Ravens News 6/8: Over/Under Win totals. Collins FF outlook and more

Ravens to forfeit two days of OTAs this week for violation of league rules - Childs Walker

“The Baltimore Ravens will forfeit two Organized Team Activity (OTA) days (June 7 and 8), and both the club and head coach John Harbaugh have been fined under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for a violation of the offseason workout rules,” the league said in an afternoon statement.

“We have heavily emphasized these CBA pass coverage rules in meetings, and coached them diligently on the practice field,” [John Harbaugh] said. “Even with consistent and repeated teaching, these rules pose considerable adjustments for the young players. We have tried very hard to eliminate contact in pass coverage during OTAs, even so far as to pull players out of practice who struggle with these adjustments. I am confident we have done everything within our power and ability to practice within the rules, and we will continue to focus on preparing, teaching and practicing the right way.”

“We are vigilant about practicing within the Collective Bargaining Rules,” [Ozzie Newsome] said in a statement. “I am. John [Harbaugh] and his assistants are. I attend every practice and then watch the practices again on video. I see how the coaching staff teaches, corrects and addresses issues immediately on the field. In meetings, I have watched John’s presentation to his players and assistants regarding how to properly practice and the pace of these sessions. We have players competing, including rookies and those fighting to make our team. Sometimes breaking old practice habits of these players, especially rookies, takes more repetitions. We’ll continue to be vigilant about this.”

This is the third time Harbaugh’s Ravens have been penalized for violating the CBA’s offseason workout rules. It has not been disclosed how the NFL caught wind of the infraction.

2018 NFL Over-Under Win Totals: Ravens a sleeper with Flacco, sleeping giant with Lamar - Will Brinson

If there was any way to know how this quarterback battle might play out, the over/under for this team -- set by Vegas at eight games, which implies some confusion -- would be even more interesting to monitor.

Like all the AFC North teams, this is a tough schedule, because both the NFC South and AFC West -- the two best divisions in my opinion -- are on the docket.

Why They’ll Go Over

The offense has to be better next year. Right? The wideout additions almost mean it should happen by default -- Mike Wallace was their No. 1 wideout, Ben Watson was second in receiving yards and those dudes were a combined 68 years old -- and Alex Collins looked like he could carry a full load as a physical back. If John Brown is healthy he gives Baltimore a perfect field-stretching burner to catch deep passes from Flacco.

Why They’ll Go Under

Maybe Flacco and Jackson are BOTH disasters. Flacco has never led the league in a single, meaningful regular season category (including interceptions) and he caps the ceiling of this offense over the course of 16 games. Jackson might not be ready out of the box.

As Brinson mentioned, Vegas has set the Ravens win total at eight, with early action leaning towards the under by about 15-percent. Baltimore has averaged exactly eight regular season wins since 2012.

20 fantasy predictions with huge fallouts (if wrong) - Michael Fabiano

Alex Collins could become a fantasy draft bargain. Collins was tremendous in the second half of last season, averaging 20 touches over his final nine games as the lead back in Baltimore. And while the team showed a lot of faith in him by not adding major competition (even after the retirement of Danny Woodhead), the return of Kenneth Dixon and the presence of Javorius Allen could be a cause for some concern. Dixon was considered a big-time sleeper coming out of college (2016), and Allen showed off his pass-catching chops with 46 receptions a season ago. While I am definitely on that Collins bandwagon, a backfield committee is possible if he falters as the main runner in 2018.

Do not be confused by the lack of long term contract for Alex Collins, he will serve as the Ravens feature back in 2018.