Inside Access with Jason LaCanfora and Ken Weinman

Jeff Zrebiec: Ravens might look into other backup QB options before camp ends

Senior staff writer for The Athletic covering the Ravens Jeff Zrebiec joined the show to discuss some things that he's looking forward to watching in the Ravens preseason opener tonight. They also discuss question marks at the backup quarterback position for the Ravens.

Duration:: 17m
Broadcast on:: 09 Aug 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

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I mean, and I guess that's, you know, to kick this off, I mean, the hard ball has been pretty clear that he doesn't expect to really change his plans. And last year, I mean, you know, and then not only did the top starters not play, you know, a guy like Patrick McCarry who's a swing tackle didn't play. Nelson Aguilar was the number four receiver heading into last year. And he didn't play in the pre-season. So it's not just starters, it's some of the top veteran reserves too. They are young in some areas. I think those guys will get to get some run in these next couple pre-season games. But as usual, I think anybody you have a question on is probably not going to play. The one guy that I would not be surprised to see plays and it'll be interesting is Ronnie Stanley, you know, like, I'm not saying he's going to. It just wouldn't surprise me. If at some point in the preseason, they ask him to play. I mean, in year's path, it was all about getting Ronnie Stanley to week one healthy. That's changed this year. He has not missed a practice yet. It's about getting a sharp Ronnie family to week one and also healthy. I mean, he has a lot to prove this year and they certainly want to see and they certainly want to push him. And as I said, I'm not I'm not penciling him in today, but it wouldn't shock me if at some point in the preseason, he gets a little he gets a few serious. Obviously, we're not going to see Tyler Lindenbaum tonight, Jeff, but we're going to see a lot of the rest of the offensive line. What are you expecting from some of the young guys like Andrew Voorhees, Roger Rosengaard? Heck, even Ben Cleveland, it's there. Yeah, that's going to be, you know, it's the obvious answer, but it's also the thing that everyone is going to be watching, right? The young past rushes and kind of the young offensive lineman to see what they do. You know, I mean, from the outside and even me, I've been out there pretty much every practice, you know, I think offensive line will be concerned at this point. You know, Ravens are pretty arrogant in the fact that they let their guys and they can develop guys. So, we're going to see, I mean, we're definitely going to see those guys are going to play a lot of reps, I would think throughout the preseason, not just tonight. You know, it's especially big. I think, look, Voorhees would have to take a major step back, not be the starting left guardless team. I think we all know that by now. I don't want to say he's run uncontested, but it's pretty close to that. He's been the kind of the lead guy from the beginning here. The right tackle spot is the one that I think, you know, I think they want Roger Rosengaard and Starden. I think he's the clear favorite to start. However, I think there's stuff they need to see. I mean, we all want to see the functional strength and how he, you know, how he'll hold up to the bull rush and whether he's able to anchor and all that and is strong enough right from the jump here to be a starting tackle in the NFL. So, Rosengaard is really going to be the guy I'm going to be excited to watch tonight to see how he fares because you've seen some really good reps in practice. He looks the part, but then you also have seen reps where O'Daffee always gotten under his pads a little and dog walked and backed the quarterback. And that's the kind of stuff that you worry about with Rosengaard and the functional strength and whether he's big enough and can anchor there on the outside against the bull rush. Well, we know Richard Bateman's not playing in this game. And in the last, I guess what, 48 to 72 hours, they've signed Russell Gage who got to practice and then late in the week, Anthony Miller. Is this just a quinky dink? Jeff, like, like, if Richard Bateman's not on the practice field Sunday or even Monday, like, would it shock you? Do you just expect the worst at this point? No, I mean, would it shock me? No, because I think this is the time of year. You're a little bit more cautious. I mean, we were watching that. It wasn't that far away. I saw how he was kind of acting after words. Unless there's been some huge development, I mean, again, you don't want anybody banged up or injured, but where he got injured, where it appeared, he was being bothered, the ribs, midsection area, you feel like, okay, that'll be okay, as long as it's not the knees, lower body and all that. But I'll be honest, I've sort of raised my eyebrows with it because they didn't find Keith Kirkwood long ago either. That's three veteran receivers. I'm sure, like last year, they had Laquan Treadwell in that role. I'm sure they want to have a veteran receiver on the practice squad. They can have ready to go. But I mean, how many spots are even available for those guys? I mean, maybe one is open right now, and there's other guys who have sort of been competing for it. So, yeah, I've found that a little lot. I'm also curious to see who's the corresponding move when they eventually get around to finalizing the Miller deal. Is it Kirkwood? Is he out? And that gets you back down to two veteran receivers? And the other thing was Russell Gage. I mean, that contract was not exactly, you know, like, the way that was written, he very well could be on this team. I mean, that was not just a throw way here. You're a camp body for the next three weeks contract. But it is also possible they gave him a little incentive to stick on the practice squad. He's a guy that missed all last season with a patellar tendon injury. He's already joined in here midway through. I just don't know if there's enough time for him to kind of get in shape, learn the offense, and show them something. But hey, Harbaugh said he's going to play today. So, you know, tonight, so that'll be interesting. But yeah, I don't, I have not heard like overwhelming concern about Bateman to this point, but it did raise my eyebrows. Because again, this is three receivers now, probably in the last three or four weeks added. We all belong outside. We're drawn to nature, whether it's the recorded sounds of the ocean we doze off to, or the succulents that adorn our homes. Nature makes all of our lives. Well, better. Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it. But the outdoors is closer than we realize. With all trails, you can discover trails nearby and explore confidently with offline maps and on trail navigation. Download the free app today and make the most of your summer with all trails. Worried about letting someone else pick out the perfect avocado for your perfect impress them on the third date guacamole? Well, good thing Instacart shoppers are as picky as you are. 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You don't sink in and get stuck like with memory foam. And thanks to over 1400 air chambers in the gel flex grid, you will sleep cooler on a purple mattress. Purple has a wide variety of mattresses from the original purple mattress to the restore hybrid collection that combines gel flex grid with coils and the rejuvenate lux collection, the height of luxury with over 112,000 to five star reviews to prove it. Visit purple.com to find the perfect purple for you and enter code podcast 10 to get 10% off. Talking to Jeff's Rebecca's inside access here on the Fandefa. I would assume David Ajabo is going to play a lot tonight. Do we really need to see him finally start making some splash plays this evening or just set the edge? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, this is just me. I'd play him 40 snaps if I could. I mean, it's just, this guy just needs to play. He needs reps and he needs all that. And then you also look at where they are at outside linebacker. They only have about three or four healthy bodies there right now that you figure are going to be playing tonight. And he's one of them. So yeah, him, Kavius Robinson, and then you've got Joe Evans, the undrafted free agent at Iowa who probably will get a lot of run. But yeah, you know, I do think this isn't being a apologize for Jeff, but I mean, he is eight months removed from an ACL. So I do think there was always going to be here and knocking off Ross kind of feeling his way period. But at some point soon, he needs to start having some success on the field. He needs it mentally for himself. And this team needs it. And he needs to start kind of shifting the momentum here because there hasn't been a ton to feel good about so far. And you know, you hear great things. The kid looks in great shape. And you know, you hear great things about his character. But at some point, you need to get a little bit of your hard work. And I think last off season, you know, before the knee stuff, you know, seeing him not able to get off blocks from second to 13 tackles is a concern because they need one of these young past structures to pop this year to join OA in Van Noy. And he's the most logical candidate. But yeah, he has to show some now I'm not saying it's to show something to make the team. I don't know if he's in jeopardy of that. But to feel good that he's going to be, you know, even a semi impact player this year, some of that has to start over these next couple weeks. And I do think he's a talented enough guy where the light could come on, but he needs some positive momentum. And they just hasn't been able to gain that. Jeff, where are you on the Ravens backup quarterback position? If Josh Johnson, who hasn't had a great camp, goes out struggles today, maybe struggles next week, could you see Eric Dicosta making a move there? It wouldn't shock me. I don't, I don't think that's something in the offing. But, you know, look, look, there's one guy out there that's probably clear upgrade over Josh Johnson. And that's Taney Hill, right? He's the one guy that makes a lot of sense. And I've said continually for, you know, a month now that I would keep checking in with him, but everything I've heard is he's not coming cheap. He's not going to take one of these, you know, one year, $2 million deals and come in here and be the backup quarterback and play only if Le Marcus injured. So I, they just, I, they're not, they're not going to pay pretty good money for that spot at this point. So yeah, I think it is a concern. You know, I, I, I do think they're more confident, Josh Johnson, that they are in Tyler Huntley, and Tyler Huntley may be available a couple of weeks. He will be. And I don't know that they consider that an upgrade of what they have now. I just think it's a trust factor. And they do think Josh Johnson at least could run the offense, make good decisions, take care of the ball and not be the reason they lose. And, and that, that was kind of the problem with Huntley. He just, it's just lost trust of them in key spots and making the right decisions. But yeah, I, I mean, I'll be interested to watch Josh Johnson. I mean, you know, it sounds like Eagles may play their starters for a little bit here, which will make it a little bit interesting from that end and expression for the young lineman. But yeah, I would say it might have my eye on, but I just don't know what the answer, you know, unless Tanny Hill suddenly decides he'll play for very little money or there's a guy that comes loose on the fridge and waiver wire here, which is always popular. Taylor Heineke, trade for Taylor Heineke. Yeah, they almost tried, they tried to sign him before. I mean, they tried to find him last off season. So that's a good name. You know, so we'll see, you know, I would certainly be out there looking. I don't, I'm, I'm one of these if Lamar's out. Well, forget about it. Pretty much done anyway. So that's why I wouldn't pay a ton for backup quarterback. But they might be some more upgrades coming on that wire in a couple of weeks. Jeff's reback covers the Ravens for the athletic. Jeff, always great, man. Thanks so much for your time. Enjoy the, the fake football on your new press box seat tonight. I can't wait. I, I'd be got to be honest with you guys. And I assume you're not working tonight, Ken? No, no. Margies, Margie's daughter's coming home from camp. So that's, there you go. That you're not celebrating that. Jeff, you're not celebrating anything. That's like, that's like when Lucy Bird celebrated her brother brother's 29 and a half year birthday. So she wouldn't have to hang out with the button for that one. What's that? We can bottom work through the weekend for that one. Oh, there's no oral home games and the Ravens don't play. You know what, I might come see you on Sunday. Okay, but I do have to, but I do have to go, I do have to, yeah, but I do have to head to the beach at some point, because we're doing the show from Ocean City on Monday. Do you have a tough life, my friend? Thanks, man. Take care guys. I appreciate it. Thanks buddy. See you. Jeff's reback covering the Ravens for the athletic. Today's episode is sponsored by Nerd Wallet Smart Money podcast ready to expand your financial game. Nerd Wallet can coach you on smart strategies like choosing investments, finding your next credit card, and setting a budget that works for you. Score major points towards your summer vacation by learning expert tips for choosing a high yield savings account and how to build wealth by investing in index funds. Slide into summer with smarter decisions in 2024. Follow Nerd Wallet Smart Money podcast on your favorite podcast app. Future you will thank you. 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