Larry Donnell could benefit from change in scenery
Larry Donnell never became the player the New York Giants wanted him to be. A new situation with the Baltimore Ravens could serve him well.
The Baltimore Ravens have signed Larry Donnell. Donnell is an athletic target with a huge 6’6″ frame. While Donnell has had huge flashes of talent, he hasn’t been overly productive so far in his career. Donnell adds to the Ravens depth at the tight end position after Crocket Gillmore”s injury.
In 2014, he came out of nowhere to become a solid player. He had 63 receptions for 623 yards and six touchdowns that season. The highlight of his career was scoring three touchdowns in a game against Washington.
Since the 2014 season, Donnell has caught only 44 passes. He quickly went from a budding star to non factor. The Giants offense is all about the wide receiver position, so it’s easy for a tight end to be lost in the shuffle. Donnell has huge potential that has never amounted to sustained success. That means he’ll fit in with the Ravens tight end group.
Donnell adds tight end depth and makes things interesting:
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Gillmore’s injury prompted the Ravens to make this move. Gillmore is a big bodied target who can’t stay on the field enough to string anything together. Maxx Williams was a second round pick in 2015 that hasn’t had a breakout season to date. Nick Boyle has shown flashes, but hasn’t done much of note in the NFL. The only Ravens tight end with a decent record of getting things done is Ben Watson.
The Ravens certainly believe in competition, especially at the tight end position. Before the suspension of Darren Waller, and the injury of Dennis Pitta the position group was even more crowded. Baltimore still employs more tight ends than they need. The Ravens are at a point in training camp where the more bodies they have on the field, the better. He has to earn a roster spot.
Sometimes a change of scenery is all that’s needed for a player to be successful. Donnell will certainly be hungry to prove himself, to keep his career going. He wouldn’t be the first player to become better in Baltimore. Donnell had high expectations in New York and he didn’t deliver. He comes into Baltimore with a clean slate. This could be energizing for the huge tight end.
He could be perfect for Joe Flacco:
When the Ravens get in the red zone, having a 6’6″ target surely sounds like a good idea. Joe Flacco has always been a quarterback who likes to throw the football up there, for his guys to make a play. That’s what Donnell does well. Is he a great route runner? Not really. Does he create a ton of separation? Not consistently? What’s the one thing we know he can always do? He can go up and get the ball.
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The signing of Donnell may end up becoming a huge deal for the Ravens. It could also fizzle into the realm of insignificance. Either way the move isn’t a bad thing. Donnell gets a chance to kick start his career. It’s a win for him. The Ravens add another tight end at a cheap cost. It’s a win for the team.