The final preseason game isn’t meant to be pretty, but it does provide fans a final look at some of the “depth guys” that could potentially land on the 53-man roster.
For the Baltimore Ravens and the New Orleans Saints, this game will begin at eight o’clock eastern standard time with both teams’ Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks on the bench.
A game dominated by backups may not be appealing — especially to you college football fans out there — but it is important for those trying to make one lasting impression for their respective head coaches.
If you’re a Ravens fan, here are some guys to pay extra close attention to:
Courtesy: Baltimore Sun
1. Michael Campanaro
The homegrown wideout/return specialist has displayed a wide arrange of skills thus far throughout training camp and the preseason, but there is no guarantee No. 6 will be on the final 53.
Campanaro has shown impressive speed and an ability to get open in practice and during games when he has garnered snaps as a wide receiver. However, that hasn’t translated to a lot of touches or jaw-dropping plays some may have been expecting for the seventh-round draft pick.
Last week was the first real showcase of what Campanaro could do in space when he returned a kickoff 44 yards against the Washington Redskins and he also caught a few solid pitch-and-catches from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
But is it enough to unseat Deonte Thompson for what is likely the final spot at wide receiver? It depends on what the Ravens are looking for out of him.
If they want him to be a slot player who can create plays in space and haul in a few underneath routes with big yards after the catch, the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon may have found himself a spot on the final 53.
Courtesy: BaltimoreRavens.com
2. Lorenzo Taliaferro
With Ray Rice missing the first two games of the regular season due to suspension, having depth at the running back position is crucial to Baltimore’s success .
Bernard Pierce is likely the top back in the system for at least the first two weeks, but rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro and backup running back Justin Forsett are also trying to see the field and earn some meaningful touches.
Taliaferro has performed well this pre-season and his stock has risen in the eyes of many, so much so that there are talks of him stealing carries and touches away from Pierce.
This game will likely be the one where the fourth-round selection out of Coastal Carolina sees the most playing time. If he continues to bruise tacklers with his power and find a way to keep the football tight to his body, Baltimore may have an additional weapon they may not have planned on having until a few years down the road.
Courtesy: Baltimore Sun
3. Dominque Franks
The Ravens’ secondary just got a little bit more crowded with the recent addition of cornerback Derek Cox and that means guys like Franks have an even bigger hurdle to climb.
The secondary has been an area of concern for the Ravens all throughout training camp and the pre-season due to injuries to the top three cornerbacks — Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson have all missed time — and also ineffectiveness from the guys lower on the depth chart looking to step up and earn a spot on this roster.
This spot could have been given to Chykie Brown, but his experience and contributions on special teams will salvage him a spot on this roster.
Franks is not so lucky and doesn’t have the game tape to guarantee a roster spot.
When facing first stringers, he has looked pedestrian, but has shown flashes against the second and third string opposing offenses.
It may be a numbers game for defensive coordinator Dean Pees if his corners aren’t healthy, meaning the Ravens will have to carry more defensive backs than usual. But that is why a guy like Cox is brought in.
He has experience as a starter, but his presence may also light a fire.
Franks has to learn to turn his head around instead of watching his receiver all the time, but that character flaw could lead him off the roster if he doesn’t show up and own the night on the back end of the defense.
