Ravens WRs don't have off-the-field issues
We've all criticized the Ravens for not having the big, speedy, go-to receiver on the outside, but it might be a blessing in disguise. It seems like every week one of the big name stars is getting in trouble, the latest being the Giants' Plaxico Burress. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens have had their share of problems in the past, as well as Chad Johnson.
The Ravens have good team chemistry, and one of these guys might upset the balance. With Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, at least you know they will be on the field on Sunday, not distracted by what happened off the field the night before.
Comments
Ill take a productive diva over Clayton.
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | November 29, 2008 3:17 PM
What was Jim Hostler talking about when he said Mark Clayton was his best all-around receiver?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 29, 2008 5:15 PM
I recall Mason not being a team player the year the Ravens went 13-3. He seems to shut his mouth as long as he gets the ball.
Posted by: Ben | November 29, 2008 5:35 PM
Clayton has shown in the past he could do some things it was the matter of haveing a quarterback to get him the ball we now have that..and Mason is very tough and productive..my thing is why is Heap still around?He is suspect..
Posted by: pearl swagger | November 29, 2008 6:04 PM
I understand Mile P and his overall point however I refuse to be duped into the slightly overblown statement that it seems like every week one of the big name stars is getting in trouble. There are a handful indeed but thankfully, as Mike P correctly points out, none of "our" guys appear to be misfits or spoiled grown men, and that is refreshing.
Posted by: Kevin Darnell Miller from Homestead, PA | November 29, 2008 7:57 PM
"I recall Mason not being a team player the year the Ravens went 13-3. He seems to shut his mouth as long as he gets the ball." Anonymous.
Specifically you probably recall his comments after the Indy playoff debacle in Jan. 2007. More or less: "they needed to call his number more to win." Lacking in grace? Sure. Frustration after a hard loss, and maybe frustration at not having at that point earned his "veteran leader" status as a Raven, only as a Titan. Yet hardly in T.O.'s, Plexiglass' or Chad Henry and Ocho's league. And yes, he's getting a lot of catches (nice security blanket for Flacco's rookie season!).But Mason is isn't just pacified; he's the real deal- the veteran heart of this offense
Posted by: Tucker in Sec. 527 | November 29, 2008 10:12 PM
Some prima donna receivers today have lost sight of the fact that there is no "I" in.....team!!! However, there are plenty of playmakers who are also team players who could make a difference in Ravens purple!
Posted by: The "Armchair" QB | November 29, 2008 10:46 PM
Everybody is bashing Todd Heap but anybody who watches the whole game and not just the runs and passes would notice that Heap is in on alot of protection packages to keep our QB on his feet and its hard to get the ball when your blocking. When Todd is in the field running routs most of the time he is covered very well or double covered. And if thats not enough Joe's go to guy is mason . There have been a few times Heap was wide open but Joe went to Mason.Kyle Boller's go to guy was Heap so he got the ball more from Kyle. In the start of the season Heap was rusty from not practicing when he was injured.And as far as injury prone I say he plays a very physical game and when you play like that your bound to get hurt.
Posted by: VAN | November 29, 2008 10:56 PM
Clayton is still a young reciever and is still trying to reach his fuull potential. He has still never had a good arm behind center throwing to him. QB's aren't the only one's that have certain intangibles in order to develop. Now, with Flacco, Clayton has his opportunity to turn into that quality possession reciver he was drafted to be.
Posted by: Mike | November 30, 2008 12:23 AM
Cereal,
Yea, you'll take a productive diva, but when times are tough just how productive will they be, i.e., T.O. & Ocho Zero?
You don't mess with team chemistry. If you don't believe that, just ask anyone on the Bungels...they're full of divas.
Posted by: Dave from St Marys Cnty | November 30, 2008 1:15 AM
In all fairness, Randy Moss hasn't been a real problem child since he came to New England. Part of that may be because he's a huge part of the offense, but the biggest thing he's said this year is when Moss stated that the Dolphins "disrespected" him by only putting 1 CB on him with no help. And in truth...he's right. I don't care what defense you have, Randy Moss IS better than any DB in the league. He MUST be double-teamed.
And OK, we didn't hear a lot out of him in Oakland, but...well...it's Oakland. They even managed to keep Warren Sapp shut. WARREN SAPP.
Posted by: Matthew | November 30, 2008 5:34 PM
Hey Van, Heap dropped so many balls the first half of the seasom that any QB worth his salt would stop going to him, a QB goes to recievers he has confidence in to catch the football, besides someone might hit Herap and HE aill be out for 6 or 7 games due to his usual softness!
Posted by: Mike B | November 30, 2008 6:57 PM
This is one of the worst conclusions I've ever seen. Take four guys with wildly different issues, and conclude "I'm glad we don't have a speed receiver". Here are two reasons Mike Preston should think for at least one second before speaking:
1: Andre Johnson. Braylon Edwards. Marques Colston. Torry Holt. Not all speed receivers have headline-making problems.
2: The media-diva situations surrounding T.O. and Moss are hardly as serious as shooting yourself and endangering others in a crowded club.
Posted by: Paul | November 30, 2008 9:16 PM