Good, Decent, and Ugly from Pre-Season Week 4 against the Falcons

[RaineV1]

Our backup RB all stinks. get Fred asap

Magee has played pretty well.

[Adreme]

Also, for real who is the PR/KR?

It has to be SSS at this point.

 

 

I just don't trust Asa. Sorry and Camp is so injury prone.

 

I miss you Jacoby.

 

The problem is you really REALLY dont want your number 1 aging wide receiver being the kick returner especially when we saw in game 3 the difference the offense is with and without him on the field.  Id rather almost every punt just be fair caught then risk the entire season with Steve Smith return.

[jazz1988]

How did buck allen look today?

Not bad but not great either. Magee was better. Allen has promise though but he may need some time before actually being primary back up to Forsett.

[FlackAttack]

How did buck allen look today?

 

terrible. can never break the line or find holes. runs sideways. Magee is way better, would be happy with him backing up forsett and a healthy talaferro

[Maryland]

I have a feeling our punt/kick returner will be picked up off waivers in the next few days. 

 

I think KLM should make the team over Bilukidi. KLM still has upside as he gets healthier and more experienced. Plus I doubt anyone claims Bilukidi, who can be resigned after Urban goes on temp-IR. KLM might be claimed. 

 

Really wondering what happens between McClellan, Orr, and Brown... Probably only keeping 2 of the 3. 

[Moderator 3]

Harbaugh said good things about Brown making it almost sound like he'll make the team. Then again, this is from the guy who told us Perriman was OK and would be out a week or whatever. I don't really listen to him much because he plays his cards close to the chest.

Or they're shopping him for a returner.

[polynesian15]

To me 5 players made a case to be on the 53 man roster and practice squads.

 

Daniel Brown - PS

Beyer - PS

KLM - 53

Cassius Vaughn - 53

Butler - PS

 

Asa - cut

Bilukidi - cut

Nelson - cut

I'm with you on Vaughn over Asa for defensive duties, he also flashed on "defensive" ST. But who'll return for us when/if Asa is cut? I would prefer the majority of Camp's (limited) snaps to be used on offense and not (punt) returns.

[Tank 92]

Or they're shopping him for a returner.

 

 

D. Brown?  I hope not.  We need to find a spot for him somewhere even if it is for development. I wouldn't disagree with shopping A. Brown for a returner.   lol

[Tank 92]

Asa almost fumbled the ball on the nice return he had . Watch the tape when he initially catches the punt .

 

yeah, they kept showing the replay without the initial catch.  Dude just has butta fingers. We cannot go into the season with him as our returner. There aren't many plays worse than a fumble on a KO or punt.  backbreakers.

[jimmypowder]

You say that everywhere like it means something

It means plenty . He stinks as a returner .

[jimmypowder]

D. Brown? I hope not. We need to find a spot for him somewhere even if it is for development. I wouldn't disagree with shopping A. Brown for a returner. lol

Yeah this would be a very smart move . It needs to get done . Right now we have no return game .

Camp is too fragile to be a returner . He'd be hurt within 3-4 games .

No return game could make the difference between 8-8 and 10-6 record . I think we will

10-6 and playoff bound but I'm really concerned about our return game

Edited September 4, 2015 by jimmypowder

[Tank 92]

Yeah this would be a very smart move . It needs to get done . Right now we have no return game .

Camp is too fragile to be a returner . He'd be hurt within 3-4 games .

No return game could make the difference between 8-8 and 10-6 record . I think we will

10-6 and playoff bound but I'm really concerned about our return game

 

 

At this point $2 mil. for Dragonfly doesn't seem so bad, huh.

[Tank 92]

Carl Davis is going to be a beast.

[Static]

Despite not playing in 2 years and still recovering and getting in shape KLM balled out. I can't wait to see what he looks like mid season because he is obviously on the roster.

[MTRavensFan]

At this point $2 mil. for Dragonfly doesn't seem so bad, huh.

Not at all.

I also think having Kubiak here got in his head too much last year, and was at the root of his troubles. With Kubes and that pressure gone Jacoby might have gone back to his good self.

 

I didn't get to see the game, just listened in, but it sounds like Marlon Brown had a pretty good night.

[Purple_City39]

A lot of good in this game, even though the score doesn't suggest it.  Most of it on defense.

 

Davis will be lethal when he gets some experience.  A defensive front of Jernigan, Williams, and Davis will give opposing o-lines fits in the run and pass game.

 

Waller is not a project.  Route running was his biggest question outside of the deep routes.  Well they've spent all preseason and probably practices sending him on every short route available and he's looked good doing them.  Even showed strong run after the catch ability a few times and good hands (minus the drop yesterday)

 

Asa I would have cut yesterday but his vision in the return game is fantastic.  Many times I thought he'd get nothing only to see him run by defenders. The fumbles are a huge issue but can be worked on (see Tiki Barber early in his career).  I don't see him being cut UNLESS a better option signs with the team.

 

D.Brown may have played himself onto the PS or another team's roster.

 

If Butler gets cut for not showing up in games, even though he was a practice standout, then Aiken shouldn't be a lock at #2 for the same reason.

 

Marlon Brown proved to doubters that he was never on the bubble.  He's an injury concern but still manages to play more than Campanaro and has a better history in the NFL.

 

Magee should start over Allen as of now

[jimmypowder]

At this point $2 mil. for Dragonfly doesn't seem so bad, huh.

 

You got that right!

[Tank 92]

Not at all.

I also think having Kubiak here got in his head too much last year, and was at the root of his troubles. With Kubes and that pressure gone Jacoby might have gone back to his good self.

 

I didn't get to see the game, just listened in, but it sounds like Marlon Brown had a pretty good night.

 

Marlon made a sweet catch on a pass down the sideline from Schaub.

 

I hadn't really thought about the Kubes/Jacoby thing, but that could have been the issue.  It was obvious that his problems were between his ears because physically he is still more than capable. I just hope he doesn't take one to the house when we play the bolts!  lol 

 

In the meantime, we don't have anyone on the roster I would like seeing as a returner, and definitely not "Butta Fingers" Jackson.

[MTRavensFan]

If Smitty wants to return punts, I say let him at it. It's his last year, let him have some fun!

 

Same with Webb, if he ever comes back. We've already conceded him to being perennially  injured, let him do what he wants when he's healthy.

[rmw10]

If Smitty wants to return punts, I say let him at it. It's his last year, let him have some fun!

 

Same with Webb, if he ever comes back. We've already conceded him to being perennially  injured, let him do what he wants when he's healthy.

 

I'm all for it.  I do think injury risks are kind of overblown.  Jacoby only got hurt that one time on a freak accident by Trawick - so once in 3 years.  To me, the odds aren't drastically higher than they are at their true position.

[BmoreBird22]

I thought Carl Davis was an absolute monster. He got pushed around pretty early by that Falcons line, but he seemed to wake up and realize he was in a game and he just went into beast mode out there. I was so excited that the Ravens landed him in the third. He's going to be awesome down the road when he's a full time starter. 

 

I was impressed with KLM. If the defensive line were entirely healthy, I don't think he'd make it, but he showed impressive burst and solid hand usage, so with the injuries, I bet he makes it and gets a chance to show he should stick when the others get healthy.

 

Really happy to see Brooks back there making plays and flying all around. I was watching a lot of the front seven for the most part, so I didn't see a ton of him in coverage, but what I did see was fantastic to see. Only eight months and he's already a full go. Wow.

 

Really happy with Orr. The Ravens obviously are a linebacker factory with the way they found Scott, McClellan, McClain, Ellerbe, and now Orr. I don't think he's a great coverage back, but if Mosley continues to improve there, then you can have a guy like Orr just flying like a missile at the line. And how great was his ability to sniff out that screen? Stayed home and patient and just broke down and blew it up. 

 

Brown is so up and down, but some of those flashes are great. I really am upset with the change to the fumble ruling because that should have been a forced fumble for Brown. If that's how strictly the rule will be implemented in the season, then I expect it to get repealed after the season because that's going to change a lot of crucial calls. I thought he showed good speed and explosiveness when he knifed his way in for that TFL. Good bend around the guard. Terrible tackling on that punt return. Can't remember who the returner was, but Brown could have stopped him like 30 yards back, but he puts his shoulder into a full momentum player going forward. That just won't work. 

 

Not really happy at all with Asa Jackson. They have given the kid just about every single chance he could ask for to win that returner job, but he has failed to do so. He fumbled on one of his punt returns, one of his kick returns, got bitten by the turf monster, and pretty much got what was blocked for him on a kickoff return and failed to score. I thought he showed good vision on the long punt return last night, but even then, he bobbled the ball. He's just not a secure option in the return game. Defensively, just way too inconsistent. He was giving up passes at about the same rate as Chykie Brown when the played together (2014, right?), but he tackled well. Now I'm just not seeing solid tackling from anyone in the secondary, consistently. 

 

I was happy with Renner the past few games, but outside of that touchdown to Butler, he just doesn't seem to have much zip or velocity on those balls. Also, last night, he seemed so hesitant to make a big throw. I felt like they were mostly short passes and check downs. I was not very impressed with Renner last night outside of those two late touchdown drives. I will say that it takes a good bit of mental make up to lead two touchdown drives that late in the game.

 

Buck Allen plays like a small back despite being pretty big. He's not hitting holes fast or hard and his vision has been shaky to me. I'm not confident that he can be the number two back right now. 

 

I'm happy McGee is such a tough nosed runner, but right now, same deal, I'm not sure I'd want him to be the number two back. I'd love to land Kenjon Barner if he gets cut. 

 

I was down on Marlon Brown for a while, but he definitely decided to show up last night. Waller has shown some impressive hands and has clearly been working all offseason on those shorter routes. I'm happy to have landed him in the sixth. 

 

And as far as punt or kickoff returns go, I would not mind Smith Sr. return some. I don't think there's anything to prove that injuries happen at a higher rate on punts or kickoffs. Consider a player might actually return like 50, at most, in a single season with the new kickoff rules and a fair amount of punts do go for fair catches. I mean, it's not a really high risk position. It's just that if a return is going to happen, I'd want someone secure back there.

Edited September 4, 2015 by BmoreBird22

[Ravensfan23]

A lot of good in this game, even though the score doesn't suggest it.  Most of it on defense.

 

Davis will be lethal when he gets some experience.  A defensive front of Jernigan, Williams, and Davis will give opposing o-lines fits in the run and pass game.

 

Waller is not a project.  Route running was his biggest question outside of the deep routes.  Well they've spent all preseason and probably practices sending him on every short route available and he's looked good doing them.  Even showed strong run after the catch ability a few times and good hands (minus the drop yesterday)

 

Asa I would have cut yesterday but his vision in the return game is fantastic.  Many times I thought he'd get nothing only to see him run by defenders. The fumbles are a huge issue but can be worked on (see Tiki Barber early in his career).  I don't see him being cut UNLESS a better option signs with the team.

 

D.Brown may have played himself onto the PS or another team's roster.

 

If Butler gets cut for not showing up in games, even though he was a practice standout, then Aiken shouldn't be a lock at #2 for the same reason.

 

Marlon Brown proved to doubters that he was never on the bubble.  He's an injury concern but still manages to play more than Campanaro and has a better history in the NFL.

 

Magee should start over Allen as of now

I agree with everything but the one thing i will say about Akien is that Trestman really never opened the offense up with the first unit so Aiken's chances were limited. I personally still think Marlon Brown will be the better option at #2, but i think Aiken would have shown more if given the opportunity.

As of right now i have Asa on the roster. The kid is definitely dangerous but a bit of a loose cannon. Listening to Harbs it sounds like Asa isbon the team unless a clearly better option presents itself via cut or trade. But the trust factor is huge there.

Davis, Williams and Jernigan will be studs together, but Guy, KLM and Bilukidi rotating in will really make this dline deep and nasty. Also Canty as the steady vet will help.

[BmoreBird22]

I agree with everything but the one thing i will say about Akien is that Trestman really never opened the offense up with the first unit so Aiken's chances were limited. I personally still think Marlon Brown will be the better option at #2, but i think Aiken would have shown more if given the opportunity.

As of right now i have Asa on the roster. The kid is definitely dangerous but a bit of a loose cannon. Listening to Harbs it sounds like Asa isbon the team unless a clearly better option presents itself via cut or trade. But the trust factor is huge there.

Davis, Williams and Jernigan will be studs together, but Guy, KLM and Bilukidi rotating in will really make this dline deep and nasty. Also Canty as the steady vet will help.

Did he say this before or after the fumble last night?

[Ravensfan23]

Did he say this before or after the fumble last night?

His post game presser. When asked about Asa, Harbs said he played well on defense and you can clearly see how dangerous he is in the return game however he has to be dangerous to the other team and not the Ravens. Then he went on to say that's a lesson he's sure Asa will learn and talked about how hard he works. Just didn't sound like a guy he was frustrated with.

Imo Asa is their guy unless someone who is hands down better becomes available. You made the comment that he only got what was blocked for him on his Kickoff, but he actually set those blocks up and on the long punt return he made 5 unblocked guys miss. That's pretty good, but how can you get over those fumbles? Especially early in the season when every game seems to be a potential AFCCG preview. I think it's a tougher decision then fans think.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

Good: Bryn Renner shined again.We may have ourselves some future trade bait for a high draft pick in him.If he improves(which he very well could seeing as though this was just his rookie year and he probably saw next to no snaps in camp) and plays even better next preseason and in garbage time in the reg season,then some QB needy team would definitely throw a second round pick at Ozzie for him.He showed alot of accuracy,touch,arm strength and clutch in these 4 preseason games.

 

Decent: Asa Jackson looked good returner the ball again,but it seems like for every good return he has he comes back and fumbles.I think I remember him fumbling vs the Redskins after his almost touchdown.I'm not really sure though.

 

Ugly: Arthur Brown.He was the reason Special Teams gave up that big return.A guy who is entering his third year in the league should know to wrap up when you tackle.Even the majority of fans know that.I was never really a fan of his when we drafted him.He's small and he's not anything special athletically.If they're not going to be able to use him on special teams then it will be another year of the coaches not putting a second round pick on the eligible list week after week.

[berad]

Jacoby had lost a gear and made his own bad decisions. 2012 and 2013 Jacoby were excellent, 2014 Jacoby elicited groans. He would have also bumped someone else off the roster. He's not doing that great in San Diego.

[BmoreBird22]

His post game presser. When asked about Asa, Harbs said he played well on defense and you can clearly see how dangerous he is in the return game however he has to be dangerous to the other team and not the Ravens. Then he went on to say that's a lesson he's sure Asa will learn and talked about how hard he works. Just didn't sound like a guy he was frustrated with.

Imo Asa is their guy unless someone who is hands down better becomes available. You made the comment that he only got what was blocked for him on his Kickoff, but he actually set those blocks up and on the long punt return he made 5 unblocked guys miss. That's pretty good, but how can you get over those fumbles? Especially early in the season when every game seems to be a potential AFCCG preview. I think it's a tougher decision then fans think.

He was just patient on that kickoff return and allowed the blocks to develop, which I suppose is better than what guys like Magee were doing by going full steam ahead with nothing there.

And I did acknowledge he was very elusive on his punt return, but again, he let the turf monster get him against the punter, the one guy he simply has to outrun, and even bobbled that catch. If he could simply hang onto the ball, I'd be thrilled with Asa as the returner, but losing those possessions and literally giving it right back is probably the worst mistake you can make.

I'm honestly really hoping Kenjon Barner becomes available.

[rmw10]

Good: Bryn Renner shined again.We may have ourselves some future trade bait for a high draft pick in him.If he improves(which he very well could seeing as though this was just his rookie year and he probably saw next to no snaps in camp) and plays even better next preseason and in garbage time in the reg season,then some QB needy team would definitely throw a second round pick at Ozzie for him.He showed alot of accuracy,touch,arm strength and clutch in these 4 preseason games.

 

Decent: Asa Jackson looked good returner the ball again,but it seems like for every good return he has he comes back and fumbles.I think I remember him fumbling vs the Redskins after his almost touchdown.I'm not really sure though.

 

Ugly: Arthur Brown.He was the reason Special Teams gave up that big return.A guy who is entering his third year in the league should know to wrap up when you tackle.Even the majority of fans know that.I was never really a fan of his when we drafted him.He's small and he's not anything special athletically.If they're not going to be able to use him on special teams then it will be another year of the coaches not putting a second round pick on the eligible list week after week.

 

I get the feeling you might be overrating Renner a tad…  I like the guy, but let's be real.  He's a fringe roster guy and I don't see him being much more than that.

[BmoreBird22]

I get the feeling you might be overrating Renner a tad…  I like the guy, but let's be real.  He's a fringe roster guy and I don't see him being much more than that.

A tad...? A ton...? Too much...?

[jimmypowder]

Jacoby had lost a gear and made his own bad decisions. 2012 and 2013 Jacoby were excellent, 2014 Jacoby elicited groans. He would have also bumped someone else off the roster. He's not doing that great in San Diego.

I agree . Here's guessing we get a returner from some other team .

We have a major problem here that could cost us the playoffs .