Do Veteran Players Have Input On Who Makes The Team.

[757RavensFan]

I was wondering if veterans like Ray Lewis or Ed Reed have any input on who makes the 53 man roster. I'm sure the vets express their opinions, but wondering if they have any say on who gets cut.

[I AM LEGEND]

No.

[Radinho84]

i don´t think so....

[lowrider]

Not at all. Players don't always transition into good coaches. Although Ray and Reed probably could, they don't really work with the offense and special teams as much so they wouldn't have an effective opinion in that situation.

[Nobi]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1282741489' post='457674']
Not at all. Players don't always transition into good coaches. Although Ray and Reed probably could, they don't really work with the offense and special teams as much so they wouldn't have an effective opinion in that situation.
[/quote]

Ok, say Ray Lewis likes Mclain next to him, or Ellerbe. Couldn't that have a say in if we keep Gooden?

[berad]

I'll go against the grain here and argue that they [i]do[/i] hold a little bit of sway in the personnel decision-making..

I would be surprised if Harbaugh, Cameron, Mattison, etc didn't consult select veteran players about players that are on the bubble. If they're not, they should be. Who knows this team, and the locker room, more than a Ray Lewis, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, and/or Ed Reed?

Why not gain all the possible insight on a player? Maybe a veteran notices how hard they work, even when coaches aren't watching. Or maybe they notice a negative trait. Maybe certain players gel with the scheme and the other players on a level the coaches don't see? These are all hypothetical situations and very vague but things like that can determine whether a UDFA is wearing purple in September or eating chips on his couch.

Whatever the reality is, we know Ray has a tremendous influence on the team. Remember his petitioning for Ngata in the '06 draft?

[lowrider]

[quote name='Nobi' timestamp='1282749679' post='457720']
Ok, say Ray Lewis likes Mclain next to him, or Ellerbe. Couldn't that have a say in if we keep Gooden?
[/quote]
Yeah I can agree with that, thats a good point. On the defensive side of the ball they have say. I don't think anywhere else they have any say though.

[berad]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1282750196' post='457724']
Yeah I can agree with that, thats a good point. On the defensive side of the ball they have say. I don't think anywhere else they have any say though.
[/quote]

I could see the same being true with the offensive line, though. One unit meshes more effectively than another.. same for a quarterback/receiver relationship.

[PuRock]

I can also agree that maybe some players have a say as to who stays.

Or you could have a group of guys telling the coach this player just doesn't mesh well with us. Like for example if three of the guys on the O-Line talk about Cousins having a temper and wanting to fight all the time. Coaches would probably take that into consideration.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1282750096' post='457723']

Whatever the reality is, we know Ray has a tremendous influence on the team. Remember his petitioning for Ngata in the '06 draft?
[/quote]
ya he knew what he was doing there lol

[Integrity]

Anyone remember Marques Ogden? I'm pretty sure the only reason we kept him around for a few years is because of who his brother was.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1282750096' post='457723']
I'll go against the grain here and argue that they [i]do[/i] hold a little bit of sway in the personnel decision-making..

I would be surprised if Harbaugh, Cameron, Mattison, etc didn't consult select veteran players about players that are on the bubble. If they're not, they should be. Who knows this team, and the locker room, more than a Ray Lewis, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, and/or Ed Reed?

Why not gain all the possible insight on a player? Maybe a veteran notices how hard they work, even when coaches aren't watching. Or maybe they notice a negative trait. Maybe certain players gel with the scheme and the other players on a level the coaches don't see? These are all hypothetical situations and very vague but things like that can determine whether a UDFA is wearing purple in September or eating chips on his couch.

Whatever the reality is, we know Ray has a tremendous influence on the team. Remember his petitioning for Ngata in the '06 draft?
[/quote]
I agree. The players on the field probably have a different perspective on the new players than the coaches do. After all, the players "are in the trenches" with the rookies and should have some insight to aid the coaches in their decisions about the roster spots.

[edreedfromtheu]

Please believe that if Peyton Manning says he wants THAT receiver, the Colts are not going to cut THAT receiver.

Do they have say in draft picks? Probably not. But I'm sure key veterans do have a say in certain guys staying or going come roster-cut time during preseason.

[Jabara]

None of us really know how it works out, but we all know the players and coaches talk.
I'm sure some vets say to the coaches, so and so is doing a great job, or this person just isn't gonna make it.
Not to mention Ray Lewis has been a big player in getting certain players in this organization.
You can be assured that Harbs goes up to Ray and says, what are you seeing out there, who's doing a good job, and who needs work.
It's a part of the vets job to make the team better and to communicate with the coach. Anyone that has played sports knows that.

[Rav'n Maniac]

I have to agree with you guys to an extent. As in any business, upper management should always consult key personnel for their opinions on certain issues. Information is key to making good decisions. I can see the coaches asking key players for their input throughout the season, on many different topics. I don't feel that players can dictate the outcome, unless there are personal issues involved.

[10-YARD-FIGHT]

I would think a coach would ask his veteran players what their opinion is, I mean they’re the ones that have to play with the guy if he is great or garbage.