Ravens Draft Picks: Rounds 2&3

Patience definitely paid off for the Ravens in the second and third rounds of the draft last night! Ozzie and team used their three picks very wisely and we added some really exciting young talent to the team. Here is a quick recap of our picks, where they played college ball and what they can bring to Baltimore:

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama - we might have finally found a bookend for the one and only TSizzle!

Kelechi Osemele, T, Iowa State - will compete for a starting role and help fill the gap created from losing Ben Grubbs to free agency

Bernard Pierce, R, Temple - while I would have preferred to see the Ravens take a WR here, it doesn't hurt to add a player who will offer some support to Ray Rice

Who will the Ravens choose next? Stay tuned as we approach the final day of the 2012 draft!

Welcome to Baltimore Bernard Pierce!

Welcome to Baltimore Kelechi Osemele!

Early Reaction: Baltimore Selects Courtney Upshaw

Welcome to Baltimore Courtney Upshaw!

No First Round Pick For the Ravens In 2012

(Photo credit: http://bit.ly/IXtnJZ)

Despite my initial reaction to Ozzie's decision to trade out of the first round of the draft last night, I now realize that his prudence will ultimately ensure that the Ravens get quality picks in the following rounds. The trade landed us an early enough pick in the second round that there will still definitely be some big names left on the board.

According to the Baltimore Ravens website, Ozzie said that his decision was "a good business move" and that there are several players that the Ravens like who will still be available to them tomorrow.

Ozzie acknowledged that his decision was anticlimactic for fans who had been anxiously awaiting the 29th pick for almost three hours, but he still considered last night successful.

“You can’t control what’s going to happen,” he said. “As long as I’m here hopefully I’m picking No. 29, 30, 31 or 32. When you watch the board come off the way it did today, to have the ability to go back, acquire another player and still get a player you would have taken at your [original] pick, it’s good business for us.”


So the waiting game begins again until the second round starts tonight at 8pm! Hopefully, after tonight Ravens fans will have plenty of reason for celebration! In Ozzie we trust!

Last Minute Draft Assessment

As we continue to await the start of the 2012 draft - I offer my last minute assessment of the Ravens' needs for the upcoming season:

• Depth on the defense - After having lost Cory Redding and Tom Zbikowski, the Ravens are a little thin on the defensive end of things and could definitely afford to make an investment into some young blood.
• Receiver - We thought Lee Evans was going to be just what Flacco needed along with Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin, but he just couldn't seem to get the job done last season! I'd love to see the Ravens draft another young potential all-star receiver like they did with Smith last season.
• Left guard - After saying bye-bye to Ben Grubbs the Ravens need to make it a priority to fill this position. Joe Flacco is going to need all the protection he can get if we want to see him utilizing Ray Rice to his full potential.

Have I forgotten something?! Let me know your last minute thoughts!

Let the countdown begin!

Hey Ravens fans!

You can feel the excitement here in NYC, less than 3 hours until the start of the 2012 NFL Draft! Follow @tayloraboyd on Twitter for live updates or check your Facebook newsfeed for updates from Ravens Chick.

Can't wait to start the 2012 season with all of you!

The Wait Is Over - Nike Releases New Ravens Uniforms

Overall, it looks like Baltimore will be playing in almost identical uniforms to the ones that they have been. I am glad to see that these look nothing like the rumored jerseys that were released earlier last year!

Click here to see more images!