much.”

That being said its strange considering just a week ago ricky said he would come back for one more season because he believed baltimore had all the peices in place to make a championship run. This tells me one of 3 things

1. Baltimore did not want ricky back(highly unlikely, cost and production was worth it)

2. Baltimore is clearly loosing some key players and ricky feels that baltimore can no longer be in that top spot so it wouldnt be worth his time.

3. the guy is just tired and beat up, but could change his mind come preaseason. 


 

That's surprising considering what he said not long ago about another season. 

It's likely scenarios 1 or 3.  Ricky is old (for a RB), flighty and more interested in the quality of life rather than the money.  The Ravens will have enough core pieces to compete at a high level and hopefully gain some immediate-impacting new ones for next season as icing on the cake.

No one is going to want to hear this, but I honestly think the Ravens should bring Le'Ron McClain back. I think he finally realized that he wasn't a back who should get serious carries and I think he'd be a great addition to a power blocking scheme, teaming up with Leach. Harbaugh probably wouldn't want McClain back, but I think it'd be an interesting thought on bringing him back.

This also depends on how confident the Ravens feel on Anthony Allen and/or Damien Berry. 

This also depends on how confident the Ravens feel on Anthony Allen and/or Damien Berry.

I don't think these two are big enough for the power blocking scheme you described.  Besides, Vontae Leach's contract blew the budget in the blocking dept.

No one is going to want to hear this, but I honestly think the Ravens should bring Le'Ron McClain back.

I actually like Le'Ron a lot and he's a UFA now and would cost less than Leach.  But as good as he is as a running FB, he's not as good of a blocker for Rice.  I do like him running as his back-up or short yardage guy.  Without Ricky or McGahee he could have a place here imo.

You know our team brings/ gets good players for the most part and are as good or better then most in the NFL we have great eyes for talent in as in Decosta and Ozzie ect..... the proof is in the taste of the pudding we are always around in the dance like other top teams in the Nfl ... 

Ricky retired... okay, Allen is capable and now has more experience plus remember the Ravens Org with Mr. Bru is not scared of getting the best players possible...

Sometimes it doesn't come as fast or when we want it but for the most part things get addressed and filled, the Ravens are very good at filling positions.... this isn't the Orioles org...


The Ravens organization, coaches , staff  will handle players loss and money as in contracts ect the best possible..., we have 21 players up for signning from what i know and 1/2 if not more WILL be signed and back with the Baltimore Ravens from what i hear as of now...

In the end we'll see, but make no mistake the Ravens will put the best team possible on the field for 2012/2013 like they have during other years...

okay Ricky retires???  We'll handle it...

I like Ricky and would love to have him back from one more season, but don't really think its that big of a loss.  I would like to see what Anthony Allen can bring to the table, guy seems to run hard.  My only concern would be; can he pick up the blitz?

Bringing back McClain is a bad idea and doesn't make any sense to me at all.  It was said that he understands he is not a guy to get a lot of carries, but could help with the power running game.  That's not what the Ravens need, they have Leach to handle that aspect of the game.  They need somebody to carry the load just like Williams did.

This also depends on how confident the Ravens feel on Anthony Allen and/or Damien Berry. 

I think this is jason parmalee experiement all over again and i dont think it will work , Anthony allen hardly ever dressed. If they really liked the guy he could have been doing special teams stuff. We have to go free agency ...

Avaliable names,  Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Thomas Jones and Cadillac Williams.

I actually like the idea of brining LaRon McClain back to spell both Ray Rice at tail back and Leach at Fullback but I sort of doubt that will happen. I would not mind seein gthe Ravens getting either Cedric Benson or Ronnie Brown via Free agency.

If I had my choice I would take green ellis , but i think the Patriots will get him back

Don't forget Matt Lawrence is still under contract, I don't understand why people act like Allen couldn't handle it. He's listed at the same weight as Ricky on BR.com, albeit 2 inches taller

ROC

I think that is largely due to the fact that he rarely dressed this year and was not very active on special teams as was mentioned in another thread. 

In a two back set having LeRon and Vonta blocking for Joe would be awesome!  Ray Rice is a great pass blocker but lets all be real, would you rather have LeRon or Ray blocking a 250pound rushing LB for you?  Another couple positives to this move would be depth at the position and LeRon's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.  I'm down if hes willing to work on the cheap and keep his mouth shut.  

In a two back set having LeRon and Vonta blocking for Joe would be awesome!

If they brought him back, I don't think they would be both blocking for Joe that often.  I think McClain would only be signed as a backup to Rice and an emergency backup for Leach.  But I think if McClain is spelling Rice, and Leach is in the game too, then I think it would most likely be a power run play.  It would be similar to when we had Lorenzo Neal blocking for McClain. 

I'm not opposed to bringing back LeRon but I'm not sure how well he runs out of the single back set.  We basically need an every down back to backup Rice since he only comes out to rest.  Or the Ravens need 2 backs, one that will spell Rice on 1st and 2nd down, and one that will spell Rice on 3rd down and obvious pass situations.  Ricky Williams could do that.

I meant to say Ricky Williams was capable of both.

Is McClain  a free agent this year? I never picked up on what his deal with the Chiefs was. Im guessing so since its such a hot topic

Am I really the only one who things Cedric Benson would be great and fits our system? 

Is McClain  a free agent this year? I never picked up on what his deal with the Chiefs was. Im guessing so since its such a hot topic

He signd with the Chiefs for a $1.3 million, 1 yr deal last season.  Evens with Jamaal Charles getting injured for the season, and Jones, McCLuster and Battle not stepping up McClain wasn't used as such (15 touches and 14 receptions).  If that doesn't put you in your place then nothing will.  I like his hands and we know he can run and smell the endzone.  As good a blocker as Leach is he goes down easily when carrying the rock.

Am I really the only one who things Cedric Benson would be great and fits our system? 

I like C-Bens.  The Bengals don't have many options at RB and he is still serviceable at age 30.  They could offer him a 2 year deal and be safe imo.  The Ravens could too, but he would b a b/u the Rice and I don't think he'll take it especially for less than the $5 mil he was paid last year.

I'm a little surprised no one is talking about Anthony Allen, I think this guy looked like a stud out of college.  Sure he played in the option but that guy does not go down on 1st contact and has prety good vision.  He kind of runs high but he has great burst out of the backfield and real strong legs like Ray Rice.  If he added a bit more weight over this past season and this offseason I think he could be our change of pace back.  

Looked at his physical stats and he's listed a 6'-0" and 230lbs.  If he can get up to 235-240 he could be a bruiser at goal line situations. 

I'm a little surprised no one is talking about Anthony Allen, I think this guy looked like a stud out of college. 

I can't say I ever saw him play in college.  When I look at his college stats and combine performance he looks like a beast even without elite speed.  Why didn't he get used last season?  He has to have some ability.

Why didn't he get used last season?

Ricky Williams

Why didn't he get used last season?

Ricky Williams

You'd think though that they'd work him in a bit here and there, especially when Ricky was getting shut down.