Ravens News 2/28: Combine presser takeaways, the case for expanded replay and more

COMBINE TEAM PRESSERS: BALTIMORE RAVENS TAKEAWAYS - Joe Marino

JOHN HARBAUGH

Harbaugh offered high praise for wide receiver Willie Snead, specifically mentioning his work ethic.

Harbaugh stated that Gus Edwards is Baltimore’s No. 1 running back and that he loves his size and style. Harbaugh affirmed that competition to the position will be added in the offseason.

On Marshal Yanda, Harbaugh stated it was his expectation that he is coming back next season.

ERIC DECOSTA

DeCosta was very hopeful when discussing the CJ Mosley negotiations. Conversations are ongoing and DeCosta referred to Mosley as a “critical” player on the team.

In light of Terrell Suggs announcing that he wants to continue playing, DeCosta stated he wants him back and will meet with his reps this week.

DeCosta expects Brandon Carr to be back.

On bringing back wide receiver John Brown, DeCosta said he loved Smoke and would like for him to return.

DeCosta will apply the ‘right player, right price’ calculation to C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs, John Brown and many other players in the coming weeks.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh calls for expanded replay - Jeremy Bergman

“We got all this technology and the fans actually have a better view of the game from an officiating standpoint than the officials do,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday at the combine. “So these clear and obvious mistakes that are inevitably gonna get made -- it’s not just one play in a championship game -- it happens every single week okay, because the job is so tough, it moves so fast and the angles aren’t great.

“If we can put somebody up there in the box that’s got a better angle that can help officiate the game from up there, let’s do that. If we can add more plays into replay, let’s do that. Because at the end of the game it’s about the credibility of the sport, and we can’t have the other leagues out-pacing us in terms of the use of technology to make sure the games are fair and well-officiated.

“We have great officials. These guys are incredible at what they do. We’ve also put a lot of rules in place that have made it really tough on them. They’ve got a lot on their plate, so let’s add an official, let’s add two officials, let’s put one up in the box, let’s expand replay if we want, and let’s make sure at the end of the day the fans walk out of the stadium and walk away from the TV sets knowing that was a good, hard-fought, well-played, fairly officiated game, and the outcome is as it should be. That it was correct and the right team won the game.”

Bergman notes that Harbaugh also called for expanded replay in 2016. Maintaining the credibility of the sport is paramount.

Who Can Boost Their Draft Stock the Most at the NFL Combine? - Danny Kelly

WRs Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin, Ohio State

Let’s start with Campbell, another former high school track star who posted a 6.85-second 60-meter dash before standing out at The Opening in 2013. In that Nike SPARQ competition, the high school senior notched a 4.41 40-yard dash time and jumped 40.1 inches in the vertical. He’s apparently maintained that athleticism in his time at Ohio State, too: Per Goodbread, Campbell reportedly posted a broad jump of 11 feet, 3 inches last summer while clocking in at sub-4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

McLaurin, meanwhile, ran a 4.40 40-yard dash and jumped 42.3 inches in the vert at the 2013 SPARQ championships and told Goodbread that he expects to clock in with a 4.35 or better in the 40-yard dash this week. The Senior Bowl stand-out showed off his wheels in Mobile, registering a top speed of 22.2 miles per hour in one practice; he has a chance to boost his stock this week by posting more spectacular numbers.

WR Emanuel Hall, Missouri

Hall missed five games in 2018 with a groin injury but has take-the-top-off-a-defense speed and incredible explosiveness for a 6-foot-3 pass catcher. The former high school state champion high jumper averaged 24.8 yards per catch in 2017 and 22.4 yards per catch last year, scoring 14 touchdowns in that two-season stretch. Hall missed the Senior Bowl due to his injury but has a chance to put his name on the map in Indy with a top-tier 40-yard dash time and an elite vertical.

WR Mecole Hardman, Georgia

As a high schooler, Hardman ran a 10.64 in the 100 meters and finished sixth on the SPARQ leaderboard at The Opening 2015 after posting a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, a 3.95 short shuttle, and jumping 38 inches in the vert. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound dynamo and former five-star recruit is a big-play threat with top-flight speed and was a dual-sport athlete at Georgia, playing receiver and returner in football and running the leadoff leg of the Bulldogs’ 4x100 meter relay team. He is very fast.

The 2019 draft class boasts several mid to late round receivers that possess excellent speed.