Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

As the Ravens prepare for their second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night, here is the roster breakdown. The high number of injuries has clouded the roster outlook in the last few weeks...

Sizing Up the Baltimore Ravens' Roster

by Luke Jones (Scribe)

6

542 reads

Preview/Prediction

August 12, 2008


As the Ravens prepare for their second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night, here is the roster breakdown.

The high number of injuries has clouded the roster outlook in the last few weeks. Key injuries to tackles Jared Gaither and Adam Terry, running back Willis McGahee, defensive tackles Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata, cornerback Chris McAlister, and safety Ed Reed have caused the front office to search for added depth at certain positions. 

Listed in parentheses behind each position is the number of players the team would likely keep. Players no longer on the roster are listed as either CUT or I.R. (injured-reserve).

 

Quarterback (3)          

LOCK: Kyle Boller, Joe Flacco, Troy Smith

BUBBLE:  None

LONGSHOT:  None

CUT:  Brad Roach

Skinny: The quarterback competition is as uncertain now as it was in late July, as Boller and Smith had uneven performances against New England. Hopefully, the picture becomes clearer when Smith gets the start against Minnesota. 

                   

Running Back (3)          

LOCK: Willis McGahee, Ray Rice

BUBBLE: Alex Haynes, Allen Patrick, Corey Ross

LONGSHOT: None   

I.R.: P.J. Daniels

Skinny: McGahee’s arthroscopic left-knee surgery has thrown Rice into the starting tailback position for the time being. Coaches would really like to see a running back emerge from the pack to win the third running-back spot.

This becomes more critical has McGahee’s status for Week One remains unclear. The Ravens could conceivably carry a fourth running back, depending on special-teams play.

 

Fullback (2)                 

LOCK: Le’Ron McClain

BUBBLE: Lorenzo Neal

LONGSHOT: None

CUT: Justin Green, Jake Nordin

Skinny:  In a surprise move, the Ravens cut Green on Monday and signed the former Pro Bowl veteran Neal on Aug. 12. Neal is very familiar with Cam Cameron’s offense, dating back to their days with the San Diego Chargers. 

Neal will provide tutoring to the talented younger McClain. McClain was more involved in the offense in the first preseason game than he was at any point last season.

                   

Tight End (3)               

LOCK: Todd Heap, Daniel Wilcox

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

6 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. chad lamasa 10 months ago

    Luke,
    Very nice. I like how you broke down the roster. You are very insightful and probably dead on for most of the positions, barring any injuries that may happen at Camp or in preseason games.

    I hope somebody gives Roach a look. I don't know much about him except, that he went to the same small college in North Carolina that I did. And it would be cool to have some one in the pros from my school.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Luke Jones 10 months ago

      Thanks for reading. Roach sounded like he had some decent talent coming from a small school, but it's clear who the Ravens' three quarterbacks were going to be going into training camp. I haven't found anything on him, but hopefully he catches on with an NFL practice squad somewhere. If not, there's always the CFL or the Arena league.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  2. chad lamasa 10 months ago

    That is true. I hope if it's one of those leagues it's Arena. Only because they actually get TV coverage. Plus look at Kurt Warner it could lead to a gig in the NFL. Now that I've said that though, there have a been a couple of pretty good QB's to make the transition from the CFL to the NFL. Moon and Flutie come to mind. But they don't get coverage around here.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  3. skay baltimore 10 months ago

    Excellent breakdown. I posted on another board how accurate the piece was, and how surprised I was to see someone outside the Ravens circle writing something so accurate. (Most of the national stuff always strikes me as out of touch with the team I know.) Then someone pointed out to me that you're a Ravens fan, and it made sense.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Luke Jones 10 months ago

      Thanks for the compliment. I actually tracked down the board where you post (I post occasionally on the scout boards...I think I remembered seeing you post over there from time to time). I'm actually hoping to continue writing and maybe turn it into a career (either on the journalism side or the public relations/sports information side) though I'm currently employed as a teacher.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  4. Isaac Barrow 10 months ago

    Good read

    Yeah when Stover is gone hopefully Czech can get some time

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.