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Ravens Nation, I know you’re ready for some football. We are chomping at the bit, awaiting the kickoff of 2014. In order to get there though, there is a price to be paid for the players. That price is sweat, blood, tears and for some, a great deal of disappointment. Training Camp is now here and there are questions that need to be answered for the Baltimore Ravens. With that said lets take a look at a few that need to be addressed.
No. 5 What will the Ravens do at FS? We all know there is a log-jam at camp for the position and it appears that Darian Stewart has the edge but be on the lookout for Omar Brown, as he is the practice-field warrior, looking for opportunity to let it translate to regular season games. Terrance Brooks may have to be patient and wait his turn to start, unless he turns all the way up in camp.
No. 4 Can Marlon Brown top his rookie performance from 2013? There is the possibility that this former Georgia standout could hit the “Sophomore Wall”. I say this because he has an uphill battle for playing time ahead. He and Jacoby Jones will be dueling hard in training camp for that number three spot on the depth chart. Even with 7TDs from last season, Brown could still ride the pine in 2014, due to the addition of Steve Smith and a healthy Dennis Pitta in play.
No. 3 Who is going to assert themselves as the true RT in Charm City? My money is on Kelechi Osemele; he has the game experience, starting 23 games between 2012-2013. Rick Wagner is the fan favorite, but I am not as high on the second-year player out of Wisconsin. Jah Reid, if healthy has a case to present for the job as well. Reid has only started 7 games in three years, so this is a make-or-break year for the fourth year player.
No. 2 Is there really a competition for the backup QB spot or are the Ravens preparing to shop Tyrod Taylor? Taylor is an electrifying player who shows flashes of promise during the preseason every year but seems to fall apart during regular season games. The Ravens once again have brought in a challenger to face-off against Taylor in camp. Keith Wenning has an impressive arm with nice touch on the ball and while he doesn’t have mobility comparable to Taylor’s, his pocket presence and ability to go through progressions may be enough to push Taylor out the door. I don’t believe the Ravens are going to carry 3 QBs into the regular season. Someone has to go…
No. 1 Can Bernard Pierce be the every down back the Ravens are looking for now that Rice may be facing suspension? There is no timetable for how long Rice will be out but the Ravens hopefully have already considered the contingency plan. I am hoping it is Bernard Pierce. Pierce has Arian Foster’s build and running style; he just needs his vision and the type of holes that Foster ran through. He’s in luck; the mind behind Foster’s line just so happens to be the new O-Coordinator in Baltimore now. There has to be some excitement when considering the scheme that Gary Kubiak will bring to the ground game. Anything will be better than what Juan Castillo brought to the table last year.
With all of these questions lingering before Training Camp, fans have to be on the edge of their seats, awaiting the first whistle. I am right there with you Baltimore.
Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.