As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for their final pre-season game, they have added a significant upgrade to their Secondary with the addition of CB Josh Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks.
Reported via the Baltimore Sun: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/08/ravens_acquire_cb_josh_wilson_in_trade_with_seattle.html
Wilson is familiar to many around these parts for his success with the University of Maryland. The 2007 2nd-round pick has 6 career interceptions. Of those 6 career interceptions, 3 have been returned for Touchdowns. He also has had a Kickoff Return for TD, and will likely be asked to help the Ravens in that capacity as well. In 2008 he had 69 kick returns, and averaged 25.4 yards per return.
Despite being relatively short at 5’9, Wilson has good speed (4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the 2007 NFL Combine) and has always been considered a physically strong player with an aggressive nose for the ball. Wilson’s Father Tim was also an NFL player, who died when Josh was just 11 years-old.
With Wilson, Washington, and Webb the Ravens have 3 legitimate starting CB’s. I expect that Wilson will be the one that eventually is deemed the Nickleback, and asked to cover opposing slot-receivers. When you throw in Carr, and eventually Williams – the Ravens suddenly have a unit with good depth overall. Outside of Williams, there is not a lot of size. What you do have is a number of guys with plus foot-speed, and solid cover skills.
I have thought for sometime the negative comments about the Ravens Secondary were over-blown, but have still acknowledged the obvious questions. You have to really credit the Ravens for pro-actively seeking an answer.
It will be very interesting to see how high of a conditional draft-pick winds up going back to Seattle. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported it was a conditional 5th rounder.
The Seahawks General Manager John Schneider has been quoted as saying tonight the move was made with Wilson’s impending unrestricted free agency in-mind.
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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.