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With the infusion of youth via Ozzie Newsome’s epic 2016 Draft, the Baltimore Ravens have some decisions to make about the roster. Of course these decisions don’t have to be made until later in the upcoming months, prior to the start of the regular season but they do have to be made. I decided to highlight certain Ravens with the “Hot Seat” designation. This means they will either have to show up big in camp as well as preseason, or they are gone for sure. I’ll start with the prestige position, QBs.
Quarterbacks: Jerrod Johnson; Ryan Mallett; Keenan Reynolds
I added Reynolds because Ozzie Newsome has shown a history of collecting mobile QBs as backups. I don’t believe the position change at all. Troy Smith and Tyrod Taylor were two of the latest late round mobile QB draft selections from the past. Reynolds is on notice, because late round QBs are never safe. Ryan Mallett Showed up for the Ravens in time of need for a win but it will not secure him a roster spot.
Wide Receivers: Marlon Brown; Breshad Perriman; Michael Campanaro; Chris Matthews; Keenan Reynolds; Chuck Jacobs.
Jacobs, Reynolds and Matthews are just among a bunch of vets who due to injuries or failure to shine consistently are soon to be unemployed. Michael Campanaro might as well start looking for a new team now. He can’t stay healthy. Matthews, Chris Moore and Perriman will all be competing for the same spot, due to their skill set matching the speed attribute John Harbaugh uses to take tops off of the D. There can only be one “Highlander”, well in this case “Torrey Smith”er. Either way they may all end up sitting behind Kamar Aiken, Mike Wallace and Steve Smith Sr.
Running Backs: Trent Richardson; Lorenzo Taliaferro; Terrance West
The drafting of Kenneth Dixon puts these three on notice. We know Justin Forsett is safe, despite what NFL.com is reporting about the selection of Kenneth Dixon. Javarious “Buck” Allen put in a pretty good bid as the third down back due to his performance last season in the air with Forsett out. His ability on the ground is still in question however. This is definitely Richardson’s last shot in the NFL. He needs to bring the mean out in order to gain a spot and convince the team to carry four backs on the roster. The hometown favorite Terrance West may not be in town long at all unless he can beast in camp.
Tight Ends: Dennis Pitta; Nick Boyle; Darren Waller
Ben Watson coming to town puts everyone on notice but these three are the closest to the fire. Dennis Pitta is now at the poop or get off the pot point. Darren Waller may have placed more pressure on himself, with the position change from WR to TE. Boyle is more than likely on Harbaugh’s’ S*** list due to his suspension last season for PED use.
O-Linemen: Ryan Jensen
Baltimore typically enters the season with seven O-linemen. That leaves three of the current linemen without a job at the end of training camp. Jensen has never been an impressive guard or center in my opinion. This is mainly because of his failure to adapt to the zone-blocking scheme. Rumors are spreading that Eugene Monroe could be on the chopping block, due to the first round selection of Ronnie Stanley. However, I believe Monroe to be safe. Let your hair down big boy, you’re a Raven for at least another year.
Outside Linebackers: Chris Carter
This OLB has been bouncing all over the AFC North for years. He will have to show a full effort on special teams in order to secure a spot. Za’Darius Smith is in the clear, after filling in for Terrell Suggs after an injury, and busting out 5.5 sacks last year.
Defensive Ends: Lawrence Guy; Kapron Lewis-Moore; Brent Urban
With the addition of BYU product Bronson Kaufusi, all three of these trenchies have been put on notice. Lewis-Moore has showed so much promise but this year he has to fulfill that promise, by bringing it to the next level.
Inside Linebackers: Arthur Brown; Albert McClellan; Zachary Orr
The Ravens have been threatening to get rid of Brown since a year after they drafted him. He continues to fight to keep out of hot water. Albert seems to do just enough to inspire but not enough to provoke. The jury is still out on Orr.
Safeties: Matt Elam; Anthony Levine Sr; Terrence Brooks; Nick Perry; Lardarius Webb
Elam more than likely will not be signed. According to ESPN, they nixed the option to pick up the fifth year on his contract. I don’t blame them. The boy simply cannot tackle to save his life. He has to be the biggest first-round draft pick disappointment in years for the Ravens. Levine is a hardworking grinder who fills any DB position when asked, but may have to look for opportunities elsewhere to start unless he catches fire in training camp. Webb may be safe, being that he is on the books for 8 million, but he will not start. Sounds weird right? Kendrick Lewis and Eric Weddle are the more experienced veterans at the positions. Welcome to the home of Original Sports Perspective!
Cornerbacks: Will Davis; Shareece Wright; Kyle Arrington
Tavon Young will look to unseat Arrington as a slot CB. Can Maurice Canady go after Wright’s spot? Jimmy Smith is the only CB safe at the position. Ozzie Newsome believes you can never have enough corners, but there are only 53 spots available. I doubt there will be 20 players on IR this year, allowing him or forcing him to sign so many off the streets.
Defensive Tackles: All are safe
The Ravens love their power-pigs and will keep all four of these talented beastly young men. Brandon Williams is one of the best DTs in the league. Karl Davis has total upside in his versatility. Timmy Jernigan is a Florida State product (nuff said) and Willie Henry is a rookie ready to learn.
Kickers: Child Please! We all know Justin Tucker is our guy!
Some of these guys will need to show up big on special teams in order to make the team. It will be interesting to see who becomes the return guy for the Ravens as well. I wish the best of luck to all of these gentlemen chasing their dreams.
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Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.