Tag:

Terrance West

Marc Trestman’s firing is because of…

by Jermaine Lockett October 10, 2016

marc_trestman-wiki

Everyone in Ravensnation is currently raving about the firing of Marc Trestman for the Baltimore Ravens‘ loss to the Washington Redskins. Hair is on fire; babies are screaming! Sirens are going off! Let’s face it; people are pissed. Your anger should not stem from his firing but from the lack of reps for the Baltimore Ravens’ top rusher Terrance West, which may have caused the pink slip to come.

I think everyone knows about my full on repugnance for Dean “Swiss” Peas and his lack of defensive blitzing schemes. I believe he should have been the one dismissed today. However, I’ll save that fuss for another day. I am 100% sure the lack of Terrance West in the 4th Quarter game plan was the reason for this loss.

This game was a six-point loss. There was no reason for the ground game exclusion with 10:57 left on the clock. I get that there are passing packages and Kyle Jusczyk had to be involved in them. My question is why were they involved so early? Two drives earlier in the third quarter West, had just busted off a 28-yard run. The Towson product was having a stellar day, averaging 8.6-YPC on 11-rushes for 95-yards. There was no reason to veer away from the rushing attack. Sure, without the two big runs of 28 and 35-yards, the former Cleveland Brown, was on pace for 3.5-YPC. However, those big runs did happen. This leaves you thinking what if…? What if the Ravens used their bell-cow just a little more that came. Could it have affected the outcome?

The game was in hand on the ground and through traditional special teams gameplay i.e. ignoring the itch to fake a field goal when you have one of the most accurate kickers in football. Additionally, a defensive touchdown ended up being a touchback for the Redskins does not help matters much either. However, you can’t be mad at C.J. Mosley trying to help his team. There were many mistakes in coaching, but the main one that led to the dismissal of Trestman was the disappearance of the ground game so early in the 4th. In my opinion, it was not the right choice to fire Trestman since there were also screw-ups on defense and special teams. However, due to the “good ole boys” approach that John Harbaugh has, we know Pees and Special Teams Coach Jerry Rosburg are safe, FOR NOW.

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

October 10, 2016 0 comment

AFC North Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football NFC South NFL

Couch Change: Ravens’ Preseason opener

by Jermaine Lockett August 12, 2016

written by Jermaine Lockett

Couch Change: Ravens’ Preseason opener

Couch Change Podcast: Ravens-Preseason opener thoughts

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When it comes to Ravens preseason football, the score doesn’t really matter. However, the players’ individual performances are key in projecting the final roster. Tune in as Jermaine goes in on some cush and not so cush Ravens. There are some guys that you may not know about in this Podcast. Don’t just sit there! Hit the button! Also, check out the previous article here. I spoke about a Baltimore Raven who ended up showing up big tonight.

Listen! If you want to do more than just place in your league, subscribe to our email list (meaning the overlay you just opted out of. Just refresh the page and it will come back.). There I’ll be giving out exclusive tips to only those who sign up. No sign-up, no championship, no ice cream. “Remember Ice Cream is only for winners…”

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

August 12, 2016 0 comment

AFC North Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Football NFL

Is Justin Tucker only Raven worth picking in Fantasy?

by Jermaine Lockett August 8, 2016

written by Jermaine Lockett

Tucker fantasy

Just kidding folks. Tucker is a monster in the leg-game, no matter what the Denver Broncos‘ kicking staff will tell you.

However, there are five valuable Ravens to pick up. I wanted to start with the Baltimore Ravens because I feel I have neglected Raven Nation. For that I am sorry. Yall are my heart. Let’s get down to business. Here are the five best Ravens to actually draft in this year’s Fantasy Football draft. I’ll even tell you where to select them.

#5 Steve Smith Sr.

– This angry, competitive little sprite refused to go out on a sad note. He will continue to piss of CBs around the league this year, as he adds on more catches to his already notable career. He will prove to be a good pickup but with this next character coming back from injury, Smith Sr. may only see 60-70 catches this year busting about 7 FPS per game. Steve is going off the board in Mock Drafts about the 7-10^th round in most 10-12-player leagues.

#4 Dennis Pitta

– HOLD ON! I know what you’re thinking! Ben Watson was a beast in N.O. However, a new town means a new pecking order for the 35-yr-old. With a healthy Pitta, Joe Flacco will go back to his security blanket and make him one of the top TEs in football once again. I see Pitta getting 70 catches this season and breaking the century mark for FPS on the season. His ADP (Average Draft Position) is 16^th round or undrafted. People are still skeptical of the hip injury so buy now or pay later. Ben Watson is currently going ahead of Pitta, but don’t waste your pick.

#3 Kamar Aiken

– Projected PPR (points per reception) monster! Sure this guy is not going to light up the end zone, but he will get you the W in PPR leagues. When Smith was injured, Joe relied heavily on this guy to bring in the tough catches. There are plenty of mouths to feed this year, so don’t expect that much early. Remember injuries happen. When they do, remember I told you about Aiken. Stash him and bring in as your ringer later on. You can catch this fill-in around the ninth or tenth round.

#2 Justin Tucker

– Swaggomatic himself is probably the best FFL option on the whole Ravens squad. However, because RBs carry the load, I had to slide him into second. Tucker will go in for round 10-11, but I would say grab him early (9). He is that good! Of course, you know this already. You’re a Ravens fan, duh!

#1 Terrance West

– If you thought I was going Flacco here, you probably need to rethink your entire fantasy football draft strategy. It hurts to say this, but he just does not carry big FFL value. West, on the other hand, is likely to be given the starting job. He’ll be a sleeper RB that will give you RB1 numbers, as long as John Harbaugh doesn’t muck things up with a 3-headed monster approach. RB-by-committee helps nobody! Yes, Javorius “Buck” Allen, as well as Justin Forsett, are pushing for this spot, but West has thrilled and killed it in camp. All he needs to do is not get injured, show that same talent in the preseason, and he will easily win the starting job.

For those that believe Watson, Buck and Flacco belong on this list; you must be in extremely deep leagues, or you have a bias towards our team. It happens. Just remember, DO NOT DRAFT ALL RAVENS when playing fantasy football! Sure you’ll feel like a winner, but you’ll be busy on the waiver wire all season making up for the mistake. Lastly, I advise you to draft as late as possible because of the ambiguity at RB and TE positions.

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

August 8, 2016 0 comment

AFC North Baltimore Ravens NFL

Trent Richardson: Comeback Kid?

by Christopher DuVall May 23, 2016

written by Christopher DuVall

CREDIT: Peter Read Miller (Photo by Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

Football fans love a good comeback story, and they are about to witness one in Baltimore. No joke. This is the stuff that Rocky movies are made of. The National Football League is about to feel the wrath of running back Trent Richardson.

The Baltimore Ravens are loaded at the running back position with Justin Forsett, Buck Allen, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West, and Kenneth Dixon, who was added this year in the fourth round. Richardson faces an uphill battle as he seeks redemption in the charmed city, but he is aware of the daunting task before him and remains confident.

He touted his guaranteed success in an interview with Matt Zenitz of AL.com

“This is what I am going to do. I am going to prove it. Like I keep saying, its going to be fun looking people in the eye and hearing what they have to say after this year.”

After surpassing the physical benchmarks required by Ozzie Newsome and weighing in at 218 lbs, Ozzie told Trent

“we really want you here.” Apparently the front office believes that there is room for improvement in the backfield, and I agree. Richardson signed a one-year deal and I think he will make the 53-man roster.

The Ravens need a strong three down back that will be healthy down the stretch, when a playoff birth is on the line; the kind of back that can keep drives alive on third and one. Under John Harbaugh, Trent will be that back.

At One Winning Drive, Richardson will overcome the mental blocks that were prevalent in Indianapolis and prove the naysayers wrong. In Baltimore he will return to the basic instincts that led him to a tremendous success at the University of Alabama.

Fellow Alabama running back, Shaun Alexander, believes Richardson was “restricted by the schemes” in Indianapolis behind a poor offensive line that hindered his natural abilities. I am hedging my bets, that against all odds, the former Crimson Tide star will return to form and get a start as the short yardage back for the Ravens on Sunday Sept. 11 against the Buffalo Bills.

As the season progresses, Richardson’s pass catching ability will prove to be an ideal fit for Marc Trestman’s offense. Clearly, Trent hit rock bottom last season. Sitting at home, facing a future without playing football, forced the 23 year old to look in the mirror and do a serious gut check. That was then. This is now.

After being picked 3rd overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, the former SEC champion rushed for over 950-yards and 11 touchdowns in his rookie year, while playing injured on a bad team. In addition to his skills on the ground, Richardson has good hands out of the backfield, averaging 8.1-yards with 113 total receptions as a pro.

The former Heisman runner-up fell on hard times last summer, after being cut from the Oakland Raiders. He is about to break out in purple and black. In the words of former teammate and trainer Mike McCoy “He will shock the NFL this year.” Ozzie Newsome believes Trent Richardson will return to form. In his last chance to make good as a pro, Richardson has vowed to “play like a Raven”. I believe him.

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Christopher DuVall is a writer for the Couch Rider Report. Follow him on Facebook.

May 23, 2016 0 comment