Right Off Russell

I have not heard a lot of chatter about this, but I think that Demetrius Williams should be getting more time than Mark Clayton. The coaching staff is making a mistake by giving Clayton back his starting role when it is clear he cannot get open consistently right now. When healthy, Clayton may be the better all around receiver and tougher player than Williams. The problem is that Clayton is slowed by injury and his abilities are too similar to Derrick Mason’s to give the Ravens a diverse passing attack.

Williams, for all his ability, has been in the dog house for most of the year. Whether it is lack of toughness, work ethic, or that he has burned bridges with the coaching staff he has been relegated to the bench when Clayton has been healthy enough to play. The Ravens need Williams’ ability to get down field and his size to go up and get balls. Williams can open up the field in ways that Clayton cannot and Joe Flacco had a greater comfort level giving him opportunities to make plays. And Williams did make plays, albeit against lesser competition.

I hope the coaching staff is flexible enough to use Williams against the Pats, especially since they are going to try and take away Derrick Mason and stuff the run. The Ravens will need other play makers in the passing game. Right now Williams is more capable than Clayton.