Preseason game number one is in the books. Ravens win 44-16. The first team offense played about two series, and we didn’t see the bottom of the chart guys until well into the 4th quarter. We got a real good look at the 2nd and 3rd team players tonight. Guys at that level want to see their stock rise so they can solidify themselves as starters, or at least a spot on the 53-man roster. Make plays, your stock rises. Some guys stock falls as they fail to make the most of limited opportunities. Here is the stock report after game one.
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Stock down
Josh Bynes – I noticed him on the ground quite a bit in the first quarter. Easily cut down, trouble shedding blockers. He did somewhat redeem himself by beating a screen to bring down the receiver for a six yard loss.
Wide receivers not named Smith, Williams, or Mellette – Way too many drops on short, open passes. Enough said. Williams and Mellete picked a good day to make plays. Make plays, you’ll likely stick around.
Chykie Brown – Back to back pass interference calls at one point. Brown also had trouble getting his head around to find the football. Michael Huff and Corey Graham didn’t have great games. This could have been his chance to make an impact.
Marc Anthony – The final pick in the Ravens draft was picked on, a lot. Double move beat him twice in a row. Anthony also committed a late hit out of bounds after he got beat on another route. Missed tackles, blown coverage. There are too many guys vying for the CB position, he can’t afford that kind of effort.
Stock up
Laquan Williams – The former Terp had himself a day. He needed one too if he has hopes of making the 53-man roster. Williams got in on the action first by hustling back on a punt and falling on a muffed attempt by the Bucs. Then falling on a Brandon Trawick blocked punt for a TD. Then a nice first down grab, followed by a tough grab for a touchdown.
Bobby Rainey – With the younger guys looking to unseat Jacoby Jones from the kick returner role, Bobby Rainey stepped up with a 58 yard kick return. It was straight speed, no stutter step, as Rainey went untouched through the hole made by rookies Kyle Juszczyk and Brandon Williams.
Adrian Hamilton – Picked up a sack of Mike Glennon. Here’s a guy who was on the practice squad to start 2012, made it to the active roster late in the season on special teams. Looking to pick up 2013 right where he left off.
Aaron Mellette – The seventh round pick out of Elon didn’t see action until late. He made the most of his limited time by catching a TD pass on Tyrod Taylor’s final drive of the game. A high “drop in the bucket” type pass that Mellette reached around the head of the defender to grab along the side of the endzone.
Matt Furstenburg – One nice catch, and he saw much more time on the field than Alex Silvestro. He’ll get more opportunities going forward to climb the depth chart.
Honorable mention – Brandon Trawick blocked a punt which Coach Harbaugh loves as a special teams guru. Brandon Copeland, and Moe Lee had INTs in the 4th quarter. Copeland showed nice hands for a LB, while Lee had to be reminded that he is not Ed Reed as he tried a lateral. No harm no foul.
Ravens Analyst
Mike was born on the Eastern Shore, raised in Finksburg, and currently resides in Parkville. In 2009, Mike graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. Mike became a Baltimore City Fire Fighter in late 2010. Mike has appeared as a guest on Q1370, and FOX45. Now a Sr. Ravens Analyst for BSL, he can be reached at mike.randall@baltimoresportsandlife.com.