Projecting the Final 53 Man Roster: Take I

[TL24x7]

Quarterbacks (2): Joe Flacco, Marc Bulger

Analysis: The Ravens have too much talent at other positions, players more worthy of a roster spot than a third string quarterback. Let’s not get too carried away and conclude that the team’s wildcat options disappear with Troy Smith’s departure. When were those options ever used in a plus way against a difficult opponent? Truth be told, a quarterback of Smith’s caliber can be found atop the scrap heap of quarterbacks anytime, anywhere, any day. Even Smith might be the one down the road (if needed) atop that heap. After all the former Heisman winner apparently attracts little interest around the league. Even the Browns opted for the mighty Seneca Wallace over Smith preferring instead to hold on to their sixth round pick.

Running Backs (4): Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain, Jalen Parmele

Analysis: Curtis Steele needs some seasoning and Coach Wilbert Montgomery has been working with him to change up his pacing, to let plays develop and not always go at top end speed. Steele has explosiveness in short spaces and if he can make special teams contributions he has a shot. Matt Lawrence who was among the final 53 in ’09 has yet to take the practice field and looks like an injury settlement waiting to happen.

Tight Ends (3): Todd Heap, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta

Analysis: This may be the easiest position on the team to assemble. 2009 fifth round draft pick Davon Drew has no chance to make this squad and looks like a wasted pick than no one in the organization wants to take credit/blame for.

Wide Receivers (5): Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Donte Stallworth, Demetrius Williams

Analysis: Williams is among the five to make the final 53 based purely (at this time) on the number of reps he was given with the second team offensive unit v. the Panthers. This spot is still far too close to call. Williams’ primary threat looks like rookie David Reed with Justin Harper and Marcus Smith a distant 7 and 8.

Offensive Linemen (9): Jared Gaither, Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk, Marshal Yanda, Michael Oher, Chris Chester, Oniel Cousins, Tony Moll, David Hale

Analysis: Hale is far from a lock. No one has really stepped up for the ninth roster spot on the O-Line and it's not necessarily a given that 9 is the number. Stefan Rodgers has looked decent at times during camp but looked lost against Carolina. Joe Reitz has some upside (accept in his vertical leap) but might be a better practice squad option. Bryan Mattison is heady in the way you might expect from a coach’s son (Greg Mattison) but he lacks size and explosiveness. Ramon Harewood will not be released. He could end up on the final 53 man roster but he’s more likely to come up with a mysterious injury that will land him on IR in the same way that Tony Pashos did during his rookie season.

Here's the entire projection (http://www.ravens24x7.com/columns/GRAPEVINE/The-Ravens-Projected-Final-53)

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Quarterbacks (2): Joe Flacco, Marc Bulger

Analysis: The Ravens have too much talent at other positions, players more worthy of a roster spot than a third string quarterback. Let’s not get too carried away and conclude that the team’s wildcat options disappear with Troy Smith’s departure. When were those options ever used in a plus way against a difficult opponent? Truth be told, a quarterback of Smith’s caliber can be found atop the scrap heap of quarterbacks anytime, anywhere, any day. Even Smith might be the one down the road (if needed) atop that heap. After all the former Heisman winner apparently attracts little interest around the league. Even the Browns opted for the mighty Seneca Wallace over Smith preferring instead to hold on to their sixth round pick.

Running Backs (4): Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain, Jalen Parmele

Analysis: Curtis Steele needs some seasoning and Coach Wilbert Montgomery has been working with him to change up his pacing, to let plays develop and not always go at top end speed. Steele has explosiveness in short spaces and if he can make special teams contributions he has a shot. Matt Lawrence who was among the final 53 in ’09 has yet to take the practice field and looks like an injury settlement waiting to happen.

Tight Ends (3): Todd Heap, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta

Analysis: This may be the easiest position on the team to assemble. 2009 fifth round draft pick Davon Drew has no chance to make this squad and looks like a wasted pick than no one in the organization wants to take credit/blame for.

Wide Receivers (5): Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Donte Stallworth, Demetrius Williams

Analysis: Williams is among the five to make the final 53 based purely (at this time) on the number of reps he was given with the second team offensive unit v. the Panthers. This spot is still far too close to call. Williams’ primary threat looks like rookie David Reed with Justin Harper and Marcus Smith a distant 7 and 8.

Offensive Linemen (9): Jared Gaither, Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk, Marshal Yanda, Michael Oher, Chris Chester, Oniel Cousins, Tony Moll, David Hale

Analysis: Hale is far from a lock. No one has really stepped up for the ninth roster spot on the O-Line and it's not necessarily a given that 9 is the number. Stefan Rodgers has looked decent at times during camp but looked lost against Carolina. Joe Reitz has some upside (accept in his vertical leap) but might be a better practice squad option. Bryan Mattison is heady in the way you might expect from a coach’s son (Greg Mattison) but he lacks size and explosiveness. Ramon Harewood will not be released. He could end up on the final 53 man roster but he’s more likely to come up with a mysterious injury that will land him on IR in the same way that Tony Pashos did during his rookie season.

Here's the entire projection (http://www.ravens24x7.com/columns/GRAPEVINE/The-Ravens-Projected-Final-53)

I think the team will do whatever they can to find a way to stash Harewood, Reed and Jones without outright releasing them to try and do the PS thing.

I also think they'd love to get Miller on the PS.

[Losac]

I agree about Cundiff. Looks to me, just from camp and from the first preseason game, that he has outplayed Graham and deserves the spot.

[RavenScallywag]

Personally, I think it's going to be VERY tough to release Art Jones and David Reed.

Reed has been lighting it up in practices. I think he would absolutely be snatched by another team if he gets on waivers. And in the grand scheme of things, does DWil really give us anything on ST? Because Reed does, and I think that could end up giving him the edge.

Art Jones hasn't shown the ability to beat out Divens and Talavou yet, so releasing him could be possible

[elland]

17 to the front seven is too much, at week one last season we had 14. And it was not like Talavou ever made an impact. We have to let good people go on this front seven.

Two QBs and four RBs, I like.. just not really buy it.

Secondary should probably operate with 12-13 people, including 1-2 PUPs.

[TL24x7]

17 to the front seven is too much, at week one last season we had 14. And it was not like Talavou ever made an impact. We have to let good people go on this front seven.

Two QBs and four RBs, I like.. just not really buy it.

Secondary should probably operate with 12-13 people, including 1-2 PUPs.

2009 53 Man Roster included:

Defensive Linemen (7): Haloti Ngata, Kelly Gregg, Trevor Pryce, Justin Bannan, Dwan Edwards, Brandon McKinney, Kelly Talavou

Linebackers (10): Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Jarret Johnson, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Dannell Ellerbe, Tavares Gooden, Jameel McClain, Antwan Barnes, Paul Kruger, Prescott Burgess

[jonboy79]

I really hope that we can trade one of McKinney, Divens or Talavou so we don't have to cut a starting caliber(other teams) player.

[elland]

2009 53 Man Roster included:

Defensive Linemen (7): Haloti Ngata, Kelly Gregg, Trevor Pryce, Justin Bannan, Dwan Edwards, Brandon McKinney, Kelly Talavou

Linebackers (10): Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Jarret Johnson, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Dannell Ellerbe, Tavares Gooden, Jameel McClain, Antwan Barnes, Paul Kruger, Prescott Burgess

Correct! Silly me:o

Still I do believe 6+9 should do the job. Also when you consider that we should have fewer questions there, compared to DB and OL, and last year we only had 4 recievers in week one, later that season we had at some point six.. Tyree and Harper.

[jonboy79]

Correct! Silly me:o

Still I do believe 6+9 should do the job. Also when you consider that we should have fewer questions there, compared to DB and OL, and last year we only had 4 recievers in week one, later that season we had at some point six.. Tyree and Harper.

Why cut NFL talent at one position, where depth is needed to add UFl talent at others?
When was harper on the roster? are you sure we had 6 at any point?

We need about 11 corners... slight exagerration... but it does look like Doug Dutch who was cut from the UFL last year might have a roster spot.

[trailhiker85]

Personally, I think it's going to be VERY tough to release Art Jones and David Reed.

Reed has been lighting it up in practices. I think he would absolutely be snatched by another team if he gets on waivers. And in the grand scheme of things, does DWil really give us anything on ST? Because Reed does, and I think that could end up giving him the edge.



FWIW, I agree with your D-Will vs. Reed take. Your No. 5 WR absolutely has to give you something consistent on ST. I would give the edge to whichever guy shows that, provided he's at least competent as a WR.

[elland]

Why cut NFL talent at one position, where depth is needed to add UFl talent at others?
When was harper on the roster? are you sure we had 6 at any point? We need about 11 corners... slight exagerration... but it does look like Doug Dutch who was cut from the UFL last year might have a roster spot.

He was probably never activited on gameday, but he was on the roster at least against Raiders and in the POs! And together with DW, Tyree, Mason, Clayton and KW.

[trailhiker85]

We need about 11 corners... slight exagerration... but it does look like Doug Dutch who was cut from the UFL last year might have a roster spot.

Jeez, I don't know whether to take you seriously or not on this one.

If Doug Dutch makes the final 53, count me as one shocked fan.....

[TL24x7]

If Doug Dutch makes the final 53, count me as one shocked fan.....

I second that emotion!

Even if they like Dutch, he should easily be able to slide through to the practice squad. It's not like any team is knocking down doors to sign a player who's been cut by a UFL team...

[JimZipCode]

Should Kruger be listed with the LBs, or with the DLs? This list has him with the LBs – I'm not sure that's right.

[jonboy79]

Jeez, I don't know whether to take you seriously or not on this one.

If Doug Dutch makes the final 53, count me as one shocked fan.....

Somewhere in between... depending on health, we may NEED to open the season with him on the roster.

[TL24x7]

Should Kruger be listed with the LBs, or with the DLs? This list has him with the LBs – I'm not sure that's right.

Good point...I'll have to look at how he's listed on the team's roster but in the end, not sure that it matters where he's listed.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Kruger is not a LB

[Jeremiah W]

Kruger is not a LB

HIs best rush of the night came lined up as a DT. He hit the G with a Reggie White club move and went directly to the QB. I would say he is wearing the extra muscle well and is no longer a linebacker/DE he is a DE/3TDT.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I was even saying last year that he would best be used as a pass rusher inside.

He does not have the explosiveness/speed to be an outside rush guy.

[Carey]

I personally would like to see Reed and Harper in with the 2nd unit while Bulger is in. The weather combined with Troy Smith's inadequacies make it difficult to analyze these guys.