Baltimore Ravens Prepare for Former Players

The Baltimore Ravens will be facing multiple familiar faces this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. Many players this past offseason found their way through the AFC North from Baltimore to Cleveland.

Headlining these players is Paul Kruger. Kruger was the Ravens premier pass rusher last year, totaling 9 sacks in the regular season with standout performances in the Wild Card game against the Indianapolis Colts and Superbowl against the San Francisco 49ers.

Kruger left Baltimore for a big payday, getting a 5 year, $40 million contract. Kruger had 1 sack against the Miami Dolphins in his introductory game as a Brown.

Baltimore outcast Billy Cundiff is now playing for the Browns as well. Cundiff missed a potentially game tying field goal against the New England Patriots two years ago and was subsequently beaten out by Justin Tucker the following training camp. Since then, Cundiff has played for the Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. He completed a 39 yard field goal in week one, his only attempt that game.

Perhaps the most controversial former Raven on the Cleveland Brown’s roster is running back Bobby Rainey. Rainey, a second year player out of Western Kentucky, has become a fan favorite these past two preseasons with his electrifying playing style as a rusher, receiver, and returner. He was one of the final cuts for the Ravens and plays as the second string running back for the Cleveland Browns behind the powerful Trent Richardson.

Rainey did not have a single rush attempt against the Miami Dolphins, partly due to the Browns working from behind most of the game. Starter Trent Richardson only had 13 attempts himself. Rainey did, however, return 4 kickoffs for 103 yards.

Even one time Ravens wide receiver Tori Gurley is a Cleveland Brown now, catching 1 pass for 15 yards last week.

As the Ravens game plan against for their upcoming game, they will be preparing themselves for a lot of former players that have stuck around the AFC North.