Well fans, we’ve almost survived the drudgery of the Exhibition season once again. All that remains is the dreaded final game and then we can really start looking ahead to the start of the season.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
The starters will play few snaps, or in some cases none at all while the reserves will fight it out on the field to solidify their spots on the roster.
So even though the game won’t be incredibly exciting as always there will be plenty to watch on the field.
- The Running game came to a screeching halt against Washington last Saturday thanks to a plethora of run blitzes, while interim starter Bernard Pierce was also sidelined with what has been called a “mild” concussion. Pierce’s return is uncertain and that means rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro and Justin Forsett may need to carry the load until Ray Rice returns from suspension in Week Three.
- The Ravens corner-back situation still looks the same as last week. Webb, Smith and Jackson will sit while the defense will rely on multiple safeties to help fill in the gaps. As expected Baltimore did acquire a corner who was recently let go as the team signed 27-year old Derek Cox just two days after he was released by Minnesota. He isn’t much of a solution though, as he’s now been with his fourth team in two seasons and was ranked towards the bottom of the league by PFF among his fellow corners.
- So who gets the final Wide Receiver spot? The answer hasn’t changed much for me as I expect Michael Campanaro to grab the five and then Kamar Aiken to fend off challengers to secure the last spot. Either way the contenders will get plenty of reps to determine their fate on the field against New Orleans.
- Many of us expected Keith Wenning to challenge for the back-up quarterback spot. It simply hasn’t worked out that way as he didn’t even see the field last Saturday. It makes you wonder how much he’ll even play tomorrow night as i feel that Baltimore may hope to sneak him on to the practice squad and keep their streak of keeping only two signal callers on the roster intact.
- James Hurst is listed as the back-up at Left Tackle behind Eugene Monroe but he’s done little to make a statement that he should be among the final 53. He’ll get his chance as he’s expected to see plenty of action in the final game.
- There is a glut of interior lineman who share the ability to play several positions however I’m still unsure who Baltimore will go with among Rookie John Urschel, second-year man Ryan Jensen or vet A.Q. Shipley. After watching Shipley struggle in extended action a season ago I’d have no problem seeing the youngsters get a shot.
- Tight End Phillip Supernaw may have an outside shot. He’s had a solid camp and displayed good skills as a blocker. If Owen Daniels is still bothered by sore legs, Supernaw may sneak in among the last spots.
- Linebacker Zachary Orr is another player to watch Thursday. He surprised some by sticking past the first cuts and if he is able to stick he’ll join a prestigious list of linebackers who were able to find work in Baltimore even though they weren’t drafted.
- Even with the latest cornerback signing many are expecting that Ozzie Newsome has a deal in the works to land another player before the season begins. Lardarius Webb’s contract was tweaked to free up about 3 million in cap room and while that could mean a deal is brewing the savings may also be used to help sign others to contract extensions of their own. Newsome’s never been shy about improving the roster before so we need to monitor the situation closely.
- The season is almost here. Let’s Dance
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.