Former University of Delaware tight end Nick Boyle has impressed the Ravens coaches and scouts. He loves the game, has a high football IQ and possesses soft hands. If the ball is thrown within his catching radius, it will be caught!
Dennis Pitta has participated during OTA’s in a limited way but even that is more than team officials had hoped for. The coaching staff is taking a wait-and-see approach with Pitta, expecting nothing but hoping for the best. If he pulls off the unexpected in 2015 and makes his way to the field at some point, Pitta will add to an embarrassment of riches at the position.
Team officials have legitimate concerns about Michael Campanaro. During the 2014 offseason the Ravens considered signing Julian Edelman for $5M per but opted instead to develop their own version of the Patriots chain-moving receiver. Unfortunately things aren’t working out as planned.
The club is worried that Camp’s injuries are chronic and given the presence of UDFA DeAndre Carter, the former Demon Deacon’s job may be in jeopardy.
Carter is a determined competitor whose inspired play is driven by the memory of his deceased younger brother. His size is much like that of Steve Smith, Sr. and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them develop a mentor-protégé kind of relationship. If Carter can make an impact in the return game, an area of need for the Ravens, Campanaro could be on the outside looking in.
Breshad Perriman’s hands are a regular topic of discussion. The slump he weathered at the University of Central Florida is well documented. Yet so far, the Ravens’ brass has been extremely impressed by Perriman’s ability to snatch the ball and the early word is that he’s better than advertised.
You can’t teach size and you can’t teach speed. If Perriman develops into a dependable hands-catcher the Ravens could have their answer to Atlanta’s Julio Jones.
If given the choice between Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson or Washington’s Marcus Peters the Ravens would have turned in the card for the ousted Huskie. Peters possesses a toughness that Johnson doesn’t and he was considered a better fit for Dean Pees’ unit.
The Ravens were comfortable with the off-the-field issues that persuaded Washington’s head coach Chris Petersen to send Peters packing. Some believe he would have been the Ravens pick even if both Peters and Perriman were on the board.
Cassius Vaughn was signed this week by the Ravens to add experienced depth to the secondary. The team loves Vaughn’s competitive fire and they believe that his determination alone can elevate the play of the team’s defensive backfield.
On Thursday the Ravens’ rookie class attended a showing of “The Mask You Live In” at Baltimore’s Senator Theatre. The film is part of the House of Ruth’s “Man Up!” initiative, engaging men in the cause to end intimate partner violence.
Following the show, longtime Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann addressed the rookies and answered questions. A resident of Baltimore, Ehrmann has been recognized by Parade Magazine as “The Most Important Coach in America” and was also named one of the “100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America” by the Institute for International Sport.
Proceeds generated from the show were earmarked for the House of Ruth.
Here is a YouTube clip featuring the film’s trailer:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc45-ptHMxo[/youtube]
