there are several reasons why the ravens should not want to trade musa smith right now. first, he is our best back so far this summer. jamal will start because they are not gonna pay him to sit on the bench, and because he has a pedigree and has run very well so far in preseason, but if we would need to sub in for any reason, long-term or short, it doesnt look like we lose anything with musa. second, he will make jamal better because jamal has got to know that musa is nipping at his heels. third, we need a third down back that can catch, and musa is that guy. fourth, im not sure the jets have anything to give that would match what we would lose by trading musa.

I've been reading your articles for a while, and I've been impressed with your pretty accurate insight in regards to how things are going with this football team. I have to say that you really just tell it the way you see it. Keep it up, and ignore the kool-aid haters, half of them don't even know what they're talking about.

During yesterday's game, the Ravens' defense did look somewhat scattered and committed various mental errors. Penalties committed by Bart Scott and Samari Rolle didn't help their defense's effort, as it made moving the ball much easier for McNabb and the Eagle's offense. The most obvious and telling play was on the shuffle/screen pass to Buckhalter. There was hardly a defender nearby, and it the Ravens defense especially appeared lost on that play. I was dissapointed with the ineffective pass rush, especially when the Ravens blitzed and tried to bring pressure. Last night, the Ravens' starters surprisingly looked more impressive on the offensive side of the ball. McNair was again very efficient and accurate completing over 75% of his passes, and consistantly finding Derrick Mason on several short passes. Aside from a few problems in Eagle's territory such as McNair's fumble, the issue with the field goal before halftime, and the failed third down conversion with Mike Anderson, the Ravens' offense looked very much in control last night. I look forward to seeing this offense continue to improve as McNair develops his grasp of the Raven's offense and keeps building chemistry with Baltimore's talented receiving corps.

As far as a potential trade for Musa Smith, is it likely that it would involve draft picks, or would it be possible that the Raven's could trade the young halfback and perhaps one of their draft picks? New York still has several young, talented players on the defensive side of the ball, and it is clear that for the most part, the Raven's defense isn't exactly getting a whole lot younger in the linebacking and secondary corps, and the Ravens are still without a real proven safety opposite of Reed, or a proven experienced nickel (or dime) back for that matter. In a position where the Ravens have very much depth with two 1000 yard caliber halfbacks, Musa Smith has clearly shown great potential over the last two weeks and it would be great if Baltimore could maybe pick up a young talented defender for him.

Mike I am now convinced your favorite team in the NFL is the one whoever plays the Ravens.

W]Are there any runors of what the Ravens are being offered for a RB?

I have previously warned people about Ngata. Pro linemen will consistently eat him up. I even emailed Billick about him when i heard they were thinking of drafting him. What bothers me most is the team had a very good tackle in Kemoeatu and let him get away. In short, the Ravens should never had to pickt a D-Tackle in the draft at all let alone No. 1. That pick could have been spent better for another position. Just another management failure.

What is Smith's contract status? This is his 4th year? Don't non-first rounders usually go unrestricted after four years? If the club keeps him this year, and he becomes a free agent after the season, they get nothing. With Lewis and Anderson, you wouldn't expect Smith to carry the ball much as the #3 running back. Would the Jets actually be considering Smith as #1 running back? Don't the Jets have a very good O-line? Could you perhaps package Smith with say Mike Flynn for a younger and better offensive lineman? That way the Jets get Smith who makes a very reasonable salary but as a price must offset by taking Flynn. I'd even toss in another mid-level lineman to get a very good one.

any chance of you getting traded to another newspaper?

1. The Wall Street Journal had an interesting analysis on which college programs generated the best pros. Oregon is not a strong program in this regard and I fear that we overpaid for Ngata because of a lack of options.

2. The Ravens are old. We probably have the only line-up of Medicare-eligible stars in the league. It's hard to believe they are as good as they once were and, even if they are, it's unlikely that they can keep it up for the whole season.

Conclusion: take the draft picks. Use them wisely (no Oregon, no more Tedford QBs). And trade players that have peaked.

It's too late for us. Enjoy the last whimper of the boom before we crash harder than the real estate market!

Face it, Ngata is a big, fat, out of shape, bum! Thats it. He was all hype. even his college coaches warned us and said that he is not ready and would need atleast 2 years to develop for the NFL. He was even a BUM in college.

lotta hating goin on with the defense. remember this is preseason. and im sure you guys on the message boards know a whole lot more than the ravens personal second guessing draft picks...haha. but if we good get a right tackle for musa, i thought the jets drafted one in the first or second round, i would do it.

Mike,
Thank goodness that all of these Ngata naysayers are not in the scouting department or coaching staff. It is unbelievable that such quick judgements can be made on a man's talents. Just how does one do that after 15 or 20 plays in a meaningless exhibition game? It sort of reminds me of the critics early in Cal Ripken's rookie year; "he will never make it in the big leagues."

Forkbrother