[News] Will Keenan Reynolds' Military Obligation Keep Him From Playing?

[BR News]

The Naval Academy graduate may have to serve a multi-year commitment before ever suiting up for the Ravens.

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[fluffy201]

Mmmm, I guess he either get signed or cut. Why would the ravens carry him on the roster when he can't play for two years. If that is the case, I feel like it is a wasted draft pick. However, the sixth round is a crap shoot anyway.

[Daft Classic]

Mmmm, I guess he either get signed or cut. Why would the ravens carry him on the roster when he can't play for two years. If that is the case, I feel like it is a wasted draft pick. However, the sixth round is a crap shoot anyway.

I think when he goes into Military Reserve there is a special list he goes on so he doesn't count against the roster. He'll be on a 4 year deal, so we'll have him under control for the latter 2 years if he is given an assignment and we can add him to the roster at that time

[BecksterH]

If he's good enough to make the team, the Navy will work something out so he can play in the NFL and fulfill his obligation. There is precedence. Having a player in the NFL is good PR for Navy Football, which will bring better recruits and fill the stands. Navy will make this work.

[EliteRavens]

Love this pick!

[TheConquerorWorm]

If he's good enough to make the team, the Navy will work something out so he can play in the NFL and fulfill his obligation. There is precedence. Having a player in the NFL is good PR for Navy Football, which will bring better recruits and fill the stands. Navy will make this work.

I agree. I have to believe the Navy would make an exception for the guy that scored the most TDs & Points in the history of college football...

[JimmyBlack]

Meanwhile, Dixon is a very good candidate to return punts, too. He was an exceptional back in college. I sure hope that Reynolds can play, though. He has that knack for finding the endzone.

[Rich McG]

47 minutes ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

1 hour ago, BecksterH said:

If he's good enough to make the team, the Navy will work something out so he can play in the NFL and fulfill his obligation. There is precedence. Having a player in the NFL is good PR for Navy Football, which will bring better recruits and fill the stands. Navy will make this work.

I agree. I have to believe the Navy would make an exception for the guy that scored the most TDs & Points in the history of college football...

Totally agree. A Midshipman returning a kick-off for a touchdown on national tv with thousands of replays. Wow! The Navy couldn't pay for all that positive press. All that plus the fans will cheer, root, and love this Navy football player.

 

Edited May 2, 2016 by Rich McG

[EddiOK]

Quality guy. Would love to see the Navy work things out with him. Would love to have a team full of guys like him - sterling character, standout leadership, epic work ethic, just overall high quality young man.

[surfdude]

Great story and great guy, BUT can he even catch ? IF so he would be Julian Edelman clone. Could be the steal of the late round picks IF he can catch passes.

[JimmyBlack]

What separates Reynolds from the pack is his dedication to the game even if he needs to wait 2 years to get there.

[JimmyBlack]

4 minutes ago, surfdude said:

Great story and great guy, BUT can he even catch ? IF so he would be Julian Edelman clone. Could be the steal of the late round picks IF he can catch passes.

I think of Wes Welker dropping that pass in the SB.  Not to mention the Lee Evans fiasco that kept us out that year.  Reynolds is a proven TD machine.

[JimmyBlack]

24 minutes ago, Rich McG said:

Totally agree. A Midshipman returning a kick-off for a touchdown on national tv with thousands of replays. Wow! The Navy couldn't pay for all that positive press. All that plus the fans will cheer, root, and love this Navy football player.

 

Some of us veterans will cheer for him even if he is sent out to sea, too.

[Crusader]

No way he can do what he needs to do in the off season besides with all the Cutts in the defense It's not a high priority.

[callahan09]

What happens if he can't play? Is he sill under the Ravens' control when he returns from active duty, even if it's in, say, 5 years?

[Thecount012]

For all the doubters who don't know about the precedent set by Roger Staubach, and others, sometimes the talent is worth the wait.

[harfordravenfan]

1 hour ago, JimmyBlack said:

Some of us veterans will cheer for him even if he is sent out to sea, too.

Agreed, and

Semper fi jimmyBlack

[harfordravenfan]

36 minutes ago, callahan09 said:

What happens if he can't play? Is he sill under the Ravens' control when he returns from active duty, even if it's in, say, 5 years?

Yes, since he has 2 yrs left to serve

[elemento]

Probably 2 years like David Robinson in the NBA. 

[mearzunkies]

Mmmm, I guess he either get signed or cut. Why would the ravens carry him on the roster when he can't play for two years. If that is the case, I feel like it is a wasted draft pick. However, the sixth round is a crap shoot anyway.

Read the article...

[mearzunkies]

  2 hours ago, Rich McG said:

Totally agree. A Midshipman returning a kick-off for a touchdown on national tv with thousands of replays. Wow! The Navy couldn't pay for all that positive press. All that plus the fans will cheer, root, and love this Navy football player.

 

Some of us veterans will cheer for him even if he is sent out to sea, too.

oorah

[bioLarzen]

What happens if he can't play? Is he sill under the Ravens' control when he returns from active duty, even if it's in, say, 5 years?

As far as I know, if a player has to, or decides to halt his NFL career while on the roster of an NFL organization, he can only resume his career as the player of that organization - see the cases of Carson Palmer who "retired" as a Bengal, and so had to reactivate himself as a Bengal, and Roladno McClain who had a one-season pause as a Raven, and so had to come back to Baltimore to finally be traded to the Cowboys. Or Ricky Williams, who, after retiring as a Raven, expressed his wishg to un-retire and play for the Chargers - but he could jhave only un-retire as a Raven...

So, if Reynolds has to miss the two years, he will come back to Baltimore, and can only be elsewhere if the Ravens cut or trade him.

Of course, the Ravens may opt to release him during those 2 years if they choose to - if something happens or for any other reasons, at which point he becomes a free agent, and thus is free to sign with any NFL organization.

But I guess it's academic - Ozzie was in full knowledge of the situation, so even if Reynolds has to servfe the full 2 years, he'll probably be stashed on the relevant roster (I guess there's a roster for such players - like the "retired reserve" for recently retired players).

[callahan09]

27 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

As far as I know, if a player has to, or decides to halt his NFL career while on the roster of an NFL organization, he can only resume his career as the player of that organization - see the cases of Carson Palmer who "retired" as a Bengal, and so had to reactivate himself as a Bengal, and Roladno McClain who had a one-season pause as a Raven, and so had to come back to Baltimore to finally be traded to the Cowboys. Or Ricky Williams, who, after retiring as a Raven, expressed his wishg to un-retire and play for the Chargers - but he could jhave only un-retire as a Raven...

So, if Reynolds has to miss the two years, he will come back to Baltimore, and can only be elsewhere if the Ravens cut or trade him.

Of course, the Ravens may opt to release him during those 2 years if they choose to - if something happens or for any other reasons, at which point he becomes a free agent, and thus is free to sign with any NFL organization.

But I guess it's academic - Ozzie was in full knowledge of the situation, so even if Reynolds has to servfe the full 2 years, he'll probably be stashed on the relevant roster (I guess there's a roster for such players - like the "retired reserve" for recently retired players).

Does he have to take up a roster spot during those 2 years?  Also, I thought it was 5 years obligation, but that some players in the past have been given exceptions to serve only 2, such as David Robinson, but that even that isn't a guarantee, it is considered a special exception that he may not necessarily be given?

[ellicottraven]

I think he's a kid with great heart and talent. I hope he's able to follow that NE punter's formula given the Academy is right here in Annapolis.

[steelcityraven]

Hoping we found the next Roger Staubach! (I know we are looking at him as a WR /KR /PR guy but)! Staubach was one of the all time greats and if he didn't miss a big chuck of his career... he would be considered on of the top 3 ever.

[ravensnj]

On 5/2/2016 at 4:38 PM, EliteRavens said:

Love this pick!

Only if he is allowed to play. If not, we should have selected an ILB and signed Reynolds to a free agent contract.

[ravensnj]

On 5/3/2016 at 8:27 PM, bioLarzen said:

As far as I know, if a player has to, or decides to halt his NFL career while on the roster of an NFL organization, he can only resume his career as the player of that organization - see the cases of Carson Palmer who "retired" as a Bengal, and so had to reactivate himself as a Bengal, and Roladno McClain who had a one-season pause as a Raven, and so had to come back to Baltimore to finally be traded to the Cowboys. Or Ricky Williams, who, after retiring as a Raven, expressed his wishg to un-retire and play for the Chargers - but he could jhave only un-retire as a Raven...

So, if Reynolds has to miss the two years, he will come back to Baltimore, and can only be elsewhere if the Ravens cut or trade him.

Of course, the Ravens may opt to release him during those 2 years if they choose to - if something happens or for any other reasons, at which point he becomes a free agent, and thus is free to sign with any NFL organization.

But I guess it's academic - Ozzie was in full knowledge of the situation, so even if Reynolds has to servfe the full 2 years, he'll probably be stashed on the relevant roster (I guess there's a roster for such players - like the "retired reserve" for recently retired players).

I believe it's called - Military leave. There must be some Federal law, keeping him employed/nonactive and the league has a protocol for such things.

[ALPHA]

Didnt that Patriots long snapper get a waiver last year?

[ALPHA]

In any case I love the pick, this guy has talent and a lot of heart, which you can't teach. 

[JimmyBlack]

On 5/3/2016 at 8:55 PM, callahan09 said:

Does he have to take up a roster spot during those 2 years?  Also, I thought it was 5 years obligation, but that some players in the past have been given exceptions to serve only 2, such as David Robinson, but that even that isn't a guarantee, it is considered a special exception that he may not necessarily be given?

The Admiral implied that he would need to serve a minimum of 2 years active duty before he could be transferred to reserve status,  He still hasn't been commissioned nor graduated yet, though. Graduation is May 27th at the USNA if you are interested to go and see it.  Maybe they could work out a deal to allow him to work evenings at the Academy but that would be exhausting after a day of hot summer practices.  Regardless of the outcome, the Ravens took a big risk with this signing.  It's questionable that they would have gotten him as a UDFA.  Luckily, they covered themselves by taking another TD machine in Dixon, too.

Edited May 4, 2016 by JimmyBlack