The Ravens improve to 3-0 in the preseason with a 23-17 win over their neighbors just down I-95, the Washington Redskins. The first team was the star of the show for the first half, and more for some. The first rounds of cuts are coming up, narrowing the roster from 90 to 75. Who helped themselves, and who needs improvement with one more warm-up to go before it gets real.

Discuss your thoughts on this topic on our message board

Stock up

Looking for special teams guys to get an idea of who the leading candidates for those bubble spots are. First team kick return composed of: Jacoby Jones, Kamar Aiken, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Kyle Juszczyk, Pernell McPhee, Albert McClellan, Gino Gradkowski, Josh Bynes, Anthony Levine, Jeromy Miles, Brynden Trawick,

First team punt protect composed of: Morgan Cox, Sam Koch, C.J. Mosley, Albert McClellan, Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Kyle Jusczyzk, Josh Bynes, Jeromy Miles, Brynden Trawick, Anthony Levine.

It would appear, at least for those special teams spots, Anthony Levine, Jeromy Miles, and Brynden Trawick have the leg up on Omar Brown.

Kamar Aiken possibly has a leg up on Deonte Thompson, but Thompson showed up big again, hauling in a Tyrod Taylor TD pass in the 3rd quarter.  

Terrance Brooks with a sack of a scrambling RG3 on 3rd down. He is getting more playing time as the nickel corner on the first team.

Brandon Williams as a nose tackle did a nice job often taking up two blockers, allowing Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata to make tackles for loss. Against a second team center in the 3rd quarter, he bull rushed him and drove him straight backwards. He had the center back peddling the whole way. Impressive strength.

Anthony Levine spotted playing corner in place of Dominique Franks. Levine’s place on this team may be safe. He played pretty well, and made a nice play to break up a pass in the endzone. He was tasked with covering Santana Moss most of the second team portion of the night.

Michael Campanaro caught his first ball of the preseason, showing off his route running skills which is a critical trait to possess in the West Coast Offense. Later he showed off his kick return ability as well.

Stock down

Omar Brown left off of the first team special teams. Pretty telling sign where he is in the pecking order compared to the other special teams only safeties.

Daryl Smith’s run defense: This was a huge weakness last year, and this year looks the same. The Skins RB Alfred Morris, ran right through an arm tackle attempt by Smith for about ten more yards before the secondary brought him down.

Dominique Franks commits a blatant PI that sets up Washington with a first and goal. Later in the game, Anthony Levine took his place on the first team opposite Chykie Brown. Levine’s first attempt at playing CB. Franks may need a big showing next week to secure his spot, as this is his third straight week in my “stock down” section.

First team rushing offense minus Ray Rice who did not play: They were shut down on 4th and 1, shut down on 4th and inches, minus eight yards rushing after the first quarter. Bernard Pierce couldn’t break any tackles and didn’t protect himself from a blitzing Brandon Meriwether, who sent Pierce to the locker room with concussion like symptoms.

Terrence Brooks negated his “stock up” moment earlier by committing a senseless illegal contact penalty on 3rd down, extending the Redskins drive. He was then beat for the TD wrapping up that drive, allowing the Redskins to close the lead to one score.

Keith Wenning didn’t see the field at all, meaning he didn’t attempt a pass in two of three preseason games to this point. I don’t see the Ravens need to carry three QBs when there are other very tight battles for the final spots. He’ll probably get an extended look next week as a courtesy for a possible future employer.

Bubble

I noticed that there were some guys who got to play earlier in this game than usual. Possibly to give the coaching staff a look at them as they were likely playing to make it one more week with the team. Some guys didn’t play at all. Here are 15 guys who could be cut without given one more look next week, or one more look for other teams to scout. 

Levi Brown – DT
Jace Davis – WR
Nicholas Dimarco – LB
Parker Graham – OT
David Mims – OT
Marrio Norman – CB
Deji Olatoye – CB
Zachary Orr – LB
A.J. Pataiali – DT
Will Rackley – G
Sammy Seamster – CB
Austin Spitler – LB
Fitzgerlad Toussaint – RB
Brett Van Sloten – OT
Mike Willie – WR
 

The final friendly before the regular season is Thursday night in New Orleans.

Mike Randall
Mike Randall

Ravens Analyst

Mike was born on the Eastern Shore, raised in Finksburg, and currently resides in Parkville. In 2009, Mike graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. Mike became a Baltimore City Fire Fighter in late 2010. Mike has appeared as a guest on Q1370, and FOX45. Now a Sr. Ravens Analyst for BSL, he can be reached at [email protected].

X