According to reports, Darren Waller has been suspended for the 2017 season for violating the substance abuse policy. This has to be an eye opener for the Baltimore Ravens:
Darren Waller missed the first four games of the 2016 season due to a suspension. This season he won’t get to play at all. If Waller was the only player the Ravens had this problem with, it would be a lot easier to get over. When you consider Nick Boyle had similar troubles and now Kenneth Dixon will miss the first four games of the season, the franchise has a reoccurring problem.
These kinds of things are frustrating. It hurts the team and it hurts the player in question. With Waller it’s especially aggravating. Waller is a big bodied tight end with great speed. His potential is being wasted by horrible decisions. It’s a repetitive problem with Waller and a consistent wasting of his talent.
The Ravens tried to develop Waller into a star:
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The biggest problem here, is that the team really can’t do anything to stop it. I’m sure John Harbaugh and the rest of the organization preach that their players should follow the rules. I’m sure that the players in question know the risk that they are taking. At the end of the day, Waller made a mistake and now he gets to deal with the ramifications.
The Ravens have been incredibly patient with Waller. They’ve made a real attempt to develop him as a player. Remember, he was a very raw wide receiver from Georgia Tech when he first got into the league. Waller beefed up and became a tight end. When he got his chances he showed a great deal of promise. Now you have to wonder if his time with the Ravens is nearing an end.
You just have to hope that sooner or later Waller figures it out. Secondly, you have to hope that when he gets his head on right, he isn’t in another team’s uniform.
Doubt at the tight end spot:
When the offseason began we thought the Ravens had a logjam at tight end. Then Dennis Pitta gets hurt and subsequently cut. Now, Waller is out of the equation. What the Ravens really have is doubt at the position. Crockett Gillmore has struggled to stave off the injury bug. Ben Watson is in his 30’s and coming off a major injury. Maxx Williams is also coming back from a big injury. Nick Boyle may only have 24 career receptions but he may end up being the guy at tight end. The Ravens tight end position looks less crowded, but there isn’t a lot of certainty there.
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This is frustrating news for the purple and black. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s not good. Training camp awaits. We’re getting close, so keep it tuned into Ebony Bird for your Ravens coverage.