The preseason is far from the NFL’s most thrilling product. That being said, the Ravens running backs and tight ends may keep you entertained.
The Ravens starters won’t play much tonight. Joe Flacco will probably not play at all. Before you make other plans for the night, I thought I would dive into what the game actually has to offer. There are things to watch in this game tonight. There are things that we need to see. There is plenty to learn tonight.
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Don’t watch tonight’s game as a fan. If you view it as a meaningless exhibition game, you’re going to be bored from the get go. Watch tonight as if you were John Harbaugh. Watching with the mindset of a coach will make the game more interesting. This is because coaches don’t think this game is meaningless. They have work to do tonight. They’ll be dissecting every preseason snap for every single player. Don’t watch tonight to root on your Ravens. The score is meaningless. The process is not. Get analytical with it and there is enjoyment to be had.
Tonight fans get out of the game what they put into it. The preseason separates the casual fan from the football nerds. There is nothing wrong with being a football nerd. What do you think I am? With that in mind, it is time to break down the top two position battles that will be on display tonight.
1. Running Back:
The running back position is going to be fun to watch this preseason. The Ravens have six running backs on the roster. Other than Stephen Houston have a real shot at making the team. The Ravens will therefore have at least one play-maker on the field for much of the preseason action. If you want entertainment in the preseason, this is about as good as it gets.
The only thing set in stone is that Justin Forsett is the starter. The Ravens will likely use a running back by committee. This is how that committee is going to be formed. Spots two and three are up for grabs. There may even be a fourth spot on the roster for a running back. That means the competition will be fierce.
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If we ranked the running backs in order of desperation it would look like this: Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West, Buck Allen and Kenneth Dixon. Taliaferro has the least chance of making the roster. Taliaferro is injury prone and less multi-dimensional than the Ravens other backs. Dixon is a rookie. Playing time is what he is ultimately competing for. Dixon’s roster spot should be safe. Allen proved himself last season. Out of the Ravens actually fighting for a spot, West is the only one who wasn’t drafted by the team. West is making some noise though. It will be hard to count him out.
2. Tight End:
I think it is a pretty safe assumption that we will see a lot of Darren Waller tonight. Without Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore there is not many people to use at the tight end position. Ben Watson is a veteran in his 30’s. I wouldn’t say he doesn’t need to earn his playing time; it’s just not likely that the preseason is going to tell you something you didn’t already know about him.
Nick Boyle is another name you could hear a lot tonight. Maxx Williams will also get some reps at the tight end position. Williams is a player that has a big body and big play potential. Williams is waiting in the wings. There is no doubting his potential. We just have to see where he stacks up with the Ravens other tight ends.
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The reason Boyle and Waller will get more playing time is simple. They face suspensions heading into the season. There is no risk in putting Boyle or Waller on the field. The Ravens will likely cut Waller after he serves his four game suspension any way. The Ravens are also listing Daniel Brown as a tight end. The Ravens are short on healthy wide receivers. Expect Boyle, Waller and Brown to get most of the playing time. They’re the Ravens who actually need to prove something tonight.