[News] News And Notes 8/10: Returner Competition Takes Center Stage

[BR News]

Returner competition takes center stage. The Ravens had several key players return.

View the full article

[robbie29]

I could easily see Carl Davis shining this year the way Jernigan did last year. Davis (IMO) will play with a chip on his shoulder since he was drafted later than he expected, but with an abundance of starting talent on the D Line, his reps may be limited. I also like the praise Waller is receiving- he could end up being a go-to guy in the end zone, with his height and reputation for good hands. With Perriman- all I can say is that I hope he gets well soon- this time missed is crucial, and it keeps adding up. If he continues to miss time, I really think it wouldn't hurt to sign a vet WR who gets cut by another team (a la Houshmandzadeh a few years ago). While Aiken and Butler are getting positive reviews, our WRs are quite lacking in experience, behind Smith Sr., and several (Brown, Campanaro, and Perriman) have injury issues.

[Orange_Peanut]

Why did Carl Davis drop in the draft again? Other teams are so stupid.

[omar586]

hopefully it will be SB win for SSS.

[sami]

Frankly I'm getting a little concerned about all the interceptions our QB's are throwing in training camp. I'm delighted for the defense though. Sounds like it might not be a good idea to throw on us but then again its not a good idea to run on us either.

[roamingcharges]

Scary thought: So Smith Sr. retires after this season, and then in a few seasons Suggs will hang em up too. After that who will be "that guy" for this team?

[PalmBayRaven]

Waller is going to be a beast. Can't wait to see him play. Going to be the gem of the draft. Ravens version of Mega Tron.

[KidNme]

Sounds like our 2ndary is getting the plays down, with all the IT's going on now. They've learned the drill. A good sign plus, it keeps Flacco honest on his throws.

Time to practice against another team. Come on Thursday!!

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Why did Carl Davis drop in the draft again? Other teams are so stupid.

 

Because he is 6'5'' 320lbs and doesn't play "up" to that size. He's built like a Nose Tackle, but plays more like a #2 DT in a 4-3 scheme. His college play was inconsistent and his motor/drive is questionable. So he is kinda like a "tweener" defensive tackle. Here's his scouting report: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/carl-davis?id=2552280

 

Nobody wanted to take a big gamble on a guy that "might" be a pass rusher and might be a bit lazy. It is also worth noting that he was actually much larger in college than he is now in the NFL. It took him three seasons to get into the shape he's in now.

 

I'm not saying this is the Carl Davis we got here in Baltimore. Hopefully we got the hungry guy that feels snubbed for falling in the draft.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Scary thought: So Smith Sr. retires after this season, and then in a few seasons Suggs will hang em up too. After that who will be "that guy" for this team?

 

Don't forget Dumervil is getting up there in age and his contract is running out, same thing with Daryl Smith. So who will be "the guy" or guys? Some of the guys on the team right now. I am sure Ozzie will be looking for some veteran pressence to help out as well just like he did with Smith. Somewhere some team has a quality veteran that they don't feel like paying because they have a new hot shot rookie. Ozzie will swoop in and sign the guy and we'll get the last 2-3 seasons of good football out of them. But I hear you, time for some young leaders to emerge for this team.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Asa Jackson was drafted with special teams in mind as he is rather small even for a cornerback. Campanaro can certainly raise his stock with his ability to be a return man and to be that pesky #3 or #4 reciever that sneaks in under the zone and catch those passes and make a little something happen like he showed the ability to do when healthy...just hoping he stays healthy.

 

I really like our potential red zone offense. Think about this: Marlon Brown, Darren Waller, Crockett Gilmore, with "Juice" in at FB and Maxx Williams in a Twin TE formation. Sprinkle in Perriman or Smith Sr. depending on what you're trying to do.

 

I am not expecting a completely lights out secondary this year. If they get more turnovers this season, great, I am all for that. I just don't want to see scrub wideouts streaking down the field wide open for easy TD's because nobody on defense thought it was a good idea to cover that guy. Eliminate those kinds of mistakes and this defense will be a lot better. Healthy Webb+Smith is a great start. Will Hill at SS with a more capable FS like Lewis I think will help that safety valve a lot. Let's hope the depth at CB also stays healthy. I don't want to see street free agents spot starting for us and us having to use safeties as nickel corners or starting corners again.

[purpledown]

Perriman still out, looking more and like he wont do much this season.

[GO_Ravens]

Come on Perriman your 21 years old it doesn't take that long for that knee to heal. This is beginning to look a bit suspicious. They may wait until the swelling is all gone and do another MRI to discover something more serious that's what it seem like they are doing to me.

[alexbayrobin]

Oh Lardarius please stay healthy. I hate to hear when you have a health problem. I guess a tweaked hamstring is not so serious and I hope you come right back tomorrow for practice.

 

and please don't return punts we need you playing CB.

Edited August 11, 2015 by alexbayrobin

[huntrgathrr]

They are going to play it ultra safe with Perriman. He can affect a game with his speed alone. No need for him to be out there with any injury whatsoever. the goal is to get through training camp with everybody healthy.

If this sounds too protective, ask Suisham what he and the Steelers think.

[RayRocks]

Come on Perriman your 21 years old it doesn't take that long for that knee to heal. This is beginning to look a bit suspicious. They may wait until the swelling is all gone and do another MRI to discover something more serious that's what it seem like they are doing to me.

 

You don't understand what a bone bruise is if you're making this statement.  Two weeks to heal sounds about right, and I think it's been about 11 days.  As long as he's back for preseason games 2-4 he'll still have plenty of time to get up to speed and make an impact early in the season.

[bryangraham013@gmail.ocm]

this Waller kid is a draft sleeper like the 06 draft Marcus Colston of the Saints and may be better way to go Oz

[ravens4life86]

I want to see more Darren Waller, this guy is just what the team needs as a Jacoby replacement 6'6 240 freak athlete 4.3 40 speed. Team him with Perriman..like Torrey and Jacoby in 2012.

Secondly.. Is it concerning to anyone that the front office hasnt signed Justin Tucker to a contract extention yet, or Yanda?? It seems like they are just going to let the season play out.. And let all 3 Tucker,Yanda, KO test the market.

Not sure I like that. Ravens usually dont do in season deals, so unless deals get done in next couple weeks Tucker, Yanda, KO could be going to free agency

[Dorota]

Don't forget Dumervil is getting up there in age and his contract is running out, same thing with Daryl Smith. So who will be "the guy" or guys? Some of the guys on the team right now. I am sure Ozzie will be looking for some veteran pressence to help out as well just like he did with Smith. Somewhere some team has a quality veteran that they don't feel like paying because they have a new hot shot rookie. Ozzie will swoop in and sign the guy and we'll get the last 2-3 seasons of good football out of them. But I hear you, time for some young leaders to emerge for this team.

Interesting though about who the veteran leaders will be in a year or two... It's always scary, but generally you have someone pop up. The number one on offense will be Joe Flacco. He doesn't have that fiery thing going on, but he'll be someone who you an turn to as a player. Some of our year 1 and 2 players will be older, more experienced and more confident, so you might hear someone mouthing it that hasn't yet on account of not having earned it. You can have Jimmy step up, there is still Lardarius and who was it? - I think Kendrick Lewis is already getting vocal in the secondary. On offense, though you don't hear him all that often, I think maybe Crockett Gilmore will be more of the attitude guy. He's already shown he can be a cheeky bugger and that he has a quiet confidence.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Interesting though about who the veteran leaders will be in a year or two... It's always scary, but generally you have someone pop up. The number one on offense will be Joe Flacco. He doesn't have that fiery thing going on, but he'll be someone who you an turn to as a player. Some of our year 1 and 2 players will be older, more experienced and more confident, so you might hear someone mouthing it that hasn't yet on account of not having earned it. You can have Jimmy step up, there is still Lardarius and who was it? - I think Kendrick Lewis is already getting vocal in the secondary. On offense, though you don't hear him all that often, I think maybe Crockett Gilmore will be more of the attitude guy. He's already shown he can be a cheeky bugger and that he has a quiet confidence.

If they keep Yanda around I think he will be a silent leader on offense and I agree that some of these guys getting the long term extensions like Webb or Smith will need to step up. Right now the Ravens have a lot of youth on the field if you take away the few veterans they have. They also have a lot of first or second year Ravens..guys that have played for other teams but have just come here as a free agent. Lewis is stepping up, but I think that is a rare thing for a rather unestablished veteran to do. Flacco is already a silent leader. He won't fire up too much but I recall Mason getting on his case about something and Flacco was firing right back at him. This is an interesting point though. Suggs will probably only be around for another couple of years, same with Dumervil and D. Smith. Who will be the leaders on the field when these guys move on?

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Come on Perriman your 21 years old it doesn't take that long for that knee to heal. This is beginning to look a bit suspicious. They may wait until the swelling is all gone and do another MRI to discover something more serious that's what it seem like they are doing to me.

 

Strains do take that long to heal. My back strain required me to be relatively inactive with it for about 6 months and my grade two quad strain needed 8 months to heal. And strains can bruise...something I learned with my grade two strain in my quad. My leg turned all lovely shades of yellow and purple....My leg....was "playing like a Raven" and donning the Ravens colors!

Edited August 11, 2015 by EdTheMythicalOne

[EdTheMythicalOne]

You don't understand what a bone bruise is if you're making this statement.  Two weeks to heal sounds about right, and I think it's been about 11 days.  As long as he's back for preseason games 2-4 he'll still have plenty of time to get up to speed and make an impact early in the season.

 I had a bone bruise on my knee once and that wasn't fun. Essentially a bone bruise is about as much damage as you can do to a bone before you fracture it or break it. I was playing shortstop and running out for a fly ball while the centerfielder was charging in. I was calling it all the way so I never expected him to be there. Right as I planted on my leg he comes sliding in and clips my plant leg out from under me and smacks hard into my knee. One of the worst feelings ever. I thought I really ripped my knee up, but I got away with a bone bruise. That was 6 months for that one before I could actually run around on it again.

[stampedehero]

I could easily see Carl Davis shining this year the way Jernigan did last year. Davis (IMO) will play with a chip on his shoulder since he was drafted later than he expected, but with an abundance of starting talent on the D Line, his reps may be limited. I also like the praise Waller is receiving- he could end up being a go-to guy in the end zone, with his height and reputation for good hands. With Perriman- all I can say is that I hope he gets well soon- this time missed is crucial, and it keeps adding up. If he continues to miss time, I really think it wouldn't hurt to sign a vet WR who gets cut by another team (a la Houshmandzadeh a few years ago). While Aiken and Butler are getting positive reviews, our WRs are quite lacking in experience, behind Smith Sr., and several (Brown, Campanaro, and Perriman) have injury issues.

I'm not seeing a vet WR signing and I did not neg you   

[Halshayeji]

I really don't think perriman should play this game regardless. He hasn't even suited up for a single full contact NFL practice. Why would harbs risk throwing him in a full contact pre season game where everyone is trying to prove themselves. Perriman would be a moving target all day for defenders to just unload.

Take your time perriman. Even tho I'm itching to see him on the field im begging he sits this one out. Nothing to prove its only the first pre season game. If he misses the next game then my panic meter starts kicking in.

Bruised knees are no joke. Just the idea of an athlete playing with one makes him cringe or unintentially compensate with other muscles that are not supposed to compensate. Its a recipe for disaster playing with a banged up knee. Especially when the pain is so fresh in your mind. Sit this one out Perriman.

That's coming from the only guy that started calling your name a month before the draft and got negged like a mother........ But seriously, I can wait if the reward is having you healthy for the season and a monster in the playoffs.

It's not how you start that matters. It's how strong you finish! Ravens all the way!

[Dorota]

If they keep Yanda around I think he will be a silent leader on offense and I agree that some of these guys getting the long term extensions like Webb or Smith will need to step up. Right now the Ravens have a lot of youth on the field if you take away the few veterans they have. They also have a lot of first or second year Ravens..guys that have played for other teams but have just come here as a free agent. Lewis is stepping up, but I think that is a rare thing for a rather unestablished veteran to do. Flacco is already a silent leader. He won't fire up too much but I recall Mason getting on his case about something and Flacco was firing right back at him. This is an interesting point though. Suggs will probably only be around for another couple of years, same with Dumervil and D. Smith. Who will be the leaders on the field when these guys move on?

I really do hope they keep Yanda, he's my man-crush on account of skills. I think though, that he wants to test the market and that's why no deal has been done. Same with KO and Tucker. If it was up to Ozzie, they'd all be under contract for the next couple of years already. Mosley will have to step-up also, once D. Smith retires. Though I hope that's not for another 2-3 years. As an inside linebacker, being a leader is his job as it's the one position that should be the quarterback of the defense. K. Lewis has the qualities. You can have a vet that's new from another team step up that way. Ihedigbo did and I really miss him still. But otherwise, we will have to wait and see.

[Drew P]

Great to hear Marlon has returned to practice

[January J]

Scary thought: So Smith Sr. retires after this season, and then in a few seasons Suggs will hang em up too. After that who will be "that guy" for this team?

no worries bro- we have plenty of players that could eventually be "that guy" .. I could name 4 or 5 that have the potential to do so.