clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Ravens sign former Texans corner Charles James to practice squad

By Matthew Stevens
Chris Graythen/Getty Images

A player that a lot of fans have been interested in, former Texans corner Charles James is officially a member of the Baltimore Ravens via the practice squad. In order to add James to the practice squad, they had to waive tight end Konrad Reuland per Jamison Hensley.

The move makes sense as the Ravens currently have three tight ends on the active roster with Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle along with Dennis Pitta on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. On the practice squad, the Ravens had two tight ends in Reuland and Dominique Jones, making it an area of strength. With the secondary being such a weak unit overall due to injuries last season, the addition of a tough cornerback in James makes perfect sense.

In talking to SB Nation's Houston Texans site, we got the following scouting report on James

Charles James is the kind of guy you just want to root for.  He wears his heart on his sleeve, clearly driven by a passion and fire to succeed.  With the spotlight on him throughout Hard Knocks, he became a kind of hero to Texans Nation, displaying his contagious enthusiasm.

If only he was two inches taller and 15 pounds heavier, he'd be a quality NFL starter.

Even though he's listed at 5'9, 175 pounds, he looks more like 5'7, 165 pounds, and he is simply man-handled by opposing WRs.  Even smaller WRs are able to use their body against him.  Neither his long speed or short area burst are bad at all, but they aren't enough to negate the size limitations.  Against the Cowboys in our final pre-season game, James allowed catches on all four of his targets.  In no case was the coverage poor, but he couldn't shut the play down.

James is a plus on return coverage duties, is a willing tackler (especially for his size), and he can even pinch hit as a returner.  You know he's giving you 100% on every play, too.  If you set the expectation that he's your 5th CB, that's a fair shake.  And you're going to love the enthusiasm he brings to the team.

More From Baltimore Beatdown