- Versatility: Harbaugh has coached on both offense and defense throughout his career, giving him a unique perspective and versatility in game planning.
- Preparation: Harbaugh is known for his meticulous preparation, studying film and analyzing data to develop game plans and strategies.
- Motivation: Harbaugh is a highly motivational coach, often using creative techniques to inspire his players and bring out their best performances.
- Adaptability: Harbaugh is adaptable, able to adjust his coaching style to fit different players and situations.
Eric DeCosta, general manager, needs to make 37 transactions to reduce the team’s roster from ninety-nine to the necessary fifty-three. However, as everyone who has watched the Ravens knows, it is highly unlikely that the team that plays the Chiefs in the regular-season opener in Kansas City the following week will be the same one that is on the field on Tuesday.
DeCosta is always making adjustments to the roster’s back end. In an effort to retain as many players in the club as possible, he also employs aggressive roster gymnastics.
A few players that are cut or released will probably be added back two or three days later. By the end of the week, several of the players on the initial 53-man roster will have been placed on injured reserve. A player or two who are not in the building right now may end up joining the club before Week 1. It is also likely that the Ravens will re-sign one or two players to their practice squad with the understanding that they will be promoted to the active roster as soon as possible.
While a lot could change between now and Thursday of next week, these are some things we consider… or wonder about.
1. The Ravens’ dismal performance in Saturday’s preseason finale at Green Bay, as well as how unimpressive the club appeared during the most of the preseason, should not be overanalyzed. The majority of the players on the field on Saturday will not be wearing uniforms on September 5. Even so, there must be some dissatisfaction that the organization’s second- and third-string players did not perform better, despite the fact that the decision-makers frequently stress the value of depth. The main reason for the Ravens’ 24-game winning streak in the preseason, which came to an end last summer, was that their second and third string players just outperformed those of the opposing teams. Because of the excessive amount of time head coach John Harbaugh was playing his starters, the Ravens were losing. They were triumphing due to their
2. I anticipate that DeCosta will be busy over the next three days exploring outside options to bolster the team’s back end. There are various methods to accomplish this, such as filing waiver claims, arranging a minor trade, or even signing a free agent off the street. According to a few people who spoke with me outside the building, DeCosta will be aggressive in his pursuit of deepening the team’s offensive line. I would not be shocked if the Ravens pulled off a similar maneuver to that of 2017, when they acquired center Luke Bowanko and guard/tackle Tony Bergstrom shortly before cutdown day. It seems unlikely that they will be able to sign a player who is dealing starting in Week 1-quality
3. The Ravens have previously held onto ten offensive linemen. Especially this year, with all the uncertainty surrounding the performance of the starters, it could be prudent to hold onto one or two more linemen. It is difficult to slip offensive linemen through waivers and return them to the practice squad since everyone is searching for them. Do the ten offensive linemen on the Ravens’ roster deserve to be in the 53? That is the question. The six locks are Ronnie Stanley, Roger Rosengarten, Patrick Mekari, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, and Andrew Vorhees. Josh Jones and Ben Cleveland will most likely make the squad. Nick Samac, a rookie selected in the seventh round, looked to be in a solid position because Baltimore requires another reliable backup center option in case
4. Reversing course Although the Ravens might make Owen Wright’s fractured foot a season-ending injury if they place him on injured reserve straight away, it is not a guarantee. However, it is evident that he will not be prepared for Week 1, therefore Baltimore must identify a No. 3 running back who will be. Rasheen Ali, a rookie selected in the fifth round, Chris Collier, an undrafted rookie, and veteran John Kelly are its current internal possibilities. Ali had a poor start to the summer and has not been spotted practicing much since the start of the preseason. Here’s an idea: Is a third running back truly necessary for the Ravens to have on their initial 53-man roster? You could get away with utilizing game-day running backs and having two or three running backs on the practice squad.
5. A lot of talk has been made about the Ravens re-signing veteran running back Dalvin Cook, which makes sense from the perspective that he is an experienced veteran looking for work and that the team is familiar with him after he finished the previous season with them. But other than that, I am not sure it fits. The Ravens see Justice Hill and Derrick Henry as a one-two punch in the backfield, and Cook is not the right fit for the No. 3 running back role, which was more appropriate for a player who could contribute depth and assist on special teams.
6. It has been assumed that veteran Deonte Harty is a lock to make the roster because Harbaugh and special teams coordinator Chris Horton have stated on multiple occasions that he will be the team’s returner. But Harty missed a lot of practice sessions this summer and struggled to make an impact on the few preseason returns he did see. It is a certain that Harbaugh and Horton will rely on Harty’s past performance. However, having an exclusive returner on the field could mean giving up a roster slot to someone like Anthony Miller, who would be more useful as a receiver.
7. The number of rookies and “bubble” players who are recovering from injuries or who have missed significant portions of training camp due to ailments is what makes the team’s roster forecasts so challenging. I am not referring to Mark Andrews and Linderbaum. I mean guys who did not have clear roles going in and were viewed as reserves. Were they good enough to make the 53-man roster for the Ravens? Will they attempt to buy them additional time by placing them on inactive retirement (IR) with the option to reapply? Or, believing they could benefit from a “redshirt” year nevertheless, will they fold them for the season? Among the men I am referring to are Ali, Samac, linebackers Adisa Isaac and Josh, and wide receivers Russell Gage and Devontez Walker.
8. Let us use Tampa and Isaac as illustrations. The Ravens will not cut them because they are rookies who were selected in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. However, they must be considering when Tampa and Isaac can feasibly assist the team. Due to hamstring problems, Isaac has seldom practiced since being picked. After hurting his other hamstring in the second preseason game, he was unable to play. When he recovers and gets back into shape, do the Ravens keep him on the 53-man roster even though it means he will not play for the first two or three weeks? Or do they employ a different roster trick that will enable them to return slots or one of the two IR?
9. One more item to consider as we fix our attention on the number of players the Ravens maintain at every position. DeCosta will reserve a few spots for special teams towards the conclusion of the roster. The player’s position will then be essentially meaningless. Chris Board’s role as a major member of the special team is far more important than his position as an inside linebacker. Daryl Worley plays safety, but if he makes the squad, it will be more because he is one of Baltimore’s most imposing and skilled special teams players. Because Ka’dar Hollman is regarded as a superior special team player, he was signed. His poor ranking on the cornerback depth chart might not matter.
10. Defensive back Ar’Darius Washington’s absence from the field on Saturday felt noteworthy; perhaps he is recovering from a small ailment that we are unaware of. Washington will undoubtedly make the roster by now, and for good reason. But given that he was inactive for the preseason finale, there is a good chance he will be heavily involved in Week 1’s game against Kansas City.
(Photo of Rasheen Ali: G Fiume / Getty Images)
