With the Ravens preparing to welcome Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos into town, the dust began to settle around the Under Armour Performance Center as new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell installs his first game plan.
Wednesday was the first day the media could meet with the players and ask their thoughts and feelings on the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
Many eyes were on quarterback Joe Flacco as he just responded to Cameron’s removal as being “stunned.” There was much speculation about the working relationship of Cameron and Flacco, especially given the stagnation in the fifth-year quarterback’s development.
“Joe [Flacco] seems like he’s happy about it and I’ve seen him smiling, left tackle Michael Oher said when asked about how Cameron’s firing will help Flacco.
“It’s a big move, a big move by [John] Harbaugh and we support him in everything he does,” said tight end Ed Dickson, who was often used as a blocking tight end in Cameron’s scheme. “It’s a spark, this team has their backs against the wall and we know what’s in front of us and that’s what we have to do.”
Second year wide receiver Torrey Smith texted Cameron when he heard the news. He thanked him for helping in his development and told the coordinator that he loved him.
“I wouldn’t say that we’re excited about it, it’s just a change,” Smith said. “It’s a business, guys get cut and traded each and every day. That’s the decision coach [Harbaugh] felt was best for the team and it’s our job to make Jim Caldwell the best coordinator in the league.”
The Broncos and their fourth ranked defense will be no easy task for Caldwell as he calls his first game as an offensive coordinator. For the Ravens to be effective, they’re going to have to get acclimated quickly, but they seem to be taking it day-by-day.
“We’re going to go back to the drawing board and do things the things we need to do right and it starts with a great practice today,” Dickson said.
