OWINGS MILLS – Rookie wide receiver Tommy Streeter has been working out with Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis ever since being drafted in the sixth round by Baltimore.
When Lewis reached out to the fellow University of Miami football alum during the draft, Streeter was overjoyed.
"I basically told him that I was ready to make that next step and ready to train," Streeter said. "He took it upon himself to extend that invitation. He stays probably 40 minutes away from me in Miami. He just invited me to come over, work out and you know I accepted it and we’ve been on a roll ever since."
It hasn’t been easy matching Lewis’ legendary work ethic.
"Oh, it’s been tough," Streeter said. "He pushes his body to the limit. It’s no surprise that he plays the way he plays on game day and why he’s been playing so long in the NFL."
The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder is an intriguing prospect for the Ravens because he’s so tall and fast with 4.40 speed in the 40-yard dash.
It was was obvious that he needs to gain some polish to his routes as he wasn’t especially sharp out of his breaks, but Streeter could emerge as a red-zone target and deep threat.
"That’s what I thrive at," said Streeter, who was hampered by a stomach virus and was in and out of practice Sunday. "I feel I create a mismatch down there on jump-ball situations. It’s rare that you find a guy who can run the way I can.
"I feel like you don’t always have to run the ball down there. It’s okay to throw a fade. I’m hoping they incorporate that in the game plan."
Streeter finished his career with 52 receptions for 967 yards and nine touchdowns, but almost all of that production was produced as a junior for new coach Al Golden.
Streeter was projected to go much higher in the draft, initially rated as a second-round or third-round target by draft analysts.
"I’m extremely hungry," Streeter said. "I kind of feel like people didn’t believe in me even though I believed in myself. I thank God that the coaches believed in me and gave me this opportunity.
"Ever since I got that phone call on draft day, I had the mindset that I was willing to work. I’m ready for whoever lines up across from me."
The Ravens are happy to have Streeter on their roster.
"First impression, he’s really tall," Harbaugh said. "Second impression, he’s really fast. Third impression, he’s going to be a good player."
