Who's The Last Man Out?

[DrMoonTooth]

As you all know, training camp is almost here! This means football is almost in full swing. The only problem is the Ravens currently have an 81 man roster, and by league standards have to whittle down to 80 by the start of camp. My question to you guys is who is the odd man out? Will it be Prince Miller, who just isn't tall enough to be an efficient Cornerback? Or is it Curtis Steele, a running back who gets cut at a crowded position? OR, is it one of the many other players who seem to be hanging by a limb? Who impressed? Who didn't? Who do YOU think goes and why?

[Milton145]

JOE REITZ !

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='Milton145' date='22 July 2010 - 11:46 AM' timestamp='1279817203' post='435837']
JOE REITZ !
[/quote]

That's a definite possibility. He is way undersized for an O-Lineman, and that shoulder hasn't helped his situation.

[lowrider]

Troy Smith just so I don't have to hear about how we should give him playing time anymore.

[bobs4g3t]

Digger Bujnoch got cut yesterday, does that answer your question or were you already including his abscence in your roster tally?

[Thepurplehaze]

Ed Reed..

[PuRock]

[quote name='Thepurplehaze' date='22 July 2010 - 01:05 PM' timestamp='1279818344' post='435848']
Ed Reed..
[/quote]

Not a bad guess. We do have a couple guys that might start training camp/preseason on the PUP list. Ed Reed being one of them. So there might not be a need to cut someone.

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='bobs4g3t' date='22 July 2010 - 12:00 PM' timestamp='1279818042' post='435847']
Digger Bujnoch got cut yesterday, does that answer your question or were you already including his abscence in your roster tally?
[/quote]

Digger brought us down to 81.

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='Thepurplehaze' date='22 July 2010 - 12:05 PM' timestamp='1279818344' post='435848']
Ed Reed..
[/quote]

That's a possibility. For people who don't know, if we did place Ed Reed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, he would not count against our 80 man roster. Good thinking outside-the-box.

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='lowrider' date='22 July 2010 - 11:53 AM' timestamp='1279817587' post='435841']
Troy Smith just so I don't have to hear about how we should give him playing time anymore.
[/quote]

That's a funny thought. If/when he does get cut, I imagine it wouldn't be before the start of camp. Ozzie and Co. still need some training camp time to see whether to keep Troy Smith or John Beck.

[RAYvenFan20]

eventually we gotta get down to just 1 kicker... probably not before training camp tho

[lowrider]

[quote name='DrMoonTooth' date='22 July 2010 - 02:03 PM' timestamp='1279821819' post='435865']
That's a funny thought. If/when he does get cut, I imagine it wouldn't be before the start of camp. Ozzie and Co. still need some training camp time to see whether to keep Troy Smith or John Beck.
[/quote]
I agree with you. I am just tired of hearing about Troy Smith more than anything. But your right. Beck and Smith are going to have to fight it out to see who gets the spot, and I imagine we will hear the decision about the number 3 qb on the roster will be made sometime in training camp.

[XxSizzleXx]

I really don't think there is a reason to keep 4 QB's on the roster, one has to go eventually.

[ed.s52]

Its either Joe Reitz, Clatyon (we should cut/trade him), and/or one or both of the leftover QB's. I actually wouldn't mid keeping both of the kickers if we have roster space.

[JO_75]

It probably would be someone who really didn't have a chance to make the roster due to depth at that position. Though I would choose Mark Clayton. No point in keeping him with Boldin, Mason, and Stallworth as the top 3 on the depth chart. Plus we young guys like Marcus Smith, Justin Harper, and Eron Riley who probably could do better than Clayton.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='lowrider' date='22 July 2010 - 11:53 AM' timestamp='1279817587' post='435841']
Troy Smith just so I don't have to hear about how we should give him playing time anymore.
[/quote]

Amen.

[PuRock]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='22 July 2010 - 03:55 PM' timestamp='1279828541' post='435924']
I really don't think there is a reason to keep 4 QB's on the roster, one has to go eventually.
[/quote]

One will go. But that won't be until we have to cut the roster to 53.

[K-Dog]

I will give you a clue.
His name rhymes with Mroy Bith.

[Alexir]

I agree with Joe Reitz.

[DrMoonTooth]

I definitely agree that some of these guys that have been around for a while may be seeing their last few days as Ravens. For example: Mark Clayton and Troy Smith are being paid a lot more than what their respective roles would be on a team that made significant upgrades at their positions. However, I don't think you'll see either of these guys being traded/released before camp. But, they are without a doubt both on the hot seat.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='DrMoonTooth' date='22 July 2010 - 10:45 PM' timestamp='1279853143' post='436107']
I definitely agree that some of these guys that have been around for a while may be seeing their last few days as Ravens. For example: Mark Clayton and Troy Smith are being paid a lot more than what their respective roles would be on a team that made significant upgrades at their positions. However, I don't think you'll see either of these guys being traded/released before camp. But, they are without a doubt both on the hot seat.
[/quote]

Anytime you are willing to pay a backup QB 3.5 million just to be insurance, i don't think cutting ties with players for financial reason are really an issue.

Now i'm not saying Clayton is a lock to make the team, but to say he is on his way out the door is a little premature imo. People seem to be so high on the addition of Boldin and Stallworth, and for good reason, however over the last 4 seasons those two guys have playing in a full 16 game season a combine 2 times. While Clayton in that same time frame has played in 3 full 16 game scehdule and the only season he didn't it was 14 games.

So for a team that has huge plans on going deeeeepppp into the postseason, having players that can actually say on the field is of much importance.

Then someone said something about the youngers WRs probably doing a better job then Clayton. How so? Clayton may not be a star, but the guy is defintely a weapon. If you are telling me that two defenders will be keying on Boldin, and their second best cover guy will be focusing on Mason, and that leaves a nickle/dime or safety covering Clayton, I love my chances.

I look for Clayton and Stallworth to actually share time at the slot position this season.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='22 July 2010 - 11:15 PM' timestamp='1279854910' post='436122']
Anytime you are willing to pay a backup QB 3.5 million just to be insurance, i don't think cutting ties with players for financial reason are really an issue.

Now i'm not saying Clayton is a lock to make the team, but to say he is on his way out the door is a little premature imo. People seem to be so high on the addition of Boldin and Stallworth, and for good reason, however over the last 4 seasons those two guys have playing in a full 16 game season a combine 2 times. While Clayton in that same time frame has played in 3 full 16 game scehdule and the only season he didn't it was 14 games.

So for a team that has huge plans on going deeeeepppp into the postseason, having players that can actually say on the field is of much importance.

Then someone said something about the youngers WRs probably doing a better job then Clayton. How so? Clayton may not be a star, but the guy is defintely a weapon. If you are telling me that two defenders will be keying on Boldin, and their second best cover guy will be focusing on Mason, and that leaves a nickle/dime or safety covering Clayton, I love my chances.

[b]I look for Clayton and Stallworth to actually share time at the slot position this season.[/b]
[/quote]

I could see that happening too. A situation like that would be good as competition breeds success and both guys would be looking to make plays to see the field.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='22 July 2010 - 11:28 PM' timestamp='1279855703' post='436125']
I could see that happening too. A situation like that would be good as competition breeds success and both guys would be looking to make plays to see the field.
[/quote]

Not only is it about the competition bringing out the best in them, but it's also about matchups.

There will be some games where Stallworth is just not a factor out of the slot position, and Clayton would be a better option, or vice versa. Or it could be Williams, Reed, Harper, depending on who makes the team.

The biggest problem with Clayton and the passing game in the past was that, Clayton and Mason were almost exactly the same type of players. So if you shut one down, chances are you can stop the other one by doing the same thing.

Now even though Mason and Clayton are still the same type of WRs, you have other weapons to add into the game. A lot of times last season, the better teams would just bracket both Mason and Clayton with Safeties over the top, and that would take them out of most plays.

Now with Boldin, a speedy Stallworth, 2 new pass catching TEs, and a even better rice, both Mason and Clayton will be seeing a lot more single coverage this season. I like that.

The possibilities of this offense is endless imo, i don't even think Cam knows exactlly what he wants to do with this offense right. We might see some plays run by this offense that we haven't seen a Baltimore offense ever run.

Alot of problems with Cam last season seemed to come from fans thinking he played it too safe against the better top notch teams. Well with limited weapons his hand was pretty much forced. Now, Cam can open things up no matter what defense we are facing.

I think we the fans are in for a real treat offensively this year.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='22 July 2010 - 11:55 PM' timestamp='1279857317' post='436131']
Not only is it about the competition bringing out the best in them, but it's also about matchups.

There will be some games where Stallworth is just not a factor out of the slot position, and Clayton would be a better option, or vice versa. Or it could be Williams, Reed, Harper, depending on who makes the team.

The biggest problem with Clayton and the passing game in the past was that, Clayton and Mason were almost exactly the same type of players. So if you shut one down, chances are you can stop the other one by doing the same thing.

Now even though Mason and Clayton are still the same type of WRs, you have other weapons to add into the game. A lot of times last season, the better teams would just bracket both Mason and Clayton with Safeties over the top, and that would take them out of most plays.

Now with Boldin, a speedy Stallworth, 2 new pass catching TEs, and a even better rice, both Mason and Clayton will be seeing a lot more single coverage this season. I like that.

The possibilities of this offense is endless imo, i don't even think Cam knows exactlly what he wants to do with this offense right. We might see some plays run by this offense that we haven't seen a Baltimore offense ever run.

Alot of problems with Cam last season seemed to come from fans thinking he played it too safe against the better top notch teams. Well with limited weapons his hand was pretty much forced. Now, Cam can open things up no matter what defense we are facing.

I think we the fans are in for a real treat offensively this year.
[/quote]
Nicely said sir!

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='22 July 2010 - 10:15 PM' timestamp='1279854910' post='436122']
Anytime you are willing to pay a backup QB 3.5 million just to be insurance, i don't think cutting ties with players for financial reason are really an issue.

Now i'm not saying Clayton is a lock to make the team, but to say he is on his way out the door is a little premature imo. People seem to be so high on the addition of Boldin and Stallworth, and for good reason, however over the last 4 seasons those two guys have playing in a full 16 game season a combine 2 times. While Clayton in that same time frame has played in 3 full 16 game scehdule and the only season he didn't it was 14 games.

So for a team that has huge plans on going deeeeepppp into the postseason, having players that can actually say on the field is of much importance.

Then someone said something about the youngers WRs probably doing a better job then Clayton. How so? Clayton may not be a star, but the guy is defintely a weapon. If you are telling me that two defenders will be keying on Boldin, and their second best cover guy will be focusing on Mason, and that leaves a nickle/dime or safety covering Clayton, I love my chances.

I look for Clayton and Stallworth to actually share time at the slot position this season.
[/quote]
Keep in mind that giving Bulger 3.5 million this year was to lure him to Baltimore in lieu of signing somewhere that could have started him. I doubt we would have normally paid that much for a backup.

I never said Clayton was out the door. I was simply stating that it's a possibility that he may ultimately be cut because of his contract. I'm with you in that I think we should keep Clayton, but the Front Office may not find it in the best interest of their franchise to keep him. We've got some big contracts that need to get done in the next couple of years with some core guys (Ngata, Flacco, Rice, Grubbs, etc.) and I feel like it would be to our advantage to start freeing up cap room now, which may mean guys like Clayton being overlooked for a younger guy like David Reed. Personally, I'd love to see Clayton go up against the 3rd or 4th Cornerbacks (I think he would wreak havoc), but it's hard to tell with all these offseason additions where Mark Clayton's future lies.

I'm not sure who said the younger guys would do better either, but as previously stated, I'm right there with you 100% on Clayton. I think he would be a "slot machine" for us if we kept him.

I would personally like to see us keep Clayton for one more year and keep David Reed. Demetrius Williams should be let go if he doesn't explode in training camp (he can't stay healthy either, and the last thing we need is three out of our five Receivers having major injury history). Any other guys with promise could be stuck on the practice squad (unless we want to keep six and have Marcus Smith on special teams again). I guess that means saying goodbye to Justin Harper...we can't place him on the practice squad anymore, can we? Either way, I think he had his chances. The man can't catch.

[DrMoonTooth]

No pun intended ^