Mason Back - Ravens Receivers Now Deep?

[Bmore]

I'd like to clarify that I still think Boldin is an upgrade for Baltimore and a very good no.2 WR talent. I know defenses cant leave Mason alone, but he won't command double teams. Does the running game help Boldin some aspects? Yes, it opens up the pass game and the PA game, but it will also hurt his touches. Arizona basically threw 70 percent of the time in 08, and they still threw a ton in 09. You cant overlook the system. The Cardinals had the best QB possible for their game plan. Warner has one of the quickest releases in the NFL and has fantastic short throw accuracy. So many of Boldins catches came from 5-6 yard catches that he stretched into bigger gains. Flacco will not be able to set Boldin up in the way Warner did, and he won't have as many touches. Again, he will play well. I say he could finish the season with around 75 catches for 1050-1100 yards. Baltimore will have a solid receiving corps. Maybe even above average, but they should still be a run first team.

I'm not trying to compare Flacco to Warner (not now in his career at least) but, Flacco hit Ray Rice 78 times last year. So to say Flacco doesn't have a quick release or can hit Boldin for a 5 yard pass isn't accurate. Infact I'm more inclined to say that Flacco will actually look for the 5 yard pass before the deeper ones.

[hoodyallen]

I'm not trying to compare Flacco to Warner (not now in his career at least) but, Flacco hit Ray Rice 78 times last year. So to say Flacco doesn't have a quick release or can hit Boldin for a 5 yard pass isn't accurate. Infact I'm more inclined to say that Flacco will actually look for the 5 yard pass before the deeper ones.

Good point. Yes as a developing young WR he will be more inclined to check down short, but its not about that. So much of it is timing and motion. Arizona runs a completely different playbook, a lot of Boldins routes start out in motion and end short in the flats. It's not rocket science but Warner was just the perfect QB for the system, and the perfect QB for Boldin. You also cant overlook the fact that Boldin has taken a ton of punishment and might not be able to stay healthy all year.

[Nukleopatra]

If they had given up anything higher than a 3rd rounder, I'd be laughing right now.. But Baltimore managed to come away with a good WR for exactly what he's worth. If D. Mason can put up 1,000 yards in an 18th ranked passing offense, there's no reason why Boldin can't do it - if he stays healthy.

Joe Flacco will never be Kurt Warner, though.

[Kia Kaha]

The Ravens receivers are not deep IMO. They have a very good #1 and #2 combo but after that it is complete trash and I am a ravens fan.

Donte Stallworth - the guy has been out of the league for how long, and even when he was last in it, when did he make an impact. This guy can run a 4.3 forty all he wants but if he can’t stay healthy or make catches he won’t get any playing time (think what Demetrius Williams has done in Baltimore). I doubt he gets more than 30 catches to be honest

Mark Clayton - every year I tell myself this is his big year where he comes alive and makes play after play, but he is never going to more than an average WR. Clayton has a one big game now and then but he is so inconsistent it is not even funny. He is clutch at times (divisional round against Titans) and then at others chokes (Patriots last year). He really doesn’t excel at anything and struggles to get open all the time.

Bottom line is this - The Baltimore Ravens have done a good job to get Flacco some more weapons. Getting Boldin is going to help our offense a lot. It means teams cant stack the box against Ray Rice as Boldin and Mason will both eat up single coverage and with Boldin blocking up field for rice he could potentially get a few more yards each play. Boldin also gives the ravens that toughness they need. Having Mason as a number 2 wide out is great as he can use his amazing route running skills to his advantage and Flacco can finally pass it to someone going over the middle.

The Ravens getting back Mason and trading for Boldin doesn’t make their offense any worse, it makes it a lot better, but in no means do these moves mean that the ravens move to a pass first attack or become an offensive team. The ravens live by their defense and running game. This doesn’t change that.

[Derrville]

Didnt Boldin have his best season with Josh McCown and No Fitzgerald back in the day?

[Bmore]

I think that Boldin and Mason give them two very reliable receviers. It isn't like this team goes 3 or 4 wr often. Usually they are in power running formations. Stallworth is perfect as a 3wr and they still have the draft to a speed type wr.

Exactly

[Buzzman]

People need to stop talking about Stallworth the guy is terrible, he prob wont even be the #4 WR by seasons start.

The Lions broguht this guy in for a workout and thoguht he wasnt good enough, enough said about him.

[IamMedellin]

Ray "Dirt McGirt" Rice > Ravens

[Townie33]

Whatever happened to Kelley Washington???

All the the guy did was make 3rd down catch after 3rd down catch for the birds! And most of those were over the middle. Show that man some love!

I am excited to see Boldin, Mason, & Rice on the field together. Hell, put Rice in the slot and let Willis line up at tailback and see how teams want to defend that formation.

Heap..........eh..........doesn't do that much for me. He had a better year last year than previous years, but still too many drops!

[Bmore]

Whatever happened to Kelley Washington???

He is currently visiting other teams, but Ozzie Newsome said there is a good chance he will be back for training camp.

[-Ray27Rice-]

Damn, I would love the thought of getting Gresham. However, we really need to solve our CB issue. We improved the WR problem and now it's time to get our other weakness solved. Are there any CBs in the draft that could be a realistic pick for the Ravens in the first round? For some reason, I can't think of anyone. If not, I would love to get Gresham, either in the first or second if we could trade up or something.

[-Ray27Rice-]

But to get on topic, are the Ravens receivers much improved? Yes. Are they deep? No. actually really like the pick up of Stallworth. But I don't like that we brought Clayton back. The guy is trash and is so unreliable. Clayton just needs to go, I haven't been impressed with him since he came into the league.

[Bmore]

But to get on topic, are the Ravens receivers much improved? Yes. Are they deep? No. actually really like the pick up of Stallworth. But I don't like that we brought Clayton back. The guy is trash and is so unreliable. Clayton just needs to go, I haven't been impressed with him since he came into the league.

Not even after his 800 yd season with Kyle Boller at the helm:?:

[BazookaJoe5]

I would rather have Kelley Washington than Stallworth or Clayton. I think we'll draft a WR in the 2nd or 3rd and they'll split time at the #3 with the above two, though.