Offseason Talking Points, Players Motivated By Last Season

Welcome to lunchtime links, where we bring you all of the latest Ravens news from around the web and put it in one convenient place for your consumption.  Today we bring you some offseason talking points, how players are motivated by last year’s record, and more tidbits from the Ozzie Newsome interview.

John Eisenberg at the Raven’s official site considers some offseason talking points and whether they are relevant or not. Admittedly, journalists are forced to really dig for stories this time of year and it’s fair to wonder if some of them are realistic or just manufactured.

One thing I must disagree with Eisenberg on is the backup quarterback situation.  He feels that it is a non-issue due to Flacco’s durability and Tyrod Taylor’s contract status.  If the Ravens are truly uncomfortable with Taylor potentially making starts, they should make a move.  Injuries are often absolutely impossible to predict and come out of nowhere.  Just ask Tom Brady.

More from Ravens News

• Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
• The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
• Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
• Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
• Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?

Jun 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receivers (from left to right) LaQuan Williams, Jacoby Jones, Gerrard Sheppard, Torrey Smith, Deonte Thompson, and Steve Smith, Sr. look on during minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously there isn’t exactly a glut of good backups out there, but teams have to give themselves the best chance to succeed regardless of the situation.  This doesn’t mean cutting Taylor, but bringing in more competition never hurts, especially in the offseason when roster limits are higher.

Ryan Mink at the Ravens official site tells us that the Ravens are motivated by last year’s 8-8 record.  John Harbaugh admitted that constant media scrutiny over their .500 finish is a good thing.  “To me, [the media] just keep hammering it,” he said. “It’s good for us to hear it. Keep beating the crap out of us with it. It’s good for us. It motivates us.”  

Finally, Kevin Byrne’s interview with Ozzie Newsome revealed that there may be more roster changes to come.  This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as I have previously speculated that a system ready QB could be in the works as teams make cuts going forward.  There are always at least a couple of surprise cuts ahead of Week 1, and this year should be no exception.

What positions do you think the Ravens should look to fill through final cuts?  How do you feel about the current quarterback depth?