HEADLINES

Brent Urban

Ravens’ Brent Urban Injured, Could Miss Season

August 8th, 2015 at 10:40am CST by Ben Levine

Ravens defensive end Brent Urban tore his biceps during Thursday’s practice, and Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports that the 2014 draft pick could miss the entire season.

The former fourth-rounder was injured on what Zrebiec described as a “minimal contact drill.” The reporter notes that it takes about 12 weeks to recover from that type of bicep injury, which presents the Ravens with an interesting choice.

The team could opt to put the 24-year-old on the season-ending injured reserve, or they could choose to place him on the injured reserve with a designation to return. The latter option would mean he’d have to miss at least the first eight weeks of the 2015 season.

Each team can only place on player on the injured reserve with a designation to return, and the Ravens may be forced to choose between Urban and recently -injured safety Matt Elam. Initial reports suggested that the defensive back would be placed on the season-ending IR, but Zrebiec wonders if the team could ultimately slap him with the designation to return.

A knee injury during training camp forced Urban to miss all of last season, and the defensive end had reportedly made a lot of progress in his recovery. The writer notes that Urban was expected to play a prominent role on the defensive line, serving as a backup to Chris Canty and Lawrence Guy.

AFC Notes: Ravens, Flacco, Thomas, Houston

June 13th, 2015 at 5:00pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Ravens are dealing with the loss of an all-time great defensive tackle in Haloti Ngata, and have a number of options to try to replace him. They have penciled in Timmy Jernigan in his spot, and re-signed both Chris Canty and Lawrence Guy to keep depth along the defensive line.

Additionally, the team hopes to be able to count on getting contributions from two linemen with injury histories, with both Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore making their return to the field, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

“He has practiced really well, Brent has, and so has Kapron,” said head coach John Harbaugh. “They both look like they’re 100 percent as far as the way they’re moving around, and they look like they’re going to be able to contribute for us.”

Here are some other notes from around the AFC:

  • Entering his age-30 season, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco doesn’t see his career as being in decline, writes Wilson. “I don’t feel any worse because of my age yet,” Flacco said. “I think you learn more. I’m not going to be 50 and playing. I hope I’m 40, but 50, no.“
  • Demaryius Thomas has not signed his franchise tender with the Broncos, and has been absent from team facilities this offseason. They key to his deal will be who goes first between him, Dez Bryant, A.J. Green, and Julio Jones, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The first one to sign a contract will in turn set the bar for the rest of the group. He is hoping to get a long-term deal with Calvin Johnson level money, but that is unlikely.
  • The Chiefs have the pieces in place to have a very good pass rush in 2015, even without star Justin Houston who has not yet signed his franchise tender, writes Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. With Tamba Hali and 2014 first-round pick Dee Ford on the outside, and Dontari Poe and Allen Bailey inside, the team has other options in a worst-case scenario without Houston.

John Harbaugh On D-Line, Player Development, Rule Changes

May 23rd, 2015 at 9:33am CST by Ben Levine

Ravens coach John Harbaugh gave the keynote speech at Stevenson University in Maryland on Thursday. While the former Super Bowl winner barely mentioned the Ravens during his address, he discussed his team with reporters following the ceremony. Harbaugh mostly focused on the defensive line, including the players returning from injury, the team’s loss of veteran leadership, and the team’s apparent depth among defensive ends and tackles. Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun collected these soundbites, and we have some of the more notable quotes below:

On the recovery of Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore, who both suffered season-ending injuries during last year’s training camp:

“It’s really important that Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore come on. Brent looks like he’s 100 percent, Kap looks like he’s really close to 100 percent.”

On the changes to the defensive line, including the loss of veteran leadership in Haloti Ngata:

“The young D-linemen are obviously going to be huge for us. We’ve gotten younger there really quickly, capped off by the move of Haloti. We still have Chris Canty, so that’s a plus for us. He’ll be the sage veteran in the locker room.”

On the development of talented defensive tackle Brandon Williams:

“I talked to Brandon Williams about stacking another year. You come back better than before. He took last year and got everyone’s attention. Now everybody is going to be watching.

“You’re not going to surprise anybody. The expectations are up. What an opportunity to build on that and really make a name for himself. He seems motivated to do that as well.”

On the team’s depth on the defensive line:

“DeAngelo Tyson is still a big part of us, Lawrence Guy is a big part of us, Christo Bilukidi is another veteran player. There’s going to be some major competition on the D-line.”

On the NFL’s new extra-point rule:

“The effort to move the line of scrimmage back on the point after touchdown, to me, is a good thing. I think it’s a positive thing. We’re for it. We were fine with it the other way. I know Justin Tucker was kind of like saying stuff about it. But I think he realizes that it’s going to give the better kickers an opportunity to shine a little bit. So, move it back and make it a little bit tougher. Make it more of a challenge, make that point mean more.

“It is going to encourage more two-point conversion tries. There’s no question about it, especially in windy stadiums. Maybe later in the year when it means the most will probably see the most attempts. I know one thing, we’re going to spend more time defending two-point conversions and practicing two-point conversions because it’s going to be a bigger part of the game.”

Ravens’ Roster Now At 75 Following Moves

August 25th, 2014 at 12:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Ravens’ roster count now sits at 75 in advance of tomorrow’s 3pm cutdown deadline. Baltimore has waived the following players, per a press release:

Additionally, the Ravens have placed DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, G Will Rackley, and DE Brent Urban on injured reserve, ending their respective seasons.

AFC North Notes: Gordon, Urban, Leach

July 31st, 2014 at 11:34am CST by Luke Adams

Harold Henderson will be the hearing officer for Josh Gordon‘s suspension appeal tomorrow, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link), and that may not be good news for the Browns wideout. Cabot says the argument that Gordon’s failed test was a result of second-hand smoke “won’t fly” with Henderson, and Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report echoes that sentiment (via Twitter).

  • Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters today, including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), that fourth-round defensive lineman Brent Urban suffered a torn ACL this week in practice and will be sidelined for the 2014 season.
  • Following Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods in 2011 and 2012, Ravens fullback Vonta Leach played a reduced role in 2013, and was ultimately cut by the team in February. However, as he tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, Leach isn’t retiring, and hopes to catch on with an NFL club. “A lot of teams and coaches have sent text message to make sure that I’m staying in shape,” Leach said. “You never know when you might get that call. I’m played in this league a long time. I know how this business works. You’ve got to be ready.”
  • After breaking down the extensions signed by Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman, and Joe Haden this year, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap concludes that Haden’s deal with the Browns is the strongest and the most protected upon signing.
  • I rounded up a few Bengals rumors earlier this morning.

AFC Links: Ravens, Patriots, Raiders

June 21st, 2014 at 8:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Since being cut by the Chargers in early March, fullback Le’Ron McClain has been keeping in shape, eyeing a return to the NFL. The 29-year-old told Andrew Gribble of Al.com that he’s shed 15 pounds and is at a “great weight.” As a result, McClain, who was listed at 260 pounds at the end of 2013, is looking to change up his game.

“I’m trying to evolve my game also and do more than just blocking and everything,” McClain said. “Just trying to evolve my game as in catching, running routes, just trying to be a difference-maker on the field. That’s what I’ve been working on this offseason.

“Whatever team calls me, they’re going to get that different type of player this year.”

McClain’s best season was with the Ravens in 2008, when he ran for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Let’s see what else is going on around the AFC…

  • Ravens rookie defensive end Brent Urban has been looking good in his recovery from offseason ankle surgery, writes Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. The fourth-rounder was supposed to be ready by about training camp, but took plenty of snaps at minicamp.
  • The Patriots young receivers are going to have to make a jump this season, Boston.com’s Zuri Berry said on Comcast Sportsnet New England’s Sports Tonight (via CSNNE.com). “It’s going to be a lot harder for those guys to make those mistakes and get away with it because [the Patriots] have more receivers now,” Berry said. “They have other guys to go to.”
  • Raiders owner Mark Davis had previously been talking business about a new stadium in Oakland. Following initial talks with the real estate firm, Davis told reporters that communications have stalled. “All the talks we have with them are positive, but there’s no progress after the talks,” he said (via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com). “Everybody is trying. Whether it can get done, I don’t know.”

AFC Notes: Carr, Sheard, Canty, Williams

June 14th, 2014 at 10:52am CST by Matt Feminis

Since being drafted last month, Raiders second-round quarterback Derek Carr has drawn continued praise. Now, offensive coordinator Greg Olson says the rookie might not need to “redshirt.” Olson spoke to Vic Tafur at sfgate.com, saying, “We are accelerating the learning curve of Derek Carr.”

Here’s some more AFC news and notes:

  • Earlier this week, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal tweeted that the Browns and 2015 free agent Jabaal Sheard have had preliminary talks on a long-term contract extension, then elaborated in article form. Entering the final year of his four-year, $5.1MM rookie deal, the 2011 second-rounder is poised for an impact (Read: productive) season and lucrative payday thanks to his projected role as the team’s primary pass rusher in Mike Pettine’s hybrid, attacking scheme.
  • Prompted by a fan question as part of a mailbag chat, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley addresses the possibility of Ravens veteran defensive lineman Chris Canty being cut at the end of training camp. “There’s no guarantee that defensive end Chris Canty makes this team,” says Hensley. “He was a disappointment last year, and the Ravens can create cap room by cutting him ($2 million this year and $2.6 million in 2015). The Ravens, though, need to make sure someone is ready to step up in his spot. Kapron Lewis-Moore and rookie Brent Urban are the ones who play Canty’s position, so they have to convince the Ravens in the preseason that they’re ready.”
  • Bills receiver Mike Williams, acquired from Tampa Bay for a sixth-round pick, does not have a “particular skill that he brings to the table that is different from the rest of the receiver group” and is not a lock to make the roster in the eyes of ESPN’s Mike Rodak.
  • Despite struggling last season, Derek Newton is the Texans’ starting right tackle, per Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
  • The odds of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger starting all 16 games for the second consecutive season “aren’t good,” says Triblive.com’s Mark Kaboly, who examines the competition for the backup job between veteran Bruce Gradkowski and second-year pro Landry Jones.
  • Previewing the Dolphins upcoming minicamp, the Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly hits on several roster notes, including competition for slot receiver reps, Koa Misi transitioning to inside linebacker and Dion Jordan‘s increased bulk and strength.

Minor Moves: Urban, Brown, Gaffney, Jaguars

May 17th, 2014 at 4:40pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Ravens have signed fourth-round draft pick Brent Urban to a rookie contract, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The four-year contract is worth $2.53MM with a signing bonus of just over $300,000. That leaves only first-round pick C.J. Mosley and third-round pick Terrence Brooks left unsigned.

Here are some other minor moves from across the NFL:

  • The Bills have signed third-round pick Preston Brown, according to Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. Brown, a linebacker out of Louisville, impressed the Bills’ front office. “He plays hard; you see him all over the field,” director of player personnel Jim Monos said. “He plays on the other side of the ball and has good tackles for loss. He can go side to side. He’s probably better against the run than the pass right now, but he can do both. He’s a very good athlete.” The team expects him to compete for a job at middle linebacker.
  • The Panthers have signed sixth-round pick Tyler Gaffney, reports Wilson (via Twitter). Gaffney, a running back out of Stanford, is the first Panthers’ draft pick to sign his rookie contract.
  • The Jaguars have signed two rookies invited to workout during rookie camp, reports Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com (via Twitter). They signed running back Beau Blankenship from Ohio and safety Jerome Junior of UConn. To make room for the new signings, the team released punter Chad Zinchini and kicker Jeff Budzien.