There will be further cuts throughout the NFL, which will likely have bearing on the roster that Baltimore starts the year with. However, as of today, the 53 players I would go with are:
QB: Flacco, Taylor (2)
Thoughts: Taylor has shown some NFL ability in the first two Exhibitions. I still think a team with Super Bowl aspirations should want a veteran backup, even if that means losing Taylor. While it would be right to say that if you lose Flacco for any significant amount of time, your season is over regardless of who you bring in; it would also be right to say that if Flacco misses a game or two for the first time in his career that an experienced veteran backup might be the difference in whether the Ravens are home or away in the Playoffs.
RB: Rice, Williams, Parmele, Allen (4)
Thoughts: I think the Ravens wished they had a spot available to hide Damien Berry, but the numbers don’t work out in his favor. In the end, the Ravens keep the RB they drafted (Allen) instead. If Allen can adjust to blitz pickup after coming from the Triple Option at Georgia Tech, he has the chance to help out an NFL roster one day. Parmele probably thought he had the opportunity for an increased carries prior to the Williams signing, but will still be utilized via Special Teams.
FB: Leach (1)
Thoughts: The Ravens signed Leach, because they valued the All-Pro as a true blocking back. If he were to go down, it would be an issue for the roster. As such, I would not mind him having a backup FB in place that could be learning from the veteran. The reality though is the Ravens will not have the roster flexibility available to carry a 2nd FB.
WR: Boldin, Evans, T. Smith, D. Reed, Doss, (5)
Thoughts: You can not overstate how important the acquisition of Lee Evans was for this roster. At one point this Summer, Flacco’s 2nd, 3rd, 4th WR’s and 1st, and 2nd TE’s had a combined 12 NFL catches. Evans has caught 377 balls as an NFL receiver, and still has the speed to stretch a defense. Reed showed in the 2nd exhibition game against Kansas City, that he is going to push for the 3rd WR spot out of camp. Like Evans, both Reed and and Smith have the ability to get behind a Secondary. Adjusting to precision NFL route running and timing is going to be an adjustment for Smith. I’d like to see the Ravens pair down the packages they use him on, and just give him a a chance to make some plays via ‘Go Routes’ in 1×1 coverage. We continue to hear that Doss looks very polished as a receiver. He needs to show more, and be willing/able to make plays over the middle.
Baltimore native LaQuan Williams is having a big camp, but I don’t see the Ravens carrying a 6th WR. If the Ravens do decide to carry a 6th it is an interesting battle between Williams, Hardy, M. Smith, and Harper. I think you could automatically eliminate Harper from that mix. Smith would have a chance because of his Special Teams ability (though Williams showed ST ability of his own against KC), and Hardy has the highest ‘pedigree,’ as a WR. Wouldn’t be shocking if the Ravens took one of these guys, but again I don’t think it will happen.
TE: Dickson, Pitta, Wilson, (3)
Thoughts: 2nd year players Dickson and Pitta are going to share the starting TE position, and will often be on the field together in 2 TE sets. Dickson’s ability to get past LB’s with his speed, combined with the strength to beat Safeties is going to be fun to watch. Pitta’s first catch against Philadelphia showed he is a decent athlete as well. Neither one is a particularly adept blocker, with Pitta currently getting higher marks. Everything I hear indicates Wilson is the Ravens best blocking TE, which I think means 2009 5th rounder Davon Drew will be the odd man out.
O-Line: Oher, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, McKinnie, Reid, Harewood, Cousins, Mattison (9)
Thoughts: You could easily see the Ravens grab another lineman or two prior to the season. Today the Ravens signed Bryant McKinnie. As of now, the Ravens still say they expect Birk to be ready for the Opener. If the Ravens can upgrade over Mattison as a backup C, I think that should be a priority. I would think LeVoir does not make the team after the signing of McKinnie. Harewood showed some ability as a reserve against KC. Cousins would never start for my team, but he is ok depth as an 8th or 9th lineman. Have heard good things about the Rookie Boren, but the numbers are working against him.
D-Line: Ngata, Cody, McKinney, Redding, Jones, McPhee, Kruger, Divens (8)
Thoughts: We went into this Training Camp thinking the Ravens had a pretty deep and talented group; and our enthusiasm has only increased. McPhee was described by everyone as a run-stopping DE when drafted, but is showing some pass rushing ability. Kruger, and Jones have obviously elevated their play. I hope the Ravens keep most of these guys active on game day, and consistently work to rotate in fresh bodies. I have not heard much about UFA Derek Simmons from USC, but it would not be absolutely shocking to see the Ravens keep him or DE Michael McAdoo over Divens. Here is a Scouting Report on the newly acquired McAdoo from Mocking the Draft (http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/8/19/2373588/michael-mcadoo-supplemental-draft-scouting-report).
LB: Lewis, Johnson, Suggs, Kindle, McClain, Ellerbe, Gooden, Ayanbadejo, (8)
Thoughts: The first six mentioned are obvious. The questions begin with Gooden and Ayanbadejo. The Ravens value Special Teams, and Ayanbadejo has made his mark their previously. He is said to be healthier, and look better than in recent years. Due to that, I currently have him making the team. If the Ravens wanted to keep Bynes, or Phillips, or Burgess over him – I would not complain though. During the telecast of the KC game last Friday, the Ravens announcers pointed out that the Coaches feel Phillips is a good run stuffing LB, but lacks the foot-speed to help in pass defense. Gooden has regularly battled injuries, and has basically underwhelmed as a Professional; but everyone talks about him being plus athletically (aside from his size). Lots of camp talk about Bynes, and I could see the Ravens cutting someone else to find him a spot.
CB: Smith, Webb, Foxworth, Carr, C. Williams, C. Brown (6)
Thoughts: I think the Ravens will carry 6 Corners, and feel like they have 5 that are capable of starting. With the volume of plays that opposing offenses use 3 WR’s, you really need this level of depth. There are still plenty of whispers about Foxworth being cut, but I don’t see that happening. As camp progresses, he is feeling better. Even if the Ravens don’t believe in his ability to be fully ready for Week 1, they will want him around as a guy that can help during the year. Certainly will be interesting to see if the Ravens decide to start Smith and Williams to begin the year.
S: Reed, Pollard, Zbikowski, Nakamura (4)
Thoughts: I was happy with the addition of Pollard, and that the Ravens were not content to try and start Zbikowski – after Zbikowski missed the last 8 games of ’10 with foot and back injuries. Silva has opened some eyes, but again, I don’t see the numbers working out for him. To make the team, the Ravens have to believe he can be close to the player of Nakamura and that much cheaper.
ST: Koch, Cundiff, Cox (3)
Thoughts: The new kickoff rule is obviously not a challenge for Cundiff, but also negates one of the advantages the Ravens had.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.