WR Questions Beyond Donte’, Housh Returning
Just like fans and media, Ravens brass is forced to wait for the conclusion of the lockout to discover how it affects free agency, and ultimately, the final roster.
The men in charge must speculate and prepare for every possible scenario, and CSNBaltimore.com’s John Eisenberg takes a stab at what they are talking about as far as the receiving corps is concerned.
First off, Eisenberg doesn’t see the franchise bringing back either Donte’ Stallworth nor T.J. Houshmandzadeh, which means there would be openings at the Nos. 3 and 4 receiver positions.
“The coaching staff seemingly has no faith in Stallworth, who barely played once he was healthy,” wrote Eisenberg. “Why bring him back to run a few reverses? Houshmandzadeh is a bigger temptation, but given the way he squawked about playing time while struggling to get separation from coverage, he was more trouble than he was worth.”
If neither returns, the questions become: Can second-round selection Torrey Smith step into the No. 3 receiver role? And can David Reed, Tandon Doss or James Hardy fill the No. 4 receiver slot?
Smith is looking forward to the opportunity to answer that inquiry, writing from his Twitter account this weekend, “Goodnight y’all … I’ll be dreaming about how good it will feel to prove the doubters wrong about my ability to play in the NFL.”
While the top two receivers are a virtual lock in Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason, there are questions surrounding them too.
Mason will “probably” retire after this season, says Eisenberg, which means Flacco has one more year to figure out how to get both the 37-year-old and Boldin consistently involved. Boldin’s production dropped off as the 2010 season progressed, averaging nearly seven catches in the first four games, but only three per game beyond that.
“That’s not enough from a supposed No. 1 receiver,” wrote Eisenberg, wondering if the decline was Boldin or quarterback Joe Flacco’s fault.
“Flacco seemed more comfortable throwing to Mason at times. It’s hard to know exactly what happened, but that needs to change. Getting Boldin the ball needs to be a priority.”
Cowboys Interested In Landry?
DallasCowboys.com is looking at a number of veterans who could wind up in Dallas next season, one of whom is Ravens restricted safety Dawan Landry.
Depending on the outcome of the collective bargaining agreement, Landry could become unrestricted and team writer Josh Ellis points out that the Ravens have a history of letting go of strong safeties playing next to Pro Bowler Ed Reed. Examples include Will Demps in 2006 and Jim Leonhard in 2009.
Ellis notes Landry’s experience, starting 64 games in five seasons and 14 as a rookie, and his ability to stop the run.
“If signed, Landry would most likely replace Gerald Sensabaugh as the Cowboys’ starting strong safety,” wrote Ellis. “Sensabaugh is a free agent as well, and could warrant a deal similar to Landry’s on the open market after a five-interception season for the Cowboys in 2010. Ultimately, the Cowboys’ direction at the position could come down to a matter of taste for [Defensive Coordinator] Rob Ryan.”
Allen Wants Teams That Snubbed Him ‘Sick To Their Stomach’
Georgia Tech running back Anthony Allen had to wait through six and a half painful rounds in the 2011 NFL Draft before the Ravens finally selected him with the 225th pick.
Now, the rookie plans to make teams pay for snubbing him round after round.
“I want to make all the other teams that passed on me sick to their stomach,” Allen told The Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson. “I’m going in with more than a chip on my shoulder because of all of the people who doubted me. I’m going to Baltimore with something to prove.”
Coming from Yellow Jackets Head Coach Paul Johnson’s run-first system, many NFL teams questioned Allen’s ability to translate his college success to the pros.
In the triple-option at Georgia Tech, Allen lined up three yards behind the quarterback, which may have helped him rush for 1,934 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons. But Allen believes his talent, not the system, is the reason for his impressive production.
“[The Ravens] got a steal in the seventh round, trust me,” Amos Allen, Anthony’s father, told The Times. “If he had went to any other school, he would have been drafted much higher. The Ravens are an outstanding fit. He’s going to show everybody that passed on him. I couldn’t be prouder. They’ve got a prize coming to them.”
Baltimore is interested in seeing how Allen, a 6-foot-1, 230-pounder, can perform in a traditional offense.
If he can impress coaches, Wilson says the seventh-rounder may have a legitimate shot to back up Ray Rice, considering the speculation of the team potentially cutting Willis McGahee because of his the reported $6 million he’s due this season.
Ochocinco’s Bull Riding Debut And Retirement
How could I pass up this priceless footage of Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco’s debut on a 1,500-pound bull?
A 1.5-second debut, I might add.
Ochocinco promised to ride a bull on the Professional Bull Riders circuit, and made good on that promise Saturday night, earning $10,000 for making it out of the chute.
Wearing a helmet and a standard protective vest, Ochocinco was bucked off with no apparent injury. He was nearly stepped on twice after hitting the ground.
Despite admitting he was embarrassed for quickly getting thrown off the bull, Deja Blu, the six-time Pro Bowler already made it clear he will not give it another try.
“One and done,” he said.
Quick Hits
- RavensInsider: Good talking with rookie RB Anthony Allen today. He’ll also be attending the Ravens’ workouts May 24-26 at Towson. @RayRice27 invited him. [Twitter]
- Chances are a lot “slimmer” that the Ravens will re-sign Josh Wilson, says James Walker. “With [first-round selection Jimmy] Smith in the fold, Domonique Foxworth returning and Lardarius Webb on the roster, Baltimore doesn’t need to overspend for another corner.” [ESPN]
- The 2008 draft grades continue to trickle in. Walker gave the Ravens an A-, the highest mark of all AFC North teams. The Ravens nabbed their franchise quarterback and starting running back in the first two rounds with Flacco and Rice. Walker’s only “disappointment” was third-round linebacker Tavares Gooden, who hasn’t been able to secure the starting linebacker spot next to Ray Lewis. [ESPN]
- Mike Freeman: “The owners and players are scheduled to again meet for court-ordered mediation beginning this coming week in Minnesota. To say this will be a dog and pony show is an insult to dogs and ponies.” [CBSSports.com]
- Ravens fans sent out birthday wishes to Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, who turned 36 yesterday. [The Flock]
