Starting lineups from the Ravens 26-13 win over the Green Bay Packers in preseason game 2.
Starting offense
QB – Lamar Jackson
RB – Mark Ingram
FB – Patrick Ricard
WR – Willie Snead, Miles Boykin
TE – Nick Boyle
OL – Ronnie Stanley (LT), Jermaine Eluemunor (LG) Matt Skura (C), James Hurst (RG) Orlando Brown (RT)
Starting defense
DT – Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce
DE – Matt Judon, Pernell McPhee
ILB – Patrick Onwuasor, Chris Board
CB – Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr
Nickel – Cyrus Jones
S – Earl Thomas, Tony Jefferson
The major news coming out of last nights preseason game, is something that didn’t take place during the game. Tavon Young did not dress, Cyrus Jones started in his place at nickel corner and played well into the 3rd quarter. It was reported post game by Coach John Harbaugh that Young hurt his neck in practice over the weekend and could miss the season. This comes as a huge blow to the defense, and the second full season in his short career that Young could miss. Sitting out 2017 with a torn ACL. It looks like Jones is going to earn a roster spot as a result and is also a leading candidate to return punts.
Tough break for Tavon Young. The main goal in camp is to take care of your bodies and make it to week 1 healthy. Easier said than done. Chris Board adds his name to the injured list as well. He left the game with a concussion and didn’t return. He skipped the sideline tent and went right to the locker room. The hit and the way he fell looked like a serious concussion. Time will tell how much of camp he will miss, how many, if any preseason games he’ll miss, and if week 1 is in any doubt. Inside linebacker is possibly the shallowest position on the depth chart. Otaro Alaka and Alvin Jones are next on the chart behind Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young. Expect a roster move coming up soon unless the reports on Board are better than anticipated.
Discuss your thoughts on all things stemming from the night on our message board.
It’s hard to tell from game 1 of the preseason. But come game 2, you start seeing the guys who are getting the majority of the reps with the first team and the second team as those levels of the depth chart get a little more playing time. You can see which guys are playing early or often in both games. The guys who are seriously considered to earn a role on this team are getting in a good number of reps early on and making the most of their reps. Reps mean you are getting on tape. If you are getting on tape, you are going to be in the eyes of the coaches more often as they review the film. If you pop up on film more than someone else, a teammate you are in a position battle with, you might be the favorite to win that battle while the other guys bubble bursts.
Kenneth Dixon is a guy who had the opportunity to put up some reps in this game. He was the second back to enter the game behind Mark Ingram. Dixon may have missed an assignment on one of his plays where it was play action, but he wasn’t on the right side to sell the fake. Dixon limped off the field after taking a shot around the legs but later returned. Gus Edwards was the third back seen. This is one of the more interesting battles. Rookie Justice Hill is going to make the team. Do they carry four RBs and healthy scratch one each week? If they carry just three, Dixon or Edwards is the odd man out. Dixon getting the reps early. Edwards made a name for himself last year, while Dixon has only suited up for 18 games in his three-year career to this point.
It was Justice Hill leading the rushing unit on the night with 10 carries for 49 yards and a TD.
Michael Floyd, a free agent acquisition on the new look receiving group, was the fourth wideout to get on the field after Snead, Boykin, and Moore. Marquise Brown isn’t ready for game action yet. As the pseudo fifth wideout on what could be a five or six-man position come roster crunch time, Floyd didn’t see a target all night. Granted, the Ravens are a running team and they did plenty of that on the drives he played. He’ll have to hope he did his job in the blocking game. Seth Roberts did not dress either.
Fellow wideouts, Jaleel Scott and Antione Wesley, came into the game in the fourth quarter and each came up with two catches. Wesley for 43 yards and Scott for 23. It’ll be interesting to see how this position shakes up with potentially four guys competing for one, maybe two spots.
On the O-line, bubble player Bradley Bozeman likely saw his stock rise as he played from the second quarter through to just about the end of the game. Coach Harbaugh commented postgame about being happier with the offensive line and the blocking today than he was after last week’s game.
On the defensive side I’ve added Tim Williams to the “locks” as he’s been flashing around the ball pretty often in the two games thus far. More than his position mate Tyus Bowser. Both are in put up or shut up mode with the coaches as they are too talented, and too far into their careers to be “bubble players”. My collegue here at BSL, Gabe Ferguson, has high hopes for Tim Williams this year in his recent article.
Cornerback Anthony Averett has an increased chance of making the team after the Tavon Young news broke. But in game he got beat in the red zone and allowed a wide-open touchdown. The first allowed by the Ravens in the preseason. Not a good look and won’t help his case if someone like Justin Bethel beats him for a roster spot based on special teams play.
Given the news, it’s a bittersweet 15th straight preseason win. Injuries are going to happen. Just have to pray that they aren’t serious, and they are limited. Next week the Ravens head up I-95 to Philly for a date with the Eagles for the most exciting preseason game, number 3. The final tune up for the starters as it is expected they’ll play at least a full half.
Here is a look at where I think the roster stands midway through the preseason.
Position Locks
Offense (20)
QB – Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III, Trace McSorley
RB – Mark Ingram, Justice Hill
FB – Patrick Ricard
WR – Willie Snead, Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Chris Moore
TE – Nick Boyle, Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst
OL – Ronnie Stanley (T), Orlando Brown (T), Marshal Yanda (G/T), James Hurst (G/T), Matt Skura (C), Jermaine Eluemunor (G), Ben Powers (G)
Defense (21)
DT – Brandon Williams, Willie Henry, Michael Pierce, Daylon Mack
DE – Chris Wormley
Edge – Pernell McPhee, Matt Judon, Jaylon Ferguson, Tim Williams
MLB – Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young, Chris Board
CB – Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, Cyrus Jones, Tavon Young**
S – Earl Thomas, Tony Jefferson, Anthony Levine, DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark
**(Likely heading to IR)
Special Teams – (3)
K – Justin Tucker
P – Sam Koch
LS – Morgan Cox
Bubble – 9 of the following 19 will earn a roster spot.
Offense
RB – Kenneth Dixon, Gus Edwards
WR – Michael Floyd, Jaleel Scott, Antoine Wesley, Seth Roberts
OL – Greg Senat (T), Bradley Bozeman (C), Patrick Mekari (C)
Defense
DE – Zach Sieler
Edge – Tyus Bowser, Shane Ray
MLB – Otaro Alaka, Alvin Jones
CB – Anthony Averett, Maurice Canady, Justin Bethel
S – Brynden Trawick, Bennett Jackson
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.