Debating the Ravens Roster

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 6, 2009 10:43 AM EDT

The Baltimore Ravens, along with the rest of the NFL teams, pared their rosters down to 53 players by cutting a bunch of players and even making a trade with the Green Bay Packers for another. They are not finished yet, either, as they are looking at perhaps adding another wide receiver such as the former New York Giant Super Bowl hero, David Tyree, and even another offensive lineman.

Once the dust settles and players clear waivers, the team might choose to re-sign some of those cut to their Practice Squad, or sift through the remains of the rest of the league's cuts to add or reconfigure their roster as they prepare for the season opener next Sunday at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.

For now, there are a bunch of very happy members of the Baltimore Ravens although their status could change any moment as the Ravens peruse the waiver wire for possible additions at the last minute. At the same time, there are a bunch of disappointed former Ravens, who dreams and hopes of an NFL career are either temporarily or permanently dashed as of yesterday. I can only imagine the devastation the must be felt by the notification that you were being released after giving your heart and sweat to this sport for the opportunity to prove you belong in the NFL and then being told you didn't. Ouch

Let's put this in perspective. It's relatively doubtful that many of the guys who either just made the team or didn't will end up being that guy that puts us over the top. These guys are expected and should contribute, although there is still a chance that they will be made inactive for game days and be used as much for practice as the actual Practice Squad players will be. They guys who were locks are the heart and soul of this team and will be the ones who determine our success or god forbid, our failures over the course of the season.

Keep it here and post your comments on who you were happy they cut, who you are sad they cut, or who you hope they go out and either sign to our Practice Squad or pickup off of other teams' waivers.

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Comments

So,

my guess is that if we do bring in another player, Matt Lawrence or Jalen Parmele will be the victim, I really love the fact we kept both because running is simply what we do. Adding 2 quality guys to an already stacked house is a blessing, but thats who id imagine would have to come pending what we do from here out.

Our Defense is stacked, weve got a backup front 7 that can hang with most teams starting offenses. I love it, I cant way to see the way we get everyone involved, and while Michael Oher is the easiest to be excited for, I cant wait to see Paul Kruger in something other than a base defense. The guys a monster.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 6, 2009 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

sounds like a trade to me

We kept Lawrence and Parmele, both of whom are a) good and b) filling the same need as 3rd string RBs. Plus we can go back out and get Peerman if we trade one of those two players and still want to keep 4 Halfbacks.

Edgar Jones made it after all. I guess Drew just had brick hands.

"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down

by jackmca on Sep 6, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

What would we trade for?

Not sure what anyone would want for Parmele or Lawrence. Draft picks? We would not get a WR that could step up and have a big impact, just not Ozzie’s style.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 6, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

im not predicting some blockbuster

but there’s plenty of teams loooking our way to improve RB depth, just as we’re looking to improve WR depth. I understand we’re not gonna go get Marshall, but we only kept 4 WR so I wouldn’t be surprised if, say, we dumped Lawrence for Reggie Brown.

One way or the other, they have more RBs than they intend on keeping, and less WRs than they intend on using.

by jackmca on Sep 7, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

More like

Tyree, or on the o-line with Tony Pashos. Either way, I agree Lawrence stays on the bubble as the guy to go. Perhaps he goes to the Practice Squad and someone there ends up getting whacked.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 7, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I would think Lawrence would be tyhe one to go

but they could also put Ellerbe on IR, as he is still not ready to go. I expect at least one or two new players to be announced shortly and our Practice Squad should begin to take shape as well.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 6, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

ANYONE WHO SIGNED UP FOR THE BEATDOWN FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT IT STARTS IN 12 MINUTES!

I hope you check this within that time.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 6, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Ouch - Totally forgot!

But thanks to whomever picked my team for me and I still plan to win even though I embarassed myself by forgetting to attend the draft that I set up!!!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 7, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

The system picked your team for you. As soon as it got to your pick, the computer or whatever just took the best player available with the open slots you needed.

It is funny though, one guy in our league has the name “Steelers Are Butt,” and he was not signed in for the draft, so the system drafted for him. He ended up getting Pittsburgh defense and Rothelisburger.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 7, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny

Thanks for being there, though.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 7, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

hilarious

by jackmca on Sep 8, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Nothing was too shocking today.

As much as I though that Justin Harper could have been a really big name this year, it just wasn’t meant to be. As for the rest of the people cut, it won’t affect our season, must of them were expected to go.

by mlb32001 on Sep 6, 2009 9:28 PM EDT reply actions

This is all well and good

and I keep going back and thinking… last year we signed an army of rookies.

Flacco, Rice, Gooden, Zbikowki, Cousins, Hale, Smith, Nakamura all made the team. Justin Harper made the practice squad. In addition, Jameel McClain made the team as a rookie. That’s 9 rookies on the 53 man roster, up until Gooden got injured.

This year, it’s only natural the number is a bit smaller.
Oher, Kruger, Webbs, Ellerbe, feels like a really small rookie class, even with Phillips stashed on IR, but it may be the results of the team’s huge rookie class last year. The only thing is, I wish we could have moved up from those late round picks and got another more exciting player if guys like Drew and Peerman couldn’t make the roster. However, hindsight is always 20/20

by math_geek on Sep 7, 2009 1:01 AM EDT reply actions

Besides, we came four minutes shy of going to the Super Bowl,..

…and this team is now loaded w/ veterans that most rookies would have a tough time cracking this lineup although they might get a decent chance elsewhere (did I hear someone say, “Cleveland?”).

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 7, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions