[News] Ravens Bring Safety Matt Elam Back Off Reserve/Injured List

[BR News]

Baltimore chose to activate Elam over defensive tackle Carl Davis and cornerbacks Sheldon Price and Maurice Canady. Elam hasn’t played since 2014, but looked promising during training camp before suffering a knee injury. The Ravens could use help at safety and on special teams.

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[JD08]

At this point, it wouldn't hurt to put him back there to see what he can do, Webb's not a natural safety he shouldn't be back there

[RailBird]

Let's just hope he can continue to play like he did in the preseason. After struggling early in his career he actually showed improvement during the preseason. He obviously won't be the new Ed Reed, but it's almost impossible to be worse than the way Webb is playing at the moment.

[fusuymada]

The majority of players that injure their knees come back slower than prior to the injury. One thing I have noticed with Webb more than anything is just how slow he is. He is slow to react, slow when running and slow in decision making. With Weddle back there who is also not the fleetest of foot, we really needed someone faster back there. The last two games, receivers have caught passes 10- 15 yards in front of Webb and he can't react or run fast enough to even slow them down so someone else can get them. Lets be realistic, which the front office and coaches have a problem being, Webb is done. After his multiple knee injuries he just is not fast enough to play in an NFL secondary. Would have been nice to have Jalen Ramsey back there because we got nothing out of our first and third round picks, which would have gotten us Ramsey. But knowing Harbaugh, who is to say, maybe he would be in the doghouse now and inactive the way our other first rounder is. Never have I seen a first round player practice at a position all week long without issue and then be inactive when the game comes around. For those that fail to acknowledge the facts, the fact is he was ready to go, was able to play, even said that we had to ask the coach why he wasn't playing and Harbaugh lied and said it was an injury. Hard to fathom how Jimmy Smith can practice in a red jersey and be active, but our first round pick wasn't protected all week but couldn't play. Harbaugh is up to his old tricks again. Seems like he is trying to lose and lose his job. Why would you do that?

[Cbrownj11]

I would rather have Elam back there with Weddle. Kendrick Lewis is horrible and Webb hasn't shown that he can play safety.

[Bob21043]

So,this was our one "designated to return" slot from IR?
Hopefully, he can make an impact and redeem himself.

[Bob21043]

Will he go back to playing his more natural SS spot?

[billiejean]

At this point, it wouldn't hurt to put him back there to see what he can do, Webb's not a natural safety he shouldn't be back there

i don't think Webb hasn't been playing well but it is not because his natural position inset safety. He played there 4 years in college.

[Ravensbest52]

Like the rest of you guys, I would much rather have elam back there after the by then webb. Put Weddle at the FS and let Elam stay near the line of scrimmage. Also lets see what Huff can do a little bit and just shake things up overall. Wouldn't even be in this mess if they would have just kept Brooks in the first place smdh. If your going to watch tape for 2 hours you better make some changes and avoid making the same mistakes week after week by playing Webb is by far the weakest link. I would much rather see a combination of Smith, Davis, Young (slot) and Weddle, Elam after the bye week, along with Levine coming in on the Dime package.

[eze17]

We could definately use some help at safety, so this was not an unexpected move. Really hope that Elam can make a difference...he's shown some flashes, but has never lived up to his hype, so maybe he can come in and prove himself...can't be any worse than Kendrick Lewis played in any case.

[whobilly]

We could definately use some help at safety, so this was not an unexpected move. Really hope that Elam can make a difference...he's shown some flashes, but has never lived up to his hype, so maybe he can come in and prove himself...can't be any worse than Kendrick Lewis played in any case.

A lot of our draft choices have not lived up to the hype since 2009. The last eight drafts have yielded about 4 IMPACT PLAYERS and numerous ROSTER FILLERS.

[merryjman]

Not to excuse him, but Elam has had a lot of bad luck. Thrown to the wolves the year after Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard left, and asked to play some weird hybrid SS/FS after being mainly a SS hitter in college. Inevitably, people compared him to #20 and called him a bust (who wouldn't be?) Then a bunch of injuries. Granted, there were a lot of rookie-type mistakes and missed tackles mixed in there. Hope he has a streak of good luck soon.

[gr2522]

Congratulations Matt on your selection to return to the Ravens this season. Now, one favor please, go and play like a RAVEN because this is your shot at redeeming yourself and proving that your not a bust! Go play with a "killer instinct" like Pollard used to tackle. Go Ravens!!!!!

[RavenLunatic]

Good luck getting back on the roster Matt, we need you man. With that said, good luck to all the injured guys. The last 1 1/2 years have been brutal on us.

[tidalwave]

25 minutes ago, whobilly said:

28 minutes ago, eze17 said:

We could definately use some help at safety, so this was not an unexpected move. Really hope that Elam can make a difference...he's shown some flashes, but has never lived up to his hype, so maybe he can come in and prove himself...can't be any worse than Kendrick Lewis played in any case.

A lot of our draft choices have not lived up to the hype since 2009. The last eight drafts have yielded about 4 IMPACT PLAYERS and numerous ROSTER FILLERS.

hey whobilly we get it. the drafts since 2009 have stunk and they are full of roster fillers. how many times are you going to remind us of this?

Edited October 25, 2016 by tidalwave

[nj_ravens]

The majority of players that injure their knees come back slower than prior to the injury. One thing I have noticed with Webb more than anything is just how slow he is. He is slow to react, slow when running and slow in decision making. With Weddle back there who is also not the fleetest of foot, we really needed someone faster back there. The last two games, receivers have caught passes 10- 15 yards in front of Webb and he can't react or run fast enough to even slow them down so someone else can get them. Lets be realistic, which the front office and coaches have a problem being, Webb is done. After his multiple knee injuries he just is not fast enough to play in an NFL secondary. Would have been nice to have Jalen Ramsey back there because we got nothing out of our first and third round picks, which would have gotten us Ramsey. But knowing Harbaugh, who is to say, maybe he would be in the doghouse now and inactive the way our other first rounder is. Never have I seen a first round player practice at a position all week long without issue and then be inactive when the game comes around. For those that fail to acknowledge the facts, the fact is he was ready to go, was able to play, even said that we had to ask the coach why he wasn't playing and Harbaugh lied and said it was an injury. Hard to fathom how Jimmy Smith can practice in a red jersey and be active, but our first round pick wasn't protected all week but couldn't play. Harbaugh is up to his old tricks again. Seems like he is trying to lose and lose his job. Why would you do that?

"Would have been nice to have Jalen Ramsey back there because we got nothing out of our first and third round picks, which would have gotten us Ramsey. "

Just stop with the Ramsey comments already. Just stop.

[steelcityraven]

Well.... It looks like the last chance for ELAM. I hope he makes the most of it. I think he played okay as a rookie and showed some signs of getting better. I think the addition of Leslie Frasier will be good for Elam. It is now or never. My money is on Elam taking the next step. Not sure why but I just feel like he gets the game mentally... and he has had some time to grow into the position physically. Best of luck Elam... pulling for you!

[BigNasty66]

I have a feeling Elam is going to surprise a lot of people this season. Playing any position in the secondary is hard enough as a young player and they had him played 4 different positions during his first two years. He's now had almost 2 years to sit, watch and learn and for the first time will have an actually decent safety lining up next him. Lets go Elam!!! Show all these haters why we drafted you.

[smiff1980]

Webby's Escort Services, "we escort your wide receivers to the end zone"

[omar586]

So who was cut for this bust?

[Drew P]

Just now, omar586 said:

So who was cut for this bust?

There is plenty to choose from but I would I'd say Jester

[MakeRavensGreatAgain]

Hopefully he takes snaps from Webb. Webb hasn't been an NFL caliber player since returning from his injuries, he's been absolutely awful at safety, looks like this is Elam's last shot at taking a job.

[The Greek]

good luck elam and we need you to to be the player we drafted you to be because webb has been bad thus far

[The Greek]

im thinking hester or allen will get cut for elam

[eze17]

  1 hour ago, eze17 said:

We could definately use some help at safety, so this was not an unexpected move. Really hope that Elam can make a difference...he's shown some flashes, but has never lived up to his hype, so maybe he can come in and prove himself...can't be any worse than Kendrick Lewis played in any case.

A lot of our draft choices have not lived up to the hype since 2009. The last eight drafts have yielded about 4 IMPACT PLAYERS and numerous ROSTER FILLERS.

Probably about the same as every team in the league, if you'd bother to look it up...and what's your definition of an "impact player"? Someone who starts? Goes to the pro-bowl? Looks good if you play fantasy football? Pretty subjective if you ask me. Or are you looking for Ogden,Lewis and Reed type players? Sorry, first ballot hall of famers only come along once in a blue moon. We got spoiled by lucking out on getting three of them in pretty quick sucsession. Our drafts haven't been as bad as some people make it out to be. Could we have done better? Yeah, but second guessing doesn't do a darn thing. You play the cards your dealt with. If people want to bemoan any player we didn't get, get used to a lot of crying and disappointment.

[Asmodeus1971]

Always thought Elam has gotten a bum rap the way he was treated, used and supported by fans. Really most of his time they were using him in positions that were not his normal positions Other times you have to look at the rest of the secondary. They tried putting too much on his menu and this overloaded him so he lost skill at the things he was originally good at.

Pretty sure this has Hester getting ready to be dropped.

[eze17]

So who was cut for this bust?

Do not need to put him on the active roster until 10th Nov. if you had bothered to read the article instead of rushing to spew venom...

[TheConquerorWorm]

  1 hour ago, whobilly said:

  1 hour ago, eze17 said:

We could definately use some help at safety, so this was not an unexpected move. Really hope that Elam can make a difference...he's shown some flashes, but has never lived up to his hype, so maybe he can come in and prove himself...can't be any worse than Kendrick Lewis played in any case.

A lot of our draft choices have not lived up to the hype since 2009. The last eight drafts have yielded about 4 IMPACT PLAYERS and numerous ROSTER FILLERS.

Probably about the same as every team in the league, if you'd bother to look it up...and what's your definition of an "impact player"? Someone who starts? Goes to the pro-bowl? Looks good if you play fantasy football? Pretty subjective if you ask me. Or are you looking for Ogden,Lewis and Reed type players? Sorry, first ballot hall of famers only come along once in a blue moon. We got spoiled by lucking out on getting three of them in pretty quick sucsession. Our drafts haven't been as bad as some people make it out to be. Could we have done better? Yeah, but second guessing doesn't do a darn thing. You play the cards your dealt with. If people want to bemoan any player we didn't get, get used to a lot of crying and disappointment.

Exactly. 50% of all 1st Round picks are busts and 85% of all draft picks outside of the Top 50 are busts. Fowler, Jalen Ramsey & Myles Jack - How's that working out for the Jags this year? 2-4 and giving up 26.7 points per game. Tunsil? Can't make it as a LT and barely beat out the worst Guard in the NFL - oh yeah - slipped in the shower and hurt his ankle. Kevin White & Nelson Agholor (the 2 WR drafted AHEAD of Perriman) - White hurt again and Agholor is so bad, the Eagles are considering TRADING FOR Torrey Smith. Dominique Easley (2014 1st Round pick by the Pats) - Cut in training camp. LaQuan Treadwell, Dorial Green Beckham, Devin Funchess - beaten out by undrafted free agents. On and on.....

Mosley, KO, Stanley, BWill, Tavon, Wagner, Jernigan, Jimmy Smith, Torrey Smith & Tyrod Taylor have all been solid draft picks in the last few drafts...And you can't dismiss the undrafted FA like Tucker, Orr, Aiken, Pierce

[Purple Hazard]

Time to make plays Matt. Better make it count

[Fastynart]

Who cares? Matt Elam sucks. He has proven he can't play in the NFL, yet here we go again with the Oh, Elam is back. Just because he was another in a long line of blown Ravens high draft picks doesn't translate to talent or field performance. He has been a hole in the defense every time he is on the field. We have heard all the excuses and they are as lame today as they were when Ozzie boneheadedly drafted him with a number one pick.