[News] The Breakdown: Eisenberg Predicts Ravens 53-Man Roster

[BR News]

With the preseason in the books, let’s take a look at how the final roster could shake out.

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[FlackAttack]

cut arthur brown and keep asa jackson. we need 6 CB's. i know jackson isnt that good but he will be more valuable to us than brown.

[hen826957]

@FlackAttack Asa Jackson is terrible at returner. He's gonna cost us some games with his fumbling issue. Ozzie needs to find a good decent returner. I want Ozzie to see if he could go after Cordarrelle Patterson in a trade or something. We need on bad.

[allblackraven]

There's no way we go with only 9 in secondary. Eisenberg won't win tickets for the Rams game

[RavensBaltimore]

I like the idea of not adding another running back while Taliaferro gets healthy. We shouldn't waste a valuable roster spot on a guy who is only going to be with the team a few weeks and get a couple carries a game during that time.

The receiver competition went from extremely hard to predict to fairly obvious. The only question is if we will keep 6 or 7, and I think everyone knows who will make it under each of those circumstances.

One of the biggest roster questions now is will Ozzie add a return specialist. If Asa gets cut, Campanaro will be the only returner we have, and his injury issues are well documented.

[sflegend89]

There's no way we go with only 9 in secondary. Eisenberg won't win tickets for the Rams game

 

Agreed. There isn't a team in the NFL that only keeps 5 CB's on their 53 man roster, that's crazy.. especially for a team that was ravaged by injuries at that position last year. Plus Vaughn isn't eligible for the PS squad so i don't know what that notion was all about. If you have been on an active 45 man gameday roster for over 9 games you are ineligible and Vaughn has accrued well over that threshold.

Edited September 4, 2015 by sflegend89

[ravens4life86]

Why bilukiti over Lewis Moore? Both played well today, and KLM was a draft pick, you would think with Ravens history of keeping draft picks they keep him..or both for insurance purposes.

Robert Myers clearly is a developmental guy, he gets stashed away on IR or PS somewhere... But hes not ready for full time action as a back up OL.

Whos the returner? Ozzie going to have to make a move... Maybe he does go get T.Holliday, or someone outside the organization.

[Maryland]

Why bilukiti over Lewis Moore? Both played well today, and KLM was a draft pick, you would think with Ravens history of keeping draft picks they keep him..or both for insurance purposes.

Robert Myers clearly is a developmental guy, he gets stashed away on IR or PS somewhere... But hes not ready for full time action as a back up OL.

Whos the returner? Ozzie going to have to make a move... Maybe he does go get T.Holliday, or someone outside the organization.

I agree. His choice of Biukidi over KLM was the only one I really disagreed with. KLM has more upside and less chance to fall through waivers. Bilukidi can be brought right back after Urban goes on IR-designated to return. 

 

Actually, I think they probably keep one less ILB and one more DB (or possibly a RB).

Edited September 4, 2015 by Maryland

[letitgosometimes]

John: Your projected 53-Man Roster looks good. The coaches may consider the following alternatives: Jeremy Butler for Michael Campanaro (if not at the start of the season, then immediately if Campanaro or another Ravens' receiver is injured); Fitzgerald Toussaint for Lorenzo Taliaferro (at least for the first three games while Taliaferro or if another Ravens' running back or special teams/returner is injured); and lastly, find another one to two veteran Dbs. The Ravens must have fresh Db legs and solid play from their Dbs for sixteen games plus the playoffs. Five Dbs is not enough given the propensity to throw often on the Ravens' defense. Otherwise, I think you've nailed the 53-Man roster.

[TheSim]

Agreed. There isn't a team in the NFL that only keeps 5 CB's on their 53 man roster, that's crazy.. especially for a team that was ravaged by injuries at that position last year. Plus Vaughn isn't eligible for the PS squad so i don't know what that notion was all about. If you have been on an active 45 man gameday roster for over 9 games you are ineligible and Vaughn has accrued well over that threshold.

 

There's a "veteran" spot on the PS now, which Vaughn would be eligible for.

[TheSim]

Yeah I think they keep KLM over Bilukidi too.  KLM can at least play DE, Bilukidi is just another DT, and we've already got lots of guys that can play that position that will be on the roster (Jernigan, Davis, Tyson).  At DE we've got Canty and Guy, and Canty has health issues and age (wear, conditioning) issues.

[reed20fence]

Unless someone can predict who we're gonna acquire as a returner it's gonna be impossible for anyone to win tickets to the St. Louis game. Everyone's predictions are gonna be nullified by either a wire pickup from recent cuts or a trade that they've quietly been working the last few days.

[Fastynart]

We had one of the best return threats in the league, Jacoby Jones. Why the Ravens think so little of a guy who can change the course of the game on one play is beyond me. Asa Jackson? Seriously? No threat and fumble fingers.

[AlphaWolf]

I'd like to see the Ravens pursue a deal to get Stephon Diggs from Minnesota. What do you think it would take? I'd offer Arthur Brown and a seventh round pick.

[FloridalovesRavens]

I am sure Ozzie has something up his sleeve (I hope) lol. Go Ravens.

[allblackraven]

I'd like to see the Ravens pursue a deal to get Stephon Diggs from Minnesota. What do you think it would take? I'd offer Arthur Brown and a seventh round pick.

It'd be real nice of them to send us either Diggs or Patterson.

 

Don't see it happening any time soon, though.

[20306cab]

Unless someone can predict who we're gonna acquire as a returner it's gonna be impossible for anyone to win tickets to the St. Louis game. Everyone's predictions are gonna be nullified by either a wire pickup from recent cuts or a trade that they've quietly been working the last few days.

Well, whoever is closest will win.  It will be interesting to see if anyone gets all 53 right.  But yea, hopefully Ozzie'll throw a monkey wrench into that.

[TheRavengers]

I pretty much predict Asa Jackson getting cut the second he fumbled that ball.

[alexbayrobin]

I'd love to see Daniel Brown make the practice squad. He looks like he could maybe be a good player if he is given the chance.

[Island.John]

This year's squad reminds me of the 2007 Ravens, Billick's last hoorah. With SSS and a rookie replacing Mason and Clayton, Forsett for McGahee, etc. that team had R Lewis, E Reed, Ngata, Suggs, Ogden, this team has Suggs! The 07 squad started 4-2 and finished 5-11 ! Harbaugh, like Billick has become obsessed with winning arguments and having a clean locker room. Most of These guys have little on field situational awareness, football sense, and quite frankly seem to lack toughness. They play and move about the field like trained robots, unaware or afraid to make a play from instincts. Our coaching staff has been leeched dry from other teams promoting our best football minds. Don't get me wrong, I like coach Harbs, I think he is an excellent balanced competitor up top, but we need some serious changes in the X's and O's of game play and coaching. Maybe the other 31 teams are worse, now that the union has reduced training days to a minimum. As far as home field advantage, we need to win road games by coming out creative instead of scripting plays the opponent could guess from film study. All these 1 and 2 year receivers don't know how to thread zones, extend routes, and break getting jammed off the line. If Forsett with 1 good year has a sophemore jinx we are in even bigger trouble. It's easy to say we'll be fine, but it's smarter to be honest and realistic and start changing now.

[Crusader]

They should have try D Brown returning kicks.

[devilsadvocate1]

Obviously, Brown hasn't played against the top competition, but that isn't his fault. I don't quite see why a guy who is 6'5" and has shown good route running, positioning and glue for hands isn't appealing. We have all gone gaga over tall receivers with a lot less skills. A team like Green Bay if they have been watching will pick him up in a heartbeat.

[bioLarzen]

They should have try D Brown returning kicks.

 

Why? Has he shown anything promising in that department?

[bioLarzen]

Unlike the past several seasons, this t6ime the gap between the starters/immediate backups and the "depth" was so significant that it seems clearer than ever who will be kept and who will be cut. There's real question for only a couple of spots, and who we'll try to retain for the PS.

 

What we shouldn't forget, however, is that even when the final" 53 man roster is set - even that isn't gonna be "final": I think there is no doubt that Ozzie will bring in new guys from theo other treams roster cut victims. I don't think there's any doubt that we'll be looking for a return guy, some more depth at the secondary would be most welcome, and maybe a veteran wideout could also be used. And, of course, any good guy who gets cut and Ozzie deems him worthy enough for a closer look... So, we can count on rosdter changes even past the 53-man deadline.

Edited September 4, 2015 by bioLarzen

[bioLarzen]

Obviously, Brown hasn't played against the top competition, but that isn't his fault. I don't quite see why a guy who is 6'5" and has shown good route running, positioning and glue for hands isn't appealing. We have all gone gaga over tall receivers with a lot less skills. A team like Green Bay if they have been watching will pick him up in a heartbeat.

 

Its not tht he's "not appealing" - it's that he's not among the 53 guys we need most. If we kept more WR's just because Brown had a good pre-season, we would have to thin another position. And the risk of having a thinner-than-necessary position was perfectly showcased two seasons ago when we took the season with only two RB's - and Rice got hurt midway through the season, and last season when most of our CB position group simply vanished as the season progressed.

 

And all this just to keep a player we would scarecely use then? Because even if we kept Brown on the 53-man roster, he would hardly see any offensive snaps - one or two a game. Most of his contributions would be special teams.

 

I don't think we are risking a lot cutting him hoping we can resign him on the PS though. Just remember: 704 players will be cut, and so suddenly available for any teams in a couple of days. Just about every organization has his "Browns" - his guys who were good in the pre-season, but not good enough to make the cut, so now all the fans are hoping he goes unnoticed and be available to go back on the PS. Brown was good - but he wasn't spectacular. I'm quite sure he'll be available if the coaches think he should go on our PS. We had been all through this before... just remember Omar Brown, or example... when, after a similarly (or even more) spectacular pre-seson he was cut, everybody was sure other teams would fight to get him - and then he came back to the PS quietly... 704 players is an enormous pool.

[RaRaRavens]

Even though I'd like it, I just can't see them keeping 5 ILB-s and just 5 CB-s considering Smith and Webb are injury risks. If we'd have some decent CB-s who can stay upright for an extended period of time, 5 ILB-s would be perfect because there is so much talent there.

[Ravens_Flock]

There is no way Marlon Brown does not make the team. As someone else pointed out, he runs good routes, is a big target, and has good hands. He may not have blazing speed, but she also had the longest play of that last pre-season game. I think his "drop off" last season had a lot more to do with the Ravens coaching staff and Smith Sr. coming in, than it did with any actual drop in his ability or performance. By all rights, as I've said many times, Smith Sr., at his age, should have been playing the slot for us, while Marlon should have remained the outside starter along with Torrey. He is still, in my mind, a better candidate for the #2 WR, over Aiken. Aiken has played well and proven himself, but Brown, to me, still has more overall potential and ability.

Also, I certainly hope that my fears about Taliaferro essentially losing his #2 spot (for the entire season) to rookie Allen, aren't true. Allen looked good at times, but he certainly didn't do enough to take the top backup role. I think Taliaferro showed that he is the change of pace power back we need to compliment Forsett. I have no doubt Allen can contribute as well, and that we'll likely use all three backs at points, but I just would hate to see Taliaferro's chance to really come on strong and have a bigger role, be hampered by a minor knee injury that is likely to only keep him out Week 1.

[757RavensFan]

I swear Daniel Brown has shown more football IQ and physicality than Aiken or butler. If he doesn't make the team then I really will lose confidence in Harbuaghs assessing of the team.

 

If Daniel Brown doesn't make the team that would probably be the call of Bobby Engram and the ST's coach not Harbaugh.  

[fusuymada]

On a normal year, Daniel Brown makes this team because of his clear special teams talent as well as his catching. Lets face it that was a textbook punt block, laid out perfect, stuffed the ball, and then he went up and caught some passes in some tight coverage and basically carried the team on his back. Unfortunately, it is just too tough of competition and where we want to call what we see in a couple games, the coaches and media have been watching him for 6 months now and they can best make the decision. If the Ravens keep 6 receivers who do you cut. I think over two years Aiken has shown the coaches he is more consistent and a better route runner than Daniel Brown. Marlon Brown sealed his spot last night. Camp isn't going anywhere and neither is SSS or Perriman. That means Waller would have to go and you don't usually drop draft picks unless they really are bad and Waller has shown promise though he plays tentatively like his is afraid he'll get hurt.

Edited September 4, 2015 by fusuymada

[rmcjacket23]

My gut says we don't keep 9 offensive lineman, and I think maybe 9 secondary players isn't quite enough, so I think maybe somebody like Asa makes it and Myers does not.