Tavares Gooden not locked into job

One of the best battles for a starting spot Thursday night in the Ravens preseason opener against the Redskins is at inside linebacker.

Second-year player Tavares Gooden was expected to start there before training camp began, but Gooden is being challenged by Jameel McClain, a second-year player out of Syracuse, and rookie Dannell Ellerbe.

McClain and Ellerbe made up ground on Gooden when Gooden missed time because of an injury. Gooden has more range than the other two, but Ellerbe is better from tackle to tackle, and McClain is better as a pass rusher because he used to play outside linebacker.

This has turned into one of the strongest competitions in training camp.



(baltimoresun.com)