Baltimore Ravens Stock Report Week Four
By Brett Foote
Sep 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) tries to break free from Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb (21) and strong safety Matt Elam (26) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Stock down: Matt Elam
For the second straight week, Matt Elam is on our list. Elam doesn’t deserve all the blame, of course, as he continues to fill in a bit at the nickel. But he is just plain bad in coverage, and safety play has thus far been this defense’s biggest weakness. One that a good team is going to expose eventually.
Elam gave up three receptions on three targets this week for 61 yards, including a 30 yard completion to possession receiver Jericho Cotchery that was just a sad sight. Cotchery signed with the Panthers after being jettisoned by the Steelers and Jets and is slow with a capital S.
Following week four’s latest debacle, Elam is now ranked as the 74th safety out of 77 by Pro Football Focus. And people wonder why the Ravens went out of their way to sign misfit Will Hill. Expect to see more Terrence Brooks going forward, if the coaching staff is watching the same film we are.