Ravens Sign FB Lorenzo Neal

**Beerracuda** · 08-12-2008, 10:17 AM

Not a big addition, but apparently to take the place of the now-departed Justin Green. Neal is 37 years old (yikes!)

Don't have any details on the contract, yet.

**Tspot-D-Ravenator** · 08-12-2008, 11:16 AM

not bad, Neal understands Cameron's system

**psuasskicker** · 08-12-2008, 11:29 AM

Is he a good pocket passer?

- C -

**ChampRavens** · 08-12-2008, 11:34 AM

He is OLD... But I guess he can step in right away.

I'll consider it a pretty nice pickup.

Tony and 24x7 called this a day or 2 ago

**Rxdoxx** · 08-12-2008, 11:42 AM

Part of me is now expecting to see McClain's role also take on some of Ross' assignments maybe even becoming the #3 back
Neal moves to starter when he gets comfortable with the system/personell, McClain backs him up and possibly frees up Ross roster spot for another position. From what I've seen, he can catch some, and is a decent run option so there are other possibilities for him if the "old" Neal can take over his role last year.

**UKRavenStockers** · 08-12-2008, 11:52 AM

I don't see Neal coming in as the starter. He really wasn't playing many snaps last year at all for the Chargers, maybe 20% of their offensive snaps, maybe a few more. I'd expect him to be between 15 and 20% of our offensive snaps with McClain still playing the majority of snaps. To me this points to Neal coming in as a mentor and an extra body at FB to get LeRon up to speed with Cam's system which Neal will obviously be very familiar with.

I don't see that at his age with his miles on the clock and with the diminished role he had in SD's offence last year that Neal is going to come in and take the majority of FB snaps from McClain this year.

**Jeremiah W** · 08-12-2008, 11:57 AM

This guy is a road grader. He was still crushing LBs last year until he got hurt. Should be a good addition, and a much more physical FB than Green will ever be, but will not be able to do as much on special teams or in the pass game.
Just his knowledge of the blocking schemes should help the other guys in practice though.

**WinRavensWin** · 08-12-2008, 11:59 AM

A few thoughts:
-Obviously in the eyes of our Coaches and FO, Neal had a successful try-out and passed his physical
-He will share time in the backfield and will be spotted in select packages
-To some degree, this reduces my concern of his age

Looking forward:
-I see a heavy duty goal line backfield of Neal as the FB and McClain as the RB to bullrush the ball into the end zone.

We don't know all there is to know about Green, I wish him well... and look forward to this new look backfield with this year's new faces.

**deuce** · 08-12-2008, 12:35 PM

Great pick up. I am a huge McGahee fan, but he is making me a little nervous lately about how much he "wants it", which I guess was a problem of his in Buffalo. Extra depth in the backfield is always a plus and like others have mentioned, this now gives McClain the potential to pick up some carries as a tailback.

**Mr OC** · 08-12-2008, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by WinRavensWin

A few thoughts:
-Obviously in the eyes of our Coaches and FO, Neal had a successful try-out and passed his physical
-He will share time in the backfield and will be spotted in select packages
-To some degree, this reduces my concern of his age

Looking forward:
-I see a heavy duty goal line backfield of Neal as the FB and McClain as the RB to bullrush the ball into the end zone.

We don't know all there is to know about Green, I wish him well... and look forward to this new look backfield with this year's new faces.

I'd say. Yesterday Coach said the reason they cut Green was to open up spots in other areas:

"Our numbers situation in some other areas dictated that we had to make a move, but I think he'll get picked up quickly. If he doesn't, he's still possibly in our plans based on things that could change"

**Galen Sevinne** · 08-12-2008, 12:44 PM

Anybody who is a proven run or pass blocker is a good pick up for this team at this point.

**Fanman** · 08-12-2008, 02:01 PM

I really dig this move and Willis should be drooling over this.

FM

**RavenScallywag** · 08-12-2008, 02:12 PM

sounds like Neal's addition will be mainly to add a better blocking FB. McClain is showing tailback like abilities, so Neal should help to 1) mentor McClain, 2) give our offense a power package where Neal is FB, McClain is HB, and 3) Provide some depth to get McClain some rest or injury insurance.

**deuce** · 08-12-2008, 02:42 PM

yeah, I didnt really think of it from the perspective that he will help in pass protection with our depleted O-line.

**psuasskicker** · 08-12-2008, 03:20 PM

I made fun of it, cause I think we've got bigger needs than FB. But I've always loved this guy. No idea how much he's got left in the tank, but I'm sure glad he's here...

- C -

**purplepoe** · 08-12-2008, 04:53 PM

Ozzie is all over a 37 year old FB yet he dilly dally's over a tackle that we desperately need?

Neal's fine and all but where exactly does FB fit on the list of priorities for this team.

Obviously higher than I thought.

PP

**highwater** · 08-12-2008, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by purplepoe

Ozzie is all over a 37 year old FB yet he dilly dally's over a tackle that we desperately need?

Neal's fine and all but where exactly does FB fit on the list of priorities for this team.

Well, Neal was available -- I agree that the OL looks dangerous right now, but who is out there for Ozzie to pick up for the OL? Maybe there is someone out there I don't know about, but my impression is that there isn't much to choose from (barring a trade).

I'm worried about the OL too, but Neal seems like a good pickup.

**Tspot-D-Ravenator** · 08-13-2008, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by Tspot-D-Ravenator

not bad, Neal understands Cameron's system

So I think that Neal is a good pick-up! He's a great pass/run blocker and Lord knows we're going to need help on the O-line!

The blindside tackle situation skeers the living daylights out of me

And it probably skeers the daylights out of coach Harbaugh and coach Cameron too

...So I think that Neal is a good pick-up! Therefore, being a brilliant offensive coach, I believe Cam Cameron will use many different mass-protection schemes with Neal and other pinch blockers, especially in passing plays, until we get our tackle situation rectified...just a hunch

I just hope Neal, McGahee, Price, McClain, Heap and Wilcox doen't miss their asignments and I'm sure our QB's hope they don't either

**UKRavenStockers** · 08-13-2008, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by purplepoe

Ozzie is all over a 37 year old FB yet he dilly dally's over a tackle that we desperately need?

Neal's fine and all but where exactly does FB fit on the list of priorities for this team.

Obviously higher than I thought.

PP

List of available OTs according to NFL.com's Free Agency page:
- Anthony Alabi
- Anthony Clement
- Nat Dorsey
- Wayne Gandy
- Brandon Gorin
- Stockar McDougle
- Tutan Reyes
- Barry Stokes
- Tyson Walter

Basically a whole heap of stuff that's not a lot better than what we've got now. To my mind if Gaither and Terry aren't both ready, I realise the FO and coaching staff clearly don't want to mess with their interior trio who it seems they want entrenched for the long term, but Marshal Yanda is the best right tackle on this team and I think he can contribute more to the stability of this line out there than he can at right guard if the injury problems persist at tackle.

It also says Sean Locklear is unsigned but I'm certain he's re-signed and is in camp with the Seahawks, can't imagine someone who started 16 games to a pretty decent standard last year would be unsigned this deep into camp.

**RavinDonnie** · 08-13-2008, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by highwater

Well, Neal was available -- I agree that the OL looks dangerous right now, but who is out there for Ozzie to pick up for the OL? Maybe there is someone out there I don't know about, but my impression is that there isn't much to choose from (barring a trade).

I'm worried about the OL too, but Neal seems like a good pickup.

The Redskins managed to find themselves a pro bowl DE when theirs went down...why can't Ozzie find a serviceable tackle? He hasn't been able to find a right tackle for the last decade..always seems to be right player wrong price with Ozzie. The Welborne fiasco sums it up perfectly. Yeah they signed Searcy and that didn't work out, does that mean you never sign a good right tackle again?

Tired of the excuses with Ozzie. There are always two or three positions completely ignored which could easily be that can be filled with cheap veterans. Just like he did with Neal at the least important position on the field, FB.

Like the Neal signing, would have loved Chris Henry, Welborne, or one of the 5 million backup TE's and rb's that are better than what they have.

Ravens say McClain is out of shape, very overweight doesn't work hard and they are going to move him to running back?