RAVENS JUST MADE A TON OF ROSTER CUTS…BUT THE TOUGHEST DECISIONS ARE STILL ON THE WAY!

The Baltimore Ravens have officially started making some tough decisions. After going undefeated this preseason, there were a lot of guys that made strong cases to be on this roster. Unfortunately, it's only so many spots to go around. Uh we've already seen a bunch of guys get released. We even saw a couple of guys get traded. And the craziest part about this whole thing is that the Ravens, they're not even done yet. Eric DeCosta and Jesse Minter, they still have even more work to do. The first transaction that we saw yesterday was them trading C.J. Uzomah, defensive lineman, to the New York Giants. When I saw that, I said, "Wait, wait, wait, wait. Are we really helping the enemy?" John Harbaugh ain't our friend no more. But then I had to calm down. I thought about it. I said, "Wait, wait, wait, wait." >> [snorts] >> Eric DeCosta, he would have cut C.J. Uzomah and got nothing for him. So, rather than getting nothing, he got something. So, I was like, "All right, cool." But then, helping the enemy out was so nice that the Ravens did it twice because they ended up trading Diego Pounds, offensive lineman, to the Chiefs for a 2028 conditional sixth-round pick. I said, "Man, why, Ravens? Y'all need to chill out just a bit." But, they just know that we're going to get that get back on the Chiefs anyway. So, we ain't even worried about it. Now, some of the releases that happened with the Baltimore Ravens, Chris Moore, he got cut. Now, he was somebody that I predicted would be that seventh wide receiver for this team. But, then when he got released, it wasn't too surprising because I'm like, "Oh, okay. Well, he was sitting out there in free agency. Ravens just scooped him up. So, them releasing him, it won't be a big deal." Um so, if he if if he even has to go through waivers, I'm not sure he does cuz he's a veteran. But, they could sign him back to the practice squad if they want. So, that one was a tiny bit surprising but not too surprising. Somebody who I talked about and expected to get cut, Robert Long Beam. He he had a good preseason, too. But, I just felt like with all the cornerbacks that the Ravens had, and especially mainly with Keyon Martin, he was the wild card right there. He was the one that I felt was going to mess things up for Robert Long Beam. It was going to mess things up for Bilal Nichols. And I He's got to make the roster. There's no way that the Ravens are going to end up cutting Keion Crossen. So Robert Longa being wasn't a big surprise at all. Nick Dawkins, the undrafted rookie free agent center from Penn State who played alongside Viane Yuwane, he ended up getting released. Ladarius Webb Jr., that was another one. It wasn't surprising that he got released cuz he was balling. He was doing his thing this preseason. But again, the secondary specifically at cornerback is jam-packed. It's crowded there. So it was going to be extremely tough for him to make the roster. Austin Reed, the quarterback who they signed just about what, 2 weeks ago, he got released. Bilal Nichols, they said he's going to start the season on injured reserve. So we'll see how that shakes out. But he So he didn't get released, but he's going to start on IR. De'Anthony Wade and Xavier the two wide receivers undrafted rookie free Excuse me, undrafted free agents from a couple of years ago. They both got released. De'Anthony Wade has been on the practice squad for the past couple of years. So I expect him to be back on there. And Xavier is somebody who they obviously like because he was here with the previous regime, but then this new regime, they brought him back. So maybe both of them will be on the practice squad this year. We'll see. Elijah Talal Talal, the running back who when he played, he looked good. He did. But we knew he wasn't going to make the roster because there were so many We we got our running backs pretty much set. We'll see what happens with Rasheen Ali. I think that's that's the the tricky one right there. But we got three, maybe four running backs. So we knew that all of these running backs that were balling in the preseason for the Ravens this year, we knew that they weren't going to end up making the team. And then Michael Barrett Jr. who we were just talking about a couple days ago, he just got signed last week. And he's somebody that knows Jesse Minter from their time back in Michigan, but he also got released. Out of this list, were there anybody that surprised you or were you like, "Oh, okay. Well, I pretty much figured that they were going to get cut." Let me know in the comments section. And as you're watching this video, there will be more updates on more Baltimore Ravens players being cut, possibly being IR, possibly being traded. A lot is still going on, so we will update you with all of that information very, very soon. Now, we are at my favorite part of the videos where we get to feature questions from you. Make sure you subscribe to the channel, leave a like on the video, click that thumbs up button, let's get straight to it. First question came from a Team Keep It Clean patron, my guy Gareth. He said, "Hey Engrave, I hope everything is great with you and your family. My Hey, appreciate you Gareth, thank you. He said, "My question is, with this new coaching staff, do you think we need to have captains for accountability as we have not done this as a team?" Thanks for everything you do for us as this channel I meant family really does so much for me and everyone else, too. He said, "#teamkeepitclean." I appreciate that Gareth, thank you, man. Now, captains for accountability, no. Because you shouldn't need captains for accountability if players are being taught to be accountable and coaches are showing accountability, too. Like, coaching staff got to lead by example, the team captains and whatnot, the leaders on the team, they got to lead by example, and everybody else should follow. So, I don't think they'll need to do that. Next question came from another Team Keep It Clean patron, my guy Daniel. He said, "What's up, my guy, and the team where we keep it clean? How are y'all? Hope everyone is doing well." I appreciate you Daniel. He said, "This is the big one for me before we kick off week one. We clean house against the Commanders, another defensive showcase, and what I want to know is was this win a coaching win or player win? I know it takes both to get a win. I just want to know where your opinion falls." I think it's certainly quite a bit of both, but it it starts with coaching because the coaching, they obviously got these they had these rookies and second string, third string, fourth string guys, they had them so prepared that they not only won against the command, they put a beat down on the Commanders. And see, the crazy part is it's been consistency. Because what we heard about the Commanders and the Ravens joint practices is the Commanders people who that cover the team they were saying this was one of the worst practices that this team that the Commanders had had in years. They had looked so bad. So, that obviously translated right to the field, too. So, that's what we like. So, I got to give it to both coaching and players. But, it starts with coaching. He also said, um is it too late to double dip with my question? Uh who do you think is a dark horse to make the roster? And can you make someone who might have had a spot last year, um [snorts] but you think got beat out by an undrafted guy and might end up on the outside looking in? Mhm. It's a good question. Timely question, too. Um a dark horse to make the roster? Um I was I'm I'm going to I'm going to say Jake Fromm Finau. And the reason I say dark horse because that's a QB3 spot. Like that's the the third quarterback. And if if he made the right like that would be a very very big deal. Uh and as far as somebody last year who could possibly be on the outside looking in due to somebody else coming in this year and just looking really good, I would say J. Higgins maybe with DeLuca. May but that that would probably be the only one. Um well, actually it already happened because Keanu Neal Martin well, he not an undrafted rookie free agent this year. He was what? Last year. But, um So, yeah. So, no no real big expected surprises with the undrafted rookie free agent making the roster over somebody who was here last year. Um because yeah, Keanu Neal Martin that's no shocker. But, yeah, Dameon DeLuca if there was one then it would be him for me. Next question came from David Brandon and he said, "Hello team keep it clean. What's happening with you?" He said, "Would bringing in Justin Tucker or Matt Stover to help Tyler Loo with his kicking routine be a possibility?" No. I don't think that's going to happen. I don't think the Ravens are going to ever have anything to do with Justin Tucker ever again. Um especially with not only just the allegations, but even how they released him. They're done. They they are finished. Um so I don't think that's happening. As far as Matt Stover, no, I don't think that's going to happen either. Um but what I do think they could bring in to help him with his kicking routine could be real competition. Next question came from my guy Jeremy. He said, "Show me Ravens has the pendulum swung too far. Hey Raven, been almost a year without writing in. Hope all is well with the family and let's get this to a 100k. Man, yes sir. Hey, I I I hope so. That'd be very very nice. That'd be stupendous. But anyway, he said, "I'm sorry this is so long, but it's been a while. Overall, I'm encouraged by the direction of this team the way that they appear to be heading. There's a different energy around this team and while I know it's only preseason, I've come away feeling pretty good about where we're headed. I think we would all agree with you." He said, "But I still have that same thought in the back of my mind. Show me." I think that's where I am as a Ravens fan right now. I've been so accustomed to hearing about guys having incredible camps, looking faster, being in the best shape of their lives, taking the next step, etc. that I've naturally become skeptical of the hype. We get it. I get that. I I feel you. You don't just you don't want to just hear about something, you want them to actually show it in the regular season and playoffs and all that. So I I feel you. He said, "I mean, I could probably find reports from each of the last 3 years saying Roquan Smith is in the best shape of his life or that Lamar looks faster than ever." That's true. And we hear that every single off season from plenty of guys. Oh man, around the league, not just the Raven. Oh man, I'm in the best shape of my life. And it's like, okay. Hey, ain't you just say that last year? And he But anyway, he said, "And then we get to the regular season. So when I hear about somebody having a great day at training camp, my first reaction isn't necessarily excitement anymore. It's okay, let's see when it counts. But then Jacoby Lane happened. He said, I'll admit it. I was skeptical of the camp hype surrounding him. And and I get that because we've been there before with wide receivers on the Ravens before. We hear they're having an amazing training camp. And then it gets to the games and we're like, what? Is this the same guy? It can't be, right? But anyway, he said, and now I'm sitting here saying, okay, Jacoby, I see you, boy. That young man is looking like the real deal and that's actually what I want to see. Don't just tell me somebody's going to be good. Let me see him. Let me watch the player make plays and start forcing me to believe. That's also why I still have mixed feelings about some of the conversations surrounding the coaching change. I absolutely believe John Harbaugh had to run his course. I believe a change was necessary and I'm excited about what this new staff can bring. But I also think the pendulum may have swung a little too far in the other direction when it comes to the coaching. It seems like because we have a new regime, there's almost an assumption that everything wrong with the Ravens over the last few years was because of the old coaching staff. And I'm not sure I buy that. When players talk about how much better things are now, I'm naturally going to take some of that with a grain of salt. Why? Because in my mind, what are they supposed to say? Man, these new coaches are terrible. Of course they're going to speak positively about a new regime and maybe Mike Green's comments about the previous defensive philosophy were completely valid. Maybe Bateman's not so subtle criticism of the previous staff was valid. I'm not dismissing what either of them said, but I still want to hear more ownership from the players because coaches can only do so much. They can put you in position. They can teach you. They can develop you. They can scheme you open. At some point you have to play. That's true. But with John Harbaugh and those Baltimore Ravens so much was already against them before they even stepped on the field. When it came to decision-making they were already at a disadvantage so many times before they even took a single football snap. And that was one of the biggest issues. Yes, you're right. They got to play. They're the ones that's on the field and whatnot. But, so much of what started with coaching, in my opinion, is set this team up for failure. It did not set them up for success. So, I think that's why there's that breath of fresh air. And even like Marlon Humphrey talked about it. And you you you know, I know you know. But, we all know Marlon Humphrey loved John Harbaugh. Loved John Harbaugh. Loved them, loved them, loved them. Loved them. Could always tell how much they loved each other. But, Marlon Humphrey talked about it. And he wasn't taking no shot at John Harbaugh or nothing. But, he said even with the coaching style is so different. He said with John Harbaugh, he would never be in the rooms, never be in the defensive room to be like, all right. And he would never just coach for like a straight hour and whatnot. He might come by, stop by real quick, but he wouldn't coach like that. He would obviously leave that to the defensive coordinator. But, he said Jesse Minter, Jesse Minter is in there coaching. Coaching these boys up. So, Marlon Humphrey, he talked about the differences without taking a shot at John Harbaugh. He talked about him with plenty of respect. And it wasn't no like subtle or sneaky diss anything like that, either. But, anyway, continuing. He said, "And I think that's the part I don't want us as fans to lose in all this excitement surrounding the coaching change. Yes, we should hold the coaches accountable. Yes, the man better scheming, but players have to have their own part, too. You can change the scheme, you can change the terminology, but eventually somebody has to make the play. That's what had made Lamar so great these past 9 years. This man has had multiple schemes, verbage, personnel, but he gets it done. And that's really my biggest thing going into the season. I'm not anti-Ravens. I'm not pessimistic about this team. If anything, it's the opposite. I'm just tired of seeing what this team could be. We have Lamar in his prime. We have Derrick Henry. We have Kyle Hamilton. We have a talented roster. We have new coaching staff. And now we're seeing some of these young guys like Jacoby Lane start to make some noise. So, So encouraged. I'm excited, but I'm still saying, "Show me." And most importantly, show me in January. Yeah. That's what we brought in Trey Hendrickson for. That's what we brought in Justin Tucker for. I think this this this Ravens team I I think that's one of the biggest reasons they went with a defensive coach was to find better ways to close to close out the games. Cuz Ravens in regular season, Ravens in playoffs obviously in the playoffs they just haven't been closing. But they've shown like, "Hey, we can hang with teams. We'll be right there." They They never get blown out ever. They never get blown out. And we don't want no moral victories. Oh, yeah, we never got blown out. Look at us. But we still lost. But why? Sometimes it could be a turnover here. Sometimes it could be a lack of a turnover here. So that's what Justin Tucker was brought in for. Close the games out. Help this team finish. Help the team show us, like you said. Uh continuing, he said, "Because I'm ready for the Ravens to stop being a team that everybody tells us is talented and start being a team that actually produces when it matters. Maybe I'm the only Ravens fan feeling this way, but honestly after watching the preseason, I'm a little more optimistic about the answer." Okay. Good. Now what we need to do we need you to be even more optimistic once we see that regular season roll around, too. He said, "The [snorts] energy is different. The coaching may be different. The scheme is different. And Jacoby Jones might actually be that dude. Now, show me." Oof. Perfectly said. And shout out to my guy Jeremy. I appreciate the breakdown. Appreciate everything that you said in detail, in depth about the Ravens. Now, hopefully they can show us. Next question came from my guy Anthony. He said, "What's up, Team Keep It Clean? I just have one thing to say. We're all blaming the wrong people. It's not EDC or Justin. The true reason Loop is still our kicker and they didn't bring in anyone for competition is because of Randy Brown. It's well known Randy Brown scouted Tyler Lott and it was Randy's draft pick from John. He's [snorts] the only coach left from the last regime. He's banking on his job with Tyler Lott and he knows Lott is soft. That's why they didn't want to bring in anyone so it'll cost him his job in Baltimore. That's all and I'm out like Randy in 2027. Mhm. That is That's a powerful statement right there um as far as just it really being Randy Brown his draft pick. I I think Yeah, I think Yeah, they I think they talked about him a lot. When Ravens were looking for a kicker they were like, "Oh, Randy, he he went everywhere." Like looking for a kicker. He scouted everywhere far and wide. Um So, yeah, what what you said it does hold some weight. But see, that's where Jesse Minter that's where Eric DeCosta that's where this coaching staff We talked about it at the top of this video. They got to make a lot of tough decisions with players who could be cut, released, traded, and all that when it comes to making the 53-man roster. But see, it it it doesn't just stop at all the players that we talked about. It it's all Tyler Lott is a part of that, too. And if you you got to figure this thing out. You you you have to because we and so many of y'all have said it already. We would hate to look back at this season and Ravens end up falling short. They had a strong offense, a strong defense, but the kicking game it ended up holding us back. We we we would hate to have those conversations, especially if we seen we've seen how it's gone so far in the preseason and it hasn't been pretty. Hasn't been the worst, but it certainly hasn't been the best. It haven't It hasn't given us the ultimate promise and ultimate hope in our kicking game. So, the Ravens just one way or another they have to address it. I hope y'all enjoyed watching this video. I certainly enjoyed having the multiple conversations that we had on here about our Baltimore Ravens. Make sure you subscribe to the channel. Let's get to 90k and also click that thumbs up button. Leave a like on the video. If you would ever like your question featured, then send me an email to teamkeepitclean@gmail.com or if you want to show the channel some extra support, you can go to patreon.com/engravenviz and become a team keep it clean patron and send a question on there. I love you. I appreciate you. I will see you in the next video. We out. >> [music] [music] >> The flock flies to the wise. [singing] It's a wonderful thing. [music] Look what vision and commitment and some discipline brings when AB comes one. The moves swings and the flock sings for [music] another ring. Man, we tuning in the Engraven Viz said that scene tonight. Team Keep It Clean holding down the sparks [music] ignite. A name in the lights, a north star ain't feeling far when you run that north [music] every year. That's just setting the bar. >> [music]