Former fifth round draft pick Jason Phillips has a tough task ahead of him as he tries to find a place as a member in the Ravens' logjam of linebackers.
Phillips has put forth good performances in his first two preseason games this year. Gathered a total of eight tackles, one sack and one forced fumbled. He is proving to us he can become the tackling machine the Ravens drafted him to be.
Even if he does show himself capable of improving and developing into a special player, he has so much talent in front of him that making the roster will be difficult. Jameel McClain, Tavares Gooden and Dannell Ellerbe are all young players on the rise but none have yet to play a complete game. Gooden has the speed to excel in pass coverage but slacks against some of the better tight ends in the league. Dannell Ellerbe is a great run stopper but can be a vulnerability on passing downs. Since Jameel McClain has joined the Ravens in 2008, he has only impressed as a pass rusher and special teams player finishing his rookie season with 2.5 sacks, two safeties and 16 tackles.
The only way Phillips will make the final roster is if he is a standout special teamer. Missing significant time his rookie year has really hindered his development. Watch Phillips in the next two preseason games as he makes more steps in either direction. Either he gives the organization a reason to keep him or he finds himself on the waiver wire or worse.
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