Ravens Training Camp: Stock Up, Stock Down
By Brett Foote
Jun 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Rick Wagner (71) blocks offensive tackle Brett Van Sloten (61) during minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Stock Down: Rick Wagner
Wagner garnered praise all offseason, and looked like a lock to start at right tackle after the Ravens failed to address the position in the draft or free agency. It seemed like he only had undrafted and raw Ryan Jensen to worry about, at least up until the start of training camp.
All of a sudden, the Ravens moved Jensen back to guard and dropped Jah Reid in behind Wagner to compete. While this may not seem like a big deal considering Reid’s lingering bust status, he has more natural ability and better size than Wagner to play the position.
The coaches haven’t given up on Reid despite his off field transgressions and on field failures, and now they are giving him what appears to be a legitimate shot at a starting job. That can mean one of two things – either the team has lost confidence in Wagner, or they are simply giving Reid one last shot before his contract runs out after this season.