The 2016 season could be a pivotal one for several members of the Ravens wide receiver corps, but particularly for third-year player Michael Campanaro.
Campanaro, a local product from Howard County, Maryland (River Hill) was selected by the Ravens in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. A standout at Wake Forest, “Camp” possessed the kind of playmaking ability that the Ravens lacked. The organization liked him enough to jump back into the 2014 draft after a swap with Cleveland (trading a 2015 draft pick).
“I think he’s shifty, I think he’s tough, I think he’s very quick,” Ravens Assistant General Manger Eric DeCosta said following the draft. “He plays the slot, which is kind of a niche position and does that very, very well. He’s a good run-after-catch guy. He can catch punts. He should have a chance to contribute.
“Mike basically took every single rep during that workout, and it was impressive. In my mind, it tipped the scales to him being a good prospect for us.
Campanaro would be the first person to tell you that the beginning of his NFL career didn’t go as planned. Appearing in four games his rookie season, he caught seven passes for 102 yards and a touchdown even though he missed six games due to a thigh injury.
Dubbed a “Julian Edelman” type player by many in the media and those inside the walls of the Castle in Owings Mills, Campanaro started the 2015 season off with a bang. Before landing on injured reserve with a back injury, he amassed 35 receiving yards on five catches, rushed for 17 yards and a touchdown on two carries, and was off to a solid start as the featured kickoff and punt returner.
As training camp kicked off this summer, there were those who thought Campanaro’s days were numbered in Baltimore, especially after the team selected former Navy quarterback turned wide receiver Keenan Reynolds in the 2016 draft. While no one would argue the talent of Campanaro, his ability to stay healthy remains a major concern.
Through the first week of training camp, Campanaro has thus far proved his critics wrong. The 5-9, 191-lb receiver reported to camp in top physical condition, a self-described must.
“I just stayed here at the Castle and worked with our training staff and our strength and conditioning staff the whole summer and the whole offseason,” responded Campanaro when asked about the first step in getting healthy. “It’s been great. I’ve been in there every day, every morning with those guys and they put together a great plan for me.”
From his crisp routes to his soft hands, he’s been hell to cover for opposing defensive backs.
“I feel great out there,” said Camp. “I’m just progressing along and I feel ready to go. I’m excited for this year and looking forward to putting together a really good season being out there every game.”
The return of a healthy Campanaro adds to the receiver battle that is taking place daily during training camp. In a position that’s been a question mark for much of the offseason, Campanaro has stood out. The key will be his ability to stay healthy (the team is giving him days off), but Campanaro is excited about what lies ahead for him and the rest of Ravens pass catchers in 2016.
“So excited,” bellowed Campanaro. “We have such versatile wide receivers. I think everyone complements each other. We have deep threats, we have big guys, slot guys tight ends and running backs who catch out of the backfield.
“It’s a lot of weapons for Joe and I think right now we’re just figuring out this identity of the offense and playing together and the potential for us is the sky’s the limit.”
While it’s likely that John Harbaugh and company will ease him into action throughout the preseason, Campanaro is off and running to a solid start. Here’s to his health.
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