Who’ll make the next cut? Here’s what I think.
Preseason Week 4
WHEN: 8 p.m.; Thursday, August 31
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Superdome; New Orleans (73,208)
2016 RECORDS: Ravens, 8-8; Saints, 7-9
LIFETIME SERIES (preseason): Ravens lead, 3-0
TV: WBAL-TV (Channel 11) (Gerry Sandusky, Brian Billick, booth; Evan Washburn, sidelines)
RADIO (simulcast): WIYY-FM, 97.9 (Sandusky, Billick, Washburn)
TV RE-AIR: NFL Network (Saints feed with Joel Meyers, Jon Stinchcomb, Sean Kelley and John DeShazier) – Saturday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m.
Ravens’ 53-Man Roster Projections
(Cutdown deadline is Sat., Sept. 2, 4 p.m.)
QUARTERBACKS (3) — Joe Flacco, Ryan Mallett, and Josh Woodrum
Flacco’s back injury necessitates a third QB, something the Ravens don’t normally carry.
RUNNING BACKS (4) — Terrance West, Danny Woodhead, Buck Allen, and Taquan Mizzell
Mizzell has impressed as a runner and receiver, while a resurgent Allen has made his presence felt.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6) — Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin, Breshad Perriman, Michael Campanaro, Chris Moore, and Keenan Reynolds
Campanaro, Moore and Reynolds are mix-and-match return-game options. Team crossing its fingers Perriman can stay healthy.
TIGHT ENDS (3) — Nick Boyle, Benjamin Watson, and Maxx Williams
Boyle is the best all-around tight end on a unit beset by injuries and suspension.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9) — Ronnie Stanley, Austin Howard, Stephane Nembot, and De’Ondre Wesley (tackles); Marshal Yanda, James Hurst, Jermaine Eluemunor (guards); and Ryan Jensen and Jeremy Zuttah (centers)
The Ravens are going for all the experience they can–on what looks to be the weakest overall position group.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6) — Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Brent Urban, Bronson Kaufusi, Carl Davis, and Patrick Ricard
A deep group is going to have to cut loose a few good players. Ricard seems to be the best fullback option.
LINEBACKERS (9) — CJ Mosley, Patrick Onwuasor, Bam Bradley, and Kamalei Correa (inside); and Terrell Suggs, Matt Judon, Za’Darius Smith, Tyus Bowser, and Tim Williams (outside)
There’s plenty of pass-rush potential and edge-setters against the run, but Albert McClellan’s season-ending injury hurts overall depth.
SECONDARY (10) — Tony Jefferson, Eric Weddle, Anthony Levine, and Chuck Clark (safeties); Brandon Carr, Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, Jaylen Hill, Marlon Humphrey, and Sheldon Price (corners).
GM Ozzie Newsome believes you can never have too many corners, and Hill is an undrafted steal. Levine can play a dime linebacker role as well.
SPECIALISTS (3) — Morgan Cox, Sam Koch, Justin Tucker.
The “Wolf Pack” is the NFL’s best!
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Joe Platania, a Baltimore native, was the 1998 Maryland Sportscaster of the Year, a 2010 Maryland Sportswriter of the Year finalist and has covered the Ravens throughout their entire history. He has spent 38 years in Baltimore sports media.
