Rookie Focus
Michael Oher continues to play well holding his own against nearly all challenges both in pass protection and run blocking. With the team’s depth chart taking a hit due to Adam Terry’s season ending knee surgery, I have to wonder how many are now challenging this first round pick and suggesting that the team should have opted for Hakeem Nicks or Kenny Britt…Paul Kruger batted down a Troy Smith pass and exhibited toughness in special teams drills. He’s a high energy player who needs to develop some moves at the point of attack. Offensive linemen, particularly Oher, swallowed him up today once they engaged… Lardarius Webb plays with toughness but today seemed a bit slow to recover after a receiver’s second move. He was beaten for a score during live scrimmaging by Harper from 2 yards out…Jason Phillips saw more snaps today than he has the entire camp. While shaking off the rust, he was applauded by Ray Lewis for shooting the gap on a running play…Davon Drew sat out today…Cedric Peerman fumbled at the 3 on a third and goal from the 2.
Key Camp Battles
Tavares Gooden v. Jameel McClain: Gooden has the inside track on the inside linebacker position vacated by Bart Scott. It’s his job to lose at this early point. McClain seems much more comfortable off the edge and at times has been very explosive as a blitzing OLB. He could be more of a situational player much like Adalius Thomas early in the former Ravens’ career. McClain has improved as a pass defender.
Ray Rice v. Willis McGahee: Rice continues to run with the first team although McGahee gets a fair number of snaps with the No. 1 offensive unit. Both look very good and the competition is a very healthy thing for the Ravens offense. So far this battle could not be going any better and looks like a dead heat so far although Rice is a more dangerous weapon as a receiver than McGahee.
Graham Gano v. Steve Hauschka: Both kickers have competed well but give the edge overall to Gano. He’s been slightly more consistent on field goal attempts and measurably better off the tee.
Marcus Smith v. Justin Harper: The coaching staff loves Smith’s toughness and special teams abilities but Harper has been the better receiver so far during camp. He needs to be more consistent but generally he makes more plays than Smith and while his hands can’t be defined as “sure” they are better than Smith’s. The winner of this battle will be the team’s No. 5 receiver and usually that means special teams contributions will weigh heavily.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS: Marshal Yanda ran with the first team at right guard while Chester moved over to left guard in place of the hobbled Ben Grubbs. Grubbs did practice sparingly. Yanda’s availability is borderline miraculous…The team ran some no huddle with 4 receivers split wide, one of which was Ray Rice…Jalen Parmele caught a short pass over the middle and collided with Tom Zbikowski. Zibby left the field shaken. Parmele runs heavy…Haruki Nakamura is fast becoming an exceptional blitzer. He came in clean to sack Troy Smith…Smith was up and down on the day. He hit Harper on a skinny post, nice throw and catch despite tight coverage from Evan Oglesby…Joe Flacco didn’t make any costly mistakes yet his play can hardly be categorized today as sharp. He is throwing off his back foot often when pressured heavily…After a TD pass from Smith, Kelley Washington celebrated by mimicking Ray Lewis’ pregame entrance dance.
Yamon Figurs was dressed but was mostly an observer with limited participation on special teams drills…Jarret Johnson looks very comfortable in the hybrid role and is active against the run, in coverage and getting after the quarterback – clearly a poor man’s Adalius Thomas. He provides excellent value to the roster…Robbie Felix played a little guard in addition to center and pulled nicely from the RG position to lead a nice run for Matt Lawrence.
SPECIAL TEAMS DRILLS
Coach Jerry Rosburg put the special teams players through the paces on a drill intended to improve blocking on punt returns and shedding blocks to tackle the returner. Players were separated by about 10 yards. The player closest to the returner was asked to drop back, establish his ground and then take on the gunner bearing down with a full head of steam. Players receiving accolades during the drill included: Marcus Smith, Jalen Parmele, Cedric Peerman and Prescott Burgess.
LIVE SCRIMMAGING
(First and 10 from the opponent’s 20 yard line will be displayed as 1-10-20)
First team offense v. Second team defense
1-10-20 Flacco swing pass right to McGahee; tackled by Oglesby for no gain
2-10-20 Flacco to Williams, 8 yards
3-02-12 McClain (in no huddle mode) from FB position, 2 yard run
1-10-10 Flacco pass to Williams on fade left corner; interference on Chris Carr
1-G-01 Flacco fade pass right to Mason incomplete
2-G-01 Flacco slant (left to right) to Williams, TD
Second team offense v. first team defense
1-10-20 Smith to Kelley Washington over Domonique Foxworth, TD
First team offense v. Second team defense
1-10-20 Draw to McGahee, 14 yards
1-G-06 Flacco to L. McClain, swing pass right incomplete
2-G-06 Ray Rice 6 yard run, TD
Second team offense v. First team defense
1-10-20 Jason Cook run, no gain
2-10-20 Smith pass intended for Justin Harper intercepted by Frank Walker
First team offense v. second team defense
1-10-20 McClain 4 yard run
2-06-16 Quick pitch to McGahee, 3 yard run
3-03-13 Bad snap and sack
4-09-19 37 yard FGA by Hauschka is good
Second team offense v. second team defense
1-10-20 Beck pass to Lawrence for 9 yards
2-01-11 Beck to Washington, no gain (Oglesby)
3-01-11 Parmele 6 yard run
1-G-05 Parmele run, no gain
2-G-05 Beck pass to Peerman, 3 yards
3-G-02 Peerman run, fumbles and recovers, loss of 1
4-G-03 21 yard FGA by Gano is good
3 Plays to End the Game
The first and second team offenses went up against the first and second team defenses respectively, simulating the last play of the game from the 2 yard line, 5 yard line and 10 yard line.
1 v. 1
From the 2: Rice TD run between Birk and Yanda
From the 5: Flacco to Heap, incomplete
From the 10: Flacco to Mason 7 yards, out of bounds (???)
2 v. 2
From the 2: Smith to Harper, TD (Webb)
From the 5: Smith throws the pass through the end zone (???)
From the 10: Smith to Washington incomplete
