Baltimore Ravens: Busy 24 Hours at NFL Combine
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens have been active at the NFL Combine, placing the franchise tag on Justin Tucker and making an offer to Kelechi Osemele.
Those who think that February is the lull month of the NFL season need to think again. The Baltimore Ravens are getting things done this week.
It began with Ozzie Newsome‘s press conference. The Ravens general manager gave an update on the health status of a few of Baltimore’s several injured players, including Steve Smith, Terrell Suggs and Breshad Perriman. He expects them all to be ready for the regular season. Joe Flacco is recovering on schedule as well.
Newsome also gave us a heads up on some of the moves that have happened in the past 24 hours. He said in his presser that the team would slap the franchise tag on Justin Tucker. They did just that today, according to Tucker’s agent. It was a move that makes sense for the team as they keep Tucker for one more season while they work out a long-term deal.
We were told that the Ravens would make a competitive offer to free agent Kelechi Osemele. The proposed deal would make K.O. the second-highest paid player on offensive behind Flacco, according to Ian Rapoport. Whether or not Osemele takes the offer or enters free agency remains to be seen.
Then, there was the news that running back Trent Richardson will be signed. There is no reason for fans to worry about the move as he is just another piece to the 90-man offseason roster. The move is a potential low-risk, high reward move that the Ravens are experimenting with. If it works out, great. If not, they have Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen and Lorenzo Taliaferro still on the team and Richardson is cut.
Speaking of Forsett, the news of Richardson’s potential signing had some wondering if that meant the veteran could be released. John Harbaugh squashed those rumors by saying he “absolutely” expects that Forsett will be with the team next season. He went as far as to say, “I love him.” Forsett is still going to be given a chance to be the starter, and honestly, I still feel he’s the best running back on the roster.
The team is in Indy to scout their potential first-round pick, which was a topic of discussion during both Newsome and Harbaugh’s media appearances. Both stated that they have every intention of staying put at No. 6, but non-committal on which direction they will go with the pick. Harbaugh said that while you never want to be in the position because it means the season before was not a good one, but drafting so high does add some excitement to be able to bring in one of the top players.
Next: Ravens to Sign RB Trent Richardson
Today was the first day for players to take the field at the combine so there is a lot more that can take place in the next couple of days. There is no offseason in the NFL and the Ravens are making moves. That is what you want from a team that is coming off a 5-11 season. Do whatever it takes to get better.