The Sports Xchange
NFL Team Report – Baltimore Ravens – INSIDE SLANT
The medical outlook remains positive for Ravens starting inside linebacker Jameel McClain.
McClain continues to make progress in his recuperation from a spinal cord contusion sustained last December.
McClain is still awaiting full medical clearance to resume playing football again, but expects that to happen before next season. He’s been running and lifting weights and working out at the Ravens’ training complex with no restrictions.
“I’m doing good, I’m doing great,” McClain said. “I’m running around full speed, working out, lifting weights with no problems, nothing on my end. I can do everything. Everything is positive on my end.”
When asked if he’s confident that he’ll be able to resume his career after getting hurt last season against the Washington Redskins, McClain replied: “If you don’t believe in yourself, who else will? Fortunately, this is a good situation for me. Everything is going the way it should.”
Although the injury didn’t require surgery, it has prevented McClain from being cleared medically yet with rest and strengthening expected to eventually get him back on the field. The severity and location of the injury initially created doubt about his future.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh is cautiously optimistic about McClain’s prospects of regaining his health and getting back on the field, where the defending Super Bowl champions need him at inside linebacker following Ray Lewis’ retirement and Dannell Ellerbe signing with the Miami Dolphins during free agency.
“That will be important for him,” Harbaugh said recently. “But it’s just the healing process. There’s a certain type of a bruise that happens that caused his issue, but it’s going away, on schedule. We don’t know for sure, but I’m approaching it as if Jameel is going to be out there.”
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NFL Team Report – Baltimore Ravens – NOTES, QUOTES
Ravens veteran free-agent offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie was offered contracts by the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins, but then agreed to a two-year deal with the Ravens Thursday.
The Dallas Cowboys had also contacted McKinnie, a former Pro Bowl blocker.
McKinnie, 33, had been an unrestricted free agent who started every game in the playoffs after being replaced at left tackle during the regular season by Michael Oher.
The 6-8, 354-pound New Jersey native has been working out regularly in South Florida. McKinnie has battled conditioning and weight issues in the past.
McKinnie was contacted by the Chicago Bears when free agency started, but they quickly reached a deal with former New Orleans Saints tackle Jermon Bushrod as their new left tackle.
During the playoffs, McKinnie excelled and drew praise from Ravens coach John Harbaugh for stonewalling several top pass rushers during victories over the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers to win the Vince Lombardi trophy.
–Maryland tight end Matt Furstenburg eached an agreement to join the Ravens. He headlines the Ravens’ undrafted rookie free-agent class.
He ran an impressive 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.62 clocking for the second-fastest time among the tight ends. The New Jersey native caught 16 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns in his senior year and was the lone Terrapin invited to the Combine.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Bullying is such a broad term for me. I think it affects people on so many levels. When I was a kid, I saw it from something as simple as the clothes I would wear, as far as not having confidence in myself when people would pick on me. They had the ability to pick on me because of what I was going through. Bullying can be as simple as telling someone they’re undersized or can’t play this game. I’ve had a lot of experiences. Words last longer than bruises. I can remember fights I went through as a kid where I didn’t feel it when I got hit in my stomach. You don’t feel that pain or that bruise, but I remember what people said. I remember things meant to bring me down.” — Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain to the Baltimore Sun on joining Stomp Out Bullying as a global ambassador.
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NFL Team Report – Baltimore Ravens – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
A closer look at the Ravens’ picks:
Round 1/32 – Matt Elam, S, 5-10, 210, Florida
The All-American defensive back and younger brother of NFL safety Abram Elam should provide toughness and range to a secondary that lost Ed Reed to the Houston Texans and cut Bernard Pollard. He’s expected to immediately compete for a starting job at strong safety, but will also cross-train at free safety.
Round 2/56 – Arthur Brown, LB, 6-0, 241, Kansas State
Brown has drawn comparisons to a young Ray Lewis because of his lack of ideal size, speed and emotional, relentless style of play. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year figures to immediately start at one of the inside linebacker spots in the Ravens’ 3-4 scheme.
Round 3/94 – Brandon Williams, DT, 6-1, 335, Missouri Southern
Anchor style nose tackle and Division II All-American who bench-pressed 225 pounds 38 times at the NFL scouting combine. Athletic for his size and can do a handstand and walk, performed well at Senior Bowl and will challenge Terrence Cody for playing time.
Round 4/129 – John Simon, OLB, 6-1, 257, Ohio State
Gritty, hard-nosed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year had career-high nine sacks last season. Should compete for a situational pass rusher role at rush linebacker behind former Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.
Round 4/130 – Kyle Juszczyk, FB, 6-1, 248, Harvard
Excelled at Senior Bowl and took a dozen visits after starring in Ivy League as pass-catching fullback. Ravens figure to utilize him at fullback, tight end and H-back and expected to eventually replace Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach.
Round 5/168 – Ricky Wagner, T, 6-6, 308, Wisconsin
All-Big Ten Conference tackle has played left tackle for past two seasons after playing right tackle. Former prep basketball player isn’t an elite athlete, but could also get a look at guard.
Round 6/200 – Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE, 6-4, 298, Notre Dame
Accomplished player tore his right ACL in national championship game loss to Alabama. Figures to be a medical redshirt as a rookie, essentially, since he just had surgery three months ago.
Round 6/203 – Ryan Jensen, C, 6-3, 317, Colorado State-Pueblo
Plays with a nasty streak and is quick (5.28 40-yard dash) and strong (bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times). Drew interest from multiple NFL teams, including the Patriots, and is slated to back up Gino Gradkowski at center after primarily playing tackle in college.
Round 7/238 – Aaron Mellette, WR, 6-2, 217, Elon
Imposing small-school standout could provide red-zone threat immediately. Mellette caught 11 passes with one touchdown against Vanderbilt and played in the Senior Bowl.
Round 7/247 – Marc Anthony, CB, 5-11, 196, California
Productive and tough, but faces uphill climb to make the 53-man roster and will need to beat out Asa Jackson and Chris Johnson to do so. Could be a quick special-teams contributor if he makes the cut.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (5)
–TE Billy Bajema is a blocking tight end who could return potentially for the veteran minimum.
–LB Ricky Brown spent the season on injured reserve with a concussion and isn’t expected to play football anymore.
–S Sean Considine is a valuable special-teams player who could be in the plans at some point if he’s willing to play for a minimum salary.
–NT Ma’ake Keomeatu, 34, would like to continue playing for a few more seasons after revitalizing his career last season after being out of football the previous year due to weight and injury issues. Kemoeatu is regarded as unlikely to return.
–DE Ryan McBean spent the season on injured reserve with a broken ankle. He has said he would like to return, but it’s unclear if the team wants him back.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (2)
–TE Ed Dickson (tendered at 1.323M with third-round pick as compensation) is one of the best blockers on the team.
–TE Dennis Pitta (tendered at 1.323M with second-round pick as compensation).
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS (1)
–LB Adrian Hamilton.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–RB Anthony Allen: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–RB Damien Berry: Not tendered as ERFA; terms unknown.
–LB Josh Bynes: ERFA; terms unknown.
–LS Morgan Cox: Potential RFA; $2.5M/2 yrs, $500,000 SB.
–QB Joe Flacco: Potential UFA; $120.6M/6 yrs, $29M SB.
–DT Bryan Hall: ERFA; terms unknown.
–T Ramon Harewood: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.
–S James Ihedigbo: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–CB Chris Johnson: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–DE Arthur Jones: RFA tendered at $2.023M with second-round pick as compensation; $2.023M/1 yr.
–DE Albert McClellan: ERFA; $555,000/1 yr.
–T Bryant McKinnie: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
–WR/KR David Reed: Potential RFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–DL Chris Canty: FA Giants; $8M/3 yrs, $2.8M guaranteed.
–LB Elvis Dumervil: FA Broncos; $26M/5 yrs, $7.5M SB/$11M guaranteed.
–QB Caleb Hanie: FA Broncos; $715,000/1 yr.
–S Michael Huff: FA Raiders; $6M/3 yrs, $1.5M SB.
–LB Rolando McClain: FA Raiders; $700,000/1 yr.
–DE Marcus Spears: FA Cowboys; $2.75M/2 yr, $600,000 SB.
PLAYERS LOST
–LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (released).
–C Matt Birk (retired).
–WR Anquan Boldin (traded).
–LB Dannell Ellerbe: UFA Dolphins; $35M/5 yrs, $7M SB/$17M guaranteed.
–LB Paul Kruger: UFA Browns; $40.5M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$20M guaranteed.
–LB Ray Lewis (retired).
–S Bernard Pollard (released).
–S Ed Reed: UFA Texans; $15M/3 yrs, $5M guaranteed.
–G Bobbie Williams (released).
–CB Cary Williams: UFA Eagles; $17M/3 yrs, $10.5M guaranteed.
–S Tom Zbikowski (released).
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