Pre-season football kicks off tonight with the Baltimore Ravens facing the Washington Redskins. Catch the excitement.
If the Ravens had more roster-spots available, this pre-season could be more entertaining. However, you can go up and down this roster, and it is pretty clear how few spots are up for grabs.
Still, there are a few things to be looking for.
1) Who gets the first leg-up in the kicking game, Hauschka or Gano? They are going to have to show they can put points on the board in game conditions.
2) Mark Clayton is out tonight, and Derek Mason, and Demetrius Williams will be out of the game very quickly, if they play at all. Justin Harper has had a big camp so far, can he carry it over into a game? Kelly Washington is seen by most as a lock to make the team for his Special Teams work. I will be interested to watch Washington vs. Marcus Smith.
3) There is a lot riding on Tavares Gooden. The Ravens have been counting on their 3rd-round 2008 pick to take over for Bart Scott. I have bought into the idea that his young legs will make a difference with this team, adding some needed athleticism to the defense. Even though he was only in 4 games last-year, he had a full-year with the team, to build off that experience. With that in-mind, I am not excited to hear that he is in an actual battle with Free Agent Rookie LB Dannell Ellerbe. In the same-light, every report about Ellerbe has been glowing, and you can understand why he fell out of the draft. Will Gooden step-up tonight?
4) I have been projecting Chris Chester as the starting RG for some-time. With Marshall Yanda out of action tonight, it gives Chester further opportunity to lock-down the job. If he has a poor showing (which is possible, with Gaither, and Grubbs possibly not playing on the other-side of the line), that could again open the door for Yanda.
5) Kelly Gregg, and Dwan Edwards missed all of the 2008 season. Tonight is their first-chance for game action. Looking forward to seeing how they move around.
Owner
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.