Ravens working out TE Jake Ballard

[T3hRaven]

People complain too much about Clark, because of that one TD pass he missed. He was targeted 11 times and caught the ball 7 times. That's decent for a guy, who was signed just recently. If he continues to improve like that, he will do much better next week. Also, Marlon Brown is for real, so I don't think we have as much trouble receiving in the next couple weeks as some might think.

 

 

I just want to clarify, I'm not worried about Clark so much.  I'm more worried about the other TE since we're seeing the same things we've seen for 3 years with Dickson with his drops.  Clark will get better, although he had a lot of balls hit him in the hands that he didn't catch, and that called back fumble was nasty.  Regardless, exploring cheap options to try to improve the roster is not going to hurt the team.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Why not just use Juice more in the receiving game?

Brown wasnt even suppose to play @ week1 with jacoby/stokley supposely being ahead of him in line up. Then brown exploded.

Maybe juice, mellette, furst( and elam on defense) can do the same if we give them more starter reps and build them? Of course its coaches decision, but they sure are stingy about keeping old vets around.

[PolishRifle]

I just want to clarify, I'm not worried about Clark so much.  I'm more worried about the other TE since we're seeing the same things we've seen for 3 years with Dickson with his drops.  Clark will get better, although he had a lot of balls hit him in the hands that he didn't catch, and that called back fumble was nasty.  Regardless, exploring cheap options to try to improve the roster is not going to hurt the team.

I agree on Dickson. He is a major disappointment. I hope the Ravens don't sign him to long term deal and instead draft someone next year.

 

Basically, this season, bench Dickson and Stokely. And make use of Clark/Torrey/Brown/Mellette/maybe some Juice. I think, that those guys have shown potential to keep the ball moving up and down the field.

 

.

[T3hRaven]

Brown wasnt even suppose to play @ week1 with jacoby/stokley supposely being ahead of him in line up. Then brown exploded.

Maybe juice, mellette, furst( and elam on defense) can do the same if we give them more starter reps and build them? Of course its coaches decision, but they sure are stingy about keeping old vets around.

 

He was in line to see snaps during the game regardless of the Jacoby injury, and he was technically the starter at receiver (http://www.nfl.com/player/marlonbrown/2540005/profile).  Brown earned his playing time through practice and rapidly ascended the roster, which is how Harbs' system is supposed to work.  In his particular case don't try to pull that we were going to hide a rookie because that wasn't the gameplan.  

 

If you want to talk about how many snaps Arthur Brown and Matt Elam are seeing, that's a conversation about rookies we should be having.  Implying that Marlon lucked into playing time via desperation is not.

[mgridda]

Can't possibly have worse hands then Clark or Dickson. Too little too late from our FO, where was the emphasis on offensive talent in the offseason? Just sad watching us scour the FA market for offensive talent this far into the season because we were too damn stupid to make any moves while the gettin' was still good. FA and the draft came and went and we don't have a single note worthy addition on the offensive side of the ball. Clark and Stokely are garbage at this point in their careers, way to drop the ball FO. Give Flacco a huge pay day and no one to throw the ball to.... that makes sense.

 

I watch teams like the 49ers play this year and they are on another level. First of all they actually play their 1st round pick and let him  find his role on the defense instead of sticking an average vet in front of him to waste his game reps and make his adjustment to the NFL overly drawn out and indirect. Not to mention they seemed think Q was worth the money he was asking for... hmmm I agree with the 49ers thought process yet again. Man am I  happy we played them at exactly the right time in the SB because they are showing they are a better coached and better managed team then us going forward.

Maybe you should be a 9ers fan then, "sflegend" ???

We know what we're doing. 5 straight playoffs in a row. This regime is pretty damn good. Clark didn't have an offseason: no OTAs, no trainingcamp, only 1 preseason game. Let him get adjusted to the offense for more than 2-3 weeks before you throw him under the bus. Stokley too, only had 3 weeks with our offense before week 1. I know they looked bad, but neither of these guys had an offseason.

Dickson....Dickson is just same old Dickson. Athletic, gets open, makes an athletic play for the ball and it's 50/50 if he comes down with it. Also he's soft and if he's getting hit he's not holding on.

[T3hRaven]

The more I think about it, the more I like this move.  If he's healthy, and that's a big if in Ballard's case, he might actually be Bajema's replacement.  Let's face it, Bajema is giving us nothing in the passing game.  Ballard was a player on the rise before he got injured with the Giants, and in his one productive season he was a better blocker than Bajema's been to go along with his 38 catches for 604 yards and 4 TDs.  He's a bigger bodied TE who would provide some versatility and some upside, if healthy.

[sflegend89]

Maybe you should be a 9ers fan then, "sflegend" ???

We know what we're doing. 5 straight playoffs in a row. This regime is pretty damn good. Clark didn't have an offseason: no OTAs, no trainingcamp, only 1 preseason game. Let him get adjusted to the offense for more than 2-3 weeks before you throw him under the bus. Stokley too, only had 3 weeks with our offense before week 1. I know they looked bad, but neither of these guys had an offseason.

Dickson....Dickson is just same old Dickson. Athletic, gets open, makes an athletic play for the ball and it's 50/50 if he comes down with it. Also he's soft and if he's getting hit he's not holding on.

 

Relax man I can't stand the 49ers but I'm observing their aggressive mentality they've taken on since the SB and I agree with their decision that the first round pick (Eric Reid in their case who was in the same tier as Elam on draft day) got the start today in their big game against GB and he played very well. They could've stuck an average vet back there to play it safe week 1 but they know Reid will start sooner or later this season.. why not let him get as many reps as possible in the early going so he will feel really comfortable starting late in the year and will have to face adversity in an actual regular season game and learn how to make adjustments.

 

Elam was a tackling machine and had a forced fumble in the preseason what more does he need to do to start over digs who's one dimensional and only taking away important reps from an inevitable starter. Vacarro had a game sealing pass break up and the Saints had veteran options at safety as well and gave Vaccaro the start because Payton/Rob Ryan know he's an inevitable starter. Harbs instills a top notch work ethic on all his Ravens squads but there's no denying he's not the best personnel guy at times. Kruger and Ellerbe come to mind early on in their careers here. I'm just not buying into this offense without Boldin and Pitta. Like I said  we didn't add another impact player to even come close to making up for our loses on that side of the ball.. and that's because we didn't add any impact player on offense period. The 49ers thought Boldin was worth the money he was asking for and I'm inclined to believe they made a much wiser decision then we did to add an impact player like Boldin to their offense for that price. Nothing we can do about it now, i'm looking forward but i'm just being brutally honest. in my assessment of where were at right now. We're still a good team, just not a SB caliber team.

[Tank 92]

I agree on Dickson. He is a major disappointment. I hope the Ravens don't sign him to long term deal and instead draft someone next year.

 

Basically, this season, bench Dickson and Stokely. And make use of Clark/Torrey/Brown/Mellette/maybe some Juice. I think, that those guys have shown potential to keep the ball moving up and down the field.

 

.

 

 

Curious....why bench Stokley?

[PolishRifle]

Curious....why bench Stokley?

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I just don't think he made enough plays. I also would like to see Mellette get more starts. We already are talking about Brown replacing Jacoby, but I do recall Aaron making alot of plays in preseason, too.

Overall I find the lack of faith in our current receivers distressing (are they really that bad?). Before preseason even started Ozzie claimed, that he liked our depth at the receiver position so much. I don't see it.

[RobFuseRaven]

Can't we just put Dan Gronkowski in the number 87 and pretend he's Rob?

[JEEPercreepermd]

Ugh Ballard just got cut by the Pats who are hurting at TE. No thanks. We may as well throw Ozzie himself in some pads and trot him out there.

[Gordo52]

Can't we just put Dan Gronkowski in the number 87 and pretend he's Rob?

I wish it was that simple lol. Best idea I've heard so far though.

[Sami84]

ot but did you guys notice boldin was wearing ravens pads vs Gb?

 

i want him back home next year. bring fitz along with him

[Juviebest]

I think I'd rather take a flyer on Tony Moeaki. Pending on how his fractured shoulder is healing up. Ballard is basically a lineman, all the reports I've read on him during the Pats TC show him as having no speed and struggling to keep up in game speed situations. Trying to run no huddle with him in the game would be almost impossible. At this point I'd rather have Crazy Bill who at least has familiarity with the offense and blocking schemes already.

[ravens88]

dont like the sound of this if its true means our FO is as worried as we are about our recieving options... if we do bring someone in they wont make an impact for a few weeks atleast not sure what to think of this.

[BirdWatcher]

dont like the sound of this if its true means our FO is as worried as we are about our recieving options... if we do bring someone in they wont make an impact for a few weeks atleast not sure what to think of this.

I think it just means they're investigating options that MIGHT improve our roster. They do this every year.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I love the people who come out of the woodwork to complain.

 

It's a workout people. Everyone was complaining about the TE's and now we're complaining that theyre working guys out. Theyre just evaluating, and if its an upgrade over the current situation they might make a move.

 

The FO couldn't predict Pitta going down, Dickson getting hurt, and Jacoby getting run into. That's 3 of our top 5-6 targets that have already spent time out.

 

It's going to take time to gel on offense. This team just has A LOT new to it. New blocking schemes, new key defensive pieces, new receiving options, new offensive scheme in general (and now even newer than how new it was going to be when we still had Pitta).

 

So, is there a problem at TE with catching the ball? Absolutely. Does that mean it will still be a problem in 3 weeks? No.

 

You've all got to remember, preseason is only half of what it used to be. I'm not making excuses, I'm just choosing to reserve judgment until we actually know what we have.

[Tank 92]

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I just don't think he made enough plays. I also would like to see Mellette get more starts. We already are talking about Brown replacing Jacoby, but I do recall Aaron making alot of plays in preseason, too.

Overall I find the lack of faith in our current receivers distressing (are they really that bad?). Before preseason even started Ozzie claimed, that he liked our depth at the receiver position so much. I don't see it.

 

 

He came in only a day or 2 prior to Clark and has to be rusty as well. And you really can't judge from Thursday night. Without TE production it's hard for any WR group to get space.

 

I'll admit I'm a Stokley fan. He is the consummate route runner and has great hands. At 37 he's not an every down guy, but I think he still has a lot to offer to this Team, not only on the field, but helping the young WRs as well. He's not gonna run away from anyone, but speed was never his game. The guy knows how to get open and he can make the tough catch. I'd like to see us work Mellette in as well, but we still need Brandon to anchor until settled.

 

If JJ and Thompson were healthy, we would be fine at WR, and I still don't think it's time to panic. IMO the TE position is much more worrisome.

[jazz1988]

Can't possibly have worse hands then Clark or Dickson. Too little too late from our FO, where was the emphasis on offensive talent in the offseason? Just sad watching us scour the FA market for offensive talent this far into the season because we were too damn stupid to make any moves while the gettin' was still good. FA and the draft came and went and we don't have a single note worthy addition on the offensive side of the ball. Clark and Stokely are garbage at this point in their careers, way to drop the ball FO. Give Flacco a huge pay day and no one to throw the ball to.... that makes sense.

 

I watch teams like the 49ers play this year and they are on another level. First of all they actually play their 1st round pick and let him  find his role on the defense instead of sticking an average vet in front of him to waste his game reps and make his adjustment to the NFL overly drawn out and indirect. Not to mention they seemed think Q was worth the money he was asking for... hmmm I agree with the 49ers thought process yet again. Man am I  happy we played them at exactly the right time in the SB because they are showing they are a better coached and better managed team then us going forward.

 

first of all the 49ers ddnt automatcally hand their  first round safety Eric Reid  the starting position  he earned it by beating out the other safeties , Matt Elam had his chance throughout training camp and preseason to prove he was the better safety but James Ihedigb was far more impressive; The Ravens didn't just give the veteran safety the nod over their first round rookie safety cause he's a veteran but Elam still has time to develop and become a starter .

 

The ravens needed the cap space which is why they ask Boldin to take a pay cut but that didnt work out which resulted in a trade to the 49ers. If the 49ers had a tight cap space like the ravens they wouldnt have traded for Boldin and figure he wasnt worth it either..

[Sami84]

yup. as average as ihedibo is , hes looked more solid and aware then elam.

[The Raven]

Curious....why bench Stokley?

 

Stokley was slow and ineffective against Denver.

[Juviebest]

We're working out Matthew Mulligan too, per Rotoworld.

[ratedr]

We're working out Matthew Mulligan too, per Rotoworld.

Never heard of him.

He's only 28, but hasn't had much success.

[T3hRaven]

No signings resulting from the tryouts. The injury must be lingering or something.

[sflegend89]

first of all the 49ers ddnt automatcally hand their  first round safety Eric Reid  the starting position  he earned it by beating out the other safeties , Matt Elam had his chance throughout training camp and preseason to prove he was the better safety but James Ihedigb was far more impressive; The Ravens didn't just give the veteran safety the nod over their first round rookie safety cause he's a veteran but Elam still has time to develop and become a starter .

 

The ravens needed the cap space which is why they ask Boldin to take a pay cut but that didnt work out which resulted in a trade to the 49ers. If the 49ers had a tight cap space like the ravens they wouldnt have traded for Boldin and figure he wasnt worth it either..

 

I'm not buying in for a second that Elam didn't show enough in TC or that he isn't as NFL ready as Vaccaro, Reid, and Cyprien. Unless we got an all-pro veteran SS (which we don't) Elam should be getting the start. Did you miss him slam Steven Jackson? Did you miss him smack Peyton Hillis? Did you miss him force a fumble? Ihendigbo is a one dimension thumper just like Pollard who's suspect in coverage. Elam has already shown more versatility then digs and we all know he's going to start at some point this year so why are we drawing this out and making his transition into an NFL starter overly complicated while guys like Reid and Vaccaro are already getting comfortable as a starter and learning how to make game adjustments. This isn't some UDFA, this is our 1st round pick and he deserves to be given a chance to start and show how he plays in a real game, for all we know he's a perennial pro-bowl caliber safety and we aren't going to find out until we let him start in a regular season game. It be one thing if he was struggling or we had a clearly better option back there but that's not the case at all.

Ihendigbo just isn't that good, not good enough to be taking valuable reps away from our 1st round pick.. complete waste of time in Elam's development.

 

Could've already had a big game start under his belt smh. Late in the year when Reid and Vacarro look like confident starters back there Elam will just be getting his shot because the coaching staff waited too long to realize his 1st round upside out weigh average production from an average safety who will never be an impact player. Elam is going to have to get his 1st start at some point this year, he's going to have to make mistakes and learn no matter when that is so why not get it out of the way as early as possible so we have a more confident and complete safety back there as we get late into the season.?

[jazz1988]

I'm not buying in for a second that Elam didn't show enough in TC or that he isn't as NFL ready as Vaccaro, Reid, and Cyprien. Unless we got an all-pro veteran SS (which we don't) Elam should be getting the start. Did you miss him slam Steven Jackson? Did you miss him smack Peyton Hillis? Did you miss him force a fumble? Ihendigbo is a one dimension thumper just like Pollard who's suspect in coverage. Elam has already shown more versatility then digs and we all know he's going to start at some point this year so why are we drawing this out and making his transition into an NFL starter overly complicated while guys like Reid and Vaccaro are already getting comfortable as a starter and learning how to make game adjustments. This isn't some UDFA, this is our 1st round pick and he deserves to be given a chance to start and show how he plays in a real game, for all we know he's a perennial pro-bowl caliber safety and we aren't going to find out until we let him start in a regular season game. It be one thing if he was struggling or we had a clearly better option back there but that's not the case at all.

Ihendigbo just isn't that good, not good enough to be taking valuable reps away from our 1st round pick.. complete waste of time in Elam's development.

 

Could've already had a big game start under his belt smh. Late in the year when Reid and Vacarro look like confident starters back there Elam will just be getting his shot because the coaching staff waited too long to realize his 1st round upside out weigh average production from an average safety who will never be an impact player. Elam is going to have to get his 1st start at some point this year, he's going to have to make mistakes and learn no matter when that is so why not get it out of the way as early as possible so we have a more confident and complete safety back there as we get late into the season.?

 

 Matt Elam was impressive in training camp and so was James but in the end  the real test to prove who was the better safety was through preseason  and James prove to be the better safety.  Elam may be versatile . I dont even remember Seeing Matt Elam  hit Steven Jackson . He smack peyton hillis thats great  and the force fumble he made was in the last preseason game which by the time the starter of safety position was already made.

 

The ravens are known to switch there back up safeties in and out of games  on defense so its not like Matt Elam going to sit on the bench he will be able  to shine. In your opinion its a completely waste of time but its quite obvious that  the coaches did the right thing because James won the battle for the safety position far and square. I know the other safeties may be starters and Matt Elam is not but like the saying "goes save the best fro last" that may happen this season there still alot of things thats going to change this year for this defense and definately isnt the time to question the coaches decision yet.

[Tank 92]

 Matt Elam was impressive in training camp and so was James but in the end  the real test to prove who was the better safety was through preseason  and James prove to be the better safety.  Elam may be versatile . I dont even remember Seeing Matt Elam  hit Steven Jackson . He smack peyton hillis thats great  and the force fumble he made was in the last preseason game which by the time the starter of safety position was already made.

 

 

 

You think one of them could play TE?    :dancingbanana: 

[sflegend89]

The premise of starting Ihendigbo over Elam is like starting Greg McElroy over Geno Smith. Yes McElroy has started games before but a high draft pick was invested in Geno Smith and there's no point wasting time in his development if the person in front of him is just average. It's about maximizing potential, Digs will never be a perennial pro bowler.. Elam just might and finding that out starts with playing in big games and taking on the responsibility and professionalism required of a starter. Teams like the 49ers and Saints had big games week 1 as well and gave their 1st round pick safety's an opportunity to shine and prove they're impact players instead of deferring to an average veteran who they already know isn't an impact player.

 

Both Vacarro and Reid responded well to getting the first starts of their careers and both teams reaped the rewards of trying to maximize their potential on the field. We however took the conservative route and basically wasted a big game starting experience from our 1st round pick who will be starting at some point this season anyway. Reid and Vacarro are that much further along  now just because they were given an opportunity to prove themselves as 1st round picks and every week Elam doesn't start it's delaying his overall development. Just getting small chunks of in game adjustments and adversity instead of the full dose of it he would be getting as a starter.

[Bltravens]

The premise of starting Ihendigbo over Elam is like starting Greg McElroy over Geno Smith. Yes McElroy has started games before but a high draft pick was invested in Geno Smith and there's no point wasting time in his development if the person in front of him is just average. It's about maximizing potential, Digs will never be a perennial pro bowler.. Elam just might and finding that out starts with playing in big games and taking on the responsibility and professionalism required of a starter. Teams like the 49ers and Saints had big games week 1 as well and gave their 1st round pick safety's an opportunity to shine and prove they're impact players instead of deferring to an average veteran who they already know isn't an impact player.

 

Both Vacarro and Reid responded well to getting the first starts of their careers and both teams reaped the rewards of trying to maximize their potential on the field. We however took the conservative route and basically wasted a big game starting experience from our 1st round pick who will be starting at some point this season anyway. Reid and Vacarro are that much further along  now just because they were given an opportunity to prove themselves as 1st round picks and every week Elam doesn't start it's delaying his overall development. Just getting small chunks of in game adjustments and adversity instead of the full dose of it he would be getting as a starter.

I've always felt the same way.  Unless the veteran is noticeably, and I mean NOTICEABLY, better, why the hell are you wasting a kid who was taken in the 1st round and is a known playmaker, even in the preseason than a veteran who has only once cracked a starting lineup for a full season?  I understand playing the veteran against Manning, but if Ihedigbo/Huff are still starting before September is over I'll be pissed.

 

This is the same garbage we did with Kruger as a rookie.  We couldn't even use Kruger on 3rd and longs to pass rush his rookie year, really?  Because JJ was such a pass rusher you couldn't take snaps away from him....

[ghost1986]

I'd like Elam to get the start too, but this is supposed to be about Jake Ballard