[News] The Competition 2015: Cornerbacks

[BR News]

The position battle will be tight to determine who makes the 53-man roster.

View the full article

[hen826957]

I would love Ozzie to get another quality outside corner during cuts.

[dorie80]

I still believe that Asa won't make the team. I'm a fan of Asa but I just don't see it with a Corner group riddled with young talent and a bunch of quality safeties including Levine and Elam who can play corner/nickel if they have to (hopefully Elam will be more prepared this year with the minicamp buzz about him)

[MichaelJ34]

Proofreading? Kyle Arrington (5-10, 190, 7th season)

Cassius Vaughn (5-11, 127, 6th season) Really ?? 5-11 at 127 lbs? 127 Might be the skinniest guy to ever play football.

[Krabcake]

You're saying Vaughn weighs 127 lbs? He must be a nightmare at press coverage.

[budman]

Wish them all luck. I must admit that is refreshing to even have enough players healthy for competition. Waaaay better shape than last year.

Edited June 26, 2015 by budman

[MichaelJ34]

Cassius Vaughn weighs like 195 and he is 27 years old i think that's where the 127 came from. just implying the writer needs to check the article for errors

Edited June 25, 2015 by MichaelJ34

[budman]

I would love Ozzie to get another quality outside corner during cuts.

I would think that is a safe bet. Can never have too many Corners Ozzie once said.

[Xander410]

This is where the Ravens really ADDED this offseason. I've always been fond of Asa.. I think Arrington could challenge Webb. Tray walker has looked good.

[dirtybird66]

TARELL BROWN is still out there for a reason,i read an article that say's with all his injuries over the year's he's lost a step or two and he's wanting top dollar,can't blame him,but he would be great insurance if we can get the price down,he could compete for sure but at this point he'd be just a nickle back and we just signed one,if we waited alittle longer,which we couldn't afford to,he would be a better option at the nickle position than we brought in.still like to see him in camp,he has veteran savvy and would be a good teacher for the younger db's.

[stampedehero]

Here it is... Webb 256 Tckl   20 Sacks 11 int over 7 years and Smith 140 Tckl 5 int over 5 years = ABSOLUTELY  IN.

Trey Walker, Rookie Contract and $$$ saver  Over 4 college years 159 Tckl 112 solo and 9 INT with 2 catches for 24 yards.!!. 

Arrington 39 TCKLs  10 sacks but 0 Int.      Vaughn 18 Tckls and 2 int.

Jackson 28 tckls  but 0 Int.     Melvin 17 Tckls, one forced fumble

These players will be released: Greenwood,Pointer, Jacobs as they have 0's across the board.  

[stampedehero]

TARELL BROWN is still out there for a reason,i read an article that say's with all his injuries over the year's he's lost a step or two and he's wanting top dollar,can't blame him,but he would be great insurance if we can get the price down,he could compete for sure but at this point he'd be just a nickle back and we just signed one,if we waited alittle longer,which we couldn't afford to,he would be a better option at the nickle position than we brought in.still like to see him in camp,he has veteran savvy and would be a good teacher for the younger db's.

Why bring him into the fold?? We have Webb and Smith plus Arrington and Vaughn to mentor the others.  There's a limited amount of money that a billionaire will spend on a CB crew. 

[NCMan]

I would think that is a safe bet. Can never have too many Corners Ozzie once said.

True. But Ozzie also says the same thing about safeties, pass rushers, linebackers, etc., etc. Not sure how that philosophy translates into a 53 man roster. It all sounds good to the fans, I guess.

[Flockster]

I'd like to see Asa step up and try out for the return specialist. That is easier said than done. We need a return specialist. This years Ravens defense will force a lot of punts. We can't waste those opportunities. I don't see a return specialist yet. Who ever does it best has himself a job. 

[Purple&Black]

Here it is... Webb 256 Tckl   20 Sacks 11 int over 7 years and Smith 140 Tckl 5 int over 5 years = ABSOLUTELY  IN.

Trey Walker, Rookie Contract and $$$ saver  Over 4 college years 159 Tckl 112 solo and 9 INT with 2 catches for 24 yards.!!. 

Arrington 39 TCKLs  10 sacks but 0 Int.      Vaughn 18 Tckls and 2 int.

Jackson 28 tckls  but 0 Int.     Melvin 17 Tckls, one forced fumble

These players will be released: Greenwood,Pointer, Jacobs as they have 0's across the board.  

You have to be fair in your assessment. You're right that walker is a pretty safe bet, but if you're going to use his college stats to compare then you should use greenwood, pointer and Jacobs as well. Or you give him 0s across the board like the others because he hasn't taken a professional NFL snap

[ellicottraven]

Begins today with a look at the Running backs? Followed immediately by a look at our corner backs? Slip of the keyboard I suppose...

[cbrook1862]

Webb is going to be challenged this season, if he doesn't stay healthy or constantly gets burned, he could be playing CB...... center bench, ha ha ha!

[DomMcRaven]

Begins today with a look at the Running backs? Followed immediately by a look at our corner backs? Slip of the keyboard I suppose...

Nonsense! Gotta start with backs! Linebackers are next. Book it. 

[MYTH420]

Smith, Webb, and Arrington are your three starters, they are right about that. Walker will make the team as a draft pick, right too. I think Jackson will get one more year to see what he can do. But the 6th spot will go to Vaughn over Melvin. The Ravens will try and stay Melvin on the Practice Squad. Unless there is an injury. I think Jacobs will make the Practice Squad too.

[Purple&Black]

The current CBs are too light-weight. Need to bring in some bulkier CBs to last through the 16 game season. Lean and mean is great for receivers, but solid and hard is best for attacking ball-hawk CBs. The Ravens have hitters at the D-line, LBs and FSs, but arm-tacklers at the CBs positions. Championships are won by ferocious defenders that want the football and will crush anyone touching the football. Ravens go 10-6 with current set of DBs. The Ravens must win the North Division to advance in the play-offs, no backing in as wild-card this year due to rival competition. Hosting a playoff game will come on the backs of the DBs or not at all. Will the Ravens invest further in DBs - my bet is yes. GET THE FOOTBALL, KEEP THE FOOTBALL!

Smith is 6'2 209, melvin 6'2 193, walker 6'2 190. I can count the number of starting caliber Cbs with that kind of size on one hand and not one of them is a free agent. In fact, only jackson and webb are under 190 with playing experience. Size isn't the issue.

[Purple&Black]

Smith, Webb, and Arrington are your three starters, they are right about that. Walker will make the team as a draft pick, right too. I think Jackson will get one more year to see what he can do. But the 6th spot will go to Vaughn over Melvin. The Ravens will try and stay Melvin on the Practice Squad. Unless there is an injury. I think Jacobs will make the Practice Squad too.

I disagree. Melvin more than proved himself. He was forced into the lineup barely knowing the playbook and did a decent job. I think he has the coaching staff's trust, and unless he just falls apart he will be on the team. I think Jacobs may be the one to try and keep on the practice squad.

[stampedehero]

You have to be fair in your assessment. You're right that walker is a pretty safe bet, but if you're going to use his college stats to compare then you should use greenwood, pointer and Jacobs as well. Or you give him 0s across the board like the others because he hasn't taken a professional NFL snap

I viewed this assessment like a business move where parameters like low rookie $ and a veteran CB crew would be "best option".

[huntrgathrr]

Smith is a pro bowl caliber corner if he stays healthy. Arrington is a proven slot corner. Webb is the "x factor". If he returns to form the Ravens will have a very good secondary. But last year he never showed his prior ability. Both he and Jackson are good returners so I think they will both make the 53 man roster. Jackson has a ton of talent but really can only play slot corner well.

I think Melvin and Walker round out the group because of their size and because the staff appreciate their potential the most. If Webb falls short again this year either one of these two may end up starting. That's not a great situation but if Smith is healthy they wouldn't be as likely to be exposed as a weakness. Smith makes everybody in that secondary better as he can shut down opposing #1 receivers. Having Hill and Lewis at safety will be a big plus for the secondary this season. I don't trust Elam one bit.

Staying healthy is the main factor for a decent secondary, particularly Jimmy Smith. If he goes down we are in trouble again.

[jdynamite]

Melvin is an interesting player, because given the circumstances he played decent for a player that was thrown straight into battle after being a practice squad player not even on our roster. I mean he was most likely still learning the defense. He showed good tackling after catches were made. He was targeted and picked apart versus the Patriots, plenty of names can be added to that list in that respect.

[Crusader]

"The top jobs are mostly settled at cornerback" Are you freaking kidding me? Who you think own the "top job" will not be starting by the fourth game. Who is teaching all these new guys how to study their opponents, prepare for games, re-act offensive line changes,, and study opponents QB? Someone like Edd Reed or some one how has not even played in the back field?

[ravenstime]

And in the end, none of this matters much, if we lose our top 8 players due to injury. Just sayin' and for a little comic relief.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Secondary had the Ravens in position to win it all considering all the injuries! What more can you ask?!

[terrynjulia03]

Id rather have Melvin than Asa. Asa has proved one thing. He isnt even a 3rd or 4th guy. Hes the bottom of the roster. Id rather give Melvin Walker and Jacobs their opportunity. If we cut Asa hell still be available later if god forbid someone gets hurt.

[DomMcRaven]

Secondary had the Ravens in position to win it all considering all the injuries! What more can you ask?!

Just to stay healthy and make tackles. That's all I ask.

[Cillmatic]

Melvin actually has the potential to take the #2 CB spot, he's a keeper.