The Ravens Rookie Camp kicked off today under clear skies and in the midst of breezy conditions. If felt very much like a Sunday in October.
By Brian Billick’s admission, it is virtually “impossible†to draw any conclusions from this morning’s practice. Twenty-three players are listed on the Rookie Mini-Camp roster and there were also a few other walk-ons trying to earn an opportunity to be invited to future organized team activities and summer training camp. Such walk-ons are undrafted, unsigned free agents. Among them is QB Cullen Finnerty from Grand Valley State.
Given that there are no contact drills involved in this camp, most eyes were focused upon Troy Smith and Yamon Figurs. Troy Smith is a well built and proportioned athletic QB who demonstrates solid technique and delivers a nice ball with good velocity from a very high release point. On a few occasions he threw a few strikes prior to the receiver’s break which is encouraging particularly when today was the first time that these players have taken the field together. He is every bit of the reported 6’ in height.
Smith in a post practice interview with the media was extremely poised, confident, humble and determined and appears to be anxious to put the past behind him and focus on things that he can do to help the Baltimore Ravens. We’ll have that complete interview available later today here on 24×7.
Yamon Figurs didn’t showcase the advertised explosiveness that attracted the Ravens to him but then again, the setting wasn’t really conducive for those talents. Figurs is a slight player and has that wide-eyed look of a child on Christmas morning. He gives an observer the impression that he would be out there playing even if he was asked to do it for free.
Ben Grubbs wasn’t all that noticeable given the nature of this practice yet he was soaked with sweat after practice despite the pleasant temperature and appeared very determined to get in his work.
Other observations: Le’Ron McClain appeared to be in good shape and looked slighter than the reported 260 pound frame…UDFA WR Matt Willis from UCLA looked polished with his footwork along the sidelines when hauling in Troy Smith passes…The son of former Cleveland Brown Greg Pruitt is among the UDFA’s. He is Greg Pruitt, Jr…Notre Dame TE Marcus Freeman looked a bit stocky for a tight end…CB Terrell Maze out of San Diego St. had trouble holding on to the football in DB drills.
This afternoon’s practice is from 3:15 to 4:45.
