Nick Stephens

Ravens Notes: Harbaugh, Zuttah, Jensen, Rice

The Ravens organization is “exasperated, as it should be, after receiving too many middle-of-the-night phone calls,” says BaltimoreRavens.com Columnist John Eisenberg, who passes along an “ominous warning shot” to his players: “…when the negativity over-balances your ability to help our football team, you’re not going to be here anymore. Or if we can’t trust your character anymore, then you can’t be a part of what we’re doing anymore.”

In other Ravens news and notes…

  • The Ravens have shifted Ryan Jensen, a 2013 sixth-rounder out of Colorado State-Pueblo, from guard-center to right tackle, reports Aaron Wilson in the Baltimore Sun. Jensen started 44 games as a college left tackle, but suffered a broken foot during training camp and did not play in any games last season. He will provide competition/insurance at right tackle, where Ricky Wagner appears to have the inside track on the starting job. The Ravens have a history of successfully converting offensive line prospects, as their starting interior — center Jeremy Zuttah and guards Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele — is comprised of players who were college tackles.
  • Speaking of Zuttah, early reports suggest he’s fitting in very well after signing a five-year, $18MM deal, writes Wilson. Harbaugh praised the 27-year-old for his intelligence and maturity, while former NFL executive Louis Riddick said, “Jeremy’s a perfect fit for them. Based on what Gary Kubiak wants to do… that all plays right to Jeremy’s strengths. He’s very athletic… He can do all the things that won’t allow him to get exposed one-on-one as he did at times in the Tampa scheme.”
  • In terms of depth, A.Q. Shipley‘s roster spot “is probably more in jeopardy” than Gino Gradkowski‘s, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
  • Ray Rice has had a tumultuous offseason, but perhaps lost in the shuffle is his weight change. According to Wilson (via Twitter), the veteran running back has shed 20 pounds.
  • In a minor move, the team signed undrafted outside linebacker D.J. Roberts, who tried out during rookie minicamp. To make room, quarterback Nick Stephens was cut, reports Wilson.

Minor Moves: Browns, Ravens, Bengals, Bucs

Here are the latest minor transactions from around the NFL, including several signings and cuts of players who haven’t seen much recent NFL regular-season action:

  • The Browns have waived defensive back Julian Posey, the team announced today (via Twitter). Posey saw just 89 defensive snaps for Cleveland last season, with most of them coming in a Week 17 game against the Steelers, which he started.
  • The Ravens have signed undrafted free agent linebacker D.J. Roberts, who attended their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. According to Wilson, the club cut quarterback Nick Stephens to clear a spot for Roberts, leaving three signal-callers on the roster — Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, and Keith Wenning.
  • Defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo has been released by the Bengals with a non-football illness designation, the team announced today (Twitter link). The 28-year-old has also spent time with the Chargers, Panthers, and Lions.
  • The Buccaneers have signed cornerback Quinton Pointer and cut another corner, Marc Anthony, the club announced today in a press release. Pointer last played for the Rams but didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the team in March, making him an unrestricted free agent. Anthony, meanwhile, spent last season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad.
  • The Lions have cut defensive end Kourtnei Brown, according to Wilson (via Twitter). Brown was cut once by the Bills earlier in the offseason, at which point Detroit claimed him off waivers. If he clears waivers this time, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
  • Veteran defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer, who hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2011, was released and removed from the reserve/left team list by the Redskins, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.