[News] Late For Work 9/7: Returners And Running Backs Needed In Baltimore. Who's Out There?

[BR News]

Fun-loving Charles James on his way to Baltimore. Former Ravens updates. Ozzie shows how rich get richer.

View the full article

[bioLarzen]

"It's possible the Ravens don't think it's as glaring and immediate a need as some others do' wrote The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. "And if you think about it, how many kick return opportunities do you think they'll get next Sunday, when Broncos kicker Brandon McManus is booting the ball through the thin Denver air in relatively warm temperatures? My guess is not many."

 

I guess someone should explain it to Mr. Zrebiec that the season will continue after Week #1, and not all games will be played at that altitude...

Edited September 7, 2015 by bioLarzen

[Godfather A]

One name Zrebiec did not mention was Leon Washington. He is both an experienced returner and a veteran running back. He was with Tennessee last year and he averaged a kickoff return average of 23.8 yards with 4 of them for over 40 yards. It appears that he is a free agent at present.

[TheRavengers]

That pic of Q, Torrey and Jacoby makes me kinda sad.

[rmcjacket23]

"It's possible the Ravens don't think it's as glaring and immediate a need as some others do' wrote The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. "And if you think about it, how many kick return opportunities do you think they'll get next Sunday, when Broncos kicker Brandon McManus is booting the ball through the thin Denver air in relatively warm temperatures? My guess is not many."

 

I guess someone should explain it to Mr. Zrebiec that the season will continue after Week #1, and not all games will be played at that altitude...

True, but the key is that veteran contracts aren't guaranteed after week 1.

 

In essence, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to sign a veteran RB or kick returner until after week 1, because we don't have to guarantee their contract.

[iluvpurple]

Three points that instantly come to mind for me...... 1, Jacoby Jones surely looks unhappy, (probably just my imagination), 2, I always loved Jameel McClain and wish him nothing but the best in life, and 3, Justin Forsett is one of the nicest and classiest players to ever grace a Raven's uniform......

[Dorota]

Special teams matter in Denver. Just think back to the Mile High Miracle. Plus, whoever can say that returner job can be inconsequential and "plugging it up" is enough? Someone suffering memory loss? Do you know what Jacoby Jones did for us on special teams only when he was in his prime? Not once, but multiple times. A returner is an important position. I hope Magee comes back, he's not a WOW player, but there's a spark I'm curious to exploit.

[rmcjacket23]

Special teams matter in Denver. Just think back to the Mile High Miracle. Plus, whoever can say that returner job can be inconsequential and "plugging it up" is enough? Someone suffering memory loss? Do you know what Jacoby Jones did for us on special teams only when he was in his prime? Not once, but multiple times. A returner is an important position. I hope Magee comes back, he's not a WOW player, but there's a spark I'm curious to exploit.

There is no shortage of great teams in this league, past and present, who have hoisted Lombardi trophies, made it to the SB, competed in Conference Championship games, etc. who did NOT have a great ST returner. In fact, most people couldn't even name that.

ST is something that you don't have to be great at to succeed in this league. There's plenty of teams with average punters, average kickers, and just overall mediocre at ST who do very, very, very well in this league.

You just can't suck at it. We need to focus on covering kicks (aka not giving up large returns) and protecting the football. The rest will be just fine. You're taking a knee and waving for a fair catch well over half the time in this league anyway, so having a "flash" guy who runs back kicks like Jacoby is a luxury item, not a necessity item.

Kick returner wouldn't even crack my top 3 of the biggest question marks/concerns I have with this team right now.

[Dorota]

Also, is it just me? - When we're losing by a couple points in the last 2 minutes and our offense is unlikely to get back on the field I used to pray "We have great special teams, it could be a return touchdown, it could be a return touchdown, it could be a return touchdown..." Or so I used to until now. You can win or lose a game on your special teams play.

Edited September 7, 2015 by Dorota

[TheConquerorWorm]

"It's possible the Ravens don't think it's as glaring and immediate a need as some others do' wrote The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. "And if you think about it, how many kick return opportunities do you think they'll get next Sunday, when Broncos kicker Brandon McManus is booting the ball through the thin Denver air in relatively warm temperatures? My guess is not many."

 

I guess someone should explain it to Mr. Zrebiec that the season will continue after Week #1, and not all games will be played at that altitude...

 

Returners are still overrated. With over 50% of kickoffs resulting in touchbacks (and creeping closer to 60%), the traditional role of returner is going the way of the Fullback. On top of that, look at the teams with the most AVG Kickoff Return Yards last year (Oakland, Carolina, Tennesee, etc) and you'll not see many play-off teams.

 

Also, Baltimore was 24th in Punt return average last year when we had a so called "legit punt returner". I could be the Ravens punt returner and we would only fall 8 spots. 

 

Play-off and SB heroics aside, if you look at the numbers, Jacoby has been considered one of the best returners in the game. But in 3 years and 44 regular season games with the Ravens, he's only scored a total of 4 TDs on Punt AND KO returns COMBINED. His punt return has averaged less than 10 yards (3 steps forward).

 

Sure, specials teams is important, but I would rather have a guy that catches and never fumbles, than have a guy like Jones, Asa, Carter, etc that may take it to the house once or twice a season.

Edited September 7, 2015 by TheConquerorWorm

[jravens13]

Just Saying, Ozzie should have kept Boldin, Torrey and Jacoby. Signed Sr. That would be a WR Core. If that was the case, we probably wouldn't have a secondary though. : (

[Baltimore Bandwagon]

"It's possible the Ravens don't think it's as glaring and immediate a need as some others do' wrote The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. "And if you think about it, how many kick return opportunities do you think they'll get next Sunday, when Broncos kicker Brandon McManus is booting the ball through the thin Denver air in relatively warm temperatures? My guess is not many."

 

I guess someone should explain it to Mr. Zrebiec that the season will continue after Week #1, and not all games will be played at that altitude...

Agreed. And, how many times have we seen the Ravens pull out a game due to a fantastic return?

[iluvpurple]

Just Saying, Ozzie should have kept Boldin, Torrey and Jacoby. Signed Sr. That would be a WR Core. If that was the case, we probably wouldn't have a secondary though. : (

I think of the 3, I miss Jacoby Jones the most, I think as strictly a returner, he was one of the best we have had in awhile, but just my opinion..... As far as Boldin and Torrey, that ship has sailed; as a team, we have some potentially great young receivers, and they need to develop just as both Torrey and Anquan had to..... I am pretty excited to watch these young guys as they progress this year to see who will shine and unfortunately who won't, but youth is the way to go when we have a great veteran in Smith, Jr this year to help them along, and an established QB in Joe as well.

[law215]

AFC North games are often a field position battle especially in the cold months. Trying to score TDs or 80-yard drive is tough . The big play on offense and Special teams returns are critical. It's an edge in a competitive division to have a guy that can flip the field.

[GeeWallee]

It would be nice to see Montee Ball come here, but I think he'd be an "After Week 1" candidate. His Rookie Contract stated he would make $595K this year and a Roster Bonus of $125K which is a moot point, so he shouldn't be an expensive add. I think he was mishandled by Fox and Company after his groin and appendectomy issues, but that is neither here ..... nor there. Ideally, Terrence Magee would be a good reclaim. He has an all around skillset and ran back a KO for 25 and ran hard with over 4 YPC in his game action. They could reclaim Toussaint . Never know.....and the staff has a week to come up with a solution. It will probably end up as Campanaro's job for now.

Edited September 7, 2015 by GeeWallee

[balfan23]

"Jerry Rosburg is a powerful man. Key special teamers McClellan, Trawick, Levine, Orr all back." -- John Meoli.

 

Let's not forget that the HC is a former ST coach. He understands the value, so roster spots on the margins almost always go to the best ST players.

[balfan23]

Urban can go to the IR and we make the move to put another RB on the roster now. I wonder what we are waiting for? I don't know that Ball has cleared waivers ... could they be waiting to see what his fate is?

[balfan23]

Toussaint is a Steeler .... Interesting ... we all have been focused on Magee being our guy to roll onto the roster, and the Steelers opt for Toussaint.

 

Either that, or we've already worked it out with Magee to go to the active roster and it just hasn't been announced yet. This should be cleared up sometime today.

[MichaelJ34]

Play-off and SB heroics aside, if you look at the numbers, Jacoby has been considered one of the best returners in the game. But in 3 years and 44 regular season games with the Ravens, he's only scored a total of 4 TDs on Punt AND KO returns COMBINED. His punt return has averaged less than 10 yards (3 steps forward).

Actually 10 Yards is the avg of 10 steps for most people. 10 feet would be close to 3 steps.

[BigUgly]

Ball didn't fit well with the zone blocking scheme in Denver, which is why he's available not. Not sure he's the best option for Baltimore.

[salamander]

I know that the FO had been clear as a bell that they would not re-hire Ray Rice. I fully understand and respect the reasons for that decision. However, if some wild scenario developed, if the Ravens reported search for a veteran running back is true and all the veteran RB's the FO are seriously considering are snatched up by other teams, would they still stand firm on the Rice position or give him a spot if they knew that Ray Rice was the best option left to help the team through this injury to LT situation? I noticed that Ray was not mentioned at all as a possibility nor was he mentioned as ruled out (which we all know is the current reality). Don't mean to start a rehash of comments why the Ravens made that decision, we all know the PR considerations, age, LY of down productivity, team image, distraction, legal action etc reasons. I am curious about an unlikely "what if" scenario should develop. IF the FO is really seeking a veteran RB as a priority and IF other teams signed the vet players the FO wants and IF Ray Rice would be the best vet option left to help the team, even in the short term til LT is healthy, would the FO reconsider? Or just stay with the younger, more inexperienced backs and hope they catch on quick? I personally would have no problem supporting the decision to sign Ray Rice IF the FO decided it would give the RB position the best short term stability and best production to help the team win. Please hold with the negs, we all know the "arguments" and "why nots". I am taking no position on what the FO should do with pros or cons. Just saying as a fan I would have no problem supporting the FO decision IF they made this unlikely move.

[thecommish]

monte ball

[Willbacker]

All these KR/PRs were named and then talked about Charles James but yet failed to mention he could fill the returner duties

[MTRavensFan]

No!!!

Fitz to the Steelers? I thought he had a great PS, looked good on ST, too. Bummer.

Great tweet by Jforce, what an awesome human being.

If Smitty and Webb want to return kicks, I say let 'em!

[stuckonaboat13]

"The rich get richer"- Really tired of hearing this kinda talk when it comes to the Ravens. We are overall a good drafting team thanks to Ozzie but he misses just as many as he hits and never gets grief for the misses. 2009, 10, 12 and 13 were all sub par years minus a player or two here and there and thats being kind. 2014 was a nice bounce back year especially if certain guys can stay healthy. I dont want to judge this past years draft yet its to early but Perrmian is def concerning , its clear now why MAxx fell as far as he did (just not ready for this level on competition yet) . Carl Davis looks like he good be a nice player. I just think Ozzie get to much credit for the past

[sticks999]

Who's out there? Jacoby Ford is out there!! Would be one of the fastest guys in the league and has experience returning. Not sure why he is being overlooked!! ??

[757RavensFan]

I know that the FO had been clear as a bell that they would not re-hire Ray Rice. I fully understand and respect the reasons for that decision. However, if some wild scenario developed, if the Ravens reported search for a veteran running back is true and all the veteran RB's the FO are seriously considering are snatched up by other teams, would they still stand firm on the Rice position or give him a spot if they knew that Ray Rice was the best option left to help the team through this injury to LT situation? I noticed that Ray was not mentioned at all as a possibility nor was he mentioned as ruled out (which we all know is the current reality). Don't mean to start a rehash of comments why the Ravens made that decision, we all know the PR considerations, age, LY of down productivity, team image, distraction, legal action etc reasons. I am curious about an unlikely "what if" scenario should develop. IF the FO is really seeking a veteran RB as a priority and IF other teams signed the vet players the FO wants and IF Ray Rice would be the best vet option left to help the team, even in the short term til LT is healthy, would the FO reconsider? Or just stay with the younger, more inexperienced backs and hope they catch on quick? I personally would have no problem supporting the decision to sign Ray Rice IF the FO decided it would give the RB position the best short term stability and best production to help the team win. Please hold with the negs, we all know the "arguments" and "why nots". I am taking no position on what the FO should do with pros or cons. Just saying as a fan I would have no problem supporting the FO decision IF they made this unlikely move.

If Bisciotti would have never said Rice will never be a Raven again, then I could see a small chance of a change in heart by the FO.

Edited September 7, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[ravens4life86]

Holliday,Ross,Ford pick up one of these WR/Returners.

Campamaro injury prone, and I dont want to risk Webb or Smith sr on return game. And all this talk about not have returns play a big part in Denver... Who knows but if you dont have somebody half as good as Jacoby Jones, our Return game will not win us any games and will not be a threat to any team.

Go get a returner/WR.

Aa for RB, Im fine with the combo of Buck Allen and dont forget JUICE...use juice as extension of the run game. At worst call back Magee, Fitz Touissant off a PS

[Godfather A]

Jacoby Ford did not play in 2014. Leon Washington did.

[hen826957]

I really want Ozzie to trade for Cordarrelle Patterson for a 5th rounder or something if not Jacoby Ford but Cordarrelle is better.