The view from 151

8/6/15

Welcome back to the “View from Section 151” a weekly blog of observations and thoughts through the eyes of a diehard Ravens fan who sits in section 151 on Sundays. I have Baltimore football roots going back to my father who worked for the Baltimore Colts way back when the team colors were Green and gray.

The blog started from a weekly email to my daughter, Molly, who was away at college. The email gave her team updates and what teams to root for that week. Molly started forwarding it to friends and siblings and she became known as the girl whose father writes the Ravens Blog. We also like to look at the teams of our friends and root for them if we can. We like rooting for friends teams as long as the outcome doesn’t impact the Ravens standing. So here we are in our second season. This puts a local spin on the NFL games. I hope this helps you become an informed Raven Maniac. GO RAVENS!

The view from 151 Training Camp edition.

Hi everyone!

Yes, it is August and I am just now getting over the Playoff loss to the Patriots and the devastating trade of Haloti Ngata but I am back and so are the Ravens. Wow, what a team we will have this year! Not only are the 2015 Ravens a strong contender to win the AFC North but we could win the AFC period and some say the Super Bowl. Wouldn’t that be great!

The training camp injury bug has hit the Ravens hard again this year. Matt Elam (26) has torn his biceps and is out for the season already. The secondary will miss Matt. He was slotted as a starter this season. This year’s #1 draft pick, Breshad Perriman, (18) bruised his knee on the first day of camp and has not practiced since. As a Rookie Perriman, needs to practice with Joe and the first team offense. We need him to replace Tory Smith who will be missed as he is with the 49ers this year. Can you say next man up?

Here is a look at the guys we have coming back from last year and who are new.

Offense:

We have a new Offensive Coordinator, Mark Tresman who was the Bears head coach last year. Yes, Joe will have his fifth OC in eight years but he will handle it just like he always has by not missing a start his whole career. What a stud! Joe Flacco (5) will be backed up by Matt Schaub (8) (not too shabby) replacing Tyrod Taylor who went to Buffalo.

The O line comes back complete and healthy.

60 Eugene Monroe left tackle
72 Kelechi Osemele left guard
53 Jeremy Zutta center
73 Marshal Yanda right guard
71 Rick Wagner right tackle

This group looked great last year protecting Joe and run blocking for Forsett they could be the best in the NFL. The offensive line has depth with returning players John Urschel (64), Ryan Jensen (66), James Hurst (74), Jah Reid (76),

Tight Ends:

The big question is will Dennis Pitta be ready for the beginning of the season or will ever play again? It doesn’t look good but we can always hope. Good luck, Dennis.

Assuming Pitta will not play, who do we have at TE?
Second year player Crockett Gillmore (80), the only returning TE, will start.
Second round draft pick Maxx Williams (87) will be next on the depth chart. Look for Maxx opposite Crockett in two tight end sets. Followed be Allen Reisner (85) and Konrad Reuland (86). On the bubble will be Nick Boyle (82) who has had an up and down training camp. Can you say special teams? The preseason games will be crucial for this young group of players.

Wide Receivers:
Steve Smith (89) will lead another group of young players including rookie Breshad Perriman (18) who needs to play well in preseason to be ready for week one of the regular season. The rest of the group includes Kamar Aikan (11), Darren Waller (12), Aldrick Robinson (13), Michael Campanaro (15), DeAndre Carter (16), Jeremy Butler (17), Cam Worthy (81), and Daniel Brown (83). Around and around they go, who makes the team nobody knows. Watch this group in the preseason games. Somebody has got to make the team.

Running and Full Backs:
Running backs Justin Forsett (29), and Lorenzo Taliaferro (34), tag team returns from last year. They should do well again this year. Terrence Magee (30), Javorius Allen (37), Fitzgerald Toussaint (43), are all long shots. Full back Kyle Juszczyk (44) will return as a starter, with Kiero Small (35) as back up. This group should do well with the help of our returning offensive line.

Quarterback:
Joe Flacco (5) Enough said.
Back up Matt Schaub (8). Bryn Renner (2) is in training camp and should be practice squad material. .

Defense:
Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees has most of the starting squad coming back this year. Timmy Jernigan (97) and Courtney Upshaw (91), who both played well last year, will replace Haloti Ngata and Pernell McPhee.

Defensive line:
Tackles Timmy Jernigan (97) and Brandon Williams (98) will be a great run-stopping tandem.
Defensive ends Terrell Suggs (55) and Chris Canty (99) will have quarterbacks quaking in there cleats.
Inside line backers Daryl Smith (51) and C.J. Mosley (57) will orchestrate the defense.
Outside line backers Courtney Upshaw (91) and Elvis Dumervil (58) will be in charge of containment.
Corner backs Jimmy Smith (22) and Lardarius Webb (21) will shutdown the two corners.

With Safety Matt Elam out, Will Hill (33) looks like the only starter at this time. Kendrick Lewis (23), Bryden Trawick (28), Terrence Brooks (31), and Nick Perry (36) will battle it out for that second starting position.

We have good defensive back ups like Asa Jackson (27), Rashaan Melvin (38), Albert McClellan (50), Arthur Brown (59), Lawrence Guy (67), and De Angelo Tyson (93), all who can make the team.

Special teams:

Only two questions on special teams will long snapper- will Morgan Cox (46) be healthy (I think he will) and who will return punts and kicks?
Punter Sam Koch (4) and Kicker Justin Tucker (9,) have no real competition for their positions.

Positions up for grabs

Tight end
Wide receiver
Safety
Kick returner

So put on your coaches hat and watch the preseason games. Who will get the playing time? Who will make that play that makes you say, “WOW, did you see that!”
Some good players will get cut and some player will get the chance of a lifetime to prove he belongs in the NFL.

Just the view from 151!

GO RAVENS!