Marshal Yanda At Full Strength, Offseason State Of The Union

Welcome to lunchtime links, we we bring you all the Ravens news from around the web and piece it together for your consumption.  Today’s links include the welcome news that Marshal Yanda is back to full strength, the Raven’s offseason state of the union, and the Raven’s biggest post-minicamp concern.

Three time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda tells the Baltimore Sun that he has returned to full strength following last year’s rotator cuff surgery.  The fact that it took so long is no surprise, as rotator cuff injuries tend to linger.  Yanda’s return to health is a boon for an offensive line that needs all the help it can get after last year’s embarrassment.

Shehan Peiris at Bleacher Report brings us the Raven’s state of the union address, which sums up the offseason so far.  One guy that hasn’t received a ton of media attention that Peiris mentions out is safety Darian Stewart, who to this point in his career has been a bit role player.  Stewart has come alive and picked up the defense quickly, giving him an inside track on a starting job.

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Oct 6, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda (73) in the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

This morning we speculated on whether or not Lorenzo Taliaferro can be the running back of the future for the Ravens, and now we have an update on the legal process that stemmed from his late May arrest.  Taliaferro’s case has been continued until July 31st, which coincides with training camp, but he doesn’t have to appear in person.  As a first time offender, we don’t expect any punishment from either the league or the team on this matter.  Let’s just hope he can stay out of trouble going forward.

Rookie linebacker Xavius Boyd was waived injured Friday with a pulled hamstring, and now he has reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers.  Boyd, an undrafted free agent, was replaced by fellow undrafted free agent linebacker Nick DiMarco on the roster.  Boyd had a nice college career and it will be interesting if the Ravens retain his rights or give him an injury settlement down the road.

Drew Morita at Bleacher Report brings us a fan debate over Baltimore’s biggest concern following minicamp.  There are a few obvious ones like secondary depth, but we vote for the offensive line.  Having Yanda back will help, and Wagner is doing well so far, but what happens if they suffer an injury or two?

Finally, the official Ravens site posted a video of Ladarius Webb showing off his lockdown corner skills.  Having Webb and the emerging Jimmy Smith on the back end of the defense should give opposing passers pause this season and will hopefully give the defensive line enough time to get some pressure.

What do you think the biggest concern is after minicamp?