Early Look at Roster Shake-Out

[Shas]

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8)

Departed Actives:

Ben Grubbs, G
Andre Gurode, G/C

Returning Actives:

Birk, Matt C
Yanda, Marshal G/T
Reid, Jah G/T
McKinnie, Bryant T
Oher, Michael T
Boren, Justin G/C

Returning Reserves:

Harewood, Ramon T
Newton, Cecil C
Barbieri, Howard G

Drafted:

Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State, G/T
Gino Gradkowski, Delaware, G/C

Undrafted:

Chris Anzenvino, Kent State, C
James Carmon, Mississippi State, T
Jack Cornell, Illinois, T
Antoine McClain, Clemson, G
Alfred McCullough, Alabama, T

Comment:

Osemele and Gradkowsi project as replacements for Grubbs and Gurode. Boren will compete for final spot. Jason Brown still on market.

OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD: (6)

Departed Actives:

Williams, Ricky RB (retired)

Returning Actives

Flacco, Joe QB
Taylor, Tyrod QB
Rice, Ray RB
Allen, Anthony RB
Leach, Vonta FB

Free Agent Additions:

Painter, Curtis QB

Returning Reserves:

Berry, Damien RB

Drafted:

Bernard Pierce, Temple, RB

Undrafted:

John Brantley, Florida, QB
Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky, RB
Bruce Figgins, Georgia, FB
Chad Diehl, Clemson, FB

Comment:

Pierce steps into Ricky’s spot. As a big back who can play on the goalline, Pierce may tilt the Allen/Berry battle in Berry’s favor as a change of pace back. Would anticipate just three QBs on the roster with Brantley getting practice squad consideration.

RECEIVERS (8)

Departed Actives:

Lee Evans, WR (UFA)
Kris Wilson, TE (UFA)

Returning Actives:

Williams, LaQuan WR
Smith, Torrey WR
Boldin, Anquan WR
Doss, Tandon WR
Pitta, Dennis TE
Dickson, Ed TE

Returning Reserves:

Reed, David WR/RS (IR)
Livas, Philip WR/RS
Bradley, Rodney WR
Williams, Patrick WR
Drew, Davon TE

Drafted:

Tommy Streeter, Miami, WR

Undrafted:

Lamont Bryant, Morgan State, TE
Nick Provo, Syracuse, TE
Devin Goda, Slippery Rock, WR
Dorian Graham, Syracuse, WR
Deonte Thompson, Florida, WR

Comment:

Wide open competition to replace Wilson and Evans. Would not surprise to see Streeter land on practice squad and the final spot go to the returning Reed (who is recovered from the ACL and has bulked up in the off season), an UDFA, Bryant (and H-back type) or a veteran free agent. Provo or Bryant have a good chance to leap over Drew for the third TE spot. Special Teams contributions will factor heavily in choosing the final spots here. This part of the roster will be the most fun to watch sort itself out in camp.

[Shas]

DEFENSIVE LINE (9)

Departed Actives:

Edgar Jones, OLB/DE (UFA)
Cory Redding, DE (UFA)
Bryant McKinnie, NT (UFA)

Returning Actives:

Cody, Terrence NT
Ngata, Haloti DT
Jones, Arthur DE
McPhee, Pernell DE
Kruger, Paul OLB/DE
Suggs, Terrell OLB/DE

Returning Reserves:

Hall, Bryan DT/DE
McAdoo, Michael OLB/DE

Drafted:

DeAngelo Tyson, Georgia, DT

Undrafted:

Elliott Henigan, UAB, DT
Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, Baylor, NT
Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, Kent State, DT

Comment:

Another area that sets up for interesting camp battles. It is almost likely that an undrafted player makes the roster here, with Jean-Baptiste being the likely candidate

LINEBACKERS (8)

Departed Actives:

Jarrett Johnson, OLB (UFA)

Returning Actives:

Lewis, Ray ILB
McClain, Jameel ILB
Ellerbe, Dannell ILB
Ayanbadejo, Brendon ILB/ST
Bynes, Josh ILB
McClellan, Albert OLB/ILB
Kindle, Sergio OLB

Returning Reserves:

Williams, Chavis LB

Free Agent Additions:

Glenn, Cody ILB

Drafted:

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB

Undrafted:

Austin Johnson, Tennessee, LB

Comment:

Barring a Kindle miracle return, Upshaw is pretty much plug and play in JJ’s spot, and Kruger keeping the same role as 2011 as a rotational rush-LB/OLB on third downs. Johnson as a real chance to become the next UDFA linebacker to earn a roster spot. Would not be surprised to see McClellan push McClain for a playing time, with Ayenbadjo again given a chance to rotate in on passing downs.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD (12)

Departed Actives:

Zbikowski, Tom, S (UFA)
Nakamura, Haruki S (UFA)
Foxworth, Dominique CB (IR/UFA)
Carr, Chris, CB (UFA)

Returning Actives:

Reed, Ed S
Pollard, Bernard S
Cook, Emanuel S
Brown, Chykie CB
Smith, Jimmy CB
Webb, Lardarius CB
Williams, Cary (RFA), CB
Gorrer, Danny CB

Free Agent Additions:

Considine, Sean S

Graham, Corey CB

Drafted:

Christian Thompson, S. Carolina St., S
Asa Jackson, Cal Poly, CB

Undrafted:

Charles Brown, North Carolina, CB
Chyl Quarles, Wake Forest, S

Comment:

Comes down to special teams play. Chykie could get challenged by Jackson and both UDFA’s for a roster spot. Thompson seems like a lock to make the team.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

Returning Actives:

Cundiff, Billy K
Cox, Morgan LS
Koch, Sam P

Undrafted:

Justin Tucker, Texas, K/P

Comment:

Tucker is legitimate as both a kicker and punter with a long leg. Look for a veteran free agent kicker to be signed.

[Trackmaster]

Usually drafted players don't get put on the PS unless they get unlucky and there's a huge unexpected logjam at their position. Putting a player on PS is basically like cutting them, in the sense that any team can grab them. But I could potenntially see that with Streeter, only if he shows almost nothing in training camp, as he was a project to begin with. Otherwise, it would just be a wasted drafted pick, and would defeat the purpose of a project if somebody else nabbed him when he showed something.

I think that we enough ammunition to be comfortable at the guard position. With all the hype over losing Grubbs, I don't think that you need a 1st round talent to be comfortable at that position, just options to choose from. I think that we should be more worried about LT position.

But I can't wait for training camp/preseason. In many ways it's a very underrated part of the season. Obviously most fans care about the regular season and playoffs, and the mainstream avid fans love the draft these days, but training camp/preseason is important too, especially with a team like this which always has tons of depth, and plenty of starter quality talent competing for roster spots.

[rharris1986]

David Reed won't get anywhere near the final roster. Asa Jackson sealed Reeds fate (certainly as a returner) and Streeter sealed his fate as a receiver. Harewood and Kindle will both be gone as well. You can only keep these project guys around for so long before they become a drain on the team - both in terms of performance and financially (how long are you willing to p..s money down the toilet.

When you take into consideration the fact that the Ravens lost 6 free agents and that beyond the basic core players of 40 or so, the marginal guys are just that - marginal and expendible.

All the Ravens 8 draftees will make the roster as well as a couple of UDFAs. That's basically been the history of the Ravens for the last couple of years.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Streeter is not going on the practice squad. He would get snatched up the second you put him there.

I think some of you are too quick to just say...hey, just put a guy on the practice squad...there are way more variables than that. Streeter would get picked up very quickly after you waive him.

[Rxdoxx]

Not being nit-picky but we fans also have a learning curve.

I learned LaRdarius when I had assumed Ladarius

Now I have to learn Cyhl when Chyl looks a lot more logical, but he has to do some impressive things in camp to help us learn by having to type his name

[blah3]

Ravens need to bring in another safety.

[wickedsolo]

Shas -

While others are trying to "not" be nitpicky...I am.


Corey Graham was a FA acquisition, not a reserve. Same with Cody Glenn.

Secondly, there is zero chance Tommy Streeter goes to the practice squad. There were many teams interested in him and it would be nearly impossible to keep a 6'5" receiver with sub 4.4 speed on the practice squad. Some other WR starved team would scoop him up in a second.

David Reed's injury in December means that he'll likely be PUP'ed for August - October, so either way there is an extra WR roster spot right there. Considering they drafted Asa Jackson and signed 3 different UDFA's with legitimate return specialist experience (Bobby Rainey, Deonte Thompson, & Charles Brown) if one of those guys even shows some flashes of being a capable return specialist, then I can't see David Reed having a spot on this roster.

[Shas]

There is no way I can tell anyone they are wrong about what will happen this year. We'll see what happens when it happens.

Personally, I still am going to predict Reed makes the team -- how the fans feel about players like Cundiff and Reed does not necessarily line up with how the team feels about them. I realize that nine months will be fast for an ACL, but I just heard that he is way ahead of schedule. We'll see.

And I'll predict Streeter won't show enough to make the roster outright (too raw and not physical enough yet) and he lands on the practice squad. I'm not saying he is a bad pick, I just don't see him being able to grab a roster spot quite yet.

As fans I think there is a tendency to fall in love with guys who we imagine being steals (Streeter, Derek Anderson, Troy Smith, Trent Smith, et al) and we assume they are highly coveted. In particular, I think this tendency is heightened when it comes to skill players...particularly wide receivers. I can say that for sure, I've endured years of listening to fellow fans tell me what a star certain Ravens receivers will become, guys like Justin Harper, Eron Riley, Yamon Figurs, Devard Darling, Randy Hymes, Clarance Moore.

Let's just say I'm a little jaded when it comes to enthusiasm for receiver prospects.

For sure I think Doss has a chance to make an impact despite his slow learning curve (I also think he's too similar to Boldin to be thought of as a third wide out).

Plus, I don't agree that Reed is half way out the door, and I do think they willll look at some street veterans. SO I think that hurts Streeter's chances to make the cut.

But it will be fun to watch.

I also think we overestimate the likelihood of "sneaking" a player taken in the seventh, sixth, fifth, or even fourth round making onto the practice squad. For every Derek Anderson or Josh Harris (QBs, mind you), there are plenty of drafted players who they have place on the PS: David Hale, Jason Phillips, Ramon Harewood (or was he IR's both years?), Davon Drew, Justin Harper, Prescott Burgess.

I realize that some folks see Streeter as a superior talent to anyone I just mentioned (again, the skill-player effect) but I'm going to take a wait and see attitude.

I should wait to see Streeter in camp, but my expectation is that he will be inconsistent and not enough of a special teams contributor to justify a roseter spot.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

David Reed's injury in December means that he'll likely be PUP'ed for August - October, so either way there is an extra WR roster spot right there. Considering they drafted Asa Jackson and signed 3 different UDFA's with legitimate return specialist experience (Bobby Rainey, Deonte Thompson, & Charles Brown) if one of those guys even shows some flashes of being a capable return specialist, then I can't see David Reed having a spot on this roster.

Yup...if Jackson or one of the other guys shows they can return kicks, Reed likely will wind up being put on IR after the PUP and give him a full year and a half of recovery time so he can legitimately compete the following camp in '13

[Raveninwoodlawn]

There is no way I can tell anyone they are wrong about what will happen this year. We'll see what happens when it happens.

Personally, I still am going to predict Reed makes the team -- how the fans feel about players like Cundiff and Reed does not necessarily line up with how the team feels about them.

And I'll predict Streeter won't show enough to make the roster outright (too raw and not physical enough yet) and he lands on the practice squad. I'm not saying he is a bad pick, I just don't see him being able to grab a roster spot quite yet.

As fans I think there is a tendency to fall in love with guys who we imagine being steals (Streeter, Derek Anderson, Troy Smith, Trent Smith, et al) and we assume they are highly coveted. In particular, I think this tendency is heightened when it comes to skill players...particularly wide receivers. I can say that for sure, I've endured years of listening to fellow fans tell me what a star certain Ravens receives will become, guys like Justin Harper, Eron Riley, Yamon Figurs, Devard Darling, Randy Hymes, Clarance Moore.

Let's just say I'm a little jaded when it comes to enthusiasm for receiver prospects.

For sure I think Doss has a chance to make an impact despite his slow learning curve (I also think he's too similar to Boldin to be thought of as a third wide out).

Plus, I don't agree that Reed is half way out the door, and I do think they willll look at some street veterans. SO I think that hurts Streeter's chances to make the cut.

But it will be fun to watch.

I also think we overestimate the likelihood of "sneaking" a player taken in the seventh, sixth, fifth, or even fourth round making onto the practice squad. For every Derek Anderson or Josh Harris (QBs, mind you), there are plenty of drafted players who they have place on the PS: David Hale, Jason Phillips, Ramon Harewood, Davon Drew, Justin Harper, Prescott Burgess.

I realize that some folks see Streeter as a superior talent to anyone I just mentioned (again, the skill-player effect) but I'm going to take a wait and see attitude.

I should wait to see Streeter in camp, but my expectation is that he will be inconsistent and not enough of a special teams contributor to justify a roseter spot.

People say that about certain draft picks every year and they almost ALWAYS make the roster.

They kept McAdoo for crying out loud...a guy who hadn't played in a year and came in late on the roster until they could find some little injury to put him on IR. Chykie Brown is another guy who had no business making this roster last year. But they kept him because they drafted him and didn't want to take the chance of waiving him. The team has a history...a well established history of virtually every rookie making the team and given a shot for at least 2 years...except for the guys who just clearly could not play at all.

Again, Reed is not opening the season active if this organization has any brains at all. He will be put on PUP and stashed for at least 6 weeks.

[Shas]

Even if Reed doesn't make the cut, I'm still not sold Streeter will be given a roster spot while not contributing on special teams. There is already another thread with my fellow fans in support of signing Jabar Gaffney, who was just cut, with additional chatter about other veterans Ozzie should look to pick up. Lee Evans and TJ Housmandzadeh were both late additions. I fully expect that sort of signing to happen again.

[Shas]

Corey Graham was a FA acquisition, not a reserve. Same with Cody Glenn.

You went from not knowing Glenn was on the roster to recalling when they signed him?

I actually thought they were both signed before the end of the season, but I see now that Glenn was signed just before the Super Bowl and Graham in March. I'll fix the list. Thanks.

[Corey]

There is no way I can tell anyone they are wrong about what will happen this year. We'll see what happens when it happens.

Personally, I still am going to predict Reed makes the team -- how the fans feel about players like Cundiff and Reed does not necessarily line up with how the team feels about them. I realize that nine months will be fast for an ACL, but I just heard that he is way ahead of schedule. We'll see.

And I'll predict Streeter won't show enough to make the roster outright (too raw and not physical enough yet) and he lands on the practice squad. I'm not saying he is a bad pick, I just don't see him being able to grab a roster spot quite yet.

As fans I think there is a tendency to fall in love with guys who we imagine being steals (Streeter, Derek Anderson, Troy Smith, Trent Smith, et al) and we assume they are highly coveted. In particular, I think this tendency is heightened when it comes to skill players...particularly wide receivers. I can say that for sure, I've endured years of listening to fellow fans tell me what a star certain Ravens receivers will become, guys like Justin Harper, Eron Riley, Yamon Figurs, Devard Darling, Randy Hymes, Clarance Moore.

Let's just say I'm a little jaded when it comes to enthusiasm for receiver prospects.

For sure I think Doss has a chance to make an impact despite his slow learning curve (I also think he's too similar to Boldin to be thought of as a third wide out).

Plus, I don't agree that Reed is half way out the door, and I do think they willll look at some street veterans. SO I think that hurts Streeter's chances to make the cut.

But it will be fun to watch.

I also think we overestimate the likelihood of "sneaking" a player taken in the seventh, sixth, fifth, or even fourth round making onto the practice squad. For every Derek Anderson or Josh Harris (QBs, mind you), there are plenty of drafted players who they have place on the PS: David Hale, Jason Phillips, Ramon Harewood (or was he IR's both years?), Davon Drew, Justin Harper, Prescott Burgess.

I realize that some folks see Streeter as a superior talent to anyone I just mentioned (again, the skill-player effect) but I'm going to take a wait and see attitude.

I should wait to see Streeter in camp, but my expectation is that he will be inconsistent and not enough of a special teams contributor to justify a roseter spot.

I agree. I don't think the Ravens are ready to throw the towel in on him yet. It's amazing how 3 fumbles in a two game span, can wipe out all hope the fans had for a player. Reed at the very least is a talented KR. When healthy he has proven that much. And I think his problem was a lack of confidence, not a lack of talent.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Even if Reed doesn't make the cut, I'm still not sold Streeter will be given a roster spot while not contributing on special teams. There is already another thread with my fellow fans in support of signing Jabar Gaffney, who was just cut, with additional chatter about other veterans Ozzie should look to pick up. Lee Evans and TJ Housmandzadeh were both late additions. I fully expect that sort of signing to happen again.

Well, that's your opinion and I respect it.

It just goes against everything the Ravens have a history of doing. And that's not saying I think Streeter is all that good. But I think he has better potential and value to the team than Chykie Brown or Michael McAdoo did last year at positions that were just as if not more crowded.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I agree. I don't think the Ravens are ready to throw the towel in on him yet. It's amazing how 3 fumbles in a two game span, can wipe out all hope the fans had for a player. Reed at the very least is a talented KR. When healthy he has proven that much. And I think his problem was a lack of confidence, not a lack of talent.

Nobody in this thread is saying or believes that Reed is going to be cut. Where is that coming from?

Being put on PUP is not being cut...it's just a temporary type of IR with the option to activate or put on IR after 6 weeks. That is where Reed is heading and should be after coming off of the ACL so late.

[Shas]

McAdoo surprised me, too. I was not sure why he needed to be kept on the 53-man, but perhaps they knew for sure of a team that wanted him. I seem to recall, too, that there may have been a deal with his agent where they agreed to keep him on the active roster (and get a better pay check) if he agreed to sign with the Ravens.

Brown I think was a guy they liked for his special teams ability. That's the one factor I weigh most heavily when I consider Streeter's chances. It's just tough to get one of the final spots when you don't play special teams (or don't play multiple positions on the offensive line).

[Carey]

Agree with many others, no way Streeter gets the PS. Chykie Brown is gonna have to light it up on ST to make the team now, or show he can play some safety. I think Bryan Hall has a chance to be in the rotation on the D-Line this year and i think he certaintly makes the team. I also see Deangelo Tyson having a shot at making the team. I'm very intrigued to see how Davon Drew has develops, he seems like he'll have at least an early shot to be the leader in the club house for the 3rd TE job, if he falters early in camp i can see them calling Kris Wilson back up. I also think David Reed will have a better chance to make the roster then some others do, he's a solid gunner, good returner(that did put the ball on the ground a couple times). Out of the undrafted guys imo Rainey makes the most sense as a KR but he'll have to really impress to get the team to keep 4 rb's after they just traded up in the 3rd to take one and have another one they like in AA.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

McAdoo surprised me, too. I was not sure why he needed to be kept on the 53-man, but perhaps they knew for sure of a team that wanted him. I seem to recall, too, that there may have been a deal with his agent where they agreed to keep him on the active roster (and get a better pay check) if he agreed to sign with the Ravens.

Brown I think was a guy they liked for his special teams ability. That's the one factor I weigh most heavily when I consider Streeter's chances. It's just tough to get one of the final spots when you don't play special teams (or don't play multiple positions on the offensive line).

The reason those guys were kept is simple.

The team didn't want to risk losing them. It's not always about who helps the most that single year. The team has to take into account things like...Do we think this guy will be a guy who can develop?...Do we want to risk losing them, not only immediately if we waive him, but if teams have injuries at that spot later in the year and will want to claim them for depth?...If the player is close to making the team with another guy at the same position, should we take the guy with more potential rather than the guy who may be a little more ready now, but doesn't have the growth potential that this guys has?

And I highly doubt they want to lose the potential of a 6-5 4.4 guy without giving him every opportunity to realize that growth here...even if it takes another year or 2...so that if he does blow up in year 2 or 3, it's with us and not the Browns.

[Shas]

We should revisit the question in September. I'll be happy to say I was wrong if Streeter grabs a spot.