[News] News And Notes 8/15: Jimmy Smith Has Strong Day At Practice

[BR News]

Several key players returned to action. Safeties Matt Elam and Terrence Brooks both had impressive plays.

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[CaliRavenFan]

I hope we dont fall for the Elam trap, He hasnt taken the team or the NFL serious since he joined the league. Its actually frustrating to hear that he is starting to make plays now that he knows this is his last chance on our team. Brooks has outshined him ever since he has been on the team, personally its not a hard decision between the two of them. 

Does anyone know if they (DBs) practice turning their head when they see the WRs hands come up for the catch? At first it will look ugly but ultimately it will lead to less Flags and more INTs.

[Steve32]

I hope we dont fall for the Elam trap, He hasnt taken the team or the NFL serious since he joined the league. Its actually frustrating to hear that he is starting to make plays now that he knows this is his last chance on our team. Brooks has outshined him ever since he has been on the team, personally its not a hard decision between the two of them. 

Does anyone know if they (DBs) practice turning their head when they see the WRs hands come up for the catch? At first it will look ugly but ultimately it will lead to less Flags and more INTs.

Elam looked very good last year before he tore his bicep.
There is no "Elam trap."

[stixfix69]

I am rooting for Brooks and Elam, as Weddle and Webb are on the other side of 30, if these guys can be who we thought they were, it will only makes us better down the road....Also Webb is known to miss a game or 3 a year, so it would be great to be able to insert one of those guys n, and feel confident they can get it done....

[Maryland]

I wonder how big a threat Alex Lewis is to take that starting LG spot. Urschel must want to get back out there ASAP and defend his starting role.

[stixfix69]

I wonder how big a threat Alex Lewis is to take that starting LG spot. Urschel must want to get back out there ASAP and defend his starting role.

Loved Lewis when we drafted him, he plays with swag, and a serious attitude....My thought is he will be groomed for RT, if the FO feels Wagner will bolt for the money next year...And i would have no problem with Stanley and Lewis being our bookends for the future....

[balfan23]

1 hour ago, CaliRavenFan said:

I hope we dont fall for the Elam trap, He hasnt taken the team or the NFL serious since he joined the league. Its actually frustrating to hear that he is starting to make plays now that he knows this is his last chance on our team. Brooks has outshined him ever since he has been on the team, personally its not a hard decision between the two of them. 

Does anyone know if they (DBs) practice turning their head when they see the WRs hands come up for the catch? At first it will look ugly but ultimately it will lead to less Flags and more INTs.

I'm not sure I'm going to buy into the fact that Elam's success or lack thereof is related to whether or not he's taking the league serious. In year 1, he was thrown into the blaze well before he was ready, as Huff crashed and burned instantly. Year 2, it felt like we moved him all over the place and he could never get comfortable and struggled all year. In year 3, it appeared we were poised to keep him in his best suited SS style role, was having a good camp and suffered a season ending injury. 

I just don't see any of those issues as being related to a lack of effort. Any success he may currently be having isn't related to his knowledge that it is his last chance. He's been a disappointment, no doubt. We'll see how the team evaluates him, but make no mistake .... whoever gives us the best chance to win will be the one on the field. 

[Ravenous_Ravens]

I gotta admit since they were both drafted I with many others assumed Elam would be a much better player than Brooks coming from a much smaller program, etc. Time has shown Brooks has probably improved the most but with less ceiling. Elam seems to be trending the right direction but will it be too little too late. IMHO if things are that close come cuts I give it to the player that has improved the most, being Brooks. Note to Elam IF you want to make this roster you need to do more than just match Brooks to earn that job. You were a first round draft pick, meaning you should have better skills and ability. Time to show it and separate yourself and make the decision for coach.

[stixfix69]

They say the more you can do, the better shot it makes you making the team, Brooks on paper is a FS, but played CB for us last year, his speed was the big thing, as he could keep up with WR's....Yes he has shown more pop after the Carolina game, but Elam will fight for a spot as well....With Kendrick missing time, who knows, maybe both make it....

[January J]

3 hours ago, Steve32 said:

Elam looked very good last year before he tore his bicep.
There is no "Elam trap."

 

2 hours ago, balfan23 said:

I'm not sure I'm going to buy into the fact that Elam's success or lack thereof is related to whether or not he's taking the league serious. In year 1, he was thrown into the blaze well before he was ready, as Huff crashed and burned instantly. Year 2, it felt like we moved him all over the place and he could never get comfortable and struggled all year. In year 3, it appeared we were poised to keep him in his best suited SS style role, was having a good camp and suffered a season ending injury. 

I just don't see any of those issues as being related to a lack of effort. Any success he may currently be having isn't related to his knowledge that it is his last chance. He's been a disappointment, no doubt. We'll see how the team evaluates him, but make no mistake .... whoever gives us the best chance to win will be the one on the field. 

Exactly. People lose patience with guys when they don't produce right away. I get it- this guy has a lot to prove... But his whole attitude and demeanor has changed and I think he's ready to show the fans why the ravens drafted him. I'm torn though BC I also really like Brooks and they seem to be playing neck and neck right now and I don't see anyway we can keep both barring something unforseen such as an injury to lewis or something.

[mearzunkies]

Elam should not cost very much to retain. Hope he plays well and shows that "ability" most 1st rounders have and resigns at a very affordable #.

[objective view]

I have gotten to the point with Jimmy where I do not need to hear anything else I need to see him perform on the field in game day!

[Militant X 1]

Let's go Jimmy!

[ellicottraven]

Competition! That's the best way to get at our final 53 man roster. When a team does that it fields the best 53 regardless of draft pick position or college laurels.

[cbrook1862]

We hear more about Urschel's success in the classroom than on the football field. He better watch his back bc Lewis is a legit contender to take his spot. IMO Urschel seems more interested in his studies than football.

[hen826957]

If the secondary continues to struggle than l will advise Ozzie to sign Antonio Cromartie to a 1 or even 2 year deal (in case we draft one next year and not ready) opposite of Jimmy Smith. Antonio Cromartie wants to plays and he's hungry.

[Crusader]

Smith needs to put some good years together to be labeled a shut down coner.

[rossihunter2]

6 hours ago, cbrook1862 said:

We hear more about Urschel's success in the classroom than on the football field. He better watch his back bc Lewis is a legit contender to take his spot. IMO Urschel seems more interested in his studies than football.

what from anything you've heard anywhere makes you think that he isnt 100% committed to football

he himself has said that as soon as training camp roles around he hangs up his math until "hopefully february"

and do you remember what he wrote in the wake of chris borland's early retirement? he said he knew he shouldnt play football but he loved it too much - that doesnt sound like a guy who's more focussed on studies than football