My Top 3 Thoughts Of The Week
We can't deny the Baltimore Ravens have one of the deepest teams in the league. Every position seems to have depth.
Even though it is preseason, there is a lot to be excited about from this team. But there is still some questions to be answered, three in particular that I wanted to address.
Let's take a look at the quarterback position, we know Lamar Jackson and RG3 are locks. Trace McSorley, the Ravens 6th round pick in this past years draft, was on the bubble since the day he stepped onto the practice field. A lot of Raven fans were even saying he wouldn't make the team.
We can put that argument to rest.
McSorley struggled in the first two preseason games, but with his job on the line Thursday night in the Ravens third preseason game against the Eagles, he should be a lock on this team.
McSorley played three quarters of football and completed 19 of 28 passes (67.8 CMP%), 203 yards, 3 touchdowns which included a rushing touchdown.
With the Ravens having two mobile quarterbacks on the depth chart with Jackson and Griffin, there is always a worry about injury, they should keep three like they did last year which was essential when Joe Flacco went down.
McSorley can also be used all over the field, he said he is willing to play special teams and why not? The New Orleans Saints use Taysom Hill in multiple ways. Using McSorley to play on the punt or kickoff team could be a huge asset. while also using him as a running back or wideout to always keep the defenses guessing. Imagine McSorley in the slot receiver position motioning over, this is going to keep defenses eyes off of other guys.
Something the Ravens tried to use Lamar Jackson do last year, but obviously Flacco wasn't very fond of that idea.
Last week John Harbaugh announced that Tavon Young went down with a neck injury that could keep him out the entire 2019 season.
Like I already stated, the Ravens have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, unfortunately one position they aren't is nickle corner.
Don't get this twisted, the Ravens are STACKED, and I mean stacked at corner... just not at the nickle position. You already have Marlon Humphrey and Jimmy Smith on the outside, and Brandon Carr has played most of his career on the outside and played well there last year rotating in for the starters. But he has not played on the inside much of his career.
The Ravens have been rotating Carr into the nickle position over the past week, this would be great if it works out. Having your best three cornerbacks on the field at the same time is a dream, but it is out of position for Carr and could not pan out the way the Ravens would like it too.
So who are the other options?
Cyrus Jones, who is the most logical answer. He hasn't played phenomenal at the position the past two weeks, but he is improving. He had a interception against the Green Bay Packers in week two of the preseason. The only issue I see with Cyrus Jones is size mismatches. He can keep up with small, speedy receivers. But when the Ravens play the Arizona Cardinals week one, he could be facing an old teammate, Micheal Crabtree.
Yes, I know Crabtree has drop issues and he isn't consistent and a joke for Baltimore Ravens fans. But realize that Crabtree is 6 foot 1 inches, but has a reach of someone that is 6 foot 5 inches or bigger. This is a huge mismatch for Jones, who is only 5 foot 20 inches.
The next option is Maurice Canady. To say the least... he looked awful against the Eagles thursday night against the slot in the 2nd half of the game. You probably won't even see him on the team in two weeks.
Those are your three options, but honestly I would try to give DeShon Elliott a chance at the position. After missing the 2019 season with a forearm, he has proved that the Ravens drafted a steal of a player with the safety out of Texas.
Elliott has been all over the field, from pass breakups too making open field tackles, he has been one of the most impressive Ravens this preseason.
Once again, another player that is playing out of position. My guess is the Ravens let Carr and Jones rotate for the first couple of weeks to test it out, missing Young for maybe the season is a huge blow for the Ravens.
My last and favorite position on the Baltimore Ravens is... yes the wide receivers.
This might be the most excited I have personally felt for this wide out group, this is not old veterans that are past their prime.
This group is young, fast, and explosive.
Hollywood Brown made his first appearance of the preseason Thursday night against the Eagles, and I was impressed. The stat sheet won't pop out at you with only three catches for 17 yards from the rookie. But on a positive note, he caught all of his targets. That is all Ravens fans care about, no I will not bring up the past because we are looking into the future.
Hollywood showed off his secure hands on a screen pass that was high throw from McSorley when the 5 foot 9 inch receiver went up high to make the catch and picked up a couple of yards. He also caught a two point conversion but was called back for holding.
My guess is that Brown will be rotated into wide out X, and Z.
Snead is obviously going to play at the Y, he is probably Lamar's favorite target. From the slot he will do exactly what he has done his whole career.
Miles Boykin had another impressive night even though it was only one catch, it was a 44 yard reception for the big rookie. He has probably been the most impressive receiver in camp, and keeps making play after play. Even with a couple drops in preseason games, it hasn't phased him and he looks bound to be starting at the X week one.
Chris Moore was always a lock, he has played great the entire preseason month, I have no clue why he was considered a "bubble" guy. I expect him to finally recieve his chance and prove why he will be a critical asset to this group.
Who will fill the last two wide receiver potions?
You might be surprised, but Michael Floyd will make this team I believe. He was struggling in training camp early, but really has turned it on the past couple of weeks. Thursday night he had another great night, having three receptions for 54 yards, including a 28 yard touchdown from a beautiful Trace McSorley pass.
The last spot goes to Jaleel Scott, and it should be. After being on IR all of the 2019 season the 6 foot 6 inch wideout has proven he belongs on this team. He has caught everything in his direction, he has really impressed me with his back shoulder catches. These kind of catches give confidence to a quarterback to throw it in your direction knowing you're going to go get it. Including his nice red zone touchdown making an adjustment to the football, while getting two feet down to secure the touchdown.
All in all, I am very excited for this team. Are they perfect? No, but I expect more from the wide receiver group especially the rookies this season. This offense will be something Ravens fans have never experienced before. Oh.. and the Ravens defense is still top tier in the league, The defensive backs group could be the best in the NFL, even with Tavon Young out.
Even though it is preseason, there is a lot to be excited about from this team. But there is still some questions to be answered, three in particular that I wanted to address.
Let's take a look at the quarterback position, we know Lamar Jackson and RG3 are locks. Trace McSorley, the Ravens 6th round pick in this past years draft, was on the bubble since the day he stepped onto the practice field. A lot of Raven fans were even saying he wouldn't make the team.
We can put that argument to rest.
McSorley struggled in the first two preseason games, but with his job on the line Thursday night in the Ravens third preseason game against the Eagles, he should be a lock on this team.
McSorley played three quarters of football and completed 19 of 28 passes (67.8 CMP%), 203 yards, 3 touchdowns which included a rushing touchdown.
With the Ravens having two mobile quarterbacks on the depth chart with Jackson and Griffin, there is always a worry about injury, they should keep three like they did last year which was essential when Joe Flacco went down.
McSorley can also be used all over the field, he said he is willing to play special teams and why not? The New Orleans Saints use Taysom Hill in multiple ways. Using McSorley to play on the punt or kickoff team could be a huge asset. while also using him as a running back or wideout to always keep the defenses guessing. Imagine McSorley in the slot receiver position motioning over, this is going to keep defenses eyes off of other guys.
Something the Ravens tried to use Lamar Jackson do last year, but obviously Flacco wasn't very fond of that idea.
Last week John Harbaugh announced that Tavon Young went down with a neck injury that could keep him out the entire 2019 season.
Like I already stated, the Ravens have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, unfortunately one position they aren't is nickle corner.
Don't get this twisted, the Ravens are STACKED, and I mean stacked at corner... just not at the nickle position. You already have Marlon Humphrey and Jimmy Smith on the outside, and Brandon Carr has played most of his career on the outside and played well there last year rotating in for the starters. But he has not played on the inside much of his career.
The Ravens have been rotating Carr into the nickle position over the past week, this would be great if it works out. Having your best three cornerbacks on the field at the same time is a dream, but it is out of position for Carr and could not pan out the way the Ravens would like it too.
So who are the other options?
Cyrus Jones, who is the most logical answer. He hasn't played phenomenal at the position the past two weeks, but he is improving. He had a interception against the Green Bay Packers in week two of the preseason. The only issue I see with Cyrus Jones is size mismatches. He can keep up with small, speedy receivers. But when the Ravens play the Arizona Cardinals week one, he could be facing an old teammate, Micheal Crabtree.
Yes, I know Crabtree has drop issues and he isn't consistent and a joke for Baltimore Ravens fans. But realize that Crabtree is 6 foot 1 inches, but has a reach of someone that is 6 foot 5 inches or bigger. This is a huge mismatch for Jones, who is only 5 foot 20 inches.
The next option is Maurice Canady. To say the least... he looked awful against the Eagles thursday night against the slot in the 2nd half of the game. You probably won't even see him on the team in two weeks.
Those are your three options, but honestly I would try to give DeShon Elliott a chance at the position. After missing the 2019 season with a forearm, he has proved that the Ravens drafted a steal of a player with the safety out of Texas.
Elliott has been all over the field, from pass breakups too making open field tackles, he has been one of the most impressive Ravens this preseason.
Once again, another player that is playing out of position. My guess is the Ravens let Carr and Jones rotate for the first couple of weeks to test it out, missing Young for maybe the season is a huge blow for the Ravens.
My last and favorite position on the Baltimore Ravens is... yes the wide receivers.
This might be the most excited I have personally felt for this wide out group, this is not old veterans that are past their prime.
This group is young, fast, and explosive.
Hollywood Brown made his first appearance of the preseason Thursday night against the Eagles, and I was impressed. The stat sheet won't pop out at you with only three catches for 17 yards from the rookie. But on a positive note, he caught all of his targets. That is all Ravens fans care about, no I will not bring up the past because we are looking into the future.
Hollywood showed off his secure hands on a screen pass that was high throw from McSorley when the 5 foot 9 inch receiver went up high to make the catch and picked up a couple of yards. He also caught a two point conversion but was called back for holding.
My guess is that Brown will be rotated into wide out X, and Z.
Snead is obviously going to play at the Y, he is probably Lamar's favorite target. From the slot he will do exactly what he has done his whole career.
Miles Boykin had another impressive night even though it was only one catch, it was a 44 yard reception for the big rookie. He has probably been the most impressive receiver in camp, and keeps making play after play. Even with a couple drops in preseason games, it hasn't phased him and he looks bound to be starting at the X week one.
Chris Moore was always a lock, he has played great the entire preseason month, I have no clue why he was considered a "bubble" guy. I expect him to finally recieve his chance and prove why he will be a critical asset to this group.
Who will fill the last two wide receiver potions?
You might be surprised, but Michael Floyd will make this team I believe. He was struggling in training camp early, but really has turned it on the past couple of weeks. Thursday night he had another great night, having three receptions for 54 yards, including a 28 yard touchdown from a beautiful Trace McSorley pass.
The last spot goes to Jaleel Scott, and it should be. After being on IR all of the 2019 season the 6 foot 6 inch wideout has proven he belongs on this team. He has caught everything in his direction, he has really impressed me with his back shoulder catches. These kind of catches give confidence to a quarterback to throw it in your direction knowing you're going to go get it. Including his nice red zone touchdown making an adjustment to the football, while getting two feet down to secure the touchdown.
All in all, I am very excited for this team. Are they perfect? No, but I expect more from the wide receiver group especially the rookies this season. This offense will be something Ravens fans have never experienced before. Oh.. and the Ravens defense is still top tier in the league, The defensive backs group could be the best in the NFL, even with Tavon Young out.
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