August 29, 2018

Only one more meaningless preseason game to go. After four meaningless games, what have we learned? Not a whole hell of a lot. The first team offense has been on the field possibly thirty plays in four games. Joe Flacco didn’t even dress last week. The offensive line has been fill in city, with Marshall Yanda not playing (reserved for game one against the Bills), Ronnie Stanley and Alex Lewis, the left guard and tackle, barely even practicing. We also start the third center in as many years. The defense has depth at almost every position. With no roster cut downs until after the last preseason games, we have seen too many players to really tell who will make the final 53 man roster. So…….

What have we learned?

• The defense is healthy and stacked with young players like LB Tyus Bowser, CB Maurice Canady and S Chuck Clark–all good players.
• We can still stop the run with the big guys up from like Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce
• The secondary has depth for the first time in years. Even with Jimmy Smith suspended for the first four games, I think we will be okay without him.
• Joe Flacco came into camp healthy for the first time in two years. Joe looks sharp and motivated since we drafted Lamar Jackson in the first round.
• We now have receivers who can catch the ball. Sadly, our number one draft pick TE Hayden Hurst, who can catch everything thrown his way, had surgery on his foot to repair a stress fracture. He will miss at least three or four games.
• Robert Griffin III looks like a very capable backup quarterback. Lamar Jackson is not ready for prime time. We will be keeping three quarterback this season for the first time under John Harbaugh.

With the new cut down rule, the roster cuts from 90 to the final 53 man line up doesn’t come until after the last preseason game. This makes it hard for the average fan to know who will be in the starting line up on opening day. So, look for the three or four players who standout and they may be the final couple of guys who make the team. Your guess is as good as mine on who that will be.

Enjoy the game and let’s hope no one gets injured.

GO RAVENS!

And that’s the View from 151.