[News] Late For Work 7/20: Top 10 Ravens Under Pressure Heading Into Training Camp

[BR News]

Harbaugh No. 3 among NFL head coaches. Rex Ryan jumps out of plane. Projecting Forsett’s catches in 2015.

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[whobilly]

Right behind Elam is Arthur Brown. Ravens traded up to pick him in the second round. So far not a good pick. Time to step up is NOW.

[bioLarzen]

Right behind Elam is Arthur Brown. Ravens traded up to pick him in the second round. So far not a good pick. Time to step up is NOW.

 

Ozzie also traded up to get Jah Reid... But it sems nobody really believes in him anymore, as he almost never makes these "Ravens who should step up" lists anymore... and somehow I don't think it's because people think he has no room to step up

Edited July 20, 2015 by bioLarzen

[RavensFootballFan]

Forsett is looking powerful and Gilmore is MONSTROUS! for a tight end, our own Gronk. Man, this is going to be fun to watch this year. Go Ravens!

Edited July 20, 2015 by RavensFootballFan

[salamander]

Years ago, I was hoping Rex would have become the HC but in hindsight, I admit that choice would have been the wrong one. Seeing Rex's antics as he parachutes to earth does make me smile. However, now that we have Harbaugh, there's no way I would want another coach for the Ravens, including Bilichick and Carroll. Harbaugh is the best man for the HC job hands down.

Edited July 20, 2015 by salamander

[roamingcharges]

If the Defense remains same (or improves) and the change on Offense is that Breshad Perriman has more than 1000 yards then we'll be sitting pretty for a Superbowl push. Get your work in Breshad!

[MissRay27]

Gillmore is our sleeper.

As for Mr. Elam, I'll put it like the Isley Brothers once sang "The Heat is On".

The wait is almost over!

[MichaelJ34]

Its great seeing Forsett and Gilmore putting in work, They will be a huge part of our offense this season. Get it fellas!

I am excited to see what the the guys on the pressure list can do ... I wanna see Elam do better for sure.

Harbs is easily 3rd or better in the HC ranks there may be arguments for him to be 1st or 2nd.

[Drew P]

Hopefully Elam is relegated to subbing or deactivated

[fusuymada]

"Buck" Allen is a big boy and a very good pass receiver. He may be what could be considered a 3rd down back for the Ravens. His size suits well to blocking for Flacco and his hands make him good for the check down. I know Forsett has done very well, but he is a little older and giving 3rd down plays to Allen may make Forsett productive for a couple more years.

[Halshayeji]

I love the work that Forsett is putting in. At the same time it scares me that he's bulking so much in one offseason. Bulking up is great except when it takes away from a running backs agility. Ray Rice made the same mistake and I fear for Forsett. I can't knock a guy for working hard in the offseason but it really is starting to worry me....

Anyone shares the same sceptism? Or can anyone talk me out of this funk I'm in....

[stixfix69]

Can't blame Forsett for doing what he is doing in the gym this off-season, i think it is the first time in his career he is going into the season as the starting RB....And he porbably wants to make sure he is in shape to go all 16 games plus the playoffs....JMO...

[Ravensfansince03]

Glad to know that i'm not the only black guy who listens to hard rock/alternative rock to keep me motivated during my workouts/jogging.

[January J]

Doesn't worry me a bit- he's naturally quick and shifty- add a little more muscle and he will be the complete package. I know what you mean about Ray rice , but the thing I like most about Forsett is his VISION. And that's not goin anywhere regardless, and will probably get better the more snaps he sees as the primary back.

[Ravensfansince03]

Looks like were back to that three-headed monster RB trio with Forsett, Taliaferro & Allen

[berad]

Glad to see Harbaugh get positive attention from the media, even though he'd probably tell you it doesn't matter and/or he doesn't care.

 

For the early part of his career, guys like Mike Smith and Tony Sparano (lol) were getting praise and rewards over him. 3 years ago, sports writers on NFL.com were ranking Jim Schwartz and Dennis Allen (extra lol) ahead of him. Where are those guys and those teams now? Harbaugh has earned it for the remarkable consistency in a league designed to be tumultuous.

 

Of course, it's also a credit to the front office, talent evaluators, and players that have put the hard work in as well.

[cobrajet]

I hope everyone steps up this year and "plays like a Raven!"

[steelcityraven]

I agree that ASA, CAMP, Elam, and Monroe are facing some pressure but I don't think 2 of the 4 are going anywhere (Elam and Monroe) even if they under perform... so pressure is somewhat negated! There are several that I think have to be feeling real pressure (of possibly being cut). 1. Jah Reid (not sure how he has not been cut yet) 2. DeAngelo Tyson...he is a solid player but we are deep in the interior... what may help him is his versatility)... 3. Aurthur Brown... if he cant get on the field... he remains a threat to be let go... I think he may have the most pressure on him bc expectations were very high for him (along with Elam). 4. KLM... (he needs to stay healthy this year or he will be gone). 5. AMcClellan...not sure what his nitch is at this point and with ZOrr playing well and contributing on ST... I think McClellan is on the bottom of the depth charts inside or outside???? 6. I do think that Monroe will feel pressure to perform but if he does not -he will not be cut so his pressure is only on a reaching his potential situation... 7. Urban (like KLM's situation) he needs to perform and that means staying healthy 8. They didn't mention Kendrick Lewis... but he is coming in as the man for the job but he has to feel that heat of two young and talented S behind him (Elam and Brooks- who the Ravens want to succeed). 9. Timmy Jernigan and BWilliams... again zero chance of getting cut but all eyes will be on them to see how they replace Ngata.... 10. Kamar and Marlon. (I think that those two will be in an intense battle for that # 3 WR spot.... the loser means lost reps and lost chances meaning less PT and less $$$$$ down the road. (Waller will add to this competition) but these two are in maybe the most intense battle of camp!

[steelcityraven]

I also think Forsett has to be feeling some pressure... Can he match what he did last year... under a new OC and with two young and hungry backs behind him in LT and Buck? The conditions for him to succeed are there (one of the best OL's in the NFL) but it will be very difficult for him to re-produce what he did last season... and that could make him look like a one hit wonder! He has to be feeling the pressure as well!

[steelcityraven]

One last one that has to be feeling pressure is new OC Trestman! It will be difficult to re-produce the success that Kubiack had and yet that is the standard that he will be compared to... (maybe even worse bc Kubiack is now in Denver with a very offensive minded team)! So how far do the comparisons go? I think that there will be a ton of pressure on Trestman! Mediocracy is no longer acceptable in BMORE! (not with the talent that we have)

[Nick04263]

Gillmore looks a little TOO happy in that pic.

[sami]

I can think of a lot of guys with more pressure on them to perform than almost anyone on that list except for Canty and Elam. Jah Reid comes to mind as does Arthur Browm. All the guys on the bubble have a tremendous amount of pressure just to make the team. Perriman, Maxx, and Carl Davis KNOW they will make the team so theres not a lot more pressure on them other than just for playing time.

Edited July 20, 2015 by sami

[robbie29]

How is Arthur Brown not on that list of players under pressure? He hasn't lived up to expectations and needs to beat out McClellan and Orr to even earn a backup role. I think Will Hill needs to be taken off that list (his only competition for a starting job is Elam), and replaced with Brown. Hill's spot on the roster is far more secure than Brown's. Just my two cents.

[AsianRice]

I'm pretty excited about Gilmore when I saw a small sample of him last year. I expect Gilmore is going to have a big year ahead of him. I hope he shows up cuz everything is going his way to place him into a starter slot; it's up to him to grab it or miss it.....

[rmcjacket23]

I think people need to take this list with some context...

From what I can tell, this isn't a list of who's under pressure because their roster spot is in danger. There's probably a good 30-40 guys in training cap at least who are under pressure because they simply may not have a job in a month or so. But those players are obvious, and some of the guys listed on this list are in that class.

The more "under pressure" guys could just as easily apply to guys with larger contracts who know that their roster spot isn't in jeopardy, but they just simply haven't performed well enough and/or haven't been healthy. Nobody realistically thinks Elam or Monroe is in jeopardy of being cut in 2015, but that doesn't mean they're not under pressure. Elam, in particular, could easily be sent packing by March/April if he doesn't perform a lot better this season. Upshaw, similarly, knows hes not in danger of getting cut, but hes in a contract year where a fantastic season could land him a significantly better paying job with this team or another team, and a poor season has him settling for much smaller deals here or elsewhere.

[Bruce_Almty]

If Trestman//Flacco target Forsett more often than last season, I'll be very disappointed. Not that I think he's not capable but our WRs//TEs need the bulk of targets/receptions/yards. If Flacco is throwing check-downs it means our receivers are not getting open (or the o-line is struggling) and with this group and their diversity that should not be the case.

[stixfix69]

we have a few players that Harbs doesn't have to worry about, because they have been solid pros for years, but everyone else should come into camp with the mind-set, that someone is trying to take their job, so you better be ready to compete, and fight for a spot.....That's what makes this camp interesting, since we are young in so many positions, everyone has a shot at winning a starting spot, or taking PT away from others....Can't wait until the first pre-season game...

[Purple Dawg 96]

All players are under pressure in this league! "Its a never ending battle" in the NFL and you can lose your job at any point! Miss a tackle, miss a block, drop a pass or passes and you can be on your way out! All these players listed are good in my eyes!

[ellicottraven]

I don't see anyone being under pressure really. Eventually after a grueling training camp, the real cream will rise to the top and that 53 man roster will be ready to become world beaters. The rest of us just need to be patient and wait to see the final edition, sit back and relax waiting for them to beat every team they come across from September to February!

[jrock6587]

I'll wait for the final cut to see who the lasdt man standing will be. I always pick a guy

I think should make the team only to see him not make it. Case in point: Bobby Rainey.