Which Ravens Rookie...

[BeerIsFood]

Which Ravens Rookie will have the biggest impact on the team this year?

[ccbird]

Went with Figurs for the obvious reasons. He has blazing speed as a returner and is probably going to win the job and be on the field more than any other player on the list other than Grubbs. Grubbs plays a position where it is hard to make an impact or at least a big enough one to be noticed. Barnes is the sleeper if he can find a role in the DL or LB rotation as a pass rusher.

[BeerIsFood]

I definately agree with everything you said. I've been hearing great things about Figurs. He's got my vote. I also went with Grubbs simply because I'm excited we're getting some young O Guards and Tackles...something I think we desperately needed. I also think Burgess is an interesting player...but probably not for this year.

[clapdiddy]

I picked Barnes. I anticipate him filling in on some passing downs and making some things happen.

[Birds of B'more]

I picked Barnes too. From the sounds of it he will have the opportunity to earn some playing time on passing downs rushing the QB. I would have picked McClain, since he may well make the top of the depth chart at FB........but with McGahee it sounds like they'll mostly be running out of 1-back sets, so the FB may not see many plays. Look for Burgess to open some eyes on ST.

[biggsy]

I went with Figures too. Kid has tons of talent plus Hester gave a peek as to how much of an impact a returner can actually have in a game, and not only that but as a rookie too.

Also if you put him in a 4 or 5 wide set the defense has to at least account for him, if not the next time the see him will be about 5 yards deep in the endzone dancing after burning every single one of them

[Camden_yardbird]

Figurs beat hester in a race...

He could make this team unstoppable with what he could do in the return game.

[ChaosLex]

If he works on catching the ball (he had some difficulties in college), Figurs could wind up being the steal of the entire draft.

[ChrisP]

I think Barnes. If any of the LB's go down, you have to think he's next in line. He could really step up and make a name for himself, as most skilled LB's in a Ryan system.

[Stevo5278]

I went with McClain because it seems like Billick always gravitates back to an I-formation offense as the season progresses and the fullback takes on a more important role. After 6 games of running a lot of 2 TE sets, the offense finally got going after Fassel was canned and Billick brought back the I. Ovie Mughelli earned a nice paycheck in free agency from his emergence that was spurred on by this change.

I think that they drafted for the future and not the present with this draft. In 3-4 years we'll probably be talking about Grubbs and Gaither as the impact players as they work their way into the lineup when Ogden and Flynn's careers wind down. McClain will be the first one to crack the starting lineup so he will probably be the most noticeable rookie to start with.

I'm intrigued by Figurs, but I'm not sure he'll be the go-to return guy to start. We already have a damn good one in B.J. Sams even with the baggage he brings.

[66-70-83-??]

I went with the safe pick - Grubbs.

I hope I am wrong, though.

I hope Grubbs is a great guard.

But, it would be nice for a real pleasant surprise in Figurs or Barnes breaking out."

Hopefully both will have us saying "BJ who" and "AD who" ? :D

A dark horse is Burgess. As I write this I watch the Ravens vs Eagles and Burgess just sacked the QB. It was a great one-handed sack. He just grabbed the QB's jersey and SLAMMED him to the turf. :D

Gaither looks real good, too.

It is real early, but this draft class is already looking like a Ravens "classic".

[Sports Guy]

Watching the game tonight you can't help but be excited about the present and the future of this team.

[Hank Scorpio]

Antwan Barnes is a beast. The kid is fast and relentless. This draft is going to prove to have been very deep for us, IMO.

[Bosibus]

Antwan Barnes is a beast. The kid is fast and relentless. This draft is going to prove to have been very deep for us, IMO.

He looked great. Earlier in the scouting report they said the only problem is his size. At 6'1 he is small for a OLB position, but he seems to have the same explosiveness as a 6'1 Ray Lewis.

To me, he looked powerful.

[Sports Guy]

He looked great. Earlier in the scouting report they said the only problem is his size. At 6'1 he is about the same height as Ray-Ray so I am not sure what they were getting at.

To me, he looked powerful.Different position than Ray....Can't compare them.

[Hank Scorpio]

He looked great. Earlier in the scouting report they said the only problem is his size. At 6'1 he is about the same height as Ray-Ray so I am not sure what they were getting at.

To me, he looked powerful.

He's about Bart's size, I'd say. Burgess is bigger and appears to be a little slower, but I think he's a little more versatile.

Barnes came off as kind of an abrasive kid - he might be a little too big for his britches at this point, but Ray and company will make sure he knows his place. That notwithstanding, he gets off the line really, really, really fast.

Between JJ, Barnes and Burgess, The "A.D. by committee" situation is going to add up to be a strong point for this team.

[Bosibus]

Different position than Ray....Can't compare them.

You are correct. For 6'1 he is small for an outside linebacker which many scouts believe he will have a tough time performing at the NFL level.

The point I was trying to make is that he looked powerful for his size, ala Ray Lewis.

[Sports Guy]

Wouldn't shock me if Gaither starts over Terry at RT this year and when i say this year, i mean week 1.

[ChrisP]

Wouldn't shock me if Gaither starts over Terry at RT this year and when i say this year, i mean week 1.


I didn't pay to much attention to Terry last night, but Gaither made me rewind the DVR a number of times. I'm REAL excited about his future. There was one play where the Phi DE put a move on him on the first drive and got to McNair. I'm sure they'll give him a hard time during film study.:)

[BeerIsFood]

As im watching the preseason games I think this years draft class is amazing and as one poster already put it, a Ravens "classic." Now Im waiting to see them take this early success into the regular season against starters, pro bowlers, ect... Im very optimistic about this year.