Baltimore Ravens Final Roster Set Following Surprising Cuts
By Brett Foote
Aug 28, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Travaris Cadet (39) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker John Simon (94) during the first half of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens final roster is set following a series of cuts and other transactions that went down to the wire before Saturday’s 4 pm deadline. The Ravens had a lot of tough decisions to make as they enjoyed incredible depth at various positions this preseason. Most of the moves were widely expected, but there were at least two surprises.
Here is a rundown of all the players cut Saturday.
- John Simon, outside linebacker
- A.Q. Shipley, offensive guard
- Keith Wenning, quarterback
- Derek Cox, cornerback
- Dominique Franks, cornerback
- Parker Graham, offensive tackle
- Tramain Jacobs, cornerback
- Ryan Jensen, offensive guard
- Jamie Meder, defensive tackle
- A.J. Pataiali’i, defensive tackle
- Sammy Seamster, cornerback
- Phillip Supernaw, tight end
- Fitzgerald Toussaint, running back
The Ravens also placed undrafted rookie wide receiver Jeremy Butler on injured reserve with an AC shoulder joint injury. Defensive tackle Terrence Cody was placed on the reserve physically unable to perform list, and Ray Rice and Will Hill were placed on the reserve suspended lists, as expected.
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The biggest surprise was second year linebacker John Simon, who put on a clinic Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Saints. Simon racked up four quarterback hits, one sack, and two tackles for loss in the game and seemed like he had a promising future with the organization. Ultimately, he couldn’t overcome the incredible depth and talent of the Raven’s linebacker unit.
A.Q. Shipley was a bit of a surprise as well after he started nine games last season and was running with the second team offensive line through the offseason. Shipley wasn’t a star by any means, but he wasn’t a liability while playing in place of an injured Kelechi Osemele last season.
The release of Franks came as a bit of a surprise because he has been starting games this preseason. Franks wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t great either. Fellow corner Tramain Jacobs was expected to stick on the roster early in camp, but his play had fallen off the last few weeks.
Derek Cox is expected to resign with the team, per Aaron Wilson at the Baltimore Sun. Cox played well against the Saints and is a former Pro Bowl alternate who flamed out after signing a big free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers last offseason.
The Ravens are likely hoping to sign Wenning, Jacobs, Toussaint, Simon, Supernaw, Seamster, Pataiali’i, and Meder to the practice squad if they clear waivers. We would be very surprised if Simon didn’t get claimed, however. There is an outside chance Wenning gets signed after he showed a lot of improvement Thursday night against the Saints. Jacobs and Seamster have an outside shot as well.