BALTIMORE – The football sailed through the uprights, clearing the crossbar with plenty of distance to spare after a swing of Billy Cundiff’s strong right leg.
Despite a cross wind blowing from the sideline, the Baltimore Ravens’ Pro Bowl kicker connected easily on a field goal from 58 yards that would have been good from beyond 60 yards.
Cundiff also hit a 53-yarder for accuracy on seven of eight kicks with his lone miss coming from 37 yards when he hooked it a few feet wide of the left upright.
Cundiff is intent on justifying the Ravens’ investment in him. He was signed to a five-year, $14.7 million contract that included a $3 million signing bonus in March prior to the NFL lockout.
“That’s exactly right,” Cundiff said. “Obviously, Matt Stover set the bar extremely high. I felt like when I got here I acknowledged the fact that I wasn’t going to be Matt Stover. I wasn’t going to do things the way he did them, but I was going to try to replicate the stats at the end of the day.”
Cundiff converted 26 of 29 field goals last season, scoring a career-high 117 points.
As soon as he returned from the Pro Bowl, Cundiff began making his plans to return even stronger than last summer when he beat out Shayne Graham for the job.
“Once the season was done, I set my plan for the offseason knowing that it would be uncertain,” Cundiff said. “I got back to training the Tuesday after the Super Bowl. I got a lot of lifting and strength work done in the offseason, and I felt that when the time came for training camp, I could show it off.”
Last season, Cundiff led the NFL with 40 touchbacks and made 89.7 percent of his field goals and all 39 of his extra points.
After years of being a journeyman kicker constantly going on tryouts, Cundiff owned the job.
“I see the same guy that’s got a very strong leg,” special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said. “He’s made some long field goals and the kickoffs we’ve taken have been pretty much the same thing we saw last year, so he’s taken very good care of his body. This is a guy who was out on his own for many years and now that he’s got a team he isn’t about to let that go, and we expect great things again from Billy this year.”
Cundiff wasn’t surprised that the coaches wanted him to try a long one, and he was glad that there was the presence of wind to increase the degree of difficulty.
And he made the kick despite some colorful language from outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who attempted to distract Cundiff.
“What did Suggs say?” Cundiff said. “It’s not family friendly.”
INJURY UPDATES: Cornerback Jimmy Smith practiced on a limited basis, and didn’t experience a setback.
The first-round draft pick from Colorado was limited to individual drills after being sidelined for the previous four practices with a minor groin injury.
“It wasn’t that much, but it felt good,” Smith said. “I feel like I made a lot of progress. You can never be too safe. I don’t want to go out there and re-tweak it and be out longer, so the staff’s been taking pretty good precaution on it.”
Smith predicted that he’ll be able to resume full activities as soon as Monday.
“I’m definitely going to try and go on Monday,” he said. “So, hopefully they let me go.”
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said he’s not concerned about Smith falling behind.
“From a mental standpoint, he’s getting there,” Pagano said. “He goes to every practice. He takes every mental rep the corners take on the field. He’s a really bright kid. He won’t have a problem. We would love to have him on the field, but I’m not worried. We’ve got a ton of guys who can play.”
Meanwhile, wide receiver James Hardy didn’t practice again due to a hamstring problem.
“Everything is coming along, should be back soon, very soon,” Hardy said. “All I do is listen to the trainers and do what they tell me to do.”
A former Buffalo Bills second-round draft pick, Hardy needs to get healthy and get back on the field to earn a spot.
“It’s been the worst thing I’ve had to do all year, so far, watching knowing that I can contribute in different ways,” Hardy said. “Now, I’m waiting on my opportunity.”
Rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith (hamstring) took part in portions of the practice.
“I felt a lot better as the day went on,” Smith said. “We’re being more cautious than anything. I can’t wait for a real game. This is just practice.”
Also not practicing and remaining on the physically unable to perform list: defensive tackle Brandon McKinney (knee surgery), wide receiver David Reed (wrist surgery) , long snapper Morgan Cox (knee), offensive tackle Ramon Harewood (knees).
Harewood said he’ll be evaluated by doctors today.
“If all goes well, I’ll be back Monday or Tuesday,” he said. “It’s just soreness. The pain has kind of disappeared.”
McKinney said he’s nearly recovered from his offseason surgery.
“Yeah, I’m almost back,” McKinney said. “I should be back sometime next week. It’s nothing major. I’m being careful with to make sure I don’t get a setback. It’s tough to watch. You never realize how much you miss training camp until you actually can’t do it.”
Six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk recently underwent surgery on his left knee and is out for three to four weeks, according to coach John Harbaugh.
Tight end Ed Dickson (undisclosed) didn’t practice again as well as running back Matt Lawrence (undisclosed).
C. WILLIAMS PLAYING WELL: Cornerback Cary Williams drew praise from Harbaugh and Pagano after intercepting a Tyrod Taylor pass Saturday.
The tall defensive back intercepted a pair of passes Friday.
“Cary Williams has had two excellent days,” Harbaugh said.
“Cary Williams has another year under his belt,” Pagano said. “He’s maturing. All he’s done is make plays since he’s been here. He’s got his confidence. He knows what to do.”
A year ago, Williams began the season with a two-game suspension for a violation of the NFL personal conduct policy.
This year, he’s in contention to play in the first game as a dime back as well as contribute on special teams.
“Being in the system definitely helps,” Williams said. “It’s hard work, going through the hours and doing all the intangible things. Last year, nothing was set in stone. I want to come out and compete to the best of my ability and stack practice after practice.
“It’s the same old thing for me. I’m a firm believer in hard work. I’m willing to accept whatever role coach Pagano wants to put me in.”
QUICK HITS: During a WBAL interview, Suggs offered this prediction: “Yeah, we’re going to win the Super Bowl.” … The Ravens are off today and resume practice Monday. … The practice was free to attend, including parking, allowing fans who normally don’t attend games to watch the Ravens. “Definitely, ticket prices are way too expensive,” cornerback Chris Carr said. “It’s definitely good to see everybody. Everybody’s polite. It’s very nice.” … Starting inside linebacker Jameel McClain declined to say why he began camp on the non-football injury list. … At 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, new strong safety Bernard Pollard looks like a linebacker. And the Ravens plan to use him extensively in blitz packages. “It looks really good right now, he’s come in and hit the ground running,” Pagano said. “You got a 228-pound man back there, a grown man. It looks like we should be sending him every time. I don’t care if they know it or don’t know it. You send a big man like that. We had one of our guys find out what it feels like. He looks good.” … Flacco wished former Ravens backup quarterback Marc Bulger well in his retirement. “Marc was great to have around here last year,” Flacco said. “Marc had a great career. I’m happy for him. He’s made his decision. We’re not too worried about the backup situation. I’m not really too concerned about that.”
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times
