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Michael Campanaro

CRR Fantasy: 5 Breakout WRs

by Jermaine Lockett July 26, 2017

written by Jermaine Lockett

CRR Fantasy: 5 Breakout WRs – Mike Morbeck-Flickr

CRR Fantasy: 5 Breakout WRs

We last left off with breakout Tightends. Of course, we need to keep the party going with the next position group breakouts. We are saving the QBs and RBs for last so let’s get into a few WRs who have great potential for the upcoming season. You don’t want to be left scratching you hear by the time Antonio Brown and Julio are off the board, do you? Good, then this list is for you.

5. The Hungry Little Jaguar…

This first breakout has been patient as the #3. With every opportunity he was given in 2016, he made the best of it. Marquise Lee is a guy that is not going to go off of draft boards immediately. However, for those of you who decided to go RB-QB heavy in the first eight round of the draft have this breakout as part of your plan. Sure his QB caught hell for having a sluggish year even though he finished ninth among QBs in fantasy scoring last season. However, Lee will beat out starter Allen Hurns at camp and work with Robinson as the number two. Be sure to grab this guy in the ninth round.

4. Somebody has to do it…

Very seldom do I put Ravens on any fantasy list other than Justin Tucker. Today is the anomaly. Joe Flacco found this 31 yr old vet 72 times for over 1000 yards last season. The addition of Jeremy Maclin is not going to affect this connection. Steve Smith Sr. has left the building, Dennis Pitta’s hip has forced him out of the picture permanently, Darren Waller, suspended for the year for substance abuse, Michael Campanaro (surprise surprise) is injured again, and I’m sorry I just don’t see Breshard Perriman filling the void. Wallace will have no choice but to step up and be the team’s number one.

3. You can’t just double T.Y…

Any player who comes out and scores 7-TDs in nine games deserves a shout-out. Donte Moncrief is more than just a secret weapon people use in Madden 17; He is a player on the cusp of a massive breakout. As much as I cannot stand Mr. Luck, he has too many weapons to make this an off year again like 2015 (due to injury). I see the 4th-year player coming off the board in the 7th round in most 12-man leagues.

2. May have already broke loose…

Another monster who is all about the paydirt, racking up 12-TDs in 2016 is Davante Adams. This type of production will lead up to a big payday next offseason. A-A-ron favored the former Fresno State player around the redzone in 2016. I expect similar production for the Packers’ number 2. With Cook leaving to the Oakland Raiders there is a lot of lost production in the hands department. Observe your fantasy board. This monster is going to go in the 5th or earlier.

1. More of a bounce back…

And the number one breakout monster WR in my book is someone who had a slip in 2016 but still almost broke the 1000-yd mark. Deandre Hopkins is not so much a breakout as a resurgent WR that should be picked up in the second round. Desean Watson is a winner; he knows how to utilize talent around him to make big plays. Hopkins is going to be on the end of a lot of those plays. Expect him to return to his 2015-11-TD form with ease. Brock Osweiler has relieved the city of Houston of his services and Hopkins will be the primary benefactor. Grab him early or pay dearly.

Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

July 26, 2017 0 comment

AFC North Baltimore Ravens NFL

5 Raven Standouts of 2017

by Jermaine Lockett July 11, 2017

written by Jermaine Lockett

5 Raven Standouts

5 Raven Standouts of 2017

This dead zone is the most annoying part of every year. In my life, this is the time where even golf starts to look appealing. Heck the NBA Summer Leagues and even the WNBA come across my television. I am very thankful for Madden and my franchise league, or I would be in trouble. I wish I could inhibit the traits of a bear and go into hibernation until football season at this point. With that not possible, I’ll do by best to give you something; you Baltimore Ravens fans deserve that. So today I give you five breakout Ravens to watch in the 2017 season.

5. Kameleon to take over?

With the departure of Zach Orr and the transition from OLB to MLB, things are looking up for Kamelei Correa. According to ESPN the former BYU star had only 48 snaps in 2016 but is expected to start next to C.J. Mosley. There is competition for the spot with long time veteran Albert McClellan and second-year player, Patrick Onwuasor who got the start in week 17 of the 2016 season against the Cincinnati Bengals. I believe the Ravens have an idea of what Correa is capable of and gave the start to Onwuasor simply because they wanted to see what he could when presented the opportunity.

I’m sure all is forgiven from the last offseason when Correa had a “hand” in breaking Dennis Pitta’s finger during a practice scuffle involving the defense of Joe Flacco. John Harbaugh is on board with Correa as a replacement for Orr as he said he is “very confident” (Rotoworld) that KC will win the job. I’m not saying this is a win by default, but when the only competition is underdeveloped rookies and a second year player with 21 total tackles in 11 games, the answer is clear. The “Kameleon” (Boise State nickname) will win the job.

4. Cowboys and Browns dropped gold…

This next player has arguably the biggest uphill battle on the team because of the recent addition to the position. I speak of how Vince Mayle is going to be the ringer in the 2017 season, but no one believes me. It looks bleak as media is either tearing this guy apart or ignoring him altogether, due to the “Jeremy Maclin” headlines overshadowing his talent. Minicamps are not a great example of what he can do. This man uses his body to make plays, and when minimum contact is permitted in these drills, he cannot be expected to shine. The former fourth-round pick out of Washington State will turn heads in training camp because of physical prowess. Once the pads come on and we hear that click clack, I’m sure you will hear more about the former Cowboy. People will talk about Keenan Reynolds because he has great speed, but he is just a QB trying to find a role on an NFL roster. Reynolds is not what the team needs. The offense has speed in Mike Wallace, Breshard Perriman, and Chris Moore. There is another player’s name I’m just sick of hearing. “Oh if he can stay healthy…?” FACE IT RavenNation, Michael Campanaro will never be what the Ravens need him to be. We would have signed Julian Edelman in the 2014 offseason if it wasn’t for the hope this guy brought via scouting before the NFL draft. It is time to move on to other talent and clear the roster spot.

3. The Return Missionary Takeover

While we are the topic of players with injury, I’d like to shine some light on the situation of one of the Ravens’ DEs. Bronson Kaufusi is a hard working blue collar type of player with prototypical size who could be a force to reckon with the departure of Timmy Jernigan. Timmy was traded to the Eagles prior to the draft. I believe the move happened because the Ravens knew that with Jernigan having such a productive season with 5-sacks, 1-Int, and 1-forced fumble, a contract beyond the Ravens’ ability would be unavoidable. Brandon Williams’ production commanded a 5-year 54 million dollar deal.

Kaufusi is believed to make it a seamless transition. The BYU product had a setback that ended his season before it began last year. Imagine being 25 already and having an opportunity of a lifetime snatched from you before being allowed to compete. That loss will fuel this young man. People who choose to put their life on hold for a mission know a thing or two about resiliency. Bronson will win the starting job and replicate the lost production.

2. Small School Swag?

This next guy is a small school project that I believe to have a great deal of upside at just the right time. Unfortunately, rising star Tavon Young tore his ACL this offseason and will miss the entire regular season. However, this misfortune is just the opportunity Jaylen Hill needed to have a shot at the 53-man roster. The Jacksonville State Alumni has more swag than most and can back up all of the talk in his gameplay. The 5-11 186lb CB led his team in interceptions as and INT return yards with 6 for 181. When watching the videos of this young man, all I see is football intelligence. He knows exactly where to be on the field to make that play. Additionally, it is what he does after the catch is what awes me. This guy’s elusive rating is on 1000!!! His ability to make people miss is uncanny. The Ravens could use the help at kick return and could save a roster spot by having him in both the Nickel CB spot as well as the KR spot.

1. The Changing of the Guard…OLB

The final standout projection for my post is obvious. It’s more of a changing of the guard. I may offend some of the Ravens’ faithful with this post especially all of those attending Ball So Hard University. Terrell Suggs has given the organization his best years, and now it may be time to close this chapter of his life and move on to the next. I get it, he still had eight sacks last year. However, he is not James Harrison, and his replacement is in the building already. The man I am referring to is Za’Darius Smith. Sure “Z” dropped in production last year after having what many believe was an awakening in 2015 with 5.5 sacks. I believe that while the OLB position currently has monsters like Matt Judon and recently drafted Alabama rookie Tim Williams in the building, “Z” will still ball out. Smith has the best mix of youth and experience on his side. Nextgen stats even has him as one of the 20 fastest players in the league to the QB when getting sacks. He is good at stopping the run and can pin his ears back and get after the passer. Is this really a guy you want sitting on your bench Baltimore?

Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

July 11, 2017 0 comment

AFC North Baltimore Ravens NFL

7 Magic Number for Ravens Receivers

by Jermaine Lockett August 31, 2014

written by Jermaine Lockett

Keith Allison Flickr

According to Numerology, the number 7 is associated with intuition or deep perception among other things. Is this what was going through John Harbaugh’s mind when the Baltimore Ravens decided to keep 7 WRs on their active roster?

There are 46 slots on an active gameday roster and with Ravens teams of past, they managed to use the majority of those spots during games.

With that said, five WRs usually dress on gameday, with the sixth being listed as inactive. So why would the Ravens waste an extra spot on a player who is not even going to suit up?

Was the play of bubble player Kamar Aiken so on point, that he could not be denied a roster spot or was there just not enough information on 7th round selection Michael Campanaro to cut?

We all know the locks were Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, Jacoby Jones and second year player Marlon Brown. But let’s talk about what we don’t know.

Deonte Thompson clearly showed that he deserved a spot. His contributions in the return game as well as the receiving game were enough to convince Harbaugh to take another chance on him.

I was in “Jerry’s World” (AT&T Stadium) when Thompson silenced the crowd (except for me, Ravens’ fan!) when he ran back a 108-yd kickoff return for six against the Dallas Cowboys. Combine that with his two receiving TDs in the following games and it’s easy to see why he is still on the squad.

Aiken had 2 solid games in the preseason totaling 8 receptions for 103-yds but it was the former New England Patriot‘s play in camp that solidified him as a must-keep talent.

Now we turn to Campanaro, who had comparisons to Wes Welker prior to even being drafted. I believe he was kept primarily because the team traded back into the draft when they had no picks left to snag the young River Hill Graduate. They obviously saw something there then and after watching Thursday night’s 3-catch 55-yard performance, I believe in what they see as well.

Nothing is set in stone yet, as they still have some moves to make but kudos to the three of these training camp/preseason warriors, who stole the hearts of fans and the coaching staff to make the final 53.

Jermaine Lockett is the CEO and a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook.

August 31, 2014 0 comment

AFC North Baltimore Ravens NFL

Michael Campanaro: Impact Player for Baltimore Ravens in 2014

by Jermaine Lockett May 22, 2014

written by Jermaine Lockett

The 2014 Baltimore Ravens Offense compared to the 2013 one will see a significant upgrade in the receiving corps, particularly with the addition of Steve Smith, Owen Daniels and a healthy Dennis Pitta back on the fold. Another significant change could be a late round addition to the Offense which appeared in the 7th round. The Ravens’ front office traded back into the Draft to get WR Michael Campanaro. It looks like for a good reason too.

When I look at the Wake Forest product, I see a player who finds open space, even if he’s not the quickest player on field and his route-running needs some fine tuning. Even NFL analyst Charles Davis had this to say about him:

“A nice slot receiver. The one thing you always hear about slot receivers is that they run routes well. Well, he needs to learn to run routes better.” — Charles Davis

However that is also one of his strengths. There are players who cut on a dime and run routes like robots and then there are guys like Campanaro, who remind you of standouts like Hines Ward, who just knew where to be. Ward was so good at his craft of sneaking into open space, he had to smile after every devious catch. I’m sure LBs who felt him hovering around their space when he made the catch threw a few loving words his way like “you sneaky little…I’m going to knock you…the next time.” I look at Campanaro as a slot guy who will make any Nickel-Back or LB pay with his elusiveness.

Baltimore seems to be high on the hometown players with Campanaro hailing from Silver Springs, MD. There is nothing wrong with bringing in a hometown hero as long as they have the talent to step up to the next level. Torrey Smith did it. Sure he’s from Falmouth, VA, but everyone knows him as a former Maryland Terp.

I truly believe if Bobby Engram can get this 5’10” 190lb rookie on track, it will pay off in the long-run. Already having dangerous additions either return or be introduced to the team could be frustrating AFC North Defenses for years to come.

May 22, 2014 0 comment