Training Camp Comments, Questions and Concerns

[redlobster]

So camp is all but over. Most of these players only have a couple more days to say they are Ravens. So with that, who does everyone think had a great camp, poor camp and who was the surprise of camp?

 

I'd say Mcphee has had a great camp. He's really come on strong and being healthy has helped a lot. He's looking like he definitely could be more then just that pass rush specialist like Kruger was. With Suggs nearing the end, he could be groomed as his replacement.

 

I'll give Chykie Brown a break as the guy who had the worse camp. I'll nominate Ryan Jensen as a guy who missed a golden opportunity. It's still up in the air whether he'll make the team or not imo but Jensen had an opportunity to really show that he's one of our top young OLs. He was all the rave in OTAs but once camp started and pads were popping, he just wasn't physical enough imo. He could still make the team but he's definitely fallen.

 

Surprise for me would have to be how quickly the offense has picked up Kubes system. Even down to the backups now. They seemed much more comfortable the other night and I expect even better things from this Offense, especially Juice then I did before.

 

 

So you saying even though Flacco didn't get with his receivers in the offseason and lob balls around for fun, that the offense is looking good? lol

[Bruce_Almty]

I say 50 players in training camp looked pretty good and 40 players not so much.

[BmoreBird22]

Owen Daniels practicing anytime recently?

[rmw10]

Owen Daniels practicing anytime recently?

 

Nope.  11 days and counting (including off days and the game) since he's practiced.

[BmoreBird22]

Nope.  11 days and counting (including off days and the game) since he's practiced.

Still think he makes the roster?

[rmw10]

Still think he makes the roster?

 

Questionable.  I'm thinking now that either his body and/or heart is longer in it.  I think retirement is a real possibility for him.  This time off could be one last ditch effort to preserve his body and see if he has anything left.

 

I'm not even sure if he makes the team if he does continue playing.  $1M for a guy that is likely going to miss a good amount of time in the regular season is pretty steep, especially when those reps can go to future pieces like Juice and Gillmore.

[BmoreBird22]

Questionable.  I'm thinking now that either his body and/or heart is longer in it.  I think retirement is a real possibility for him.  This time off could be one last ditch effort to preserve his body and see if he has anything left.

 

I'm not even sure if he makes the team if he does continue playing.  $1M for a guy that is likely going to miss a good amount of time in the regular season is pretty steep, especially when those reps can go to future pieces like Juice and Gillmore.

I think I said this earlier, but I do expect it to be Pitta, Gilmore, and Juice. I don't think they need to keep Daniels when they have someone in Juice who is more athletic and just as versatile, or more, as a receiver, and they have a really stellar blocker in Gilmore.

[jazz1988]

I think I said this earlier, but I do expect it to be Pitta, Gilmore, and Juice. I don't think they need to keep Daniels when they have someone in Juice who is more athletic and just as versatile, or more, as a receiver, and they have a really stellar blocker in Gilmore.

 

If thats the case then I guess we could  just move Juice to tight end and keep the other  fullback we have already or could re-sign Leach.

[BmoreBird22]

If thats the case then I guess we could  just move Juice to tight end and keep the other  fullback we have already or could re-sign Leach.

I wouldn't mind using Juice in a hybrid role and using that roster spot for someone else in the secondary

[Ravensfan23]

So you saying even though Flacco didn't get with his receivers in the offseason and lob balls around for fun, that the offense is looking good? lol

 

lol funny how that isn't is mentioned now.

[omar586]

I wouldn't mind using Juice in a hybrid role and using that roster spot for someone else in the secondary

i agree, daniels might retire, so using juice as the FB/TE is very smart, saves a roster spot for other positions,  i have seen 3rd string TE get a lot of reps anyway, so Pitta , gilmore and TE/FB juice would be smart.

[RobFuseRaven]

I wouldn't mind using Juice in a hybrid role and using that roster spot for someone else in the secondary

 

Even if Owen retired or didn't make the team, he still served a great purpose in that he helped teach Kubiak's offense to the other guys.

[KBoum]

I don't think they'll sign another FB, to be honest I was really impressed with Juice blocking abilities so far. Man he grew up A LOT!

 

he's so versatile I love the pick

[52520Andrew]

I think we roll with Pitta and Gilmore at TE with Juice playing the hybrid role at TE and FB. There is opportunity for another TE to make some noise but I don't see anyone else worthy of a spot there. Maybe just have someone on the PS or bring back Bajema again

[GrimCoconut]

I think we could get away with the following players:

RB Rice, Pierce, Forsett, Taliaferro

TE/FB Pitta, Gilmore, Juszczyk

Hide the others on the PS. It would also provide more room for guys in the secondary.

[rmw10]

I think we could get away with the following players:

RB Rice, Pierce, Forsett, Taliaferro

TE/FB Pitta, Gilmore, Juszczyk

Hide the others on the PS. It would also provide more room for guys in the secondary.

I'm all for it. It could even allow us to carry an extra OL - maybe James Hurst if we're afraid of losing him. Instead of going with another TE, it might let us keep a promising player that can be used in jumbo packages.

[BmoreBird22]

I think we could get away with the following players:

RB Rice, Pierce, Forsett, Taliaferro

TE/FB Pitta, Gilmore, Juszczyk

Hide the others on the PS. It would also provide more room for guys in the secondary.

This would be the only way I see Forsett staying on the roster. Daniels's possible loss may be Forsett's possible gain

[GrimCoconut]

This would be the only way I see Forsett staying on the roster. Daniels's possible loss may be Forsett's possible gain

I should say that o think he's only here until Rice is off suspension unless one of the RB get hurt. I didn't intend to say we'll keep 4 RB.

[rmw10]

Here's a situation that I've been contemplating...

 

Would it make sense to activate Cody before the season, even if he's not healthy?  If you keep him on the PUP, he has to miss the first 6 games.  Now, of course, if you actually think he's going to miss 6 games, you keep him there.  However, if he's only going to miss 3 or 4, I'd rather activate him and let him sit for those few weeks instead of putting Derrick Hopkins or someone like that on the roster.  It's pretty much guaranteed that Hopkins or whoever would be inactive every week anyways.  He'd really serve no purpose other than in practice, where he can do the same thing on the practice squad.

 

Of course, all of this is contingent on Cody not missing 6 weeks and us not adding anyone else, which doesn't sound like the plan.

[jazz1988]

I wouldn't mind using Juice in a hybrid role and using that roster spot for someone else in the secondary

I agree with you on that. I was kinda thinking about special teams when I said that. Juice was The Ravens lead blocker for our kick returner Jacoby Jones  and if we do  release  Owens Daniels  it could mean a bigger role for Juice in our offense and you might not want to over use him. The Ravens could always ask Lorenzo Taliaferro to be our blocker similar to Anthony Allen if he's up to it but we shall see.

[BmoreBird22]

I agree with you on that. I was kinda thinking about special teams when I said that. Juice was The Ravens lead blocker for our kick returner Jacoby Jones  and if we do  release  Owens Daniels  it could mean a bigger role for Juice in our offense and you might not want to over use him. The Ravens could always ask Lorenzo Taliaferro to be our blocker similar to Anthony Allen if he's up to it but we shall see.

Apparently LT has been the Ravens best pass blocker in camp

[KBoum]

Apparently LT has been the Ravens best pass blocker in camp

 

yup I heard him and Juice are the only 2 backs that were able to block 49ers OLBs in pass rush drill. Heard LT made a pretty good block on Aldon Smith. I wasnt sure about the pick but looks like LT is pretty good. Just needs to lower his pads level but you can learn that

[GrimCoconut]

I wouldn't mind picking up newly released Joe Kruger from the Eagles. He hasn't looked great, but we need some DE depth and he might be an interesting guy to try to see what he can do here with the team. 

[52520Andrew]

I wouldn't mind picking up newly released Joe Kruger from the Eagles. He hasn't looked great, but we need some DE depth and he might be an interesting guy to try to see what he can do here with the team.

Doesn't hurt to be Paul Kruger's brother lol

[Ravens1991]

Are we sitting Owen Daniels out to hope he has enough in the tank for the season or is he just done?

Juice is really impressing me with his pass catching. He is too talented to be blocking big boys. We should just cut Owen Daniels let Juice be a H-back TE and re sign Leach for the lead blocking duties.

 

[Tank 92]

Are we sitting Owen Daniels out to hope he has enough in the tank for the season or is he just done?

Juice is really impressing me with his pass catching. He is too talented to be blocking big boys. We should just cut Owen Daniels let Juice be a H-back TE and re sign Leach for the lead blocking duties.

 

 

 

Juice is a beast, no doubt. But he doesn't replace what Daniels could bring to the scheme. I hope we are just saving him for the season. He knows the system inside and out so he should be able to jump right in. 

[jazz1988]

Juice is a beast, no doubt. But he doesn't replace what Daniels could bring to the scheme. I hope we are just saving him for the season. He knows the system inside and out so he should be able to jump right in. 

 

Hopefully Daniels is able to play but if not then i'm kinda hope The Eagles cut James Casey whom knows  Gary Kubiak offensive system and could come right in and play the same role as Owen Daniels.

[Ravens1991]

Juice is a beast, no doubt. But he doesn't replace what Daniels could bring to the scheme. I hope we are just saving him for the season. He knows the system inside and out so he should be able to jump right in. 

Lets be real. If training camp is wearing out his leg too much he will not last 8 games. At first I figured Juice will be a good pass catcher for a fullback. But he is a good pass catcher regardless we need to adjust our system to keep him fresh.

 

 

Also Owen hasn't played 16 games since 2008 so lets assume he misses games even with a small role. We will need someone who can catch because Crockett isn't developed as a pass catcher.

 

[BmoreBird22]

Doesn't hurt to be Paul Kruger's brother lol

Or it could since Paul only played well when Sizzle was here...

[Tank 92]

As familiar as Owen Daniels is with the Gary Kubiak's system, he's not familiar with Joe Flacco's passing/style. That can't be overlooked. Plus, to be honest, expectations should be extremely low for Daniels, at this point, coming-off of a major injury at his age and with little-to-no info about how the present-day Daniels looks.

 

That said, I'm still convinced Owen Daniels' problem is a mental one; and, if it actually is, he shouldn't be out there on the gridiron.

  

Hopefully Daniels is able to play but if not then i'm kinda hope The Eagles cut James Casey whom knows  Gary Kubiak offensive system and could come right in and play the same role as Owen Daniels.

  

Lets be real. If training camp is wearing out his leg too much he will not last 8 games. At first I figured Juice will be a good pass catcher for a fullback. But he is a good pass catcher regardless we need to adjust our system to keep him fresh.

 

 

Also Owen hasn't played 16 games since 2008 so lets assume he misses games even with a small role. We will need someone who can catch because Crockett isn't developed as a pass catcher.

Any speculation as to why Daniels hasn't been playing is just that, speculation. Maybe he's done, maybe he isn't. Regardless, we won't be moving Juice to TE. If it happens that Owen is done, Gilmore is looking serviceable and I'm sure Ozzie will shake the trees looking for possibilities.

Juice will play a varied role anyway, FB, H back. He's proving to be a very valuable addition to the Team.