Ravens Reported Signings: Undrafted Free Agents
Although the team won't officially release the names of the undrafted free agents the team has signed for a few days, here is a look at the guys who appear to have been signed by the team for now. Other than the placekicker mentioned in an earlier post, Graham Gano of Florida state, there appear to be a few others that seem to have more than a decent chance to make the squad in 2009. A brief description of each one follows.
Dannell Ellerbe, LB (Georgia) 6'1", 236 lbs.
Ellerbe struggled in 2008 with a sprained knee and a torn chest muscle prevented him from testing at the NFL Combine. However, he is an undersized but athletic and aggressive LB that was originally projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick going into the 2008 season. See his YouTube video here.
Will Johnson, DE (Michigan) 6'4", 281 lbs.
Johnson was not drafted in this draft, but impressed the scouts and onlookers as he put up an astounding 47 reps of 225 pounds at the team's Pro Day, breaking the all time NFL Combine record held by former Wolverine Jake Long, who put up 42 reps last year.
Jason Cook, FB (Mississippi) 5'11", 244 lbs.
Cook, a team captain for the Rebels, was primarily a blocking back and should have a good chance of being the lead blocker for the Ravens trio of RB's this season.
Eron Riley, WR (Duke) 6'3", 206 lbs.
Riley is a tall receiver who ran a 4.34 40 yard dash and had 22 TD's and over 2400 receiving yards in his college career. He totaled 61 receptions for 693 yards and 8 TD's in 2008. He also has a 40" vertical and made 2nd team All-ACC honors. Similar, if not better stats against similar competition as Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Raiders top pick in the NFL Draft. Here is a clip from Riley's YouTube video.
Isaiah Williams, WR (Maryland) 6'2", 205 lbs.
While runing a 4.43 40 yard dash and a 41" vertical, Williams was relatively unimpressive with only 10 receptions for 124 yards and one TD in 2008. He appears to be a long shot to make the team.
Cameron Goldberg, OT (Duke) 6'5", 286 lbs.
(photo courtesy of Duke Photography)
Goldberg was a 2 year starter at LT, and is a local product from Lutherville, MD. (NOTE: While offered a contract w/ the Ravens, Goldberg decided to sign w/ the KC Chiefs instead.)
Drew Willy, QB (Buffalo) 6'3", 215 lbs.
Willy is an interesting sleeper pick for a team that seems pretty well set at QB. He is the University of Buffalo's all time passing leader and led them to their first winning season in Division I-A, with 3304 yards, 25 TD's and only 6 interceptions.
Greg Ryan, OT (W. Kentucky) 6'4", 304 lbs.
Ryan is a three year starter, including all 12 games in 2008, who played in multiple positions on the offensive line, which could prove versatile to the Ravens.
Willie VanDeSteeg, DE (Minnesota) 6'4", 256 lbs.
VanDeSteeg, the Golden Gophers team captain, is Minnesota's all time leader in tackles-for-losses, with 44.5 and 4th in sacks with 21.5, including 10.5 in 2008. As a 1st team All Big 10 selection, his size may make him ideal for a hybrid position.
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Rexx, hide my story please that I just posted.
Did not see that you posted one at the exact same time. I will update it tomorrow.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Joe Flacco's roommate Mike
Interesting story about what’s up with Joe’s brother and their home life.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042801514.html
Those Flaccos
They are like a goofier version of the Brady Bunch. Mike’s eyebrows are super far apart where as Joe’s are touching.
CCBC, really? Why the hell did he want to go to that shit hole school.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
He has the last name Flacco.
At CCBC, that makes him a god.
by The Sicilian on Apr 30, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Was it just character concerns that kept Eron Riley out of the draft? It’s a little surprising to see those numbers not get drafted at all.
I think Ellerbe, Gano (not listed) and Cook all have an excellent chance of making the roster.
Will Johnson’s an interesting guy to have on the PS… he could be a monster 3-4 end.
I don’t think that he was invited to the combine. Maybe because he played for Duke? His numbers seem to good to be true…
yeah, Marques Colston’s don’t happen very often… but it would be a stunning surprise for this team if that happened here.
Yeah. We could use the help. Is it just me… or does Riley BURN Alphonso Smith at 2:32 in this video? He looks scary fast.
So that is 2 ACC Wideouts that destroyed Smith.
I do not think Smith will be a good NFL CB what so ever. If he is having trouble covering unpolished WR like DHB and Riley that are on teams with shitty QB’s, how is he going to handle these guys in the NFL.
One of the most overrated players I saw in this year’s draft.
And yes, Riley did nothing but run straight at full speed and Smith was too amazed that he Riley didnt have to put a move on him and literally froze. Riley could be a beast, but we will cut him only because we fans like him.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Riley's charachter...
DHB, without the speed is no higher than a 4th rounder with those stats. But he played at a decent football school, while Riley played at one of the worst schools in D-1. I think he was at best a 6th – 7th rounder with his stats…
by Rayisyourdaddy on Apr 30, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
but Riley is fast, almost as fast as DHB. Concerns about his hands also, but that was true with DHB also.
There’s got to be more to why he wasn’t drafted. Maybe he’s a sloppy route runner with work ethic concerns.
i think
that he is just raw….and needs work on his routes
by Rayisyourdaddy on Apr 30, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Debating logarithyms
..then nuclear energy uses. Finally the Dukies got all out of control, threw their Sloe Gin Fizzes at each other, wiped their stupid blue face paint on each other and it all became FUBAR!
They know how to party!
Rexx
Compares to... from NFL.com
Dannell Ellerbe – compares to Bart Scott. I’m not making this up. How ironic.
Jason Phillips – Monty Beisel – meh, meh, meh. Hopefully Phillips can do better.
Paul Kruger – Aaron Kampman, strange that this guy is moving inside
Can you believe they didn’t do one for Michael Oher?
I think that Gaither is more like Ogden. Oher does remind me of Orlando Pace, but I don’t see the Ogden comparison.
Either way… It’s awesome to have tackles of their caliber on the same team. Can you imagine if Ogden and Pace were on the same team. That would have been awesome. We have much to look forward to if Gaither and Oher turn out to be half the players that Ogden and Pace were.
correct me if I'm wrong...
but isn’t danell ellerbe from Georgia.
And I think Cameron Goldberg signed with the chiefs.
WIDEOUTS!
HUZZAH!
As a Maryland purist though, I’m disturbed by the number of Duke players that were selected, but hey, if they can play, get these kids on the field for some ball!
Will Willy fill the Boller position of 3rd stringer?
We resigned Todd Bouman for the 3rd spot
We rather have a veteran at the 3rd spot then a rookie so that Joe can learn more. I like Bouman as our 3rd, solid guy.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Unless Willy wows them at camp
With another year in the system for Flacco and the comfort of Smith, they may keep the Buffalo Kid. Unless of course, Cleveland grabs him from our Practice Squad!
Rexx
Well
Mel Kiper said Willy could be the Tom Brady, so not sure if I want Cleveless to pick him up. Then again, they will never see another hall of famer.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

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