[News] Eisenberg: Ravens Going To Need Their Deep Bench

[BR News]

They don’t get very much media attention, but Ravens backup players will be critical to the team’s season.

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[MightyRaven]

Ravens might get D.J swearinger if Bucs release him or via trade

[Ravensfansince03]

My take from yesterday was this, Jimmy Smith is back where he left off.. stellar. I also see why Darren Waller isn't getting too much buzz, on his routes he falls to the ground easily after being touched by defenders, and he dropped some passes. I still hope he can develop because he really is a very big receiver. Also Crockett Gilmore is looking like the hulk, cant wait to see him in action. My hopes are that our guys stay healthy.

[Ravensfansince03]

Timmy Jernigan is going to be one heck of a player. I see the same character in him almost as Ray Lewis. I know that doesn't sound right but look at it like this. He isn't afraid of anyone, he has a high motor. He plays even harder when backed against a wall. And yesterday he played with his jersey tucked under his pads to show his lower belly. That's a sign of great things to come. Ray Lewis did the same thing in his college days.

[sami]

Depth is the reason we don't go after the high priced big name players. The system we run can make good players look great which is why when players leave us they generally don't make as big of impact with their new teams.

Edited August 4, 2015 by sami

[ksk316]

I think we aren't deep in CB and safety. Offensive depth looks good but the defensive backfield needs more.

[griffrb]

Good practice at M&T last night. However, my concern with depth is at QB. I don't see where Schaub can lead this team to the playoffs if Flacco is hurt. Media reports during the OTAs and mini-camp discussed his weak arm and it was noticeable last night: inaccurate and wounded ducks. Here's to our strong O-line keep Joe clean and upright this season! Let's get back to football! Go Ravens!!!

[salamander]

Naturally I tended to get more excited to watch the first team players last night at M&T. I reminded myself several times to pay attention to the second and third string players just as closely. Some of those players down the depth chart today may end up filling in or starting and being our saving grace. You never really know who or what position ends up the most vulnerable. It may be some of the current little known or unexpected backups who end up emerging as Super Heroes to literally keep the Ravens on course and in viable Super Bowl contention. Quality depth is the key.

Edited August 4, 2015 by salamander

[Nick04263]

The Ravens do have a little cap room if they decide to add more players in the secondary. The good thing about Elam going down now is the timing. Never really good to see a guy go down but at least it happened before any quality guys were cut because someone on the roster who might have been cut could take his spot or we might see the Ravens go after a player when he is cut by another team. We have seen them do that plenty in the past.

[Nick04263]

We all know the 53 man roster isn't done until it is done. Even then Ozzie still likes to add/remove guys throughout the season. My guess is the final 53 for week one isn't made up 100% by the guys currently on the roster.

[huntrgathrr]

This is where the Ravens leapfrog over most teams, actually every other team in the NFL. There are only 3 spots where an injury would definitely hurt the team: Joe Flacco, Justin Tucker and Jimmy Smith. All three are basically not replaceable given our current roster.

So the other 19 spots have starter quality backups. That's pretty darn good, better than almost every other team in the NFL. But the difference between super bowl and almost is an injury to one of these three. That is life in the NFL. Given their importance to the overall team success, I could understand having all 3 avoid all contact in the preseason. Why risk a stupid injury when you can reduce the chance. None of these players need the reps with full contact. Like Lambert said 30 years ago, "put dresses on them"...LOL.

[huntrgathrr]

BUT...if everyone stays healthy, getting everyone the playing time they deserve will be the biggest problem facing the coaches. This is the deepest team the Ravens have ever had. I would love to see them spend every last nickel on a top tier corner as Smith is the most susceptible to injury. Ozzie should be able to find a way to trade for a top tier corner, even if it means giving up something of value. Arthur Brown, Jah Reid, Fitz Toussaint, Marlon Brown, are all trade bait if you throw in a couple draft picks. We should never have let the Steelers get Boykin. Just saying, after being burned by Smith's injury last year I'm a little skiddish and would love to see another top level corner ready to go.

[hen826957]

@ksk316 hmm maybe Ozzie should take look at Alfonzo Dennard at CB so we have depth at the slot position with Arrington. Can't have to many corners. Another quality safety like DJ Swearinger like MikeRaven said will be a good pickup at safety if release by Bucs or I wouldn't mind having Bernard Pollard here to make the team more phyical in the secondary but will cause a lot of yellow flags. One of those hard nose safeties will be good. One more thing Ozzie could get is Red Byrant DT for a veteran presence up the middle of the defense so Brandon Williams can be fresh. Another plus is that Bryant could block Fgs as well.

[birdseye]

If john, mink, downning, or ellison ever read these comments do a feature story on our head coach, what motivates him, what he is like in person, off the field etc... Love our coach, I want to know if his tv personality matches his true personality. I think it'd be a interesting read, just my opinion

[DonnieRaven]

It sux but its life. I have the t-most confidence in ozzie to correct the issue

[DonnieRaven]

ut-most

[ksk316]

@ksk316 hmm maybe Ozzie should take look at Alfonzo Dennard at CB so we have depth at the slot position with Arrington. Can't have to many corners. Another quality safety like DJ Swearinger like MikeRaven said will be a good pickup at safety if release by Bucs or I wouldn't mind having Bernard Pollard here to make the team more phyical in the secondary but will cause a lot of yellow flags. One of those hard nose safeties will be good. One more thing Ozzie could get is Red Byrant DT for a veteran presence up the middle of the defense so Brandon Williams can be fresh. Another plus is that Bryant could block Fgs as well.

I like Pollard but he burnt the bridges went he left. So there's 0 chance he is coming back. We definitely need one CB and one safety.

[hen826957]

@ksk316 I agree with you bud :-)

[Crusader]

They need to stop kill each other in practice. It proves nothing. Want are you going to do grow toughness? I've never seen that happen in such a short time. Technique/plays, stamina, and studying individual opponents is all they need. Remember Jamal Lewis, Dennis Pitta