[News] Who's Playing, Who's Not vs. New England Patriots

[BR News]

The Ravens are healthy as they head down the final stretch. Rookie guard/tackle Alex Lewis (ankle) is back earlier than expected, but doubtful to play against the Patriots.

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[RailBird]

No offense to Lewis, but I'm pretty comfortable with our current O-line. I think it's best for Lewis to take the time he needs to get back to full health. There's no reason at all to rush him back on the field when he's not completely healthy and he's a solid backup in case something were to happen to Yanda or Stanley.

[KidNme]

I agree, Let Lewis get fully healed, we got this as long as Ducasse limits the penalties. It will be nice to have him in there helping if we need him but we can afford to bring him back slowly. I believe he's going to be a great player for us just hope we don't bring him back as slow as we did with Perriman.

[The Mom Gene]

No offense to Lewis, but I'm pretty comfortable with our current O-line. I think it's best for Lewis to take the time he needs to get back to full health. There's no reason at all to rush him back on the field when he's not completely healthy and he's a solid backup in case something were to happen to Yanda or Stanley.

Me too! Like what I have seen. Let him heal completely.

[purpledown]

hopefully the Ravens add a 3 rd back before long, one will be needed as the season goes on.

[billiejean]

54 minutes ago, purpledown said:

hopefully the Ravens add a 3 rd back before long, one will be needed as the season goes on.

Bucks hungry. He did well when we got rid of Forsett and KD was still healing. You can tell hes grinding though and is trying to contribute where he can.  Sometimes hes a healthy scratch but he is a solid special team guy. He blocked a kick a few weeks ago.

Edited December 11, 2016 by billiejean

[CQ1]

Please note:
Maalox has been sent to the PS, while Brown Swagger with mustard and onions have been taken off of the IR!
Go Swagger, Go Ravens!

[rossihunter2]

the other thing about lewis if we keep him on the bench is that he could be a good option as a 6th lineman in stead of james hurst because he has already proven himself more effective at tackle than hurst and obviously was starting well at guard - having him healthy, in the worst case, at least gives the ravens options

best case it gives the ravens a problem

[sizzlingdoom]

No offense to Lewis, but I'm pretty comfortable with our current O-line. I think it's best for Lewis to take the time he needs to get back to full health. There's no reason at all to rush him back on the field when he's not completely healthy and he's a solid backup in case something were to happen to Yanda or Stanley.

I agree 100%. If he was playing like KO or something before he went down it might be a different story, but he needs to get fully healthy. He's started off very well and he'll only get better. Especially with his attitude, he's a gamer for sure

[sizzlingdoom]

  5 hours ago, purpledown said:

hopefully the Ravens add a 3 rd back before long, one will be needed as the season goes on.

Bucks hungry. He did well when we got rid of Forsett and KD was still healing. You can tell hes grinding though and is trying to contribute where he can.  Sometimes hes a healthy scratch but he is a solid special team guy. He blocked a kick a few weeks ago.

I agree he is a solid special teamer, and that block was huge. But I don't think he offers anything what so ever in the run game. He can catch out of the back field, but he just can't run the ball well. I'm not sure we need another RB on the roster. Seems like our two headed monster can stay fresh while they basically split the time. I would love to see Camp back so he can essentially work as a rb outta the slot. He can take some hand offs and reverses as well. Kinda like Cobb. Considering everything, I think Dixon and Young might have been the Ravens best picks in years

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Let Lewis heal up as much as possible for now. Would be nice to possibly give Yanda a game off to rest/heal shoulder before end of season if a post season birth is still looking within reach.

Although the Ravens aren't in the post season yet, this is the healthiest I can remember their roster being late in a season. It would seem to bode well for a deep run, but need to take care of business first this Monday night. Father time will catch up with Brady sooner or later. Too many bust SSSr. chops about being old~er, comparatively Brady is a dinosaur. The difference is SSSr can take his licks and keep ticking. Brady rarely gets hit, until this Monday night.

[smalljaws]

A healthy bird is a dangerous bird.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

As far as Alex Lewis is concerned there is no need to rush him back. Yanda is great at LG and Ducasse is playing well enough at RG. Let him heal up for the rest of the season and get him time studying RT because that's where he's playing next season when Wagner cashes in on a new contract. Right now Lewis can be the number one option at swing G and swing T, which is actually about as versatile as you can get on the OL.

I am sure Bennett will be playing on Monday night and he will have a good game against us. I am not saying the Ravens are bad, it is just that he's a very good and very athletic TE who can give us some trouble.

[stampedehero]

Alex Lewis will be playing in the Eagles game. O men are vital and his versatile presence is a benefit. Besides this, it is our last home game. (I'm happy for Justin Forsett getting a spot on the Denver roster).

[sizzlingdoom]

Alex Lewis will be playing in the Eagles game. O men are vital and his versatile presence is a benefit. Besides this, it is our last home game. (I'm happy for Justin Forsett getting a spot on the Denver roster).

I'm curious why you think he will play next week?
He was playing average before getting hurt (good for a rookie but not pro bowl level by any means).
A lot of people would argue Vlad has been playing better
Lewis is not fully healthy and is surely rusty- Stanely got his tailed whipped in his first game back from multiple games off from injury
We finally have chemistry and good oline play
Why on earth would we insert back into the starting lineup unless Vlad just tanks Monday night which I don't see.
I could see bringing him in as an extra lineman on running plays but he wasn't even very good as run blocker, he was better protecting.We'll se but I'd be shocked if we insert him back in the starting lineup, esp if he's not 100%.
Ducasse is a 2nd round pick and really starting to show why. Costly penalties is the only way I see him exiting the starting lineup

[Rav'n Maniac]

It is awesome to be this healthy at this point of the season. It means so much for this final run. Win the next three and the final game won't matter. Lewis can fill in for Yanda then to give him a break before the WC game.

[Rav'n Maniac]

10 hours ago, CQ1 said:

Please note:
Maalox has been sent to the PS, while Brown Swagger with mustard and onions have been taken off of the IR!
Go Swagger, Go Ravens!

I actually found this amusing. Props but you should have posted it in the JE swagger article, it would have been better there.

[designermaryland]

As far as Alex Lewis is concerned there is no need to rush him back. Yanda is great at LG and Ducasse is playing well enough at RG. Let him heal up for the rest of the season and get him time studying RT because that's where he's playing next season when Wagner cashes in on a new contract. Right now Lewis can be the number one option at swing G and swing T, which is actually about as versatile as you can get on the OL.

I am sure Bennett will be playing on Monday night and he will have a good game against us. I am not saying the Ravens are bad, it is just that he's a very good and very athletic TE who can give us some trouble.

I agree with this for sure. I have liked Ducasse at RG and Yanda at left. I think Yanda is able to help Stanley as he grows. Lewis is a solid 6th man, and I think is better than Wagner, who seems like he gets nicked a lot. Lewis at RT next season to replace Wagner or at RG if Ducasse does not resign. I do think we need an upgrade at center soon.

[hen826957]

  2 hours ago, EdTheMythicalOne said:

As far as Alex Lewis is concerned there is no need to rush him back. Yanda is great at LG and Ducasse is playing well enough at RG. Let him heal up for the rest of the season and get him time studying RT because that's where he's playing next season when Wagner cashes in on a new contract. Right now Lewis can be the number one option at swing G and swing T, which is actually about as versatile as you can get on the OL.

I am sure Bennett will be playing on Monday night and he will have a good game against us. I am not saying the Ravens are bad, it is just that he's a very good and very athletic TE who can give us some trouble.

I agree with this for sure. I have liked Ducasse at RG and Yanda at left. I think Yanda is able to help Stanley as he grows. Lewis is a solid 6th man, and I think is better than Wagner, who seems like he gets nicked a lot. Lewis at RT next season to replace Wagner or at RG if Ducasse does not resign. I do think we need an upgrade at center soon.

In the offseason, they should take a look at Nick Mangold at center which will be an upgrade over Zuttah. The Jets might release him next year. So cut Zuttah and replace him with Nick Mangold.

[b93333]

This is a big game in many respects... especially for a potential wild card spot. The division winner will be determined by the outcome of the second Squealers game. If Joe keeps playing like the pre mega-contract Joe, we may just run the table.

[Militant X 1]

Other teams, like the Cowboys were able to take advantage of one our "key" players being "out" (Jimmy Smith) for the game and dominated the CB's in his place for their win. Can the Ravens do the same thing with the Patriots "key" players (Gronk and Amendola) being "out" of the game? Hmmm.

GO RAVENS!!

[January J]

Good problem to have. Let lewis get 100% ...he is also great depth in case somebody else goes down. If over the next few weeks ducasse keeps causing penalties and/or Lewis outperforms him at RG then simply make the swap.

[cobrajet]

I am very happy we are healthy for the Patriots, we just really need to stay that way all the way through the entire season!!!!!!!! Go Ravens!

[omar586]

we need to run the ball more from passing formations

[billiejean]

16 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

I agree he is a solid special teamer, and that block was huge. But I don't think he offers anything what so ever in the run game. He can catch out of the back field, but he just can't run the ball well. I'm not sure we need another RB on the roster. Seems like our two headed monster can stay fresh while they basically split the time. I would love to see Camp back so he can essentially work as a rb outta the slot. He can take some hand offs and reverses as well. Kinda like Cobb. Considering everything, I think Dixon and Young might have been the Ravens best picks in years

Yea, the guy I was responding to was saying something about bringing in a third back. I was just reminding him about Buck.  I agree that he doesn't bring anything to the table that KD or TW cant do  but if one goes down he will do in a pinch.  Its way to early to tell about Dixon and Young.  I think Stanley. Pierce. and Judon are also going to be great Ravens.  And hopefully KC will get in the weight room during the off season and live up to his draft status.  But there have been plenty of players in the NFL that have had Pro Bowl rookie years that were never able to get back to that level.  Its due to a lot of things but a big part of it is injuries.  Im not sure if you want to bring Camp in just to do reverses or trick plays.  He would have trouble getting any playing time as a receiver. You only are going to be able to do a reverse once a game anyway.  The only way that we should bring him up is if he is going to take over return duties, which I wouldn't be apposed to.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

10 hours ago, hen826957 said:

In the offseason, they should take a look at Nick Mangold at center which will be an upgrade over Zuttah. The Jets might release him next year. So cut Zuttah and replace him with Nick Mangold.

Mangold is the last three letters of his name and he missed a large chunk of time this season before finally going on the IR recently with a busted up ankle. He'll be 33-34 next season and I think that is moving in the wrong direction. I think Zuttah will be fine for another season while we have him still under contract and that gives us another season to see what Urschel can do or to perhaps draft his replacement. That guy might be on the practice squad right now in the form of UDFA Matt Skura who the Ravens really liked.

I also think that while Stanley is still getting his feet wet in the NFL, Yanda should switch to LG permanently. RG is a bit easier to play because it is primarily a road grading position. Of course you might have Alex Lewis playing there next year or he might kick out to RT. The Ravens still have Ryan Jensen maybe they bring back Vlad Ducasse to have camp battles with some of the guys they have on the practice squad for camp...or we see who they draft. They need some interior linemen for the future though. Usually you can find good one in the 3rd and 4th rounds of the draft.

[sizzlingdoom]

  23 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

I agree he is a solid special teamer, and that block was huge. But I don't think he offers anything what so ever in the run game. He can catch out of the back field, but he just can't run the ball well. I'm not sure we need another RB on the roster. Seems like our two headed monster can stay fresh while they basically split the time. I would love to see Camp back so he can essentially work as a rb outta the slot. He can take some hand offs and reverses as well. Kinda like Cobb. Considering everything, I think Dixon and Young might have been the Ravens best picks in years

Yea, the guy I was responding to was saying something about bringing in a third back. I was just reminding him about Buck.  I agree that he doesn't bring anything to the table that KD or TW cant do  but if one goes down he will do in a pinch.  Its way to early to tell about Dixon and Young.  I think Stanley. Pierce. and Judon are also going to be great Ravens.  And hopefully KC will get in the weight room during the off season and live up to his draft status.  But there have been plenty of players in the NFL that have had Pro Bowl rookie years that were never able to get back to that level.  Its due to a lot of things but a big part of it is injuries.  Im not sure if you want to bring Camp in just to do reverses or trick plays.  He would have trouble getting any playing time as a receiver. You only are going to be able to do a reverse once a game anyway.  The only way that we should bring him up is if he is going to take over return duties, which I wouldn't be apposed to.

I here ya on the Buck situation. Makes sense. I totally understand about it being early with Young and Dixon. But I think saying if they get injured they might not stay at that level is way unfair. Its part of the game that everyone has to deal with and it's just a freak thing sometimes. Young has guarded Antonio Brown all over the field, and Eifert out wide from the 5 face to face in the in zone. Giving up NINE inches and probably 85 pounds. The guy is a stud. And Dixon is a no brainer to me. Fred Taylor 2.0 Looks amazing all around as a 3 down back. But I'll give you that rbs get beat up, and his running style is viscous. Hopefully he eat and trains right, and learns when and when not to initiate contact. I agree with you 100% about Judon and Pierce. I'm ridiculously stoked on both of them. I just really hope they don't use Pierce as an excuse to let BWILL go. We can't let him go. It would take to long for me to list the reasons why but the ravens better not let it happen. We cannot let our self made tench mauling all pros go. I understand KO got paid a couple extra per year but dam! And I wasn't saying just bring up Camp for 1 reverse a game. I would love to see him take over or split return duties with Hester. I also think it would be wise to give him 8-14 snaps a game as a wr. Sometimes filling SSS to keep him fresh and other times out there with him at the same time. Streak Wallace and Perriman down the sidelines with Camp and SSS crossing the field-dirty. I'm curious about Willie Henry, I was stoked on that pick too.
I think we have some serious foundation pieces moving forward. I also think there are key veterans that I'm hoping stay around for another 1-4 years.

[sizzlingdoom]

And Billiejean I agree about Stanley too. I just haven't watched him very much individually. The only thing I really remember questioning about him after studying a bunch about him was his pure strength. And run mauling which kinda goes with that a bit. I think those are things that can be worked on. Especially because he has so many other gifts. And works hard. So yeah, I think that was a great pick, though it did surprise me a little at the time.

[Fastynart]

You can talk all you want about injuries and blah blah blah. It doesn't mean anything if the Ravens offense can't control the game. The key, and ONLY key to beating the Patriots lies in keeping Tom Brady on the bench. If Flacco pulls his usual three and out routine like he did all too often in the first 11 games, the Ravens are done. He needs to play at the level he played at against Miami. No chuck and dink passes, throw the damn thing down field. On third down, throw past the first down marker, not three or more yards shy of it. That will win the game and perhaps salvage the Ravens season.

[sizzlingdoom]

You can talk all you want about injuries and blah blah blah. It doesn't mean anything if the Ravens offense can't control the game. The key, and ONLY key to beating the Patriots lies in keeping Tom Brady on the bench. If Flacco pulls his usual three and out routine like he did all too often in the first 11 games, the Ravens are done. He needs to play at the level he played at against Miami. No chuck and dink passes, throw the damn thing down field. On third down, throw past the first down marker, not three or more yards shy of it. That will win the game and perhaps salvage the Ravens season.

Salvage? LOL. They've been grinding all year, have dealth with injuries, have been at least tie for first most of the year and you say salvage? that's funny. Our fans our so spoiled and just feel entitled.
The one thing I agree with is it's pretty frustrating when they throw passes a couple yards short of the marker on third down, esp. if there isn't room for YAC. However, blaming on that solely on Joe if foolish and ignorant. Sometimes maybe it is his fault, however, that really seems like it could be a problem of play calling/route running on third down.