Lorenzo Neal Is A Baltimore Raven

[theFRANCHISE]

From BR.com:

The Ravens will sign four-time Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal on Tuesday afternoon. Neal joined the team for the final huddle in this morning's practice after passing his physical.

Link: BaltimoreRavens.com

This immediately reminded me of former Bills Pro Bowl FB Sam Gash's signing with the Ravens, back when he was acquired before the Super Bowl-winning season of 2000.

Hmm...maybe history will repeat itself?

[RavensIQ]

HAHAHAHAH our running game is gonna be sick!! Lorenzo Neil!! Arguably the best FB in the game. Wow.

Now with Neil as our starter and McGahee questionable, I bet McClain will get some caries as a HB. Rice quick and agile + McClain ground and pound. Nice 1-2.

[Bazard]

HAHAHAHAH our running game is gonna be sick!! Lorenzo Neil!! Arguably the best FB in the game. Wow.

Now with Neil as our starter and McGahee questionable, I bet McClain will get some caries as a HB. Rice quick and agile + McClain ground and pound. Nice 1-2.

Cameron said McClain will still be the starter i'm just glad that we have a guy in McClain who has the potential to be great being taught how to be a professional by one of the best professionals at his position in the business

[FerrariFan87]

This is going to be one of those great, underrated, Wizard of Oz moves

[RavensIQ]

Cameron said McClain will still be the starter i'm just glad that we have a guy in McClain who has the potential to be great being taught how to be a professional by one of the best professionals at his position in the business

Sweet. can u get me the link to that article? McClain is gonna be a beast at RB.

He's like our shorter version of Brandon Jacobs but quicker.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

Lorenzo Neal is 37 years old!

[theFRANCHISE]

Lorenzo Neal is 37 years old!

But he's also blocked for a 1,000 yard rusher for 11 straight seasons.

Even if that RB is LaDainian Tomlinson, Neal still has to physically be there to help clear the way, or else Tomlinson would've gotten eaten up in the backfield for so many handoffs.

Simply put, there are few fullbacks who can block like Lorenzo Neal, and even at his age, he'll be a nice complement to LeRon McClain.

And keep in mind, even if Neal doesn't start (as implied by an article I read), it's nice to have that type of security in the backfield, and that type of leadership on any team.

[dlavin]

Lorenzo Neal is 37 years old!

yeah he's old but he can be a great mentor to McClain. McClain was sometimes compared to Lorenzo during his college games and it was talked about a lot at his draft. Besides the man was still a beast the past few years blocking for LT.

[Jesse Conroy]

Sweet

Edit- I just realized what are they going to do about Madden? Oh noes

[Bazard]

Sweet. can u get me the link to that article? McClain is gonna be a beast at RB.

He's like our shorter version of Brandon Jacobs but quicker.

here you go Ravens sign O'Neal

[theFRANCHISE]

Sweet

Edit- I just realized what are they going to do about Madden? Oh noes

That's what online roster updates are for. There's already one available from last night that puts Brett Favre on the Jets (among other changes, I believe, such as Jason Taylor on the Redskins...but he could've already been on there out-of-the-box, I don't know).

Either way, my copy just came in the mail (according to the e-mail delivery notification I just got), and I'll be putting Lorenzo Neal on the Ravens tonight after downloading the update.

[berad]

This was unexpected. He's a great addition to the team and Cameron knows how to use him from all his years in SD. I hope he can help out McCain and this young OL in run-blocking, god knows we need it.

[rayvenfan_52]

Yea man.. I love this move by Oz. Also.... So what if hes old. If he didnt do what he did during the last couple of seasons LT would just look like a regular RB.

[bossman419]

i would rather have signed pennington and kept green than sign an old, expensive FB

[berad]

Bossman brings up a good point, how much was his contract worth? And how many years?

[Ravens52]

Don't get me wrong I LOVE this signing but, I consider Neal as a more old school fullback that isn't really versatile and is pretty much a blocker. He doesn't catch or run. Guess thats what we got him for...

I'm not complaining

[rayvenfan_52]

Well look how Cam Cameron used him when he was a Charger. So you kind of get an idea of what hes gonna be doing on offense. I wouldnt wanna be in the way when hes running infront of whoevers our RB.

[mcgaheewillrunyourassover]

HAHAHAHAH our running game is gonna be sick!! Lorenzo Neil!! Arguably the best FB in the game. Wow.

Now with Neil as our starter and McGahee questionable, I bet McClain will get some caries as a HB. Rice quick and agile + McClain ground and pound. Nice 1-2.

oh geez here we go again

dude...we will NOT EVEN CLOSE to be better without mcgahee

[purplebandana]

But he's also blocked for a 1,000 yard rusher for 11 straight seasons.

Even if that RB is LaDainian Tomlinson, Neal still has to physically be there to help clear the way, or else Tomlinson would've gotten eaten up in the backfield for so many handoffs.

Simply put, there are few fullbacks who can block like Lorenzo Neal, and even at his age, he'll be a nice complement to LeRon McClain.

And keep in mind, even if Neal doesn't start (as implied by an article I read), it's nice to have that type of security in the backfield, and that type of leadership on any team.

you couldnt have said it any better i think your exacly right.

my confidents in our offense has just rose greatly after hearing about this.

[RavensIQ]

I think a lot of people are forgetting how mediocre our pass blocking has been lately. Neal is gonna definitely help out in that department as well as open up some lanes for McGahee. After heap, we really don't have too many players (that aren't linemen) that can contribute to the pass block.

Picking up blitz schemes will be a major upgrade with Lorenzo in the back field.

[heapitup247]

im still confused as to what we're going to do with two fullbacks

[FerrariFan87]

im still confused as to what we're going to do with two fullbacks

For one, they will be great for mass protection plays. A second will be GOAL LINE! That's 500 LBS of "muscle" and bulk charging through the line... I dare any LB to try and stop that!

[heapitup247]

For one, they will be great for mass protection plays. A second will be GOAL LINE! That's 500 LBS of "muscle" and bulk charging through the line... I dare any LB to try and stop that!

i dont think theyd both be in..unless we go with the stack or maryland I

[Corvus]

The positives:

1) a 4 time pro bowl fullback as a good backup

2) an excellent teacher for Le'Ron and even for guys like Ray Rice as far as pass blocking and such.

3) he should still be familiar with the basics of Cam's offense

The negatives:

1) Neal is 37, which makes him the 2nd oldest person on the team behind Stover. Of course being 37 and coming off a good year with the Chargers only says a lot more about his general health and its good state.

2) I myself really hope this doesn't effect Le'Ron's time on the field, he did a good job blocking for McGahee last year and he has been developing other facets of his game quite nicely in the offseason despite showing up to camp overweight (which he has quickly gotten back into form)

As long as we didn't shell out a lot of money for him, Neal is a good pickup for us.

[GermanRavensFan]

I'm just happy that we have another good guy to block for our QBs.

That has been the problem the last few years.

[march4superbowl]

Neal should add some punch to our Offense. I think this tandem will probably wear defenses down to where our speedy backs (Rice) will fly through defenses in the second half and run for some lump-sum yardage. The thought of Neal as FB and McClain as tailback, little scary. (McClain might not break through for long TD runs, But I could see him maybe busting 10-20 yard runs occationally).

[catty112]

i dont think theyd both be in..unless we go with the stack or maryland I

The article said there would be situations where both our FBs would be in and not just trick plays or other crazy stuff

I love this addition. He defiantly will help with picking up blitzs, just imagine a DE thinking he beat our tackle only to be smacked to the ground as soon as he gets free by Neal. What worries me though is I don't think McGahee will be back as soon as he is expected with the signing of another back and talking about playing LaRon at tailback. Hopefully it is only speculation because regardless of what anyone says about McGahee's work ethic or laziness he is defiantly a huge part of our offense

[Marcus]

Can he play QB?

[JHarris]

I see him getting alot of time with the short yardage power run blocking. I think he'll also be a great mentor fo McClain

[kcpike11]

Just want to say congrats to you all on getting Lo Neil. The is/was/will be a beast for all time. Loved him when he was on my Bolts and he becomes a great reason for us to be glad we won't see you in the regular season. Just do not throw to him in the flat. The guy is made of stone and he has rocks for hands.