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Matt Elam

AFC North Notes: Elam, Lundy, Johnson, Bryant

August 2nd, 2015 at 6:53pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some injury notes from around the AFC North on this first Sunday of training camp:

  • Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun writes that Ravens safety Matt Elam may have torn his biceps and will undergo an MRI today. It is feared that the injury may be season-ending (via Twitter). “I’m sure it’s very disappointing for him,” said head coach John Harbaugh. “He’s very serious in great shape and then has a freak injury.”
  • In addition to Elam, early signs could mean the Ravens’ secondary may be in injury peril again, with cornerbacks Tray Walker and Rashaan Melvin both hurting their hamstrings, writes Clifton Brown of CSN Mid-Atlantic (via Twitter).
  • Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that Browns head coach Mike Pettine said he will talk with GM Ray Farmer later today to discuss adding a running back or two. After rookie Luke Lundy left practice with an injury today, the team is down to Isaiah Crowell and Shaun Draughn as its only healthy backs. Duke Johnson and Terrance West have already gone down, and Pat MaManamon of ESPN details a few other players who have suffered injuries in camp so far.
  • Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson was carted off the practice field with a knee injury, but head coach Marvin Lewis said he doesn’t believe the injury is major, according to Sirius XM NFL Radio (via Twitter). Albert Breer of NFL Network reports that the early word is that he suffered a torn MCL, which would likely cost him time early in the season (via Twitter).
  • Not to be left out, the Steelers are also dealing with an injury to a key contributor in second-year receiver Martavis Bryant, who had a procedure to fix an infection with his elbow, reports Jeremy Fowler of ESPN (via Twitter). Luckily for Steeler nation, he is only expected to miss a few days.

Rory Parks contributed to this post.

Sunday Roundup: Gresham, Elam, Kromer

July 19th, 2015 at 12:55pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s have a look at some links from around the league on this Sunday afternoon:

  • We learned earlier today that Jermaine Gresham would be visiting the Cardinals this week, and Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com says it would be no surprise if Arizona landed the suddenly popular tight end, given the team’s need for a pass catcher at the position and GM Steve Keim‘s propensity to bring in a veteran free agent right as training camp opens.
  • Matt Elam has been a big disappointment for the Ravens, who selected the former Florida safety with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2013 draft. Elam’s move to strong safety in 2014 should have been beneficial to him considering his skill set, but he led the team in missed tackles and struggled mightily in coverage. As Bo Smolka of CSNBaltimore.com writes, Elam is the Raven facing the most amount of pressure this season.
  • Ben Goessling of ESPN.com says the Vikings‘ safety position next to Harrison Smith is up for grabs, as evidenced by GM Rick Spielman‘s unsolicited praise of second-year player Antone Exum after the draft.
  • Some Lions fans are already looking ahead to the 2016 season, and as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes in his latest mailbag, no matter how the team’s defensive tackles perform this year, that will be a position of need for Detroit given free agency and the age of Haloti Ngata.
  • Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is on indefinite paid leave, and he can only return to full status when his criminal case ends. As Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com writes, the first opportunity for Kromer to resolve his case is August 12, when he is expected to enter a plea. If he has a plea deal in place with prosecutors at that time, the case could be over on that day. However, he would still be subject to a fine, suspension, or both under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. Buffalo has not announced how it intends to replace Kromer once camp opens.
  • Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union examines the Jaguars‘ running back situation heading into training camp.
  • Marc Sessler of NFL.com looks at the best remaining free agents on the defensive side of the ball, a list that includes veterans like Dwight Freeney looking for one last contract and busts like Da’Quan Bowers.

Hensley On Ravens: Thomas, Torrey Smith, Hill

January 18th, 2015 at 10:45am CST by Rory Parks

ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley’s latest mailbag includes his take on a number of issues facing the Ravens this offseason. Let’s dive in:

  • Hensley was asked what the most surprising development of the Ravens’ offseason would be, and he responded with his prediction that Baltimore will pursue a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver in free agency. Such a move would represent a significant departure from the Ravens’ typically low-key approach to free agency, and the team currently does not have enough cap room to make such a splash, but Baltimore needs a big-bodied, athletic receiver to continue the offensive momentum it established under Gary Kubiak in 2014. Quarterback Joe Flacco has never had such a weapon at his disposal, and Hensley believes the time is right to bring in a player like Demaryius Thomas.
  • Of course, if the Ravens do make such a move, they may part ways with Torrey Smith and Marlon Brown may see a much-deserved increased role in the offense.
  • Hensley believes the Ravens should give extensions to starting guards Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda, and that John Urschel will probably take Jeremy Zuttah‘s job as the starting center in 2016.
  • Echoing Conor Orr of NFL.com, Hensley writes that the Ravens are factoring restricted free agent Will Hill into their 2015 plans, and they hope he will win the starting free safety job. However,given the mediocre play of Matt Elam and Darian Stewart, strong safety is still a big question mark.
  • Even if Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb can remain healthy in 2015–a very big “if” considering their injury histories–Hensley believes the team’s biggest weakness is at cornerback, and he believes the Ravens should draft a corner in the first three rounds of this year’s draft.
  • Hensley does not see the team using the franchise tag this year.

AFC Links: Raiders, Colts, Ravens

December 6th, 2014 at 12:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Following a 2-10 start to the season, Titans CEO Tommy Smith guaranteed that roster changes would be coming. Smith is hoping to acquire as many “tough guys” as possible, recreating the success the team had a decade ago. Via Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean…

“The game has changed, I know it has,” Smith said. “But guys like Eddie George never backed down from anybody. Steve McNair, he was the heart and soul of this organization. We need more guys like that, guys who are good people, but when they get in between the stripes, they play hard and they play tough.

“Guys who are tough and play hard and committed to doing things right, that is what we are looking for around here. We need more of that. You can always use more guys like that.”

Let’s check out some more notes out of the AFC…

  • Mary Purdy of the Mercury News reports that Raiders team officials met with Floyd Kephart, the man responsible for “assembling a development proposal on the Coliseum property” that would make both the Raiders and/or A’s content.
  • Colts running back Trent Richardson will face off against his former team this weekend. Despite his subpar play since being traded by the Browns, the former first-rounder still has plenty of confidence. “When I hear people talk down about me, I just laugh at them and I say, ‘God bless you,’” Richardson said (via Brian Dulik of The Chronicle-Telegram). “I want everybody to see and know that I’m still that running back, I’m still that guy that Cleveland chose with the third pick. A lot of people are saying Trent is a mistake and he was bad and he was that, but I’m telling you folks now, watch these next four weeks and see what happens.”
  • ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley believes it’s still too early to label Ravens safety Matt Elam a bust. The writer warns that the 23-year-old could be developing slowly, similar to Jimmy Smith and Paul Kruger.

AFC Notes: Vilma, Gronkowski, Manziel, Bills

June 1st, 2014 at 2:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Joe Philbin and Dennis Allen are among several coaches who have a lot riding on the 2014 season, writes Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. While the “hot seat” label may be premature, the Dolphins would surely like to see improvement both off-the-field (in the wake of the Jonathan Martin scandal) and on it, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill potentially taking another step forward. The Raiders, meanwhile, used their ample cap space to infuse their roster with veterans, and the team’s leadership obviously hopes Allen can improve upon 2013’s 4-12 record.

More from around the AFC:

  • Free agent linebacker Jonathan Vilma reached out to the Dolphins, but Miami was not interested in adding the veteran, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Vilma played only 12 snaps in 2013 following a knee injury.
  • Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is reportedly “progressing well” following his January surgery to repair his torn ACL and MCL, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Herald.
  • Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan worked with Robert Griffin III in Washington, and he believes RG3 and new Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel have some common traits, per Jim Corbett of USA Today. “Johnny and Robert are very similar,” said Shanahan. “They’re both talented guys who can make plays with their legs. But there comes a time in the NFL when they’re going to keep you in the pocket, and you’re going to have to have that ability to make the throws with your arm and mind. And Johnny, just like Robert, has that arm talent and intelligence to do that.”
  • While Jerry Hughes won’t have a problem finding a role in new Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s scheme, fellow pass-rusher Manny Lawson might, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Lawson spent most of last season close to the line of scrimmage as a stand-up linebacker, and that position simply doesn’t exist in Schwartz’s defense.
  • Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb is happy with the development of 2013 first-round safety Matt Elam, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. “From last year to this year, I see a big jump with his leadership, with him controlling the back end and just being that safety controlling the calls,” said Webb. “I just really like where I see him going.”
  • The Broncos’ defensive line is heavy on both depth and competition, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, and improved line play will be essential if Denver hopes to create opportunities for edge rushers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.

Extra Points: Pats, Ravens, Bears, Keller

April 5th, 2014 at 12:52pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Patriots raised eyebrows this week with a string of quarterback draft prospect visits, and overthecap.com’s Aaron Fitzgerald says the team has structured its salary cap to allow for the addition of Tom Brady‘s successor.

Miscellaneous lunchtime news, notes and links. . .

  • The Ravens are expected to draft a safety, and ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley discusses the merits of three of the top available, saying Northern Illinois’ Jimmie Ward might be the best fit. Last year’s first-rounder, Matt Elam, who did not produce an abundance of impact plays as a rookie, is expected to be used closer to the line of scrimmage more often next season. Says Hensley: “The Ravens can’t afford for Elam to disappear so much in games this year.”
  • Dustin Keller, who tore his ACL, MCL and PCL and also dislocated the knee last August, is not yet 100 percent, but “hasn’t been ruled out and remains on the Dolphins’ radar,” writes ESPN.com’s James Walker.
  • A brief, position-by-position analysis of the Jaguars’ off-season moves is provided by Jacksonville.com’s Ryan O’Halloran, who describes under-the-radar free agent acquisition Dekoda Watson as an “ascending player.”
  • During an edition of ESPN’s First Draft podcast (listen here), ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay campaigns for the Bears to draft Pittsburgh three-technique Aaron Donald 14th overall, saying the team’s Plan B would be “panic” in a scenario where Donald is off the board. McShay also called Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert the most overrated player in the draft.
  • Georgia Tech pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu, recovered from a torn hamstring injury, worked out for scouts at GT’s pro day yesterday, and has visits scheduled with the Colts, Eagles and Patriots.
  • A list of reported prospect workouts/visits as well as head coach and general manager sightings at various pro days can be found on NFL.com.

 

Hensley On Ravens Free Agency, Draft

January 26th, 2014 at 3:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

ESPN.com’s AFC North reporter Jamison Hensley had several interesting Ravens notes in a recent chat:

  • Hensley believes that linebacker Daryl Smith is likely to be re-signed due to his low price tag. Smith was vital to the Raven’s defense in 2013, admirably replacing Ray Lewis after spending the previous nine seasons with the Jaguars. He led the team in tackles and broke Lewis’ single-season record for pass deflections.
  • The Ravens would like to see receiver Jacoby Jones return, but cannot afford another $4 million price tag for a third receiver/return specialist.
  • Offensive tackle Michael Oher‘s fate is intertwined with that of fellow lineman Eugene Monroe. If the Ravens can’t re-sign Monroe, they will approach Oher about a potential return.
  • Hensley expects the Ravens to target a receiver in the first round of the draft to pair with Torrey Smith.
  • Safety and center are two areas where the Ravens might look to improve via free agency. Because Baltimore is still aiming to develop Matt Elam and Gino Gradkowski at those positions, veteran free agent options — like centers Jonathan Goodwin or Roberto Garza and safeties such as Louis Delmas or Chris Clemons — might make the most sense. Jeff Siedel of CSN Baltimore agrees that the Ravens must have other options at center behind Gradkowski, who struggled last season.