The North Report - Preseason Edition: Pittsburgh Steelers

So let me get this straight. The Steeler's open the season with the Hall of Fame game and also open the regular season against what will probably be the Brady-less (waaa waa Pats fans) Patriots squad. Interesting. In all honesty I missed the game this past Thursday. Starters barely play in the first game and fans barely get a chance to see new players in action. Even realize the team has new players. I didn't get to hear the wife say,"Oh crap! He's a damn Steeler now?." Well now you(and she) will know.

Key Departure

This is a no brainer. It is a sad day when a future hall of famer leaves a team and the Steelers losing Troy Polamalu to retirement is disappointing. Ravens fans and Steeler fans alike loved arguing who was better between he and Ed Reed. Polamalu may have not been the same player in recent years but his presence definitely mattered in a young Steeler locker room. He was the quiet warrior and I for one am sad to see him go. Just like Hines Ward (who we all STILL hate respect) he was part of a beautiful disaster that was our rivalry with this team. I'm not going to miss him causing Flacco headaches near our own goal line (yes Steeler fan we remember that play) nor will I miss him terrorizing our entire backfield. In other words, respect!

Shamarko Thomas is stepping into the unfillable shoes of a legend. 

Update: A few days after writing this article Martavis Bryant was handed a four game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Apparently, he couldn't stay out of Le'Veon Bell's stash. Anyway his suspension hurts the offense across the board(not JUST the fantasy board). An offense that will already be missing Bell for two of those games. Markus Wheaton is going to have to step up with those two key pieces missing on offense.

What about the draft?

While every one of their fans will argue, you know they were looking for the heir apparent to Heath Miller and we snagged Maxx Williams before they could. However they still had a successful draft grabbing some depth for their linebacking core and defensive backs. They grabbed a pass rushing LB (Alvin Dupree, Kentucky) something this team has been missing since James Harrison left. Yes I know he came back and did his thing for a few games but they need it on a more consistent basis. When he was in the backfield that is when this team was dominant on the defensive side of the ball. As we all know, their pass defense was terrible last season. Almost as bad as the Ravens (which was pretty terrible). They went with a corner in the second round(Senquez Golson, Ole Miss) who was known in his college years as a ballhawk (he had 10 INTs last season at Ole Miss). In all honesty I always try to keep an eye on the receivers this team drafts. Lately they have been hitting homeruns with their later round receiver picks. This year's diamond in the rough could be Sammie Coates out of Auburn. While he did have a case of the drops he also had a case of averaging over 20 yards a reception in the SEC last season.

Did they pick up anybody?

In a word...yes! The biggest knock on the Steelers last year was how one dimensional they became without Le'Veon Bell on the field. That all should change with a significant upgrade in his backup. Deangelo Williams will be spelling Bell this season and more than likely starting in his place for a the first two games while he serves his suspension. Williams is not the runner he once was but he is still a dangerous back when healthy. He certainly isn't Bell but he can at least be dangerous as a runner which this team was missing last season when Bell wasn't out there. 

Update: While I still believe Williams to be the most significant pickup of the offseason for the Steelers, the team has signed veteran dog kill...er quarterback Michael Vick as a backup. Will Vick even see the field this season? Probably not. We all know that it literally takes a motorcycle accident for Big Ben to miss any significant amount of time. However, I can assure you that some Steeler fans (ie, the wife) were/are not too happy to see him on the team. Then again my wife likes dogs more than people.

Prediction

This really isn't prediction as much as it is a fact. This is a contending team for the division and possibly the AFC. They are year in and year out and that is mostly due to their franchise QB. There will be a battle between them and the Ravens for the AFC North which fortunately we play towards the end of the season (in week 16). However, this is during a 5 game stretch towards the end of the season where they have a quite a meaty sandwich with Browns bread. After their first game with the Browns in week 10 they get to rest up for a brutal stretch that includes @Seattle, Colts, @Cincinnati, Broncos and @Ravens before closing the season out against the Browns. This team is usually one who has started to pick up steam towards the end of the season but this one could fare differently because of that rough stretch. Yes, they are going to play the Pats without Brady more than likely in week one. Who cares? They still have to win the game without arguably their best player in Bell. So quit complaining Ravens fans, this is why they hate us. Not cause they ain't us. However if Janeane Garofalo or whatever that kids name is beats them (shut up I know his name is Jimmy Garoppolo) I will be the first to laugh at the wife until we play on Sunday against the Broncos.

10-6, wild card/possible division crown

There you have it, the division is wrapped up. Should make for an interesting football season. Remember kiddies, only a couple more sleeps until the beginning of the season!

The North Report - Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Edition

While it's great and all to talk up your team, the best offense is a good defense. Knowing your opponents (and in this case division foe) is very important to a team's success which makes the fanatics go crazy all the way through the playoffs. Mostly if you're friends are like mine they go, "so and so is with them now!" Throughout fantasy drafts and Sundays don't lie, it's heard all around. "I didn't know he was on the Bengals." Well now you will know.

Key Departure

Losing Jermaine Gresham may have been a God send for this team who suffered more losses in their deep secondary (all be it Terrance Newman and Taylor Mays) then on offense. Gresham had been falling off in his production over the last couple of years. While last year may have been only 2 receptions behind his career high, he only averaged 7.9 yards a catch. The stat that may get by some people is just how key his catches were. Sure he may have only had 5 touchdowns, 24 of those catches were for first down. Nearly 39%. It is possibly for him to be resigned but it seems that they are leading him out to pasture. He recently worked out for the Arizona Cardinals but has yet to be signed.

Expect the team to stick with Eifert.

What about the draft?

Someone needs to protect Dalton! Lord knows they don't want the AJ McCarron show quite yet. Tackles were what they desired (since they lost a starter in free agency) and they enjoyed being the third best team in the league only allowing 23 sacks last year. I wouldn't be surprised to see their 2nd rounder Fisher performing better than (probably starting before) his oft injured first round competition. They also beefed up an already loaded secondary with USC's Josh Shaw. Shaw figures to be a special teams contributor and used against the slot receiver. He should be able to keep up with the best of them, he did run a 4.39 40. 

Did they pick up anybody?

Well...define anybody. Their biggest signing (other than resigning some of their key guys) would be A.J. Hawk. Not just cause his dad was....I guess still is, part of the Legion of Doom. There are other reasons. If you know anything about the Bengals linebackers it is that they seem to have a problem with the injury bug. Whether it be Burfict or Maualuga, one if not both tend to get injured. Hawk is more than capable of carrying his own but was getting out shined in every way by his former teammate Clay Matthews in Green Bay. Hawk is more than capable of carrying his own but will only be the "in case of emergency break open glass" guy.

Prediction

I mean honestly who makes predictions before preseason? Oh wait, everyone. It is all together possible for this team to start off 1-5. Don't laugh I'm serious. They laid some stinkers last season when everyone declared them the class of the AFC.  That being said, I doubt they start that way but it could happen. There is little chance they lose to the Raiders even if it is their season opener in the black hole. The next 5 are kind of a toss up. San Diego can never be trusted (mostly cause of inconsistencies), Baltimore on the road (that sweep last year still stings) follow that up with KC, Seattle and a roadie to Sexy Rexy Ryan in Buffalo and it makes for an interesting start to the season. Their schedule at the end of the season is truly brutal. The last 4 games are Steelers, @ 49ers, @Denver and Ravens. Those 4 weeks will decide if they make the playoffs. Knowing this division they will be in it until the end. 10 wins might take the division crown. However I think Marvin's luck has run out.

9-7, miss playoffs/possible wild card

Keep an eye out for my next installment, yet another hated rival (aren't all the division teams hated? Except the Browns, they're sad. Damn! Answered my own question!) the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Top 50 Ravens in 2015

Can you feel it? Football season is approaching! Faster than Peyton Manning can yell, "OMAHA!" training camp will be here. What does that usually mean for you the reader? Lists, TONS OF LISTS! Fantasy, super bowl odds, MVP, injury reports, arrest records and lord knows what else.

So here is one of the many lists you will see, the difference being mine is awesome! Stay tuned as this is part of a major article for  Purple Reign . They are compiling a list of...

Top 50 Ravens of 2015

1. Terrell Suggs
2. Justin Tucker
3. Joe Flacco
4. C.J. Mosley
5. Justin Forsett
6. Marshal Yanda
7. Elvis Dumervil
8. Steve Smith Sr.
9. Kelechi Osemele
10. Jimmy Smith
11. Brandon Williams
12. Courtney Upshaw
13. Timmy Jernigan
14. Rick Wagner
15. Dennis Pitta
16. Lardarius Webb
17. Jeremy Zuttah
18. Daryl Smith
19. Eugene Monroe
20. Breshad Perriman
21. Sam Koch
22. Kyle Juszczyk
23. Kyle Arrington
24. Lorenzo Taliaferro
25. Kendrick Lewis
26. Will Hill
27. Chris Canty
28. Asa Jackson
29. Marlon Brown
30. Albert McClellan
31. Kamar Aiken
32. DeAngelo Tyson
33. Maxx Williams
34. Arthur Brown
35. Michael Campanero
36. John Urschel
37. Matt Elam
38. Carl Davis
39. James Hurst
40. Crockett Gilmore
41. Javorius Allen
42. Matt Schaub
43. Darren Waller
44. Terrance Brooks
45. Morgan Cox
46. Deandre Carter
47. Anthony Levine
48. Za'Darius Smith
49. Kiero Small
50. Casey Walker

There you have it. When the article is posted to the main website, it will be posted here . 

Offseason Review: Wide Receivers

The 2014 receiving core definitely had its ups and downs this season. Looking forward into next season it is hard to say if we will recognize half of the starters. There could be a major overhaul resulting in half of the squad changing going into next season. Last season the Ravens had six members of their depth chart belonging to receivers.

2014 Receiver Depth Chart

WR1- Steve Smith Sr.
WR2 - Torrey Smith
WR3- Marlon Brown
WR4 - Kamar Aiken
WR5 - Jacoby Jones
WR6 - Michael Campanaro

2014 Recap

Gary Kubiak took over a subpar offense and hoped to improve the production of Joe Flacco. The main protagonists in his tale were Steve and Torrey Smith. Each had their own successes in Kubiak's offense which favors the WR1 which in this case was Steve. Torrey had a massive drop in yardage but nearly led the league with his 11 TDs. The offense improved from the year prior in the passing game jumping from an NFL rank of 18th in 2013 to 13th in 2014. The biggest issue was the inconsistencies from the third and fourth receivers. Jones started the season higher on the depth chart but had a few drops to start the season thus losing his spot to Brown and Aiken. The lack in production outside of the Smiths goes back to what plagued this team all year, injuries. Brown, Aiken and Campanaro all missed time with injuries. Campanaro missed the most time, shining in the Tampa Bay game before injuring his hamstring and missing most of the season.

2015 Outlook

WR1 - Steve Smith Sr.- Ozzie basically has told him, after Steve initially said he was ready to come back, to take some time to reflect on whether he wants to honestly come back. All signs are pointing to him returning for his 15th season but can his old body take another season? After all the talk at the beginning of last season of him setting a career mark(four out of first six games he had over 100 yards) he had a less than stellar second half. Only going over 100 yards once after week six. At least the once was the first round of the playoffs! I could see Smith having a similar start to next season but possibly seeing more of the younger guys step up later in the year.

WR2 - Torrey Smith - He has become one of the most talked about free agents from the team this year. Rampant debates among Ravens fans and the talking heads of local radio. Can he run crisp routes? Not really. Great hands? Average at best. However the guy still hustles and has barely missed any time. Local product out of Maryland who hasn't had any issues off the field, for the right price I would welcome him back. My gut tells me he is going to get offers from teams like Carolina, Oakland or possibly the Colts. Any of those teams have the cap space to make an offer to Torrey.

WR3 - Marlon Brown - Brown was a mystery last season. It is hard to figure what he will do in 2015. With or without Torrey's return I would guess that Brown will go back to being productive as he was in 2013. Trestman is used to having big targets at his disposal and Brown definitely fits that bill. All Brown has to do is stay healthy and stay in the good graces of Harbs.

WR4 - Kamar Aiken - Out of all of the returning talent he is the one I am most excited about. From the little we saw of him last year we did see that he has hands. His rookie campaign had flashes of greatness and I'm hoping to see more of that next season.

WR5 - Jacoby Jones - HE GONE! Look, I love Jacoby as much as the next Raven fan but his decline in the the return game and lack in ability to catch the ball make his departure that much easier to deal with.

WR6 - Michael Campanaro - The local boy out of Silver Spring, MD who people are hoping to be the next Wes Welker (sans the concussions) or Julian Edelman (sans the douchebaggery) out of the slot. Another case of, will he stay healthy enough in 2015 to show his potential? He and Aiken looked like the real deal against Tampa this season. Then again, so could anyone against them. Campanaro could have a break out year with a bulk of the return duties as well as working in the slot.

Competition from the Outside

First of all, if you think the Cowboys are going to let Dez Bryant out of Dallas you have clearly lost your mind. Stop calling radio stations with this notion crazy people! I expect the Ravens to either re-sign Torrey Smith or possibly upgrade if the financial numbers work. If we learned anything from this postseason it is that Green Bay could survive without Randall Cobb. Cobb will probably get a big pay day anywhere which normally eliminates the Ravens. There have also been some rumors that Brandon Marshall will follow his former head coach Marc Trestman to Baltimore. If he was a free agent I would be all for it but I personally don't like us giving up picks for possibilities. As great as Marshall is, he is coming off injury. Besides, this is a team that normally builds from the draft unfortunately with little success in the team's history. This year, there is a strong receiver class.

Draft Outlook

First and foremost, there is absolutely no damn way we are going to trade up for Kevin White! I don't care how great he looked in the season, how he dominated in pretend football during the combine or his ability to apparently walk on water. We aren't getting him. So all you Raven bloggers who keep posting "WRs to watch for in this years draft, Ravens edition" please stop. A more believable option if we do go for one on the first day is Jaelen Strong. 17 TDs and 2,287 yards in his collegiate career and a great showing at the combine (4.44 second 40 yard dash and an impressive 42 in vertical leap) make Strong a valid option to be a potential number one. I know me personally, I have leaped many a time, I don't think I have totaled 42 inches in my lifetime while leaping vertically. Not to mention he is a monster at 6'2" 217 lbs. I would suspect the Ravens to stay away from problem child Dorial Green-Beckham, that whole "marijuana" issue and "domestic violence" problem is something they are trying to clear their image of.

I would expect them to keep an eye on local prospect Stefon Diggs (Maryland) and not so local prospect Philip Dorsett in the later rounds to possibly fill the role of Jacoby Jones. Occasional receiver, return guy. Both were speedsters at the combine running sub 4.5 sec forties but Diggs definitely has the injury bug which could cause him to drop in the draft. Also keep an eye on Breshad Perriman out of UCF. The interesting fact on Perriman is the comparisons to a former UCF alum in Brandon Marshall. Minus the diva act and going nuts/punching through a TV that sounds great to me. The negative is that he would be a project, like Torrey Smith has been. Not crisp running routes but talented. I do expect the Ravens to probably grab three of four receivers either in the draft or post draft with undrafted free agents. They need at least a couple for the practice squad to fellas.

2015 Roster Predictions

WR1 - Steve Smith Sr.
WR2 - Jaelen Strong
WR3 - Marlon Brown
WR4 - Kamar Aiken
WR5 - Michael Campanero
WR6 - Stefon Diggs

I'm guessing two of our wide receivers will be picked up in the draft but it is possible that a veteran could be resigned (like Torrey Smith). Possibly a veteran could be picked up in free agency but the draft class is more populated with upside than the potential crapfest that is the NFL WR 2015 free agent class. Whoever is on the practice squad is going to be a late round or undrafted free agent. Not too much turnover but I can assure you that we will have at least one new face to look at in our wide receivers if not more.

Ravens Greatest Gif...ts of 2014

With the season unfortunately coming to an end this past Saturday we all need to reflect positively on what was done by this team this year. A team with 19 players placed on IR with two of them being major players in Dennis Pitta and Jimmy Smith. Most of us feel like all 19 could have been in the secondary. Somehow, some way this team fought to the end with the best team in the AFC this year. 

So here for your viewing pleasure are 10 of the greatest gifs from this season!


10. Juszcyzk does Lebron's "Chalk Toss" In Cleveland

Simple move but still, I didn't know he had it in him. You know who has two thumbs and enjoys dissing Cleveland? That guy!

9. Justin Forsett makes us forget about Ray Rice

One of the many great runs Forsett had this year. His patience behind the line was key to his success. Hopefully we bring him back next season.


8. Torrey Smith stays classy against San Diego
 

Juggled but not dropped, This was not nearly as sweet as the Odell Beckham catch(which happened a week prior) but hey, tomato tomAHto.

7. Haloti Ngata takes out Harbaugh

You mess with the bull you get the horns! Great moment on the sideline celebrating the victory against Pittsburgh.



6. Timmy Jernigan's sack dance

Swagasaurus! Great sack, golf clap for the celebration.



5. Joe Flacco makes it rain in Tampa

We needed an awesome performance to turn the team around and Flacco did that against the lowly Bucs. Recording five TDs in a game faster than any one in NFL history...by 12 minutes!

http://www.purplereignshow.com/2014/10/13/gif-all-five-joe-flacco-touchdowns-in-one-gif

^The 5 TD gif can be found there^

4. Steve Smith arrives in week 1 with big TD

Personally I think the best thing about that one is that vicious stiff arm on Pacman Jones at the end. I think all of us in Baltimore lost it when this play happened. I know I did.

3. Connor Shaw countdown to launch, 3...2...1

Mosley launches Shaw on this totally legal hit. You can't have a greatest GIF's list without CJ knocking the crap out of someone.


2. OOOOOOOOOOh it's the Suggernaut!

With a miraculous interception! This is the image of the Steelers playoff hopes being over.


1. Courtney Upshaw LEVELS Big Ben

Yeah, I know it was a penalty. I still have watched it a half a billion times. Which is why this has to be number one.



So there you have it. Some of the season's greatest moments in 10 beautiful GIFs. Don't feel down about the season folks, feel like Justin Tucker...

Matchup to Watch: Ravens/Patriots Divisional Round Edition

I hope you all are done rubbing it in the face of our hated rival that we have eliminated them from the postseason. Get it out of your system and feel the hate flow through you as we get ready for the Pats. We all know that cocky New England fan who loves his Soooooooox and his Pats, we hate that guy (ugh!). If you think we aren't big fans of the Pats imagine how some of our defensive guys feel towards their pretty boy offense!

With this week's upcoming divisional game a lot of things have been tossed around in the papers(or as the kids might call it "the internets") between a few foes from each team. Just to keep you all informed (I am here for you after all) here is the matchup we should be keeping our eye on during the game (and postgame) this Saturday afternoon. Of course I have to be talking about Matt Elam and Brandon Lafe...nah, I couldn't even type that with a straight face.

That Quarterback for the Patriots VS. that Linebacker from the Ravens

One person who couldn't be happier to play the Patriots once again in the playoffs is Terrell Suggs. He has made it known how he feels about Brady by never referring to him by name. Brady in his recent comments about Suggs said he was "phenomenal" and "the leader" of our defense. Here is Suggs' response, "Say what? Did they record him? I would love to see his face." The interesting thing about Suggs is how he talks up our hated rival Ben Roethlisberger like he can walk on water, going on and on about his accolades. When asked about Brady and the Patriots, it is a whole other story. Suggs has discussed their inability to win a championship since Spygate, called them "pricks," and mocked Brady's hairstyle among other things. Suggs was asked about his opinion of the Patriots and Brady while on E:60 for an interview, "I don't think that's appropriate for camera. I don't like him. He don't like me. I don't like his hair. I don't like his smug attitude."

This has been going on for quite some time, He infamously left Brady off of his Pro Bowl ballot back in 2010(Brady's MVP season), voting for Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yeah, that Ryan Fitzpatrick. When asked about it Suggs shrugged it off replying, "he probably didn't vote for me either." More than likely he wouldn't vote for Suggs because of his inability to play well against a Ravens defense with a healthy Suggs. He has four sacks of Brady in his career (one in the playoffs), while Brady hasn't been Brady like. In three playoff meetings he has only thrown for 713 yards, 3 TDs and 7 interceptions. With the Ravens going on to win two of those three games. Sure I know it is not all Suggs out there but Brady has always been pressured in our three games in the playoffs by our line. Saturday he will not only have to deal with the likes of Suggs but Pro Bowler Elvis Dumervil as well. That line of his has been shaky and if Brady has no time to make decisions those interceptions are going to come again straight to (as we call them around Purple Reign) the Legion of Whom. 

Look at it this way. In the one game without Suggs that we faced Brady he had his best game. Throwing for 335 yards and a touchdown with nearly completing 70% of his passes. Most importantly, no picks. 

The animosity towards Brady...er all our opponents (which we all find amusing here in Baltimore) comes from Suggs. He just doesn't care. We always had Ray Lewis as the minister, always preaching and saying his motivational prayers before each game. Suggs has always been the fun guy who says what he wants when he wants. Who can forget his interviews during Pittsburgh week in Steeler hatred themed t-shirts. Who can forget, "God can have his (Ben Roethlisberger's) soul but his ass belongs to me." First of all, where are the t-shirts, posters and living billboard with that on it. Screw "protect this house" put his quote on the billboard next to 95 outside of M&T Bank stadium. 

Hopefully we can turn some of that animosity into a victory on Saturday. No one should be happy with just eliminating the Steelers, marching on to the Super Bowl in the same season would be much sweeter. 

Ready for Round 3

Well we may be limping in but the Ravens are in while the Steelers have just been playing excellent football for the past two months. At least we are in the tournament! Of course I think this played out perfectly for the NFL to have arguably the league's greatest rivalry lined up for the Saturday night game. There is just something different about playing in primetime on a Saturday. It means more,

It is like a heavyweight title fight. We have our undercard light featherweight bout in Arizona versus Carolina (which you know ESPN is going to spin as the greatest game ever played leading up to it) that most people aren't going to be into because of what they know is coming up in the final bout of the night.

Before I get the, "well each game was decided by 20 points," crap let me just point out that yes both games were completely one sided. The mere fact is that the teams are truly tied. Splitting the season series with the total points being an equal amount of 49. The problem with that is that 43 of Pittsburgh's 49 came in the last game (you know, where Big Ben went off for six TDs) which left a sour taste in Baltimore's mouth.

The Steelers tend to do that a lot to the Ravens. The Ravens have redeemed all of their playoff losses except to one team. Pittsburgh is 3-0 against the Ravens in the postseason and have created some horrible moments for Ravens fans. Ryan Clark's devastating hit on Willis McGahee in the AFC title game back in 2009. They last played in a divisional game back in 2010 where the Steelers came back after we had owned them for the entire first half. We lost 31-24.

The biggest issue for both teams (the Steelers seem to have put a band aid on theirs) is the secondary. Both teams can easily get beat in the passing game but seem to still be stout against the rushing attack. In both games this year Bell (who may not be playing at all) was not a major factor in either game totaling 58 yards in their last meeting. Antonio Brown is the difference maker for the Steelers. He ate our souls for a total of 26 catches for 234 yards and three TDs. Dominant. The Ravens best hope to compete with Brown is to double him and possibly put Webb on Bryant. Without Bell, his touches will have to go to someone and I would guess we will see more of Bryant and Heath Miller. Ben's safety blanket will be active. On the flip side, we have a revolving door of receivers that should be well rested. More than likely the Steelers will find a way to eliminate Torrey Smith from the game plan. Leaving more opportunities for young guys like Marlon Brown and Mike Camponero to emerge out of the slot. Can Flacco keep pace with the likes of Big Ben in each of their best statistical seasons?

If we are all being honest here I am not sure. Of course I think we can pull out the victory but it will be tough against a hot Steeler team after we have been proving for a few weeks now that we are slow starters and can't seem to get anything going until late in the game. Hopefully we pull it out and head on to another tough test in New England. More good news, I would have bragging rights in the house instead of the wife!

So go restock the fridge for Saturday night! You know you drank all your beer on New Year's. Throw some wings in the sauce, make sure the blue cheese is on ice, stock up on chips and get your fellow Raven buddies over to the house! Or in my case, talk smack to your spouse all day until the game is over and either excitedly or disappointingly say, "good game."