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The time has come to break some hearts and end some dreams. The Turks for 32 teams have a responsibility of patting players on the back, asking them to grab their playbooks and sending them to the principal’s office for the bad news. That bad news usually is “Son, we know you worked hard, but we had to let you go”. The Baltimore Ravens are no different from any other team around the league. There are 53 slots and currently 75 players. Something has got to shake; meaning they will need to trim the roster down by August 30th. Of those 22, there will be at least five notable names that will have not met expectations. Here is my projected list:
No. 5 Gino Gradkowski: There was no major improvement for this second year player and it may have had something to do with the team bringing in Jeremy Zuttah. Either way, based on Gino’s performance last season, basically being a swing gate for opposing DTs, Gino will be one of the first contacted by the Turk.
No. 4 Kamar Aiken: This former New England Patriot showed up big in Ravens’ camp but not so much in preseason games. The Ravens are more than likely going into the season with six receivers on the roster and Aiken will just miss the cutoff. However, with the talent of Aiken, he should have no problem being picked up on another roster.
No. 3 Domonique Franks: Come on, you had to see this one coming. Franks got roasted by Dez Bryant in Dallas, which is normal because Dez does it to everyone. Yet, if there was a moment to step up, the stage and opponent could not have been any bigger. And the Ravens obviously have no confidence in him since they brought in former Minnesota Viking Veteran Derek Cox. The Ravens need depth at this position but quality is an issue as well. Goodbye Mr. Franks.
No. 2 Terrence Cody: He may be on the PUP list but that is the only thing protecting him. He has been nothing but subpar during his 3-year tenure in Baltimore and now has been supplanted by the “Beast” Brandon Williams on the depth chart. Newsome extended a deal to him in the offseason because he is partial to Alabama players, as seen by this years’ first round pick, CJ Mosely. However when it comes to the final 53-man roster, there are players who may have outworked him in the offseason and training camp. Look for “Mount Cody” to hit an unemployment line near you.
No. 1 Tyrod Taylor: This is a real let down, but the business side of football is to blame. Tyrod is now in the final year of his rookie contract and the Ravens have already drafted his replacement in Keith Wenning out of Ball State. Seeing Taylor showcase his feel and ball-skills are always exciting but this time it wasn’t for competition purposes, it was as an advertisement to other teams of his proclivity to lead another ballclub. The Ravens could walk into the season with three QBs on the roster, but it is not likely. I wish Tyrod the best and thank him for all of the electric he has brought the Ravens over the past few seasons.
Jermaine Lockett is the CEO and a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook.
