Word on the Street: A Baltimore Sports Short Podcast

The benchmark the Baltimore Ravens use to determine whether or not it’s time to close the book on an expensive veteran is the 80/20 rule. If another player can provide 80% of the production of an established vet for 20% of the cost, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT MOVE! Here's how the rule might be employed in 2015.

The benchmark the Baltimore Ravens use to determine whether or not it’s time to close the book on an expensive veteran is the 80/20 rule. If another player can provide 80% of the production of an established vet for 20% of the cost, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT MOVE! Here's how the rule might be employed in 2015.

The Ravens have historically kept their first round picks around for quite awhile, 8.2 seasons on average to be exact and that approach collides with the career expectancy of an NFL running back. Add it up and considering the devaluing of the RB position, it's unlikely that the Ravens will select Melvin Gordon if he's available with their first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

The Ravens have historically kept their first round picks around for quite awhile, 8.2 seasons on average to be exact and that approach collides with the career expectancy of an NFL running back. Add it up and considering the devaluing of the RB position, it's unlikely that the Ravens will select Melvin Gordon if he's available with their first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

The Ravens flirted with the idea of acquiring Julian Edelman but opted instead for Michael Campanaro. Both players are roughly 5’9”. Both have excellent change of direction skills. Both weigh in between 190-200 pounds. Both were clocked at roughly 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. Now the Ravens will wait and see if the physical similarities are matched on the field.

The Ravens flirted with the idea of acquiring Julian Edelman but opted instead for Michael Campanaro. Both players are roughly 5’9”. Both have excellent change of direction skills. Both weigh in between 190-200 pounds. Both were clocked at roughly 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. Now the Ravens will wait and see if the physical similarities are matched on the field.

Ozzie Newsome has long been a proponent of selecting the best player available during the NFL Draft. Talent trumps need and as we've seen before that approach has produced wins on draft day.

Ozzie Newsome has long been a proponent of selecting the best player available during the NFL Draft. Talent trumps need and as we've seen before that approach has produced wins on draft day.

Dorial Green-Bechham has tremendous upside and fills a position of need for the Baltimore Ravens. But is Ozzie Newsome willing to take a risk on DGB with the 26th overall pick, assuming he's available, given the negative backlash from the Ray Rice domestic violence fallout?

Dorial Green-Bechham has tremendous upside and fills a position of need for the Baltimore Ravens. But is Ozzie Newsome willing to take a risk on DGB with the 26th overall pick, assuming he's available, given the negative backlash from the Ray Rice domestic violence fallout?