Ravens 53 Man Roster: My Picks

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 5, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

Here are my picks for what the Ravens will end up doing later today when they announce the 53 man roster that they will be trimming down to when they release 22 guys to get down to the NFL max.

Offense

QB: Joe Flacco, Troy Smith, John Beck

WR: Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams, Kelley Washington, Justin Harper

RB: Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, LeRon McClain, Jalen Parmele

TE: Todd Heap, L.J. Smith, Davon Drew, Edgar Jones

OL: Matt Birk, Ben Grubbs, Jared Gaither, Chris Chester, Marshal Yanda, Michael Oher, David Hale, Oniel Cousins

Defense

DB: Ed Reed, Dawan Landry, Fabian Washington, Domonique Foxworth, Haruki Nakamura, Tom Zbikowski, Chris Carr, Lardarius Webb, Frank Walker, Derrick Martin

LB: Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Jarret Johnson, Tavares Gooden, Jameel McClain, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Paul Kruger, Prescott Burgess, Antwan Barnes

DL: Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, Justin Bannan, Kelly Gregg, Dwan Edwards, Brandon McKinney

Specialists

P: Sam Koch

PK: Steven Hauschka

LS: Matt Katula

That’s only 52 guys and my final spot is a tough one to decide upon. I am looking at one of the following guys:

Yamon Figurs, Jason Cook, Jason Phillips, Joe Reitz, Kelly Talavou

Figurs still has the speed and with Webb looking a bit shaky on returns, Yamon gives us another option behind Chris Carr. Jason Cook gives us another fullback along with LeRon McClain. Jason Phillips was a 4^th round draft pick in 2009 and Ozzie doesn’t like to release draft picks. Perhaps Phillips will be IR’d to keep our hands on him (I expect the Ravens to IR undrafted rookie LB Dannell Ellerbe as well). Joe Reitz gives us more depth on the offensive line as well as Kelly Tavalou does the same for the defensive line.

I don’t want to take the easy way out by only selecting 52 players, so I will have to go out on a limb and make my selection and therefore the 53^rd spot on the Baltimore Ravens roster goes to Yamon Figurs.

The other players I was undecided about go onto our Practice Squad, where we can have up to eight players. Of course, I would expect the team to peruse other teams’ cuts to add a player or two to either our roster or Practice Squad, and vice versa for the rest of the league. However, in advance of that info, my Practice Squad would look like this:

Cook, Reitz, Talavou, Foster, Riley, Peerman, Smolko, Stallings

Additionally, as I stated earlier, the team would place both Dannell Ellerbe and Jason Phillips on Injured Reserve (IR), which would end their 2009 seasons, but ensure the team retains their rights while giving the players their full 2009 salaries, which do count against the team’s salary cap. However, being rookies, that should not be much of an issue.

Your thoughts and comments on those last few slots?

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Comments

53 MAN ROSTER

FRANK WALKER WON’T MAKE IT- GONNA BE PHILLIPS AND REITZ

by Nipplehead on Sep 5, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

I agree

Frank Walker has had a terible preseason

Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out. I write about news and the Oriole's farm teams and prospects.

www.snaorioles.com

by Jordan Tuwiner on Sep 5, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know. What if we get into a situation where we absolutely need somebody to come in and commit two penalties on the same play? Walker would be invaluable.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on Sep 5, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with Figurs making it.

World class speed, he knows the system pretty well and Ive never seen him drop a pass (Justin Harper) but then again I can only remember him catching 5-6 balls. Thats including the catches this preseason. Frank Walker will make it, and Mattison will never have him isolated, so he will perform decently and considering 6 of our 10 defensive backs will be special teams contributors, I couldnt agree more.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 5, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

53 man

Wheres Ernie Wheelright? Stud in college at U of M, big player, physical in the red zone, would love to see him get on the team!

by Bill Cheney on Sep 5, 2009 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

Additions from the outside

Think the Ravens are going to be looking for a tackle, tight end from other team’s cuts (e.g., Tony Pashos)

Therefore at the end of the day don’t think that Justin Harper, Davon Drew will make the team. (Drew is IR’d)

Wish the Ravens would jettison Frank Walker but likely won’t happen.

by Merlin11 on Sep 5, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

The First Casualties

Foster, Cook, and Felix. According to the Ravens site, no other details..

by adh on Sep 5, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Gano cut

NST reporting Ellerbe and Talavou have made the team

by adh on Sep 5, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Reggie Wadell and Dwayne Missouri aren’t gonna make it?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

According to the Ravens...

….nothing has been confirmed. ProFootballTalk.com is also saying the Ravens are looking at WR David Tyree, the former Super Bowl hero who was just released after being injured and not catching a single ball in pre-season.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 5, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice. Wouldn’t mind him. Still think Matt Jones would be one of the biggest steals and best FA pick-ups Ozzie will ever have. But that’s just me….

Remember Waddell and Missouri from Hard Knocks? I was going crazy when I saw Dwayne Missouri at Hops in Owings Mills during the show cause I ate there the day before.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Still

I’d be surpirsed if those cuts are not legit..

by adh on Sep 5, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Where can I get updates on this stuff that is not Nasty Nestor Aparicio?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

http://twitter.com/1WinningDrive

Also, Yamon Figurs, Graham Gano have been waived, and Dannell Ellerbe, Kelly Talavou and Steve Haushcka have all made the 53 man roster.

no real surprises yet.

Looks good for Justin Harper

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

So much for Harper

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/05/ravens-trim-receiver-justin-harper/

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

hahahah, oh man we cut Harper. That is too funny. I hope Riley makes it. This must mean that we are not done in Free Agency.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I would hope so

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I would imagine we're looking at picking up a WR

or else we’ll just live with 4 and keep our other players that acutally have talent.

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Lol, I like this article on pro football talk

Orlando Brown arrested for breaking into his ex-wife’s home.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/05/former-ravens-lineman-brown-arrested/

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

David Hale will not be cut today

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

To sum up the cuts so far

Justin Harper
Yamon Figurs
Jayson Foster
Robby Felix
Graham Gano
Jason Cook

Six down, 16 more to go
Abdallah, Nadar
Fein, Tony
Johnson, Will
Rodgers, Stefan
Smolko, Issac
Stallings, Tre’

All seem really safe bets to get cut

So that means six other players are getting the axe (maybe more if the Ravens sign someone… but they won’t be cut today

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

These are the guys that just have not arrived at the facility yet. They usually have someone right at the door waiting for them to walk in then take them to coach.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Matt Bryant cut

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/05/bucs-give-matt-bryant-the-toe/

He is a great kicker, but does have that hamstring injury. Think there is any chance we bring him in?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

Derrick Martin traded to the Packers…

GOD DAMN IT

I really liked Martin, he’s a good player, and I wish we could keep him over Frank Walker.

Probably get a 7th round pick for him, so that sucks.

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:16 PM EDT reply actions

Yea, that sucks

Really liked him. I think keeping Walker is going to be one of the worst moves in franchise history. The only potential he has is to potentially lose us the game.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you being sarcastic?

by DT711 on Sep 5, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea I was. I am upset by him, but he can definitely improve.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

How long do we give him to improve? He’s had, what, five season in the NFL? How much longer? I’d like to know.

On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine him having anywhere to go but up after this pre-season. I guess that’d make him a likely candidate for Cleveland after we cut him.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on Sep 5, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

He was awful this preseason

But he did help us last year, specifically right after C-Mac went out after the Indy game when he was forced into the starting lineup. I put more weight into his actual game performance then preseason, but he will be watched with a critical eye after being really bad this preseason. Hopefully he will settle into his role as the teams fourth or fifth and most physical corner and play only in specific packages where his weaknesses can be protected.

by DT711 on Sep 5, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully he will settle into his role as the teams fourth or fifth and most physical corner and play only in specific packages where his weaknesses can be protected.

There’s a saying about filling your right hand with wishes and your left hand with shit, and seeing which hand fills up first. We really seem to be bending over backwards to accommodate a guy that, while playing physically, everybody seems to think is very limited in coverage capability. I assume there’s a reason we traded Martin to the Packers instead of Walker.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on Sep 6, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Bruce doesn’t like a potty mouth. lets not use the s word, raven might hear u

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 6, 2009 4:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I thought about that, but the saying just does’t have the same effect if you say “poo” instead.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on Sep 6, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

there is a reason we did not trade Walker to the packers, he played for them in 2007, LOLLLLLLLLL.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 6, 2009 4:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Evan Oglesby cut… to be expected

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

GOD DAMNIT AGAIN! We are making some not-so-smart moves right now. I guess the coaches like that Frank Walker has more penalties than the 2 interceptions between Martin and Ogelsby. How many interceptions did Walker have this pre-season? Oh yea, none.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

dude Oglesby was flat out bad last year… I have no qualms about him getting cut… don’t forget if Braylon Edwards hadn’t dropped that TD pass… the Browns would have won that game. Evan Oglesby was covering him.

I don’t like Frank Walker either… WAY too many penalties, but the one advantage is that he’s good at covering Tight Ends.

He’s a lock to make this team now.

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He is a lock to lose every game against Pittsburgh when Ward smiles at him and makes fun of Frank for having braces then pushes him out of bounds, setting up a 1st and goal with 2 minutes left and us up by 4. Lets just pray for an injury to Frank. Sounds bad, but I cannot support that clown anymore.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

You were defending him 3 days ago

One preseason game changed your whole opinion on the man?

by DT711 on Sep 5, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Again, somewhat sarcasm.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Will Johnson injury waived… one of the easier cuts

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

44 reps of 225 at the combine. Sucks we cut him.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

he was injured, and he never did much all through training camp. We have 9 defensive lineman that are more promising than Johnson

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I know, I am just a homer and want everyone to make the team except Walker.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Walker didn’t play all that badly last season…

And the one major “ubad thing” he did actually got the penalty on the other player.

Harbs clearly likes the dude. Look at how he defended Walker on the Extra point ofsides.

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he played well last season to. And I was quick to defend him before I saw how he played against the Falcons. Everyone will say it is pre-season, but he was getting burned by guys who might not even make the Falcons team. Everyone here who does not like Walker only brought up the penalties as a huge knock on him and I said he would fix that. Then what happens? 2 in one play. He is aggressive, but his aggressiveness is hurting his game severely.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

which is exactly what he was doing last preseason…

Maybe he’s the Anti-David Clowney

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

once you make one 5 yard penalty… might as well make another 5 yard penalty to make sure they don’t get something bigger.

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Or just don’t make them at all. But that is his gameplan.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it was 47 reps!

and at Michigan’s Pro Day, not the Combine.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 5, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Roster Fleshed out

QB (3)
Flacco
Smith
Beck

RB(4)
Rice
McGahee
McClain
Parmele

TE(3)
Heap
Smith
Edgar Jones

WR(4)
Mason
Clayton
Washington
Williams

OL(9)
Gaither
Grubbs
Birk
Yanda
Oher
Cousins
Hale
Chester
Reitz

DL(7)
Gregg
Ngata
Pryce
Talavou
Bannan
Edwards
McKinney

LB (11!!!)
Lewis
Suggs
Gooden
JJ
McClain
Ellerbe
Ayanedeyjo
Phillips
Burgess
Barnes
Kruger

CB(5)
Fox
Fay
Webbs
Carr
Walker

S(4)
Reed
Landry
Zbi
Ruki

ST(3)
Haushka
Katula
Koch

That’s what it looks like to me right now. One of these LB’s is likely to get IRed or traded in order to pick up a FA WR or OT

by math_geek on Sep 5, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

We have to get rid of 2-3 LB’s. It is not neccessary at all to have that many. We need to have at least 6 CB’s and at least 5 WR. I hope Riley makes the team. He deserved it way more than Harper did.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions