The Baltimore Ravens are looking for more playmakers to help out quarterback Joe Flacco. The team watched former wide receiver Anquan Boldin put up 13 catches for 208 yards with the San Francisco 49ers, realizing they miss the dependable threat once on the roster. Ravens receivers were not a huge help in the team's loss against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, leaving Baltimore to look at a few free agent options early this week.
The tight end position might have been at its worst on Thursday. Dallas Clark dropped a potential touchdown pass. Ed Dickson dropped four passes, catching just one of his five targets. Flacco had no help over the middle and showed very little trust in either player. Earlier in the preseason, the Ravens lost Dennis Pitta to surgery on his right hip. While the tight end was placed on injured reserve designated to return, Baltimore needs help now.
The result is Jake Ballard coming to Baltimore for a workout. The former New England Patriot and New York Giant has a workout scheduled for Monday as reported by Fox Sports. The 25-year old was recently cut by the Patriots after spending the previous season in New England rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in the Super Bowl. He was inactive all of last year, but in 2011 he caught 38 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns with the Giants. He proved very reliable for Eli Manning.
The scheduled workout also comes on the heels of wide receiver/kick returner Jacoby Jones being diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee after getting hit by his own teammate while attempting to return a punt. He was able to walk back to the locker room on his own power, but could miss some time with the injury. That leaves Baltimore without yet another playmaker.
It is unknown whether or not Ballard can offer anything more than the likes of other veterans like Clark. Ballard was cut for looking a bit slow in training camp and Clark looked just like that in the season opener. The tight end was finished with seven receptions, picking up most of his yardage on two plays.
Boldin's big game on Sunday did ease the blow for the Ravens. The wide receiver is certainly getting the last laugh as he became Colin Kaepernick's new favorite target. Signing Ballard will not make up for the loss, but it could at least help.
