How Ravens Injuries Stacks Against League
For the first time in six years, the Ravens missed the playoffs in 2013.
How much did injuries play into that?
While it may have felt like Baltimore was battling significant injuries all season, it really wasn't as bad as what some of the 31 other NFL teams were dealing with. Many teams were just better able to overcome their injuries, like the Ravens 2012 squad did on its way to Super Bowl glory.
The Ravens were ranked as the ninth-healthiest team last season, according to analytical website Football Outsiders.
Football Outsiders quantified how much teams were affected by injuries with their Adjusted Games Lost (AGL) metric. AGL looks at all injuries, but places more importance to starters and other key contributors than to bench warmers. In addition to measuring how many games were missed due to injury, AGL also factors players who still take the field (think Ray Rice) but are playing with reduced ability.
Ravens starters missed a combined 36 games in 2013. The offense took the biggest hit with 26 missed games, while defense ranked as the fourth-healthiest in the league.
Below is a breakdown of the starters' missed time:
Offense
- TE Dennis Pitta (hip): missed 12 games
- G Kelechi Osemele (back): missed nine games
- WR/RS Jacoby Jones (knee): missed four games
- RB Ray Rice (hip): missed one game
Defense
- LB Jameel McClain (spinal cord contusion): missed six games
- DT Arthur Jones (concussion/illness): missed two games
- NT Haloti Ngata (knee): missed one game
- DE Chris Canty (thigh): missed one game
The team also had to overcome injuries to key contributors like receiver Marlon Brown and Brandon Stokley, and running back Bernard Pierce.
One of the more impactful injuries of the season seemed to be Rice. While he wasn't the same player since his Week 2 injury, he only missed one game. And the impact his injury had at the position did not rank in the bottom eight in the league. Neither did injuries at wide receiver or the offensive line.
The single most impacted Ravens position was at tight end, ranking as the seventh-most. The healthiest position was at defensive back, ranking No. 6.
Below are the AGL rankings for 2013:
|
Team |
2013 AGL |
2013 Rank |
|
KC |
27.6 |
1 |
|
PHI |
33.6 |
2 |
|
CIN |
43.4 |
3 |
|
WAS |
43.9 |
4 |
|
CLE |
44.4 |
5 |
|
TEN |
44.6 |
6 |
|
BUF |
45.2 |
7 |
|
STL |
49.1 |
8 |
|
BAL |
49.8 |
9 |
|
MIN |
55.4 |
10 |
|
NYJ |
56.6 |
11 |
|
SEA |
61.8 |
12 |
|
MIA |
62.1 |
13 |
|
CHI |
62.6 |
14 |
|
DET |
64.5 |
15 |
|
ARI |
64.9 |
16 |
|
Team |
2013 AGL |
2013 Rank |
|
DAL |
67.9 |
17 |
|
HOU |
70.3 |
18 |
|
CAR |
72.2 |
19 |
|
JAC |
77 |
20 |
|
OAK |
77.9 |
21 |
|
PIT |
83.5 |
22 |
|
SF |
84.2 |
23 |
|
DEN |
85.4 |
24 |
|
TB |
86.6 |
25 |
|
NO |
88.6 |
26 |
|
ATL |
90.9 |
27 |
|
SD |
94.4 |
28 |
|
NE |
99.9 |
29 |
|
GB |
104.5 |
30 |
|
IND |
110.3 |
31 |
|
NYG |
144.6 |
32 |
Zuttah's Contract Terms Released
The contract terms for center Jeremy Zuttah's extension have been revealed, via The Baltimore Sun and ESPN.
The Ravens traded a reported fifth-round pick for Zuttah, who signed a five-year deal with the team. Below are the key numbers, and how they compare to other centers in the league:
CONTRACT: 5 years / $18 million
GUARANTEED: $6.5 million, ranks No. 12 among centers
AVERAGE PER YEAR: $3.6 million, ranks No. 12
2013 CAP HIT: $1.7 million, ranks No. 19
|
Year |
Signing |
Base |
Signing |
Cap |
Dead |
|
Bonus |
Salary |
Bonus |
Hit |
Money | |
|
2014 |
3,500,000 |
1,000,000 |
700,000 |
1,700,000 |
6,500,000 |
|
2015 |
|
3,000,000 |
700,000 |
3,700,000 |
4,800,000 |
|
2016 |
|
3,500,000 |
700,000 |
4,200,000 |
2,100,000 |
|
2017 |
|
3,500,000 |
700,000 |
4,200,000 |
1,400,000 |
|
2018 |
|
3,500,000 |
700,000 |
4,200,000 |
700,000 |
After signing Zuttah, the Ravens are now approximately $6.976 million under the salary cap, according to The Sun's Aaron Wilson.
Are Comp Picks Overrated?
The Ravens added a league-high (tied) four compensatory draft picks to their arsenal last week. Since the compensatory pick system was instituted in 1994, the Ravens have received the most (41) of any NFL team.
But after looking at who the Ravens have drafted with those extra picks, CSNBaltimore.com's Bo Smolka wonders if they are overrated.
"[F]ans expecting those picks to translate to Pro Bowl players, or even regulars in the Ravens lineup, might be disappointed," Smolka wrote. "The truth is compensatory picks, which are granted anywhere from rounds 3 to 7, but generally in the later rounds of the draft, have rarely proved to be stars."
Per Smolka, of the Ravens' 41 compensatory selections, only fullback Le'Ron McClain (2007, 4th round), tackle Tony Pashos (2003, 5th round) and linebacker Cornell Brown (1997, 6th round) became full-time starters for the Ravens.
However, having the extra ammo has also given the Ravens more trade flexibility, like with nabbing tackle Eugene Monroe from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The comp picks themselves can't be traded, but it makes giving up others less impactful.
Here is Smolka's list of Ravens compensatory picks from the past 10 years:
2013: FB Kyle Juszczyk, T Rick Wagner, C Ryan Jensen, CB Marc Anthony
2012: S Christian Thompson, DB Asa Jackson
2011: CB Chykie Brown, LB/DE Pernell McPhee
2008: T Oniel Cousins, OL David Hale, S Haruki Nakamura, RB Allen Patrick
2007: LB Antwan Barnes, FB Le'Ron McClain, QB Troy Smith, LB Prescott Burgess
2006: RB P.J. Daniels, TE Quinn Sypniewski, CB Derrick Martin
2005: QB Derek Anderson
2004: WR Derek Abney, G Brian Rimpf
Matt Elam Working Out With Florida DBs
Where does Matt Elam find the time?
He's working as a part-time sales associate at a Finish Line store in Gainesville, Fla. to learn about the business to open his own someday.
He is working on finishing up his Anthropology degree at the University of Florida, keeping a promise to his mother.
And now he's working out with defensive backs at his old stomping ground?
This guy never stops working.
Here's a shot of Elam at Florida's spring practice, thanks to a tweet from Nick de la Torre of Gator Country. (Mobile users tap "View in Browser" at the top of the page.)
Matt Elam working out with the DB's at #Florida spring practice. pic.twitter.com/0ANA1corqd — Nick de la Torre (@NickdelaTorreGC) March 31, 2014
Quick Hits
- The criticism of Joe Flacco has reached new heights, says Jamison Hensley. "Criticizing Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco for throwing 22 interceptions last season is fair game," he wrote. "Criticizing him for failing to connect on deep throws last season is valid, as well. But criticizing Flacco for not conducting private workouts with his wide receivers by now is just off the mark." [ESPN]
- Former Ravens third round pick and retired safety Tom Zbikowski is on the waiting list to join the Chicago Fire Department. He serves as the defensive coordinator for the fire department football team, the Chicago Blaze. "Football got old to me," he said. "I enjoyed my first two years in the NFL because it was a challenge. I was playing with the best. But after a while you don't care whether you win or lose because you're still getting a paycheck. I enjoyed high school and college much more." [CSNChicago.com |Chicago Tribune]
- "The more you talk to Ravens people, the more it becomes clear that the 'one who got away’ in free agency wasn't Arthur Jones, Michael Oher or James Ihedigbo," wrote Jeff Zrebiec. "It was Corey Graham, who signed with the Buffalo Bills. The Ravens recognized the cornerback as an important part of both their defense and special teams groups. He was smart, unselfish, competitive and reliable, all qualities that endeared him to the coaches and players. The Ravens really wanted to re-sign him but when it came down to it, there wasn't much that they could do. Graham got a four-year, $16 million deal, which exceeded the Ravens' price range, and Graham also got the opportunity to return home and play in front of family and friends in Buffalo." [The Baltimore Sun]
- The Ravens are hosting four college prospects at the facility today. Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, Utah cornerback Keith McGill and Cal outside linebacker Khairi Fortt will all be in Owings Mills for official visits. [The Baltimore Sun]
- @RavensInsider: Among the players at the NFL regional combine at Ravens facility Sunday: Noah Taylor, younger brother of retired Dolphins DE Jason Taylor [Twitter]
- @RavensInsider: Former Ravens defensive lineman Bryan Hall worked out for the St. Louis Rams, according to a league source. Weighed 292 pounds [Twitter]
- @TorreySmithWR: RT @AnquanBoldin: Happy to have my lil bro and Super Bowl champion @TorreySmithWR join me at #QFest2014. [Twitter]
- @RavensCommunity: @LWebb21 emphasizing the importance of a college education to students at Lakeland Elem/Middle with @TRowePrice [Twitter]
- @LWebb21: Big announcement coming this week... #staytuned [Twitter]
- The Orioles started the season out right with 2-1 win over Red Sox on Opening Day Monday. While he couldn't be in town, check out kicker Justin Tucker showing his support from Texas. [Instagram]
Reppin my team all the way from the Lone Star State! Lets Go O's!! #Birdland #OpeningDay - http://t.co/z1FYFaEvtE pic.twitter.com/pYKl2JRCbO — Justin Tucker (@jtuck9) March 31, 2014
