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On to the Ravens news and links:
People were questioning not long ago whether the Ravens would keep six wide receivers. However, as I said on Twitter after Saturday night’s game, it’s hard to find even five who have proved they belong on the 53-man roster. Obviously, Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin and Breshad Perriman will be the top three, and Campanaro is the team’s top punt returner and has done enough offensively to probably go from “bubble” territory to a roster lock at this point.
Beyond them, who is the fifth guy?
LINEBACKER PATRICK ONWUASOR QUIETLY EMERGES AS CANDIDATE FOR STARTING JOB - BaltimoreRavens.com
The fact that Onwuasor is pushing Correa for snaps shouldn't come as a major surprise, as he was an important piece of last year's team. Onwuasor was one of Baltimore's top special teamers, and he had 21 tackles in 11 games last season.
When starter Zachary Orr went on injured reserve at the end of the season, the Ravens gave Onwuasor the start at linebacker. He had seven tackles in that Week 17 game.
An area where Onwuasor has an edge over the other linebackers is with his coverage skills. At 6-foot-0, 227 pounds, Onwuasor is undersized for a traditional linebacker. But he can also match up well in coverage, which is critical in today's pass-happy NFL.
Ravens want to finish off perfect preseason, 'no matter what anyone says' - ESPN.com
The Ravens see value in finishing another perfect preseason in Thursday's finale in New Orleans.
"No matter what anyone says about it, we want to be 4-0 in the preseason, and we want to win on the road," Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh believes this is a time when players can learn how to win football games. Baltimore has won 12 of its last 15 preseason games, and only the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) have a better mark over that time.
He also thinks there can be some carryover into the regular season. In the previous three perfect preseasons under Harbaugh (2009, 2014 and 2016), the Ravens are a combined 9-1 (.900) in September.
Brent Urban can make the Ravens defense truly elite - Baltimore Beatdown
Now entering a contract season, Urban is poised to fulfill his potential. After the offseason departures of Timmy Jernigan and Lawrence Guy, the Ravens expected a spirited competition for the starting defensive end job when training camp began. Urban has emerged as the obvious starter after flashing daily in practice and accumulating three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, one sack and seven tackles through the first three preseason contests.
Against first-string opposition this preseason, Urban has been reminiscent of a young J.J. Watt, consistently penetrating into the backfield against both the run and pass. Brent has been nearly unblock-able when lining up at the 5-technique position beside Michael Pierce and Brandon Williams. Another top notch pass rusher on the defensive line is exactly what the Ravens need to field a well rounded, dominant defense this year.
John Harbaugh promises Flacco will be back Week 1 - Baltimore Beatdown
Reports are the team expects Flacco to be back Week 1 of the regular season in Cincinnati, and after Baltimore's third win of the preseason Saturday night, head coach John Harbaugh spoke to the media and pretty much guaranteed Flacco will be on-the-field in two weeks.
This is certainly good news for the Ravens, with this being the first time you've definitively heard from Harbaugh that their starting quarterback will indeed be back for the regular-season. Aside from Saturday night, Mallet has underperformed and has still not been able to recreate the magic of his great game against the Pittsburgh Steelers two years ago. He showed he was clearly not ready to take over if Flacco was going to miss time. Reports are the team expects Flacco to be back Week 1 of the regular season in Cincinnati, and after Baltimore's third win of the preseason Saturday night, head coach John Harbaugh spoke to the media and pretty much guaranteed Flacco will be on-the-field in two weeks.