The Ravens got their first look at newly acquired wide receiver Chris Givens on Wednesday as the team prepares for their upcoming match-up at home against the Cleveland Browns.
During the open portion of practice, Givens was seen getting extended reps in positional drills as well as taking reps with quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Matt Schaub. Head coach John Harbaugh, usually mum about who will play and who won’t so early in the week stated that he expects the speedy Givens to see action on Sunday.
“He’s going to be out there on Sunday,” Harbaugh before practice. “How much he plays depends on how well he does. I’m really hopeful that he plays a lot. It will be up to him and how well he can learn what we’re doing.”
Looking to shore up their receiver corps after the season-ending injury to Michael Campanaro, the Ravens acquired Givens from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for a conditional draft pick.
Givens had just one catch for 7 yards and one rush for 24 yards with the Rams this season. He is excited about the opportunity to play in Baltimore with Flacco.
“I love Joe. I’ve watched Joe for years,” Givens said. “He has a strong arm and I feel like our talents match up and we can complement each other well. It can be explosive.”
Monroe Ready To Return
After playing just one series in the Ravens’ season opener, left tackle Eugene Monroe practiced at full strength on Wednesday.
“I’m healthy now,” Monroe said following practice. “I’m looking to do my part.”
While the offensive line has improved week to week with back-up James Hurst manning the left tackle position, Monroe has been sorely missed in pass pro and in establishing running lanes.
“I’m looking to come make an impact and be a dominant player as I work to do every week,” said Monroe. “It’s no different that I’ve been out. I’m going to come in, step in and work to dominate and execute and do all the things we need to do to win.”
Since signing a five-year, $37.5 million deal ($19 million guaranteed), Monroe has been hampered by injuries, playing just 11 games last season and, as mentioned, just the one series so far this year. Here’s hoping his string of bad injury luck is at an end.
Pass Rush Improving
When the team lost OLB Terrell Suggs to a season-ending Achilles injury earlier this season, many questioned how the team planned to rush opposing passers.
The Ravens have 11 sacks in four games this season, tying Cincinnati for the league’s sixth most. Eight different defenders have posted a sack for the Ravens in 2015.
Elvis Dumervil, C.J. Mosley and rookie Za’Darius Smith all have two sacks to lead the team.
Losing Pernell McPhee this offseason left the Ravens with a lack of pass rushers already and after losing Suggs, the team has been desperate for someone to emerge. Efforts to get to opposing quarterbacks included the signing of veteran Jason Babin. After being inactive for the first two games after his arrival in Baltimore, Babin saw just seven snaps against Pittsburgh and failed to pressure Michael Vick in any of his plays. He drew some attention from the OL though, and the rookie Smith took advantage of Babin being doubled to sack Vick on consecutive plays.
Should be noted that Steelers had both RT and RG blocking Jason Babin on last play, opened for Za'Darius Smith to get up middle for sack
— Brent Harris (@BrentIHarris) October 2, 2015
“It’s huge. [Za’Darius Smith is] hungry,” responded Dumervil when asked about the rookie. “We’re excited for him. He can do it. He has been doing it in camp. So, for him to get a chance – an opportunity – on Thursday Night Football, you couldn’t be [more] excited for him.
“He just has to keep going. It’s a long season. He just has to keep stacking them.”
As the Ravens prepare to host Cleveland and QB Josh McCown, it’s likely Dumervil and his young counterpart will build on their sack total.
Dumervil’s 10 sacks vs. Cleveland are the most he’s posted against any team during his career.
Blackout
On Sunday when they host the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens will wear their all black uniforms for the first time in 2015.
“We’re excited to wear those uniforms,” said Doom. “The black is always nice.”
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