As practice got underway the skies grew progressively more threatening. It was no false alarm from above as thunder and lighting coupled with a heavy downpour ended practice about 45 minutes early.
The tempo and execution were much better today than yesterday and the atmosphere much more upbeat and purposeful. Early on during full team scrimmaging the first team defense took on the Troy Smith led reserves. Smith dropped back to pass and had his pass batted by the leaping Jarret Johnson. Haloti Ngata who had another great practice, caught the tipped pass down around his knees much to the delight of the on looking reserve defenders. On the very next play, Ngata scraped down the line moving bodies along the way with the help of Jarret Johnson, sending Marshall Yanda tumbling. The action prompted Brian Billick to say repeatedly, “If you can’t stay on your feet, you can’t play.â€
Later on as the offensive reserves went up against the first team defense it got a bit ugly particularly with Drew Olson at the controls. Olson missed Matt Willis and was picked off by Chris McAlister. As is always the case, the defense rallies together on an interception and they then morph into what resembles a punt return unit. McAlister easily scored on the play as secondary coach Mark Carrier even joined in, jokingly blocking the bystander Clayton as McAlister headed to pay dirt.
On the very next play, Olson was nearly picked off by Ray Lewis on a short pass in the right flat. Olson followed that throw with another in traffic about 12 yards downfield near the left hash mark. Samari Rolle dropped an interception thrown almost directly at the veteran corner. Rolle has covered well in camp and is often in position to make plays yet he has had a difficult time finishing. He’s dropped several near interceptions during camp this summer. Bring back the push-ups.
Willis McGahee appears to be moving more decisively and that enables him to hit the holes quicker. He appears to be very comfortable with the stretch run to either side, much like the run against the Eagles where he picked up 16 yards.
Steve McNair looked sharp today and seems much more at ease with his checkdowns. He doesn’t give up easily on his primary or secondary target yet knows where his outlet is at all times, easily finding his escape target with little wasted motion.
The flanker screen has been an often featured play with Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams usually on the receiving end.
The say chicks dig the long ball…today so did Kyle Boller. Boller launched a deep post to Demetrius Williams and overshot his target. A couple plays later Boller found Todd Heap streaking downfield just outside the right hash mark for a 30 yard gain. The ball was perfectly placed over the trailing defender and hit Heap in stride. Two plays later, Boller looked for Derrick Mason on a go route. Mason had Derrick Martin beaten but the slightly under thrown pass enabled Martin to close and bat the ball away.
As the pending storm grew closer and the raindrops slowly began to fall, Steve McNair took the controls to lead an effective 2:00 drive that unfortunately bogged down as the team approached the red zone. Matt Stover finished the drive with a 37 yard field goal as time expired and the raindrops fell more rapidly.
Other notes & observations…Antwan Barnes was seen in shorts and a heavily taped ankle doing several stretching exercises along the sideline. He didn’t appear to move with much of a limp…Chris Chester and P.J. Daniels were both held out of practice…Reserve OT Steve Edwards did not practice as Brian Billick suggested the Edwards’ knee injury could be severe…According to a Ravens spokesperson the team will practice this afternoon at 2:15 at McDaniel College instead of the previously scheduled 4PM practice. Conditions may force the team to the more durable Bair Stadium field.
