[News] Late For Work 8/11: Projecting Ravens 53-Man Roster Heading Into Preseason Opener

[BR News]

Joe Flacco ranked in ESPN’s second tier of quarterbacks. Is Browns rookie Corey Coleman the next Steve Smith Sr.? Cam Newton expected to play tonight. Stanley's fast return marks ‘big change’ from last year. Five players to watch.

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[rossihunter2]

i would be ecstatic if zrebiac's 53 turned out to be the season starting 53

[fusuymada]

If you keep Perriman and Campanaro, you have to keep Butler. You can not carry just 4 WR's during the season and by signing Perriman and Campanaro, you set yourself up for just that as soon as those guys stub their toes. That leaves two options, cut Campanaro and keep Butler or keep both. Also, we don't know how long SSS is going to last this season (he is 37), he could go all year or he could be done by week 3. We really need 7 WR's, but I can't figure out which position group we cut by 1. Can we carry 54 players this year?

As much as it pains me to lose some of these players, I knew when we started signing guys that there would be people who would leave here who could possibly start on another team. Victor Ochi, Keenan Reynolds, Sheldon Price would all be great practice squad additions but I see other teams giving them a shot first. The Ravens need to not let these guys put any tape out there so we can keep them. I know that's not fair to the players but I am being greedy.

I also didn't know that Monroe refused in 2014 to play in the division round playoff game against NE after being cleared. As far as I am concerned, I would have dumped him last year and put KO out at tackle all season. And people wonder why the Ravens ditched him, I think that says it all right there.

[berad]

I guess we know who the 'unnamed GM' was that began talking about Flacco but couldn't stop gushing about Jameis Winston...

[descent into the maelstrom]

I've been sympathetic to Monroe, but hearing that he chose not to play a playoff game after having been cleared makes my blood boil. That could have made the difference between winning and losing that game - which essentially is the difference between getting to the Super Bowl and getting knocked out of the playoffs.

Re the Le Clos/Phelps picture, that is really out of line. I'm glad Phelps won and hated Le Clos' pre-race antics, but the guy simply breathes to his side. Nothing "loser" or "focused on winners" about that, though I recognize the picture can be fun to be taken out of context in the manner that it has been.

[stixfix69]

I think we have to get Ochi on IR by end of camp, worth protecting for next year IMO......

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

PurplenBlackFan2392



I actually can't be upset with ESPN QB Tier's putting Flacco in Tier 2 but at 12 I'd have to disagree i fel like he deserves to be slightly higher maybe two- three spots but he isn't far off, I read that one coordinator said that Flacco is "physically gifted" but doesn't believe "he can lead or carry a team"! How is that even possible When We as Raven Fans Have SEEN Flacco CARRY a Team Before. Maybe not season long but game to game i have seen him carry our team before! I swear WE ravens Fans are the only ones Who have Faith & Believe in OUR QBs Ability! I Truly Believe Flacco Proves EVERYONE Wrong This Year! I GUARANTEE He will Put Up Numbers This Season! #GoRavens #InFlaccoITrust

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

"He is unbelievably physically gifted," an NFL coordinator told Sando. "He makes some throws that are unbelievable. But I don't think he processes things enough mentally to become a 1. I don't think he can lead a team or carry a team. He can take what is there, and if you give him help, he can be pretty good."

"Flacco has a little better arm and is a little more accurate than a Jameis Winston, but Jameis is not afraid of anything," an anonymous GM added. "Jameis is competitive and will stand in and deliver, where I think Flacco will see ghosts and get nervous and lose confidence. They have a lot of similar negative traits where they don't always go to the right spot, and lack some mobility."- So I guess when he went 11-0 in the 2012 playoffs he didn't CARRY the Team?! Flacco Can & Has Carried this team and his stats may not always show it but I'd agree that he definitely deserves to be Ranked over Manning & Romo who both haven't done SQUAT as of late!

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

Also you cant EVER Compare a rookie to a 17 year vet like SSR. For all we know Coleman could wind up a bust like Manziel....way to go Cleveland lmao SMH

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

I've been sympathetic to Monroe, but hearing that he chose not to play a playoff game after having been cleared makes my blood boil. That could have made the difference between winning and losing that game - which essentially is the difference between getting to the Super Bowl and getting knocked out of the playoffs.

Re the Le Clos/Phelps picture, that is really out of line. I'm glad Phelps won and hated Le Clos' pre-race antics, but the guy simply breathes to his side. Nothing "loser" or "focused on winners" about that, though I recognize the picture can be fun to be taken out of context in the manner that it has been.

I agree with what you say about Monroe to me finding out that he decided against playing in that New England Game "which we should have won" is IMO marking him up as Soft! I don't even understand why we even traded for him....What a BUM! Stanley will prove to be a MAJOR Upgrade IMO..

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

Cam Newton Without a Doubt in my mind is a Tier One QB, Hands Down! I'd even Put Him Above Rapistburger & Rogers who had WAY more Talent and help on the offensive side of the ball, outside of the Defense..Cam Newton IS the Panthers. JMO

[Bat-mite]

"He is unbelievably physically gifted," an NFL coordinator told Sando. "He makes some throws that are unbelievable. But I don't think he processes things enough mentally to become a 1. I don't think he can lead a team or carry a team. He can take what is there, and if you give him help, he can be pretty good."

"Flacco has a little better arm and is a little more accurate than a Jameis Winston, but Jameis is not afraid of anything," an anonymous GM added. "Jameis is competitive and will stand in and deliver, where I think Flacco will see ghosts and get nervous and lose confidence. They have a lot of similar negative traits where they don't always go to the right spot, and lack some mobility."- So I guess when he went 11-0 in the 2012 playoffs he didn't CARRY the Team?! Flacco Can & Has Carried this team and his stats may not always show it but I'd agree that he definitely deserves to be Ranked over Manning & Romo who both haven't done SQUAT as of late!

In all fairness, the #2 tier says that he can carry the team, but not consistently. I think we have all been witnesses to Flacco's inconsistency over the years, and this should surprise no one. Tier 2 is right for him. But I'm all for seeing him move up a tier, if he can with this dinged up receiving corps. Really need SSS and Perriman to come out healthy.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Flacco as a tier 2 QB I can live with and is fair IMHO. He does have the ability to push into tier 1 territory when it matters the most though. I'd argue his ranking within teir 2 is a bit off, but then again they probably are looking straight at the numbers instead of W's and L's. All good, let the nay sayers you know..

Personally, I think Campanaro will need to play in all the preseason games to secure a roster spot. At this stage coaches know what he brings and can do on the field. He has to prove he can be on the field consistently week in and out. This is my choice for hardest potential roster cut this year, especially if Butler continues to makes plays/impress and stays healthy.

I see Ravens keeping 4 RB's this year. West looks ready to take on a bigger role and workload. It has been too long since the Ravens last had a bruising type back and West fits the mold. The only way they keep only 3 RB's is IF any show ball security issues.

I think Carl Davis is going to need a strong showing in the preseason to secure his roster spot as well. He has played well, but not yet shown much sizzle or flash and will need to take that next step forward to separate himself. KLM and Henry are going to be pushing him hard for a roster position. I don't see anyone having a clear advantage at this point.

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

  1 hour ago, PurplenBlackFan2392 said:

"He is unbelievably physically gifted," an NFL coordinator told Sando. "He makes some throws that are unbelievable. But I don't think he processes things enough mentally to become a 1. I don't think he can lead a team or carry a team. He can take what is there, and if you give him help, he can be pretty good."

"Flacco has a little better arm and is a little more accurate than a Jameis Winston, but Jameis is not afraid of anything," an anonymous GM added. "Jameis is competitive and will stand in and deliver, where I think Flacco will see ghosts and get nervous and lose confidence. They have a lot of similar negative traits where they don't always go to the right spot, and lack some mobility."- So I guess when he went 11-0 in the 2012 playoffs he didn't CARRY the Team?! Flacco Can & Has Carried this team and his stats may not always show it but I'd agree that he definitely deserves to be Ranked over Manning & Romo who both haven't done SQUAT as of late!

In all fairness, the #2 tier says that he can carry the team, but not consistently. I think we have all been witnesses to Flacco's inconsistency over the years, and this should surprise no one. Tier 2 is right for him. But I'm all for seeing him move up a tier, if he can with this dinged up receiving corps. Really need SSS and Perriman to come out healthy.

I agree with your points and you make sense in your argument. I'd agree with what you replied with just that I feel he should be ranked higher than 12.

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

Flacco as a tier 2 QB I can live with and is fair IMHO. He does have the ability to push into tier 1 territory when it matters the most though. I'd argue his ranking within teir 2 is a bit off, but then again they probably are looking straight at the numbers instead of W's and L's. All good, let the nay sayers you know..

Personally, I think Campanaro will need to play in all the preseason games to secure a roster spot. At this stage coaches know what he brings and can do on the field. He has to prove he can be on the field consistently week in and out. This is my choice for hardest potential roster cut this year, especially if Butler continues to makes plays/impress and stays healthy.

I see Ravens keeping 4 RB's this year. West looks ready to take on a bigger role and workload. It has been too long since the Ravens last had a bruising type back and West fits the mold. The only way they keep only 3 RB's is IF any show ball security issues.

I think Carl Davis is going to need a strong showing in the preseason to secure his roster spot as well. He has played well, but not yet shown much sizzle or flash and will need to take that next step forward to separate himself. KLM and Henry are going to be pushing him hard for a roster position. I don't see anyone having a clear advantage at this point.

Great Points & I Agree Whole-Heartedly! Great Comment!

[eze17]

O.K, I think his predictions for the 53 man roster are generally pretty good, barring injuries of course. Some comments i'll throw out there:

I think at least one of the WR mentioned will end up on the PUP list and Butler makes the active squad. Hard to leave a guy who has been at least consistently healthy and shown he has some playmaking ability off the roster when at least four other players are suffering some type of health issue. It wouldn't surprise me if we go with seven receivers anyways, if one of the RB or TE mentioned is injured. I had West out of a roster spot, but he is really knuckling down and making too strong a case to leave him off the roster.

I agree that unless something freaky goes down that Hurst is a goner. Just did not impress last year when given ample opportunity to nail down a job with us. I don't know much about Wesley, but agree that we keep at least eight O linemen.

On defense, I don't quite get Canady automatically getting a spot. Price seems to be outplaying him, but I wouldn't be surprised if we went into the season carrying only five CB anyways.(I think you could always throw Webb back in at CB if an emergency came up during a game.), and I like Davis. That would leave a spot open for Lewis-moore, Ochi, or Onwuasor if you wanted.

I'm also really not sold on Kendrick Lewis. Another disappointment from my viewpoint, but maybe there was something going on that I don't know about. I know there's been a lot of Elam bashing, but i'd like to see him get another shot. It should be an interesting competition between him and Brooks. I also think if Elam gets cut, another team would sign him just to see if a change of scenery could help him.

I think a lot of players that we cut will still be around to put on our practice squad. As fan's we like all our guys and fear that other teams will snatch them away if we leave them on waivers. But that just isn't the case in reality. All the other teams worry about having to cut some of their potential players also. Reynolds is one guy I worry about someone(Pats)grabbing, but if he plays poorly during pre season he could slip through if we still wanted him. I think guys like Canady, Ochi, Onwuasor and others would probably be safe to put on the PS.

[52liveforever]

I'm two picks off from his picks. I had Hurst instead of Wesley and Elam instead of Levine.

[Shaky End of the Quarter]

Also you cant EVER Compare a rookie to a 17 year vet like SSR. For all we know Coleman could wind up a bust like Manziel....way to go Cleveland lmao SMH

You mean Coleman could wind up a bust like Perriman?

[bigcatfrank1]

So far just from the 2 practices I've seen, I'm somewhat close to this, Levine can play LB and DB plus a great special teams man, I would definitely keep him which also helps Arthur Brown and Elam make the team. Webb can play corner so right now I don't see them keeping Canady on the 53. 5 safeties, 5 corners. I agree with Arrington not returning. I think the 3rd year lineman Hurst and Kapron-Lewis stay. The unproven rookies have to settle for the practice squad, we cant let Hurst, Kaplan- Moore, Brown and Elam all go on waivers, The risk of landing on the PS is better with the unknowns. I don't see both Perriman and Campinaro making the team, Butler is a better option depending on if both stay healthy enough. The other option is Perriman starts on the PUP or Campinaro is left to the PS, with Canady, Henry, Wesley, Ochi, Clay and Renolds. The chances that ALL of them get picked up on Waivers is unlikely, so there will be options for the PS if some dont make it through. This all said barring no injuries and all are available at the 53 deadline.

[JamesA119]

Also you cant EVER Compare a rookie to a 17 year vet like SSR. For all we know Coleman could wind up a bust like Manziel....way to go Cleveland lmao SMH

Well they're essentially saying that he has a great chance to be a phenomenal NFL WR. They're not just looking at his college tapes, they've seen him playing in practice against NFL defense. Comparing him to Manziel doesn't make any sense.

[GENE2407]

No way do the Ravens only keep three ILBs.

[20306cab]

Now way, five RB's. Total waste of a spot.

[JamesA119]

  6 hours ago, PurplenBlackFan2392 said:

Also you cant EVER Compare a rookie to a 17 year vet like SSR. For all we know Coleman could wind up a bust like Manziel....way to go Cleveland lmao SMH

Well they're essentially saying that he has a great chance to be a phenomenal NFL WR. They're not just looking at his college tapes, they've seen him playing in practice against NFL defense. Comparing him to Manziel doesn't make any sense.

Also many experts knew Manziel wasn't going to succeed in the NFL. He is very small, and slower than an NFL line backer; for a scrambling QB that's ominous. He didn't play in an NFL offense in college. He was a huge project but the Clowns still drafted him with much better QBs still on the board.

[RavenBiz]

8 hours ago, JamesA119 said:

Also many experts knew Manziel wasn't going to succeed in the NFL. He is very small, and slower than an NFL line backer; for a scrambling QB that's ominous. He didn't play in an NFL offense in college. He was a huge project but the Clowns still drafted him with much better QBs still on the board.

Manziel was no smaller than Brees or Wilson when drafted.  His college game film over 2 seasons in the SEC showcases his passing abilities, quickness, elusiveness and speed against the best college competition.  It was, and continues to be, substance abuse issues, lack of maturity and consistently poor decision-making that derailed any chance of his success in the NFL.  I sincerely hope he finally has the epiphany he needs to holds himself accountable for his actions, then gets the help he needs to lead a respectable, long life.

[eze17]

So far just from the 2 practices I've seen, I'm somewhat close to this, Levine can play LB and DB plus a great special teams man, I would definitely keep him which also helps Arthur Brown and Elam make the team. Webb can play corner so right now I don't see them keeping Canady on the 53. 5 safeties, 5 corners. I agree with Arrington not returning. I think the 3rd year lineman Hurst and Kapron-Lewis stay. The unproven rookies have to settle for the practice squad, we cant let Hurst, Kaplan- Moore, Brown and Elam all go on waivers, The risk of landing on the PS is better with the unknowns. I don't see both Perriman and Campinaro making the team, Butler is a better option depending on if both stay healthy enough. The other option is Perriman starts on the PUP or Campinaro is left to the PS, with Canady, Henry, Wesley, Ochi, Clay and Renolds. The chances that ALL of them get picked up on Waivers is unlikely, so there will be options for the PS if some dont make it through. This all said barring no injuries and all are available at the 53 deadline.

We certainly can let Hurst, Lewis-moore, Elam and Brown go...Hurst looked bad last year even when he was given ample playing time. Think its a coincidence we drafted two tackles in the 1st and 4th round? Brown has also been given plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills and come up wanting. Mediocre is best used to describe him. Lewis-moore has been injured his entire NFL career, and is the weakest link in the D line. Kaufusi getting injured was possibly his lucky break getting a chance to make the roster. And Elam has shown some flashes of why we made him a 1st rounder, but is definitely inconsistent, and worse, injury prone. I don't think any of these guys are even remotely safe to nail down a roster spot, and if released Elam would probably be the only one who would still have a shot to be signed by another team. We need to cut loose some of these "anchors" and let the fresh young talent have a chance to play.