Ravens Training Camp News and Notes

He must have because Billick has been defending Mallett like he used to defend Boller

 

Here's something I've been thinking about with Zuttah:

If reports are correct where Zuttah's 2 year deal is worth 4M, but there are an additional 2M in monies out there for playing time, does that hint that the Ravens DON'T plan to play Zuttah? Not that they won't play him, but just that if you're going to give a guy a 50% bump in play for simply playing, to me that says that maybe they brought him in for depth, but if things go poorly, he's going to see action.

I think it's still Jensen's job to lose, but Zuttah is here in case the LG spot simply can't be locked down. In that case, Jensen probably goes to LG.

 

You are correct, sir.

 

I doubt Zuttah is intended to be a starter as of now. List B is if there's more injuries.

 

So Jaylin Hill is rated as the #3 CB of the preseason (out of CBs who have been targeted at least 5 times).

15 targets, 5 completions allowed, 4 yards allowed after the catch, 17.4 opposing QB rating. The fact that this only gives him 3rd is slightly more amazing than the fact that he's actually played that well.

Either way, it'd be a crime if he continued to play that well and didn't make the team

EDIT in italics

 

When I woke up this morning I started thinking about how many undrafted rookies might make the team and I was going to do a thread on it. Then I saw that there was an article just talking about the same thing.

I think a lot of people would be OVER on this, but I might set the over/under at 2 to make the actual roster. I think Hill and Richard make it. Quincy and White had phenomenal shots to do it too, but White's going on IR, and Quincy may be headed there as well since it seems like some shine has rubbed off on him after being injured again.

 

Who is Richard? Do you mean Ricard?

I think Ortiz has a legitimate shot. He's a better blocker than Taliafero, is a better receiver than Taliafero, and he's very good on ST. I think any notion of Ricard playing FB on a regular/starting basis is just delusional thinking. The fact that he can come in and play the eligible receiver on short yardage plays is helpful.

The ravens have so many good ones this year that I don't see many of them staying on the ravens PS as they will get snatched up by other teams. Quincy (unless he comes down with an "undisclosed" injury) and Bam Bradley are two I wish/hope they can keep. Bradley looks like he could become another Bart Scott or Zach Orr.

 

I think I typed in Richard the other day too. There's no squiggly red line when I do that!

Here's my thing with the FB - how vital is it to the Ravens' offense? We know in years past that the Ravens absolutely had it as a cog in their system, but is that still the case? I ask this because if it is still vital, then how did they get this far into things without truly having a legit replacement for Juice and are just flying by the seat of their pants for it? To me, that might be indicating that it's not as top of a priority as it was and maybe we could use that roster spot elsewhere. I really thought Boyle would have been the key there, but TE injuries completely derailed that.

 

I hear what you're saying. I have to believe that with the "power" running game it would be more essential now than in years past. All I know is I've seen Ortiz lay out some LB's and provide a couple of key blocks that helped spring the RB's. Then there's the one where he leaped over the pile for a 1st down, while starting from the up position in the I formation. He's had a few nice receptions out of the backfield and I'm always seeing his number around the ball on returns. That's a player that should be a keeper.

The fact that Boyle, Williams, and Ricard can also play back there is a plus that can only help the offense with more possible plays. But, I would not want to see Boyle, Ricard, or Williams take a hand-off on 3rd and 1. Ricard, maybe since he played FB for a year in HS, but that was quite a while ago.

 

Fullback is still vital to the offense. Our FBs have to be able to catch and block just like a TE. The amjor difference is the blocking on run plays. They tend to be entrenched in special teams too. Ricard ins an interesting player. He's played vert well for a UDFA. I saw him in practice (he was right in front of my seat) and I thought "who is this guy?" He's going to have value to the team, as an unexpeted roster player, a trade player, or a PS squad player.

 

Do you think that the team using Ricard is any type of sign that they weren't as thrilled as they should have been with Ortiz and Taliaferro?

To me, I would want to know how much time he has got at the position. If it was literally just a couple practice plays one day and that's it, then it's basically nothing and they were trying to figure out how to keep a UDFA with versatility. If it was more extensive though, then the other guys could be in trouble because it would mean the Ravens as so disenchanted that they will literally go anywhere to look for an answer.

 

That would be nice to know, but I want to believe it's #1, how to keep a UDFA on the roster, plus how well he blocks in the eligible receiver package. There was an article on BR.com where Luke Jones mentioned they must not be happy with Ortiz or Taliafero if Ricard is getting game time, but I'm not buying it. I think they probably aren't happy with Taliafero, as I haven't seen him do much either running or blocking.

Then again, for some reason, I'm really on the Ortiz bandwagon and have been since they signed him as a UDFA. I'd never heard of him, but all I read about him prior to OTA's just clicked with me. maybe it's the avocado farm. LOL. I still see him on the team as he's done just about everything well in the 1st two games, at least from what I've seen of him.

 

I'm really into Josh Woodrum's story here. I I hope that he gets to play with the 1's this week and we can see if he's an upgrade over Mallet.

 

I'm reading from the LFW that apparently Ricard has been practicing both sides of the ball this summer (even if it's not a ton of plays in the playbook), so that kind of answers one of my questions about the seriousness of him being FB. I think there's a strong possibility for him to be in the mix and both the original favorites are out. FB by committee maybe? To me it comes down to whether you want 4 TE or 3 TE and 1 FB. I'm still not high on Watson, but the coaching staff is, and with that, 4 TE seems more logical with Boyle being able to do FB blocking and Williams/Watson/Donnell doing the catching.

Now here is a possibly stupid question that I might be brain farting on:

When Ricard goes into a game as a FB, does he have to put on a new jersey/jersey number? We know that positions and numbers are regulated, so could he sit there as a RB with number 91 on, or does he need 2 jerseys for gameday?

 

91 is an eligible #

 

As long as he reports as eligible.

I still don't think they give up on a player like Ortiz. Plus, how well can Ricard catch? How abut taking hand-offs? As a DL, he has a lot more tape on his hands than as a FB. Does he take the tape off when on offense and get re-taped on defense?

IMHO, I'd rather keep Ortiz over Donnell. As I mentioned, Donnell can catch with the best of them, when healthy. but he can't block to save his life. Donnell is like Campanero; you breathe on him too hard and he goes down with an injury. Plus Ortiz is probably better on ST.

This is training camp. How many times have we seen the Ravens try something in TC and pre-season games only to either abandon it or use it sparingly in the regular season. If Ricard can play the FB/HB/TE eligible receiver position then that is great. But a 300 lb. FB/TE? This is a great time to experiment, and right now it's working. I just don't see it becoming a permanent place when the season starts.

But, either way, Taliafaro can probably start looking for another job.

 

ST could be a big factor I suppose. I don't think Donnell offers anything there. I can't imagine the Ravens have to worry about losing Ortiz though. FBs just are not in vogue in the NFL, so I doubt he'd have trouble being on the practice squad. Honestly if you were in a situation where Taliaferro and Ortiz were on your PS, I'd guarantee Taliaferro gets snatched off it first.

 

Just had a chance to read the LFW article. Didn't realize Bowser was the #4 OLB in regards to pass rushing productivity.

 

Lots of low scoring games and another possible high draft pick. Not seeing any evidence of the "power" run game. Zuttah is still a turnstile. Too many stupid penalties.

 

mangold must be washed up for them to bring back Zuttah. He was horrible and still IS horrible.... Alex Lewis is turning into an injury prone player and its only his 2nd season.... such a shame because he's damn good when he is on the field.

Urschel didn't have the love of the game in his heart so good luck with him in his next chapter of his life. The O-line will once again be the achilles heel to the team this season.