Terrence Brooks Developing, Baltimore Ravens Roster Cuts Analysis
By Brett Foote
Aug 23, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Nick Williams (13) scores a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens free safety Terrence Brooks (33) defends in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Lunchtime Links, where we round up all the latest Ravens news from around the web for your convenient consumption. Today we bring you the latest Baltimore Ravens roster cuts analysis, the development of safety Terrence Brooks, talk about the latest injury in the secondary, and update the injury situations on Terrence Cody and Owen Daniels.
John Harbaugh is “fired up” about Terrence Brooks
Most people expected rookie Terrence Brooks to come in and immediately compete with free agent acquisition Darian Stewart for the starting free safety job. After a slow start, Brooks fell well behind Stewart in the competition.
But on Saturday night against the Redskins, Brooks made his presence felt by racking up an (almost) interception (negated by a penalty) and a sack on Robert Griffin III while running with the first team defense.
And as Jamison Hensley at ESPN points out, Brooks is getting the attention of the coaching staff. “I think the light came on two weeks ago football-wise. Now, it’s really starting to show up with the way he’s playing. That gets me fired up,” John Harbaugh told reporters following Monday’s practice.
It seems like the light is indeed beginning to flip on for Brooks, and not a second too soon for the Ravens, who truly need his speed on defense. A quick ascension to the starting lineup would be a boon for a secondary that is undermanned at the moment.
Matt Elam is the latest member of the secondary to be injured
Starting strong safety Matt Elam has joined the ranks of the injured defensive secondary group after suffering a leg injury Saturday night against the Redskins. Thankfully, as Jamison Hensley reports, it isn’t expected to be serious or lingering.
Elam missed practice Monday and likely won’t play in Thursday’s preseason finale, along with all the other starters. Thankfully, he is expected to be back at practice Friday, as John Harbaugh pointed out following Monday’s session.
“Matt has a little leg issue from the game, a muscle issue,” Harbaugh said. “He should be out there Friday.”
Owen Daniels returns from two week absence
One player who returned to practice Monday from his “injury” was Owen Daniels. Daniels had missed two weeks with fatigue in his legs, and many were beginning to wonder if his roster spot might be in jeopardy. Daniels was brought in for his knowledge of new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s offense, but has looked washed up on the rare occasions he has been on the field.
More from Ravens News
- Will Baltimore Ravens tender Tyler Huntley?
- Ranking 5 teams most likely to trade Baltimore Ravens for Lamar Jackson
- Will these comments impact Lamar Jackson and Baltimore Ravens talks?
- 3 Biggest Needs for Ravens in NFL Draft
- Ravens’ Super Bowl odds stagnant amidst Lamar Jackson trade rumors
As Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun points out, Daniels is playing on a 1 year contract that contains a fully guaranteed $1 million, regardless of what happens to his roster spot. So it’s no wonder John Harbaugh told reporters that Daniels remains in the team’s plans. Even if those plans consist mostly of a mentoring role for Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore.
Baltimore Ravens cut down analysis
Jamison Hensley at ESPN put up his analysis of the Raven’s roster cuts from Monday afternoon. The most significant move was the cutting of safety Omar Brown, who was with the team the past two seasons. However, Brown has only played in three games and compiled only three tackles during that two year span. It’s an indication of how undramatic first cuts were.
Perhaps the most disappointing cut was Marrio Norman, who made a name for himself in college and the AFL as a big time playmaker in the secondary. Norman just couldn’t carry his success over to the pro’s, but he might just get a look from another team before it’s all said and done.
Ravens haven’t made a decision on Terrence Cody
Terrence Cody has remained on the physically unable to perform list throughout the duration of camp and the preseason following hip surgery. And as Jamison Hensley points out, the Ravens still don’t know when Cody will be able to return to practice.
“He’s progressing well,” John Harbaugh said. “He’s done a really good job. Whether he’s ready to play yet or not, we’ll have to decide and determine. I don’t want to say at this time. We really don’t know.”
The Ravens could activate Cody ahead of Saturday’s final cuts, but then they would have to cut somebody else. If the Ravens put Cody on reserve PUP, he wouldn’t count against a roster spot but also wouldn’t be able to practice or play for the first six weeks of the season.
So we’ll find out soon how well Cody’s recovery is going. It has been a slow process so far, and we wouldn’t at all be surprised to see him miss the first six weeks while he continues his recovery. Roster spots are just too valuable at this point.