Even since the moment Stallworth joined the Ravens offense people have been verbalizing their expectation for him to utilize his speed to stretch the field, be the prominent deep threat for Joe Flacco and open up the shorter/intermediate routes for the other receivers.
Stallworth has not done that yet as a Ravens due to the foot he broke in the third preseason game against the New York Giants. In a press conference following that game, Harbaugh estimated Stallworth to return from that injury after the Ravens bye week.
Well... here we are. This post bye-week the Ravens will reconvene to study and practice for the game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at 1pm and the great news is, Stallworth is expected to participate in all of this.
What remains to be revealed is how much of effect will he have on this offense?
Without Stallworth, Joe Flacco has distributed the ball to all of his major weapons at different capacities. Anquan Boldin leads the team in receptions with 38, receiving yards with 518 and touchdown catches with five. Derrick Mason, Flacco's favorite target in previous years, has 357 receiving yards and Todd Heap not falling far behind with 357 yards.
None of these men can claim the longest catch by a Ravens this year. That feat belongs to rookie Ed Dickson who leaped over veteran Brian Dawkins for the catch and then dragged him ten yards toward the end zone in the week five shootout between the Broncos and the Ravens.
Once Stallworth returns he will have to work his body back into game form. Remember he hasn't played in a game since preseason and has been unable to run at full speed for a majority of his time injured. TJ Houshmanzadeh is playing the role of the third receiver for the Ravens this year and has caught only nine passes, how much more of an impact do you Stallworth can have?
Yes, Stallworth is younger and faster than TJ but lacks the rhythmic practice and game experience Housmanzadeh has had with Joe Flacco this year.
As much as I hate to admit it, Stallworth's injury was a huge shot in the foot (no pun intended) for his 2010 season. There is more time for him to establish a special place but not enough to shove himself into the status of playmaker.
Because a receiving core featuring Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap has already been fermented, Cam Cameron opportunities for Stallworth to run past defensive backs for long yardage catches will be far between.
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