Reed Tells Sirius XM He’s Not 100 Percent Committed to Playing in 2012

May 17th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in News

In some rather shocking news, Ravens all-world safety Ed Reed is telling Sirius XM radio that he is not 100 percent committed to playing in 2012.

Do the Ravens know he isn’t 100% committed? Reed says, “I’m sure they will after this interview.”

Reed is now 33-years-old, and is set to be a free agent after the 2012 season, that is if he comes back and plays in the 2012 campaign.

In his career, Reed has been selected to eight Pro Bowls, was the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, and has the NFL record for the two longest interception returns (106 yards in 2004 and 108 yards in 2008 ).

Losing Reed would be another huge blow to a Ravens defense that is already going to be without LB Terrell Suggs for most of if not all of 2012 after he tore his Achilles.

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Draft Review with Matt DeLima, Part II

May 17th, 2012 Gene Winner Posted in 2012 NFL Draft, Main, Opinions

Our second half of our interview with Fantasy sports writer and blogger Matt DeLima. If you missed the first half of our interview, go to: Draft Review I.

6.  BGR: Asa Jackson, Cornerback, Cal Poly-SLO has excellent cover skills, speed and can compete in the return game.  In fact, there wasn’t much negative about him other than his height (5-11) and that he played for a smaller program. With a talented pool of cornerbacks on the Ravens roster can he make the team?

Matt: Jackson will have to make a name for himself by showing off those ball skills. He was excellent in the FCS and now he’s in the NFL. He needs to play bigger than his size and prove he can be a reliable returner as well. Baltimore did the smart thing here because they needed corner depth and a returner and they’ve got a guy who can earn his roster spot by performing both roles.

 

7. BGR: What is your take on safety Christian Thompson? Eric DeCosta said he was a player the team had in their radar early in the draft process.

Matt: The draw with Thompson is that he is an SEC talent (originally played at Auburn) and he’s got a long frame and good speed. The foundation for success is there and he can come in to play special teams immediately. There’s talent to be found in the MEAC and since the Ravens don’t need him immediately, they can groom him. This luxury is what allows Baltimore to take developmental players in the middle rounds. Thompson is precisely that.

 

8. BGR:  It seems seventh rounder DeAngelo Tyson, DL has taken a back seat in the media. There isn’t much about him regarding scouting reports. But, by all accounts he has some excellent tools and did play in one of the best divisions in college, the SEC. The past few years the Ravens have selected defensive line prospects late in the draft like Arthur Jones and Pernell McPhee, is Tyson another gem? Your take?

 Matt:  3-4 linemen are tough to find and Tyson is a former four-star high school prospect according to Rivals.com. I remember when he came out because most of the SEC schools were looking at him. For Tyson, he will need to show that he’s willing to put in the work. From all accounts, he’s a hard-working young man and he’ll have to be in order to earn his keep. This is a win-win for the Ravens because they’ll know almost immediately whether or not Tyson has the aptitude to be a NFL player. While some teams place a high priority on stamina or motor, a rotational player like Tyson only needs to contribute maybe a dozen plays per game. If they can coach him up to fulfill that kind of role, that’s a steal in Round 7.

 

9. BGR:  Overall it seemed the Ravens were caught a little of guard in this year’s draft because they said many teams had similar draft boards. The Ravens said it has to do with all the access to information in today’s game. Does this change teams emphasis on obtaining more scouts?

Matt: It really depends on the team and whether they trust their scouts. So often you hear about a pick may have been a favorite of the owner or the GM. The question then becomes, how much influence or how relevant is a scout’s opinion when it’s time to make the pick? Baltimore, as I mentioned, appears to be a team that puts a lot of stock into the entire staff. They go after small school players and they draft players from the National Champs. The Ravens have been the model of consistency so whatever it is they do, more teams should be trying to emulate their plan. It seems that what Baltimore does best is identify where they need improvement and find versatile athletes who can fulfill multiple roles.

 

Baltimore Gridiron Report would like to thank Matt for taking time to contribute to our draft Q&A series:

Q&A with Matt DeLima (March 2012)

Q&A with Matt DeLima, Part I (April)  and Part II (April 2012) 

Matt DeLima is the editor of TheDugoutDoctors.com and contributes his Fantasy sports insight to FFToolbox.comand 4for4.com. Follow him on Twitter @mattkdelima

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Retro Ravens: Michael Jackson

May 16th, 2012 Matt Jergensen Posted in Features, Main

Baltimore's Thriller

Another draft is over and as usual it’s difficult to tell just how much better the Ravens roster will be in 2012.
 
One player that has drawn a particular amount of curiosity from the draft class is the former Miami Hurricane drafted in the sixth round Tommy Streeter. Streeter possesses an intriguing  blend of speed and size that reminds many of a former Ravens receiver.
 
Director of player personnel Eric DeCosta said this about Streeter. “It’s unusual to get a receiver with that kind of size who can run like that. Ozzie alluded to another size/speed guy that we developed a long time ago — Michael Jackson. These kinds of guys are rare at times, the measurable.
 
Which made me wonder, just what kind of career did Jackson have in the NFL?
 
So it only made sense to put Jackson under the microscope as my Retro Ravens subject this week.
 
Jackson, the 6’4″, 196 pound prospect from the University of Southern Mississippi was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. (Sounds familiar) Jackson had been recruited to Southern Miss as a potential Quarterback but later converted to Receiver when some guy named Bret Favre beat him out at the position. He went on to play eight seasons in the NFL, three in Baltimore from 1996-1998.
 
His first season in Charm City was his most memorable and productive as he caught 76 passes for 1201 yards and tied for the league lead in touchdowns with 14. Jackson caught multiple touchdowns three times that season and finished the 96′ campaign with a 5 catch, 117 yd., 3 TD performance against the Houston Oilers in a losing effort.
 
During his time as a pro he was known as a deep threat, a sharp dresser, and was never at a loss for words.
 
He was known for engaging in banter with opposing players and fans as evidenced by this story from a 1996 game against Jacksonville.
 
“I told the guy, ‘I’m going to catch a touchdown pass right here, in this [left] corner, and then I’ll throw the ball to you,’ ” Jackson said.Sure enough, before halftime, he caught a touchdown pass from Vinny Testaverde on the spot. Jackson pitched the ball toward the stands – with gusto.

“I must have thrown it pretty hard, because the [NFL] fined me $500,” he said.

 
 Jackson played the next two seasons for the Ravens but never enjoyed the same amount of success as that inaugural season. He only caught 4 touchdowns for the reminder of his career. He was slowed by injuries and a scheme change as Baltimore was moving more towards a short passing game.
 
He became a Free Agent in 1998 and after an unsuccessful tryout with the Seattle Seahawks he retired at the age of 29.
 
Even though Jackson had a relatively short career in Baltimore he’ll be most remembered for that tremendous first season. Do they have the same thing in Streeter?
 
Let’s wait and see.
 
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Draft Review with Matt DeLima, FFToolbox

May 16th, 2012 Gene Winner Posted in 2012 NFL Draft, Opinions

Draft Review Part I : Q&A with Matt DeLima, FFToolbox

Matt DeLima is joining us for a post draft review Q&A. We appreciate Matt’s participation throughout the draft process.

Matt De Lima is a recognized Fantasy sports writer and blogger. He was a finalist for the 2011 College Sports Writer of the Year, an award presented by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. When he’s not busy talking in the third person, he is the editor of TheDugoutDoctors.com and contributes his Fantasy sports insight to FFToolbox.comand 4for4.com. Follow him on Twitter @mattkdelima

 

1. BGR:  The Ravens had a productive draft and they stuck gold with Courtney Upshaw. What’s your overall thoughts, impressions on this year’s draft class and how the team did value wise?

Matt:  It’s difficult to evaluate Baltimore’s draft because they go after their guys. They rely heavily on scouts and coaches meeting with players during the draft process. Everyone closely following the draft knew of Courtney Upshaw, Kelechi Osemele and Bernard Pierce… but Gino Gradkowski, Christian Thompson and Asa Jackson were all under the radar players from smaller schools. All in all, this was a good, but not great draft from my perspective. Upshaw and Osemele are instant impact players and fans just have to hope that another player or two can be groomed into a starter over the next couple seasons.

 

2. BGR:  Of course Terrell Suggs injury puts more importance into Upshaw’s selection. How do you see Upshaw adjusting to the NFL and filling in for T-Sizzle (Suggs)?

Matt: Alabama’s defense was one of the greatest of all-time in college football and by adding anybody on that defense, I think you can’t go wrong. Upshaw is thick, relentless and I just love the way he plays downhill. Do I want him covering athletic tight ends man to man? No,definitely not. The key for him is that Baltimore doesn’t put too much on his plate too fast. He’s a pass-rusher first and foremost so build him up slowly since he’ll be forced onto the field.

 

3. BGR:  One of the biggest question marks is second round pick, Kelechi Osemele, T/G, Iowa State.  Do you see him sliding in right away at left guard (vacated by Ben Grubbs)?

Matt: Excluding David DeCastro, I wouldn’t be surprised if many teams considered Osemele as the second-best guard in this draft. His versatility and length are a great fit for a winning team like Baltimore who don’t necessarily have to force him to start right away. In the short term, he can sit for a few weeks, backup a few positions,and rotate in when needed. Or on the other hand, he might be ready to start immediately. I think he’d be a great fit at left guard and he’s used to playing on that side of the line.

 

4. BGR:  Third rounder running back Bernard Pierce will be battling it out with last year’s seventh rounder Anthony Allen. Which player do you see winning out as Ray Rice’s back-up?

Matt: Pierce should be the early favorite. He’s got great feet and can plant then drive towards daylight. With young backs though, it may take some time for him to learn pass protections and these sorts of things can keep him off the field early. I think another guy to really keep an eye on is Bobby Rainey. He’s dynamite and I’m very surprised a team didn’t draft him. He’s undersized but Rainey can be a real gem on third down.

 

5. BGR:  Do you see Gino Gradkowski as a starting Center after Matt Birk retires? He might of been taken a bit early, but Eric DeCosta had high marks on Gradkowski, he was one of their players targeted.

Matt: What’s interesting to me is I heard that Gradkowski was telling the press that he felt Baltimore would be a great spot for him and that he wanted to learn behind Matt Birk. Then what do you know, the Ravens take him in the fourth round. Other reports also indicated that a lot of teams were considering him in the later rounds which is why Baltimore may have felt pressured to grab him a round early. He’s a developmental prospect and he’ll need the full year on the bench to add useful weight.

 

Stay Tuned for ‘Part II’ of our Draft Review…

 

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Read All About Ball Park Great Moments in Guy Time

May 15th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in Contests

Hey guys – won’t it be great to tell your lady that you could have a chance to win a year’s supply of groceries? Our friends at Ball Park are running a Facebook contest, asking fans to share a photo or video showcasing a funny/crazy example of “something only a guy would do” to win BIG.

To enter, follow this link: http://on.fb.me/GreatMomentsInGuyTime

So if you have a photo/video of a great tailgating moment, showing your team pride at the stadium, or just celebrating great times with your buddies, enter now for a chance to win a year’s supply of groceries. Nine others will win Ball Park grilling packages, complete with a grill and plenty of Ball Park products to keep your summer sizzling.

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Upshaw: Looks Ready to Compete After Mini-Camp

May 15th, 2012 Matt Jergensen Posted in Main, Video

CSN Baltimore’s Brent Harris and John Eisenberg wrap up day three of the Ravens Rookie Mini-Camp with a few impressions of the players. The main focus is on top draft pick Courtney Upshaw and if he’ll be able to play right away to relieve the burden of the injury suffered by Terrell Suggs.

Most players recieved high marks over the few days but time will tell if that translates into contributiting on the field.

Here are a few quick thoughts from the team site on each player and their performance.

OLB Courtney Upshaw: The Ravens’ top draft pick was one of the stars of the weekend, showing his size and strength at both outside linebacker positions.  “He’s just a quick learner,” Harbaugh said. “He’s off to a good start.”

OL Kelechi Osemele: The big lineman from Iowa State spent most of the weekend practicing at left guard, making a relatively smooth transition from the left tackle spot he played in college. Osemele’s physicality was evident from the time he first got on the practice field, and even Harbaugh admitted that he looked massive once he put on the uniform.

RB Bernard Pierce:  The third-round running back was solid throughout mini-camp, showing some bursts of quickness through the holes and a slashing style that fit the Ravens running schemes

C/G Gino Gradkowski: The fourth-rounder rotated between both guard spots and center throughout the weekend as he’s expected to compete for the starting left guard job and also backup center Matt Birk. Gradkowski doesn’t have the size of a player like Osemele, but he did show athleticism and versatility.

S Christian Thompson: He made a good impression throughout camp, showing his athleticism in the secondary. He wasn’t necessarily flashy, but played solid football and showed a willingness to learn.

CB Asa Jackson: The cornerback and return specialist played with energy and swagger throughout the weekend, showing a quick step in coverage. He uses his speed, which is critical because at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, he’ll be undersized when guarding many NFL receivers.

WR Tommy Streeter: At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Streeter’s size is impressive right away. When he gets on the field and shows off his speed, he looks even better.

“First impression: he is really tall. Second impression: he is really fast. I’d say third impression: he is going to be a good player,” Harbaugh said.

DL DeAngelo Tyson: Physically, he looked impressive on the line. He is a big body at 6-foot-2, 315 pounds, and also displayed some explosiveness working through individual drills.

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Ravens Draft Class Signed

May 11th, 2012 Matt Jergensen Posted in News, Roster Moves

All Rookies are Signed and Ready to Roll

The Ravens’ entire draft class is under contract heading into Friday’s start to rookie camp.

Baltimore inked top pick linebacker Courtney Upshaw, third-round running back Bernard Pierce and sixth-round wide receiver Tommy Streeter on Thursday evening.

The rest, second-round guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele, fourth-round guard/center Gino Gradkowski, fifth-round safety Christian Thompson, fifth-round cornerback Asa Jackson and seventh-round defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson, were all signed over the previous two days.

Upshaw got a reported four-year deal worth $5.29 million with a $2.292 signing bonus, says The Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson and NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport.

Upshaw is the highest second-round draft pick to sign thus far.

All draft picks usually aren’t signed this quickly, which is a credit to the Ravens and Vice President of Football Administration Pat Moriarty. They were able to do so in part thanks to the new rookie wage scale, which largely automatically determines salaries

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Yanda Restructures Deal, Gives Ravens Some Cap Relief

May 10th, 2012 Matt Jergensen Posted in News, Roster Moves

Thanks Marshal!

If you were like me you were wondering just how the Ravens have been able to sign several players to the roster over the past few days

Thank Marshal Yanda who helped make the Ravens’ recent flurry of activity possible.

The Pro Bowl offensive guard restructured his five-year, $32 million contract, reducing his 2012 salary-cap figure by $2.8 million, according to The Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson.

That extra $2.8 million helped the cap-strapped Ravens reel in wide receiver and return man Jacoby Jones (reportedly two years, $7 million) and defensive lineman Ryan McBean (reportedly one year, $1.214 million). Additionally, the Ravens were able to give safety Bernard Pollard a three-year contract extension.

Once scheduled to make a $6.5 million cap figure this season, Yanda will now get $3.65 million, according to Wilson, who also explained that Yanda won’t lose any money over the long haul.

The Ravens gave Yanda a $3.8 million signing bonus and it will now be prorated over the remaining four years of his deal.

What does the Ravens salary-cap picture look like now?

That’s still a little murky. Without factoring in the Jones and Pollard deals, the Ravens salary-cap figure is $3.529, says Wilson.

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