A Tough Start To The Season, Jimmy Smith The Mentor

Welcome to lunchtime links, where we round up all the latest Ravens news from around the web for your consumption. Today we take a look at the Raven’s tough September schedule, Jimmy Smith the mentor, the running back competition, and whether or not the buzz on C.J. Mosley is legit.

Clifton Brown at CSN Baltimore points out that the Ravens are the only team in the NFL that opens the season by facing three straight divisional opponents.  Weeks 1-3 include meetings with the Bengals, Steelers, and Browns, respectively. Whether or not this is a good thing or bad thing is highly debatable.  If the birds can somehow come out 3-0, they would have a huge early advantage when it comes to winning the division.

With Ray Rice likely to miss September and Bernard Pierce recovering from surgery, many (including us) are speculating on who will carry the load this season.  The latest is Garrett Downing at the Raven’s official site, who provides a summary of each RB on the roster and a poll asking who the leading rusher will be in 2014.  Surprisingly, Ray Rice is the overwhelming leader (as of this writing) at 56%.

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Dec 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Mink at BaltimoreRavens.com tells us that Jimmy Smith is mentoring rookie free agent Ayodeji Olatoye. The two have known each other since 2009, even rooming together for a while at Colorado. The Raven’s currently have a glut at corner after signing four other defensive backs, but Smith is doing his best to help his friend make the team.

Luke Easterling at Bleacher Report is taking a look at every 2014 first rounder in the NFL and buying or selling the buzz they have generated.  C.J. Mosley has generated nothing but positive buzz since entering camp, and Easterling is joining in the praise, even going so far as to call him the future backbone of the defense.

Heck, even Mosley himself feels like he’s doing a “great job.”

Do you think the Raven’s unique September start is a good thing or a bad thing?  Are you buying or selling the buzz on C.J. Mosley?