The Ravens wrapped up their first NFL preseason game of the 2015 season with a 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.
The game featured some highs and some lows from veterans and rookies as we expected, but rookie defensive tackle Carl Davis made the most of his NFL debut.
“They drafted me here for a reason and that’s to make plays, said Davis. “I’m just trying to be that person. I just went out there and tried to do the best I could.”
Drafted in the third round in 2015 out of Iowa, the 6-5, 320 pound Davis shined under the lights as the rookie saw extended snaps playing well into the fourth quarter before some minor cramping set in.
Davis showed just how disruptive he could be at the line of scrimmage. On several plays, he was able to push himself into the offensive back field and was also responsible for a batted pass in the third quarter.
“Coach told me, starting this week, I was going to play a whole lot, and I went and took the challenge,” remarked a smiling Davis following the game. “I just went out and tried to show them what I got.”
While his stats may not tell the whole story on Davis’ NFL debut (1 tackle, 2 assists), the Ravens got a first-hand look at the rookie who will be used in rotation along the defensive front.
Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the exceptional play of his rookie defensive tackle, but knows he has more work to do.
“There were a couple of things where he didn’t hold his rush lane on the draw – one time on a rush,” said Harbaugh. “Other than that, against the basic run stuff, he was very active. Good hands, good feet. You said he penetrated a bunch of times. He played a bunch of snaps, played them all hard, I believe.
“We’ll see it on tape. Basically, we played him until he cramped up at the end, and we finally dragged him off the field and let someone else go in and play. You’re right, he had a good night.”
As the Ravens get back to work this week for training camp in Philadephia, Davis will likely get even more reps with the first team defense with fellow defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan remaining sidelined with an undisclosed strain.
While it was just one preseason game, Davis did exactly what rookies are suppose to do, catch the coaches eye.
Well done rook….
Thanks #RavensNation for a great night at the bank. So much support. Looking forward to more experiences.
— Trenchwork94 (@Carldavis94) August 14, 2015
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