[News] Ravens Sign Two Canadian Football League Players

[BR News]

Baltimore has inked defensive back Otha Foster and linebacker Boseko Lokombo to reserve/future contracts. Both will get their shot in the NFL this summer in hopes of catching on via special teams.

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[ellicottraven]

I don't know what this does to improve our team, but hey at least they're signing free agents from the CFL!

[bioLarzen]

Hah, when I heard we signed Foster, I thought it was Arian - but now I see it's not him, it's the Otha Foster

Anyway, welcome both of you.

Edited January 31 by bioLarzen

[bioLarzen]

I don't know what this does to improve our team, but hey at least they're signing free agents from the CFL!

Well, as they're signed for future contracts, we'll hardly see them on the field for some time... Probably PS for both.

[TheConquerorWorm]

I don't know what this does to improve our team, but hey at least they're signing free agents from the CFL!

Lokombo is a speedy LB with good coverage skills. Will use on special teams & nickel coverage just like Albert McClellan (who may take Orr's spot or be waived). Basically, trying out to be McClellan's replacement.

Foster is a former Marine that played next to Malcolm Butler in college. Good tackling S, good on special teams. Replacement for Elam or Kendrick Lewis.

Looks to me that the Ravens are building their special teams roster right now to replace Elam, Lewis, McClellan, etc.

[ellicottraven]

41 minutes ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Lokombo is a speedy LB with good coverage skills. Will use on special teams & nickel coverage just like Albert McClellan (who may take Orr's spot or be waived). Basically, trying out to be McClellan's replacement.

Foster is a former Marine that played next to Malcolm Butler in college. Good tackling S, good on special teams. Replacement for Elam or Kendrick Lewis.

Looks to me that the Ravens are building their special teams roster right now to replace Elam, Lewis, McClellan, etc.

Hmm.. you're probably right. I think they've been signed for special teams help, but I doubt they make the 53 man roster after the draft and free agency.

[mendii]

  2 hours ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Lokombo is a speedy LB with good coverage skills. Will use on special teams & nickel coverage just like Albert McClellan (who may take Orr's spot or be waived). Basically, trying out to be McClellan's replacement.

Foster is a former Marine that played next to Malcolm Butler in college. Good tackling S, good on special teams. Replacement for Elam or Kendrick Lewis.

Looks to me that the Ravens are building their special teams roster right now to replace Elam, Lewis, McClellan, etc.

Hmm.. you're probably right. I think they've been signed for special teams help, but I doubt they make the 53 man roster after the draft and free agency.

The Ravens, more than any team I know, love keeping guys who contribute on special teams even if they don't play in games often. Off the top of my head I can think of Ayanbadejo, Hester, Asa Jackson, Brennen Beyer, and Anthony Levine. I'm sure someone else can think of more. Bottom line, if they are "elite" special teams players, Baltimore wants to find a way to keep them.

[bioLarzen]

  4 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

I don't know what this does to improve our team, but hey at least they're signing free agents from the CFL!

Lokombo is a speedy LB with good coverage skills. Will use on special teams & nickel coverage just like Albert McClellan (who may take Orr's spot or be waived). Basically, trying out to be McClellan's replacement.

Foster is a former Marine that played next to Malcolm Butler in college. Good tackling S, good on special teams. Replacement for Elam or Kendrick Lewis.

Looks to me that the Ravens are building their special teams roster right now to replace Elam, Lewis, McClellan, etc.

I can only hope that they won't try to replace Orr with McLellan... Don't get me wrong, I love McLellan in purple and gold - but as the ST captain. He had 7 years to prove he's a good enough LB to play there for the Ravens - and could not do it. Let's face it: as useful and great as he is at ST, he's simply not good enough to be more than depth at LB. Trying to move him to LB permanently would IMHO weaken both the ST and the LB corps.

[iluvpurple]

  4 hours ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

  5 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

I don't know what this does to improve our team, but hey at least they're signing free agents from the CFL!

Lokombo is a speedy LB with good coverage skills. Will use on special teams & nickel coverage just like Albert McClellan (who may take Orr's spot or be waived). Basically, trying out to be McClellan's replacement.

Foster is a former Marine that played next to Malcolm Butler in college. Good tackling S, good on special teams. Replacement for Elam or Kendrick Lewis.

Looks to me that the Ravens are building their special teams roster right now to replace Elam, Lewis, McClellan, etc.

I can only hope that they won't try to replace Orr with McLellan... Don't get me wrong, I love McLellan in purple and gold - but as the ST captain. He had 7 years to prove he's a good enough LB to play there for the Ravens - and could not do it. Let's face it: as useful and great as he is at ST, he's simply not good enough to be more than depth at LB. Trying to move him to LB permanently would IMHO weaken both the ST and the LB corps.

I completely agree with everything you have stated in regards to A McClellen taking Z Orr's spot, but I am also thinking he is much older than the F.O. wants, and as a fan, I would prefer someone younger in that position as well. McClellen is a good player and team leader for the last several years, but they need to stay young for this position, and we already have a few young guys on the roster that can hopefully try to replace Orr.

[ellicottraven]

4 hours ago, mendii said:

The Ravens, more than any team I know, love keeping guys who contribute on special teams even if they don't play in games often. Off the top of my head I can think of Ayanbadejo, Hester, Asa Jackson, Brennen Beyer, and Anthony Levine. I'm sure someone else can think of more. Bottom line, if they are "elite" special teams players, Baltimore wants to find a way to keep them.

Don't you think that alone may be a huge contributor to lack of quality depth? If you fill your roster with great special teams players over position players of repute and that is the way you fill out the roster, then a team is left floundering if there are injuries to the team. I think this is a fundamental flaw with John's strategy.

[#Nevermore]

  10 hours ago, mendii said:

The Ravens, more than any team I know, love keeping guys who contribute on special teams even if they don't play in games often. Off the top of my head I can think of Ayanbadejo, Hester, Asa Jackson, Brennen Beyer, and Anthony Levine. I'm sure someone else can think of more. Bottom line, if they are "elite" special teams players, Baltimore wants to find a way to keep them.

Don't you think that alone may be a huge contributor to lack of quality depth? If you fill your roster with great special teams players over position players of repute and that is the way you fill out the roster, then a team is left floundering if there are injuries to the team. I think this is a fundamental flaw with John's strategy.

I wholeheartedly agree. Harbaugh wants good special teams players, but when they are thrust into starting positions, they are terrible. I wish we could send that comment to Harbaugh personally.